One way, two directions

30 Interesting Facts About Domestic Cats

2018-04-28T21:25:00.001+01:00

1. A group of cats is called a "clowder".

2. Cats have over 20 muscles that control their ears.

3. Cats sleep 70% of their lives.

4. When cats "grimace", they are usually "taste-scenting". They have an extra organ that, with some breathing control, allows the cats to "taste-sense" the air.

5. Cats can't taste sweetness.

6. Evidence suggests domesticated cats have been around since 3600 B.C., 2000 years before Egypt's pharaohs.

7. Cats are often lactose intolerant, so do not give them milk...

8. In the 1960's the CIA tried to turn a cat into a "bonafide" spy by implanting a microphone into her ear and a radio transmitter at the base of her skull. She somehow survived the surgery but got hit by a taxi on her first mission.

9. The technical term for "hairball" is "bezoar".

10. Female cats are typically right-pawed while male cats are typically left-pawed.

11. Cats make more than 100 different sounds whereas dogs make around 10 different sounds.

12. A cat's cerebral cortex (the part of the brain in charge of cognitive information processing) has 300 million neurons, compared with a dog's 160 million neurons.

13. Cats have a longer-term memory than dogs, especially when they learn by actually doing rather than simply seeing.

14. It was illegal to slay cats in ancient Egypt, in large part because they provided the great service of controlling the rat population.

15. In the 15th century, Pope Innocent VIII began ordering the killing of cats, pronouncing them demonic.

16. A cat has five toes on his front paws, and four on the back, unless he's a polydactyl.

17. Original kitty litter was made out of sand but it was replaced by more absorbent clay in 1948.

18. Abraham Lincoln kept his four cats in the White House.

19. Isaac Newton is credited with inventing the cat door.

20. A cat can jump up to six time its length.

21. When cats leave their poop uncovered, it is a sign of aggression to let you know they don't fear you.

22. Cats can change their meow to manipulate a human. For example, they often imitate a human baby when they need food.

23. Cats use their whiskers to detect if they can fit through a space.

24. Cats only sweat through their foot pads.

25. The first cat in space was French. She was named Felicette, or "Astrocat". She survived the trip.

26. Cats have free-floating clavicle bones that attach their shoulders to their forelimbs, which allow them to squeeze through very small spaces.

27. Hearing is the strongest of cat's senses: They can hear sounds as high as 64 kHz - compared with humans, who can only hear as high as 20 kHz.

28. Cats can move their ears 180 degrees.

29. They can also move their ears separately.

30. A cat's nose is ridged with a unique pattern, just like a human fingerprint.

(For many more astounding facts about cats go to BuzzFeed)

Elephants Endangered

2018-04-28T18:47:00.005+01:00

Elephants are endangered animals and that is a statement that all of us need to take very seriously. They are enormous animals and one that many cultures hold in high regard. Yet the number of them in the wild continues to plummet at an alarming rate. It is going to take educating the public, plenty of aggressive conservation efforts, arresting poachers, and protecting the natural habitat of these animals if we are going to help them to survive.

There are a couple of main reasons why elephants are endangered – illegal killing of them and the destruction of their habitat. Most elephants are illegally killed to take their ivory tusks. They are sold for an unbelievable amount of money which makes engaging in that activity so enticing. These elephants are killed, the tusks removed, and the bodies left to rot. It is a very sad scene to come upon for those that are working hard to bring the elephants back from the brink of extinction.

(read more at elephant-world.com ...)

A Tribute To Elephants - Beautiful Phrasas

2018-04-28T18:23:00.001+01:00

“Of all African animals, the elephant is the most difficult for man to live with, yet its passing – if this must come – seems the most tragic of all. I can watch elephants (and elephants alone) for hours at a time, for sooner or later the elephant will do something very strange such as mow grass with its toenails or draw the tusks from the rotted carcass of another elephant and carry them off into the bush. There is mystery behind that masked gray visage, and ancient life force, delicate and mighty, awesome and enchanted, commanding the silence ordinarily reserved for mountain peaks, great fires, and the sea.” ― Peter Matthiessen.

“But perhaps the most important lesson I learned is that there are no walls between humans and the elephants except those that we put up ourselves, and that until we allow not only elephants, but all living creatures their place in the sun, we can never be whole ourselves.” ― Lawrence Anthony.

“If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. All things are connected.” – Chief Seattle.

