Scientists have discovered and named about 6,500 species of dragonflies that exist today. And there are around 450 of them in North America, mostly surrounding the fresh water. They are usually, as with birds, colored more brightly as adults than juveniles. They are beautiful allright.
What's so special about the dragonflies?
They are deaf! They don't respond to sound. Therefore you don't need to whisper when you near them. But it doesn't end here. The scientists also assumed that they probably have a poor sense of smell due to the small and not clearly visible pair of antennae. Thus, they probably have a deaf nose.
God somehow had created them for a greater purpose.
All dragonflies have two large compound eyes, of about 26,000 lenses with individual sensors capable of 360 degree vision, and three small simple eyes. Unbelievable! They are able to see all colors that we could see, plus ultraviolet light and polarized light. They detect the flickering of light at twice the rate that we can! They also all used their camouflage differently. They create a kind of optical illusion, which is called motion camouflage, to trick their prey. Their prey may include 600 mosquitoes a day or even some small insects like moth, butterflies, and sometimes each other when no food are available.
They are unique! They are not like butterflies who mightn't know that they are hearing til they are buried underground. Well, it is a Deaf joke. For when we called ourselves Deaf while the hearing doesn't call themselves as hearing. It is until they have learned more about the Deaf culture that they might finally call themselves hearing. Thus, they finally acknowledge their ability to hear!
A friend of mine claimed that she became hearing when she was 14-18 years old when she was being immersed into the Deaf. This hearing butterfly told me of those deaf dragonflies.
Awesome blog!!! Love this!
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