Today I present Reason #5 on why I don’t go in the water: Things like THIS live there!

The Japanese spider crab is a giant crustacean that can grow up to 12.5 feet that is most commonly found on the Pacific side of Japan. At first glance, they look like ancient monsters that have crawled straight out of a sci-fi movie. However, in the marine community, they are known to be gentle giants. Understandably, their names are inspired by their resemblance to a well-known arachnid – spiders.

As a species of marine crab, these crabs are often found inhabiting holes and pits on the ocean floor between 160 – 2,000 feet in depth. Living at such deep depths and covered in a thorny protective exoskeleton, with 10 giant legs – these animals have few natural predators. They are omnivorous, and they diet on dead and decaying animals and plant matter on the sea bed. They may at times also eat live fish that come their way.

It has the largest leg-span out of all arthropods

They can have leg-spans wider than two full grown men. These long legs are covered in small spikes which are also known as tubercles.

The Japanese spider crab legs can grow up to 12 feet! in length. The largest ever caught was named ‘Crabzilla’, which was over 12 feet across and caught in the Pacific Ocean in 2019. It was exhibited at the Scheveningen Sea Life center in The Hague, Netherlands before moving to Paris.

Males are typically bigger and armed with larger claws

Males have larger claws, called chelipeds, to fend off predators and opposing crabs.  Females tend to have wider and rounder bodies to house their eggs.

They are scavengers

Japanese spider crabs are scavengers and often do not actively hunt for prey. They prefer to scour the ocean floor for dead animals or plants.

In Japan, they are considered to be a culinary delicacy

The savory meat contained in the long legs of Japanese spider crabs are enjoyed by many in Japan. During breeding season, fishing is prohibited so that an adequate number of crabs can be maintained in the ecosystem.

Japanese spider crabs like to dress up

This species belongs to a group of crabs termed “decorator crabs” which have been observed decorating their shells with sponges, plants, and anemones.  This ornamentation allows them to camouflage and blend in with their environment, protecting them from predators and other threats.

Their legs can regenerate

Due to their length and spiny attachments, the legs of Japanese spider crabs may get torn off when caught in fishing nets or by predators. These limbs can regrow when the crab goes through a molting cycle.

They can lay up to 1.5m eggs at a time!

However, only a few survive to hatch. Those that do survive hatch approximately 10 days after and are approximately 0.03 inches in size.

They go through a larval stage

Japanese spider crabs go through a larval stage after hatching and before maturing into adults. In this phase, they do not appear structurally similar to adults. They are transparent and legless.

There is a limit as to how large their bodies can grow

The carapace, or hard upper shell, of Japanese spider crabs cap at a particular size once it reaches adulthood. Their legs, however, keep on growing and elongating.

They molt to grow

Like other crustaceans, Japanese spider crabs shed their exoskeletons—through a process called molting—as they grow. Enzymes and physical force help the crab separate from its shell. Immediately following, the soft vulnerable bodies of the crab are exposed and require about a week’s time to harden up again.

Females have “aprons”

Female Japanese crab abdomens have also been termed “aprons”. This area is where she carries her fertilized eggs. Fertilization is internal. Males insert a sperm packet into the female while their abdomens are in close proximity.

They mate and spawn in shallower waters

While adults tend to live at deeper depths (as low as 2,000 feet), Japanese spider crabs will migrate to shallower waters during their mating season which is normally between January and April.

They are gentle giants

Despite their intimidating and spiky appearance, these crabs are quite calm and slow in nature. They do not hunt and spend the majority of their time crawling around, searching for their next meal.

Their Japanese name translates to “long-legged crab”

The Japanese name for this species of crab is ‘taka-ashi-gani’, which translates into “long-legged crab”.

It may have the longest live span among crabs

Commonly known crabs—such as Dungeness crabs, king crabs, and snow crabs—live for several decades (between 10 to 30 years). Japanese spider crabs have been proposed to possess the longest lifespan of any crab—surviving for up to 100 years.

SOURCE: Fact Animal

Victoria amazonica, or the giant water lily, is one of the largest water lilies in the family. The huge white to pink blooms on the lily pads, which may be up to 8 feet wide, are extremely fragrant and have a sweet, pineapple-like aroma on the first day of their two-day life cycle. 

The blooms only bloom for a few days, opening at night on the first day. At this stage, the flower petals are white, and beetles are drawn to the bloom’s color and aroma. The flower stops emitting the smell around dusk, and it closes, keeping the beetles inside.

