Black cats are widely known for their connection to Halloween, witchcraft, and misfortune. However, despite their reputation, they are unique felines that are thought to bring good luck in some countries, and they have a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages.  Of course, other than the color of their fur, black cats are no different from any other feline; the difference is in how people think about them.

Here are 13 fascinating facts about black cats.

The Background of Black Cats and Witches

Black cats are quintessential Halloween icons—and the number one costume choice for both elementary-aged children and women in their freshman year of college, oddly enough—but do you know how they got such a spooky rap?

Beginning in the Middle Ages, black cats became associated with Satan, witches, and witchcraft; some people went so far as to believe that black cats were cohorts to witches or even witches who had taken on another form. This widespread superstition resulted in the horrific mass killing of black cats—and sometimes even their owners.

Aside from continuing to represent all things eerie, the fear of black cats still has some influence today. Many animal shelters won’t place black cats in homes during the month of October for fear of them being used sacrificially.

Black Cats Can Help Your Love Life

Forget the stereotypical depiction of the perpetually single cat lady. In some parts of the world, it’s believed that black cats can actually improve your love life.  In Japan, for example, single women who own black cats are believed to attract more suitors. In Great Britain’s English Midlands, a black cat is the ideal wedding gift; they’re believed to bring good luck and happiness to the bride.

Black Cats Have a Sailing History

Ship’s cats were once a common thing; historically, sailors brought cats aboard ships to control rodents that could destroy food stores or damage the ship itself. But British sailors believed a black cat would bring the ship good luck and ensure a safe return home.  It was a little more complicated for pirates, though. They believed a black cat walking toward you was bad luck, a black cat walking away from you was good luck, and if a cat boarded the ship and then jumped off, the ship was going to sink.

Black Cats Can Resist Disease

In the early 2000s, researchers at the National Institutes of Health discovered that the genetic mutations that cause cats to have black coats may offer them some protection from diseases. In fact, the mutations affect the same genes that offer HIV resistance to some humans.  Since cats can experience many of the same health issues as we do—cancer, HIV, and cognitive dysfunction similar to Alzheimer’s, to name a few—they make perfect models for studying human disease. By figuring out how cats have evolved to resist diseases, researchers can, potentially, learn how to prevent disease in humans as well.

Black Cats Can Change Color

If your black cat loves to lounge in the sun—and what feline doesn’t?—the UV rays can break down the black pigment in the cat’s fur, changing it to a rusty color.  The affected fur will remain discolored, but once shed, will be replaced by fresh black fur once again.

In Some Places, Black Cats Mean Good Luck

While black cats are mostly associated with bad luck in North America, that’s not the case around the world. In Scotland, tradition holds that a black cat on the doorstep means money is on the way. The French have a similar association between black cats and financial riches. In Germany, a black cat crossing your path means good luck, not bad, is on the way.

Black Cats are Not a Breed

While many different breeds of cat include solid black as an accepted coat color, simply being a black cat is not a specific breed.  However, one feline breed, the Bombay, was specifically bred to only have solid black fur, along with black foot pads and even black whiskers. These gorgeous kitties resemble little house panthers, but are friendly and affectionate domestic cats.

Black is Genetically Dominant

When it comes to feline coat color, black is genetically dominant, although most black cats are not solid black but have some patches of white, as well. Still, overall, black is the most common color of domesticated cats.

Most Black Cats Have Yellow Eyes

While feline eye color covers a wide range of hues, the vast majority of black cats have yellow or golden eyes. The striking contrast between black fur and yellow eyes adds even more mystique to these fabulous felines.

They Can Have Short or Long Hair

Because black cats are not one breed, they can have either long or short hair, depending on the individual cat breed. Bombays, Oriental shorthairs, American shorthairs, and others will have short black hair. Longhaired breeds like the Maine coon, Persian, and Siberian can have luxurious long black locks. Black cats can even be hairless, like the sphynx.

Black Cats Have Their Own Days

While every cat firmly believes that everyday is devoted entirely to them, black cats have their very own specific day of the year: October 27, four days before Halloween. National Black Cat Day celebrates the black cat in hopes of dispelling myths about their association with bad luck.  Another day dedicated to black cats is August 17, which is Black Cat Appreciation Day. Like October 27, this day also recognizes how wonderful these cats are, contrary to false superstitions.

Patterns Can Be Hidden Underneath Black Fur

Look at a solid black cat in the sunlight, and you may very well see faint stripes within the fur.  That’s because although black is genetically dominant as a fur color, the striped tabby pattern is genetically dominant as a fur pattern, and in cats with genes for both black fur and tabby patterning, the stripes can be “hidden” under the black coloring.

They’re Overlooked in Shelters

Unfortunately, black cats (and black dogs) are often overlooked in shelters. “Black Cat Bias” refers to the higher rates of surrenders to shelters, lower adoption rates, and high chance of euthanasia. It’s thought that these rates are due to the continued, but unfounded, superstitions around these cats.  So, if you’re thinking about adopting a shelter cat, consider opening your home to one or more black cats who are more likely to be left behind. You won’t regret bringing these fun and loving kitties into your family.

SOURCE: THESPRUCEPETS.COM

1. All crows and ravens belong to the same genus.

Members of the genus Corvus can be found on every continent except Antarctica and South America (although other close relatives live there). To date, scientists have identified 40 species that are commonly called ravens, crows, rooks, and jackdaws.

In the U.S., the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and the common raven (Corvus corax) are the most widespread corvids. The common raven is much larger, about the size of a red-tailed hawk. It also has a wedge-shaped tail compared the crow’s slightly rounded tail. And the birds’ calls are different: crows emit a caw-caw call along with rattling and clicking sounds, while a raven’s is a croaking, deeper-pitched onk-onk.

2. Older crow siblings can help their parents raise newborn chicks.

Like a lot of intelligent animals, most crows are quite social. American crows spend most of the year living in pairs (they usually mate for life) or small family groups. During the winter months, they’ll congregate with hundreds or even thousands of their peers to sleep together at night in a sprawling communal unit called a roost.

