Interesting Facts About Elephants

Image credit

An elephant can die from a broken heart.

Female elephants live in groups of about 15 animals, all related and led by a matriarch, usually the oldest in the group. She’ll decide where and when they move and rest, day to day and season to season.

Their brains weigh 5kg, much more than the brain of any other land animal.

Baby elephants are initially blind and some take to sucking their trunk for comfort in the same way that humans suck their thumbs.

Males will leave the herd as they become adolescent, around the age of 12, and live in temporary ‘bachelor herds’ until they are mature and live alone.

An Elephant herd is considered one of the most closely-knit societies of any animal, and a female will only leave it if she dies or is captured by humans.

Elephants communicate within their herds or between herds many kilometers away mostly using sounds too low for human ears to perceive and by stamping their feet.

Like Great Apes, Magpies & Dolphins, Elephants have passed the mirror test - they recognize themselves in a mirror.

Elephants commonly show grief, humor, compassion, cooperation, self-awareness, tool-use, playfulness, and excellent learning abilities.

No other animal has a longer pregnancy term than that of the Elephant which is documented at an average of 22 months.

Female Elephants live in groups of about 15 animals, all related and led by a matriarch, usually the oldest in the group. She’ll decide where and when they move and rest, day to day and season to season.

An Elephants normal lifespan is 60-80 years.

If an Elephant becomes sick, herd members will bring it food and help support it as it stands.

Once it is clear that an Elephant is dead, the herd will become very quiet.

They often dig a shallow grave and cover the deceased Elephant with dirt and branches, and will stay at the grave for days afterwards.

Elephants do not lie down to sleep because of the excellent support their very straight legs give them.

The Elephant taxonomic order, Proboscidea, has only 3 members today, but it used to have over forty.

Unfortunately, all Elephant species are endangered.

Source: Listverse.com

Bullfighting Is No Culture, It Is Cruelty!

Image credit 

It’s pretty hard to believe that in this so-called civilized age, Bull-fighting continues to exist in a European Union (UE), which actually prides itself on being a world leader in animal welfare. Bull-fighting is ruthless and should have been banned a long time ago.

The Bull is not an aggressive animal! The reason why he attempts to charge at the “cruel matador” inside the bullring is because he has been deliberately abused and weakened before the fight. In actual fact, the Bull has wet newspapers stuffed into his ears; vaseline is rubbed into his eyes to blur his vision; cotton is stuffed up his nostrils to cut off his respiration and a needle is stuck into his genitals. Also, a strong caustic solution is rubbed onto his legs which throw him off balance. This also keeps him from lying down on the ground. In addition to this, drugs are administered to pep him up or slow him down, and strong laxatives are added to his feed to further incapacitate him. He is kept in a dark box for a couple of days before he faces the ring: the purpose of this is to disorientate him. When he is let out of the box, he runs desperately towards the light at the end of the tunnel. He thinks that at last his suffering is over and he is being set free — instead, he runs into the bullring to face his “evil matador” killer and not to mention the crowd of people who have no compassion that cheer and chant olé at such horrific scenes! (Source: The Pre-Fight Treatment)

Inside the bullring the Bull is tormented, weakened and brought to its knees by a number of spikes, spears and daggers. These weapons cause incredible pain and the distraught animal is generally weakened by blood loss. The poor animal will never stand a chance against the “evil matador” who enjoys killing it gradually just for the sake of pleasure…

After about 15 minutes of tremendous agony, the “evil matador” finally decides to kill the worn out bull. Following this, a short dagger is used to sever the bull’s spinal cord at the neck before the bull is dragged out of the arena. In the worst cases, the bull is still hanging onto life as it is hauled away.

No animal deserves to be abused or killed for "entertainment." Please help sideline this cruel "sport" by never attending or supporting it!

