(单词翻译:单击)
The planet Earth is filled with millions of species. Although the exact amount is not known, estimates put the number at 6.5 million different species on land and 2.2 million species found in the oceans. Many of these species are known to exhibit astonishing feats of strength that are hard to use as humans to even fathom. When coming up with the ten strongest animals on land, we have focused on each animal's strength compared to its size and weight. As you'll find, some of the strongest land animals are mighty in size while others may appear insignificant at first glance. Yet if we dig a little deeper we find that a variety of species are capable of carrying and pulling incredible weights. You'll find that their strength puts gym rats and body builders to shame.
我们居住的地球上生活着数百万种生物,尽管其确切的数据并不为人所知,但粗略估计,陆地上的物种可能有650万之多,海洋里的物种也是达到了220万之多。这其中的许多物种们甚至表现出了超乎常人预估的惊人体能。我们所要说的十大强悍陆地动物,侧重于不同动物相较于自身的体积和重量之下所爆发出来的惊人力量。你会发现,某些强悍的动物从体积上看就十分威猛,而另一些则乍一看貌似并无缚鸡之力,可随着我们更深入的了解,就会发现,那些看起来绵软的生物完全可以背负令人难以置信的重量。它们所爆发出来的力量,甚至令那些健身人士和职业选手都为之汗颜。
10.Eagle
10.鹰
There are over 70 species of eagles found on Earth, and these large birds of prey are all powerfully built. The strength of eagles has been admired by many nations throughout history, as evidenced by its use in many national symbols. The eagle is featured on the coat of arms of many different countries, and, of course, the bald eagle is a proud symbol of the United States. The bald eagle, which is native to North America, was adopted as the United States National emblem is 1782, chosen because of its majestic beauty, long life and immense strength.
地球上有70多种鹰,这些大型鸟类猛禽都十分的健壮。历史上,许多国家都十分认可鹰的力量,这也就是为什么那么多的国家都把鹰作为图腾的原因。鹰成为了很多国家国徽上的特色之一,当然,秃鹰就是美国引以为傲的象征。1782年,原产于北美洲的秃鹰凭借其庄严之美,长寿之身和强大力量出现在了美国国徽上。
Most eagles are larger than other raptors. They have heavy heads with large, hooked beaks that are well-suited for tearing flesh from their prey. Their massive talons are sharp enough to kill prey as large as deer and monkeys.Eagles' eyes are also extremely powerful, allowing them to spot their prey from incredibly long distances, even when they are well-camouflaged. Studies suggest that some eagles can spot an animal the size of a rabbit from up to two miles away! Due to their immense power, eagles are ranked at the top of their food chain. The bald eagle has been recorded as flying while carrying the heaviest load verified to be carried by any flying bird. Astonishingly, this particular bird carried a mule deer fawn who weighed 15 pounds. Imagine seeing that duo flying through the air! Eagles strike an impressive backdrop against the sky. They can have a length of over 3 feet, a median wingspan of over 7 feet, and a body mass up to 15 pounds. When defending their territories from other eagles or trying to attract a mate, the birds will display amazing aerial acrobatics and death-defying swoops, locking talons and free-falling in an intense spiral.
大部分的鹰都比其他猛禽庞大。巨大的鹰头上长着可以轻而易举撕裂猎物躯体的巨型钩状喙,结实的鹰爪锋利到能猎杀像鹿、猴那么大的猎物。鹰眼同样也是锐利无比,不论那些猎物伪装得多么隐蔽,它们都能在异常远的距离开外发现猎物。研究表明,有些鹰类甚至可以察觉到两英里外如兔子般大小的生物!凭借着它们强大的力量,鹰排在其食物链的最顶端。同任何其他的鸟类相比,秃鹰已被证实是可最重负荷飞行的飞禽。令人吃惊的是,鹰这种独特的禽类能携带重达15磅的黑尾鹿。你能想象吗?一只鹰竟然带着一匹鹿在空中翱翔!鹰击长空是一幅令人印象深刻的画面。他们的身躯超过3英尺长,中间的翼幅超过7英尺,身体更是重达15磅。当同其他鹰争夺领地或想要试图吸引配偶注意的时候,鹰会表演惊艳四座的空中杂技,忽而在对抗中进行致命的俯冲,忽而在激烈的盘旋时急速下降。
9.Anaconda
9.水蟒
Anacondas are members of the boa family. The green anaconda from South Africa is the largest snake on earth, pound for pound. Anacondas can grow to 550 pounds and over 29 feet. They are a truly frightening sight to see. They typically spend their time in swamps and marshes. Since their nasal openings are located on the top of their head, they are able to hide from prey while staying almost completely submerged underwater. Because of their immense weight, they can move quicker in water than they can on land.
