science
Study the science of animals to get a deeper understanding of your pet's brain, body and behavior.
Milking It: Exploring the Relationship Between Cats and Milk
Cats and milk have long been associated with one another, with the image of a cat lapping up a saucer of milk often seen as an iconic representation of feline contentment. This popular belief stems from various historical and cultural associations between cats and milk.
Pen journeyPublished 9 months ago in PetlifeThe Sweet Danger: Why Chocolate is a No-Go for Cats
Cats are beloved companions known for their curious nature and unique dietary preferences. However, when it comes to chocolate, caution must be exercised. It is crucial for cat owners and enthusiasts to be aware of the potential dangers associated with cats consuming chocolate.
Pen journeyPublished 9 months ago in PetlifeWhy Over 600,000 Bird Specimens Are Preserved At The Smithsonian
The smithsonian herbal records museum homes over six hundred 000 bird specimens from the closing 2 hundred years and new specimens are added each month way to the precise work of specialists who preserve pores and skin and hold every chicken in the collection but most of these birds never see the museum ground so why do they need to be flawlessly preserved the solution research whether it's figuring out birds killed by airplanes or coming across evolutionary modifications in duck payments we are not just preparing this bird to be used day after today we're getting ready this hen for use for loads of years now we went to the smithsonian to look how one specimen inside the skins series is added prepared and used for generations to come it starts offevolved with acquisition it says right here at the label that this ostrich was sent by king mendelek as a gift to president roosevelt specimens are commonly donated by way of people or organizations this california condor became donated with the aid of the usafish and natural world carrier this chook came from president theodore roosevelt's non-public series and this cooper's hawk died while crashing into a constructing window it was donated lower back in 2017 and is set to get its highlight in an upcoming show off however it changed into to begin with stored on this freezer so it's on a left shelf from there our hawk is taken up to the prep lab into the skilled arms of museum specialists like christina and her husband brian brian did you do that yes i did put the cotton inside the mouth married couples fat this specimen is 9926 so i prepared at the least that many birds and mammals whilst you're at approximately 10 000 it shows that you've been doing it for at least probably twenty years or so and you could do it it was a amusing fun exercising and it virtually worked blindfolded or not the experts first thaw weigh and measure the hawk after which they choose up a scalpel to start isolating the skin from the muscle mass and fat because these are going to be stored as dried specimens we need to remove as a great deal of the muscle from the specimen that we can brian removes the pores and skin from the body of the chicken discarding the tender tissues and oil glands which would purpose the specimen to rot and it is essential to get every piece of fats out without unfavourable the skin seeing that those specimens are intended to ultimate for future years that is where gentler tools like his arms end up beneficial you have to move very sluggish methodical to get the skin off without ripping it i am pushing the skin in preference to pulling it so i'm no longer stretching it brian additionally makes use of corn cob dust all through the technique to soak up any body fluids so the specimen is stored clean new humans use lots much less dirt and greater skilled human beings simply cover it with dirt whilst disposing of the smaller components of the hen like the head or the eyes the attitude of the scalpel additionally makes a huge distinction you observe i'm cutting far from the pores and skin there's been instances where whilst you seize the eye it squirts at you now and again birds which have more fat on their pores and skin want to go through additional cleaning all this white goopy stuff that is all fats that wishes to come back off otherwise it'll get rancid after which it's going to acidify and it'll actually simply ooze out of the skin they use this fats wheel device to get rid of all of the fat until you may see the feather music this is uh takes a touch bit of practice because in case you press too tough you may rip the skin once the fat is cleared greater corncob dirt is used to take in the moisture and then the specimen is washed and dried you want to peer me blow the sawdust off okay all proper so with this we do it in the fume hood due to the fact as you believe i'm gonna blow a lot of dirt anywhere christina makes use of a compelled air dryer to blow off the sawdust and a hair dryer to fluff up the feathers including a pleasant sheen to them to get the fowl presentation geared up brian will first tie the wings together to create a confined variety of movement he approximates how far a cooper's hawk could have clearly unfold their wings so inside the future if somebody grabs the bird and opens up the wing to see the beneath aspect of the wing by using tying it it'll make it the specimen stronger now the specimen is ready to be filled with cotton recreating