The U.S. Postal Service Honors Military Dogs with New Stamps

The U.S. Postal Service has honored the U.S. military for many years by creating special limited-edition stamps. Now they’re highlighting the canine division of the military with these military working dogs stamps.

Dogs began serving in the U.S. military since the Civil War. They’ve continued to accompany humans in every war since, from World War I to Afghanistan. In fact, there is one dog for every three human soldiers in Afghanistan, Bloomberg reports.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The most common dog breeds in the modern U.S. armed forces include the German shepherd, Dutch shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Labrador retriever. Less common breeds are the Rottweiler, Bloodhound, and Beagle.

The USPS has created four new stamps with images of the four most common breeds, which they call “the four-legged heroes of the nation’s military.” The illustrations are stylized geometric versions with red and blue backgrounds. They’re available in a booklet of 20.

“As a military veteran and former law enforcement officer, I have the greatest appreciation for these animals and the service they provide,” David C. Williams, vice chairman of the USPS Board of Governors, said in a press release.

“Today, these dogs are born and raised to serve alongside soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and women, and members of the Coast Guard. They are heroes deserving of our respect and gratitude.”

A book of 20 Forever stamps costs $11. You can find them at your local USPS, on the online Postal Store, or by calling 800-STAMP24.

The post The U.S. Postal Service Honors Military Dogs with New Stamps appeared first on UberFacts.

There’s Now a Real Formula to Calculate ‘Dog Years’

If you’ve ever had a dog, you know that your pup has two “ages” — their actual age, and their age in so-called “dog years.” To calculate dog years, you simply multiply the dog’s age by seven. But is there any actual scientific evidence behind this formula?

The short answer is no — but scientists have come with a more accurate way to calculate it.

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, examined dog DNA to see how quickly dogs age. They looked at 104 Labrador retrievers from 1 month to 16 years old, comparing their rates of DNA methylation – which usually speeds up as living beings age – to those of humans.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The researchers found that the rates of methylation were similar between dogs and humans; however, adolescent and mature dogs experienced more accelerated aging.

Based on this data, they came up with a new formula for calculating dog years.

Take the natural logarithm of a dog’s age, multiply it by 16, and then add 31.

By this measure, a 2-year-old dog would be 42 human years old – way older than 14!

However, methylation slows later in life, so the dog’s age in human years doesn’t increase as quickly. A 5-year-old dog would only be 57 years old, while a 6-year-old dog would be 60. A 10-year-old dog would equate to a 70-year-old human.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

This formula might not be completely accurate for every dog breed, as different dogs age at different rates, while the formula was determined based on data from Labs. Still, it’s a very interesting and informative contrast to the old unscientific 7-year rule!

The post There’s Now a Real Formula to Calculate ‘Dog Years’ appeared first on UberFacts.

An Orangutan Was Granted “Non-Human Personhood” Status and Retired to a Florida Refuge

Five years ago, an Argentinian court ruled that Sandra, then a twenty-something orangutan, was not merely an animal, but a non-human “person” who deserves to enjoy rights similar to those enjoyed by humans.

It meant, among other things, that she could no longer be owned or shown in a zoo because she has rights and interests that deserve to be protected by law.

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EXCITING NEWS!? Welcome Home, Sandra! If you have followed the story of the orangutan named Sandra who was granted legal “personhood” in Argentina in 2015, you know that the judge in Argentina ruled that Sandra must be sent to a sanctuary. Since CGA is the only accredited sanctuary for orangutans in North America, we were asked to take her. The process of finding a quarantine site for Sandra and applying for the required permits has taken years. But after her transport from Buenos Aires to Dallas and then to the Sedgewick County Zoo in Kansas for a month-long quarantine period, 33-year-old Sandra finally arrived at the Center for Great Apes this week! She’s a lovely orangutan, and we’re so happy to have her here with our 21 other orangutan residents. This is the first time in over a decade that Sandra has had the opportunity to meet other orangutans, and she will meet them at her pace and when she chooses. #sandra #sandraorangutan #orangutan #centerforgreatapes #ape #primate #endangered #sanctuary #animal #nature #wildlife #Florida #notpets #animallover

A post shared by Center for Great Apes (@centerforgreatapes) on

For most of Sandra’s life, she lived on display at the now-defunct zoo in Buenos Aires, but she has recently arrived at a Florida refuge, where Patti Ragan, the founder and director of the Center for Great Apes, says  she’s doing fine.