Victoria amazonica: Features

Leaves

It has spherical, upward-facing leaves. The leaf floats on the water’s surface, and it is supported by a ribbed underside that is attached to a stalk that is submerged. The stalks, which may grow to a maximum length of 26 feet, naturally bury themselves in the lake or river bottom. This plant may grow up to 20 inches per day and has a high rate of growth. The bottom is shielded from herbivorous fish by the sharp spines, while the upper surface is water-repellent. On the underside, air gets caught between the ribs, keeping it aloft.

Pollination

When a flower opens for the first time at night, the plant uses its perfume to draw beetles, which then pollinate the blossom. The following day, the flower will close, trapping the insects. Then, the second day’s blossoms will have opened up enough for the beetle to escape during the evening. As it passes through the stamens, it becomes pollen-covered. The pollen from the previous flower will then be transferred by these beetles to a newly opened water lily in order to cross-pollinate it.

Victoria amazonica: How to grow? 

In pots submerged in water that is constantly warmer than 80 degrees, seed can be started indoors. When the water has warmed to at least 70 degrees in the late spring, outdoor planting can be done. Container-grown plants are dropped into the calm waters in their containers. The containers can be taken out and stored in a greenhouse in regions with milder winters in preparation for the following outdoor season.

Victoria amazonica: Care

Light

Victoria Amazonica likes sunlight and grows leaves on the surface of the water. Basically, Victoria amazonica grows quickly and steadily in full sunlight, maintaining a relatively perfect body shape.

Temperature

Victoria amazonica is a tropical South American plant with low cold tolerance. Victoria amazonica stops growing when the temperature falls below 20°C, so pay close attention to the atmospheric temperature and water temperature of Victoria Amazonica. When the temperature falls below 8°C, Victoria Amazonica will perish. As a result, it is only suitable for conservation in tropical areas, as conservation costs in other places are prohibitively expensive.

Fertilization

Despite the fact that Victoria Amazonica can thrive in the water without fertilizer. You’ll still need to apply manure or cake fertilizer in order for the leaves to grow beautifully and large.

Source: Housing.com

The sweet floral scent of honeysuckle in the air is a sure tell that summer has arrived. The honeysuckle family (Lonicera spp.) includes 180 species of low-maintenance deciduous and evergreen shrubs or climbers with twining stems. Many have naturalized in the United States and some are native to specific regions of the country. If you plan to include this old time favorite in your landscape, be sure to do your homework. Other species of honeysuckle are highly invasive and prohibited in parts of the country. Check with your local cooperative extension to make sure the variety you choose can be planted in your region. The tubular or two-lipped showy honeysuckle flowers are easy for bees and hummingbirds to slip into. After the yellow, red, pink, purple, or white blooms fade, you’ll find lot of juicy berries in the fall. Depending on the variety, honeysuckle grows hardy in USDA zones 4 through 10.

Common honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is also called European honeysuckle or woodbine. Native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia, it has naturalized in some areas of North America such as Nova Scotia, Ontario, New England and the Pacific Northwest. It is a deciduous shrub with a vine-like habit, growing 10 feet tall and occasionally to 20 feet tall. Leaves are ovate to obovate, about two inches long, appearing on the stems in pairs. Leaves are dark green above and blue-green underneath. Two shades of green appear in the center of the leaf, which has creamy white edges. New leaves emerge in spring and mature as smooth leaves by summer, becoming hot pink in autumn. Buds are pink. Colorful flowers open with ivory interiors and purple exteriors. Two-lipped flowers, each two inches long, bloom steadily in summer and more sporadically in autumn to frost, in three to five whorled terminal spikes that give way to glossy, red berries. Honeysuckle also has strong nocturnally scented flowers attracting large pollinating hawk moths that roam dense bushy and woodland areas.

Common Honeysuckle Care

Tie young vining honeysuckle to a vertical stake to support its growth. Establish the stake before planting to avoid disturbing the soil or roots.

Warning

If you plan to include common honeysuckle in your landscape, be sure to do your homework. Other species of honeysuckle are highly invasive and prohibited in parts of the country. Check with your local extension office to make sure the variety you choose can be planted in your region.

Light

Common honeysuckle prefers dappled sunlight, but it will grow in full sun to part shade. Give the plant a similar environment to its native habitat of scrub and woods. If possible, shade the roots and let the plant climb towards the sun.

Soil

Give common honeysuckle any fertile, rich, well-drained soil.

Water

Water newly planted honeysuckle consistently. Keep the soil evenly moist until the plant shows signs of vigorous growth. Once established, it is quite drought tolerant. Water only if summer droughts last two weeks or more, offering at least one inch of water per week. Adding about two inches of organic mulch around the plant’s base will prevent water from evaporating.

