8 PEACOCK FACTS THAT WILL CHANGE HOW YOU SEE THE BIRD

8 Peacock Facts That Might Surprise You

1. Peacocks Are Actually Male

The striking birds that you associate with the label peacock are, in fact, male. Their majestic feathers are used to attract peahens, the females of the species, which are smaller and mostly brown and white, though with emerald necks and the same fabulous head crest.

Together, they produce peachicks, or baby peafowl. Peacocks are polygamous, mating with multiple partners (anywhere between two and five) throughout their lives.

It takes about three years for peafowl to develop their tail display, but once it’s fully fashioned, watch out—the peacock is officially on the prowl, and ready to dance, preen, and shake for female attention.

2. Peacocks Are the National Bird of India

In 1963, the Indian peacock was declared the national bird of its namesake country. The bird holds significance in Hinduism: It is believed that a peacock’s feathers were originally born of the mythological Garuda, and the bird is often associated with Laksmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune. As such, peacock feathers have long been favored by royalty.

3. Peacocks Shed Their Feathers

Don't worry, those loose peacock feathers are not harvested through violent means. Peacocks shed their iconic plumage—also referred to as a train—naturally after mating season is over. (Bonus fact: When said train is vibrated to attract a peahen, it’s referred to as “train rattling.”)

4. Peafowl Can Fly

Those long (up to five feet) and abundant feathers (about 200 per train) may seem cumbersome, but they don’t stop peafowl from lifting off. The birds can fly, though they can only travel very short distances.

5. They Can Be Found in Africa

A lesser-known species known as the Congo peafowl can be found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it enjoys the status of national bird. Congo peafowl aren’t quite as showy as the Indian variety, with shorter feathers and darker hues, but their fancy headwear and shiny finishes maintain their aesthetic standing within the pheasant family.

6. Their Sounds Can’t Be Fully Experienced by Humans

When male peacocks perform their train rattle, a rustling sound furthers the visual effect. But for the peahens, the movement also creates a vibration—a resonant frequency—in the air that cannot be felt by humans.

7. They Stay In Groups

Like us on any given Friday night, peafowl don't like to be alone. (As mentioned previously, a group of peafowl is called a party.) But while they are all about each other, they don’t really jive with other birds.

8. They Have an Impressive

Peafowl lives a long time—between 10 and 25 years in the wild and up to 50 years in captivity. So if you happen to befriend a peacock, it could be your BFF for life.

POPULAR POST

• 11 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GIRAFFE
• 10 COOL FACTS ABOUT JELLYFISH YOU DIDNT KNOW
• BASIC HEALTH & CARE TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CAT HEALTHY
• BASIC CAT CARE TIPS FOR NEW CAT OWNER

 

DO SHARK HUNT PEOPLE? WHY SHARK ATTACK

The majority of more than 400 different shark species are harmless to humans.

Those that are known to be ‘dangerous’ to humans number around 10 of those 400 known species of sharks.

Worldwide there are less than 100 shark attacks every year. Less than 20 result in a death. And usually, this is caused by blood loss.

A shark actually eating a human is rare and extremely unlikely - as we are not a natural prey item. Experts have found that if a shark bites human flesh, it will often spit it out or vomit it up.

Yes, sharks can detect blood in water in minute quantities. However, some studies have shown that they are only really attracted to blood / body oils from fish and marine mammals - their natural prey.

Experiments have shown that sharks respond most strongly to odours produced by injured or distressed prey. The same prey if healthy and uninjured does not produce such a strong response from the shark.

Sharks are mistakenly thought to be ‘eating machines’. But because many species are cold-blooded, some eat only about 2 percent of their body weight each day. That's slightly less than humans typically eat. They can even go for months without eating at all.

Most Common Reasons Sharks Bite Humans:

Mistaken Identity - from below the waters surface, the silhouette of a swimmer or surfer looks very similar in size and shape to a sea lion or turtle.

