Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Lion

2009-03-29T22:18:33Z

Acionyx: /* Lions in the Bible */

[[Image:Lion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Male lion]]
The '''lion''' is a large [[feline]]. Today restricted to [[Africa]] south of the [[Sahara]] and a small population in the [[Kathiawar]] peninsula of [[India]], historically lions were also found throughout the [[Middle East]], North Africa and in Southern [[Europe]]; hunting down the Nemean Lion was amongst the twelve labours of [[Hercules]].

Lions are unusual amongst felines for their social habits, typically living in small family groups called prides, and their [[sexual dimorphism]], the male lion being readily distinguished from the lioness by his [[mane]].

Hunting in lion prides is typically done by the lionesses, often with some waiting in [[ambush]] while others drive prey in their direction. The male lions are generally the first to eat, though.

== Man-eating lions ==

Although isolated attacks by lions on [[human]]s are not uncommon, the development of habitual [[anthropophagy]] is rare in lions. However, in East Africa in 1898 a pride of man-eating lions devoured nearly 140 [[railway]] workers constructing a bridge on the [[Uganda Railway]], severely disrupting work, before they were finally shot by [[J. H. Patterson]].<ref>[http://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibits/exhibit_sites/tsavo/maneaters.html Lions of Tsavo]</ref>

== Lions in the Bible ==

Lions appear over 150 times in the [[Bible]].

The first long reference was [[Samson]]'s [[riddle]]:
<blockquote>
Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well. 
And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion. 
So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do. And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him. And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments: But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it. 
And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so? 
And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee? 
And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people. 
And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my [[heifer]], ye had not found out my riddle. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.<ref>Judges 14:5-19</ref>
</blockquote>
The Prophet Isaiah gave a prophecy about the Coming of the Lord:
<blockquote>
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.<ref>Isaiah 11:4-8</ref>
</blockquote>
Daniel spent a night in the lions' den, but the Lord prevented the beasts from eating him.<ref>Daniel 6</ref>

''The lion which is mighty among beasts and does not retreat before any.'' Proverbs 30:30

 

However, lions were not always used to kill foreigners. They were occainsionaly used to house bees.

==Lions in The Origin of Species==
[[Image:Lion.png|thumb|Heraldry of León, Spain]]
Lions appear three times in [[The Origin of Species]].

<blockquote>
It has already been casually remarked that certain organs in the individual, which when mature become widely different and serve for different purposes, are in the embryo exactly alike. The embryos, also, of distinct animals within the same class are often strikingly similar: a better proof of this cannot be given, than a circumstance mentioned by Agassiz, namely, that having forgotten to ticket the embryo of some vertebrate animal, he cannot now tell whether it be that of a mammal, bird, or reptile. The vermiform larvae of moths, flies, beetles, &c., resemble each other much more closely than do the mature insects; but in the case of larvae, the embryos are active, and have been adapted for special lines of life. A trace of the law of embryonic resemblance, sometimes lasts till a rather late age: thus birds of the same genus, and of closely allied genera, often resemble each other in their first and second plumage; as we see in the spotted feathers in the thrush group. In the cat tribe, most of the species are striped or spotted in lines; and stripes can be plainly distinguished in the whelp of the lion. We occasionally though rarely see something of this kind in plants: thus the embryonic leaves of the ulex or furze, and the first leaves of the phyllodineous acaceas, are pinnate or divided like the ordinary leaves of the leguminosae.

The points of structure, in which the embryos of widely different animals of the same class resemble each other, often have no direct relation to their conditions of existence. We cannot, for instance, suppose that in the embryos of the vertebrata the peculiar loop-like course of the arteries near the branchial slits are related to similar conditions, in the young mammal which is nourished in the womb of its mother, in the egg of the bird which is hatched in a nest, and in the spawn of a frog under water. We have no more reason to believe in such a relation, than we have to believe that the same bones in the hand of a man, wing of a bat, and fin of a porpoise, are related to similar conditions of life. No one will suppose that the stripes on the whelp of a lion, or the spots on the young blackbird, are of any use to these animals, or are related to the conditions to which they are exposed.
</blockquote>

