(单词翻译:单击)
In the forests of Southeast Asia, high up in the treetops, a mythical creature lives.
在东南亚的森林里,高高的树梢上生活着一种神秘的生物 。
It turns out dragons are real.
原来,龙真的存在 。
So I have to call a biologist.
我得打电话问问生物学家 。
I'm Anthony Russell from the department of biological sciences at the University of Calgary in Alberta Canada.
我是来自加拿大阿尔伯塔省卡尔加里大学生物科学系的安东尼·拉塞尔 。
We're talking about a species of flying lizards.
我们说的是一种会飞的蜥蜴 。
So it's called Draco Volans, which means flying dragon.
它的名字叫“Draco Volans”,意思是“会飞的龙” 。
Okay, these flying dragons, they are a little different from the dragons we see in movies.
好吧,这些飞龙和我们在电影里看到的是不大一样 。
First starters, they're small.
首先,它们很小 。
They are, they are.
是的,是的 。
Only about eight inches long and they don't breathe fire.
它们身长只有八英寸,也不会喷火 。
But they do fly, in a way.
但它们确实是会飞的,从某种程度上来讲 。
They're gliders, which means they have control of their descent and trajectory, but they don't have any power in it.
它们会滑翔,也就是说它们可以控制自己的下降和轨迹,但并没有什么大本事 。
For every one foot they go down in vertical distance, they'll be able to travel six feet alone.
它们在垂直的方向每飞一英尺,水平方向最多飞六英尺 。
That's because they don't actually have wings,
这是因为它们并没有翅膀,
There are actually modifications of the ribs, so they're nothing to do with the legs and arms.
它们飞翔靠的是进化后的肋骨,所以它们飞翔的时候是完全用不上手脚的 。
Evolutionarily speaking, this has helped the lizards survive.
从进化的角度来说,这种技能有助于蜥蜴的生存 。
They can escape attacks and they have a broader living zone.
它们可以借此躲避攻击,还能获得更广阔的生存空间 。
So they might not be dragon dragons.
总而言之,它们或许称不上龙中之龙……
Sometimes people name things because it's more dramatic effect.
有时候人们之所以那么命名是因为那么命名比较夸张 。
Well, they're still incredible lizards.
但却算得上蜥蜴中的尤物 。