Poor Visibility - murky, turbid and choppy water makes it difficult for a shark to see / smell / identify it’s prey.

Time of Day - Sharks naturally look for food around sunset, sunrise and at night time. People in the water at these times are more at risk.

Location - The mouths of rivers and lakes normally have poor water conditions and often are breeding grounds for fish. Which makes an ideal place for sharks to find food.

Fish Schools - Often large schools of baitfish are seen near the coast. These are a natural prey item for sharks and therefore are an attractive food source. Do not enter the water if there are large numbers of fish present, or if you are near an area where fish are being caught / cleaned.

Shared Habitat - Some sharks such as the Bull Shark can inhabit places where humans are also present, such as canals, estuaries and rivers. Simply by sharing the same environment - we are more at risk of an accidental bite. Even more so, considering the poor visibility and silty water conditions often found in rivers.

Shark Safety

Avoid swimming at dusk, dawn and night time. These are the times when sharks are most actively searching for food.

Avoid poor conditions, such as murky and turbid water. Including river mouths and estuaries. Bad conditions may hamper a sharks visibility and sense of smell.

Don’t swim alone.

Avoid entering the water if large numbers of dolphins, sea birds or fish are present. Dolphins and sea birds could indicate a large fish school, which may also attract sharks.

Be aware of shared habitat areas such as rivers and canals.

Don’t harass or threaten sharks. Sharks will normally only attack if threatened.

Understanding shark behaviour and biology is a great way of raising your own awareness about shark.

POPULAR POSTS

• 10 Reasons Why Cats Make Better Pets Than Dogs
• Does catnip really get your cat high?
• 5 Best Tips How To Introduce Yourself To Your New Cat
• Kennel Cough: Symptoms, Treatments & Prevention

 

11 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GIRAFFE

11 interesting facts about Giraffe that can take your breath away without laying a tentacle on you!

Number 1. Giraffes are the tallest mammals on Earth. Their legs alone are taller than many humans—about 6 feet.

Number 2. They can run as fast as 35 miles an hour over short distances, or cruise at 10 mph over longer distances.

Number 3. A giraffe's neck is too short to reach the ground. As a result, it has to awkwardly spread its front legs or kneel to reach the ground for a drink of water.

Number 4. Giraffes only need to drink once every few days. Most of their water comes from all the plants they eat.

Number 5. Giraffes spend most of their lives standing up; they even sleep and give birth standing up.

Number 6. The giraffe calf can stand up and walk after about an hour and within a week, it starts to sample vegetation.

Number 7. Despite the females’ attempts to stand over their calves during attacks by lions, spotted hyenas, leopards and African wild dogs (4), many calves are killed in their first few months.

Number 8. A giraffe’s spots are much like human fingerprints. No two individual giraffes have exactly the same pattern.

Number 9. Both male and female giraffes have two distinct, hair-covered horns called ossicones. Male giraffes use their horns to sometimes fight with other males.

Number 10. Giraffes only need 5 to 30 minutes of sleep in a 24-hour period! They often achieve that in quick naps that may last only a minute or two at a time.

Number 11. Whilst it was thought that giraffes did not make any sounds, this is now known to be untrue, as giraffes bellow, snort, hiss and make flute-like sounds, as well as low pitch noises beyond the range of human hearing.

10 COOL FACTS ABOUT JELLYFISH YOU DIDNT KNOW

 10 COOL FACTS ABOUT JELLYFISH YOU DIDN’T KNOW

How much do you know about these strange floating marine marvels? Are they really made of jelly? How do you really get rid of stings? We have the answers. These fascinating creatures are marine marvels. Here are 10 interesting facts about jellyfish that can take your breath away without laying a tentacle on you!

1. They Are Not Fish

They are no way, no how fish of any type or description. They don’t have bones, gills, fins, scales, or any other fish equipment or body parts. “The fish part of the name is wrong,” says marine education specialist Terri Kirby Hathaway. So, what should you call them? “Well, jellies.”

