Emus have an unusual call that one can hear miles away. They also have a lifespan of 15-20 years in captivity. If you’re in for more incredible emu facts, we’ve discussed ten of them below to feed your curiosity. 1. The Emu Is In Australia’s Coat of Arms There are two animals in Australia’s coat of arms, the formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia—the kangaroo and the emu. The country chose these animals because they can’t walk or jump backward....
Meadows, temperate forests, tropical rainforests, lowlands, and semiarid regions are all home to grasshoppers. Grasshoppers are considered symbols of good luck in Japan. They emerge as nymphs or hoppers, tiny wingless adults. Unlike other insects, they undergo incomplete metamorphosis. There is a lot to learn about these summertime critters, so let’s check out these top 10 incredible grasshopper facts. 1. Grasshoppers and locusts are the same One of the incredible facts you may be surprised to learn is that grasshoppers and locusts are essentially the same....
This mammal inhabits lakes, rivers, and mangrove swamps. The hippopotamus, alongside the pygmy hippopotamus (a small hippopotamid native to West Africa), is an extant species in the Hippopotamidae family. Hippos are considered one of the most dangerous animal species worldwide. They are unpredictable and may become highly aggressive if someone trespasses into their habitat. Since spotting a hippopotamus is difficult and dangerous, we’re here to tell you some incredible facts about them that will make you feel like you’ve seen one in real life!...
1. Deceptive Appearance Moray eels inhabit tropical and subtropical waters around the world. These exciting creatures have long, cylindrical bodies with smooth, scaleless skin. Over 200 species of moray eels vary from brown or black or variations of green, blue, yellow, or white. Moray eels are often mistaken for sea snakes but belong to the fish family. Despite their serpentine appearance, moray eels are not typically aggressive towards humans unless threatened....
Parrots are characterized by strong, curved beaks to crack hard nuts; a large head; strong zygodactyl feet with sharp claws for climbing and feeding; and a vision sensitive to ultraviolet light. Here is a list of 10 incredible parrot facts. 1. There are 398 species of parrot Parrots comprise 398 species of the order Psittaciformes and are commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia, Central and South America, and Africa....
1. Stingrays Are Related To Sharks Stingrays can be considered to be close cousins of sharks. They are elasmobranchs, a group of fishes with a cartilaginous skeleton and five to seven gill slits. However, there are differences in the morphology of both breeds. Stingrays are flat and have their mouth, nostrils, and gills in the undersides of their bodies. However, the similarity between the species could get very confusing sometimes. A particular case is the angel shark which has a ray-like body....
1. Thorny devil’s scientific name refers to a “god” The thorny devil gets his name from an ancient god who insisted on human sacrifice. The devilishly prickly species was given the Latin name moloch horridus as a tribute to John Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Lost.” In the poem, the Canaanite god “Moloch” was linked to the ritual killing of humans. In Latin, the word horridus can also mean bristly or harsh....
1. There are Two Groups of Vultures and they’re Not Closely Related There are 23 living species of vulture in the world today – Old World and New World. Old World vultures live in Africa, Asia, and Europe and there are 16 species. These all belong to the Accipitridae family group which includes buzzards, eagles, kites, and hawks. There are 7 species of New World vultures and they belong to the Cathartidae family group and live in the Americas....
1. Eastern Kingsnake Also known as the common kingsnake, eastern kingsnakes are usually between 36 and 48 inches long. They have shiny scales and are dark brown with white crossbands down their back and a chain-like pattern down their sides. These snakes prefer open habitats such as grasslands, deserts, prairies, swamps, and alongside rivers and streams. However, they are also sometimes found in pine forests. They are found across much of Florida, with the exception of the eastern Apalachicola lowlands....
10. Burrowing Asp There is actually an entire genus of snakes known as ‘burrowing asps.’ These snakes live in northern Africa and the Middle East, where they’re often highly feared because of their venom. There are at least 15 species of burrowing asp, though many experts argue that there are more. Burrowing asps are all venomous, and they have the ability to ‘side stab,’ by poking their fangs out the sides of their mouths....