“Sandra is very sweet and inquisitive. She was shy when she first arrived, but once she saw the swings, toys, and grassy areas in her new home, she went out to explore.”

Sandra did, however, lose her personhood status upon her arrival in the United States, since our legal system currently doesn’t recognize non-human animals as people, though, oddly, it does extend that right to corporations. Animal rights activists advocate not only for the great apes, but also for elephants, dolphins, whales, and a handful of other intelligent animals to be treated more as people than things.

They believe these animals have intellectual capabilities that qualify them as individuals with rights and interests, not merely animals to be owned and profited off. Some of those rights would include the right to not be killed or assaulted, to have access to health care, and to be able to live their lives without providing profit to others.

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#OrangutanCaringWeek Fun Fact…Eating is Everything! Food is the consuming passion of an orangutan’s life. Because orangutans are the largest-bodied fruit eating animals on earth, they simply have to eat a lot of fruit and other things to survive. Wild orangutans eat more than 300 kinds of foods – primarily fruit, along with young leaves, bark, flowers, honey, insects, and vines. One of their favorite foods is the fruit of the durian tree, which tastes somewhat like sweet, cheesy, garlic custard. We sometimes get durian and jackfruit donated for a special treat for the orangutans. Some of Sandra’s favorite food are fruit and green peppers! #sandra #sandraorangutan #orangutan #centerforgreatapes #ape #primate #endangered #sanctuary #animal #nature #wildlife #Florida #notpets #animallover

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Advocates at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation hope they can begin the process of getting their charges similarly recognized.

“The first step on the legal journey will be the recognition of dolphins and whales as non-human persons. From there we can begin to look at what this will mean for having specific rights for whales and dolphins recognized in law.”

Similarly, activists are lobbying the Bronx Zoo to release Happy the elephant or to obtain other elephants for their exhibit, since she’s been there alone for some time. Recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums suggest elephants be kept in groups of three or more.

She’s been dubbed the “loneliest elephant in the world” and is the only elephant being held alone in all of the United States.

For now, I guess we can count Sandra’s happy Florida retirement as a win – but there are many other intelligent animals out there waiting for a similar outcome.

I hope the people fighting for them are able to get the outcomes they deserve.

The post An Orangutan Was Granted “Non-Human Personhood” Status and Retired to a Florida Refuge appeared first on UberFacts.

These Huge Dogs Clearly Think They’re Still Little Puppies

I love big dogs. They’re cuddly, snuggly, and they make great companions.

Buuuuut, sometimes, these gentle giants don’t understand how massive they are and for some reason, they think they’re lap dogs.

And that’s definitely the case with these giant puppers.

1. No, you really aren’t.

I’m a lap dog! from aww

2. Big dog in the house.

She insists on being a lap dog from aww

3. Might be a polar bear.

He may look like a bear but he identifies as a lap dog from aww

4. Missing out.

5. That dog is HUGE.

My dog thinks he’s a lap dog when my grandma stops by from aww

6. He’ll never understand…

My friends retriever will never understand he’s too big to be a lap dog. from aww

7. He has no idea.

My gf volunteers at a rescue, this guy thinks he’s a lap dog from aww

8. Your legs will fall asleep.

9. It’s working out…for him…

He decided that he identifies as a lap dog. from aww

10. Awwwwww, look at that.

Two years to the day from aww

11. Don’t tell him that.

This is Otis. He thinks he’s a lap dog. I don’t have the heart to tell him otherwise from aww

12. A gentle giant.

This puppy still thinks he’s a lap dog. Otis the 90 lb 7 month old Newf pup! from aww

13. A human chair.

14. A massive guy.

170 pound lap dog from aww

15. Not a baby anymore.

She isn’t a baby anymore, but she’s still my lap dog…I’m 6 1/2 feet tall from aww

Do you have a huge dog that thinks they’re a little, itty bitty thing?

If so, share some pics in the comments!

The post These Huge Dogs Clearly Think They’re Still Little Puppies appeared first on UberFacts.

These Huge Dogs Clearly Think They’re Still Little Puppies

I love big dogs. They’re cuddly, snuggly, and they make great companions.

Buuuuut, sometimes, these gentle giants don’t understand how massive they are and for some reason, they think they’re lap dogs.