水蟒是蟒蛇家族中的一员,而来自南非的碧色水蟒则是地球上最大的蛇。水蟒可以达到550磅重,29英尺多长,由此可见,看见它们简直令人毛骨悚然。它们通常待在沼泽湿地里。由于它们的鼻孔长在头顶,所以他们几乎可以完全沉入水中,隐藏起来伺机而动。由于自身十分笨重,因而同其在陆地上行动相比,它们在水中显得更为敏捷。
Anacondas feed on a diet of birds, turtles, wild pigs, deer, jaguars, and capybaras, the world's largest rodent. They catch their prey by biting with their extremely sharp teeth. An anacondas teeth are rear-facing, acting as a trap to prevent prey from wriggling away. Anacondas do not contain venom like some other snakes do. Instead, they kill their prey by coiling their bodies around them and squeezing until they suffocate. Every time the caught animal exhales, the anaconda is able to squeeze tighter. Their incredible jaws have stretchy ligaments that allow them to swallow their prey completely whole, regardless of its size. Even the digestive enzymes and gastric juices in an anaconda are powerful. After an animal is eaten whole, the anaconda's stomach and small intestine will begin the digestion process and absorb the nutrients. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. After the largest meals, anacondas can survive for months without food. To witness the amazing feat of an anaconda devouring its prey, you can check out this National Geographic videoof a green anaconda attacking a capybara. Be warned that viewer discretion is highly advised.
水蟒的食物包括禽类、龟类、野猪、鹿类、美洲虎及水豚,是世界上最大的啮齿类动物。它们通过极其锋利的牙齿撕咬猎物来捕食。水蟒常把利牙隐藏在后面,设下陷阱防止猎物逃走。可水蟒并不像其他蛇类那样通过释放毒液捕杀猎物,取而代之的捕杀方式是,它们卷曲自己的身体缠绕住猎物,被抓获的猎物每吐一次气,水蟒就可以缠得更紧一点,就这样不断缠绕紧勒直至猎物窒息而亡。水蟒的颔有着惊人的弹性韧带,不论猎物大小,它都能够整个吞下。水蟒的消化酶和胃液也非常强大。在吞下整个动物后,水蟒的肠胃便开始消化并吸收营养。这个过程可能进行几天至几周。一顿饱餐后,水蟒可不进食生存数月。目睹了水蟒生吞猎物的强大能力之后,你就会相信《寰球地理》播出的碧色水蟒攻击水豚确有其事了吧。警告电视观众面对水蟒需谨慎是最有用的忠告。
8.Grizzly Bear
8.灰棕熊
Grizzly bears are the largest species of bear and are native to North America. The average length of a grizzly is 6.5 feet and the average shoulder height is over 3 feet. Adult males weigh 400-790 pounds on average, although some have been recorded with staggering weights up to 1,500 pounds. Grizzly bears have powerful front claws that measure 2-4 inches in length and can tear with ease. Despite their large size, they are capable of running up to 35 miles per hour. In 2013, the second largest grizzly ever documented was taken down by a hunter. It had a massive skull which measured over 27 inches.
