Ned Hardy

Are Mules Sterile?

By Nick Lee | March 23, 2021

In the same family as horses and zebras, donkeys seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to grace and majesty. Sturdy creatures, they are raised on farms around the world. First domesticated over 5,000 years ago, they’re relied upon in every corner of the globe. Each species of donkey has an elastic idea of its limitations – unlike species of sharks who don’t interbreed, or species of big cats that only do so under human intervention, donkeys breed willingly (in the wild and in captivity) within different species of Equus … and that’s not just with other donkey species!

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11 Fascinating Facts About Animal Hibernation

By Nick Lee | March 22, 2021

The change of the seasons is often depicted by quaint nature scenes: the leaves changing color and bears bedding down for their winter-long hibernation; then flowers blooming in spring and the very same bears emerging from their den. This period of hibernation is a known fact to many, but its details remain a mystery to most. What do the bears do? Why do they do it? What is hibernation?

10 Fascinating Facts About Leopons

By Nick Lee | March 19, 2021

Hear the word “leopon” and you may think it’s a type of Pokémon. It’s a real animal that exists on planet Earth. It’s a crossed-bred big cat. Think of mules (mixes of donkeys and horses) or dog breeds (cockapoos, goldendoodles, etc.). Another group of four-legged friends whose genetics can get crossed, members of the genus Panthera can produce a whole new slew of furry predators, the leopon included.

The Story Of Sergeant Stubby, A Former Stray Who Became The Most Decorated War Dog Of WW1

By Nick Lee | March 16, 2021

In 1917, bull terriers had no place in the war. Mascots were limited to sports teams and service dogs were limited to the police force. Strict regulations forbade animals from living on military grounds. It’s for these reasons that no one would have expected a stray mongrel to end up becoming one of the most decorated soldiers who served in the First World War. From Connecticut to the Allied front line in France and back again, one dog changed the course of history for its entire species.

Why Do Rams Headbutt Each Other?

By Nick Lee | November 18, 2023

In almost every species of animal — from the sky to land to sea — competition is fierce. Traditionally, males fight each other for status, mates, and territory.

One of the most iconic head-to-heads is the actual headbutting competition seen between two rams.

From seemingly docile livestock to wild bighorns, male sheep develop horns that are both visually impressive and useful. Like many bizarre habits in the animal kingdom, scientists look into why rams headbutt and if there’s a good reason for why they do it.

Everything You Need To Know Before Buying/Adopting A Brindle Greyhound

By Nick Lee | March 9, 2021

(photo: mirathegreyhound)

Greyhounds are popular breed known for their sleek profiles and fast speeds. Their name comes from several roots, one of them being the obvious: traditionally, the most common coat color was gray (grey). They come in a variety of coats, none perhaps as unique as the brindle Greyhound.

Loyal Dog Reunited With Owner After Waiting Outside The Hospital For A Week

By Nick Lee | March 4, 2021

Dogs are absolutely the best! They are always excited to see us and they can turn any bad day around. And in the case of a dog in Turkey, she waited outside a hospital for almost a week when her owner was taken in for treatment.

The dog, named Boncuk (which means bead) followed an ambulance to the hospital where Cemal Senturk had been taken and even though Senturk’s family took Boncuk home, the determined dog returned to the hospital every day and waited outside.

9 Things You Should Know Before Buying/Adopting A Merle English Bulldog

By Ashley Reyes | November 11, 2021

(photo: californiastatebulldogs)

Though there are several variations of the bulldog (American, French, Continental), the most iconic is the English bulldog. Used time and time again as a mascot for sports teams, universities, and even the military, this stout symbol is best known for its smooth, creamy coat. Did you know it doesn’t only come in white and tan? The merle bulldog boasts a wild fur pattern outside the normal expectations of this popular breed.

9 Things You Should Know About The Mangalica Pig

By Nick Lee | November 18, 2023

Can you picture what a pig crossed with a sheep would look like? There’s no need – the Mangalica pig is a living example of such a barnyard blend. It’s actually referred to as “the pig-sheep.” This remarkable porcine and its luscious locks have had a complicated history and a strong come-back.

8 Fascinating Facts About Albino Alligators

By Nick Lee | November 18, 2023

1. Albinos of any species are beings whose bodies can not create melanin

The pigment that colors skin and eyes. This leads to the being’s skin being unpigmented, which ends up looking white. This occurs even in alligators who are born with albinism. The scaly reptile has ivory colored skin. It also has lightly pink-tinged eyes, rather than the usual black and green. This condition affords the gator absolutely no camouflage protection in the wild, putting albino alligators at severe risk.

Why Do Dog Breeds Become Extinct?

By Nick Lee | February 24, 2021

(Photo: Turnspit Dog)

There are plenty of conservation efforts across the globe that focus on maintaining endangered species’ populations. Who’d every think that dogs could be a part of this? While the species of Canis familiaris as we know it is hardly under threat, there are some breeds who could face total elimination. In fact, there are some that have already ceased to exist.

Everything You Wanted To Know About The Molossus Dog Breed

By Nick Lee | November 18, 2023

Imagine a dog as wrinkly as a Shar Pei but as big as a mastiff. Scratch that – bigger. Enter the American Molossus. A gigantic dog whose name coincidentally rhyme with colossus, it’s simultaneously a very old and very new breed.