1. Lake Tahoe Over 2 million years ago, a volcano erupted, creating a natural dam that formed Lake Tahoe. Its crystal clear water and rich history bring in hundreds and thousands of visitors annually. It is surrounded by the Sierra Mountains, and the lake itself has an elevation of 6,225 feet. An interesting fact about this pristine lake is that it never completely freezes. While the top layer of parts of the lake freeze, it is 1,645 feet deep, and that makes the chilly temperatures not reach the bottom....
Each dog park is different, with some being large, small, or even having structures for your dog to play with. Training your dog properly is important in keeping control of your dog while at a dog park, helping keep everyone safe. There are also several rules posted at dog parks to keep the experience consistent when visiting. Here are the 3 best dog parks in New Orleans and what to expect when visiting them....
Though it’s not a “true” cobra, this massive serpent is considered the national reptile of India. It’s gained quite a reputation for its extremely aggressive nature, painful and deadly bite, and enormous size. But are there any snakes that are even longer than a king cobra? It turns out, there actually are a handful of snakes that manage to regularly outgrow king cobras in length! Most of them are non-venomous members of the Boidae or Pythonidae families....
1. Asiatic Black Bear Asian bears, also known as “moon bears” or “white-chested bears,” are native to Asia and live in many countries, including the Himalayas, Iran, India, Korea, China, Russia, Japan, and Taiwan. They have black fur, a light brown muzzle, and a distinctive white patch on their chest. These bears can easily reach between five and six feet and weigh over 440 pounds, slightly larger than the African lion....
Perhaps you want to decorate your conservatory, patio, or balcony too. It’s incredible how different some plants look in the living room compared to their home ground. We’ve put together this complete guide to help you choose the best-potted perennials. Once you start planting them, you’ll never look back. Read on to learn about the 6 best perennial flowers for pots. 1. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) When you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant that’s also stunning, black-eyed Susan is the right choice....
Remember: Snakebites are not poisonous but are venomous. If a snake bites a person and they die, the snake is venomous and if a person eats a snake and dies, the snake is poisonous. Most snake species in the state are not threatening or dangerous to humans. However, several specific snakes can leave grave damage during human attacks. Snakes are economically helpful because they devour rats, mice, and other pests....
1. Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) Averaging a mere 3 to 4 inches in length, the bog turtle is one of New Jersey’s tiniest reptiles. Its small, oval-shaped carapace is typically dark grey to dark brown. Each individual scute on its shell has a handsomely mottled pattern. Its skin is mostly brown, but on the sides of the turtle’s head are bright orange markings. Sadly, because it is critically endangered, the bog turtle is one of the least common turtles in the Garden State....
We want to believe that our dog is pretty intelligent and our cats (of course!) are evil geniuses bent on taking over the world. Yet, not every animal is clever, just as we humans have varying levels of intelligence in different areas of our lives. However, those of us who also keep reptiles know that they are smart enough for what they need to do to survive. Sometimes in ways that surprise us all....
In the United States, the American alligator has a range that extends from the Rio Grande River in Texas across the Southeast and have a maximum northern range of North Carolina. They prefer freshwater environments, but rarely live more than a few hundred miles from the ocean. These animals are wild and can be dangerous. It’s never a good idea to get purposefully close to an alligator, tempt, or provoke it in any way....
But the science of sex is notoriously tricky; there are multiple explanations for how it first arose. One hypothesis is that sex evolved as a kind of genetic sorter; it increases the likelihood that the offspring will inherit a good mix of beneficial genes from both parents. Another hypothesis is that sex helps to purge harmful mutations or changes from the genome. Yet another hypothesis is that sexual reproduction enables organisms to fight diseases better; thanks to the improved genetic variability, the offspring can “patch” exploitable vulnerabilities....