“If elephants didn’t exist, you couldn’t invent one. They belong to a small group of living things so unlikely they challenge credulity and common sense.” – Lyall Watson.

“When animals express their feelings they pour out like water from a spout. Animals’ emotions are raw, unfiltered, and uncontrolled. Their joy is the purest and most contagious of joys and their grief the deepest and most devastating. Their passions bring us to our knees in delight and sorrow.” ― Marc Bekoff.

“Let us remember that animals are not mere resources for human consumption. They are splendid beings in their own right, who have evolved alongside us as co-inheritors of all the beauty and abundance of life on this planet” ― Marc Bekoff.

“The world’s wildlife, both on land and in our waters, is such a precious resource, but it is also a limited one. It cannot be manufactured. And once it’s gone, it cannot be replenished. And those who profit from it illegally are not just undermining our borders and our economies. They are truly stealing from the next generation.” – Hilary Clinton.

“I meant what I said and I said what I meant – An elephant’s faithful, one hundred percent!” – Dr Seuss.

“Where will your tusks go? They will leave Africa, hidden in dirty sacks, in boxes, trucks, and stores, changing hands from man to man. No one will know who you were, where you lived. You will be like thousands of others, unknown, abused, and used. One day, a piece of you will be cut into myriad items.” – Oria Douglas Hamilton.

“If we’re destroying our trees and destroying our environment and hurting animals and hurting one another and all that stuff, there’s got to be a very powerful energy to fight that. I think we need more love in the world. We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that.” – Ellen DeGeneres.

“We admire elephants in part because they demonstrate what we consider the finest human traits: empathy, self-awareness, and social intelligence. But the way we treat them puts on display the very worst of human behavior.” – Graydon Carter.

(Source National Geographic)

Elephant Refuge In North America

2018-04-28T14:20:00.002+01:00

Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) will be home to as many as 10 beautiful female elephants retired from zoos and circuses.

Located in Attapulgus, Georgia, ERNA spans 850 acres of gentle rolling hills, lush pastures, dense forests, spring-fed lakes, creeks and streams, with a climate that will allow elephants to remain outdoors 24/7 almost all the year. It is the perfect place for elephants to regain their “elephantness” and develop loving bonds with other elephants and caregivers.

Each elephant will receive individualized care and rehabilitation that takes into account her past traumas and life-shaping experiences. The elephants will have autonomy and the ability to choose where and with whom they spend their time. At the same time, we will support them in developing the confidence and skills required to bond with other elephants, each at her own pace (read more...)

The Importance of Elephants

2018-04-28T14:12:00.000+01:00

Elephants are among the most intelligent of the creatures with whom we share the planet, with complex consciousnesses that are capable of strong emotions. Across Africa they have inspired respect from the people that share the landscape with them, giving them a strong cultural significance. As icons of the continent elephants are tourism magnets, attracting funding that helps protect wilderness areas. They are also keystone species, playing an important role in maintaining the biodiversity of the ecosystems in which they live (read more ...)

Tigers are Being Drugged and Punched for Photos, How Can This Be Permitted?

2017-02-25T09:46:00.002+00:00

We were all raised up knowing tigers as the quintessential 'King of the Jungle'. These breathtaking creatures captivated us with their stunning stripped coat, stunning eyes, and petrifyingly beautiful teeth. Uufortunately, despite our attraction and admiration, we are rapidly losing these animals. It is estimated that the world's tiger population has declined 95 perent in the past century alone. Like many other species, these animals are endangered by diminishing habitat and human development, but tigers also face a hose of other horrifying problems... The illegal wildlife trade is the key driver of tiger extinction.

Interesting Facts About The Mountain Gorilla

2015-06-30T19:38:00.002+01:00

Did you know: The fully adult male mountain gorilla is twice as large as the female.

Did you know: The gorilla is shy and retiring rather than ferocious and treacherous. It usually seeks no trouble unless harassed but will valiantly defend its family group if threatened.

Did you know: Mountain gorillas have a slow rate of reproduction. Females give birth for the first time at about age 10 and will have more offspring every three or four years.

Did you know: The most serious threat to gorillas is habitat loss.

Did you know: The gorilla's only known enemies are leopards and humans. Crocodiles are potentially dangerous to lowland gorillas. In western Africa, gorillas are commonly hunted for meat or in retaliation for crop raiding, but in eastern Africa they have been the victims of snares and traps set for antelope and other animals. Poachers have also destroyed entire family groups in their attempts to capture infant gorillas for zoos, while others are killed to sell their heads and hands as trophies.

