I have read that all life in South America was similar to Australia-and that upon physical contact, the North American animals invaded South America and out-competed the native animals-  Are there any animals left from this, like possums?  Anyone?  Calmecita?
210246
Well, the GABI (Great American Biotic Interchange) went both ways, and several families of mammals from North America came to South America, and viceversa. However, only few native South Americans remain today in North America (NA), whereas many originally Holarctic families are thriving in South America (SA) at present. \n\nThe above answerer has outlined the three major "strata" defined by GG Simpson for the mammals of SA. The "original" South American mammals before the GABI included marsupials (shared with Australia, but forming a distinct cohort with different families) but also the exclusively South American xenarthrans (although there is a possible fossil anteater from Europe), and the Caviomorph rodents (closely related to the hystricognathous African rodents). In addition, there were some carnivores that had made it from NA. \n\nAfter the Panama land bridge appeared, the GABI was intense. North and South American faunas mixed and they appear to have coexisted for a long time. \nThe subsequent Pleistocene extinctions involved groups of both origins, but the South American natives were more intensely affected. Among the hypotheses to explain this,  interspecific competition has been mentioned, but also climatic changes. \nFirst of all, direct competition is _very_ difficult to prove, and more so with respect to fossil remains from strata that may not be exactly coeval. A more recent and preferred explanation involves a little paleoclimatology. \n** During the glaciations (and other stressful periods), South American conditions were more benign, because the continent is closer to the Equator, whereas environments in NA were much harsher, facilitating the extinction of the South American immigrants, along with many native North American giant forms. \n**In addition, the Central American corridor, which had been at first a savanna-like environment that permitted passage, later in the Pleistocene became more like a tropical forest. Then many cursorial (running) animals that inhabited open areas were unable to "cross the bridge". The giant ground sloths and glyptodonts were trapped in NA, and when climate and vegetation kept changing toward colder and drier conditions, became extinct.\n\nAnimals left from this: \nAmong the original South American natives, only the xenarthrans (sloths, armadillos, and anteaters) and marsupials (opossums)[early inhabitants], and the caviomorph rodents (originally derived from their African relatives) [second stratum colonizers] are alive today. The immensely diverse native ungulates went extinct, along with the representatives of the megafauna (giant sloths, glyptodonts, etc). At least one species of armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is expanding its range in NA today, and the opossums (I remember Didelphis virginiana, not sure if there are others) are well established there. Caviomorph rodents also occur in NA (porcupines, genus Erethizon), but are mostly confined to Central America. \nThese are the South American contributions to North American fauna. In contrast, about 50% of the South American mammal genera have North American origin.\n\nWith respect to birds, at least the Passeriformes Suboscines are South American in origin, but I have no idea _when_ they colonized NA. They include the Tyrannidae (tyrant flycatchers). Other birds with Neotropical origin are the hummingbirds (Trochiliformes or Apodiformes).\n\n---------------------\nUpdate:\nMmm... I’m not sure what you call “non-speed strategies”. Predators? Running forms such as ungulates? There were many native ungulates in South America and they went extinct; also many marsupial predators such as the marsupial sabertooth “cat”  that also disappeared. Many caviomorph rodents are cursorial (capybaras, agoutis, etc).\nI would relate it more to size. Size _is_ a constraint because large animals have different energetic balance and need large amounts of food and room. And those went extinct in both co
307931
I'm not into the whole taking-over-the-world thing, but you make an interesting point.  I'd probably choose squirrels (they're my favorite animals, that's why) or koalas.  Squirrels would be all quick and tricky and trying to confuse us all, and they'd probably try to run us all over with huge machine/car things, so they might not make the best world rulers; koalas, on the other hand, are pretty laid back and slow, although I know that the male koalas are known to get pretty violent and crazy during mating season, so that could potentially turn out bad as well...
252861
Reminder: 5n Theory, all continents used to be attached to one another- so in theory this is highly possible- if two of every species has moved from place to place. Also remember, animals have a good sense of unusual events happening, like earthquakes and things, so they might have had the sense to know where to go. Then you might ask about the unicorns, but it is said that they were too stubborn to get on the ship... dragons and pegasuses... I have no idea about.
422719
(m)\n\nAustralia (also called Australia-New Guinea, Sahul, Meganesia, Greater Australia or Australinea) is a continent comprising (in order of size) the Australian mainland, New Guinea, Tasmania, and intervening islands, all of which sit on the same continental shelf. These landmasses are separated by seas overlying the continental shelf — the Arafura Sea and Torres Strait between Australia and New Guinea, and Bass Strait between mainland Australia and Tasmania.\n\nWhen sea levels were lower during the Pleistocene ice age, including the last glacial maximum about 18,000 years ago, the lands formed a single, continuous landmass. During the past ten thousand years rising sea levels overflowed the lowlands and separated the continent into today's low-lying semi-arid mainland and the two mountainous islands of New Guinea and Tasmania.\n\nGeologically the continent extends to the edge of the continental shelf, so the now-separate lands can still be considered a continent.[1] Due to the spread of flora and fauna across the single Pleistocene landmass, the separate lands have a related biota.\n\nNew Zealand is not on the same continental shelf and so is not part of the continent of Australia but is part of the wider region known as Australasia.