For more Facts About Bull-fighting go to www.stopbullfighting.org.uk

Interesting And Funny Animal Facts (Part V)

image izismile.com

• The giraffe has 7 bones in its neck just like we humans do - only they're much longer. 
• African elephants have bigger ears than Indian elephants. 
• There are no ants in Iceland, Greenland, and Antarctica. 
• Before they're even born, sand tiger sharks eat their twin brothers and sisters! 
• It is estimated that millions of trees in the world are accidentally planted by squirrels that bury nuts and then forget where they hid them! 
• The spots on the giraffes fur darkens as the animal ages. 
• A group of whales is called a pod. 
• Crocodiles eat stones. 
• A Polar Bear's outer fur is called “guard hair”. 
• Frogs don't drink water. They absorb water through their skin. 
• Dog nose prints are as unique as human finger prints and can be used to identify them. 
• The color red doesn't really make bulls angry; they are color-blind. 
• A puppy is born blind, deaf, and toothless.
•  Polar bears are the world's largest land predators. 
• The fear of animals is called "Zoophobia".
•  Dogs have sweat glands in between their paws. 
• A Cow Has Four Distinct Stomach Sections – each section has a different function in the cow’s digestive process. 
• Insects do not breathe through their mouths, nor do they have lungs. 
• An ant lion is neither an ant nor a lion. 
• Crickets hear through their knees – (their eardrums that are located on their knees). 

For more interesting and funny animal facts go to:
Part I ; Part II ; Part III ; Part IV

Interesting And Funny Animal Facts (Part IV)

image credit izismile.com

I´d like to share with you more interesting and fun facts about animals. If you know of any other facts, please feel free to share it with us by using comments. Thanks!

• Camel´s have 3 eyelids.
• A Crocodile can´t stick its tongue out.
• Tigers have striped skin, and not just striped fur.
• The Bullfrog is the only animal that never sleeps, it only rests.
• The world’s slowest moving fish is the Dwarf seahorse, with a top speed of about 152 cm per hour.
• The Sailfish is practically the fastest animal in the sea, with a top speed of about 110 kilometers per hour.
• Pea crabs (about the size of a pea or dime) are the smallest crabs in the world.
• An annoyed Camel will spit at a person, however they do not really spit - it’s more like throwing up. Instead of saliva camels let out some partially digested food.
• The Chameleon can focus its eyes separately to observe 2 objects at once.
• Almost 3% of the ice in Antarctic glaciers is Penguin urine.
• The giant cricket of Africa likes to eat human hair.
• The Basenji is the only dog that does not bark (it makes a low, liquid ululation instead).
• During World War II, Americans tried to train Bats to drop bombs. 
• The last animal in the dictionary is the Zyzzyva, a tropical weevil.
• Hummingbirds are not only the smallest birds but also the only birds that can fly backwards.
• A group of Kangaroos is generally called a mob, but can also be a troop or court.
• The largest known spider is the Goliath bird eater which is about the size of a dinner plate.
• The first cloned cat was called copycat.

Meet The World's Largest Insect

image credit wikipedia 

I recall seeing a Stick insect for the very first time in my life when I was a little girl, I was playing in my backyard. People used to tell me that these insects were actually very poisonous and I grew up believing so. However only recently did I discover quite a few interesting facts about these unique insects, and I also found out that they are not poisonous! 

With such long and narrow bodies, it is not surprising that Stick insects are known as one of the world’s longest insects. Apparently there are over 3.000 species of walking sticks which may range in shape and size from approximately 3 cm to 30 cm in length. Can you imagine an insect that is as long as your school ruler! 

Stick insects are expertly camouflaged by pretending to be pieces of wood. Some even have spikes on their bodies, so they look like twigs from the bushes. Most predators would have a tough time finding them amongst all the twigs. Should a predator grab hold of a Stick insect´s leg, it can make an easy escape by giving up a leg, using a special muscle to break it off at a weak joint. Juvenile Stick insects will regenerate the lost limb the next time they molt, and in some cases adult Stick insects are capable of forcing themselves to molt again to recover the missing limb. 

The Stick insect is a herbivorous animal - in other words its diet is purely vegetarian. It feeds on leaves and other green plants as well as odd berries or fruit. Stick insects are capable of reproducing parthenogenetically, without the need for males. A female may lay more than 1000 eggs (depending on the species), by dropping them randomly on the forest floor, sticking them to leaves or bark, or placing them in the soil. Her eggs are cleverly camouflaged to look like seeds and may remain dormant for a full season or more before hatching. The nymphs are born already closely resembling the adult stick insect.