Temperature and Humidity

Honeysuckles usually thrive best in cooler regions with cooler summer climates. Place in part afternoon shade where summers are especially hot.

Fertilizer

If planted in fertile soil, the honeysuckle will grow vigorously without any added fertilizer. If needed, encourage blooming by applying a low-nitrogen fertilizer in spring such as 2-10-10, 0-10-10 or 15-25-10. Too much nitrogen will encourage more growth in the leaves and not enough in the flowers. Such “flushes of foliage growth” could make the plant more susceptible to pests.

Pruning

Once established, most honeysuckle plants will grow vigorously. Prune your common honeysuckle as you would any shrub or vine, removing dead or damaged twigs and branches throughout the season but save any hard pruning for after bloom. Early-blooming vining varieties that bloom on last year’s growth, like common honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), benefit from being cut back by one-third after the blooming period is over. If the vine gets out of control, cut it two feet above the ground.

Other Varieties

• Early Dutch Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum ‘Belgica’ ) plants bear streaked, raspberry red flowers.
• A popular woodbine (Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’) produces flowers that are dark red on the outside and yellow and white inside.
• Berries Jubilee (Lonicera periclymenum ‘Monul’) have yellow flowers, giving fruit to bright red berries.

Propagating Common Honeysuckle

Semi-ripe cuttings can be taken for propagation in summer. Put the cuttings in a well-draining soil and wait for them to take root.

Common Pests and Diseases

While there are rarely any serious insect or disease issues, watch for honeysuckle aphids and scale. Leaf roller, dieback, and blights may also arise. Growing honeysuckle in regions with hot and humid summers could result in powdery mildew and leaf spots, which is why it’s best to grow honeysuckle in cooler regions where it will thrive.

SOURCE: The Spruce

Starfish are beautiful marine animals found in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. As of the moment, there are no starfish species that are endangered. Though that definitely sounds like good news, according to the reports, starfish’s numbers are rapidly declining. So, let’s get to know more about them in these starfish facts and how we can protect them.

Starfish are also known as sea stars.

Starfish do have a brain.

They do not have blood or a heart.

Instead of blood, they have a water vascular system. That system pumps seawater through the tube feet and throughout the starfish’s body.

Starfish use filtered seawater to pump nutrients through their nervous system.

Starfish is not a fish.

According to experts, starfish don’t fall in the classification of fish thus, they prefer to call it “sea stars.” Although they lived underwater, they do not have fins, gills, or scales like fish do. Also, the starfish move differently from fish, they have very small tube feet to support them move along.

Starfish or sea star is an echinoderm.

Starfish are classified as echinoderms which are exclusively marine animals. An echinoderm is a marine invertebrate (an organism that doesn’t have a backbone) that has spiny skin.

Corals and clams are the primary food of starfish.

In general, starfish feed on coral, clams, sand dollars, oysters, mussels, algae, and sponges. Furthermore, other species of starfish also eat injured fishes in the ocean if there is a given opportunity. In other words, they are also carnivores.

Starfish eat in a very unique way.

A starfish has its mouth at the center of its lower surface. It uses its feet, which have suction cups on the bottom, to help it hold on to its meal. When it is feeding on a clam or an oyster, for instance, it uses its feet to open it up. Once it is opened, the starfish’s stomach goes out of its mouth and pushes itself inside of the mussel shell or clam.

Starfish can reproduce both sexually and asexually.

Starfish also have a unique life cycle and they can reproduce both sexually and asexually (a type of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes).

Starfish’s fertilization happens in the water.

In sexual reproduction of the starfish, fertilization happens in the water with females and males releasing sperm and eggs into the environment or much known as “free spawning.” The sperm and egg will float until they meet up and fertilize accordingly. Furthermore, asexual reproduction in starfish takes place by fission or through autotomy of arms.

Starfish can regenerate their damaged parts.

Most species of starfish have the ability to regenerate their damaged parts including the regeneration of lost arms. Hence, they can “sacrifice” their arms as a defense mechanism.

They can live up to 35 years.

The average life span of a starfish or sea stars is 35 years. Although in general, the bigger starfish species tend to live longer compared to their smaller counterparts.

Starfish can live in a saltwater aquarium.

Starfish pet owners should know that they are grazers and eat food that has fallen to the bottom of the aquarium or fish tank. Most species like a meaty diet such as clams or mussels since it’s their natural food. Above all, starfish should be kept in the saltwater aquarium along with the proper tank maintenance.

