Category: Animals

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Cows in Russia Are Wearing Virtual Reality Headsets Showing ‘Summer Fields’ to Combat Their Winter Depression

In Russia, cows are getting a new tool to help fight the winter blues that a lot of us deal with. A dairy farm in that country is outfitting its cows with virtual reality headsets to help the animals tone down their anxiety and to fight their winter depression. The moooooove (see what I did there?) is also intended to boost milk production from the farm animals.

The headsets display green fields and pastures to the cows in order to make them feel more relaxed. The project is taking place at RusMoloko farm, outside of Moscow.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Moscow Region said that the virtual reality headsets have achieved “a decrease in anxiety and an increase in the overall emotional mood of the herd.”

The plan is to monitor the cows wearing the headsets to see if their milk production increases throughout the winter. The ministry said that “technology improvements should impact the industry as a whole.”

In addition to the look of green fields and pastures, the developers of the virtual reality headsets gave the design a predominantly red color scheme because studies have shown that cows see red better than other colors of the spectrum.

Is this the wave of the future in farming? Will the results show that the impact of these VR headsets is positive among the cattle and this technology become commonplace for animals?

Time will tell…

But I think I might need to get my hands on one of these for myself this winter.

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This Artist Puts Baby Spider-Man and Cats and Dogs in Funny Scenarios

You’ve seen every Spider-Man movie, but now you need something new in your life.

Well, here it is!

An artist from Thailand named Neung created a cool Facebook page where they put a baby Spider-Man in all kinds of funny scenarios – with cats and dogs.

They sure are a hoot! Take a look…you may never look at Peter Parker the same way again…

1. Best friends.

แมวดำ ถึงจะดูลึกลับ แต่ถ้ารู้จักอาจจะหลงรักไม่รู้ตัว

Posted by ไอ้แมงมุม on Saturday, August 17, 2019

2. Superheroes.

Posted by ไอ้แมงมุม on Friday, August 9, 2019

3. Time for a nap.

4. Everything sounds fine.

5. Bringing back the hippie look.

6. A motley crew.

7. It’ll be okay.

8. Exploring the forest.

9. Stop that!

10. All cuddled up.

11. Awwwwwww.

12. That’s gonna hurt.

13. Screen time before bed.

14. Time for a selfie!

15. Running into danger.

I love this little guy and his funny adventures!

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These Crocheted Hats for Your Pet Are Just What You Need This Winter

It’s shaping up to be a long, cold winter, and, in addition to keeping yourself warm, you gotta keep those pooches and kitties nice and toasty, too!

So consider picking up a crocheted hat for your pet this year.

Here are some of the best selections from Etsy. The links to the hats are in the photo credit if you want to purchase any of these beauties.

1. Reindeer games.

Photo Credit: Etsy

2. A notorious Viking.

Photo Credit: Etsy

3. This pug is a little confused.

Photo Credit: Etsy

4. This little piggy.

Photo Credit: Etsy

5. Very classy and elegant.

Photo Credit: Etsy

6. I love this one.

Photo Credit: Etsy

7. Long locks.

Photo Credit: Etsy

8. The turkey look.

Photo Credit: Etsy

9. Googly eyes.

Photo Credit: Etsy

10. The queen of outer space.

Photo Credit: Etsy

Check out more hats for your pets HERE. Stay warm this winter!

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Feral Hogs Destroyed Thousands of Dollars Worth of Cocaine in the Italian Forest

In very strange news, a bunch of feral hogs destroyed $22,000 worth of cocaine in the forest in Italy.

The cocaine had been stashed in the woods by a local gang, consisting of three Albanians and an Italian. Police discovered the operation by wiretapping members of the gang. That’s where they heard someone complaining about the havoc wreaked by the wild hogs.

Officials don’t know exactly how many boars were involved, but they allegedly dug up the package and destroyed it, dispersing it throughout the woods.

In the end, the men lost much more than thousands of dollars worth of cocaine. Thanks to the bust, four suspects were arrested on drug charges. Two of them are now in jail, and two are under house arrest.

Meanwhile, on Twitter, the story is reminding users of the viral “30-50 feral hogs” tweet from August.

“So that’s where the 30-50 feral hogs got off to,” one user remarked.

“It’s the coke that makes them impervious to AR-15 fire,” another added.

Others joked that “this is what they’re up to when they’re not rushing that one dude’s son.” Or, it could be the cocaine that causes the daily attacks.

On a serious note, feral hogs are a major problem in Italy (as well as many places around the world). Farmers recently protested in Rome, calling for the government to control the population. There are about two million wild boars in Italy, and they can cause land damage and road accidents.

But they are also very tasty, so…don’t get rid of all of them.

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This Dog Is in Charge of Finding Koalas That Have Survived Australia’s Bushfires

It’s devastating to watch scenes of scorched, singed, and confused koala bears as the bushfires continue to rage throughout Australia. The fires have destroyed land and homes in New South Wales and Queensland but have also tragically taken a huge toll on the koala population in the country.

Because koala habitat is being destroyed in such huge acreage in the blazes, teams are venturing into the burned areas to try to find and rescue koala bears.

One of the most important team members in these searches is a dog – who we can genuinely call a hero – named Bear.