its unique form we are trying to make a specimen that lasts forever and robust so i am no longer a tailor or seamstress however you may sew up a bird pretty suitable we get the feathers ensure that they may be organized nicely inside the proper order in order that'll help researchers later the ultimate step is pinning the hen onto a board to dry into its permanent position however i become pinning it that is the way it'll appearance the rest of its career at the smithsonian it takes in all likelihood close to one hundred birds earlier than someone can pass at it by myself once they reach one thousand birds then we say that that character is usually an experienced preparator and they are able to educate different human beings thoroughly after 10 or so days this cooper's hawk may be absolutely dried and equipped to debut on the exhibit ground the hawk can be simply one in every of 20 specimens on display for the lighting out exhibit all birds who've died from flying into skyscraper home windows and they'll eventually be part of the bigger skins series with over 470 000 specimens supporting researchers from all around the world like lauren and joshua learning how mating among home and wild ducks has changed the dimensions and structure of their bills or jim with the feather identification lab crew he works with government agencies to identify birds killed during air strikes we get about 10 000 moves a yr the busiest times are within the fall and the spring and this vicinity the division of birds is the proper vicinity for us to be due to the fact we've got 80 percent of the arena's chicken species represented on this series so if there's a chicken strike that occurs inside the world we possibly have a specimen to healthy it up to this is a fowl strike sample the remnants of a chicken aircraft collision that has been sent to us for us to pick out so i'm able to see that we've got got a pair wing feathers here we have were given a tail feather we have were given some body feathers so we will really take this feather out and healthy up those tail feathers quite properly to the barn swallow and we have were given even these great little peachy feathers that we are doing this his findings are sent to airfield biologists and engine manufacturers to modify aircrafts and decrease accidents this chook was accumulated returned in 1878 and so this chicken changed into collected before airplanes had been even imagined and put into this collection and now we are the use of it to pick out a fowl aircraft collision so we by no means know what these specimens are going to get used for however that is honestly why it's essential to hold them all the time a separate wings series additionally allows for deeper evaluation of feathers again in the vintage days they did not make too many spread wings or flat skins and us within the feather lab truly like that as it allows us get entry to to feathers that arise underneath the wing and access in one-of-a-kind regions of the chicken where we'd get a feather to but it is very tough to get into a conventional museum skin other researchers might be exploring the microbiomes discovered in the wings like gary he discovered that vulture wings have a bacterial institution called dinococcus one of the toughest organisms which could face up to high radiation so while i've exposed this wing into full solar the temperature on a day like nowadays will be ninety stages outdoor and about three mins the temperature on the floor of this wing heats as much as over one hundred sixty and that probable explains why dinococcus is so dominant as it's one of the few bacterial organizations which can surely reproduce at the smithsonian these are just of the collections within the chicken division there's additionally the organ series soaked in ethanol for upkeep the skeletons with every bone meticulously numbered and set up birds that retired from being at the show off floor all of these are time stamps of the existing chook population growing a file for destiny generations of researchers while the primary hen preparators organized birds they'd no idea what dna changed into even though they didn't understand that by means of doing a regular chook prep it has enabled future researchers to conduct studies on birds and you realize i want i had a time tablet to enter the future to peer what our birds are going for use for a hundred years from now
Pancy StilesPublished 9 months ago in PetlifeHero the Dog
As long as man could think, he questioned. Queries which help him define the strange occurrence that is existence. The answers helping him to feel he had gained some sort of control over the chaos.
Vicious AvaricePublished 9 months ago in PetlifeEnd Violence Against Animals
End Violence Against Animals Every time you go to watch a horse race, the aquarium, the circus, or even the zoo, you are becoming part of a huge mistake made by humanity. Abuse of animals. Just because we are the most advanced species on Earth, we simply cannot forget, we aren’t the only species on Earth. The animals we capture and use for entertainment and pleasure are being deprived everyday of their freedom and happiness. They are separated from their families, tortured and abused, and even shut up in cages barely big enough for them. In this essay I will be explaining why using animals for our entertainment is cruel and must be banned.