2. They’re Named After a Greek Monster

Some jellies look like dainty umbrellas or bells decorated with an elegant fringe suspended from the center or the edge. The billowing main shape is called the medusa, as it resembles Medusa who had serpents for hair according to Greek mythology.

3. Jellies Get Around

“They can only move up and down in the water column,” says Hathaway. “They can’t go east, west, north, or south intentionally.” Jellies move up by collapsing the medusa (like quickly closing an umbrella) which pushes water down and propels them upward. Beyond that, these creatures go where the winds blow and the currents take them. Some jellies travel around the world in the ballast tanks of oceangoing ships to invade waters as non-native species when ships jettison the tanks

4.The Sting’s The Thing

Scientists classify jellies in the phylum Cnidaria (silent “C”). The name originates from the Greek word cnidos, meaning stinging nettle for the specialized stinging cells, cnidocytes or nematocysts. This cell “explodes” on contact, launching a harpoon-like organelle containing neurotoxins into whatever touched it. Jellies feed and defend themselves this way.

Most stings are painful but not life-threatening. There are exceptions in Pacific waters. Close relatives like sea anemones and corals, which spend their adult lives attached to the sea bottom, can also sting. Rinsing, not scrubbing, with vinegar is the best antidote.

5. Jellyfish Are Simpletons

Most jellies are simple organisms. Think of them as “bags” made of two cell layers, an outer ectoderm or epidermis (housing the stinging cells) and an inner endoderm or gastrodermis, (lining the gut). The filling between the layers is the mesoglea, a layer of jellylike substance that provides volume and weight. Some are transparent, others are colorful and translucent, and some change colors with the salinity of the water.

6. They’re Not Made Of Jelly

Jellies are 95% water. That’s one reason they look so elegant beneath the surface but look like a blob of goo on the beach.

7. They Come In All Shapes And Sizes

There are at least 9,000 known species of Cnidaria and some inhabit every ocean. Their sizes span from tiny to wow. The smallest medusae are barely visible (but still pack a sting). The largest, the Nomura’s jellyfish, can grow from the size of a grain of rice to six feet across in six months. A single jelly of this species can weigh up to 200 pounds!

8. They’re Simple Yet Complex

Medusozoa jellies have a two-step procreation plan. First, it involves egg fertilization by free-floating sperm. This produces larvae that sink and attach to a firm surface. Then the larvae grow into polyps that bud and release tiny medusae that grow into the adult form.

9. Jellyfish “Blooms” Can Cause Chaos

Sudden massive reproductive surges, known as “blooms,” can deplete local fish supplies, ruin fishing nets, and shut down nuclear plants by clogging the cooling water intakes. The cause of these blooms is still not completely understood.

10. The Portuguese Man O’ War Is Not A True Jellyfish

A frequenter of our eastern and southern coasts, the surface-living Portuguese man o’ war, is part of the same species and closely related, but not a true jellyfish. The interesting thing about the Portuguese man o’ war is that it’s not one organism but a colony of specialists that survive together but not apart. The telltale violet sail is one organism; the stinging tentacles are another.

POPULAR POSTS

• 10 Reasons Why Cats Make Better Pets Than Dogs Here Are 10 Reasons Why Cats Make Better Pets Than Dogs Many people think that cats are better than dogs. Cats are easy to care for, quiet...
• Does catnip really get your cat high? Does catnip really get your cat high? Here's what catnip does to cats—and why they go crazy for it. If you’re lucky enough to be a cat...
• 5 Best Tips How To Introduce Yourself To Your New Cat5 Best Tips How To Introduce Yourself To Your New Cat By Arian Rahman Oronno Playing With Cats As the old saying goes, you don’t get a secon...
• Kennel Cough: Symptoms, Treatments & Prevention Kennel Cough: Symptoms, Treatments & Prevention Written By Dr. Justine Lee My dog has a hacking cough…does my dog have kennel cough? I...