And that’s definitely the case with these giant puppers.

1. No, you really aren’t.

I’m a lap dog! from aww

2. Big dog in the house.

She insists on being a lap dog from aww

3. Might be a polar bear.

He may look like a bear but he identifies as a lap dog from aww

4. Missing out.

5. That dog is HUGE.

My dog thinks he’s a lap dog when my grandma stops by from aww

6. He’ll never understand…

My friends retriever will never understand he’s too big to be a lap dog. from aww

7. He has no idea.

My gf volunteers at a rescue, this guy thinks he’s a lap dog from aww

8. Your legs will fall asleep.

9. It’s working out…for him…

He decided that he identifies as a lap dog. from aww

10. Awwwwww, look at that.

Two years to the day from aww

11. Don’t tell him that.

This is Otis. He thinks he’s a lap dog. I don’t have the heart to tell him otherwise from aww

12. A gentle giant.

This puppy still thinks he’s a lap dog. Otis the 90 lb 7 month old Newf pup! from aww

13. A human chair.

14. A massive guy.

170 pound lap dog from aww

15. Not a baby anymore.

She isn’t a baby anymore, but she’s still my lap dog…I’m 6 1/2 feet tall from aww

Do you have a huge dog that thinks they’re a little, itty bitty thing?

If so, share some pics in the comments!

The post These Huge Dogs Clearly Think They’re Still Little Puppies appeared first on UberFacts.

Venice, Italy Is Underwater After the Highest Tide in 50 Years

If you’ve paid attention to the news the last week or so, you’ve seen the heartbreaking and devastating floods in one of Europe’s most-visited cities. Venice, Italy is a breathtaking destination, famous for its canals and historic buildings.

Recently, the highest tide in 50 years has inundated the city, and the mayor of Venice has blamed the catastrophe on one thing: climate change.

Paquebots(Navires spécialisé dans le transport de personnes.)L' année dernière, des conditions similaires ont frappé…

Posted by Olivier Godfurnon on Thursday, November 14, 2019

More than 85% of Venice flooded during this event, and the famous St. Mark’s Basilica was flooded for only the sixth time in 1,200 years. Four of those six floods have been in the past 20 years. Official records about such events in Venice have only been kept since 1923, and these high tides (called acqua alta in Italian) reached the highest levels in the city since 1966.

Posted by Sonny Tuttle on Monday, November 18, 2019

Luca Zaia, the governor of the Veneto region of which Venice is a part of, said, “We are faced with total, apocalyptic devastation. The art, the basilica, the shops and the homes, a disaster…Venice is bracing itself for the next high tide.” Zaia also described Venice as being “on its knees.”

Posted by Władimir Gromakowski on Sunday, November 17, 2019

The images coming out of Venice are shocking and sad, to say the least. People and animals trudging through the high waters, attempting to find higher ground and to save their personal belongings.

Posted by Sonny Tuttle on Monday, November 18, 2019

Posted by Sonny Tuttle on Monday, November 18, 2019

Venice is built on top of a marshy, shallow lagoon, which doesn’t help the situation. Sea levels have been rising around Venice (and everywhere) for years because of climate change, but the city is also sinking, increasing the impact.

Unless drastic action is taken, the problem looks like it will only get worse as time marches on until the city disappears into the ocean. Or something.

The post Venice, Italy Is Underwater After the Highest Tide in 50 Years appeared first on UberFacts.

Venice, Italy Is Underwater After the Highest Tide in 50 Years

If you’ve paid attention to the news the last week or so, you’ve seen the heartbreaking and devastating floods in one of Europe’s most-visited cities. Venice, Italy is a breathtaking destination, famous for its canals and historic buildings.

Recently, the highest tide in 50 years has inundated the city, and the mayor of Venice has blamed the catastrophe on one thing: climate change.

Paquebots(Navires spécialisé dans le transport de personnes.)L' année dernière, des conditions similaires ont frappé…

Posted by Olivier Godfurnon on Thursday, November 14, 2019

More than 85% of Venice flooded during this event, and the famous St. Mark’s Basilica was flooded for only the sixth time in 1,200 years. Four of those six floods have been in the past 20 years. Official records about such events in Venice have only been kept since 1923, and these high tides (called acqua alta in Italian) reached the highest levels in the city since 1966.