Aashini RastogiPublished 9 months ago in PetlifeUnveiling Nature’s Wonders: Exploring the Unique Talents of Various Animals
Part I: Avian Aces – The Marvels of Flight: 1. Hummingbirds – Aerial Acrobats: Hummingbirds, the tiniest of birds, are masters of flight, capable of hovering in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings. Their wings can beat up to 80 times per second, enabling them to fly forwards, backward, and even upside down. Their acrobatic skills are essential for accessing nectar from flowers and evading predators. 2. Albatrosses – Masters of Long-Distance Travel: Albatrosses have the ability to travel immense distances across the ocean. Some species can fly up to 10,000 miles in a single journey, powered by their impressive wingspan, which can exceed 11 feet. These majestic birds are highly skilled at gliding effortlessly over the waves, conserving energy during their extensive voyages. 3. Ravens – Clever Problem Solvers: Ravens are known for their remarkable intelligence and problem-solving abilities. They can use tools to obtain food and have been observed working together to achieve common goals. Their cognitive prowess rivals that of great apes, showcasing their adaptability and resourcefulness. 4. African Grey Parrots – Exceptional Mimics: African Grey parrots are renowned for their exceptional mimicry skills. They can imitate human speech and various environmental sounds with astonishing accuracy. These talented parrots possess a high level of vocal learning, allowing them to communicate and bond with humans on a unique level. Part II: Aquatic Aces – The Wonders of the Deep: 1. Dolphins – Masters of Communication: Dolphins are among the most intelligent marine animals and have complex communication systems. They produce a wide range of clicks, whistles, and other vocalizations, which they use to navigate, locate food, and communicate with each other. Their sophisticated echolocation abilities allow them to “see” through sound underwater. 2. Octopuses – Masters of Camouflage: Octopuses are unparalleled masters of camouflage. Their skin can change color and texture in an instant, allowing them to blend seamlessly with their surroundings. This incredible talent serves as both a defense mechanism against predators and a hunting strategy to surprise prey. 3. Humpback Whales – The Singing Stars of the Ocean: Humpback whales are renowned for their hauntingly beautiful songs, which can last for hours. These complex vocalizations are thought to be a form of communication, possibly related to mating and navigation during their migratory journeys. Each population of humpback whales has its own unique song, passed down through generations. 4. Electric Eels – Stunning Electric Discharge: Electric eels have an astonishing talent: they can generate powerful electric shocks to stun prey and defend themselves from predators. Specialized organs in their bodies, called electrocytes, produce electrical discharges of up to 600 volts. This incredible ability aids them in navigating murky waters and capturing prey with pinpoint accuracy. Part III: Land Legends – The Marvels of Terrestrial Life: 1. Cheetahs – Speed Demons of the Savanna: Cheetahs are the fastest land animals on Earth, capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 miles per hour in short bursts. Their slender, aerodynamic bodies and specialized leg muscles enable them to achieve such incredible speed, making them formidable hunters in the African savanna. 2. Elephants – Social Sentinels: Elephants are highly social creatures that demonstrate strong emotional bonds within their herds. They possess a remarkable ability to communicate across vast distances using low-frequency sounds called infrasound. These deep rumbles allow them to coordinate group movements and warn each other of potential dangers. 3. Jumping Spiders – Acrobatic Hunters: Jumping spiders may be tiny, but they are acrobatic marvels with their precise jumping abilities. These arachnids can leap many times their body length in a single bound, using silk threads as safety lines to return to their starting points. Their extraordinary jumping skills help them capture prey and escape from predators. 4. Bowerbirds – Masterful Architects: Bowerbirds are talented builders and decorators, known for their intricate and artistic bowers. These elaborate structures are created by male bowerbirds to attract females. The males carefully arrange colorful objects, such as flowers, berries, and even bits of plastic, in their bowers to create visually stunning displays. Part IV: Creepy Crawlers – The Wonders of Adaptation: 1. Camouflage – Nature’s Disguise Artists: Many animals have developed remarkable camouflage strategies to blend in with their surroundings. From stick insects resembling twigs to leaf-tailed geckos that mimic foliage, these creatures have evolved extraordinary adaptations to hide from predators and ambush unsuspecting prey. 2. Geckos – Wall-Climbing Wizards: Geckos possess the unique ability to climb walls and ceilings with ease. Specialized structures on their toes, called setae, create van der Waals forces, allowing them to adhere to surfaces without the need for sticky secretions. This remarkable talent enables geckos to access hard-to-reach places and escape from danger quickly. 