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Yes!\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangaea
435156
The Amazon! In South America. Plenty of animals and plants. Oh, and natives! :-)
108614
It is the dawn of a new season for the sasquatch.I think now thru around mid june is a good time to set eyes on one based on the thing coming down to feed.I found a picture of hair samples from last season's sightings that can not be explained that I know of.Also a couple lawmen sighted one they claimed in I think it was colorodo.
653636
you mean south america!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
31695
I don't think it can be found in the USA. It is found in Chile, Peru, and Argentina, and can cause extreme illness when it bites. While this species doesn't live in the USA, reletives of it do. L. deserta and L. reclusa live in many states, and could be confused with the one you are talking about. While it hasn't been documented in the USA in any of the books I have, it is still possible.
642786
what about an australian kiss? its like a french kiss but down under!!!
154701
i've lived in the outback for most of my childhood and never seen any such animals. i say there's no proof and there not here. it would be cool to see one though
625067
The most famous example is the dodo, but my personal favorite is the tasmanian tiger, as it's decline was well documented. The great auk is another, as well as the stellar sea cow, carolina passenger pigeon, and the moa. If you look any of these up on www.wikipedia.com they will direct you to some links at the bottom of the article, but your best bet would be to look them up on amazon.com, go to the library, and get some books on them. Best of luck
91300
Wow, I do NOT think so.  Every time a life form on earth has been introduced into a different environment, it is almost always (and maybe always) a mistake.  Some examples:  kudzu in the South for erosion control; rabbits in Australia; European sparrows displacing native sparrows in North America.  I realize we are not close to Enceladas, but let's let it develop life on its own.
129626
I wrote something on this.\n\nYes, there are almost guarenteed more species out of this world.  Heck, there might be some in our own solar system, on the icy moon of europa, or even a gas giant.  THe conditions are harsh, but certain animals adapt certain ways.  I have seen pictures of what some jupitur animals would look like.  Its safe to say, Yes
173761
Monito del Monte (Dromiciops gliroides) is pretty cool.  It's a mouse-sized marsupial predator that has the best name ever, and it may be more closely related to the Australasian marsupials than the other South American marsupials.\n\nBut I think my favouritest must be the Yapok (Chironectes minimus).  It is the only truly aquatic marsupial in the world (something about carrying your young in a pouch makes swimming difficult, or at least more dangerous for your young'uns).
535847
I live in Australia and I have had a few unfortunate run ins with the local wildlife\n1 bitten on the backside by a red back spider while on the toilet at a nature reserve.  Time spent in hospital 30 minutes getting a shot.\n2 kicked in the back by a kangaroo while drunk at chrismas BBQ no time in hospital but pride completely shattered\n3 stepped on crown of thorns starfish.  Time in hospital 1 day. but I was unable to walk properly for about 2 to 3 months.  The shape of the nails on my left foot have changed slightly.  Interestingly if you are ever unfortunate enough to step on one of these abominations flip it over and place whatever body part was stung over it's mouth and it will suck it's own poison out\n4 attacked by emu at wildlife reserve.  My brother put seed in my hair and the Emu proceeded to peck the hell out of my head.  Recently re-assembled pride destroyed again, No time in hospital but I have a few scars, emotional as well as physical.
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Quote simply nbecause we killed them all.\n\nAs recently as 20, 000 years ago humans lived side by side with another intelligent species in Indonesia.\n\nAs recently and 30, 000 years ago humans lived side by side with another intelligent species in Europe.\n\nAs recently as 40, 000 year ago people lived side by side with another intelligent species in the Middle East.\n\nAs recently as 60, 000 years ago people lived side by side with two other intelligent species in Europe.\n\nAs recently as 70, 000 years ago people lived side by side with three other intelligent species in Asia.\n\nAs recently as 80, 000 years ago people lived side by side with three other intelligent species in Africa.\n\n\nIn the last 80, 000 years humans have exterminated many hundreds of thousand of species of animals and plants. We have exterminated species that we feed on, and we have exterminated species by accident, but what we have been especially good at is exterminating species that we compete with.\n\n\nAll those other intelligent species ate the same food as us, they caught that food in the same way. They were our greatest competitors. Once they came into contact one of those species had to die. The system could not support both populations. As it happens our species was the survivor.\n\n\nThe reason you can't have a conversation with any other species is because we have caused the extinction of other all other species capable of speech. \n\nWe're good at extermination.