There are square starfish.

One of the most uncommon species of starfish is the square starfish which was discovered in Mathesons Bay, New Zealand, mesmerizing its visitors, as well as marine biologists.

Starfish can feel pain.

Although starfish don’t have blood, heart, and brain, in contrast to the belief of many, starfish can feel pain or get hurt because they have a complex nervous system.

Starfish are generally edible.

There are different opinions about the taste of starfish. Some people argue that it tastes like river crabs or sea urchins, while others say that it tastes nothing. Starfish delicacies are served in sometimes in sushi restaurants or even just in the streets like in Bejing, China.

Starfish or sea stars have eyes.

Though it is not obvious, they do have eyes. Starfish have eyes on the tip of their arms. Each of their arms has an eye that looks like a red spot. These eyes cannot see full details but can sense dark and light which is suitable in their environment.

Starfish have a protective shield.

Commonly, a starfish has a hard covering that may feel leathery and sometimes thorny depending on the species. The composition of starfish or sea stars’ skin is a calcium carbonate plate with little spikes. This serves as their protection from predators such as sea otters, birds, and fish.

Some species can survive out of the water for about 28 hours.

Although there are times that we can see starfish on the shore or attached to rocks and pilings during low tide, they can’t stay out of the water for a long period. Most species of starfish can go out of the water for a short period without harm and the larger species of them can survive out of the water for about 28 hours.

Pink starfish is one of the largest starfish.

The pink starfish, also known as short-spined sea stars or giant pink sea stars are species in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. William Stimson introduced it to science in 1857. The pink starfish are big with five thick arms. Its typical size is 13 inches in diameter. However, some could grow up to 35 inches in diameter and can weigh up to 4 kilograms. The color of it is usually pink but sometimes with grayish shadings.

Royal Starfish live around 70 to 100 feet deep in the ocean.

The Royal Starfish is a brightly colored species of starfish. This species is found along the east coast of North America, mainly in the southeast. Normally, Royal Starfish live around 70 to 100 feet deep in the ocean but they can go deeper more than 600 feet and feasts on mollusks (soft-bodied invertebrates of the phylum Mollusca). In contrast to other species of starfish, the royal starfish eats its prey whole.

Bat Starfish got its name from its webbed arms.

This species of starfish has many names such as bat sea star, webbed star, sea bat, or broad-disk star. This interesting starfish got its name because of its similar look with bat wings where the arms have webbing in between. Normally, the bat starfish have five up to nine arms. Its color ranges from orange to purple to green. You can find this species along the West Coast of North America, from Baja to Alaska.

Nine-Armed starfish is the only species to have a name after its nine arms.

Although it may not be the only starfish to have nine arms, it earned its name. This species in the West Atlantic Ocean is a scavenger and feeds on small shellfish, mollusks, and sea worms. The nine-armed starfish swallows most of their prey whole using its stomach.

The largest starfish is the sunflower starfish or sunflower sea stars.

These huge species in the Northeast Pacific Ocean have arms that can reach a length of 1 meter. They have 16 to 24 arms with powerful suckers. The sunflower starfish have a wide variety of colors such as bright orange, yellow, red to brown, and sometimes to purple. They mostly feed on snails, sea urchins, clams, and other small invertebrates.

SOURCE: Facts.net

Alexandrite is one of those gemstones that everyone would love to own, but few people do because it’s so rare and expensive. If you inherited a large alexandrite stone, get it tested because it may be a synthetic stone.

What Is Alexandrite?

Alexandrite is part of the chrysoberyl family along with chrysoberyl, also known as cat’s-eye.

Alexandrite appears bluish-green in sunlight and reddish-purple under artificial light like a light bulb.

The color-change quality in alexandrite is due to trace amounts of chromium. Chromium is also the trace element that makes beryl emerald’s green.

When Was Alexandrite Discovered?

French mineralist Nils Gustaf Nordenskiöld discovered alexandrite in the Ural Mountains of Russia in 1834. However, some accounts suggest the stone was found as early as the late 1700s.

When Nordenskiöld first found alexandrite in Russia, he thought the stone was an emerald.

The gem was named after Russian Czar, Alexander II, who was assassinated in 1881.

Even though this gemstone doesn’t have a very long history, it has been strongly associated with good fortune and is said to enhance creativity and focus.

The mines in the Ural region of Russia no longer produce large amounts of gem-quality alexandrite.

Alexandrite is now mined in parts of Africa, Brazil, and Sri Lanka although the gem is still extremely rare and valuable.