A mated pair of crows might be lucky enough to receive chick-rearing help. Juvenile birds are frequently seen defending their parents’ nest from predators. Other services they can provide include bringing food to the parents or feeding their younger siblings directly. One study found that 80 percent of American crow nests surveyed had a helping hand. And some birds become regular nest assistants, providing aid to their parents for over half a decade.

3. When a crow dies, its neighbors may have a funeral.

The sight of a dead crow tends to attract a mob of a hundred or more live ones. During this ritual, the live crows almost never touch the dead one, which rules scavenging out as a motive. Some studies suggest that the mass gathering is part of a survival strategy: The birds are learning about threats and seem hesitant to revisit any spot where they’ve encountered a dead crow, even if food is plentiful there.

4. Crows have caused blackouts in Japan.

Since the 1990s, crows have experienced a population boom in Japan, where delicious garbage is more plentiful than ever. Urban crows like to nest on electric transformers and will often use wire hangers or fiber-optic cables as building materials for their nests. One result was an epidemic of crow-caused blackouts in major cities: Between 2006 and 2008, the corvids stole almost 1400 fiber-optic cables from Tokyo power providers, and according to the Chubu electric company, crows are responsible for around 100 power failures per year in their facilities.

Chubu started installing artificial nests in 2004. Made with non-conductive resin, the nests are placed on company towers high above the power lines, where the birds are unlikely to cause any trouble. The strategy seems to be working: two-thirds of the faux nests have been used.

5. Proportionally, some crows’ brains are bigger than yours. 

Crows are so smart and so good at improvising that some zoologists call them “feathered apes” (that’s a compliment). The New Caledonian crow’s brain weighs 0.26 ounces and accounts for 2.7 percent of its overall weight. That’s proportionately much larger than a human’s three-pound brain, which accounts for 1.9 percent of overall weight.

Crows, ravens, and parrots have the biggest brain-to-body size ratios of all living bird species. They’ve shown levels of cognition that put them on par with the great apes. In lab tests, they have shown a much higher density of neurons in their forebrains than primates do. The number of neurons in this region is thought to correlate with a given animal’s intelligence. Theoretically, having more neurons translates to better cognitive reasoning.

A 2020 study looked at whether crows, like humans and great apes, can demonstrate consciousness. Crow brains lack a cerebral cortex, where most of the primate brain’s conscious perception happens. Researchers tracked the brain activity in two crows as they performed different tasks, and discovered that they could perceive sensory input—suggesting that there is much more to understand about the evolution of consciousness.

6. Crows have regional dialects.

Apart from their famous caw-caw, crows emit other sounds. Each one sends out a different message; cawing can be used as a territorial warning or a way for crows to signal their location to relatives.

Two different populations of crows may have slight differences. As ornithologist John M. Marzluff and author Tony Angell noted in their 2005 book In the Company of Crows and Ravens, the calls these birds use “vary regionally, like human dialects that can vary from valley to valley.” If a crow changes its social group, the bird will try to fit in by talking like the popular kids. “When crows join a new flock,” they write, “they learn the flock’s dialect by mimicking the calls of dominant flock members.”

7. Some crows can read traffic lights.

In Japan, carrion crows (Corvus corone) use cars like oversized nutcrackers. The birds have learned to take walnuts over to road intersections, where they put them down onto the pavement. The crow then waits for a passing vehicle to smash the nut, after which it will swoop down and eat the delicious interior.

The crows aren’t usually run over because (unlike some people) they’ve figured out what traffic lights mean. Carrion crows wait until the light turns red before flying down to place the un-cracked nut on the road. The second the light goes green, the crow takes off to watch the nut get run over from afar; it will even wait for the next red to scoop up the nut’s meat. American crows have been observed doing the same thing in California.

8. Crows can recognize your face—and hold a grudge.

You don’t want a crow for an enemy. In a 2011 paper, a team from the University of Washington tested how well the birds could identify human faces using two Halloween masks (one resembling a caveman to be used as the aggressor, the other resembling Dick Cheney for the control).

At five sites, a scientist donned the caveman mask before catching and banding some wild crows. Getting trapped is never a fun experience, and upon their release, the crows loudly scolded their assailant with threatening caws. Seeing this, other birds swooped down to harass the captor. Over several years, researchers wore the masks on strolls through all five test spots. The crows—including many who’d never been captured or banded—scolded and dive-bombed the “caveman” while ignoring “Dick Cheney”.

The younger crows, who were born after the initial experiment, also scolded the “caveman.” The grudge had been passed on. Mind your manners around crows. Because if you mistreat them, they won’t forget you and neither will their friends—or the next generation.

9. New Caledonian crows make and use tools.

Lots of non-human animals, including chimpanzees and orangutans, create useful implements which help them survive in the wild. The New Caledonian crow (Corvus moneduloides) is one of only two species on the planet that can craft its own hooks in the wild. (The other is Homo sapiens.) The South Pacific crow uses the hooks, which are made from pliable twigs that the crows bend using their beaks and feet into a J-shape, to extract insects from tight crevices.

Another surprising attribute is this species’ bill. Unlike virtually all other birds, the New Caledonian crow has a bill that does not curve downwards. For years, the quirk went unexplained, but scientists now think that their unique beak evolved to help it grasp tools more easily, as well as to better see what the tool is doing.

The New Caledonian crow isn’t the only implement expert in the corvid family. In 2016, scientists at the University of St. Andrews demonstrated that the ultra-rare Hawaiian crow, or ‘Alalā (Corvus hawaiiensis), is similarly adept at using and modifying tools.