Did you know: Gorillas are susceptible to various parasites and diseases, especially to pneumonia during the long, cold wet seasons.

Did you know: Gorillas rarely attack humans. But in an encounter a person should stay still and refrain from staring or pointing at the gorilla.

Source: Out To Africa

Interesting Facts About Elephants

2015-06-28T19:42:00.000+01:00

Did you know: The African elephant and the Asian elephant are the only two surviving species of what was in prehistoric times a diverse and populous group of large mammals.

Did you know: The African elephant is the largest living land mammal.

Did you know: Both male and female African elephants have tusks, although only males in the Asiatic species have them.

Did you know: The African elephant's ears are over twice as large as the Asian elephant's and have a different shape, often described as similar to a map of Africa.

Did you know: The sole of the elephant's foot is covered with a thick, cushion-like padding that helps sustain weight, prevents slipping and deadens sound.

Did you know: Elephants are very social, frequently touching and caressing one another and entwining their trunks.

Did you know: Elephants demonstrate concern for members of their families they take care of weak or injured members and appear to grieve over a dead companion.

Did you know: Females mature at about 11 years and stay in the group, while the males, which mature between 12 and 15, are usually expelled from the maternal herd.

Did you know: Sometimes it is difficult for the layman to distinguish between male and female elephants as the male has no scrotum (the testes are internal), and both the male and the female have loose folds of skin between the hind legs. Unlike other herbivores, the female has her two teats on her chest between her front legs.

Did you know: Of all its specialized features, the muscular trunk is the most remarkable it serves as a nose, a hand, an extra foot, a signaling device and a tool for gathering food, siphoning water, dusting, digging and a variety of other functions. Not only does the long trunk permit the elephant to reach as high as 23 feet, but it can also perform movements as delicate as picking berries or caressing a companion. It is capable, too, of powerful twisting and coiling movements used for tearing down trees or fighting. The trunk of the African elephant has two finger-like structures at its tip, as opposed to just one on the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).

Source: Out Of Africa

White Rhinos - Countdown To Extinction

2014-10-24T11:36:00.000+01:00

(CNN) - Unique? Suni was much more than that. He was vital to the survival of his kind.

The 34-year-old northern white rhino was found dead in his enclosure (Kenya wildlife conservancy) on October 17, 2014. Rangers are unsure of the cause of his death, but said that he was not killed by poachers.

Suni was one of only seven northern whites left in the world, all of which live in captivity. There are none known to be left in the wild.

More importantly, Suni was one of only two breeding males left, said the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in a statement.

Now the conservationists have but one male and two females that can breed. And that doesn't happen often. When Suni mated with female Najin in April 2012, it was her first time in ten years.

A month passed before they mated again. So far, no offspring. (read more ...)

Declawing Your Cat ...

2014-09-04T19:54:00.002+01:00

People often mistakenly believe that declawing their cats is a harmless "quick fix" for unwanted scratching. They don't realize that declawing can make a cat less likely to use the litter box or more likely to bite. Declawing also can cause lasting physical problems for your cat.

Many countries have banned declawing. The Humane Society of the United States opposes declawing except for the rare cases when it is necessary for medical purposes, such as the removal of cancerous nail bed tumors.

People who are worried about being scratched, especially those with immunodeficiencies or bleeding disorders, may be told incorrectly that their health will be protected by declawing their cats. However, infectious disease specialists don't recommend declawing. The risk from scratches for these people is less than those from bites, cat litter, or fleas carried by their cats. (read more ...)

Interesting Facts About Elephants

2014-08-02T13:03:00.000+01:00

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

Have You Ever Wondered How Old Your Cat Is In Relation To People Years?

2014-06-25T19:07:00.000+01:00

Image credit

Cat Saves Young Boy From A Dog Attack With Flying Karate Kick

2014-05-17T10:04:00.004+01:00

A four-year-old boy has confirmed his faithful cat a hero after she leapt to his rescue when a dog bit him and pulled him off his bike…

Jeremy Triantafilo was playing in the drive of his California home on Tuesday when the dog attacked him, viciously biting into his leg and dragging him from his bike onto the tarmac, only for Tara to fly in, throw herself at the dog and chase it off down the street moments later.

This scene was caught on CCTV and spread like wildfire around the internet attracting over 5 million views on YouTube in just a few days.

(read more...)

Rare White Animals

2014-04-26T23:16:00.000+01:00

Animals are beautiful, but there’s something extra special about the creatures shown below.

