The Canary Islands are an archipelago that tectonically lies in Africa but is part of the European Union, specifically Spain. While many may think of the little yellow bird when hearing the name of this area of the world, the name comes from the Latin for “dog.” And for good reason! Pliny the Elder talked of the significant number of large dogs on the island. These dogs are called Presa Canario and many believe them to be dangerous. Are they? We’ll break that down today.
If you’ve been reading our recent posts about animal mating but found the sexual habits of hippos and snails a little disgusting or the behavior of male ducks downright disturbing, then this next article will come as a relief. Bald eagles are much more romantic in their sexual attitudes, beginning their courtships in extravagant and moving dances in the air, and then bringing up their offspring as loving and monogamous couples. They are one of the few animals whose love lives really do seem romantic and affectionate, rather than alien and terrifying.
Most snails, including the commonly known garden snail, are hermaphrodites. This means they contain both male and female reproductive organs and produce eggs and sperm. The pomatidae family is the exception, in which males and females are separate, denoted by a smaller and larger shell, respectively. Although in species that host both parts the snails are capable of self fertilization, or asexual reproduction, they will still often mate with another snail.
If you’re looking for a dog to act as a guard dog, it can be overwhelming with all the information out there. Everyone seems to have an opinion and a favorite breed of guard dog so it’s hard to just get the facts. We’re here to settle an age old question of whether a Rottweiler or Cane Corso makes the better guard dog.
There’s just something about crocodiles. Are they immortal? Are they vestiges of the dinosaurs that once walked the earth? People are curious about these creatures who can go from chill to deadly in a second. A common question people have about crocs? How they mate. If you’re someone who’s wondered that, you’ve found the right article because we’re going to break down exactly that today. Spoiler alert: Elton John was right. Crocodile Rocking is something shocking!
Cropping the ears of a dog is a very controversial subject around any dinner table. Some breeders are adamant it’s in the dogs best interests or there’s nothing wrong with it but others are fundamentally opposed to ear cropping under any circumstances. We’re going to take a look at what exactly ear cropping is, why people do it and whether it’s necessary or even harmful to the dog. In particular, we’re looking at the cropping of Pitbull’s ears.
Raccoons are common in many local wildlife populations throughout the world. These crafty critters are some of the most adaptable animals, able to survive in both the wild and urban environments, as well as many different continents- a feat not seen in many species. Due to their adaptability, they are one of only a few species that have actually benefited from the exponential growth of the human race.
(photo: David Brossard)
Pangolins are small animals found in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. While they might look like simple creatures, they have a unique built-in defensive system to help protect themselves from danger.
Admit it, there’s something weirdly fascinating about the sex lives of animals. We’ve all witnessed a curious kid asking why a dog in the park looks like it’s glued itself to another dog and is trying to shake itself free. Even when we’re older we may stumble upon some strange animal behavior and wonder “what are they doing?” before realizing, red-faced.
Dr. Alastair McAlpine spends every day caring for children with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses, working for the non-profit organization PaedsPal.
McAlpine recently decided to ask his terminally-ill patients what they enjoyed most in life and then shared their answers on Twitter.
In a tweet, he explained: “For an assignment, I asked some of my terminal pediatric palliative care patients what they had enjoyed in life, and what gave it meaning. Kids can be so wise, y’know.”
All of these children are between the ages of four and nine years old. Even though they are young, they still managed to hit the nail on the head when it comes to what makes life worth living.