To read more on this story, click here: 10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish
Saturday, January 8, 2022
10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Black-Winged Kites Charm With Their Unique Glances
This kite is distinctive, with long-wings, white, grey and black plumage and owl like forward-facing eyes with red irises. Although mainly seen on the plains, they are sometimes seen on grassy slopes of hills in the higher elevation regions of Asia. They are not migratory, but make short-distance movements in response to weather. Image credit: Basawant Annigeri
Their Appearance: Small, stout, unmistakable raptor with pale grey plumage. Strikingly broad wings and short tail. Large, round, owl-like head with black "mascara" and short neck. Underside of wing-tips, and upper median and lesser coverts black. Immature birds often with rusty underparts and white fringes to flight feathers and scapulars. Glides with wings raised high like a harrier. Frequent and skilfull hovering.
The Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) is unmistakable due to the extremely long, red legs. High contrast plumage with pointed, black wings (both upper and under-side) and white underparts. Tail white, with white wedge extending up back. Back of adult male sooty black, while brownish black in female and immature. Head all white or with black markings independent of sex (males more often have black markings than females though). Immature with faint, pale fringes to coverts, and white trailing edge to secondaries visible in flight.
Their sound is not very vocal. A soft "Pjuu-harrr". Starting as a mellow, ascending whistle and ending with a harsh screech. Also uttered without the harsh ending, or only a Barn Owl-like screech. Other sounds: rapid series of soft "kekekekekekekekeke" and short whistles.
Most vocal at breeding ground. Various short,sharp "kyp" may resemble both Avocet, Coot and Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus). While a tern-like "kee-arr" is more distinct. Note that immature birds have a different contact call closely resembling Wood Sandpiper, but do not utter it in series.
Why Do Cats Put Their Butt in Your Face? We Got to The Bottom of This Strange Behavior
We asked a certified cat behavior consultant to help us get to the bottom of why cats put their butt in your face—and spoiler alert: It's not as bad as you might think! Next time your cat puts his rear end right in front of you, you might even find yourself saying "Aww" instead of "Eww!"
To read more on this story, click here: Why Do Cats Put Their Butt in Your Face? We Got to The Bottom of This Strange Behavior
Spots, stripes and blotches: Color patterns of cat fur tracked to a key gene
Your sedentary lap cat may not seem to share many similarities with its fierce relatives prowling the African savanna. But Stanford Medicine researchers have discovered a specific gene that drives much of the development of the stripes, blotches and spots that decorate all feline fur.
"Color patterns are one of these unsolved biological mysteries; there’s no go-to model organism to study it — mice don’t have stripes or spots,” said Gregory Barsh, MD, PhD, professor emeritus of genetics. “The color patterns and variability that you see in animals like tigers, cheetahs and zebras prompted some central questions for us: What are the developmental genetic mechanisms and the cellular mechanisms that give rise to these patterns and how have they been altered during mammalian evolution to give rise to the amazing diversity of shape and form we see today?”
To read more on this story, click here: Spots, stripes and blotches: Color patterns of cat fur tracked to a key gene
Hong Kong dog causes panic – but here’s why you needn’t worry about pets spreading COVID-19
These results have raised many questions and concerns. Can our dogs really catch the virus? Should we be worried about our pets getting sick? Could dogs spread coronavirus between people?
To read more on this story, click here: Hong Kong dog causes panic – but here’s why you needn’t worry about pets spreading COVID-19
Monday, January 3, 2022
Betty White was a trailblazing animal rights activist
The legendary “Golden Girls” star — who died Friday at age 99 — was a pioneering animal rights activist devoted to saving endangered species and improving conditions at the Los Angeles Zoo.
The beloved actress worked for decades to champion animals in her charity work, along with publishing a book on the subject and starring in the nature-boosting 1971 show “Pet Set.”
“Betty White demonstrated a lifelong commitment to helping animals in need, including dedicated support for local shelters and animal welfare endeavors, fiercely promoting and protecting animal interests in her entertainment projects, and personally adopting many rescued animals,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO.
