Category: Animals

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This Is Why You Should Never Squash a Stink Bug

If you live in the U.S., there’s a good chance you’ve encountered a brown marmorated stink bug – though the species is native to Asia, it has now been spotted in 43 states since its arrival around 1998.

Though they typically remain outdoors (unless they find themselves carried inside on clothing or other material), they might come inside seeking warmth in the cooler months of fall and winter. Since they’re not small – typically a half-inch long or more – you’ll probably spot them when they do.

But even though our justice against insect invaders is typically swift and mortal, common sense should prevail with stink bugs – don’t squish them.

I mean, unless you enjoy the pungent aroma of skunk or rotten cilantro permeating your rooms.

 

They’re called stink bugs for a reason: the bugs release a terrible scent whenever they feel threatened, and that includes as they die. So really be careful in handling them, period.

Things to try: nudging them alive onto a piece of paper or into a cup, using a vacuum, or leaving out trays of soapy water in the hopes they might take their own lives.

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The world is such a colourful and diverse place, but I’ve decided to narrow my contributions for the @invert_macro #IM_Colourful theme to just yellow. My first photo is of a Green shield bug nymph (Palomena prasina). I cheated a little with this by bending the plant in front of some yellow flowers for the shot. Please make sure to check out the hashtag to see everyone’s contributions, as this promises to be an extra special theme. #yellow #shieldbug #stinkbug #insect #insectphotography #nature #macro #canon_uk #naturephotography #beautiful_insects_japan #macro_freaks #mat_macro #kings_macro #kings_insects #ip_insects #insectguru #naturyst #macro #macro_kings #top_macro #turklikeben_macro #soulmademacro #animals_illife #earthcapture #bbcwildlife

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The good news is that you’ll probably only see a few in your house, if any, so you shouldn’t have to figure out how to handle an army of the little buggers.

Another bright spot, scientists are saying that the samurai wasp – the stinkbug’s natural predator in its native habitat – has arrived in the United States. The parasitic wasp has been spotted in 10 states and is expected to spread.

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Since the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug's arrival in the 1990s, it has caused significant damage to crops such as apples, nectarines, grapes, and soybeans. The Samurai Wasp, (Trissolcus japonicus) was found to be the one predator for the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and was found to destroy 60%-90% of the larvae in Asia. In 2014-2015, researchers detected the Samurai Wasp in the U.S before any regulatory permission to release them and by 2017, this insect was found spreading naturally in 10 states. Now, there are plans underway for further research into rearing and releasing more of these wasps in the future in hopes of putting a stop to the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug's raid on our country's crops! #Invasive #InvasiveSpecies #StopTheSpread #MSBugBlues #BrownMarmoratedStinkBug #SamuraiWasp

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I’ll let you decide whether or not you consider that good news.

I definitely to do. *shudder*

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Studies Show That Having a Dog Helps People Have Longer and Better Lives

I’m sure that this won’t be news to some of you.

Dogs and people go together like peanut butter and jelly. Of course, your dog will eat your peanut butter and jelly when you’re not looking, but I digress.

Dogs make us crazy happy, and a recent study gives us even more reason to bring these fuzz balls into our homes. Turns out, dogs help their owners live longer.

Published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, the study looked at cardiovascular research from between 1950 and 2019 for evidence that dogs decrease the risk of heart disease in owners.

Photo Credit: Needpix

Well, they found it in droves. People who had survived heart attacks were less likely to have another heart related event and were also less likely to ultimately die from cardiovascular disease if they owned a dog. In fact, owning a dog was shown to boost heart health.

But researchers found it wasn’t just heart conditions dogs improved. The data from millions of patients over all those years of study also showed owning dogs lowered the rates of death from any cause. The study stated that dogs decreased the risk of dying by anything by 24 percent.

Health aside, according to a different 2019 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, dogs can also be credited to improving your overall quality of life.

Which is good, because if you’re going to live longer, you want a high quality life.

Photo Credit: Pxhere

Even participants who suffered from chronic pain reported more socialization and lowered rates of depression and anxiety.

Dogs are also shown to help people manage emotional and mental health, says a 2016 study published in the journal BMC Psychiatry. When participants mapped out their social structures, dogs consistently were placed as most central to their social lives.

Another 2019 study, this one published in the journal Aging and Mental Health, showed that older people received mental health benefits when they owned dogs. Having a pet around gave them purpose and decreased feelings of loneliness.

Photo Credit: Max Pixel

Another segment of society benefitting from dog ownership is youths experiencing homelessness. The animals create a barrier to getting into shelters, but the yong people studied reported feeling more loved than those who didn’t have dogs, according to a 2015 report in Child Psychiatry and Human Development.

What about people who cannot responsibly take care of dogs in their current environment or situation? All is okay. Current Opinion in Psychiatry research from 2015 tells us that even interacting with someone else’s dogs or volunteering to take care of other dogs can be hugely beneficial.

So, the science is in: dog love is a health tonic.

