Category Archives: Sea life

The science and magic of hybrid animals

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Madeline McCurry-Schmidt

By Madeline McCurry-Schmidt Let’s start with the basics: sperm and egg. When an animal sperm cell meets an egg cell, it has to pass a test. The proteins on the surface of the sperm cell must bind with proteins on … Continue reading →

Posted in Fish, Mammals, Sea life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Mermaid reproduction and science mysteries

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Madeline McCurry-Schmidt

By Madeline McCurry-Schmidt A friend once asked me, “Do mermaids have swim bladders?” I didn’t think so, but my mermaid biology is a bit shaky. Do mermaids carry live young or lay eggs? They appear to have mammary glands, yet the … Continue reading →

Posted in Notes from Madeline, Sea life | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Shark claspers and under-water erections

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Madeline McCurry-Schmidt

By Madeline McCurry-Schmidt Tomorrow is Bug Sex Friday on the blog, but here’s a fun fact to entertain you until then: Unlike humans, sharks do not depend on blood flow to get erections. Male sharks actually allow sea water to … Continue reading →

Posted in Fish, Sea life | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment