all the world animals

10 Deadliest Water Creatures in the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:25:00 -0800

There are a number of hazardous creatures in the sea. Many can cause serious harm to unaware or inattentive divers. Some may even cause death, although this often depends on the amount of venom used, individual reactions, and nature of injury and location of accidents.

Here I have compiled some of the venomous deadliest water creatures. I may have missed out some so feel free to comment.

Stingrays

The spear, which stiffens when the stingray feels threatened, is serrated like a steak knife and packs venom that can be deadly to predators.

Moray Eels

Snake like body, protruding snout and wide jaws. These primitive creatures just look like death. They’re fish, by the way, and they can be up to 8 feet long.

Sea Lions

They’re considered cute, trainable and are major attractions at zoos, but have been known to bite people.

Crocodiles

Crocs have earned a reputation as one of the wild kingdom’s most ferocious predators. Relying on purely brute strength, they are capable of dragging down water buffaloes and have occasionally victimized humans.

Sea Snake

Sean snakes are related to cobras, so when it comes to venom, they know what they’re doing. Their bite paralyzes and kills prey in seconds.

Lionfish

Popular in home aquariums, these docile fish sport a striking fan of venomous spines. Although not fatal to humans, the spines deliver a painful sting that can cause headaches, vomiting, and respiratory distress.

Puffer fish

You don’t even have to be near water for this creature to kill you. The puffer fish, also known as a blowfish has venom stronger than cyanide.

Stonefish

It’s the most venomous fish in the world, and it’s a master of disguise, hiding in plain sight on the seafloor, looking like any other rock.

Tiger Shark

The great white shark gets all the attention. But reality is tiger sharks kill more people. Tiger sharks will eat anything: fish, seals, birds, squid, small sharks, dolphins. They can be up to 18 feet long and weigh a ton.

Box Jellyfish

These gelatinous creatures are flat-out deadly. Dozens of people die each year from the many species of box jellyfish that exist in all oceans.

10 Fastest Mammals of Our Planet

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:20:00 -0800

If something moves, somebody else wants to know how fast it goes, and what version is fastest. There’s no denying it, the need for speed is in our blood. These maximum recorded speeds recorded for mammals are measured over various short distances.

Here I have compiled some of the fastest mammals of our planet. I hope you will like it.
Cheetah

A member of the cat family, the cheetah leads the way as the world’s fastest mammal. It is Capable of speeds between 70-75 miles per hour. Cheetah has an accelerating speed of 0-60mph in just 3 seconds.

Pronghorn Antelope

The Pronghorn Antelope is a hoofed mammal native to North America. It is built for maximum predator evasion, with speeds recorded varying from 40-57mph. Pronghorn is capable of maintaining its top speed over much longer distances due to its large heart and lungs.

Blue Wildebeest

One of two species of wildebeest, the Blue Wildebeest is a grazing animal found in Africa. The blue wildebeest move in large migratory herds and are capable of speeds up to 50mph when necessary.

Lion

At one time the second most common mammal in the world after humans, the Lion is these days found mostly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The lion can achieve speeds of up to 50 miles per hour when hunting its prey.

Springbok

The Springbok is a medium sized gazelle, earning its name from its tendency to leap into the air while running to attract a female or evade a predator. Most commonly found in southwestern Africa it can reach running speeds of up to 50mph.

Brown Hare

The Brown Hare is native to much of Europe and Western Asia. Slightly larger than a rabbit the Brown Hare is a naturally shy animal and is capable of reaching 48mph to avoid capture.

Red Fox

The Red Fox is a relatively small carnivorous mammal capable of running speeds of 48mph, incidentally the same as one of their prey, the Brown Hare.

Grant’s gazelle

The Grant’s gazelle is a mammal found on open grass plains in East Africa. The cheetah, being one of its natural predators, it needs to be quite speedy across the ground and can build up to a fastest speed of over 45mph.

Thomson’s gazelle

Thomson’s gazelle is native to Africa’s savannahs and grasslands. It can evade predators through its ability to maintain speeds of up to 47mph while turning quickly.

Horse

The Horse is a common and highly domesticated animal. They have been used for centuries to carry humans and goods as well as pull objects such as ploughs and carts. Horses have been recorded reaching speeds of 45mph.

Wildlife and Wilderness from Savannah to Sea

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:23:00 -0800

Photo: Chris Eason
The traditional safari is a wilderness trail in a jeep through the sprawling African plains with a wily and eccentric tour guide who has several fingers missing and numerous scars. There are many different kinds of wildlife safari you can experience, depending on what kind of animal you would like to see and how ‘wild’ you want them to be. At Kruger National park in South Africa, which spans an astonishing two million hectares of land, you can spot lions, leopards, elephants, zebras, rhinos and buffalos. The Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, just off the West coast of South America (Ecuador), is home to all kinds of unusual amphibians, mammals, fish, vertebrates and invertebrates, from land-dwelling giant tortoises and lizards to coast-waddling penguins and sea lions, to exotic insects, rainbow-coloured birds, angelfish, manta rays and hammerhead sharks.
Other popular (if slightly tourist-y) destinations include Kenya’s Tasavo and Amboseli National Parks or the Nature Reserves of Samburu and Masai Mara, or for those of you who hanker after a bit of luxury amongst the wilderness, there’s South Africa’s Singita private reserve where you can behold the magnificent Serengeti Wildebeest Migration.
Other options include spotting orangutans in Borneo, gorilla trekking in Rwanda, a tiger tour in northern India, walking safaris in Zambia, and elephant conservation in Thailand’s Khao Sok National Park. As a general rule, group tours are less effective than the more exclusive and isolated safari experiences, and because of this, the best safaris tend to be the most expensive. But there’s a lot to be said for getting up close – or as close as you dare – to such wild (and often unpredictable and dangerous) beasts in their own territory.
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10 Most Popular Guard Dogs of the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:38:00 -0800

Guard Dogs belong to the special breed category because they possess special talent or skill that make them naturally effective as protectors of life and property. Btw have you ever wondered that what is the difference between a watch dog and a guard dog?

Both guard dogs and watch dogs bark to alert their owners of an intruder’s presence and scare away the intruder. The watch dog’s function ends here; a guard dog is capable of attacking or restraining the intruder.

Here are some of the most popular guard dogs from around the world. I may have missed out some so share your guard dog’s suggestions in comments section.

German shepherd

German Shepherds are well known for their police work. Because of their keen sense of smell and their ability to work under extreme conditions, they are widely used in search and rescue operations, including explosives searching and narcotics detection, cadaver searching, among others.

Doberman pinscher

Although Doberman Pinschers are ideal for companionship because of their being lively and energetic, the earlier breeds were commonly used as guard dogs, because of their intelligence and alertness. Doberman Pinschers are generally gentle, intelligent and loving dogs.

Rottweiler

Rottweilers are powerful breed of dogs with well developed guarding and herding instincts. They are ancient breed that were used by their masters in herding cattle and were very effective in driving away intruders.

American Pit Bull Terrier

American Pit Bull Terrier was used by farmers and ranchers for protection from intruders and as family companions. They are famous for demonstrating obedience; versatility and agility .They are primarily used in competitions for their noted qualities that complement sports related competitions.

Sharplaninec

Sharplaninec, also known as Yugoslav Shepherd Dog is a large, muscular, strongly-built dog. The breed has a highly protective nature. In the absence of a flock of sheep, the sharplaninac will often treat its humans as sheep – herding them away from danger or undesirable areas.

Black Russian Terrier

Black Russian Terrier gives the impression of strength and courage. This breed is highly intelligent dog and very loyal to its master. They bond deeply to family members.

American Bulldog

The American Bulldog is well built, stocky and looks very strong and stable. The American Bulldog is best with experienced owner as they are quite powerful dogs.

Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff is a courageous, loyal, calm and loving dog. It has also a strong protective instinct and will defend its owners against treat from intruders. They normally attack and knocks the intruder over with its massive built and pins them to the ground.

Kunming Wolf Dog

Kunming Wolf Dog originated in China. It is similar in appearance to the German Shepherd dog but stands taller in the back and has a shorter coat. Kunmings are seldom used as pet dogs but is widely used by Chinese military and police.

Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff dog is one of the largest breed of guard dogs. It is a sturdy and massively built and weighs over 100lbs. As a flock guardian dog in Tibet, it is tenacious in its ability to confront predators the size of wolves and leopards.

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South Africa's World Heritage Game Reserve

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:47:00 -0800

Photo: Fihliwe
Life is short and sweet really. We often forget how quick it comes and goes. We get so caught up with our jobs, fancy cars, and rock star houses. When last have you asked yourself: “When will I get to start living and stop chasing life?” Money implications keep us awake at night, and all the financial burdens result in our illnesses and suffering. All that high-speed living and chasing will kill us all eventually!

Only a small minority have chosen the calmer, less materialistic way of living. They probably even live longer. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying let's throw away all our possessions and live like beach bums, not at all. Yet away from the cities, a one-road-in and one-road-out island with natural wildlife surrounds us here in Africa. To the east of us, we are spoilt with pristine white sandy beaches and to the west of us we are fortunate enough to witness the bush and forest, and obviously its inhabitants: wildlife.
This is all for free. You run away from the hustle of city life, the traffic, crime and all the gloom in Africa, and place yourself into this serene and peaceful environment. On a Monday morning, we don’t rush to our offices or conference meetings! It’s a simple life. Week days are compared to weekends here. If the weather is good, we go deep sea fishing.
Here are some facts about our World Heritage Site in Africa.
Lake St Lucia (37 000ha) and the Eastern Shores (30 000ha) together comprise the largest estuarine system on the African continent. Lake St Lucia was declared a Natural World Heritage Site – South Africa’s first – by UNESCO protocol on December 1, 1999. It is a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. This means that its value as a conservation area extends beyond the borders of the country. It’s a habitat for birds such as the small waders, which breed in northern Eurasia and migrate to the southern hemisphere to avoid the northern winter. It is also of regional importance for duck and other water bird populations, which are able to survive at St Lucia when there are severe droughts elsewhere in southern Africa. Once the drought is over, these birds migrate northwards to restock the wetlands in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
The ongoing fluvial, marine and aeolian processes in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park World Heritage Site have produced a variety of landforms including coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and extensive reed and papyrus wetlands. The interplay of the park’s environmental diversity with major floods and coastal storms, and a transitional geographic location between sub-tropical and tropical Africa, has resulted in exceptional species diversity and on-going speciation. The mosaic of landforms and habitat types creates superlative scenic vistas. The site also contains critical habitat for a range of species from Africa’s marine, wetland and savannah environments.
Our Heritage home also boasts the safari Big 5 – the lion, the leopard, the black rhino, the elephant and the cape buffalo – and not forgetting the extensive buck family and over 160 bird types.
Our home is truly a natural wonder.
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Alaska Bear Shooting Challenges National Park Gun Laws

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:58:00 -0800

Photo: Jean-Pierre Lavoie
The news coming from our national parks these days is increasingly centered on bear attacks. On Thursday, a 70-year-old man was killed by a grizzly while hiking in the Shoshone National Forest six miles east of Yellowstone. But it is the grisly Memorial Day weekend incident at Alaska’s Denali National Park that is testing a new national policy and renewing a debate over firearms. That’s because in addition to hikers and an angry bear, it also involved a .45-caliber pistol.

An unidentified male backpacker fired nine rounds at a grizzly bear in defense of his female hiking companion on May 28, park officials have reported. The shooter claims to have used his weapon when the bear charged forward. After being shot, the animal retreated into the brush and was later found dead 100ft from the site of the shooting near Denali’s Tattler Creek at the west end of Igloo Canyon. The matter is under review to determine whether a crime took place.
Photo: Shellie from Florida, USA
The incident is being scrutinized with particular attention, because this is the first case of gunfire at a national park since a change in federal law was enacted in February regulating the use of guns on park lands. The new policy, signed by President Obama in May 2009, allows firearms in 373 of the country’s 392 parks, including the original section of Denali, in accordance with state permit guidelines. Despite these new allowances, however, hunting laws are unchanged and it remains generally illegal to discharge a gun, making the situation more than a little complicated. “This person was doing something legally in terms of carrying the weapon,” Parks Information Officer Kris Fister explained, referring to the gunman. “What is not legal – and this has been a federal regulation for a long time – is the use of the weapon.”
Photo: Jennifer from Wichita (This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license)
As the investigation continues, the National Association for Gun Rights, a gun advocacy group, has already drawn its conclusion, asserting emphatically on its website: “If firearms were still outlawed in national parks, both of these hikers would probably be dead.” Yet the park service provides some context by citing the statistic that there have only been 23 documented cases of bear attacks in Denali, and no mauling has been fatal. Its website suggests that pepper spray is a more effective tool for deterring bears. Those who come in contact with a threatening bear are instructed to wave their arms and to speak in a low voice while backing away.
Photo: Stephen Z
It hasn’t taken long for the wisdom of the new law to be tested. Consider this the first shot. Whether this event underscores the need for weapons in parks or serves as a case of abuse of that privilege remains unclear for now. The matter is currently before the US attorney’s office, though prosecution is unlikely, according to Chris Pergiel, the regional chief ranger for the National Parks Service Alaska region.
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The Most Incredible Horse Race on Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:48:00 -0800

Photo: Roberto Vicario
Imagine a horse-race that takes a year to prepare for, and which transports its observers back to medieval times. If you are looking for a gripping, exhilarating race, then look no further. The Palio, or Il Palio, is a
horse-race that takes place twice a year in Siena, Italy, in honor of the Virgin Mary, whose apparition is said to have appeared in the doorway of an old Siena home.
Photo: Roberto Vicario
The race features ten sleek horses and ten daring riders. Each horse represents its respective 'contrade,' or district. Each contrade has its own government, its own coat of arms, and its own patron spirits.