10. Crows fight off predators by ganging up on them.

Crows have to deal with a menagerie of predators, such as hawks, owls, coyotes, and raccoons. To ward them off, the corvids exploit the fact that there can be strength in numbers. Upon seeing a would-be attacker, crows are known to gather, with some groups consisting of a dozen birds or more. Individual crows then swoop down to deliver passing blows with their beaks, often inflicting serious bodily injury in the process. If all goes well, the target will back off—though it may kill a few of the dive-bombers before they retreat. Corvids are by no means the only avians that mob would-be attackers. Swallows, chickadees, and even hummingbirds have all been documented doing this. In fact, crows are sometimes at the receiving end of mob violence as smaller songbirds often feel threatened by them and lash out collectively.

11. Crows understand impulse control.

A 2014 study shows that at least some corvids can resist the urge for instant gratification—if you make it worth their while. The research was led by University of Göttingen graduate student Friederike Hillemann, whose team assembled five common ravens and seven carrion crows. Through careful note-taking, the scientists figured out what the favorite meal items of all 12 animals were. Then the experiment began.

With an outstretched hand, one of the researchers gave each of their birds a morsel of food. Then, the animals were shown a different piece of grub. The corvids were made to understand that if they liked the second option better, they could swap snacks—but only if they were willing to sit patiently for a certain period of time first. If a bird ate the original treat during that stretch, it forfeited the chance to trade it for a new one.

Hillemann’s results showed that the crows and ravens didn’t mind waiting around for an improved snack option. As such, a bird with a piece of bread was content to sit quietly if it knew that some fried pork fat would eventually be gained in the trade-off. However, if that same bird’s second choice was another piece of bread, sitting tight would be pointless. So understandably, corvids who were put in this kind of situation tended to go ahead and eat whatever they’d been given. Why wait for more of the same?

12. Some scientists would prefer you not call a group of crows a murder.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the correct term for a group of crows is a murder, an expression bird-watchers and poets have been using since at least the 15th century, which the OED speculates may allude “to the crow’s traditional association with violent death, or … to its harsh and raucous cry.” But maybe it’s time to come up with a replacement. Ornithologist Kevin McGowan hates the phrase murder of crows. To him, it only feeds the public’s negative outlook on the animals. “These birds aren’t a gang of nasty villains,” he tells Sy Montgomery in her book Birdology. “These birds are just birds.”

SOURCE: MENTALFLOSS.COM

The pharaoh hound is a medium-sized dog breed from Egypt with a long, thin build, large pointed ears, and a short, glossy coat. This breed has been used to hunt rabbits on the island of Malta for thousands of years. Some of these dogs are known to show all of their teeth in a special pharaoh hound smile, and they also have an especially unusual characteristic—they can blush when they’re excited, earning the nickname “Blushing Dog of Malta.”

Characteristics of the Pharaoh Hound

The bouncy pharaoh hound is an energetic dog breed with a playful personality, always interested in what’s going on in the household. Kids and the fun-loving pharaoh hound make great playmates, although these boisterous dogs might accidentally knock over a small child if not supervised by adults.  This sight hound (bred to hunt by sight) is used to working in packs, which means they’re especially dog-friendly and get along well with new people. Since pharaoh hounds have such a friendly temperament with humans, they’re more likely to engage a stranger in play than to guard the home front. However, they tend to bark at suspicious sounds to alert their family.  This breed has a high prey drive, so while pharaoh hounds can do well with cats when raised together, they’re likely to chase other pets like birds and small mammals.

History of the Pharaoh Hound

One of the oldest recorded dog breeds, the pharaoh hound originated in Egypt thousands of years ago. Evidence of the breed’s ancient history lives on today in beautiful works of art depicting pharaoh hounds. These sculptures and paintings found in Egyptian temples date as far back as 4400 B.C.1 

At some point in history, the pharaoh hound was brought to the Mediterranean island of Malta, possibly by the Phoenicians, where the dogs were used to hunt rabbits. The pharaoh hound has been known in Malta for more than 2,000 years, where the breed has remained virtually unchanged from its ancestors who are seen decorating Egyptian tombs. Today, the pharaoh hound is the national hound of Malta. The breed was first registered with the American Kennel Club in 1983 and is now a member of the Hound Group. 

Pharaoh Hound Care

Caring for a pharaoh hound is similar to other hound breeds, as these dogs require plenty of exercise but minimal grooming to stay happy and healthy. When it comes to training, this intelligent breed can learn new things with positive reinforcement methods but may have a stubborn streak.

Exercise

The pharaoh hound was born to run and needs appropriate outlets for this abundant energy. Provide daily running opportunities in a safely enclosed area, and include daily walks in your routine as well. Dog sports can be a great outlet for them, especially lure coursing (chasing a fake rabbit across a field). Younger dogs will need to stretch their legs more frequently (three or four times a day), but older pharaoh hounds can usually be satisfied with about 30 minutes of exercise per day.  When getting enough activity, pharaoh hounds are generally content to spend the rest of their day relaxing at home, perhaps with an impromptu play session indoors. 

Grooming

The pharaoh hound’s short, fine coat sheds very little. Truly a “wash and wear” breed, they require little brushing and infrequent bathing. A simple weekly wipe down over the body with a damp cloth is often all that is needed to keep the coat glossy. Pharaoh hounds do not typically have doggie odor, so bathe only when dirty. Clean the ears weekly with a pet-safe ear cleaner, brush the teeth daily, and trim the nails regularly.

Because the pharaoh hound’s coat is very thin, they do not tolerate cold well. It’s recommended to provide extra cold-weather care for this breed. They cannot be left outside in cold weather, and many people outfit their dogs in warm coats for winter walks. Even indoors, pharaoh hounds feel the chill of winter and the Pharaoh Hound Club of America recommends fleece jackets or even flannel pajamas when indoors in cold temperatures. These dogs also love to snuggle under a blanket with their family to keep warm. 

Training

Although highly intelligent, pharaoh hounds aren’t particularly obedient in the sense that they are independent-minded and won’t just do something because you ask. Training must be entertaining and fun. Make it a game and use positive methods with plenty of treats, toys, or playtime as rewards.  Pharaoh hounds have a high prey drive and will chase after anything they see or smell. Because of this, practice extreme caution with off-leash adventures; only allow them off leash if they have a rock-solid recall.

