Category: Animals

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This Is Why Your Dog Randomly Puts Their Paw on You

It’s cute when dogs randomly put their paws on you — and apparently, it’s not as random as it might seem.

Dog behaviorist Rebecca Forrest wrote about the topic at The Dog Clinic. She says that dogs are actually trying to communicate with you when they lay their paws on you. They can’t speak, so a little paw language will have to do!

The message could be one of several things. First, it could be a simple request for attention.

Photo Credit: iStock

Putting a paw on you is a relatively polite, subtle way to say: “Hi, remember me? I’m here.” It’s way less annoying than barking or whining, that’s for sure! Dogs were bred to interact with humans, so they inherently love human attention.

They may just paw at you because they know it’ll get them some pets and affection back. Or, they might put their paw on you to reciprocate the love once you’re already petting them.

Similarly, your dog might be trying to signal to you that he’s feeling stressed and needs some reassurance. If there are other signs of stress, such as yawning or flat ears, this may be the case. Rather than comfort your dog, try distracting him instead.

Photo Credit: iStock

There could also be a more specific need, such as food. Is it your dog’s regular meal time when he paws you? If so, he may be giving you a little reminder.

Either way, the pawing is definitely not intended to dominate, provoke, or irritate — so go easy on your dog if he paws at you a little too often! If it gets to be too much, the best tactic is to ignore him.

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A Woman Was Stung by a Scorpion on a United Airlines Flight

Oh great, can’t wait to fly during the holidays!

A woman was stung “multiple times” by a scorpion while on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Atlanta. The passenger felt a stinging sensation on her leg during the flight, and when she went to the toilet, a frickin’ scorpion fell out of her pants and crawled away.

Horrifying, we know.

The woman spoke to TMZ about her experience, and even shared a photo of the creature. Her name has not been released.

United Airlines said in a statement to USA Today that the plane crew “responded immediately” to the incident.

“After learning that one of our customers on flight 1554 from San Francisco to Atlanta was stung during flight, our crew responded immediately and consulted with a MedLink physician on the ground who provided medical guidance,” the airline said.

“The customer was transported to a local hospital. We have been in contact with our customer to ensure her well-being.”

While it’s great that the passenger is okay, the airline didn’t explain how the hell a scorpion got onto the flight in the first place.

Photo Credit: iStock

Even more horrifyingly, this isn’t the first time that this has happened on a United Airlines flight. A scorpion also stung a man on yet another flight with the same airline in 2017 (was someone on both of those flights? Is there a person bringing scorpions with them when they fly and just letting them go???)

A second airline, EasyJet, had to delay a flight after a scorpion was found onboard in 2017.

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Your Cat Makes Facial Expressions, You Just Probably Can’t Read Them

If you pay very close attention, you may finally be able to tell WTF your cat is thinking.

A study in the journal Animal Welfare found that cats show their moods on their faces, but that only a small subset of people can actually pick up on what they’re feeling.

Researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada conducted the study by asking 6329 participants to watch videos of cats reacting to certain events. The participants had to name whether the cat was exhibiting a positive or negative reaction by relying only on their faces—not their tails or any other body language.

Most of the respondents were cat owners. Nonetheless, their average score was just 59 percent correct, which is not very impressive.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

But 13 percent of participants scored very well on the test. They correctly guessed 15 out of 20 questions. These participants weren’t just cat owners, but people who had very extensive experience with cats, such as veterinarians.

Thus, the researchers concluded that a minority of people can tell what cats are feeling based on their facial expressions alone.

It’s not clear whether this talent is innate or learned, though.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

“They could be naturally brilliant, and that’s why they become veterinarians,” the study’s senior author, Georgia Mason, told The Washington Post. “But they also have a lot of opportunity to learn, and they’ve got a motivation to learn, because they’re constantly deciding: Is this cat better? Do we need to change the treatment? Does this cat need to go home? Is this cat about to take a chunk out of my throat?”

Who knows? Maybe you, too, can learn this skill one day.

If you want to test yourself, a shorter version of the video test that participants used is available online.

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A Photographer Captured Images of Birds That Look like Stunning Sky Sculptures

A Spain photographer creates stunning photos of birds that, at first glance, don’t look like photos at all. Instead, they look like dynamic sculptures in the sky.