Posted by Queensland Koala Crusaders on Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Bear is a koala detection dog who has been dispatched to Queensland to help find unfortunate little creatures that have been affected by the fires.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare said on its Facebook page,

“Our koala detection dog Bear is bringing a glimmer of hope for koalas suffering from Australia’s deadly bushfires—but these animals need more heroes to save them from this ongoing disaster. Our koala detection dog Bear is an integral part of these rescue efforts. He was recently deployed to southeast Queensland and one of the hardest-hit areas of New South Wales where the bushfires decimated local koala populations. Bear is one of the few detection dogs who can locate live koalas through the scent of their fur.”

Bear is now 6 years old, and he’s obviously found his calling in life.

You can help out by donating to this nonprofit fundraiser HERE.

Sadly, it seems that, in New South Wales at least, some koala populations are being pushed to the brink of extinction due to the fires.

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Lil Bub, the Cat That Became an Internet Sensation, Has Died

In some very sad news, Internet-famous cat Lil Bub has passed away at the age of 8. The adorable cat with the goofy face had 2.4 million followers on Instagram and was a social media star.

Lil Bub’s owner, Mike Bridavsky, said on social media, “On the morning of Sunday, December 1st 2019 we lost the purest, kindest and most magical living force on our planet,”

View this post on Instagram

This is my first photo with BUB next our last photo together. On the morning of Sunday, December 1st 2019 we lost the purest, kindest and most magical living force on our planet. BUB was cheerful and full of love laying in our bed with us Saturday night, but unexpectedly passed away peacefully in her sleep.. I have always been fully transparent about BUB's health, and it was no secret that she was battling a persistent and aggressive bone infection. Even knowing this, we weren't expecting her to pass so soon or so abruptly without warning. I truly believe that she willingly made the decision to leave her failing body so that our family would not have to make that difficult decision ourselves. It is impossible to put into words the profound effect that BUB has had on my life, on the lives of thousands of homeless pets, and on the lives of those of you that have cared for her as if she were your own family. She taught me everything that I know about unconditional love, she brought my wife Stacy and I together, she's the reason we have our beautiful children Rosco and Lula, and she has been a constant source of warmth and love in our lives for the past 8 years. To say that our family is devastated would be an understatement. But most importantly, BUB has made a huge difference in the world of animal welfare, and in the lives of millions of people worldwide. She has literally saved thousands of lives (both pets and humans), she started the first national fund for special needs pets, she was the subject of groundbreaking genetic and biological research, she's helped raise over $700,000 for animals in need, and has spread a message of determination, positivity, and perseverance to people all over the world. And even though my heart is absolutely crushed by her graceful departure from planet Earth, I know that her sprit, magic, and overwhelming energy are still with us, reminding us every day to be better. Dearest BUB, I will never forget your generosity, your limitless supply of love, or your uncanny ability to bring so much magic and joy to the world. I am forever honored and humbled that you chose me as your caretaker. Please visit all of us in our dreams o

A post shared by Lil BUB (@iamlilbub) on

Lil Bub rose to prominence in 2011 when Bridavsky posted a photo of the cat on Tumblr.

https://bublog.tumblr.com/post/12524777484/sup-bub

Lil Bub became a sensation due to her appearance, which was the result of several genetic deformities. The little kitty had medical problems throughout her life and became the first cat ever diagnosed with osteopetrosis when she was only a year old. Even though Lil Bub had so many health issues, Bridavsky said that her death was a shock, and the day before she passed away she was “cheerful and full of love laying in our bed with us but unexpectedly passed away peacefully in her sleep.”

He added, “I have always been fully transparent about BUB’s health, and it was no secret that she was battling a persistent and aggressive bone infection. Even knowing this, we weren’t expecting her to pass so soon or so abruptly without warning.”

View this post on Instagram

BUB in my lap.

A post shared by Lil BUB (@iamlilbub) on

Lil Bub is the second famous cat to die in 2019, after Grumpy Cat passed in May. Here is a photo of the two social media darlings together.

View this post on Instagram

Friends forever

A post shared by Grumpy Cat (@realgrumpycat) on

Bridavsky said, “I am forever honored and humbled that you chose me as your caretaker.”

RIP Lil Bub. You will be missed.

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These Funny Cat Snapchats Might Make You Smile

Here’s a question…

What should Snapchat really be used for?

Well, cat photos, of course!

Was there ever any doubt about that? I don’t think so.

Let’s take a peek at some of the best cat Snapchats out there.

1. Awwwww. Peepers.

2. Now you do.

3. Look into the darkness.

As I look into the abyss, the abyss looks into me. from aww

4. Pitching a tent.

Who could that be? from aww

5. Not a morning cat.

How you like that meow?!

6. Can’t get enough!

Faithful little desk buddy from aww

7. Dammit, Otis!

Poor baby!!

8. Wait a second…

This is my cat…. This is not my house. from cats

9. You need a decoy.

The decoy keyboard is working from aww

10. Now you know why.

My cat messed up a single part of my window shades.. never realized why until just now. from funny

11. That’s pretty cute.

I adopted Simba to hunt around the house. Instead, he became a friend with this mouse. from aww

12. Never seen this before…

I would explain if I could… from aww

13. A very unique kitty.

All 4 of my cats paws have unique black/pink combinations from mildlyinteresting

14. He is not happy.

This cat doesn’t even know you and it’s had enough of your shit.

15. Mastermind criminal cat.

Do you have any funny snaps of your kitty cats?

Show them to us in the comments!

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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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