The Eurasian hoopoe (Upupa epops ) is the most widespread species of the genus Upupa. It is a distinctive cinnamon colored bird with black and white wings, a tall erectile crest, a broad white band across a black tail, and a long narrow downcurved bill. Its call is a soft “oop-oop-oop”. It is native to Europe, Asia and the northern half of Africa. It is migratory in the northern part of its range. It spends most of the time on the ground probing for grubs and insects. The clutch of seven to eight eggs is laid in an existing cavity. The eggs are incubated by the female and hatch asynchronously. Some ornithologists treat the African and Madagascar hoopoes as subspecies of the Eurasian hoopoe.

Appearance

The Eurasian hoopoe is a cinnamon-colored bird with black and white wings, a tall erectile crest, a broad white band across a black tail, and a long narrow down curved bill. The bird has broad and rounded wings capable of strong flight which are larger in the northern migratory subspecies. The hoopoe has a characteristic undulating flight, which is like that of a giant butterfly, caused by the wings half-closing at the end of each beat or a short sequence of beats.

Eurasian hoopoes are widespread in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and northern Sub-Saharan Africa. Most European and north Asian birds migrate to the tropics in winter. Those breeding in Europe usually migrate to the Sahel belt of sub-Saharan Africa. The African populations are sedentary all year. Eurasian hoopoes require bare or lightly vegetated ground on which to forage and vertical surfaces with cavities (such as trees, cliffs, or even walls, nestboxes, haystacks, and abandoned burrows) in which to nest. These requirements can be provided in habitats such as heathland, wooded steppes, savannas and grasslands, as well as forest glades.

Habits and Lifestyle

Eurasian hoopoes are active during the day spending most of the time on the ground probing for grubs and insects. They are solitary foragers who typically feed on the ground. More rarely they will feed in the air, where their strong and rounded wings make them fast and maneuverable, in pursuit of numerous swarming insects. More commonly their foraging style is to stride over relatively open ground and periodically pause to probe the ground with the full length of their bill. The rest of the time is typically spent sunbathing by spreading out their wings and tails low against the ground and tilting their head up; they often fold their wings and preen halfway through. They also enjoy taking dust and sand baths. The typical call of these birds is a trisyllabic ‘oop-oop-oop’. Other calls include rasping croaks, when alarmed, and hisses. Females produce a wheezy note during courtship feeding by the male.

Diet and Nutrition

Eurasian hoopoes have a carnivorous (insectivorous) diet. They eat mostly insects, although small reptiles, frogs, and plant matter such as seeds and berries are sometimes taken as well.

Mating Habits

Eurasian hoopoes are serially monogamous, meaning they form pair bonds that last for a single breeding season. They are solitary and territorial breeders. The male calls frequently to advertise his ownership of the territory. Chases and fights between rival males (and sometimes females) are common and can be brutal. Birds will try to stab rivals with their bills, and individuals may be occasionally blinded in fights. The nest of Eurasian hoopoes is usually located in a hole in a tree or wall. It has a narrow entrance and may be unlined, or various scraps may be collected. The female alone is responsible for incubating the eggs. Clutch size varies with location and can contain from 4 to 12 eggs. The incubation period lasts between 15 and 18 days, during which time the male feeds the female. The chicks hatch with a covering of downy feathers. By around day 3 to 5, feather quills emerge which will become the adult feathers. The chicks are brooded by the female for between 9 and 14 days. The female later joins the male in the task of bringing food. The young fledge in 26 to 29 days and remain with the parents for about a week more.

Fun Facts for Kids

• It is suggested that hoopoes received their name from their common ‘oop-oop-oop’ call. However, an alternative explanation of the English and scientific names is that they are derived from the French name for the birds, huppée, which means crested.
• When foraging Eurasian hoopoes beat larger prey items against the ground or a preferred stone to kill them and remove indigestible body parts such as wings and legs.
• Hoopoes have well-developed anti-predator defenses in the nest. The preen gland of the incubating and brooding female is quickly modified to produce a foul-smelling liquid, and the glands of nestlings do so as well. These secretions are rubbed into the plumage. The secretion, which smells like rotting meat, is thought to help deter predators, as well as deter parasites and possibly act as an antibacterial agent. From the age of 6 days, nestlings can also direct streams of feces at intruders and will hiss at them in a snake-like fashion. The chicks also don’t hesitate to strike with their bill or with one wing.
• Hoopoes are distinctive birds and have made a cultural impact over much of their range. They were considered sacred in Ancient Egypt, and were “depicted on the walls of tombs and temples”.
• Hoopoes were seen as a symbol of virtue in Persia, while across much of Europe these birds were thought of as thieves, and harbingers of war in Scandinavia.

SOURCE: ANIMALIA.BIO

Sawfish are cartilaginous fish that belong to the order Rhinopristiformes, a group of rays containing families that amusingly appear to have been named according to items found in a luthier’s workshop. They share their order with guitarfishes, wedgefishes and banjo rays, all of which are benthic, marine predators with flattened bodies. They are sometimes known as carpenter sharks.

Bizarrely, the sawfish is equipped with a greatly elongated rostrum studded with a lethal set of outwards-facing ‘teeth’. Sawfish are generally found in shallow waters below 10m in depth, and like to diet on fish, crustaceans and mollusks. They are also among the largest of fish species, reaching at least 7 and half meters long.

Their strange shape, enormous size and preference for shallow, inshore waters have, somewhat unsurprisingly, garnered the curiosity and admiration of humans for thousands of years. Sadly the 5 species of sawfish are classified as either criticallyendangered or endangered due to being hunted for their fins, teeth or saw, as well as habitat destruction. They are protected by law in both Australia and the USA, which means it’s illegal to catch, collect, buy or sell any part of a sawfish with heavy fines for those that break the rules.

