Category: Animals

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7 Cute Facts About the Mouse Deer

Not too long ago, a species of Chevrotain that had not been seen for over 30 years was spotted in Vietnam, and no one can get over how little and adorable these creatures are.

Rightfully so.

If the mouse deer is your new obsession and you’re curious to know more, well, we’ve got you covered.

7. They have super fierce fangs.

They have two front teeth that are super long and sharp like needles – they use them to stab each other during combat.

6. They’re not deer, nor are they mice.

They do share a suborder with deer (Ruminantia), but have their own family, called Tragulidae.

5. Swimming is a defense mechanism.

The water chevrotain swims underwater to avoid predators – they can even walk on the riverbed in order to avoid being swept along by the current, grabbing hold of reeds to assist.

They can hold their breath for about 4 minutes, but tire easily while swimming.

4. The species vary by weight.

Species can vary in weight from 4 to around 33 pounds, though none get larger than a medium-sized dog.

3. They’re very shy.

They are prey animals, and with nothing but their sharp teeth for protection, all of the species lead fairly secluded, quiet lives. Some are nocturnal, and most graze alone, only hanging out together to mate.

2. There are many variations.

The family has two genera (Hyemoschus and Tragulus), and the spotted mouse deer have their own, Moshiola. All look very similar, however.

1. Their hooves are quite loud.

The males of some species can angrily beat their hooves on the ground four to seven times a second to warn off predators, or to warn their fellow chevrotains to take cover.

 

I just love that these little guys are back in the spotlight, and I hope they don’t go back into hiding for another three decades!

What’s your favorite forgotten and/or little known animal? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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Prehistoric Mammoth Traps Were Discovered Outside Mexico City

This is big news.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has revealed at a press conference that ancient traps containing the remains of 14 woolly mammoths were uncovered in Mexico.

At least 15,000 years old, the traps were discovered in Tultepec, a city approximately 25 miles north of Mexico City.

Named “Tultepec II,” the site has been under excavation for about 10 months, and archaeologists working there have discovered around 824 bones from 14 mammoths, including skulls, jaws and ribs. The site has been named a “Mammoth Megasite.”

At the press conference, Pedro Francisco Sánchez Nava, the national archeology coordinator at the INAH, said, “It represents a watershed, a touchstone for how we previously imagined groups of hunter-gatherers interacted with these enormous herbivores.”

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

Researchers think they now have a better understanding of how the beasts were hunted and used by hunter-gatherers in the Mexico Basin. Twenty or thirty hunters would separate one from the herd and, using torches, lure it into the trap. Once there, the animal would be killed, with most of the body either eaten or used in other ways.

One of the skeletons was laid out in a ceremonial way with evidence that indicated it took several hunts to bring it down completely. The arrangement of the bones points to a level of reverence the hunters had for such a fierce kill.

A Mammoth Museum is already open in Tultepec with a nearly complete wooly mammoth skeleton, discovered there in 2016, on display.

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12 Cuddly Facts About Koalas

Awwwwwwwww.

Koalas are adorable marsupials native to Australia. You very likely won’t see them ever unless you visit a zoo or visit the country.

So what are they really like? Here are 12 facts to help you get to know the cuddly critter a little better.

12. Their Name Means “No Water”

The word koala comes from aboriginal Australian words for “no water” because the adorable animals don’t actually drink water – they get all the liquid they need from their diet of leaves.

11. They Eat a Lot of Eucalyptus Leaves

Their little bodies have adapted to handle eucalyptus, even though it’s toxic to a lot of other species. In fact, they eat very little aside from eucalyptus leaves.

10. Koalas Sleep a Lot – for a Good Reason

Eucalyptus leaves have little to no nutritional value, so they sleep 18-20 hours per day to save their energy.

9. Not All Koala Fur Is Made Equal

Australia is home to three different types of koalas. Southern koalas have the thickest fur because of the harsher winters have to endure.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

8. Koala Babies Are About the Size of a Gummy Bear

They measure roughly 1 centimeter right after birth and spend the next few months growing inside their mother’s pouch.

7. They Have a Very Strong Liver

This helps help withstand the toxin inside eucalyptus leaves much better.

6. Their Nose Knows if Eucalyptus Is Extra-Toxic

Koalas can smell eucalyptus from really far away, and they know if leaves are fresh or old just by smelling them. They also know when their food is more toxic than usual.

5. Koalas Have Distinctive Fingerprints

Humans don’t have a monopoly on fingerprints. Koalas are unique mammals in that they too have the distinguishing marks.

4. Their Butts Have Extra Padding

This helps them get sleep wherever they want.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

3. Koalas Are Protected from Humans

Australia has anti-cuddling regulations to protect koalas from exploitation.

2. Some Moths Only Eat Koala Poo

The scat moth only eats koala poo until it becomes an adult.

1. The Koala Population Is Considered Vulnerable

Though koalas aren’t listed as endangered (they’re considered vulnerable), various factors including human activity, fires, and deforestation, are decimating their population. Particularly after the most recent Australian fire season, koalas may even be functionally extinct in some areas, meaning there are too few of them for the population to successfully find each other and breed new generations.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

What were you surprised to learn about koalas? Leave a comment below.

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These Good Dogs All Use Wheelchairs to Run and Play!

Maybe you’d be tempted to feel bad for these exceptional pooches, but don’t worry about them. Yes, they have to use wheelchairs for one reason or another, but they’re living their best lives, and they’re clearly very happy to have a new lease on life.

Enjoy these beautiful pics and videos of these pups zipping around.

1. I’m a huge fan of Moby!

2. Look at them go!

3. All those fall colors.

4. Awwwww. My heart is melting.

5. Atlas is doing great!

6. Let’s go for a stroll.

7. He even has a cool license plate.

8. A dynamic duo!

9. Don’t slow me down!

10. Gone, but not forgotten.

Wonderful, aren’t they? I think so.

If you have any pets that use devices like these, share some photos and stories with us in the comments!

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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.

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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!

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Over 100,000 Dogs Are Killed Each Year Riding in Truck Beds

Country songs are known for their sense of Americana—distant train whistles, love for family, broken hearts and a dog in the back of a pick-up.

Romantic imagery for sure, but unfortunately, our bubble has to burst.

The pick-up is not the best place for the dogs to ride.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Since the cabs of pick-up trucks might only be a front bench seat, dogs are often shown the bed of the truck for a trip.

But though it seems convenient, American Humane strongly cautions against letting dogs hang out in the back of pickups, stating that an estimated 100,000 dogs die in accidents yearly riding in truck beds.

100,000 dogs! That’s so many!

One obvious reason is that dogs jump, especially if they are curious or scared. Even if they are trained or have calm personalities, if there’s an accident, they can fall or jump out of the bed and get seriously injured or cause other collisions.

Photo Credit: Flickr

The bed of a truck can be much colder or hotter than the cab, where the temperature is controlled. Since there’s no protection back there, wind can also blow debris around getting into dogs’ ears, noses, eyes and mouths. In the heat of summer, metal beds can burn paws.

Even leashing or crating the dog while they are in the bed can causes more problems than protection. Dogs can be strangled if they are thrown from a truck while leashed. If a dog is confined in a crate, it could prevent them from escaping in case of an accident.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Some dogs love being back there. Other dogs may get anxious at the noises and confusion of the road.

It turns out, there are really a lot of reasons to keep them out of the bed of the truck. And your dog is your best friend, right? So keep them safe – and in the truck next to you.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.