Since owls are essentially birds of the night, we see them much less than birds of the day. Thankfully, the North American barred owl is a unique exception. Unlike other owls that hate hunting during the day, the barred owl doesn’t mind the sunlight. Because of this, it’s one of the most commonly seen owls. Are you ready to uncover more of the mystery? Read on to learn 10 incredible barred owl facts....
1. There Are Two Types Of Elephant Seals Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) are widespread from Alaska to Mexico, and you might come across a colony of them on any beach you visit. Although males of this species have longer trunks, they are the smaller of the two species overall. To see southern elephant seals, you’ll have to go south of the equator (Mirounga leonina). 2. Males Have Huge, Inflatable Snouts A male elephant seal has a huge nose, and the accompanying sack-like appendage known as a proboscis makes him stand out from a female....
Gila monsters vary in color from yellow with black bands to pink or orange with black bands. Their bodies are covered with bumpy-looking scales called osteoderms. Their patterned skin is thought to be a form of camouflage that keeps both predators and prey from seeing them. They have an exaggeratedly fearsome reputation, which has led to some of them being killed. Here are 10 incredible Gila monster facts to help you understand these fascinating animals that have a scary image but may also help save human lives....
1. Tasmanian devils hold the title of the largest carnivorous marsupials in the world These creatures weigh between 9 pounds (144 oz) and 29 pounds (464 oz) and are 20 to 31 inches long, making them the largest carnivorous marsupials in the world. Interestingly, until about 80 years ago, they were only the second largest. However, they moved into the number one spot when the thylacine, which held the top spot, became extinct....
#10: Woodlouse Spider Most people commonly refer to Dysdera crocata as the woodlouse hunter or sowbug killer. It belongs to the family Dysderidae and lives on every continent except Antarctica. Adult females normally measure between 11 and 15 millimeters long, while males measure from 9 to 10 millimeters long. Unlike most spiders, they possess 6 rather than 8 eyes. They also have chelicerae that measure disproportionately large in relation to their size....
10. Ground Wolf Spider The ground wolf spider, Trochosa terricola, is one of the smaller wolf spiders in Washington. It belongs to the family Lycosidae and ranges throughout much of the northern United States, Canada and Europe. Adult females generally measure from 7 to 14 millimeters long. Meanwhile, males usually only measure 7 to 9 millimeters long. The females possess a reddish-brown abdomen, while the males tend to look slightly darker....
Gardeners deploy spring flowers as a “spring marker” to track how many days it will be until the temperature rises. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, we’re sure that you’ve seen some red flowers in the Lone Star State. Red bloom fields sprout beside highways and in fields every spring, producing a stunning scene. This article explores 12 beautiful red flowers in Texas and how to identify them....
What Are the Biggest Spiders in Illinois? The biggest spiders in Illinois are not the largest that you’ll find in the U.S. Still, you can see some sizable creatures in this part of the country. We’re going to take a look at spiders that have a large body and leg span throughout this article. More importantly, we’re going to focus on how to identify them by sight and tell you whether they have a medically significant bite....
What Are the Biggest Spiders in Utah? The spiders that inhabit Utah vary in size and potential for danger to humans. Although one of the biggest spiders in Utah is the desert tarantula, a creature that is a combination of both large and dangerous, not all of the biggest spiders are the worst ones. Let’s explore the five largest spiders and see how big they get, where they’re found, and how they can harm a person....
Even if a snake is venomous, it’s safe to assume that it doesn’t want to attack you. In almost every situation, a snake will flee or put up a display of some sort before it resorts to biting. Snakes are vital to the ecosystem in which they’re found. They provide natural insect and rodent control, which protects plants of all types. That’s why it’s good to know the difference between black snakes so you know which ones are dangerous and which are not....
Here, we’ll learn about the snakes native to North Texas, particularly the Dallas area. We’ll start by going over the various times of day, and year, that you’re most likely to encounter snakes. Then, we’ll take a look at the three most common non-venomous snakes near Dallas. After that, we’ll go over the four types of venomous snakes found in the Dallas area. Let’s get started! When do Snakes Come out in Dallas?...
We’re going to take a closer look at what makes these animals so powerful and frightening so that we can understand which one is deadlier. Comparing an Alligator vs Shark How Can We Tell the Deadlier Predator? Just looking at the statistics about the animals that we have compiled above is not enough to say which creature is the deadlier predator. After all, is it fair to say that since sharks kill more people on average per year, they’re the deadlier predator?...
In this article, we will compare and contrast the American Blue Gascon Hound with the Bluetick Hound so that you can get a true understanding of both of these breeds. We will address their differences in size, appearance, and behaviors. Additionally, we will take a look at their ancestries and lifespans. Let’s get started and learn about these two dogs now! Comparing American Blue Gascon Hound vs Bluetick Hound Key Differences Between American Blue Gascon Hound vs Bluetick Hound There are many key differences between the American Blue Gascon Hound vs the Bluetick Hound....
In this article, we will compare and contrast Korean ginseng with American ginseng so that you can learn how to tell them apart. We will go over what these two plants look like in their natural habitats, as well as how you can best grow them in your own backyard. Let’s get started and learn all about these two ginseng varieties now! Comparing American Ginseng vs Korean Ginseng Key Differences Between American Ginseng vs Korean Ginseng There are a few key differences between American ginseng and Korean ginseng....
What are earwigs? Earwigs are small insects that can sometimes find their way into homes. They are long and skinny and about a half-inch long, with a segmented body. There are two long antennae coming out of their head, and at their back-end, they have a set of pincers. Earwigs are reddish-brown and have yellowish legs. The males’ pincers are curved, while those of the females are more straight with less space between them....
Reindeer Reindeer are herbivorous mammals that are native to Alaska, Canada, Greenland, northern Europe, and northern Asia. They are characterized by their grey-brown fur and antlers. In many areas reindeer are used a source of food, milk, and transportation for people. However, brown bears, polar bears, and wolves often prey on reindeer. Combined with over-hunting, reindeer populations are under threat and they are classed as a vulnerable species. Reindeer, like all other members of the deer family, are ruminants....
10. Electric Eels Technically Aren’t Eels The first entry on our list of electric eels facts is also one of the most surprising. Despite their name, electric eels aren’t actually true eels. True eels are ray-finned fish that belong to the order Anguilliformes. On the other hand, electric eels belong to the order Gymnotiformes, also known as Neotropical knifefish. In truth, electric eels and other knifefish are more closely related to catfish than to true eels....
Read on to learn incredible facts about the fennec fox. 1. Fennec Foxes Are Domesticated In Some States There are several states in the United States where it is acceptable to keep a fennec fox as a pet. Because they are different from cats and dogs, their requirements are not necessarily the same as those of other common pets. Therefore, it is necessary to have knowledge about the proper care to maintain their happiness and good health....
Even though these coastal crustaceans are the favorite seafood of every average American, there are still many things we don’t know about them. Below are ten amazing facts about shrimp. 1. Though they have very small brains, shrimps are complex animals Reports have shown that the cleaner shrimp eat dead scales and parasites off the skin of living fish. But more than what they eat, how they do it is fascinating....
10. Sloths can hold their breath for almost 40 minutes When you learn how long sloths can hold their breath, they start looking like adorable slow-moving oxygen tanks! But, all kidding aside, it’s true that these slow animals can hold their breath for a whopping 40 minutes at a time. For the most part, a sloth would hold its breath for this long while underwater. But we can imagine other scenarios where this ability would come in handy, like when a sloth is trying to be very quiet and still to hide from predators....