Most large scale alexandrite gemstones are found in antique Russian period pieces from the Victorian era. Victorian jewelry from England also featured alexandrite gemstones, but they were usually much smaller.

How Rare Is Alexandrite?

Natural alexandrite is rarer than diamonds and more costly than emerald, ruby, and sapphire.

Any alexandrite more than three carats is highly uncommon. Smaller stones are more readily available to commercial jewelers.

Top-quality natural Alexandrite can cost more than $30,000 per carat.

Pricing of Alexandrite is based primarily on the strength of the color change and the purity of the hue.

Unlike many other gemstones, natural alexandrite is often left untreated.

Not only does alexandrite change colors, but in extremely rare cases it can also exhibit chatoyancy or the cat’s-eye effect. This is when a white line shines down the center of the gemstone and moves around as the stone moves under a light source.

Because of the intense color change in alexandrite, color-changing abilities in other gemstones have become known as the alexandrite effect.

What Is Synthetic Alexandrite?

Due to the gemstone’s rarity, many types of imitations and synthetics have been on the market since the early 1900s. Fake alexandrite from the 1920s was made out of the mineral corundum (sapphire and ruby) and then laced with chromium or vanadium to create the color-change effect.

Synthetic alexandrite composed of chrysoberyl has been around since the 1960s. It is a very costly process, so this type of synthetic alexandrite is still very expensive.

Famous Alexandrite

The Smithsonian has the largest known faceted 66-carat alexandrite on display in their museum.

The largest uncut gem-quality alexandrite specimen ever found is the Sauer Alexandrite that weighs 122,5400 carats and was found in Bahia, Brazil, in 1967.

The Best:

Penguins

Male Emperor penguins are among the best fathers. When the female penguin lays her egg, she leaves it in the care of dad while she goes in search of food. Male penguins keep the egg safe from the icy cold elements of the Antarctic biome by keeping them nestled between their feet and covered with their brood pouch (feathery skin). The males may have to care for the eggs without eating themselves for as long as two months. Should the egg hatch before the female returns, the male feeds the chick and continues to protect it until mom returns.

Seahorses

Male seahorses take fatherhood to a whole new level. They actually birth their young. Males have a pouch on the side of their bodies in which they fertilize eggs deposited by their female mate. A female seahorse can deposit thousands of eggs in the male’s pouch. The male seahorse creates a favorable environment within the pouch that is optimal for the proper development of the eggs. Dad cares for the babies until they are fully formed, which can take as long as 45 days. The male then releases the tiny babies from his pouch into the surrounding aquatic environment.

Frogs and Toads

Most male frogs and toads play a vital role in the development of their young. Male phantasmal poison-dart frogs guard the eggs laid by females after mating. As the eggs hatch, the resulting tadpoles will use their mouths to climb onto their dad’s back. The male frog gives the tadpoles a “piggy-back” ride to a nearby pond where they can continue to mature and develop. In other species of frog, the male will protect the tadpoles by keeping them in their mouths. Male midwife toads care for and protect the string of eggs laid by the females by wrapping them around their hind legs. The males care for the eggs for a month or longer until they can find a safe body of water in which to deposit the eggs.

Water Bugs

Male giant water bugs ensure the safety of their young by carrying them on their backs. After mating with a female, the female lays her eggs (up to 150) on the back of the male. The eggs remain tightly attached to the male until they are ready to hatch. The male giant water bug carries the eggs on his back to ensure that they are kept safe from predators, mold, parasites, and to keep them aerated. Even after the eggs hatch, the male continues to care for his young for as long as two years.

And the WORST:

Grizzly Bears

much of their time alone in the forest, except when it is time for mating. Female grizzly bears tend to mate with more than one male during mating season and cubs from the same litter sometimes have different fathers. After mating season, the male continues his solitary life and leaves the female with the responsibility of raising any future cubs. In addition to being an absentee dad, male grizzlies will sometimes kill and eat cubs, even their own. Therefore, mother grizzlies become fiercely protective of their cubs when a male is near and tend to avoid males altogether when caring for young.

Assassin Bugs

Male assassin bugs actually protect their young after mating. They guard the eggs until they hatch. In the process of guarding the eggs however, the male will eat some of the eggs around the perimeter of the egg grouping. This action is considered a defense mechanism that protects the eggs in the center of the brood from parasites. It also provides the male with nutrients as he must forgo finding food while guarding the eggs. The male assassin bug abandons his young once hatched. The young assassin bugs are left to fend for themselves as female assassin bugs die soon after laying their eggs.