Take a dog for a walk, scratch his ears, rub her tummy and soak up all the healthy goodness for a longer and happier fur-filled life.

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Heartwarming Videos of Dogs Getting Picked up from Daycare

I mean, come on… this is one of the best posts of all time. Because you KNOW what’s coming next.

These dogs are going to be so god damned happy to see their owners… you just KNOW it!

Get ready for the most cute you’ve seen in one post. Ever.

1. Come on! We’re going home!

2. Sugar is so sweet!

3. She remembers her leash!

4. Hey Lucy!

5. Not a mutt anymore!

6. Aussies get excited!

7. I love that name!

8. Archer is a jumper!

9. Look at that tail wagging!

10. Hey Aunt! Hey Aunt! Hey Aunt!

11. Arthur is one happy doggo!

12. Well, not all of them are happy…

Alright kids… what did you think? Most heartwarming, wholesome roundup of tweets ever?

Let us know what you thought in the comments!

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A New Study Finds That Lop-Eared Rabbits Are Mostly Deaf and in Pain

I hate to read this news about those adorable, floppy-eared rabbits. I had one as a kid, and it was one of my favorite pets ever – he was funny and sweet and loved to snuggle as much as he enjoyed a well-timed nip.

The sad truth, though, is that lop-eared rabbits aren’t natural – they only exist because of intentional human breeding, and they suffer multiple health problems and not-insignificant discomfort because of it.

A new study compared the aural and dental health of lop-eared rabbits with that of erect-eared rabbits and found that floppy-eared bunnies are more than 15 times more likely to show signs of being in pain during examinations.

15 times!

Researchers discovered that their discomfort is likely due to their warped skull shape, a narrowing of the ear canal, and the resulting build-up of ear wax. It leads to a condition called otitis externa, an inflammation of the ear canal.

Most lop-eared rabbits examined were also hard of hearing, if not completely deaf.

None of the erect-eared rabbits had any of these issues.

The alterations that allow for their ears to flop also affects the rabbits’ teeth, making them 12 times more likely to have oversized molars, and 23 times more likely to suffer from diseased incisors.

Study author Charlotte Burn hopes the findings from this study will be supported by more like it in the future, and that people looking to own rabbits will take note.

“People now need to weigh up whether those cute floppy ears are worth the risk of pain, deafness, and difficulty eating for the rabbit, not to mention the extra vet bills.”

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Linus is j ust a sweetie #miniloprabbit #lopearedbunny

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I hope that people care more about the health of their pets than the way they look, but the fact that pugs and French bulldogs are still so popular don’t give me much hope.

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Scientists Captured Rare Video of Deepstaria, a Bizarre Jellyfish That Changes Shape

Even among all of the strange and mysterious group of ancient animals known as the jellyfish, the Deepstaria jellyfish is unique. A fact that has now been recorded on video by the Nautilus, a Pacific Ocean research vessel.

Fun fact: the Nautilus has also captured footage of a googly-eyed stubby squid and a weird purple orb.

Live Science reports that, halfway between the U.S. and Australia, the Nautilus spotted a jellyfish that appeared as a ghost….at first.

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#Repost from @mbari_news with @regram.app … The scyphomedusa Deepstaria is certainly odd, with its bag-like appearance, and bell that can open more than a meter wide. Speculation on the identity of a mystery blob has become a sensation online, sparking heated and entertaining debates over its identity. We've seen this unusual jellyfish with MBARI's ROVs around 30 times in 30 years from depths of a few hundred meters to about 2,000 meters deep! Surprisingly, according to morphological and genetic studies, its closest relative is one of the most commonly observed jellies in our area — the moon jelly, Aurelia aurita.⠀ ⠀ #deepstaria #jellyfish #jellies #pelagic #midwater #ROV #scyphomedusa⠀ #deepsealife #deepsea #ocean #oceanlife #sealife #plankton #mesopelagic #MBARI #underwaterphotography #marinebiology

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Then, it unfurled and they got a glimpse of the geometric mesh membrane that revealed its identity: Deepstaria. That, along with its distinctively flowing bell and lack of tentacles, are its most distinguishing features.

The rest of the video is the jellyfish changing shape, from what looks like a crumpled plastic bag to a blanket.

The jellyfish was first discovered by a submersible called the Deepstar 4000 (designed by Jacques Cousteau) in the 1960s, and since then it has only been spotted about a dozen times. Most of the details of its existence remain a mystery to researchers.

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Deepstaria enigmatica. This jellyfish was named after the research submersible Deepstar 4000, which collected the first specimens of this genus in 1966. This species is the home to another species, namely an isopod called Anuropus, which can be seen through the mantle of the jellyfish (on the upper right side of the bell). These animals probably form a symbiotic relationship, perhaps eating food captured by the jellyfish. ⠀ ⠀ Watch a video about this unusual jelly on MBARI's YouTube channel: http://ow.ly/JTf6u⠀ ⠀ #jellyfish #stragethings #deepstaria #MysteriesoftheDeep #MBARI #expedition #midwater #MontereyBay #deepsea #deepsealife #ROV #MarineTechnology #Technology #Robot #MarineBiology #Ocean #oceanlife #oceanscience #sealife #underwaterphotography #Nature #wildlife⠀⠀

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That’s not likely to change anytime soon, which makes this video all the more spectacular.