Fore more images go to www.reshareworthy.com

Snowflake The Gorilla

Claude The Alligator

Lion

Moose

Vulture

Centipede EATS Its Way Out Viper's Stomach ....

2014-04-18T11:48:00.001+01:00

Freedom was so close, yet so far for this centipede.

After being swallowed whole by a snake, it made one last desperate attempt to escape by eating its way out of her stomach. Researchers found the dead nose-horned female viper with its prey (see images) exploding from its side during a field study in Macedonia on May 14 last year. Both creatures were dead.

The Sad Facts About The Ivory Trade ...

2014-03-27T19:37:00.001+00:00

Driven by a belief that ground-up rhino horns can cure cancer and other ills, the horn rush has exploded into a worldwide criminal enterprise, drawing in a surreal cast of characters.

What Is A Water Scorpion?

2014-03-11T21:46:00.002+00:00

image credit - joebartok.blogspot.com

Despite their name, water scorpions (family Nepidae–order Hemipetra) are not a type of scorpion at all. They are in fact, a type of bug. Scorpions have powerful pincers, and water scorpions are named after their large pincer-like forelegs that they use to catch prey in the water. Water scorpions also have long tails that stick out behind the body and look a bit like a scorpion's tail. Unlike a scorpion, the insect does not use its tail as a stinger. Instead, this “tail” made up of two attached respiratory tubes is extended above the surface of water, allowing the animal to take in air. A water scorpion hangs upside down with its “tail” poking out through the surface.

Found world-wide, water scorpions live mainly among the bottom edges of ditches and muddy ponds, where they hide among dead, water-logged leaves and other plant remains in order to catch prey.

Animal Curiosity ...

2014-02-08T19:16:00.001+00:00

image credit

These unique animals only absorb the liquid from the leaves of eucalyptus, which are also food and habitat. In the native language the word Koala is said to mean “does not drink”...

A Gift That Will Protect Animals And Please Your Sweetheart!

2014-02-08T14:31:00.003+00:00

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How about giving something that's both unique and meaningful to an important person this Valentine's Day?

A PETA Present is an excellent way for you to convey your affection and help animals in need!

PETA Presents are virtual gifts that support PETA’s vital work to protect all animals. Buy a PETA Present today, and you can have a colorful e-card notification of your gift sent to your valentine on February 14th (or any day that you desire).

Every PETA Present is without a doubt going to bring a smile to your loved one's face! Which one will your valentine appreciate the most? Check out a few fun options.

Share your love for animals by ordering a PETA Present online right now!

Happy Valentine's Day!

IFAW 'Say NO To Ivory Trade'

2014-01-11T18:53:00.001+00:00

Rest In Peace Dear Pantufa

2013-10-19T15:11:00.002+01:00

01.06.2009 ~ 19.10.2013

Pantufa, my 14 year old cat has been put to sleep today, after beating cancer during 16 months. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life ... I just can't stop crying! My family and I are going to miss her terribly…

My Cat Pantufa Has Cancer (Part I)

My Cat Pantufa Has Cancer (Part II)

Meet My Four Beautiful Cats

Pantufa Is 69, How Old Is Your Cat

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then you must do what must be done

For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad I understand,

Don't let grief then stay your hand.

For this day more than all the rest,

Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years,

What is to come can hold no fears,

You'd not want me to suffer so,

The time has come to let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,

And please stay with me until the end.

Hold me firm and speak to me.

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see,

The kindness that you did for me.

Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve it must be you,

Who has this painful thing to do,

We've been so close, we two, these years

Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

For I am now in a better place,

And will be waiting to see your happy face.

So when you cross that final bridge,

Look for me...

I'll be standing next to the fridge.

Author Unknown

The Bird That Is Known As One Of Nature's True Polyglots

2013-09-28T23:07:00.002+01:00

image credit - wikipedia

As its scientific name (Mimus polyglottos) suggests, the Northern Mockingbird is one of nature’s true polyglots (polyglottos means “many-tongued”). It imitates not only birds but, it can also imitate dog barks, frog calls, sounds of machinery, whistles, and bells. It is capable of learning sounds quickly, integrating them onto its own song. So diverse is its repertoire, that no two songs are the same. Mimicry is crucial for sexual selection – the larger the male’s repertoire, the greater is its attractiveness to females.