Sand Goby Fish

Male sand goby fish construct nests on the seabed to attract mates. After mating, they carefully tend to the eggs and hatchings when females are around. The males keep the nest clean and fan the eggs with their fins to ensure the young have a better chance of survival. These animal fathers however, have a tendency to eat some of the eggs in their care. Eating the larger eggs shortens the time that the males must guard their young as the larger eggs take more time to hatch than smaller ones. Some males behave even worse when females are not around. They leave their nests unattended and some even devour all of the eggs.

Lions

Male lions fiercely protect their pride from dangers on the savanna, such as hyenas and other male lions. They do not however, participate much in the rearing of their cubs. They spend most of their time sleeping while the female lions hunt and teach the cubs skills needed for survival. Male lions typically hog the food and the females and cubs can go hungry in times when prey is scarce. While male lions don’t typically kill their own cubs, the have been known to kill cubs from other males when they take over a new pride.

Source: Thought Co.

Happy Father’s Day to all our fathers out there!

Many have wondered about exact nature of Donald Trump’s hair. Is it the world’s worst toupee? A poorly-executed elaborate comb-over? A weird, incredibly expensive weave? The world may never know. But I prefer to think it’s inspired by nature—not another human’s lovely locks, of course, but those of this animal, which some have taken to calling the Donald Trump Caterpillar or simply the Trumpapillar.

Prior to this election season, the animal was known as the Flannel Moth Caterpillar or the Asp Caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis). As an adult, the Trumpapillar is equally fur-tastic:

But while the adult is a plush hybrid between moth and cat, the young caterpillar’s golden hairs are not just fluff. The Donald Trump Caterpillar isn’t just a surprisingly-accurate mimic of The Donald’s hair—it’s even more venomous than its namesake. The lovely waves of dandelion “fur” which so perfectly emulate the Republican candidate’s locks are actually dangerous spines capable of delivering potent toxins.

According to the scientific literature, contact with the fine hairs—what scientists call ‘setae’—is an awful experience. “Intense, throbbing pain develops immediately or within five minutes of contact with the caterpillar,” explains David Eagleman in Clinical Toxicology. And we’re not talking a little boo-boo—as Eric Hossler explains in an article in Dermatologic Therapy, some patients liken the amount of pain to “a broken bone, kidney stones, or being hit with a hammer or baseball bat.” A characteristic grid of blood-colored spots mark the site of the sting for about a day afterwards. And pain isn’t the only symptom—Eagleman writes that responses to stings “can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, intense abdominal distress, lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis, and sometimes shock or respiratory stress.”Impressive, for a wiggling wig.In fact, the animal is so venomous that there are creatures—other than The Donald—which attempt to mimic its look, as Joe Hanson explains:While these photos were taken in the Amazon, this furry monster isn’t just found south of the border; its range extends through Texas all the way up to Maryland and down through Florida. Many Americans have Trumpy toupees crawling around their backyards and don’t even know it! So if you live in the south, keep an eye out—you’ll regret rubbing elbows with the Trumpapillar even more than these Apprentice contestants do with its namesake. SOURCE: Discover  By Christie Wilcox Oct 6, 2016

Pearl Education

Pearls, natural or cultured, are formed when a mollusk produces layers of nacre (pronounced NAY-kur) around some type of irritant inside its shell. In natural pearls, the irritant may be another organism from the water. In cultured pearls, a mother-of-pearl bead or a piece of tissue is inserted (by man) into the mollusk to start the process.

For both, the quality of the nacre dictates the quality of the luster, or shine of the pearl, which is very important to its beauty and its value. The surface of the pearl should be smooth and free of marks while the overall shape could be round, oval, pear-shaped, or even misshapen. Misshapen pearls are called baroque pearls.

While shopping for pearls, there are various lengths available:

• A collar fits directly against the throat
• A choker rests at the base of the neck
• The princess length reaches near the collarbone
• A matinee length is usually 20-24 inches
• The Opera length is 30-36 inches
• The longest length, known as a rope, refers to all strands longer than 36 inches

Necklaces can also be classified as uniform (where all pearls are about the same size) or graduated (pearls change uniformly from ends to center).

Natural Pearls

Natural pearls are extremely rare. Historically, many were found in the Persian Gulf; unfortunately, today, most have already been harvested. You may be able to purchase small, natural pearls, but they will be costly.

Cultured Pearls

Cultured pearls are grown in pearl farms. The mollusks are raised until they are old enough to accept the mother-of-pearl bead nucleus. Through a delicate surgical procedure, the technician implants the bead and then the mollusks are returned to the water and cared for while the pearl forms.

