Sublime
An inspiration engine for ideas
Fast, free, and local—file conversion done right. https://t.co/bWXjdbzoue
While other vertebrates, such as the rougheye rockfish and the bowhead whale, can reach an impressive age of around 200 years, the Greenland shark is by far the longest-lived vertebrate with some estimates as high as 512 years.
Amie Pearce • The longevity of the Greenland shark
The backbone, which is horizontally oriented and perpendicular to the hind limbs in horses and mice and whales and basically all other mammals, rotated to become parallel to the legs, and took on a curved shape.
Steve Brusatte • The Rise and Reign of the Mammals: A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us
their amniotic eggs, with membranes to nourish, protect, and keep their embryos moist. They moved freely across the land, establishing connections between regions that were previously isolated, and in doing so, evolving new species, new body types, larger size, new diets, new behaviors.
Steve Brusatte • The Rise and Reign of the Mammals: A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us
Each vertebral body has four flattened surfaces, called facets, on the posterior side, which are covered with cartilage to facilitate fluid movement and to protect the bony surfaces.