Interesting Sawfish Facts

1. Sawfish are equipped with a versatile weapon

The famous rostrum of the sawfish is primarily used to incapacitate and capture prey. It can be swept sideways like a sword to injure or kill, and is also used to pin unfortunate fish to the sea floor so they can be eaten head-first, a feeding strategy thought to disable any defensive spines their quarry might possess.

2. Their ‘saw’ contains between 14-37 denticles on each side

The sharp ‘teeth’ are not actually teeth in a traditional sense, and are called denticles – which are highly specialized scales. It’s common for the denticle count to be different on each side, and if they lose a one, it does not grow back again.

3. The rostrum is a multi-purpose survival tool

Packed into the rostrum of every sawfish are thousands of tiny organs called electroreceptors, which are able to pick up the tiny electrical currents produced by living organisms. Using this sixth sense to help them acquire their target from up to 40 centimeters away, sawfish swipe their lethal saw through the water to strike their prey with deadly accuracy.

4. When danger threatens, sawfish aren’t afraid to fight back

Sawfish have been observed in the wild using their rostrums to fend off large predators. The teeth lining the sides of the rostrum are extremely sharp, and although sawfish are placid towards divers, people are regularly injured while attempting to catch them for profit.

5. Sawfish are rays, not sharks- but saw-sharks exist too!

Both sawfish (order Rhinopristiformes) and saw-sharks (order Pristiophoriformes) are equipped with remarkably similar toothed rostrums, and use them to locate and capture prey in very similar ways. At first glance, sawfish and saw-sharks appear to be closely related, but in reality, they are distant cousins and only share a taxonomic Class.

6. They give birth to live young

Like many chondrichthyan species, sawfish eggs develop and hatch inside the body of their mother, resulting in live birth. This reproductive strategy is called ovoviviparity, and allows sawfish to avoid leaving their developing eggs in the open where they are at risk of predation.

7. Unlike most marine fish, sawfish can adapt to varying levels of salinity

Sawfish are capable of travelling freely between oceanic, estuarine and freshwater habitats. Some sawfish species have more affinity towards fresh water than others- the large tooth sawfish spends a great deal of time in lakes and rivers, and even gives birth there.

8. Sawfish can clone themselves

Occasionally, in the absence of any male individuals, female small tooth sawfish give birth to male offspring that are genetically identical to themselves; these cloned individuals are thought to account for around 3% of the population. This process is known as facultative parthenogenesis, and is thought to be a survival tactic that allows isolated females to establish new populations.

9. Fishing nets pose a huge danger to sawfish

The shape of their rostrum, as well as the behavior of sweeping it sideways defensively or while hunting, puts sawfish at extreme risk of entanglement in fishing nets. Of particular danger are passive nets that are left unattended, and also old, discarded ‘ghost’ nets.

10. Their value to humans makes them a target for poachers

Sawfish are one of the many chondrichthyan species relentlessly hunted for shark fin soup, and their rostrum is highly valued in traditional medicine. This is a big problem for sawfish populations- their value increases as their numbers dwindle, causing a feedback loop that leads to even more poaching.

11. Sawfish have had strong cultural significance for thousands of years

Beliefs surrounding sawfish vary greatly throughout the world, but they are commonly regarded as symbols of strength, protection and natural balance. European sailors feared the sawfish; they wrongly believed them to be highly dangerous and capable of sinking ships with their fearsome saws.

SOURCE: FACTANIMAL.COM

As we salute our country this month, let’s explore 17 interesting facts about our national bird! 

From Fact Animal:

1. Bald eagles are not actually bald

Despite their name, bald eagles have white, well feathered heads. The word bald once meant ‘white-haired’ and this was the name given to the eagle. Young bald eagles often don’t have white feathers on their head either, they are mostly brown. They develop these from around 5-6 years old.

2. They form a species pair with the white-tailed eagle 

A ‘species pair’ means two species are so similar in appearance and other features that the boundaries between them are often unclear. While roughly the same size and appearance, the white-tailed eagle is thought to have a somewhat paler brown body plumage and inhabits Eurasia, rather than North America. The pair are thought to have diverged from other sea eagles.

3. They have high pitch, rather underwhelming calls

They have a high pitch giggle-scream, rather than an impressive powerful scream that might be the expectation of a bird of the size and power of the bald eagle. Their rather underwhelming call has historically been dubbed over in some TV shows to make it sound more impressive!

When in groups, they emit these surprisingly high-pitched calls to one another and it is believed these vocalizations are a form of transferal of knowledge regarding the area and abundance of prey.

4. A bald eagle’s wingspan can reach 8ft!

Eagles are generally larger in colder environments, which corresponds with Bergmann’s rule – which is that species are generally smaller closer to the equator. This means the largest bald eagles are generally found in Alaska, and can weigh as much as 7kg with wingspans of 2.4m in length.

5. Bald eagles are notorious thieves

The osprey, a much smaller fish-eating raptor, often shares the same habitat as bald eagles. There are many records of bald eagles following osprey and stealing fish they have caught, either straight from the unfortunate bird or when it lands on a nest or perch.

6. They can reach speeds of 99mph when diving

It’s not often that they dive vertically, but they are capable of reaching extremely high speeds when diving for prey!

7. Bald eagles have vision 4-5 times better than humans

Like most birds of prey, the bald eagle has excellent vision, with sharper vision, a wider field of vision and they can even see UV light. It’s thought they are able to see a tadpole move at over 100m distance. It uses this exceptional sense to locate prey while flying at speed. Bald eagles also have a see-through eyelid called a nictitating membrane, which they can close to protect and clean their eyes, but still see!

8. They can catch animals as large as Canada geese

Though they prefer fish, bald eagles will also hunt animals as large as geese which can grow up to 1m in size, and even foxes!

9. Bald eagles can swim!

Bald eagles will sometimes try to catch fish that are too large to pull out of the water. They will rarely let go of prey once they have gripped onto it. Occasionally they will not be able to pull the fish out of water and will subsequently swim to shore with their catch. They use their wings to perform a breaststroke of sorts! It’s a myth that their talons get ‘locked’, they just refuse to let go!

