The Siranis By FluffySpiderz Watch

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Zakariya al Qazwini documented two musical artiodactyls in his bestiary, but while the shadhavar is a relatively peaceful grazer, it has often been confused with the carnivorous, and arguably much stranger sirānis (Aulocetus mizmarostrus), which also uses an unusual structure to vocalize.

Aulocetidae is believed have split from pakicetidae sometime in the early eocene, but while ambulocetidae was in the process of committing to water, the ancestors of the sirānis clung to land, becoming more terrestrial predators.

The sirānis has 5 pairs of extra-nasal openings in its snout; each pair can be opened or closed independently. Bizarrely, it uses these openings to make a wide range of whistling calls similar to a woodwind instrument. Some believe this unusual trait was the inspiration for the invention of a reed instrument called a mizmar. The calls are used for both inter-species communication and mimicking the cries of other animals in order to lure prey. It also shows a remarkable capacity to learn unique calls, including man-made sounds like sirens and melodies.

Its hunting style is primarily that of an ambush predator; laying low in underbrush and waiting for prey to approach. It can’t run very far, but moves quickly in short bursts. The sirānis is found primarily in western afghanistan, though sources suggest it may have had a more aquatic relative off the coast of southern Turkey, known as the arghun. While typically a rare, solitary creature, sirānis are found in greater numbers around the wetland called Kol-e Hashmat Khan, near the city of Kabul, which is a major stopover for many migrating bird species.

IMAGE DETAILS Image size 2679x1482px 639.69 KB Make Apple Model iPhone 8 Aperture F/1.8 Date Taken Jan 21, 2019, 11:56:35 AM Show More

Published : Mar 6, 2019