 

BASIC HEALTH & CARE TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CAT HEALTHY

How often do you take your cat to the veterinarian? In observance of National Cat Health Month, we want to remind you that even if your cat does not appear to be sick, preventative care is important.

Between visits to your cat's veterinarian, here are 10 ways to keep your cat healthy.

1. Groom your cat regularly.

Whether your cat has short or long fur, he will benefit greatly from regular brushing or combing. This helps remove the dead hair from his coat so he doesn't ingest it while self-grooming. It also gives you the chance to notice any changes to his body. Irregularities such as lumps, bumps or sore spots can then be investigated right away by your veterinarian.

2. Provide fresh water daily.

Clean, fresh water is essential for your cat's good health. If your cat doesn't seem to drink from a bowl, consider providing her with a tall glass (some cats don't like to bend down to drink) or a cat fountain. Be sure to replenish the water with a fresh supply every day.

3. Make sure you have enough litter boxes.

A general rule of thumb for litter boxes is one for each cat plus one more. So if you have 2 cats, you should have 3 litter boxes. To encourage good litter box habits, keep the litter boxes clean. This may mean scooping more than once per day. Regular cleaning will also help you notice any changes in your cat's urine or stool, which could indicate a health issue.

4. Notice if your cat starts urinating outside its litter box.

Sometimes a cat will urinate outside his litter box if the box is dirty. But before you blame the accident on the state of the litter box or your cat's naughty behavior, schedule a visit to the veterinarian. A change in litter box habits sometimes means that a cat has a urinary tract infection or other medical issue.

5. Train your cat to use a scratching post.

Not only will this help prevent damage to your furniture, it will help your cat stretch her muscles and keep her claws in top condition. Regular scratching on an appropriate surface such as carpet, sisal, or cardboard helps remove the old layers from your cat's claws.

6. Use a cat carrier in the car.

Does your cat need to visit the vet? Or are you moving to a new home? Transport your cat in an appropriate carrier designed for pets. Allowing your cat to roam freely in the car can distract you from driving safely, which can lead to accidents that may harm both you and your cat.

7. Keep your cat's teeth clean.

Like humans, cats can develop tartar on their teeth, which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. The bacteria that collect on your cat's teeth also can enter her bloodstream, contributing to other feline diseases. Unlike humans, however, cats can't brush their teeth. And many cats won't let their owners brush their teeth for them. To keep your cat's teeth in top condition, schedule a cleaning with your veterinarian at least once every year.

8. Choose a cat-friendly vet.

It seems to go without saying that cats are not smaller versions of dogs. That said, it follows that cats have different veterinary requirements than dogs do. A veterinarian specializing in feline health and anatomy can be a valuable ally in keeping your cat in her best possible health. You can find a feline vet in your area by visiting the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

9. Schedule regular veterinary visits.

Annual visits give the vet a chance to catch any potential feline diseases in their early stages, administer vaccines, and clean the cat's teeth. Your vet can also tell you if your cat is at a healthy weight.

10. Spay or neuter your cat.

Reproductive diseases can affect cats of both genders, both male and female. Spaying prevents uterine infections, ovarian cancers and breast tumors in female cats, while neutering prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems in males. The surgeries also reduce a male cat's urge to roam and if done soon enough in his life, may eliminate his urge to spray to mark territory. The best benefit? Your cat won't contribute to the pet overpopulation situation.

POPULAR POSTS

• 10 Reasons Why Cats Make Better Pets Than Dogs Here Are 10 Reasons Why Cats Make Better Pets Than Dogs Many people think that cats are better than dogs. Cats are easy to care for, quiet...
• Does catnip really get your cat high? Does catnip really get your cat high? Here's what catnip does to cats—and why they go crazy for it. If you’re lucky enough to be a cat...
• 5 Best Tips How To Introduce Yourself To Your New Cat5 Best Tips How To Introduce Yourself To Your New Cat By Arian Rahman Oronno Playing With Cats As the old saying goes, you don’t g