10. Their nests can measure over 2.5m in diameter!

Bald eagles have some of the largest nests of any North American bird, occasionally measuring over 8ft in diameter and 13ft deep. According to the Guiness World Records, the bald eagle also has the largest nest ever discovered near St Petersburg, Florida in the US in 1963. The nest measured 9 ft 6 in wide and 20 ft deep and weighed more than 4,409 lb.  The size of this eagle and nest size requirements mean that they are very particular when it comes to choosing a nest site.

By far the majority of bald eagle nests are found in large, living tall trees which have strong, thick branches to support the mass of the nest as well as the birds themselves. The nests comprise of hundreds of smaller branches and twigs, often with larger branches around the edge. They usually lay between 1 to 3 eggs with two hatchlings most often surviving up to fledgling stage. Fledged chicks leave the nest at around 10 weeks but will still be cared for by their parents for just over a month.

11. They will sometimes nest on large electricity towers or pylons

Where few nesting sites are available, bald eagles will sometimes use manmade structures as nesting sites.

12. The oldest nest on record was used for over 30 years

If well-built in an ideal tree, bald eagle nests can last for many years. One such nest lasted for 34 years before the tree in which it was built was blown down.

13. Bald eagle chicks will cling onto and move sticks within their nests

Chicks develop the muscles in their feet and legs by playing with the twigs and sticks in their nests and even playing tug of war with their siblings.

14. Immature eagles live a nomadic existence until they find a mate

Once young bald eagles have left their parents, they spend much of their time flying across large ranges, seemingly learning about the different habitats that occur in that range.

15. The bald eagle closely resembles the African fish eagle

Though they are found on different continents, both eagles bare remarkable similarities. Both occupy a similar ecological niche and have similar coloration. However the African fish eagle is somewhat smaller, is a lighter brown color and has a black tip to its beak.

16. One of the founding fathers of the USA, Benjamin Franklin, would have preferred the wild turkey as the national bird

People often wrongly believed that bald eagles were cowardly animals as well as prolific thieves of other birds. Even Benjamin Franklin thought the bald eagle was a poor choice as the national bird.

17. They are an endangered species success story!

In 1963 researchers estimated there were just 400 pairs of bald eagles in the US. Thanks to years of protection and a complete ban on the insecticide ‘DDT’, there are now more than 300,000 bald eagles in the lower 48 states, and the species is no longer endangered. 

SOURCE: FACT ANIMAL

From: SPRUCEPETS.COM:

Thanks to their fluffy, curled-back ears, American Curls are one of the most easily identifiable cat breeds today. As their coats can come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, and their hair can be either short or long, it’s the unique ears of American Curls that make them stand out among other cat breeds. Today, their backwards-curled ears are a desirable trait among breeders, but they were originally the product of a natural (and harmless) genetic mutation first identified in the United States during the 1980s.

But it’s not only their curled ears that make these cats so special. Sometimes nicknamed the “Peter Pan cat,” these felines retain kitten-like natures into adulthood, and love to play, investigate, climb, and keep a close eye on their owners. They are very affectionate and easily accept children and other pets, making them an ideal family cat.

Breed Overview

Personality: Playful, friendly, affectionate, inquisitive, and easy going

Weight: Males weigh between 7 and 10 pounds, while females weigh less than 8 pounds.

Length: 18 to 20 inches

Coat Length: Short haired or long haired

Coat Colors: Any possible feline color, including black, white, gray, brown, cream, or red

Coat Patterns: Any possible feline pattern, including solid, bi-color, tabby, tortoiseshell, tuxedo, and calico

Eye Color: Any possible feline color, including amber, aqua, blue, copper, green, gold, hazel, odd-eyed, orange, yellow

Life expectancy: Typically 10 to 18 years

Hypoallergenic: No

Origin: United States

American Curl Characteristics

American Curls are friendly, affectionate, and active cats that are often said to have a somewhat “doglike” attachment to their owners. They like to gently poke and prod their humans with their paws and will often follow their favorite family members from room to room around the house. They are exceptionally intelligent cats as well. Some have been known to figure out how to flick light switches on and off, and many learn how to open and close doors and cupboards.

They typically retain a kitten-like playfulness throughout their entire lives and love to play with toys, climb and explore furniture and cat trees, investigate anything new brought into the home, and even play fetch. However, once playtime is over, your American Curl is likely to cuddle up on your lap, give you some affectionate head bumps, and spend some time in peaceful companionship.

It’s important to note, however, that American Curls don’t like to be left alone for too long—so you might have to consider whether your schedule can accommodate several hours of attention and playtime each day.

These friendly felines aren’t too large when fully grown, although they are somewhat muscular for their small-to-medium size. They generally reach maturity by one to two years of age. American Curls aren’t especially talkative cats, tending towards quiet trills rather than loud meows. A sociable cat, most American Curls take readily to children and other pets in the home, especially if they offer extra opportunities for play and fun.

Appearance

Surprisingly, American Curls are not born with their most distinctive feature. Kittens are born with typical straight ears. However, within the first couple of days, the ears roll up into tight little buds. At around six weeks of age, the kitten’s ears slowly begin to unfurl, reaching full curvature by the time the kitten is four months old. The breed standards call for an ear curl that is between 90 and 180 degrees at full maturity.

American Curls are not especially large cats, with males being no more than 10 pounds and females less than 8 pounds as adults. They are a moderately muscled cat with a well-proportioned body. The coat can be long-haired or short-haired, but either way, there is not much undercoat, meaning these cats don’t shed as much as some other breeds. However, they are not hypoallergenic.

When it comes to color, anything goes. American Curls can be any color or coat pattern that occurs naturally in felines. That means your cat can be calico, solid black, red tabby, “tuxedo,” solid gray, tortoiseshell, or any other combination of colors and patterns. The same is true of eye color; if it occurs naturally in felines, it is acceptable in an American Curl.