Science is so cool, y’all. Images like these make it pretty darn hard to disagree.

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15 Tweets About Animals That Might Put a Big Smile on Your Face

It’s not as if you weren’t probably already aware that animals are hilarious. Most of the time it’s unintentional, but sometimes you’d swear they know exactly what they’re doing and how much we’re going to love it.

Proof? These 15 tweets right here!

Enjoy these precious moments. Because they won’t be around for long…

1. You’ll get it!

2. Hi. Bye.

3. Yo yo homie

4. There’s so much that’s right about this… but those cat situps!

5. Cutest. Dog. Ever.

6. Alright, listen here you little butthead…

7. Wiggle wiggle wiggle

8. dat frosh lewk!

9. Donald!

10. Same

11. Fruit of his labor…

12. HAHAHAHAAHAHAHA!!!

13. Da best!

14. This is perfect!

15. BFFS!

Are you still saying “awwwwwwwww”? Because I am.

Alright kids… favorite tweet? Let us know in the comments!

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10 Interesting Facts for You to Take a Look At

This is a fast-paced world where it can be hard to get any free time and learn new information.

But you should always make time for our fact sets! They’re filled with fascinating information that will stick in your head long after you’re done reading them.

Here are 10 such facts for you!

1. That’s a relief.

Photo Credit: did you know?

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2. Women are strong.

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3. What a great idea.

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4. That’s the backstory.

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5. Time for a name change.

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6. Take me down to Octopus City.

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7. Ugh, that’s not good.

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8. Another reason not to like Mondays.

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9. Get to the Hummer!

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10. Everybody needs to take notice of this.

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We hope you enjoyed those 10 facts!

Follow THIS LINK to explore a whole lot more.

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15 Wholesome Posts That Should Put a Smile on Your Face

Let’s enjoy some very, very wholesome posts, okay?

You need it, you want it, so let’s do it!

Enjoy these posts that you make you smile.

1. This is the saddest and cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

Cat before and after jaw surgery from aww

2. He nailed it.

3. She’s an octopus.

4. Here’s the story.

5. She couldn’t hold back.

6. I’m crying, too.

7. That is perfect, indeed.

8. Don’t tell me you didn’t laugh at this one.

9. That’s pretty trippy.

10. Made me feel a lot better.

11. Family movie night.

12. Did you cry?

13. You gave it a shot.

14. Don’t ever settle.

15. He doesn’t look thrilled about it.

That’s MUCH better, don’t you agree?

Share some of your most wholesome pics in the comments, please!

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5 Cat Grooming Tips For A Purrfect Kitty

Keeping your cat well-groomed and clean is essential, not only for their health but happiness too. Maintaining your cat eyes, ears, paws, teeth, and coat are crucial grooming tasks that need to be done on a regular basis. Here are five tips to help your beloved pet with their grooming routine. Eyes Check your cat’s eyes weekly for changes or signs of problems. Look for discharge, cloudiness, or excessive closing or blinking. Look directly into the pupils to be sure they expand in the light and that there’s no sign of the third eyelid. Your cat’s eyes should be clear

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15 Funny Dog Costumes Just in Time for Halloween

You have a perfect pup and it’s almost Halloween—so you know you need to get them all dressed up so you can show off your best friend to all your lesser friends and the trick or treaters who stop by for candy!

Here are 15 good ones to get you inspired for what you’ll do with your pooch on October 31.

1. Try to peel this onion.

2. The classic witch look.

3. Going for a vampire look.

4. Let me play you a song.

5. Ready for some deep-sea diving.

6. Metal head bulldog!

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Have I ever told you about the time Lu and I went for a morning walk in Central Park and ran across a man dressed as Gene Simmons talking to a couple of Europeans enjoying an early morning coffee in the park. Apparently this man had decked himself out of full Kiss makeup so he could secretly follow his girlfriend to a bar and spy on her. In that moment it just seemed amusing and odd. But as that memory ages it has transformed to downright creepy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still hella amused that a dude in full on KISS regalia, including the boots – so know he was also GIANT, was walking around Central Park at 7am conversing with strangers like a local watching his dog play in the Park. THAT was funny as hell were it not for the sense of stalking… #lucostumeaday #halLUween

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7. I found him!

8. How are you feeling today?

9. This one is so good. The face just completes it.

10. A timeless classic.

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Oh I just can’t wait to be Queen

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11. Bane is in the house.

12. A little Harry Potter for ya.

13. Super Dog here to save the day.

14. Pugs are sad even when they’re rockin’.

15. He looks kind of reluctant about the whole superhero thing.

Do you have some funny pics of your pooch in costume?

Share with us in the comments!

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