Not all produce a pearl; and not all the pearls are high quality. Over 10,000 pearls may be sorted before a 16” single strand of beautifully matched pearls is assembled.

Pearls can be found in saltwater and in freshwater. There are also different types of mollusks that produce very different looking pearls.

Saltwater Pearls

Saltwater pearls include the akoya cultured pearls grown in Japanese and Chinese waters. They range in size from 2mm (tiny) to 10mm (rare) and are usually white or cream in color and round in shape.

Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines produce the South Sea pearl – the largest of all the pearls. They range in size from 9mm to 20mm and can be naturally white, cream, or golden in color.

Tahitian pearls are interestingly not exclusively from Tahiti – they’re grown in several of the islands of French Polynesia, including Tahiti. Their typical sizes range from 8mm to 16mm. These naturally colored pearls are collectively called black pearls, but their colors include gray, blue, green, and purple.

Freshwater Pearls

These pearls are grown in freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds, predominately in China. Although many are white and resemble the akoya cultured pearls in shape and size, they can also be produced in various shapes and in an array of pastel colors.

Many freshwater pearls don’t have a bead nucleus — only a piece of tissue — resulting in a pearl with thicker nacre than the akoya.

Imitation Pearls

Imitation pearls are usually a coated glass bead. Most have a high luster, but not the depth of luster seen on high quality cultured pearls.

It’s possible to separate an imitation from a cultured or natural pearl. It can be a challenge, though, to determine if the pearl is cultured or natural. And, many pearls undergo treatments to either enhance their luster or alter their color.

Since this treatment affects their value, you will want to obtain the educated advice of a top jeweler, such as the certified gemologists of the American Gem Society.

Natural pearls are extremely rare. Historically, many were found in the Persian Gulf; unfortunately, today, most have already been harvested. You may be able to purchase small, natural pearls, but they will be costly.

Source: American Gem Society

The red panda is known as the “first panda” because it was so named nearly 50 years before the giant panda.

Even though the red panda is classified as a carnivore, its diet is almost exclusively bamboo.

Englishman Major-General Thomas Hardwicke was most likely the first to describe the red panda, but he did not publish his work for several years. In the meantime, Frédéric Cuvier did not wait as long and published the first written description of the red panda in 1825.

Red pandas, like giant pandas, live in Asia’s high forests and are bamboo eaters. However, despite these similarities, red pandas and giant pandas are not related.

Both red pandas and giant pandas have a pseudo-thumb, which is a modified wrist bone_.

The name “Firefox” is the red panda’s nickname

The Mozilla Firefox logo is not a fox; it’s actually a red panda. One of the red panda’s nicknames is the red fox.

Red pandas are the only living member of the family Ailuridae.

The red panda is not actually a panda. It’s believed that its name is derived from the Nepalese words “nigalya ponya,” meaning “bamboo eater.”

A red panda eats approximately 200 bamboo shoots and leaves per day, which is about 20 to 30% of their body weight.

Though listed as endangered, the red panda is poached regularly for its pelt and beautiful tail, which is often used on hats for wedding ceremonies in the Yunnan province of China.

A red panda is also known as the lesser panda, the red bear cat, and the red cat bear.

A red panda is a bit larger than a domestic/house cat.

The red panda is the only known non-primate mammal to show a preference for the artificial sweetener aspartame.

Is the red panda a bear? A type of raccoon? Throughout the years, scientists have placed the adorable animal in either the racoon or bear family. They now classify it as the only surviving member of the family Ailuridae.

Scientists estimate that the red panda population will decline by over 10% in the next three generations.

There are fewer than 10,000 mature red pandas left in the world, and only 2,500 left in the wild. Additionally, despite being listed as endangered, their population continues to decline due to habitat loss, poaching, and problems associated with inbreeding.

The scientific name for the red panda is Ailurus fulgens, which means “red shining cat.”

The red panda is also known as the lesser panda, firefox, and red cat-bear.

The red panda is found in five countries: Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, and China.

Because red panda cubs are very small (3.5 ounces) when they are born, their survival rate is as low as 50%.

Due to their low-calorie diet, red pandas do little more than eat and sleep.

The red panda is considered to be a living fossil.

Red pandas are more closely related to skunks, weasels, and raccoons than they are to giant pandas.

The first known written record of the red panda is found in a 13th-century Zhou (Chou) dynasty scroll. They weren’t known to Europeans until six centuries later.

The red panda was almost named “wha” because it has a loud cry or call that sounds like the word “wha.”