== References ==

<references />

{{Nb_zl_felines}}
[[Category:Felines]]
[[Category:Biblical Animals]]
[[Category:Dangerous Animals]]
[[Category:India]]
[[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:Animals]]

Domestic cat

2009-03-29T22:16:58Z

Acionyx: /* Breeds */

[[Image:Domestic cat.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Domestic cat. The different colored eyes are due to [[Heterochromia]]; this cat is likely deaf in one ear]]
The '''domestic cat''' is a [[mammal]] of the species ''Felis silvestris catus'' that has for many thousands of years been a constant companion of [[human]]s. Originally domesticated in ancient times, cats have been much valued for their ability to catch [[mice]] and other vermin, and for their loving and loyal relationship with their human masters. Nocturnal by nature, cats living outside of human society, known as [[feral cat|feral cats]], invariably revert to a night-time existence.

There is some debate as to the original time at which cats were domesticated, as mummified cats have been found in [[Cyprus]] dating back to at least 6,000 B.C. according to secular dating. Cats are strictly carnivorous, so they do not usually eat [[carbohydrate]]-heavy human foods like grains and fruits; they are thus a natural companion for humans. Some evidence has found that cat ownership has health benefits, especially in the elderly.

== Breeds ==
There are over 50 domestic cat breeds, among them the Abyssinian, the American Bobtail, the [[American Shorthair]], the Balinese, the British Shorthair, the Burmese, the Cornish Rex, the Egyptian Mau, the Manx, the Nebelung, Norwegian Forest Cat, the Persian, the Russian Blue, the Siamese and the Turkish Angora. Cat breeds differ widely in terms of coloration, amount and location of body hair, and size. As with human [[race|races]], there is no evidence that cat breeds are [[monophyly|monophyletic]] groups; they are grouped based largely on a small number of physical characteristics. In some cases, cats have been interbred with servals and leopard cats to create the Savannah and Bengal breeds. This suggests they are more closely related than evolutionists think.

{{Nb_zl_felines}}
[[Category:Egypt]]

Cheetah

2009-03-29T22:15:30Z

Acionyx: this isn't Germany, we don't capatalize nouns

[[Image:Cheetah.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Cheetahs]]
The '''cheetah''' (''Acionyx jubatus'') is a member of the [[feline]] family. The distribution of the cheetah is limited to [[Africa]], where vast expanses of land fit their hunting style.

Cheetahs are unique among the [[feline]] family for their speed and hunting style. Capable of reaching speeds up to 70 mph in short sprints,<ref>http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0004737.html</ref> the cheetah is the fastest of all land animals. When hunting, a Cheetahs swipes at the prey's hind legs to trip them; this is distinctively different from other big cats, which would pounce and grab onto the prey, using their body weight to put the prey off balance.

The cheetah has several differences from other animals, to allow it to run at the speeds it does. They have claws that are semi-retractable, unlike other cats, and also rough paw pads, allowing greater traction when running. The body and fur is naturally smooth, reducing drag, the bones are light, reducing weight and the lungs are large, allowing increased breathing. However, the cheetah is designed only to sprint for short distances, as at top speed, the internal body temperature quickly rises to dangerous levels.<ref>http://www.cheetahspot.com/speed.php</ref> Cheetahs therefore hunt at the coolest times of day – morning and evening. They stalk their prey before attacking.<ref>http://www.cheetahspot.com/food.php</ref> Due to the special adaptations, it is believed by some creationists that God put special care into designing them.

==Quotes==
"While most scientists believe that the cheetah evolved, the very oldest cheetah fossils show us an animal that is just about like the cheetahs we know today. This complete lack of evidence for evolution, plus the intelligent specialized features of the cheetah, lead us to the conclusion that the cheetah is a special creation of God."<ref>[http://www.creationmoments.net/radio/transcript.php?t=2053 Creation Moments]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

{{Nb_zl_felines}}
[[Category:Africa]]

File talk:Liberal Brain.jpg

2009-03-29T22:13:50Z

Acionyx: New page: That thing is hilarious. --~~~~

That thing is hilarious. --[[User:Acionyx|Acionyx]] 18:13, 29 March 2009 (EDT)

Cheetah

2009-03-29T22:07:46Z

Acionyx:

[[Image:Cheetah.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Cheetahs]]
The '''cheetah''' is a member of the [[feline]] family. The distribution of the Cheetah is limited to [[Africa]], where vast expanses of land fit their hunting style.

