Tokelau – 2012 – 5 Dollars – Dragonfly (with box) (PROOF)

Description

Metal: Silver .925
Weight: 25 g
Diameter: 38.61 mm
Quality: Proof
Mintage: 2’500 pcs.

The ancestors of the Dragon Fly lived on the Earth approximately 250 million years ago and with a wingspan of over 70 cm were huge. About 5‘700 species are known today. Fortunately they do not have the same dimensions as their forefathers anymore!

The Dragon Fly (lat. Odonata) has unique flying characteristics. Due to its two pairs of wings, which are able to manoeuvre independently, the Dragon Fly is capable of changing its direction very fast and can stall remain stationary in the air like a helicopter. It can reach a speed of up to 50 km/h. The Dragon Flies’ head is somewhat out of line with the body and is therefore very agile. The big compound eyes of several species consist of up to 30’000 single eyes. Many Odanata species only live for a few weeks. From the view point of humans, the Dragon Fly is very useful because it eats masses of mosquitoes and other vermin. It doesn’t even spare its fellow species.

Unfortunately, due to climate warming and the threat of their living environment, many Dragon Fly species are jeopardised and critically endangered.