灰棕熊最早发现于北美洲,是世界上最大的熊。灰棕熊平均高达6.5英尺,宽超过3英尺。成年雄性灰棕熊平均体重可达400—790磅重,更是曾有灰棕熊体重达1500磅。灰棕熊的前爪有2—4英寸长且力大无穷,不费吹灰之力便可以撕碎任何东西。尽管它们体型庞大,但是它们奔跑的时速可是可以达到每小时35英里呢!2013年,史上第二大灰棕熊被猎人拿下。后期测量,灰棕熊头盖骨的大小超过了27英寸。
Grizzly bears can hibernate for 5-7 months each year, during which time they do not eat, defecate or urinate. In preparation for hibernation, they consume an immense amount of food. They have been known to prey on moose, elk, caribou, sheep, bison, deer, fish, birds and even black bears. Grizzly bears will also approach feeding predators to steal their kill. It is common for most species to relent their kill to an approaching grizzly bear in order to avoid a confrontation that they likely couldn't win. Grizzly bears can easily overpower any animal that is in its natural territory. However, it doesn't often turn to a physical fight. Usually, a grizzly bear only has to display its large teeth and claws through posturing, growling, and roaring, and the other animal will back down. It often isn't necessary for a grizzly bear to actually attack. Since grizzly bears are too large to escape danger by climbing trees like black bears can, they stand their ground and fight with increased aggressiveness. While grizzly bears normally avoid interaction with humans, they will attack when surprised at close range or when protecting offspring or a food supply. When a human encounters a grizzly bear, his or her best bet is to make a lot of noise and avoid running.
灰棕熊每年有5-7个月是在冬眠,这期间它们不吃不喝也不排泄。但冬眠以前,它们会大量进食,会捕食北美麋、麋鹿、北美驯鹿、绵羊、野牛、鹿、鱼、鸟、甚至是黑熊等动物。灰棕熊甚至还偷偷接近正在进食的食肉动物以猎杀它们。当有灰棕熊接近时,大多数食肉动物都会停止猎杀它们的猎物,以免和灰棕熊发生对抗,因为这些捕食者深知自己根本不是灰棕熊的对手。灰棕熊能轻而易举的制服任何一种出现在它领地上的动物。但是,通常灰棕熊不会真的同猎物打斗,它们只是露出尖利的牙齿和爪子怒吼着威胁对手,那些动物就会识趣的离开。所以,灰棕熊根本不需要动什么真刀真枪。灰棕熊体型实在是太庞大了,根本无法像黑熊那样爬树躲避险情,它们稳步站在那里,随时迎战入侵者。然而灰棕熊通常不怎么情愿同人类之间有什么纠葛,除非你离它们太近令他们感到害怕了或是它们想要保护熊仔以及食物的时候,灰棕熊才会出来捍卫自己。所以当你们遇到灰棕熊时,要多弄出一些动静来,但千万不要跑。
7.Ox
7.牛
Oxen are particularly powerful animals, and humans have used their power to our advantage for centuries. It is believed that they were first put to work for humans around 4,000 BC. Oxen are commonly used to plow fields, pull carts, haul wagons, trample grain for threshing and power machines. Their brute strength makes them ideal for a variety of tasks. Oxen typically work side by side, being attached with a specially-fitted yoke. When two oxen of similar size and speed are yoked together, their strength is increased significantly. They can pull extremely heavy loads in a slow and steady manner. Many farmers today are returning to animal labor over machines to help with farming. Not only do oxen not need fossil fuels or electricity to operate, but they have other benefits to farms too. Their hooves aerate the soil as they walk, which helps to preserve the soil's microbial layers, and their droppings help to fertilize the soil.
牛是极具力量的动物,人类利用它们为我们工作已有数世纪了。据悉,人类第一次用牛为我们工作大约是在公元前4000年。通常,牛被我们用于犁地、拉车、拉货、打谷等事务中。它们的蛮力使其适合完成各种任务。通常情况下,我们都会让两头牛一边一个的并躯工作,并给它们加上特制的枷锁。当两头体积和速度都差不多的牛被拴在一起工作时,它们的力量简直不容小觑。它们缓慢而强有力地拉着极为沉重的物体。现如今,还是有许多农民又重新使用牛来帮助他们从事务农作业。牛不仅不需要燃料或电力来操作,它们对于农场而言还有其他更多的好处。它们的蹄子在走动时会给蹄下的土壤通氧,以保护土壤的微生物层,即使是它们的粪便也能作土壤的施肥剂。
The term "as strong as an ox" is quite fitting, considering an ox is powerful enough to pull one and a half times its body weight across rugged terrain. When yoked together properly and used in pairs, they can pull more than double the combined weight that two single oxen could pull. For a short burst of 6-8 feet, a team of oxen areable to pull up to 13,000 pounds! The success of a team of oxen depends on how well they are trained to work together. They are able to work long hours, and typically have a long life span.
