rhamphotheca:

Recently Discovered Sand Spider Threatened By Mining

While conducting research in the Sands of Samar in the southern Arava region of Israel, a team from the department of biology at the University of Haifa-Oranim discovered a new species of sand spider (Jan. 2010). The spider, which has a leg span larger than 5 1/2 in. (almost 15 cm), is thought to be the largest of its type native to the Middle East.

The spider’s home, however, is in danger of disappearing, placing the newly discovered species in threatened status. The Sands of Samar is the only remaining desert dune in Israel. Once spanning more than seven kilometers, the dune has been reduced to less than three kilometers due to land rezoning for agriculture and sand quarries. Now, the Israel Land Administration has released a plan to resume mining operations in the remaining dune, action that would destroy this species’—and possibly that of several others—habitat…

(read more: Tree Hugger)

alicepracti:

Tucan (by Missa-Lissa)

aquilon:

big house (by wangyuanling)

(Source: wescalou)

zeroing:

unknown source

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