To read more on this story, click here: Betty White was a trailblazing animal rights activist
Elephant in circus for 50 long years collapses after being freed
Elephants are famous for their intelligence, unique personalities, and familial bonds. Unfortunately, though, some elephants don’t get to follow their natural instincts and instead are forced to perform for people.
Two circus elephants named Sita and Mia are a good example of this.
To read more on this story, click here: Elephant in circus for 50 long years collapses after being freed
'Very unsettling': Scientists see troubling signs in humans spreading Covid to deer
Scientists swabbed the nostrils of white-tailed deer in Ohio and found evidence of at least six separate times that humans had spread the coronavirus to deer, according to a study published last month in Nature.
About one-third of the deer sampled had active or recent infections, the study says. Similar research in Iowa of tissue from roadkill and hunted deer found widespread evidence of the virus.
To read more on this story, click here: 'Very unsettling': Scientists see troubling signs in humans spreading Covid to deer
'Her Legacy Will Have a Lasting Impact': Animal Groups Remember Betty White's Lifelong Support
Betty White is being remembered for her decades-long work in animal welfare and conservation, following her death at 99 on Dec. 31.
On Friday, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), the nonprofit partner of the Los Angeles Zoo, shared a tribute to the late Golden Girls star, who started working with the California zoo in 1966 and officially joined GLAZA's Board of Trustees in 1974.
"We are incredibly saddened to hear about Betty's passing this morning and want to offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends as we collectively mourn the loss of a true legend, on and off the screen," Tom Jacobson, president of GLAZA, shared in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. "Her work with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association spans more than five decades, and we are grateful for her enduring friendship, lifelong advocacy for animals, and tireless dedication to supporting our mission."
To read more on this story, click here: 'Her Legacy Will Have a Lasting Impact': Animal Groups Remember Betty White's Lifelong Support
I’ll Believe We’re Getting a White House Cat When I See It
Monday appeared to finally bring an end to this Long National Nightmare, but as always with this White House and cats, nothing was straightforward.
It was a big day for presidential pet news. At 4:52 p.m., the White House announced that the Bidens had adopted a puppy named Commander.
To read more on this story, click here: I’ll Believe We’re Getting a White House Cat When I See It
One of Betty White’s greatest legacies is helping animals
Though Betty White was a charming actor with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, her lifelong love of animals was no act.
In the introduction to her 2011 book “Betty & Friends,” she wrote that both her mother and father “were genuine animal nuts, and I am eternally grateful that they have passed much of that passion on to me.”
Fueled by that passion, White helped countless animals in myriad ways throughout her life.
To read more on this story, click here: One of Betty White’s greatest legacies is helping animals
Here's what happened to animals rescued in Dixie, Lava, Antelope, Fawn fires in 2021
In October, the Redding Record Searchlight published stories about animals who were victims of the state's raging wildfires, including the 1,500-square-mile Dixie Fire.
They and other animals were rescued by wildlife experts and caring neighbors. Injured wildlife received medical attention, then bunked at animal refuges where volunteers fed them and helped them keep their specialized skills and wild ways.
As 2021 wrapped up, we circled back with people who care for five of the animals we featured to see how they were doing.
To read more on this story, click here: Here's what happened to animals rescued in Dixie, Lava, Antelope, Fawn fires in 2021
The danger of ‘Petfishing’ - and how to stop it happening this Christmas
A recent survey of UK cat and dog owners by the' British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), found over a quarter (27%) had come across a seller or advert that made them feel suspicious of the welfare of the pet, while purchasing their last cat or dog.
It seems soon-to-be pet owners aren't taking appropriate care in checking out the person selling a prospective pet, with less than half (43%) of UK dog or cat owners saying they visited the seller in-person in the animal’s home when researching their recent pet purchase.
To read more on this story, click here: The danger of ‘Petfishing’ - and how to stop it happening this Christmas
Betty White, a Television Golden Girl From the Start, Is Dead at 99
Betty White, who created two of the most memorable characters in sitcom history, the nymphomaniacal Sue Ann Nivens on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and the sweet but dim Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls” — and who capped her long career with a comeback that included a triumphant appearance as the host of “Saturday Night Live” at the age of 88 — died on Friday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 99.
To read more on this story, click here: Betty White, a Television Golden Girl From the Start, Is Dead at 99
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