3. Bombardier Beetles – Chemical Warfare Experts: Bombardier beetles are masters of chemical defense. When threatened, they can release a volatile and scalding chemical spray from their abdomen. This noxious concoction can reach temperatures of up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, deterring predators with its intense heat and strong odor. Conclusion: The animal kingdom is a treasure trove of extraordinary talents and adaptations that continually inspire and fascinate us. From the skies to the depths of the ocean, from the savannas to the rainforests, animals have evolved an astonishing array of abilities that allow them to thrive in their unique habitats. By understanding and appreciating these exceptional talents, we gain a deeper appreciation for the wonders of nature and the beauty of life on Earth. As we strive to protect and conserve the natural world, let us also celebrate and marvel at the incredible diversity and ingenuity of the animal kingdom.
Aessy LefianoPublished 9 months ago in PetlifeThe Enchanting World of Fireflies
Introduction: Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, have captivated human imagination for centuries with their mesmerizing light displays. These tiny bioluminescent insects belong to the Lampyridae family and are found in various regions around the world, enchanting onlookers with their twinkling glow during warm summer evenings. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating life of fireflies, their unique ability to produce light, their ecological significance, and their cultural significance in different societies.
15 Ways to Show Your Dog You Love Them
Introduction: Our canine companions hold a special place in our hearts, offering unconditional love and unwavering loyalty. As pet owners, it's essential to reciprocate this affection and demonstrate to our furry friends just how much they mean to us. Beyond the typical belly rubs and tasty treats, there are numerous heartfelt ways to express love to your dog and deepen the bond between you. In this blog post, we'll explore 15 of the best ways to show your dog that you love them.
Timothy A RowlandPublished 9 months ago in PetlifeEnsuring the Well-being and Happiness of Our Beloved Companions
Pets bring joy, companionship, and unconditional love to our lives, making them cherished members of the family. As responsible pet owners, it’s essential to provide them with the best care possible, and that begins with choosing the right pet supplies. From nutritious food to cozy beds and engaging toys, a well-stocked supply cabinet is key to ensuring the well-being and happiness of our beloved furry, feathered, or scaly companions.
Joss MeredithPublished 9 months ago in PetlifeFrom Sand to Gravel: Exploring Different Types of Aquarium Substrates
Selecting the right aquarium substrate is key to creating a thriving and visually captivating environment for your aquatic pets. With a multitude of options available, choosing the perfect substrate can be a challenging task. In this article, we will explore different types of aquarium substrates, from sand to gravel, and provide guidance on how to choose aquarium substrate to make an informed decision for your underwater paradise.
Carolyn RennerPublished 10 months ago in PetlifeJourney into the World of Horses
Horses, the embodiment of grace and beauty, have captivated human hearts for centuries. These magnificent creatures possess a unique allure that transcends time and culture. In this captivating article, we will embark on an enthralling journey into the world of horses, unveiling 10 fascinating facts that will leave you in awe of their extraordinary qualities. Join us as we delve into the realm of equine wonder and discover the captivating allure of these majestic beings.
Literary fusionPublished 10 months ago in PetlifeHow to Eliminate Flies Inside Your Home
Do you wish you could get rid of the house flies that keep appearing in your home? There are a number of efficient strategies that may be used in order to get rid of house flies, which can be a bothersome problem. We have done our research and compiled the most helpful tips and natural remedies to use in order to assist you in protecting your home from house flies.
Jacob DamianPublished 10 months ago in Petlife