Cheetahs are unique among the [[feline]] family for their speed and hunting style. Capable of reaching speeds up to 70 mph in short sprints,<ref>http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0004737.html</ref> the Cheetah is the fastest of all land animals. When hunting, a Cheetahs swipes at the prey's hind legs to trip them; this is distinctively different from other big cats, which would pounce and grab onto the prey, using their body weight to put the prey off balance.

The cheetah has several differences from other animals, to allow it to run at the speeds it does. They have claws that are semi-retractable, unlike other cats, and also rough paw pads, allowing greater traction when running. The body and fur is naturally smooth, reducing drag, the bones are light, reducing weight and the lungs are large, allowing increased breathing. However, the cheetah is designed only to sprint for short distances, as at top speed, the internal body temperature quickly rises to dangerous levels.<ref>http://www.cheetahspot.com/speed.php</ref> Cheetahs therefore hunt at the coolest times of day – morning and evening. They stalk their prey before attacking.<ref>http://www.cheetahspot.com/food.php</ref> Due to the special adaptations, it is believed by some creationists that God put special care into designing them.

==Quotes==
"While most scientists believe that the cheetah evolved, the very oldest cheetah fossils show us an animal that is just about like the cheetahs we know today. This complete lack of evidence for evolution, plus the intelligent specialized features of the cheetah, lead us to the conclusion that the cheetah is a special creation of God."<ref>[http://www.creationmoments.net/radio/transcript.php?t=2053 Creation Moments]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

{{Nb_zl_felines}}
[[Category:Africa]]

Animal

2009-03-29T21:57:53Z

Acionyx:

{{Taxonomy
|image=Vulpes vulpes.jpg
|kingdom=Animalia}}
An '''animal''' is any creature which is a member of the [[Animalia]] kingdom. Animals must eat [[plant]]s or other organisms to survive. The plants are called "producers" and the animals are "consumers". Scientists call consumers [[heterotroph]]s. Animals have complex [[eukaryotic cell]]s, unlike bacteria which have much simpler [[prokaryote|prokaryotic]] cells. Animal cells do not have [[cell wall]]s, only structural [[protein]]s in the [[cell membrane]]; this allows the animal cell a certain amount of flexibility.

The simplest of all animals are [[sponge]]s, which do not move. Sponges have different cells for different tasks, but these cells are not organized further into [[tissue]]s or [[organ]]s. Sponges also do not exhibit [[symmetry]], unlike all other animals.

The next simplest animals comprise a single species, which fall somewhere between sponges and all other animals. This species, ''Trichoplax adhaerans'', is very small, yet has cells organized into different kinds of tissues, though it does not have organs. This is an improvement on the sponge body plan.

True Animals are grouped into a sub-kingdom called Eumetazoa. All True Animals have tissues and organs, except for one type called Myxozoa. These have regressed to a single-celled form.

The simplest eumetazons are the Radiata, a loose group that includes jellyfish, corals, and comb jellies. Most of them belong in the phylum Cnidaria, except for the comb jellies, which comprise the phylum Ctenophora. Radiatans have what is called radial symmetry, where they can be divided into two even halves in many planes, like a wheel or a circle. All cnidarians have special cells called cnidocytes, which produce the sting. Comb jellies have no such cells and are harmless to humans.

==Biblical origin of animals==
The Book of [[Genesis]] specifies both the exact date and the reason [[God]] created animals. The "when" is found in the following passage from Genesis ch. 1, which states that God created aquatic creatures and birds on the fifth day and that on the sixth day He created land animals and then man:
{{Bible quote|And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.|book=Genesis|chap=1|verses=20-28|version=KJV}}
The "why" is found in the following passage from Genesis ch. 2, which states that after God had created man, He created land animals and [[birds]] in an attempt (ultimately unsuccessful) to provide one of the animals as a help meet for [[man]]:
{{Bible quote|And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.|book=Genesis|chap=2|verses=18-20|version=KJV}}

==External Links==
*[http://www.aim.org/wls/category/animals/ What Liberals Say - Category: Animals], [[Accuracy In Media]]

[[Category:Animals]]