FIGURE 1 - SNOW LEOPARD OUT IN WILD
FIGURE 2 - THICK YELLOW FUR CONTAINING BROWN SPOTS
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The snow leopard (Figure 1), scientifically known as the Panthera uncia is not only one of the most beautiful species on the planet but is also one of they shyest. They possess beautiful thick fur made up of a white/soft grey or yellow coat containing spots of brown (Figure 2) or black. Snow leopards come in many shapes and sizes, but an adult male is known to weigh close to about 55 kilograms. These predators are very stealthy and can prey on animals three times their own weight, including wild sheep, goats, hares, game birds and much more. Snow leopards are amazing creatures that are well adapted to fit the environment in which they live. A major adaptation for the cold is an enlarged nasal cavity that allows the species to warm up the cold air before inhaling it into their lungs.
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HAS YOUR DENTIST TAUGHT YOU ABOUT NASAL CAVITIES?
The Nasal Cavity on a snow leopard is located inside of the nose (Figure 4). Unlike a typical cavity, nasal cavities are one of the two main respiratory adaptations that a snow leopard possesses (Figure 4). A snow leopard's nasal cavity is immensely large and it aids the snow leopard in warming up cold air before breathing it in, thus preventing the lungs from getting cold. The nasal cavity is a hollow space within the snow leopard's nose (Figure 3) and its main function is to heat, moisturize and filter air before it enters the body. One interesting use of the nasal cavity is that it is responsible for a snow leopard's sense of smell. Without the nasal cavity, snow leopards would not be able to hunt down and catch prey as effectively. Another major function of the nasal cavity is its ability to trap dust, mold, pollen and other environmental contaminants before they enter the body (Figure 5). When a snow leopard exhales through its nose, the air returns moisture and heat to the nasal cavity before it leaves the body.
THE MOST PAIN-FREE CAVITY IN THE WORLDNot only does the nasal cavity (Figure 3) assist the snow leopard in breathing at extremely high altitudes, it also contains a specialized sinus passage which warms up cold air and traps any negative environmental contaminants before entering the body (Figure 5). This is very beneficial because it helps the snow leopard survive extreme conditions. For example, since snow leopards live in cold mountainous areas, this adaptation keeps their lungs from getting cold. It also prevents the lungs from getting infected with harmful toxins. Nasal cavities can also be found in humans (Figure 6). In humans, inside of the nasal cavity; there are little hairs that help filter the air you breathe and also help block dirt and dust from entering your lungs. Nasal cavities are very advantageous and because of them, both humans and snow leopards benefit from uncontaminated inhalation and exhalation of air!
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FIGURE 5 - TRAPPED ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS
FIGURE 6 - DIAGRAM ILLUSTRATING NASAL CAVITY IN HUMANS
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FIGURE 7 - AFRICAN WILD CAT
FIGURE 8 - MUCUS MEMBRANE
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CAN THESE CAVITIES BE REMOVED?Snow leopards are usually found in cold and dry climates, making nasal cavities an extremely beneficial adaptation because it helps warm up air and oxygen before it is inhaled by animals. In warmer climates, nasal cavities are not used as frequently. For example, the African wild cat (Figure 7), a relative of the snow leopard is known to live in dry, dessert lands. The nasal cavity is not needed to heat up air since Africa is one of the hottest places on Earth and this adaptation would be very useless because the African wild cats would rarely ever use it to heat up the air before inhaling it.
German researchers discovered that species living in cold and dry climates generally had higher, narrower nasal cavities than species living in hot, humid climates. Researchers concluded that nasal cavities of cold, dry climate populations are more abrupt to change. Marlijn Noback, a German researcher states that “The more narrow the nasal passage, the more likely it is to increase the contact between the air and different types of mucus tissue". Contact with mucus (Figure 8) can be threatening for any species because too much mucus can cause irritable sicknesses (flu, cough, sore throat etc). This proves that species in warm climates are less likely to catch a cold and any other related disease because their nasal passage makes it harder for mucus to travel down their nose and into their body. |
WORKS CITED :
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Basic Facts About Snow Leopards. (2016). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from http://www.defenders.org/snow-leopard/basic-facts
Feature, S. W. (n.d.). The Truth About Snot (Mucus): Color, Coughing and Treatment. Retrieved November 15, 2016, from http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/the-truth-about-mucus
Raymond, J. (2011). The Shape of a Nose. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-shape-of-a-nose/
Snow Leopard Conservancy, Rodney Jackson, Darla Hillard. (n.d.). Snow Leopards. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from http://www.snowleopardconservancy.org/kids/text/leopardadapt.htm
Snow leopard. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2016, from http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/snow_leopard/
Adaptations. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2016, from http://401506485226408270.weebly.com/adaptations.html
Adaptation. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/bishop_kayl/adaptation.htm
Adaptations. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from http://snowleopardadaptations.weebly.com/adaptations.html
Basic Facts About Snow Leopards. (2016). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from http://www.defenders.org/snow-leopard/basic-facts
Feature, S. W. (n.d.). The Truth About Snot (Mucus): Color, Coughing and Treatment. Retrieved November 15, 2016, from http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/the-truth-about-mucus
Raymond, J. (2011). The Shape of a Nose. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-shape-of-a-nose/
Snow Leopard Conservancy, Rodney Jackson, Darla Hillard. (n.d.). Snow Leopards. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from http://www.snowleopardconservancy.org/kids/text/leopardadapt.htm
Snow leopard. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2016, from http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/snow_leopard/