Up to 25,000 people gather the night before the race, carousing in pre-celebratory festivities in the Piazza. The race itself circles the Piazza del Campo, where a thick layer of dirt is laid on the ground, and the riders bust through, bareback, on their horses.
Photo: One From RM
The crowd screams and whistles as the horses and riders circle three times around the Piazza, on treacherous turns, and many a rider is de-horsed. The most unique aspect of this race is that a horse, without his rider, can claim the win. A horse who wins the race without his jockey is called a 'scosso'.
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Tarsiers: The Cutest Endangered Primate on Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:58:00 -0800

Photo: Kok Leng Yeo
Tangkoko National Park, Manado, Indonesia is famous for several species of flora and wildlife, including black macaques, hornbills, and other rare species of birds. However, the biggest attraction is the Tarsius Spectrum, simply known as the “Tarsius Monkey”, the smallest primate in the world, measuring a staggering five inches (12cm), and it can only be seen at night! During our last scuba dive trip to Bunaken National Park, in Sulawesi, Indonesia, we reserved the last day of our holiday to visit the nearby land attraction. We
arranged with the hotel manager to visit Tangkoko National Park.
Photo: Roberto Verzo
We left the hotel promptly, after returning from our morning dive. Punctually, at 1pm, our driver Sucipto was ringing our room saying that he was at the lobby waiting for us. As soon as he spotted us, he quickly walked toward us, and, typical of most Indonesian men, he was small, slender, and smiling from ear to ear. He quickly introduced himself, eagerly shook our hands and asked a lot of questions about our underwater holiday. He informed us that we would travel by car, roughly about two and a half hours, plus or minus, depending on the traffic.
On the road to Tangkoko National Park
Photo: Regina Fugate North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Unfortunately, from our resort, we had to drive through the city of Manado, adding another 45 minutes, of heavy traffic, to our drive. Once we left the city’s environs, the quality of the road surface quickly deteriorated, and before we knew it, the car, a venerable, air-conditioned tank (a Toyota Land Cruiser II) was driving over massive pot holes, and we were bouncing all over the place, hitting the top of my head a time or two. My husband, who sat opposite me, kept glaring at me, as he wasn’t enjoying the ride.
By now the road had become nothing more than a wide track snaking through palm-tree forests, and from time to time we’d see farm workers, and they would wave at us as we passed them by. At around 4:45 in the afternoon, we arrived at the little village of Batu Putih, right at the edge of Tangkoko National Park. Sucipto asked if we wanted to buy some drinks and perhaps visit the restrooms, before quickly heading over to the park.
Photo: mtoz
The Park Ranger
Our driver saw the Park Ranger sitting on the ground near the entrance of the road leading to the park. The Ranger flashed a big smile at us and said the man had been waiting for us a couple of hours and that he was eager to take us into the jungle, to find the little creatures! This ranger, has been working at the park for more than a decade, and what started as a general interest in helping the local flora and fauna survive, soon became his passion, and he became a professional park ranger. This gentleman, is highly sought-after because he possesses an uncanny ability to find the most elusive animals of the forest! The ranger made certain that we were properly dressed by wearing long-sleeve shirts and told us to tuck our trousers into our hiking boots; he also instructed us to apply a thick layer of mosquito repellent to all exposed areas of our bodies!
Photo: Regina Fugate Abandoned ox cart inside the park
Into the Jungle
By this time darkness was fast approaching, it was around 5:20 in the evening when we boarded our vehicle and drove a couple of kilometers, and over a bridge so narrow that I had doubts our vehicle would fit, but it did! Soon we arrived at the Park Ranger’s office, where we had to register and show our passports. Let me tell you, when the night descends upon the jungle, it gets dark quickly, and within a couple of minutes it is pitch dark! So, the other two men in the office were quickly gathering their torches (flashlights), and within a few minutes we were marching into the jungle. The sounds of the jungle to the inexperience trekker (yeah, me), were very eerie and frightening and suddenly, I was not happy to be there. In the semi-darkness, all I could see was the two guides in front of me, and I knew my husband was walking behind me; but we couldn't talk to each other, not even whisper... those were the Ranger's explicit instructions.
Everything looked threatening in the shadows! I didn't want to give any thought to the snakes that inhabit this forest, some of them, quite poisonous; but the ranger reassured me earlier on, not to concern myself about them, as typically they avoid people. I could see the swarms of bugs dancing in the weak light of our flashlights; they were so thick one could cut them with a knife! We followed our fearless leader in silence for about 40 minutes, and then he held up his hand, and we stopped... and we waited in silence for instructions.
Photo: Sakurai Midori
It is so dark in the jungle
The Park Ranger quietly approached a tree and looked inside a hole in the tree-trunk... we were anxiously waiting to hear his report, as I didn’t want to continue walking in the jungle. The air was so heavy with moisture that we were soaked to the core, and it was uncomfortably hot. He returned beaming from ear-to ear; he had found a Tarsiers nest! He whispered that we should just sit around and wait a few minutes until it was completely dark. Since the Tarsiers are nocturnal creatures, they would not leave the nest until complete darkness envelops the jungle... then, they emerge from their nests for their nightly hunting excursions.
Photo: Regina FugateOne of the guides found outside the park, offering blankets to trekkers who wish to spend the night in the park
Suddenly we heard a rustling of leaves and branches in the nearby bushes. The park ranger quickly turned his torch in the direction of the noise… and right before us was a cute little creature, the size of a large mouse, with huge, round eyes and a long, slender tail… he sat there, facing us, absolutely frozen, staring at the light! All of a sudden, my fears and dislike for the dark jungle disappeared. Seeing this elusive, tiny creature up close made it all worth it. The entire viewing lasted maybe one minute and eventually the ranger instructed us to turn off the torches for a minute, in order to give the poor little creatures a chance to return to their activities. There would be no more viewings, as it was late, and all the Tarsiers were out and about. The Ranger did not want to further disrupt their nocturnal activities.
The end of the tour
So that was it! We accomplished what we set out to do that night, we saw the elusive Tarsius (which by the way, we were told not all trekkers are lucky enough to see), and we returned to our hotel, afterwards. For some odd reason the return trip didn’t seem as long or uncomfortable, and I said so to our guide. He said we were “high,” because we had seen these strange and charming little creatures. So adorable is the creature, that Yoda’s face, from Star Wars, was fashioned after the Tarsius!
Photo: unknown
Getting to Manado
The easiest way to reach Manado is by air, via Jakarta using Garuda Indonesia, or from Singapore, using Silk Air.
When to go
The temperatures are pretty much the same throughout the year. In other words, it's hot and humid year-round, but the driest months are August in September, and by dry I mean less rain, not less humid! You may want to avoid visiting the park during the rainy season, as the unpredictable monsoons will bring down torrential rains, making the roads to the park impassable.
Planning your visit
You cannot go without a local guide and all visitors must register at the Park Ranger's office. Guides can be be easily hired in the town of Batu Putih, however, not all of the guides are considered "official" park guides. Some hotels claim to have special connections with the Park Rangers and if far in advance, you can reserve a private tour conducted by the Ranger himself.
Our ranger did not require payment for his services, but as anywhere in Indonesia, a tip is expected, and we gladly gave him one!
Health Issues and other challenges
If you plan to spend more than one day at Tangkoko National Park, it is recommended that you take anti-malarial pills, bring heavy-duty insect repellent and wear long trousers and long-sleeve shirts at night, and take plenty of bottled water, which you can purchase in the village outside the park. The trekking itself is pretty easy as the terrain slightly undulates. However, trekking at night requires that you move slowly and you may even trip on branches, rocks, etc, which are standing in your way, and which you cannot see until right upon them! This park is suitable for children over 10 years of age, or younger, if very fit and used to trekking. The park does not accommodate persons with physical disabilities.
Local Accommodations
Our mission was to see only the elusive Tarsius, so, we made the one-day journey. However, the flora and fauna of this park is truly spectacular and merits a couple of days' visit, with at least an overnight stay. With advance notice, your resort can arrange accommodations at a hostel in Butih Putih.
Photo: Regina Fugate
Recommend visiting this park?
A resounding YES! I'm sorry that we did not stay and trek through this wondrous place during the day-time. Most people visit sulawesi (Manado) for the scuba diving, but I highly recommend that you set aside a couple of days to visit Tangkoko National Park when planning your diving holiday, in Bunaken.
A side note about the Tarsius Spectrum: The Threat to the tarsius of Indonesia - Human-Induced Habitat Loss and Degradation
Habitat destruction, change, and fragmentation pose significant threats to tarsiers with all having lost more than half of their original habitat. In Sulawesi, Indonesia, the rates of habitat destruction remain high, (even within protected areas). Further, tarsiers are usually not found in areas with high human populations and those which are under intensive agricultural use, for palm and pepper plantations. Logging reduces tarsier density by destroying preferred supports and sleeping sites and by producing loud noises which disturb the animals. Additionally, areas that have been logged are susceptible to other activities such as the establishment of plantations, the raising of livestock, and settlement. Strangler figs, the tarsiers preferred trees, are often removed from human-utilized forests because they threaten commercially valuable trees; such destruction may threaten the species. As of 2010, the tiny primate's future remains uncertain, due to loss of habitat, and to the aggressive clearing of forests. Why not join the WWF's vision for Indonesia. You can adopt a tarsier through the WWF.
Photo: Regina Fugate

Shark Attacks: The Cost of Cage Diving?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:56:00 -0800

Photo: hermanusbackpackers
You can easily find adventure tourism companies advertising shark cage diving in South Africa. It is a regulated business, and the operators work hard to ensure the safety of each tourist. You go under water to observe sharks from the safety of a steel cage. So what is the environmental dilemma? Why should you have concerns about doing this, rather than feeling simple delight (or abject terror)? Why not simply vacation as your heart leads you?

Photo: billwscott
Cage Diving: So Basic, It's Controversial
The shark cage is essentially a rigid steel mesh platform with steel bars. You either get a breathing tube so the boat can pump air to you, or wear scuba gear. You enter the cage and peer between the bars to see sharks swimming past. Your safety is ensured by the strong cage.
Despite the excitement of being so close to a shark, this is a very safe process. Very few incidents have been reported where a cage diver has been at risk from a shark attack - this is not the issue.
From a scientific view, the problems begin with the expectations of the tourists and the tour operators. If you pay to dive with sharks, then you want to see sharks - nearby and active, perhaps even feeding. How can the tour operator improve the chances that the sharks will put on a good show?
Once in an area where sharks are known to spend time, the operator might "chum" the water, by casting or trailing bait. Sharks are credited with having a very sensitive sense of smell, so they are attracted to the bait. So the sharks will be active nearby, and both the tourist and the operator are pleased.
But what if the sharks associate seeing a boat - or a diver - with getting an easy meal? Pavlov conditioned his dogs in a similar manner. Start with a trivial stimulus: ring a bell for the dog, or anchor a boat near the sharks. Then introduce some food. After the animal experiences the pair of stimuli often and consistently, it becomes conditioned to respond to the trivial stimulus just as it does to the important one.
There may not be significant consequences if a dog drools when your doorbell rings. But what if sharks become conditioned to thinking that a boat or diver signals the arrival of food? The results could be grim for scuba divers and swimmers in nearby waters.
Photo: billwscott
ç conducted a study that found four (out of many) sharks did indeed behave as if they were conditioned to associate a diving cages with a food source. Their report does not condemn this type of tourism, however.
They report that, in South Africa, tour operators are subject to regulations which forbid deliberately feeding sharks. Nor are the sharks likely to mistake a kayak or swimmer for a diving cage attached to a tour boat. So why does the controversy linger?
The first problem is that it is difficult to enforce the regulations. Tour operators risk their livelihood if they cannot produce sharks on demand. So they will always be tempted to chum and to feed. (Johnson and Kock did not observe anyone flouting the regulations; they merely speculated that it was possible).
The other problem is political. Despite the fact that there are very few shark attacks - about five injuries in South Africa's coast per year, as reported in 2001 - people do fear shark attacks. The government of South Africa might enact further restrictions on shark diving, simply to appease the rest of the tourism industry.
If you decide to encounter sharks by diving in a shark cage, you will probably just enjoy the experience of seeing these magnificent animals in their own habitat. But just for now, consider how intelligent sharks must be: some can learn as well as dogs.
Photo: Iggy.

Sylvatic Plague: The Black Death of Prairie Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:45:00 -0800

Photo: Just chaos
Canadian headlines lamented the discovery of a dead prairie dog in Saskatchewan's Grasslands National Park. It was a victim of plague. Could you be next?
Death of a Prairie Dog

Photo: Just chaos
The dead prairie dog was found in July 2010. The cause of death was determined to be sylvatic plague. The identical bacterium, Yersinia pestis, also presents itself as pneumonic plague or bubonic plague. The latter had been called "The Black Death" during the Middle Ages, when it slew millions of people.
Normally, the bacterium - and therefore, the plague - is transmitted by fleas. If one flea takes a meal from an infected mammal, it can later infect a new victim. Deer ticks spread Lyme disease in a similar manner.
The European Black Death had indeed been spread by fleas; but the fleas had unwitting accomplices, the rats which also were commonplace. The plague bacteria was incubated in rats; fleas bit the rats and later bit people to transmit the plague. But what happened in Saskatchewan in July 2010?
Photo: Gdr
Death of a Town
Plague was introduced - acccidently, it is presumed - to North America by European settlers. Prairie dogs had been known to die of plague since late in the 1800s.
Prairie dogs colonies are known as underground "towns", with populations that can reach into the low thousands. You might imagine that disease would easily run rampant, with a few thousand animals sleeping together in burrows.
Photo: Just chaos
However, these animals are both social and territorial. One prairie dog will only interact with a select few of its relatives and closest neighbours. The extended family unit is called a "coterie". Scientists had believed that this comparative isolation should protect them from spreading infections - almost as though they lived in quarantine as a matter of course. At least, even diseases as deadly as plague should spread fairly slowly.
Scientists had believed that the fleas could not survive the extermination of an entire town of prairie dogs. If all their hosts were dead, the fleas would not live long enough for the next enterprising prairie dogs to move into the ready-made burrows.
Yet the evidence was plain: in recent decades, some prairie dog towns have died out from sylvanic plague. Scientists from Stanford University set out to investigate how the plague could survive to infect new populations.
The Carnivorous Grasshopper Mouse

Photo: lovingshiva
Grasshopper mice share the burrows of prairie dog towns, but they do not respect the territorial boundaries represented by the coteries. These mice could easily carry fleas from one family to another.
But how could these mice survive the plague? It seems they have sufficient immunity to avoid suffering ill effects, but are a reservoir for the bacteria. Grasshopper mice are remarkable for being carnivores: they eat insects and small mammals rather than grains.
Responding to One Prairie Dog's Death
Scientists report that a person is at a very low risk of infection, since humans very rarely contract plague in North America. There are fewer than two dozen cases annually in the United States; none have been reported in Canada for decades. Modern antibiotics are used in treating the plague.
However, officials from Grasslands National Park do advise some precautions, which would be useful anywhere in the Prairies (USA or Canada) where prairie dogs may reside:

Tuck your long pants into your socks which are inside hiking boots (rather than wearing shorts and sandals) when you explore the park
Use insect repellant on your shoes, socks and pant legs when exploring the park
Do not walk over the prairie dog towns, and keep your pets away also
Do not handle dead animals

Photo: Just chaos
Before you visit Grasslands National Park, you should check for the latest bulletins through a link at the bottom of the Saskatchewan Health page, "Naturally Occurring Plague in Prairie Dogs". The park is roughly a 350km drive SW from Regina, and borders on Montana.
This particular death may be the first of many in that town. While we may grieve for the loss of this one innocent prairie dog, we can take comfort in knowing that prairie dogs, grasshopper mice and humanity have survived over one hundred years of plague infestation in the prairie dog towns of North America.
Photo: Just chaos

10 Most Popular Cat Breeds in the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:20:00 -0800

Back in the ancient times, a cat of Good breed was not so easy to found. They were even placed in elevated positions in civilizations like Egypt. Today, anyone can enjoy owning a cat. There are no restrictions at all in owning them, unlike other pets that require high maintenance and are subject to state or federal regulation.A cat can also help you forget an exhausting day at work or at school. It can cuddle up to you and purr. It makes you feel protective over the cat. Any cat lover out there does not need any reason or question for owning one. Yet, for those who do not have a cat they may think that this is a tremendous task.

Actually, cats are the easiest pets to own. Cats are the perfect companions. They do not require much from the owner. They only have to be regularly fed. They also need a shelter. Each breed has its own distinct characteristic and personality. This can affect how they will behave, how they play and even if they will require further maintenance.

Here I have compiled some of the most popular cat breeds from which you can choose from.

Siamese cat

Siamese cats are also very popular. They have markings in their hair that make them very distinct. They also have slender bodies and very elegant posture.

Persian cat

The Persian cat is one of the most popular breeds. They are known for their long and fluffy hair that can grow up to 3 inches. They also have beautiful colors that range from white, black, gray, orange or a combination of these colors.

Maine Coon Cat

The Maine Coon Cat is one of the oldest breeds of cats. Everywhere in the world, there is one you will find as they can withstand warm and even cold climates. They are fun-loving.

Ragdoll

Another wonderful breed for soon-to-be pet owners is the ragdoll. This cat has medium length of hair. They are very gentle, easy-going and affectionate. They are perfect for any household.

Burmese Cat

Burmese cats are shorthaired. They have big yellow eyes and very satiny hair. Stroking their hairs are enough for grooming. They only have softer voices. They can get really bonded and trusting with their owners.

Manx

The Manx cats are very distinct because of their peculiar backs that end in a shortened tail. Their structure gives them a very rounded look that makes them more adorable and cuddly.

Siberian Cat

Siberian cats are known for their proportioned bodies and their furs. Some even claim that their furs are hypoallergenic, although this is still subject to be confirmed.

Somali Cat

Somali cats are long-haired cats that wee from the Abyssinian breed. They have fluffy hair and bottle-brush tails.They are perfect for owners who want an active, intelligent and playful pet.

Russian Blue

This breed of cat has blue to bluish-gray coat. They usually have green or dark eyes.Russian Blues are very playful and intelligent. They also bond really well with their owners but they are very shy to strangers.

American Bobtail

American Bobtails are distinctly recognized for their tails that are shorter than the ordinary type and look like it has been specially bobbed. They can have short or long coats. Their eye colors can also vary.
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The Extinction of the Passenger Pigeons: How Man Destroyed A Species

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:52:00 -0800

Photo: Unknown
The demise of the passenger pigeon is a tragic example of the effect of human interests on nature.
Passenger pigeons once ranked amongst the most numerous birds on the planet. Their flocks were so huge that they could block out the sunlight for days, with their chattering heard for miles. A single tree could hold over one hundred nests. Unfortunately, their survival depended on large numbers.
One of the few survival strategies of passenger pigeons was predation satiation. The huge flocks needed large forests to nest in, and each nesting pair would lay only one egg. The pigeons would nurture their
offspring, known as a squab, for two weeks before pushing it out of the nest. The helpless squab would then flounce around on the ground until it developed the ability to fly. The forest floor would be littered with hundreds of thousands of helpless squabs — easy pickings for wolves, foxes, weasels and hawks. Yet the majority of squabs would learn to fly before their predators could make a significant dent in their numbers.
Photo: cotins
However, while passenger pigeons were too numerous for wild predators, they were no match for humans. They were a favorite of hunters for their meat and feathers, and were also targeted as pests and for sport. A single blast of a shotgun could bring down as many as fifty birds, and there was practically no limit on the number of birds a hunter could take.
Photo: John James Audubon
By 1850 the destruction was in full force, and by 1860 flocks of passenger pigeons were greatly diminished. One of the last large nesting colony arrived in Michigan in 1878, covering 40 square miles. Hunters took down 50,000 birds a day over a five month period — over 90% of the flock. In 1896 a lone hunter descended on one of the remaining roosts and, seeing the opportunity to wipe out the last of the wild flocks, exterminated 250,000 birds in just one day. By 1897 there were too few surviving birds to re-establish the species, and in 1900 a 14-year-old boy killed the last passenger pigeon in the wild. The few pigeons remaining in captivity failed to breed.
Photo: Ryan Somma
It is perhaps unlikely that the birds — noted for their stupidity — would have survived as America became increasingly populated during the 20th century — even if they hadn't been hunted to extinction. Habitat loss was also a factor in their demise, and given their need for inhabiting forests in large numbers in order to survive, once the forests started to disappear, the passenger pigeons may well have gone the same way in any case — a tragic example of the incompatibility of man's needs with those of the natural world.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Top 5 of the World’s Ugliest Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 22:39:00 -0800

5. Elwood: Don’t Feed After Midnight

2007′s World’s Ugliest Dog competition introduced us to Elwood, a 2 year-old Chinese Crested/Chihuahua mix who won the blue ribbon that year. Elwood’s owners were thrilled to win the competition (and the $1,000 prize money), especially because Elwood’s breeder had planned to euthanize him when he was born because she deemed him “too ugly to sell.”

4. The Infamous Miss Ellie

This Southern Belle won first prize at the World’s Ugliest Dog competition at the Sonoma-Marin fair in 2009 at the age of 17. A Chinese Crested dog who was adopted when she was about seven, Miss Ellie’s looks earned her worldwide media attention.
Miss Ellie was entered to compete again in the 2010 competition but sadly, fate had other plans. She died last November at her home in Tennessee.
3. “Ug” No More

With a face that only a mother could love, this 2 year-old half-blind Pointer mix was abandoned in an animal shelter in England before finally getting lucky. When he was named Britain’s Ugliest Dog in 2010, suddenly hundreds of people flooded the Mayflower Animal Shelter with inquiries about adopting him.
The lucky adoptive “parent” was April Parker, a 35 year-old mother of two. Upon adopting him, Parker’s first order of business was to change his name from “Ug” to a slightly kinder moniker: “Doug.”
2. Munchkin the Mystery Mutt

Munchkin is perhaps one of the most decorated ugly dogs in recent history, having won several competitions for Ugly Dogs/Mutts and been featured on television and print media outlets all over the world.
Her breed is completely indeterminable; her vet calls her a “Canardly,” as in “Can hardly tell [what she is].” Munchkin snorts when she walks (waddles?) and has wiry gray hair around her neck that sticks out on its own without the use of any combing or hair products.
1. Sam, Crypt-Keeper Dog

He looked like a cross between the Crypt-Keeper and a Gremlin, which made registered Chinese Crested dog Sam a shoo-in to win the “World’s Ugliest Dog” competition at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in California in 2005. That was the third year in a row that Sam had won this dubious title.
Sadly, the 14-year-old Sam suffered from a myriad of health problems. He died of cancer in November of 2005.
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Top 5 Funniest Lost & Found Pet Signs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 22:31:00 -0800

5. Cat Found

Nice cat! I think I’m going to take it home!
4. Have You Seen Me?

Was the dog off his medication when they took this picture?
3. Have You Seen My Cat?

The biggest cat I’ve ever seen!
2. Pet Fly Lost

That’s easy to find!
1. Missing Unicorn

This is the evidence that unicorns are not just in fairy tale books!
source

Strangely Colored Animals

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 04:40:00 -0800

5. Orange alligator

Sylvia Mythen, a 70-year-old grandmother from Venice, Fl, has discovered what appears to be the world’s first orange alligator. She was returning from work when she drove by the gator and promptly had to back up for a double-take. After sending the picture to her local news station she also contacted a biologist who believes the gator is really just half-albino. He says he has never seen or heard of one. But Gary Morse from Florida Fish and Wildlife feels the orange color might be from some environmental element. Regardless, the University of Florida Gators might have a new mascot.

4. Purple polar bear

Look at this strange animal! Yes, that is a purple polar bear believe it or not! This usually white polar bear created quite the buzz about the Mendoza City Zoo in Argentina when it unexpectedly turned purple. It seems that the polar bear named Pelusa had a skin condition that the zoo officials were trying to treat, and as a result of the special treatment of this condition the polar bear turned purple. The purple color only lasted for a little while, but it was quite the talk of the town and spread across the world news and internet like wildfire.
3. The lizard

The lizard in the photo is not being manipulated (not a photo manipulation). It is now the latest exotic pet craze. Mwanza flat-headed agama’s vivid blue-and-red colouring, is a lizard that has a body skin colour similar to Spiderman. Agamas, which are native to Kenya can be good pets, as they become tame and docile if handled regularly.
It can grow up to a foot long, and a balanced diet for them includes locusts, crickets, meal worms and wax worms. They are unable to throw webs, but can change colour – the brightly coloured males will change brown at night or if frightened. They can also run on their hind legs, and can scale vertical walls like spiders.
2. Tattooed pigs

Take a look at these tattooed pigs. Wim Delvoye has been tattooing them since the 1990s. In the early 21st century a tattooed pigs project was set up in the Art Farm in China, where there are fewer strictures regarding animal welfare than in most parts of the Western world. In 2005, Delvoye’s colleague, artist Danny Devos, spent several months at the farm, reorganizing, managing and rebuilding. The tattoos range from traditional flags and lions kind of stuff to Louis Vuitton logo patterns. The skins are not used as formal art objects until the pigs die, at which time, the skins are removed and displayed on walls in various art venues.
1. Flamingo tongue snail

The flamingo tongue snail (cyphoma gibbosumn) is a small, colorful sea snail which lives on various species of soft corals in the Caribbean. This creature almost-literally wears its heart (soul and colors) on its sleeve. The pretty color you see in this image is not a snail’s shell! Rather, it’s in a layer of live mantle tissue, connected to its foot – the snail pushes it out to cover the shell. The mantle tissue also works like a fish’s gill. When the snail is attacked, the mantle (and colors) is withdrawn. So you might say, this is the only marine animal that literally turns pale in fright.
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Top 5 Most Weird Dog Toys

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 01:42:00 -0800

5. Hotdoll, Love Doll for Dogs

Dogs are animals with enormous sexual appetites that can’t be controlled easily. So this is in artificial way to stop dogs inborn character. The Hotdoll is a natural way (and actually a beneficial one for dog’s health) to control its sexual impulses. This Love Doll for dogs is shaped to be grabbed easily by the dog’s paws like grabbing female hips. Designer: Clement Eloy.

4. Bowlingual Voice

A Tomy employee poses with the Bowlingual Voice, a gadget that expresses dogs’ emotions, at the annual Tokyo Toy Show 2009. Tomy claims the gadget analyses a dog’s voice through a wireless microphone attached to its collar and then displays its emotions.
3. Humunga Stache Dog Toy

The Humunga Stache Dog Toy. On one side, it’s a fun black ball for your dog to play with while on the flip side is a gigundus moustache (yes, gigundus). For $15, this would crack me up at least once a day — totally worth it.
2. iBone

One remedy for iPhone envy is a dog toy, called the iBone, developed by Haute Diggety Dog™. No, it’s not hard like a bone. It’s a soft, squeaky 4″ by 6″ pacifier. It’s cushy like a blankie, so that Buddy can always have something comforting in his mouth like Mom has in her hand. When Buddy squeezes the iBone dog toy, he feels love, companionship, and the possibility of fun!
1. A Holiday Meal Fit for a Dog

Really, how cute is this? The set includes turkey, corn, baked potato, biscuit, and what appears to be broccoli, served on top of a Frisbee. Yes, a Frisbee plate!
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Top 5 Extreme Dog Houses

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 01:32:00 -0800

5. Celebrity Brick Estate Dog House

The mastermind behind this upscale doggie abode is craftsman Alan Mowrer, known for creating the most fashionable dog houses in the world. This manor is estimated at $25,000 and boasts running water, lighting, air conditioning and heat!

4. Celebrity Hacienda Dog House

Created by custom doghouse design artists at La Petite Maison, this $30,000 red clay-roofed manse is large enough to accommodate a human and comes complete with terra-cotta floors. Who’s the lucky pooch that calls this humble abode home? This casa belongs to the pets of actress/model Rachel Hunter and is a scaled-down version of her California house. Price: $30,000.00.
3. Dog House with a deck and pool

This is a custom-made dog house built having in mind all the minimum details, including real materials, a wooden deck and a bone shaped pool.
2. Magis Dog House

The Magis Dog House is a polyethylene indoor/outdoor dog house that sits on two stylish stainless steel legs, with a small set of steps leading to the door. Designer: Michael Young for Magis.
1. Modern Dog House

Inspired by Bauhaus architecture, the spacious Cubix dog house is a hand-built contemporary abode for man’s best friend. The Cubix dog house is designed and manufactured by the German company Best Friend’s Home, and is available in three sizes: small, medium and large. The Cubix dog house sells for $5,800-$6,300 depending on size.
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Top 5 Most Terrifying Powers of the Insect World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 8 Jan 2012 03:00:00 -0800

5. Bombardier Beetles

Despite there being way more insects than any animal on the planet, most of them aren’t a reason to stay awake at night. That’s because, when it comes to the order of things, bugs are pretty much at the bottom of the totem pole. However, many species seem to be playing by the maxim that when your predators include everyone else on the planet, you need to get busy pulling together an elaborate defense or get busy dying. Or, bar having some awesome defense mechanism, just be scary as balls.

When it comes pants-crapping terror, beetles are pretty much lacking. Unless, of course, you’re the bombardier beetle (which has also got to be the coolest name for anything ever). When threatened, the beetle releases two separate chemicals from its abdomen which combine to form a spray which is both noxious and near-boiling. Your only warning that your day is about to be ruined is a popping sound before the spray bursts, which will only leave you more vulnerable as you wonder where the hell that sound is coming from before OH DEAR GOD IT BURNS.
The mere existence of bombardier beetles is controversial. Creationists argue that the internal design of two separate chambers (for storing both hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide) as well as a “mixing chamber” which houses water and enzymes, could not have possibly been the result of evolution as proposed by Darwin and is an example of intelligent (and badass) design. If true, our God is indeed an awesome, terrifying god.
4. Voodoo Wasps

Voodoo is religion commonly confused for a form of black magic practiced by fat girls the world over. Wasps are a violent species of insects commonly confused with a questionable rock band. When the two collide like a horrible train wreck, the results are as magical as they are deeply disturbing.
Voodoo wasps are called such because of their ability to turn caterpillars into what amounts to a zombie. This charming process begins when the wasp lays its eggs inside of the caterpillar, around eighty at a time. The caterpillar is perfectly fine until the eggs hatch into larvae stage, during which they feed off the caterpillar’s bodily fluids. Once fully grown they eat their way out of the caterpillar and spin cocoons nearby. And so goes the circle of life. Sunrise, sunset.
Except the caterpillar isn’t dead yet. Instead it stands over the cocoons as though being controlled by the growing larvae inside. Should anything have the misfortune of approaching the cocoons, the caterpillar will thrash about until the predator is knocked away or is freaked out enough to leave on its own accord. Once the wasps hatch from the cocoon, the caterpillar finally kicks the bucket. The wasps then show their gratitude for their brave guardian by eating its bod. It’s sort of like nature’s Stockholm Syndrome meets Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and it looks something like this:
3. Army Ants

Much like the previous entries, army ants live up to their name. With colonies reaching well over one-million members, a single group of army ants are rivaled only by the KISS Army, and even then the odds are still in their favor. Their massive jaws are extremely painful, leaving two puncture wounds not unlike a vampire.
Army ants also happen to be blind which, following the Daredevil theory of disabilities, serves only to make them more powerful and a huge box office drag. It may also explain their thorough dependency on teamwork. Their raids consist of columns made up of millions of ants, all of whom pick a single direction and walk until they find something. Then they proceed to tear that something apart because that’s just how they roll.
They know they hold one of nature’s deadliest weapons and also know how to use them, eating just about anything in their path.
And in case the point wasn’t already made, the bite of an army ant is a unique and painful experience. Should you find yourself traveling the Amazon Basin and prey to a raid your first instinct will probably be to cry and cuss a whole bunch. Your second instinct may then be to pull them off. But the strength of their jaws is so great that the ant itself will get torn in two before it lets go (which it won’t do for days). Some parts of Africa actually use the army ant as emergency sutures during surgery, which must do wonders for the pain.
2. Assassin Bugs

Despite their name, assassin bugs aren’t notable for their ability to kill (though many of them will lay down the law should the need arise) but rather how they use the dead. Much like Ed Gein, assassin bugs make as much use of corpses as they can. Unlike Ed Gein, assassin bugs aren’t sexual deviants with murderous and cross-dressing tendencies.
Some assassin bugs will cover themselves in the bodies of the dead and dying in an attempt to camouflage themselves from larger predators like spiders. By acting as a pile of dead and debris an assassin bug is able to avoid detection by bugs that rely on vision. It’s less effective against those who rely on other senses, but you had to know that hiding among the dead was a gamble of its own.
bugs01
Assassin bugs will also use their unique style of camouflage as a means to ambush their prey, leaping out of their lifeless shield to strike. Should their cover be blown, they can also shed the bodies at a moment’s notice. We can’t help but think that either scenario is just as perplexing to witness.
1. Tree Ant

If army ants can be considered the Rambos of the ant universe, then tree ants are the Predators. Their horrifying claim to fame is their ability to construct elaborate traps to ambush potential prey, such as locusts or Jesse “The Body” Ventura.
After finding a host plant, the tree ants begin building foxholes out of its hair and then intentionally grow fungus to hold it together. Once complete, they wait for something to have the misfortune of stumbling into their parlor. And their dedication to the craft is admirable; they’ll wait for days if they have to. But it’s not about the hunt; it’s about loving what you do.
Once prey approaches the ants attack, grasping whatever appendage they can and tearing at it until it’s completely dismembered. This tactic allows a team of tree ants to take on most other insects regardless of size. Should they be too feisty, the ants will inject their victim with a venom that paralyzes them just long enough for them to be torn to tiny pieces. Mother Nature is cheesed my friends, and she’s a crazy, crazy b*#!h.
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Creepy Tibetan Sky Burial

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 6 Jan 2012 05:40:00 -0800

In Tibet, there is a tradition of so-called “sky burial”. Its main idea consists in the following. When we die and our souls go to heaven, our bodies should also be somehow sent there. So Chinese people invented their own method how to do it. Please, do not read this post if you are faint hearted!

It's very beautiful in there.

At first the body is delivered to the valley.

Then it's unwrapped.

No funeral wreaths, orchestras or limousines.

Then the body is fastened to the peg and slightly cut.

Waiting...

Vultures finish their food rather quickly...

Сuriously enough, there was the only raven among the vultures.

Many small bones on the ground.

Then the big bones and skull are unfastened...

And broken to pieces.

The birds are waiting.

The brain is also released.

The birds eat.

And fly away taking the body of the dead back to the soul.

via leprosorium

How To Catch An Alligator

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 6 Jan 2012 04:19:00 -0800

In Miami there is one of the best zoos in the USA. It is enormous and it is best to move over it by bicycle.

The most interesting thing there is the show during which a man puts a hand into the mouth of an alligator.

So let us visit crocodiles.

People are moving along a narrow channel. Everyone got the instructions not to put the hands into water.

Alligators begin to appear on the surface.

Some of them follow the visitors.

Cute kid alligator.

It is not heavy yet and can have some rest on a leaf.

Mother appears ready to defend her child.

Part of the show during which a brave man walks near large alligator.

Alligators can't see what is going on in front of them, they see only aside.

It doesn't even see where the man's hand is at the moment.

That's how to catch an alligator from the back.

Then one can grab its jaws, it can't open the mouth.

If one closes the eyes of the alligator it is going to fall asleep.

After the show one could have a picture with a small alligator.

Some other photos of the zoo.

via sergeydolya

Top 5 Deadly Attacks From Exotic Pets

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 4 Jan 2012 07:28:00 -0800

5. Man killed by pet spider

Mark Voegel, 30, was found dead in his Dortmund, Germany apartment. His body was draped in spider webs and more than 200 spiders, several snakes, thousands of termites, and a gecko were feasting on his corpse. Proper authorities were alerted when concerned neighbours noticed a horrendous stench eminating from the apartment. His black widow, Bettina, is believed to have administered the deadly bite. Voeger’s apartment has been described as both a “zoo” and a “jungle” by authorities. He was dead for somewhere between seven and fourteen days when his corpse was found. Enough time for the creepy-crawlies to make a new home out of his apartment.

4. Woman killed by pet black bear

Kelly Ann Walz, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was mauled to death by her pet black bear. Kelly reportedly had a pet black bear, an African Lion and a Bengal Tiger, all of which she kept in cages at her home. Walz was cleaning out the cage, had her back turned to the bear after giving it some dog food when it attacked her. It appears that a neighbor came in, shot and killed the animal. Kelly Ann Walz was 37 years old.
3. Woman killed by pet viper

A 44-year-old woman died after being bitten by one of her venomous snakes. Her modest, unassuming two-story house was home to at least nine poisonous snakes and more than a dozen other snakes, lizards and alligators. Police believe an urutu pit viper bit the woman and neighbors said she drove herself to Mercy Fairfield Hospital. She was later transported to University Hospital, where she remained in critical condition until her death three days later. Police broke down the woman’s front door, and three herpetologists from Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens entered the house to check if there were more poisonous snakes inside the house. The reptile keepers checked an upstairs bedroom and found more than a half-dozen large lizards running around. Among the animals roaming free around the house were two monitor lizards, two alligators, one rhinoceros iguana, two Solomon Islands tree skinks and one tegu lizard. All the venomous snakes were in secure plastic cases throughout the house. But the herpetologists found non-venomous animals under boxes and under piles of clothes.
2. Woman killed by pet camel

An Australian woman was killed by a pet camel given to her as a 60th birthday present after the animal apparently tried to have sex with her. The 10-month-old animal knocked Pam Weaver to the ground, stomped on her head and then lay on top of her at her sheep and cattle property near Mitchell, about 600km west of Brisbane. The woman’s husband discovered her body about 6.30pm after he returned from feeding stock. Police said the pet had a history of odd behaviour, attempting to smother the family’s pet goat on many occasions by sitting on it. The woman had suffered “one definite footprint” on one side of her face and one on her arm.
The family had intended giving the woman a llama or an alpaca for her birthday, but they were too expensive.
1. Man killed by his pet tiger

66 year old Norman Buwalda from Ontario was mauled to death by his 300 kg pet tiger. He was the chairman of the Canadian Exotic Animal Owner’s Association, and actively fought for the right to keep dangerous big cats as pets. In June 2004 a 10 year old boy was seriously injured at Buwalda’s home when a pet Siberian tiger mauled the child during a photo opportunity. Concerned neighbours campaigned for a new bylaw which prohibited people from keeping exotic pets, but Mr Buwalda fought the bylaw and won. However a few years later Buwalda entered the cage of one of his pet tigers alone, and for some unknown reason it attacked and killed him. A family member discovered his mutilated body in the tiger’s cage and managed to coerce the tiger into a separate pen. Once the tiger was isolated Mr Buwalda’s body was recovered.
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Top 5 Cutest ZooBorns On Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 4 Jan 2012 06:29:00 -0800

5. Fennec Fox

This adorable critter was born in the Everland Zoo in Korea, but his relatives hail from the scorching Sahara Desert.
4. Ocelot

This cuddly fellow was the only cub born in his litter at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.
3. Koala

Three quarters of all captive female koalas suffer from a strain of Chlamydia that can result in sterility. Luckily, this little guy’s mother at the Australian Taronga Zoo managed to avoid the disease.
2. Sand Cat

This particular babe was delivered in the Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort in the United Arab Emirates, the first of its kind to be born through in-vitro fertilization.
1. Wombat

This little hairy-nosed wombat was left his mother’s pouch back in February of this year at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo . If you live in the area, be sure to stop by and say hello to the newest addition to the zoo’s successful wombat breeding program.
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Top 5 Most Fascinating Butterflies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 4 Jan 2012 02:51:00 -0800

5. Transparent Butterfly

Glasswing Butterfly (Greta Oto) is a brush-footed butterfly which wings are transparent. The tissue between the veins of its wings looks like glass. They are found in the range which extends throughout Central America into Mexico.
4. Dead Leaf Butterfly

Leaf Butterflies look brilliant when their wings lay flat – they come in all manner of colors and shapes. But when their wings fold up they look like leaves – sometimes green, sometimes brown, as if fallen and dead. The likeness to a dead leaf is nothing short of remarkable. They live in forested, lush areas like New Guinea, southern Asia, Madagascar and India.
3. Neglected Eighty-Eight Butterfly

A neglected eighty-eight butterfly (Diaethria neglecta) in Brazil’s Pantanal displays the design of lines and dots that gave it its unusual common name.
2. Giant Owl Butterfly

The giant owl butterfly falls under the genus Caligo and are commonly called Owl butterflies, after their huge eyespots, which resemble owls’ eyes. There are about 20 species in the genus, found in the rain forests of Mexico, Central and South America.
Owl butterflies are very large. Their wingspan can reach up to more than 8in and fly only a few meters at a time. Therefore, avian predators have little difficulty in following them to their settling place. However, the butterflies preferentially fly around dusk, when few avian predators are around.
1. Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly

Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is the largest butterfly in the world, with a wingspan up to 1 foot (30 cm). This tropical butterfly is from northern Papua New Guinea’s rainforest. The caterpillars eat the pipevine plant, which contains poison; this makes the butterfly toxic to predators, which will get sick if they eat it.
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