mystery – TwistedSifter

Picture of the Day: Mysterious Crater in Siberia

Photograph by Vladimir Pushkarev/Russian Centre of Arctic Exploration

Scientists in northern Siberia’s Yamal Peninsula recently descended into a massive, newly formed crater. Vladimir Pushkarev, the leader of the new mission and director of the Russian Centre of Arctic Exploration, took probes and made measurements with his team in hopes determining the cause of the crater’s formation.

The funnel of the crater is about 16.5 metres (54 ft) deep with a lake at the bottom of the crater’s surface that is at least an additional 10.5 meters (34.5 ft) deep. According to The Siberian Times: “The research to the largest of three known holes – all recently formed – in northern Siberia was initiated by the Russian Centre of Arctic Exploration, and included experts from a number of institutes.”

For exclusive pictures and videos of the expedition visit The Siberian Times.

via The Siberian Times

Spider Appears to Use Hanging Rock to Anchor Web from Ceiling

Reddit user reverseloop observed a spider’s web that appears to be anchored from the ceiling by a rock. While the fascinating discovery implies some kind of basic form of tool use, it’s unclear exactly how this occurred since he did not personally witness the web-building process.

For example, it’s possible that the rock was resting on another surface (like the roof of a car) and the spider anchored the web to the rock (mistaking it for a sturdy surface) and when the car pulled away the rock was left dangling.

Hopefully the species will be identified and further tests and observations can be undertaken to determine if this is indeed a basic form of tool use!

[via reverseloop on reddit]

Photograph by reverseloop on reddit

Mystery Bug Builds Fence Around Eggs and Nobody Knows Why

Photograph by TROY ALEXANDER
Rainforest Expeditions | Tambopata Research Center

Chemical ecologist Troy Alexander recently returned to the US after a 3-month volunteer position for the Macaw Project. The project was based out of the Tambopata Research Center (a joint research center/tourist lodge run by Rainforest Expeditions), one of the most remote Amazon Rainforest lodges in South America.

It was here that Troy discovered a strange structure on the trunk of a tree (and a subsequent one on a tarp). It appears to be some kind of egg tower surrounded by a protective barrier (2 cm in diameter) that eerily resembles a white picket fence.

What’s so fascinating is that nobody knows who is responsible! After going viral on Reddit, Wired, io9, Colossal and countless blogs (e.g., here and here), the mystery remains unsolved.

Entomologists, mycologists, University professors and museum directors have all seen the images but nobody has been able to provide definite confirmation of what created this. It’s possible that Troy has discovered a new species!