The skin on an American Curl’s nose and paw pads should complement the color of its fur, but there is no one required color.

SOURCE: SPRUCEPETS.COM

Father’s Day is coming up this month, and I wanted to look at some pretty involved animal dads.

From: WILDLIFEINFORMER.COM:

In the animal kingdom, the level of parental care varies greatly from species to species. Some animals, like many egg laying (scientifically known as oviparous) animals do not invest any energy into caring for their young. Some mothers will nurse and look after their offspring for months after giving birth. And some offspring are looked after by both their mother and father! In this article we will introduce some of the best animal dads.

Producing offspring increases an animal’s fitness through passing on one’s genes. In the animal world, passing on your genes is crucial and is of the utmost importance! Most animals that produce only a few offspring at a time, like mammals, typically invest more energy into caring for their young in hopes that this will result in their young growing up to be healthy and strong.

But there are a few other types of animals that provide a great deal of care when raising young!

11 Best animal dads:

In most cases the parenting duties fall on the female, while the father goes on to mate with other females in an attempt to spread his genes as often and as widely as he can. But reproduction and parental care is a costly affair, which is why some animals take a shared approach to caring for their young.

Human dads aren’t the only great fathers, and this list proves just that!

1. Common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

The Common marmoset is a small primate native to East-Central Brazil. These monkeys form small, but tight knit family groups. Interestingly enough, Common marmoset fathers almost act as a midwife during the birth of their offspring and help to clean up the afterbirth. Following the birth, the fathers will help to feed and carry their young and help raise them up.

2. Seahorses (Hippocampus spp.)

Male Seahorses take fatherhood to the next level. While nearly all female animals are responsible for giving birth, it is actually the male Seahorses that carry and then birth their babies. Following mating, females will transfer eggs to the male where he will fertilize them and carry them until they are developed enough to be born.

3. Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)

Emperor penguins, the largest species of penguin make incredible fathers! The female only lays a single egg in a breeding season, making it extra important that the egg is well taken care of. The male will incubate the egg for the entire duration, about two months while the mother heads to the ocean to forage for food. Following hatching, the parents split their parenting duties.

4. Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)

The king of the jungle, the gorilla is an excellent father figure for young gorillas. Male gorillas tend to lead social groups of up to 30 other gorillas, however there is typically only one adult male per troop. This alpha male is in charge of protecting their troop as well as teaching the young how to socialize with other gorillas.

5. Piping plover (Charadrius melodus)

Piping plovers are small, endangered shorebirds that split their parenting duties nearly 50/50. Both parents will take turns sitting on the eggs during incubation while the other parent goes to feed. Males will even create a distraction by acting like they are injured, called a broken wing display to distract potential predators away from their nest or chicks. Male killdeer, a similar species, will also take turns sitting on the eggs and participating in helping to raise the young.

6. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Red fox fathers are both loving and strict. They will bring food to the den after the mother gives birth so that the mother can stay in the den with their kits. Once the kits get to be a bit older, the father will play and run with them. He will also stop bringing food to the den and will instead hide it nearby to teach his young how to find their own food!

7. Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)

The bond between a baby Golden lion tamarin and father is a tight one! After just a couple of weeks, the babies will be clung to their father’s backs nearly 24/7, only being passed back to their mother every few hours to nurse. One they are weaned, the father helps to find food for their babies and will even hand-feed them.

8. Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

Greater flamingos have co-parenting down to a science. Both parents are involved in building the nest by pushing up mounds in the mud. The female lays a single egg and then they both take turns incubating the egg. The father also helps to feed it’s chick with it’s crop milk, which is a nutrient-rich fluid excreted from the esophagus.

9. Pouched frog (Assa darlingtoni)

While amphibians don’t get much recognition for being good fathers, the pouched frog is the exception! These frogs, like many other animals found in Australia have a pouch that they use to carry their young in. The mother lays her eggs, and both parents will guard the eggs. Once the eggs hatch and morph into tadpoles, the father will carry them in his pouch while they continue to develop.

10. Gray wolves (Canis lupus)

Wolves are apex predators that form packs that are headed by one male that pairs up with one of the females in the pack. This male will watch over his mate and pups by standing guard outside of their den. Gray wolf fathers will also bring back food to their young and even regurgitate it for the young pups. Alpha males are very territorial and will protect their territory to ward off any other unwelcome males or potential threats.

11. Lions (Panthera leo)

While male lions have a reputation of being lazy, which can be true in some cases, they are actually quite dedicated fathers when it comes to protecting their cubs. Lions form groups called a pride that tend to only have one adult male, the alpha male and several females and his many offspring. Father lions will go to great lengths to not only protect his cubs, but the entire pride from other male lions or any threats.

SOURCE: WILDLIFEINFORMER.COM

1. Ferrets are illegal in some areas of the United States.

Before you adopt or purchase a ferret, you should check out your local laws. Pet ferrets are prohibited in California, Hawaii, and New York City. While veterinarians in these locations will still treat sick ferrets, the adoption or purchase of new ferrets is not allowed. If you live in one of these areas, it’s best to consider getting another type of pet.

2. Ferrets have a strong, musky odor, even when they’re de-scented.

Ferrets have scent glands near the base of their tails that produce a potent, musky-smelling oil. For many pet ferrets, these glands are surgically removed during the process of “de-scenting” when the animals are very young—before they are sold. Ferrets that retain these glands smell so musky that most people would never want them as pets. However, even after they are de-scented, ferrets will still retain a milder musky odor that some people find unpleasant. So, if you are sensitive to odor, and you’re considering a ferret as a pet, you might want to spend some time around one to be sure you can tolerate the smell before you bring a ferret home.