The photo project is titled “Ornitographies.” It’s the work of Xavi Bou, a Catalan photographer, whose goal was to draw attention to the natural beauty that many people take for granted.

“One of the topics that interests me is to make visible that in our near environment, we have more variety of fauna than most people imagine — we just have to pay attention,” Xavi told Insider. “It is not necessary to travel to distant places to enjoy nature.”

To create these images, Xavi takes timed photos from a distance. Thousands of birds combine into complex geometric shapes that appear to be moving. As Xavi says, the birds’ movement turns the sky into a canvas of sorts.

Xavi takes most of his photos in his home region of Catalonia, Spain. Most of the birds are common species that often live close to cities.

He’s been interested in the natural sciences since he was young; he used to go on bird walks with his grandfather as a child. He later went on to study both geology and photography as an adult. His work now combines his loves of nature and art into one.

“The first test was done in May of 2012,” Xavi explained. He began to work more deeply on the project in 2015. “Actually, it’s almost my full time dedication. I keep making new ones, working on the future book, and researching for my future projects.”

Check out some more of his photos:

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#ornitographies #yellowleggedgull

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Ornitography from Barcelona. July 2016

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Xavi hopes to inspire people to be “curious” about nature again: “We love
those we know and protect what we love.”

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These Great Cat Posts Should Make You Smile

Do you want to see some cute/funny/mischievous kitty cats! I know I do!

Well, what are you waiting for?!?!

Go ahead and get started!

1. Move along.

I guess this is her chair now from aww

2. I’ll be two shelves below the soy sauce.

Everytime we open the fridge, he does this and I don’t know why. from aww

3. This is amazing.

4. Fell for it!

Outsmarted her this time. Muahaha. from cats

5. No more of that.

6. He doesn’t give a sh*t.

Something tells me Reinhardt is not impressed.. from cats

7. The Thinker.

Watson deep in contemplation. from cats

8. Hahahaha. Yes!

9. All month long.

10. Straight up chillin’.

Levi just needs a beer and a remote from cats

11. All snuggled up.

12. A new way to do it.

13. Looks comfy.

My 2 adopted (non-related) kitties really like each other. from aww

14. Better be careful.

Show us some pics of your feline friends in the comments!

We’d love to meet them!

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These Great Facts Might Make Your Day a Little Bit More Interesting

I need some good brain food to get through the day sometimes.

Know what I’m saying?

Well, I have just what you need! A great set of facts for you!

Let’s begin!

1. The world’s smallest park.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

2. Wow, that’s fascinating.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source

3. The name game.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

4. Roly poly.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

5. I’m not even gonna try.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

6. Nazi hunters.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source

7. But…why?

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

8. Interesting…

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

9. The demon cat.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

10. They’re everywhere.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

Have a great day, a great week, and a great month!

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This Is Why Dogs Kick Their Feet After They Poop

If you’ve ever had a dog, there’s a good chance you know what I’m talking about: your dog sniffs around, sniffs some more, turns in circles, then finally finds the perfect (and apparently only) spot in the yard to do their business.

Afterward, they move a few inches and then kick their feet backward, sort of covering the mess with dirt and flying grass.

But why?

Even though dogs have been domesticated for a very, very long time, they still retain some behaviors from the days before they were man’s best friend – they were once wild animals after all. It is innate instinct that drives around 10% of dogs to kick at the ground after going to the bathroom.

Dogs are territorial as a species, and are always sensitive to other dogs encroaching on their territory (it’s also why they bark out the window when another dog takes a stroll past, or – GASP – wanders onto “their” lawn).

Pooping sends a message to other dogs that the property has been claimed, and by kicking up dirt afterward, they stir up the scent that, along with pheromones released from glands on their feet, creates a strong and distinct smell. A “this is mine” sort of smell.

Other dogs then take the kicked-up grass as a clue that they’re treading on stinky, owned ground.

The pheromones actually smell stronger than the pee or poo, and can alert dogs to other things, like food trails or potential danger.

Experts warn against interrupting your dog during the ritual, claiming that doing so can make your dog feel vulnerable and confused.

So, just stay out of the way (and hope your lawn-obsessed neighbor isn’t watching your dog toss around their new grass seed. Oops.) and let nature take its course.