Interesting And Funny Animals Facts (Part III)

image izismile.com

Today I decided to post a third list of amazing did you know facts about the extraordinary animal kingdom. If you have you own favorite facts please do write about them on the comments so that we can read about them, thanks! By the way, don't forget to to check out the interesting and funny animals facts Part I and Part II that I posted a few months ago, I am sure that you will also enjoy reading them ...

• Moths have no stomach.

• Ferrets sleep a large part of the day - between 14 to 18 hours.

• A group of foxes is called a skulk.

• A hippopotamus can run faster than a human on land.

• A King Cobra is the biggest of all poisonous snakes, with a length of up to 5.6m (18.5 ft).

• Rhinoceros have 3 distinct toes on each foot.

• Most jellyfish do not have a brain or central nervous system, but rather has a loose network of nerves, located in the epidermis, which is called a "nerve net".

• A shrimp has 5 pairs of legs.

• Camels have 3 eyelids per eye to protect themselves from blowing sand.

• In Africa more people are killed by crocodiles than lions.

• Whales have the slowest metabolism of all animals, despite its great size.

• When born a baby giraffe is 1.8m (6ft) tall and weigh 50 kg.

• During winter, black bears consume 25 – 40% of their body weight.

• Crocodiles continually grow new sets of teeth to replace the old ones.

• A camel can shut its nostrils during a desert sandstorm.

• The spikes of a newborn hedgehog begin to appear within 24 hours.

• Camels can drink large amounts of water (100 liters to 150 liters) in one drink.

• The skunks odor is sufficiently powerful to be detected by a human nose up to a mile downwind.

• Some species of short-horned lizards are capable of squirting blood from the corners of their eyes when being attacked.

Interesting And Funny Animals Facts (Part II)

image izismile.com

This is now my second list of amazing did you know facts about the animal world. If you haven´t seen the first list, be sure to check it out – Interesting And Funny Did You Know Facts. Feel free to bring up your own favorites that are missing from this list in the comments.

Did you know... that Tuataras have a third eye - complete with lens, cornea, rods and nerve tissue connecting it to their brain. This suggests that the eye was a fully functioning eye in times gone by.
Did you know... the smallest dog breed in the world is the Chihuahua
Did you know... horses sleep standing up
Did you know... jellyfish are composed of more than 90% water
Did you know... a cat uses its whiskers to determine if a space is too small to squeeze through
Did you know... that the peregrine falcon is the fastest animal in the world
Did you know... crocodiles swallow rocks to help digest their food
Did you know... a shark's teeth are literally as hard as steel

Did you know... Kiwi birds are virtually blind (they rely on their senses of touch and smell rather that vision)
Did you know... armadillos can walk underwater
Did you know... the bones of a pigeon weigh less than its feathers
Did you know... the cheetah is the only cat that can't retract it's claws
Did you know... porcupines float in water
Did you know... snakes can't blink (they have no eyelids)
Did you know... the only continent without reptiles or snakes is Antarctica
Did you know... sharks never stop moving even when they sleep or rest
Did you know... March 14 is 'save a spider day'
Did you know... that to vomit, some frogs throw out their entire stomach, rinse if off with their right hand, and then push it back in
Did you know... that dolphins, like humans, have sex for pleasure
Did you know... if a female ferret goes into heat but can't get any sex, she will die

Interesting And Funny Animal Facts (Part I)

I´d like to share with you some interesting and fun facts about animals. If you know of any other interesting facts, please feel free to share it with us by leaving your comment. Thanks!