Posted by Sonny Tuttle on Monday, November 18, 2019

Luca Zaia, the governor of the Veneto region of which Venice is a part of, said, “We are faced with total, apocalyptic devastation. The art, the basilica, the shops and the homes, a disaster…Venice is bracing itself for the next high tide.” Zaia also described Venice as being “on its knees.”

Posted by Władimir Gromakowski on Sunday, November 17, 2019

The images coming out of Venice are shocking and sad, to say the least. People and animals trudging through the high waters, attempting to find higher ground and to save their personal belongings.

Posted by Sonny Tuttle on Monday, November 18, 2019

Posted by Sonny Tuttle on Monday, November 18, 2019

Venice is built on top of a marshy, shallow lagoon, which doesn’t help the situation. Sea levels have been rising around Venice (and everywhere) for years because of climate change, but the city is also sinking, increasing the impact.

Unless drastic action is taken, the problem looks like it will only get worse as time marches on until the city disappears into the ocean. Or something.

The post Venice, Italy Is Underwater After the Highest Tide in 50 Years appeared first on UberFacts.

These Interesting Facts Might Make You Say ‘Wait, What?’

WOW.

These facts are good. Damn good, if I do say so myself.

I think you’ll agree.

Go ahead and see for yourself…

1. There’s something out there…

Photo Credit: did you know?

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2. That sounds nice right about now.

Photo Credit: did you know?

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3. I’m in big trouble.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

4. They are definitely real.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

5. Gotta pay your dues.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

6. Yes! More of this!

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

7. A legend.

Photo Credit: did you know?

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8. Gettin’ it on!

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

9. That makes perfect sense.

Photo Credit: did you know?

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10. Does this pertain to you?

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

Are you wowed? Like, majorly wowed?

I think you are…thanks for stopping by!

The post These Interesting Facts Might Make You Say ‘Wait, What?’ appeared first on UberFacts.

15 Photos That Should Make You Say ‘Awwwwwww’

Let’s switch gears…

Let’s get wholesome, shall we? We shall!

I don’t say this very often, but dammit, these pictures are freakin’ adorable!

Let’s get on the ‘Awwwwwwww’ train and enjoy it together!

1. That’s true love.

2. All dressed up!

3. A gentle giant.

4. I want this guy in my house!

5. Very excited for winter!

6. Big time superhero.

7. Never gonna give you up.

8. Look into my eyes.

9. This cat is 23 years old!

View post on imgur.com

10. Are you comfortable?

11. All growed up.

12. The big man!

View post on imgur.com

13. Three months old!

View post on imgur.com

14. Big fan of the bed.

15. TV buddies.

I’m in a much better mood right about now. How about you?

The post 15 Photos That Should Make You Say ‘Awwwwwww’ appeared first on UberFacts.

What Happens When a Plane Flies into a Flock of Birds?

Sometimes, these two worlds collide mid-air, and planes fly straight into a bird, or even a flock of birds.

The results can look really disastrous, especially for the birds. The good news is that bird strikes don’t typically pose any risk to airplanes or passengers. The really good news is that they’re unlikely to bring down a plane.

“Aircraft are designed and built to withstand bird strikes, and pilots undergo rigorous training to enable them to deal with eventualities like a bird strike,” BALPA flight safety specialist, Stephen Landells, told The Telegraph.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Even if a bird gets sucked into the airplane’s engine, the plane can usually land just fine. “Losing one engine is not going to cause an aircraft to crash because they are designed to fly with one engine down,” Stephen explained.

That doesn’t mean fliers are completely in the clear, however. While a single bird rarely poses any danger to a plane, Stephen added that “multiple bird strikes – or hitting large birds such as Canada geese – can and have caused serious accidents.” Captain Sully’s landing of a US Airways plane on the Hudson River in 2009 is perhaps the most famous example of this.

Photo Credit: YouTube

This is quite rare, though.

There were 160,894 bird strikes between 1990 and 2015 in the U.S. Only 40 of those strikes resulted in an accident.

Unfortunately, these incidents are often fatal for the birds (though not always). They can die on impact if they run into a plane, and they usually disintegrate if they get sucked into an engine. The number of wildlife strikes has also increased drastically over the years, as flying gets more popular.

Sadly, there’s not much that planes can do to avoid birds in the sky.

The post What Happens When a Plane Flies into a Flock of Birds? appeared first on UberFacts.