Hesse, a state in the heart of Germany, is characterized by a diverse biocultural landscape. From the wooded low mountain ranges like the Taunus and the Vogelsberg to the fertile valleys along the Rhine, Hesse offers a wide range of habitats for a variety of plant and animal species. The flora is marked by deciduous and coniferous trees in the forests, as well as typical Central European plants such as beeches, oaks, and chestnuts. The fauna includes a variety of species, including deer, wild boar, foxes, badgers, and various bird species like woodpeckers and owls. The people of Hesse have developed a close relationship with nature over the centuries, reflected in traditions such as the preservation of orchards and the protection of nature reserves. Despite challenges from land use, urbanization, and climate change, the protection and preservation of this biocultural diversity remain crucial for the future of Hesse and the well-being of its residents.
Thursday evening after the first of two windstorms calmed down. The weather was really nice for a moment. Evening after evening the sunset approaches the Taunus Mountains. Its glow is already touching the Altkönig ("Old King"). Shortly after taking this photo, hailstones started penetrating the sensitive tip of my sloth nose. Can't await summer!
People have forgotten how to talk about feelings. If you do, they immediately try to fix you without understanding first. There is nothing to fix, only to listen. Feelings are normal, even negative ones. The world will not end because of them. But not being noticed and instead being fed fortune cookie sayings is great to do alone.
Female Jamaican field cricket (Gryllus assimilis). This one has just reached sexual maturity. After its moult, the insect first has to harden and take on color. The long sting is called ovipositor and is used to lay eggs in the ground. But that will never happen, because crickets taste best that tender to my geckos.😋
Two years ago I adopted the clutch of a Giant African land snail (Achatina fulica, "White Jade" ). 🐌
Crazy how fast time flies. In this video they were just a month old. It plays at 11x speed. I hope they are doing well in their new homes now. I last saw them 9 months ago.
The little animals are predatory mites. They feed on small insects, springtails and mites. This is useful because they leave the snails alone but eliminate pests.
Mites are arachnids just like spiders and scorpions. There are many specialized mite species worldwide, including blood-sucking ticks and dust mites.