There’s no way to stop (or speed up) evolution, you know, so just give you pooch a pat and thank them for their vigilance.

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These Cats Definitely Thought They Were Hiding from the Vet

Nobody likes going to the doctor, and when you think about it, the experience is probably doubly uncomfortable for animals. After all, they don’t know why they’re there, they aren’t prepped (and can’t consent) for treatment, and the vet is a mostly-stranger who probably frightens them.

So, it’s no wonder they put on the brakes on the way in the door, and maybe even try to make themselves invisible once in the exam room.

Sadly for them (and us, honestly) there’s no invisibility spell currently available, no matter how hard these 12 kitties were willing it to be so.

12. Stop looking over here, you’re gonna give me away!

My cat also hates the vet/loves sinks. from aww

11. The classic “if I can’t see them they can’t see me.”

My cat went to the Vet today from aww

10. I am she and she is me.

My cat’s vet office strategy: blend in with the knick-knacks from aww

9. I hope somebody tall works there.

My mom took my cat to the vet today… from aww

8. He didn’t quite go all in.

Took apart my cat’s crate at the vet because he wouldn’t come out. Didn’t work! from aww

7. I will not go down without a fight!

My cat came out ready to fight someone at the vet. from aww

6. Nothing to see here, just another bill to pay.

This cats foolproof method of avoiding their vet checkup from aww

5. I can’t get past that his name is Yam tbh.

I see the dogs and cats in the corners of the vet, and I raise our cat, Yam. He escapes through the trash hole. from aww

4. Awww, Little Bob. It won’t be that bad.

Little Bob desperately hiding at the vet from aww

3. If only she was a calico.

My cat’s attempt at camouflage at the vet from aww

2. Regretting all of those extra treats now, aren’t we.

My cat doesn’t like the Vet from aww

1. This one is pretty impressive.

The vet thought we came in without her… from aww

 

Once again, cats prove they’re one of the main reasons for the internet.

I hope all of these little furballs got better soon!

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Dogs Diving Underwater for Toys Is All You Need to See Today

Seth Casteel is best known for his photos of dogs diving underwater for toys. And why not? These pics are wonderful!

If you’ve ever played around with your pooch in a pool or in the ocean, you know you’ve seen these goofy faces before.

Enjoy and be sure to check out Casteel’s books and calendars that are for sale HERE.

1. Going deep!

2. Love that hairstyle.

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Ragnar!

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3. Extreme close-up.

4. A great swimmer.

5. Hi there!

6. Must. Get. The. Ball.

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Breezer!

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7. Chomper!

8. The Loch Ness Puppy.

9. Get after it!

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Buster!

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10. Sea creature of the deep. Okay, not really, just a good pup.

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Daisy!

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Those are great! Be sure to follow Casteel on Instagram and Facebook so you can keep up with his work!

The post Dogs Diving Underwater for Toys Is All You Need to See Today appeared first on UberFacts.

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Dogs Diving Underwater for Toys Is All You Need to See Today

Seth Casteel is best known for his photos of dogs diving underwater for toys. And why not? These pics are wonderful!

If you’ve ever played around with your pooch in a pool or in the ocean, you know you’ve seen these goofy faces before.

Enjoy and be sure to check out Casteel’s books and calendars that are for sale HERE.

1. Going deep!

2. Love that hairstyle.

View this post on Instagram

Ragnar!

A post shared by Underwater Dogs – Seth Casteel (@sethcasteel) on

3. Extreme close-up.

4. A great swimmer.

5. Hi there!

6. Must. Get. The. Ball.

View this post on Instagram

Breezer!

A post shared by Underwater Dogs – Seth Casteel (@sethcasteel) on

7. Chomper!

8. The Loch Ness Puppy.

9. Get after it!

View this post on Instagram

Buster!

A post shared by Underwater Dogs – Seth Casteel (@sethcasteel) on

10. Sea creature of the deep. Okay, not really, just a good pup.

View this post on Instagram

Daisy!

A post shared by Underwater Dogs – Seth Casteel (@sethcasteel) on

Those are great! Be sure to follow Casteel on Instagram and Facebook so you can keep up with his work!

The post Dogs Diving Underwater for Toys Is All You Need to See Today appeared first on UberFacts.