Bellwork Life was recently created in a lab that was totally manmade. What was it?

A lab spent over 15 years creating cells with an expanded genetic alphabet that includes two more letters.

Having more letters to work with opens the door to new things. (A rough analogy: Just think how many new words you could spell with 39 letters instead of the usual 26).

The head of the lab promised “If it gets out of the lab it’s not going to go down to the San Diego zoo and start eating the penguins.”

Tortoise + “the Hair”

What caused this?

Man

What do some Armadillos do that makes them really vulnerable to being killed by a motor vehicle?

Armadillos jump When threatened the 9 banded Armidillo at first jumps straight up- to the exact height of most vehicle bumpers.

Armadillos Are also one of the few animals who catch leprosy- a human disease that eats away the flesh. Armadillos can catch this due to their low body temperature.

Armadillos Each year 50 to 80 people contract leprosy from handling Armadillos.

Armadillos by the numbers 20 types of Armadillos exist. Found only in the Americas. Range from 1 to 5 feet in length and up to 150 lbs. Sleeps mostly and rouses only to eat grubs, termites and ants.

A name by any other name Conquistadores gave the Armadilo its name which means “little armored one”.

A name by any other name The Aztecs called it the “Rabbit- turtle”.

A name by any other name And in Texas its called a “possum on the half- shell”.

Armored Protected by a shell made of bone. Shell also allows it to escape into thorns or cactus. To also defend itself many Armadillos leaps vertically before running away.

Armored The 3 banded Armadillo can also curve into a protective ball. This is the ONLY Armadillo that can achieve this.

Lifestyle Some species are solitary- others gather in groups in undergroun d burrows often for shared warmth during cold periods.

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