Did you know… an Ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.
Did you know… a Lobster’s blood is colorless, however when exposed to oxygen, it develops a bluish color.
Did you know… a Cat has 32 muscles in each ear.
Did you know… Spiders are arachnids and not insects.
Did you know… a Shrimp’s heart is in its head.
Did you know… a Giraffe can clean its ears with its 50cm (20 in) tongue.
Did you know… the heart of a Blue Whale is the size of a small car.
Did you know… Sharks are immune to almost all known diseases.
Did you know… millions of trees are accidentally planted by Squirrels that bury nuts and then forget where they hid them.
Did you know… a Crocodile can't stick out its tongue.
Did you know… a group of Rhinos is called a crash.
Did you know… Cats can't move their jaw sideways.
Did you know… at birth Dalmatians are always white.
Did you know… an Octopus's pupil is rectangular.
Did you know… only female Mosquitoes bite.
Did you know… India is home to over 200 million Cows.
Did you know… all insects have 6 legs.
Did you know… Dragonflies have 6 legs but can't walk.
Did you know… Cows don't have upper front teeth.
Did you know… Cats have a peripheral vision of 285 degrees.
Did you know… Some species of Butterflies will migrate over long distances (more than 3500 km) in order to escape the cold winters.
Did you know… Cats have over 100 vocal chords.
Did you know… Koalas sleep around 18 hours a day.
Did you know… Frogs don’t drink (they absorb water through their skin).

Source: did-you-knows.com

Why You Shouldn’t Buy A Pet Rabbit for Easter!

Yes, I know that a bunny rabbit is the cutest thing ever. Pet stores are filled with these sweet furry creatures just waiting to land on an Easter basket. But we should not forget that things don’t work out so well once these bunny rabbits come home. Parents should be aware that rabbits and small children are not a good match. The excitement of even the gentlest toddler is stressful for a sensitive rabbit. The reason why stuffed animals are so famous is because children admire a companion they can hold, and embrace. On the contrary, rabbits are not passive and cuddly. These sweet furry animals are ground loving creatures that feel insecure and frightened when held and restrained. You should think carefully before you decide whether you want to buy a bunny rabbit!

Every year the animal shelter is filled with bunny rabbits just a few weeks after Easter. Unfortunately, hundreds of these sweet bunny rabbits are left without homes because many good intentioned parents brought their toddler a bunny rabbit for Easter. After the excitement of playing with the bunny rabbit, the toddler losses interest and the little bunny rabbits ends up neglected or abandoned. They are then sent off to the animal shelters.

These Are Very Important Facts:

• Rabbits are not "low-maintenance" pets, and are not a good choice as a pet for a child.
• They have a lifespan of 10 years and need as much attention as a cat or dog.
• Your house must be bunny-proofed, or else your bunny will chew cords and furniture.
• Rabbits must be neutered or spayed or they will mark your house with urine and feces.
• They should live in the house, as part of the family.

If you know of someone that is purchasing a rabbit at Easter? Explain to them why it's a bad idea.

The Easter Bunny Poem!
"In memory of all the bunnies that could´nt be saved"

For More Info: House Rabbit Society

Interesting Facts About The Long Beaked Echidna

I´d like to share with you some interesting facts about a very peculiar creature that I read about the other day in an article. This amazing creature is called a Long-beaked echidna, but unfortunately it is about to become extinct, unless something is done. Numbers have decreased due to human activities such as hunting, deforestation, mining and farming. The species is listed as endangered by the IUCN.

The Long-beaked echidna is immediately recognizable because of its long snout which makes up two thirds of its head. The snout is tubular with a very small mouth, through which its long tongue can be quickly extruded and retracted. Lack of teeth in the species is compensated by rows of “spikes/horny” teeth-like projections on the long tongue of the animal. Unlike the Short-beaked Echidna, which eats ants and termites, the Long-beaked species eats almost exclusively earthworms, though it may feed on other soil-dwelling invertebrates, and from time to time ants. Another interesting feature about this animal is its hind legs. The toes point outwards so if you look only at its feet, it’s quit complicated to tell which direction the animal is supposed to move. The Long-beaked echidna has spines of varying length mixed together with fur on its back, sides and tail.

The long-beaked echidna is one of the two types (Platypus is the other one) of mammals that lay shell-covered eggs which are incubated and hatched outside of the body of the mother. A female echidna can lay up to 6 eggs at a time which are kept in its pouch until they hatch. After hatching the young will remain in the pouch for around 6 weeks before finally venturing out. Long-beaked echidnas are known to live over 30 years in captivity.

Images from: www.bbc.co.uk