The Northern Mockingbird has pale grey upperparts, dull whitish grey underparts, and a long tail. Its dark wings have two white wing-bars and large white patches which, together with the white tail sides, are clearly visible in flight. Males and females look alike, though only males sing. The Northern Mockingbird is an omnivore, its diet consists of arthropods, earthworms, fruits, seeds, berries, and seldom, lizards.

The Northern Mockingbird is known for its intelligence, in a paper published in 2009, researchers found that mockingbirds were able to recall an individual human who, earlier in the study, had approached and threatened the mockingbirds' nest. Researchers had one participant stand near a mockingbird nest and touch it, while others avoided the nest. Later, the mockingbirds recognized the intruder and exhibited defensive behavior, while ignoring the other individuals. (wikipedia)

The Northern Mockingbird is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. This bird is mainly a permanent resident, but northern birds may move south during harsh weather. This species has rarely been observed in Europe.

The World’s Hairiest Rhino May Soon Become Extinct

2013-09-28T17:53:00.002+01:00

image credit - wikipedia

The Sumatran rhino is the smallest of the world’s five living rhinoceros species and the only rhino in Asia with two horns. Although smaller than other rhinos, it is undoubtedly a large, prehistoric looking animal. Unfortunately this unique animal is also classified as one of the most endangered rhinoceros species.

Sumatran rhinos are generally solitary and secretive creatures that feed on leaves, twigs, fruit, and shrubs. The rhinos are most often found near water, and spend much of the day wallowing in the mud, which dries onto the skin. This is cooling and also protects its delicate surface areas from flies and other biting insects. At night the rhinos browse on twigs, leaves, fruits, also felling saplings for tender shoots.

The reason why Sumatran rhinos are critically endangered is due to habitat loss and primarily illegal poaching. Those that survive are small, scattered and under threat from poaching for the traditional medicine trade. Hunting for its horns is a major threat to this species. Sumatran rhinoceros populations are now so small that breeding is rare. International trade in the Sumatran rhinoceros is banned under its listing on Appendix I of CITES, and the species is lawfully protected in all countries where it takes place. Captive breeding of Sumatran rhinos has only in recent times shown any success. International efforts to prevent poaching are believed to be the best hope for the future of this unique and rare mammal.

When will the Humans understand that if things keep on going the way they are, the world's last hairy rhinoceros may soon become extinct!

The Spectacular Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise

2013-09-28T14:02:00.000+01:00

image credit - wikipedia

The Wilson's Bird-of-paradise (Cicinnurus respublica), is a very small, up to about 16 cm, passerine bird of the Paradisaeidae family.

The spectacular male Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise has a bare blue crown with criss-crossing lines on it. The turquoise blue of its head is said to be so vivid that it is clearly visible at night. It has a yellow mantle on its neck, a crimson back, a mixture of blackish-brown/crimson wings, emerald green breast, a light green mouth, and bright blue feet. Its short tail is black and it has two spiraling tail feathers. The female is much less ornately adorned than the male - a brownish bird with a bare blue crown and black head. The female also lacks the spiral tail feathers. Immature males are very similar in appearance to the female. However, the inconspicuous behavior of this species means that it is more easily located by its calls.

The male chooses a display ground, usually a small clearing in dense forest, which he must tidy, by removing leaves and litter. The emerald green breast-shield is thrust forward, and the spiral tail feathers flicked during the display.

An Indonesian endemic, the Wilson's Bird-of-paradise is distributed to the hill and lowland rainforests of Waigeo and Batanta Islands off northern West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia. The diet consists mainly of fruits and also some small insects.

Due to ongoing habitat loss, limited range and exploitation, the Wilson's Bird-of-paradise is evaluated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.

A Dog's Plea

2013-08-25T01:07:00.000+01:00

Image Credit

"Treat me kindly, my beloved friend

for no heart in all the world is

more grateful for kindness than

the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick,

for although I might lick your hand between blows,

your patience and understanding will more quickly

teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often,

for your voice is the world's sweetest music,

as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail

when the sound of your footsteps falls

upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet,

for I am a domesticated animal,

no longer accustomed to bitter elements.

I ask no greater glory than the privilege

of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water,

for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well,

to romp and play and do your bidding,

to walk by our side and stand ready,

willing and able to protect you with my life.

And, my friend, when I am very old

and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight,

do not make heroic efforts to keep me going.

I am not having any fun.

Please see to it that my life is taken gently.

I shall leave this earth knowing

with the last breath I draw that my

fate was always safest in your hands."