我们俗语所说的“力大如牛”,实在是太贴切了。牛儿们力大无穷,甚至于可以拉着比其自身体重还要沉一半的重物在崎岖之地自在行走。农民会选用一对牛为其工作,因为他们的拉力比单只牛产生的拉力要大得多。经过6-8英尺的短程加速,一队牛的拉力竟然可达13000磅!但它们能一起完美的工作也是需要经过严格的训练才能达成的。牛儿们通常寿命都很长,也更是能够勤勤恳恳耕耘一生。
6.Tiger
6.老虎
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching up to 670 pounds, 4 feet in height at shoulder, and 13 feet in length. They have muscular bodies which feature powerful limbs, immense heads and long tails. They have sharp, stout teeth that can rip through flesh easily. Their curved canine teeth can have a crown height of up to 3.5 inches. Tigers are apex predators, however their numbers are in steep decline due to habitat destruction and poaching. Tigers have always been praised for their strength and unique markings. They feature prominently in ancient folklore, mythology, literature and modern films. They are often incorporate into symbols of national pride, and sporting teams often use tigers as their mascots.
老虎,最大型的猫科动物,体重达670磅,肩膀高达3英尺,身长达13英尺。老虎拥有强劲有力的四肢、硕大无比的头部和长长的尾巴。老虎的牙齿锋利结实,撕咬动物的皮肉简直不在话下。虎的犬齿3.5英尺(相当于王冠的高度)。老虎是顶尖的肉食动物,然而由于栖息地的破坏和偷猎事件的发生,老虎的数量出现了急剧下降。人们常常冠以老虎强壮和领土之王的美称。在古老的民间传说、神话故事、文学作品和当代电影中,老虎的形象深入人心。老虎一直都是高傲的象征,以至于一些运动队常把老虎作为他们的吉祥物。
Tigers are strong swimmers with an affinity for water. They can cross rivers over 4 miles across and are capable of swimming up to 18 miles in one day. They can even capture and carry prey through the water. When running on land, tigers can run in short bursts of speed that reach up to 40 miles per hour. Tigers are known to prey on such large animals as deer, wild boars, buffalo, bears, antelopes and monkeys. They have even been known to occasionally attack and kill fully grown elephants and rhinoceros. They are mainly nocturnal predators who ambush their prey by overpowering them and knocking them off balance. At that point they latch onto the throats of their prey with their teeth. After a kill, tigers will usually drag their meal to a concealed space by pulling it with their mouths. Once, a tiger was observed dragging a huge carcass of an adult guar over a distance of 39 feet. Afterwards, 13 men worked together to try and drag the same carcass. They were unsuccessful at moving it. Tigers have also been known to carry twice their own body weight ten feet up a tree.
老虎十分乐忠于游水并擅长游泳。它们一天之内可以游18英里,还可以轻松渡过400英里的河流。老虎甚至可以在水中捕食并且携带猎物在水中拖行。在陆地上奔跑的时候,老虎的速度可以瞬间达到40英里/小时。据了解,老虎可以捕食许多大型动物,例如鹿,野猪,野牛,熊,羚羊和猴子等。它们偶尔也会偷袭并杀死成年的大象和犀牛。老虎通常选择夜间捕食,它们埋伏在猎物周围,然后猛地扑向猎物,用它们那强壮的身体压倒猎物,使猎物失去平衡,同时用牙齿扼住猎物的咽喉,使其窒息而死。杀死猎物以后,老虎用嘴拖着猎物到隐蔽的地方躲起来。一次,有人观察到老虎将一具巨大的动物尸体拖行了39英尺之远。随后,13个成年人齐心协力想要尝试拖动这具尸体,却没有成功。据我们所知,老虎甚至可以拖动重达自己体重2倍的物体爬上高约10英尺的树。
审校:省略珺 编辑:旭旭 来源:前十网