3. Ferrets love company.

Ferrets are social creatures that typically live in groups or colonies in the wild. Because they love company, pet ferrets generally look for human family members or other ferrets to hang out with. It’s much more fun to play when you have friends to play with. Consequently, many ferret owners end up owning more than one ferret. On rare occasions, two ferrets might not get along. So, if you get more than one ferret, you’ll need to supervise their interactions for several days to ensure they get along before you can safely leave them alone together. To minimize competition between ferrets, each one should have equal access to food, toys, hiding spots, and sleeping areas so that they’re less likely to fight over resources.

4. Ferrets need to run!

Ferrets love to curl up and sleep, particularly if they can find a warm place to nap, but when they’re not napping, they also love to run, jump, climb, and hide. Ferrets also love toys. Young ferrets, in particular, enjoying skittering across the floor and chasing toys. Exercise for ferrets is key, or they will overeat from boredom and become obese. So, if you’re going to own a ferret, plan on lots of out-of-cage time for them to run around.

5. Ferrets chew EVERYTHING.

Ferrets are called ferrets because they literally “ferret out” everything. They chew on, dig up, and pull out nearly every object they encounter—especially when they’re young and very curious. Objects made of foam, rubber, or cloth, including furniture and shoes, are special favorites. Ferrets notoriously steal everything they can get their mouths on and store their treasures in closets, under beds, or anywhere they can hide them. This mischievous behavior can lead to significant health problems, since foreign objects they inadvertently swallow can get stuck in their gastrointestinal (GI) tracts and cause life-threatening obstructions that require surgical treatment. So, if you decide to get a pet ferret, you’ll need to commit to ferret-proofing your home. That means picking up everything from the floor, creating a ferret-proofed area that’s free of tempting things to chew on, and supervising your new pet whenever he or she is out of the cage.

6. Ferrets eat meat.

Wild ferrets are carnivores that hunt for and consume rodents and rabbits. Their GI tracts have evolved to digest animal protein and not vegetable matter. While a pet ferret should also be eating meat, their intestinal tract is not adapted to consuming raw meat in the same way as their wild counterparts. In fact, pet ferrets can develop severe intestinal infection with toxic bacteria such as Salmonella. Pet ferrets should be fed commercially formulated, high-protein/moderate-fat/low-carbohydrate diets that contain all the nutrients that ferrets require. These diets have also been prepared to eliminate potentially harmful bacteria. Several kibble diets are available for pet ferrets, and they generally love them. Before diets were developed specifically for ferrets, many people fed their pet ferrets cat food. In general, it’s preferable to use commercially available ferret food over cat food because ferret-specific diets meet the nutritional needs of ferrets more closely.

7. Ferrets need annual veterinary checkups.

Ferrets can live to be 6-9 years old or more, so it’s important to provide consistent, preventative veterinary care. They should see their veterinarian annually and then semi-annually as they age. By examining ferrets every year, veterinarians may diagnose and treat conditions earlier and may help ferrets live longer, happier lives. After 3 years of age, ferrets also should have annual blood tests to help ensure that their blood sugar levels and kidney and liver functions are normal. After 5 years of age, ferrets should be checked every six months, since by this age, they have often developed more than one of the conditions they commonly encounter as they age. 

8. Ferrets often develop certain diseases as they age.

Ferrets sold in pet stores in the United States are typically from one of two very large breeding facilities, and consequently, they are extremely inbred. Inbreeding, unfortunately, increases the chances for developing certain diseases, including adrenal gland tumors and pancreatic tumors called insulinomas. These illnesses can occur in ferrets as young as a year of age. Older ferrets commonly develop heart disease and other types of cancer. If you’re planning on getting a ferret, you should expect that at some point, your ferret will develop one or more of these conditions and will require veterinary treatment.

9. Ferrets need shots.

Ferrets can contract and pass on rabies. Therefore, in many of the states in which they are legal as pets, ferrets are required by law to be vaccinated for rabies at 4-5 months of age and then annually after that. Ferrets are also very susceptible to the deadly canine distemper virus that commonly affects dogs, but it’s preventable through vaccination. There is a ferret-specific distemper virus vaccine that should be administered initially in a series of three shots (three weeks apart), starting at 2 months of age, and then annually after that. Very rarely, ferrets can develop diarrhea, vomiting, or collapse after receiving either the rabies or distemper vaccine. For this reason, ferrets that receive vaccines should wait at the veterinary hospital for 15 minutes after receiving their shots to ensure they’re not having a reaction. Ferrets that suffer from vaccine reactions should not be revaccinated in the future if their reaction is severe. Even if pet ferrets are kept indoors, they should receive annual booster vaccines against both rabies and distemper viruses for life. This is because their owners can track distemper virus inside their homes on their shoes, and pet ferrets might also have contact with wildlife, like bats, which can carry the deadly rabies virus.

10. Ferrets need flea and heartworm disease preventative.

Just like cats and dogs, ferrets are susceptible to flea infestation and deadly heartworm infection. This is true even for ferrets kept indoors, as fleas can come in from outside, especially if there are dogs and cats in the home. Mosquitos can also make their way indoors and transmit heartworm disease to indoor ferrets. Ferret-savvy veterinarians can prescribe flea and heartworm preventatives that are safe for use in ferrets, as not all flea and heartworm products are appropriate for ferrets.

11. Ferrets get hairballs.

Ferrets shed a lot of hair, particularly when the weather gets warm, and like cats, they may ingest this hair as they lick and groom themselves. This means that—like cats—ferrets can produce hairballs too. If they ingest a large amount of hair, it can stick together in their intestines and cause a potentially life-threatening obstruction. Ferrets with adrenal gland tumors commonly lose lots of hair as a result of hormones secreted by their tumors, and this often predisposes them to hairball development. To help prevent hairballs from forming, ferrets should be brushed at least once a week with a narrow-toothed hair comb meant for brushing either a ferret or a cat. If a ferret is shedding excessively, hairball laxatives made for either ferrets or cats can help hair pass through the GI tract more easily. These can be given by mouth once or twice a week. Talk with your veterinarian to find out more if you are worried about hairballs in your ferret.

SOURCE: PETMD.COM