According to one scientist, the red panda is the most beautiful mammal on earth.

Frédéric Cuvier, who published the first Western scientific description of the red panda in 1825, called it “quite the most handsome mammal in existence.”

A red panda named Babu escaped a nature reserve in England and spent four days on the lam. His escapades turned him into a media sensation before his recapture.

A red panda cub weighs just about 3.5 ounces at birth and easily fits in the cupped palm of a hand.

Scientists see red pandas as a critical indicator species for the health of the Himalayan ecosystem.

The character Master Shifu in the movie Kung Fu Panda is a red panda.

Red pandas have escaped from zoos in London, Birmingham, Rotterdam, and the Smithsonian Zoo. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums includes in their care package of information: “beware,” red pandas are escape artists.”

There has been a 40% decrease in the red panda population over the last 50 years.

Red pandas are typically shy and solitary, except when they are mating.

SOURCE: FACTRETRIEVER

Hibiscus tree is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant with trumpet-shaped flowers. This tropical tree grows in full sun or partial shade and does best in moist, well-drained soil. With over 200 species and many more cultivars in the genus, hibiscus flowers can reach nearly 10 inches in diameter at maturity and come in a wide range of colors from white to red, pink, yellow, and orange.

Tropical hibiscus varieties (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) are perfect if you live in a warm climate or want an impressive houseplant. For those living in cooler parts of North America, opting for a hardy variety or the shrubby rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), which are both easier to grow and can withstand colder winter temperatures, will be the better choice. Regardless of variety, hibiscus flowers are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

While all hibiscus have similarities that go beyond appearance, they have some distinct care and growing requirements.

Hibiscus Care

The care you provide your hibiscus will vary depending on whether it is a hardy or tropical variety and whether it is grown indoors or outdoors.

Warning

You can grow most species of hibiscus without worrying about them getting out of control. However, rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is classified as an invasive species in much of eastern North America.1

Light

Hibiscus love bright conditions. In northern climes, full sun is often best, but in the intense, dry heat of the south, filtered sunlight is better. If you find that your plant isn’t producing many blooms, move the plant to a sunnier location.

Indoor tropical hibiscus will need a bright spot near a sunny window but keep it away from strong, direct sunlight. If you are transferring your plants outdoors when the warmer weather arrives, gradually acclimate them to the brighter conditions.

Soil

All hibiscus do best in well-drained, fertile, moist, loamy soil. The hardy varieties are wetland natives and are a good choice for sites that are too wet for other plants.

Most hibiscus prefer a slightly acidic soil pH, but the rose of Sharon is tolerant of alkaline conditions. The color of hibiscus flowers can be affected by the soil acidity level.

Mulching around the plant base can help with moisture retention if your location is experiencing dry conditions. For nutrient-poor soil, amending with organic matter will be beneficial.

Water

All hibiscus are thirsty plants that need to be kept moist. Indoor tropical hibiscus benefit from regular watering from spring to early autumn during the growing season. Significantly reduce watering during dormant periods. For container-grown plants, ensure the top inch or so of potting mix dries out fully before watering—saturated soil is also problematic, and make sure containers have adequate drainage holes.

Depending on the conditions, you might need to water your hibiscus daily to help it produce an abundance of blooms.

If your hardy hibiscus are not planted near a pond or in another wet area, water them on a regular basis to keep them moist.

Temperature and Humidity

Rose of Sharon and hardy hibiscus can grow in cool, temperate climates. They thrive in temperatures from 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit but can handle temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit and frost is a risk, bring container-grown plants indoors. However, be mindful of their higher humidity requirements—which is why bathrooms are a good location for these plants.

Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can kill tropical varieties, so they are best housed in humid locations indoors in regions where this is likely to occur.

Fertilizer

To encourage abundant, healthy blooms with good color, feed plants with a high potassium and high nitrogen fertilizer. Fish emulsion and seaweed extract are organic fertilizers. Feed a half-strength solution just before the start of the bloom period and continue at least once every few weeks until the end of flowering.

Types of Hibiscus

There are hundreds of tropical and hardy hibiscus hybrids and cultivars available. Just a few popular varieties include:

Swamp Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus): An unusual, hardy species featuring large pinwheel-like flowers

Confederate Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis): This hardy rose mallow has large, showy flowers that open white and then change color.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Cajun Cocktail’: A tropical cultivar with striking orange and yellow ruffled blooms, giving each one a one-of-a-kind appearance.

Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Perfect Storm’:A hardy, compact hybrid cultivar that blooms late in the season.