Horse Training Facts And Maxims

To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about horses they should know. In fact, when someone first gets a horse these timely facts should be studied and learned.

These timely facts come from the Jesse Beery horse training manual. Jesse Beery was a famous horse trainer from the 1800's. Interestingly, Beery's training methods are as powerful today as they were when Beery was alive.

Timely Fact #1:

Make your horse your friend, not your slave.

Timely Fact #2:

Almost every wrong act of the horse is caused by fear, excitement or mismanagement. One harsh word will increase the pulse of a nervous horse ten beats a minute. Hoses know nothing about balking until forced into it by bad management. Any balky horse an be started steady and true in a few minutes. I never found one that I could not teach to start his load in fifteen minutes and usually in three.

Timely Fact #3:

Intelligent horsemen have learned that kickers, biters and balkers are natural results of abuse, that not one horse in a hundred is vicious until made so by cruelty; that whipping a horse is as mean and senseless as whipping a baby, and that the most useful, obedient and long lived horses are those treated from birth with kindness and common sense.

Timely Fact #4:

The whip is the parent of stubborness, but gentleness wins obedience. There is no such thing as balkiness in a horse that is kindly treated, and that gets an occasional apple, potato or sugar from his master's hand.

Timely Fact #5:

When a hose is afraid or excited, quiet him by kind words and caress. An excited horse is practically crazy and to whip him is dangerous, foolish and cruel. I have known a single blow of the whip to balk a spirited horse. Whipping a balky horse is barbarous and only increases balkiness.

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American Bulldog Facts

Descended from the English Bulldog, the American Bulldog was nearly extinct after World War II. Thanks to the efforts of John D. Summerville, this breed has returned from the edge of extinction and flourished in America. This working dog has been described as fiercely loyal, an excellent hunter, and wonderful family pet. In fact, some American Bulldogs are known for their extraordinary acts of bravery and courage when defending their masters.

There are two types of American Bulldog: Classic (also known as Johnson or Bully) and Standard (also known as Scott or Performance); however, many of today's American Bulldogs tend to be a combination of both. Standards tend to be shorter and stockier, causing them to sometimes be mistaken for their cousin the Pit Bull, but otherwise Classic and Standard American Bulldogs look similar to one another. American Bulldogs are primarily white though some may have patches of brindle or red. Their coats are short and wiry, feeling bristly and rough to the touch. American Bulldogs require relatively little maintenance thanks to this short coat, and only need the occasional bath and regular brushing with a stiff bristle brush. Their strong jaws give their heads a boxy and strong-looking appearance.

Male American Bulldogs will reach an average height of 22 to 27 inches and average weight of 75 to 125 pounds. Females will reach average heights of 20 to 25 inches and weights of 60 to 100 pounds. American Bulldogs will live, on average, 16 years. English Bulldogs were bred as working dogs that helped herd cattle and the American Bulldog retains some of these characteristics, particularly the strong jaw and equally strong personality. Though American Bulldogs are known as fierce protectors of their properties and masters (making them excellent guard and watch dogs), they are very gentle and good with both children and other family pets.

However, an American Bulldog is sometimes unaware of its own strength and for this reason, children should always be closely supervised when playing with this breed. In general, American Bulldogs can be difficult to train, as they are stubborn, but once consistently trained, will obey. American Bulldogs are suited for apartment life, as they tend to be relatively inactive indoors. However, they should be exercised at least once a day. Some American Bulldogs are prone to hip displaysia, but otherwise, are a healthy breed of dog.

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Florida Panther Trivia

The Florida Panther isn't just the mascot of a professional sports team, it's also a majestic and beautiful animal (but don't let one overhear you say this, it'll go straight to his head). In the wild and in captivity, Florida Panthers can sometimes be spotted by natives and tourists journeying through this Southern state. You may be lucky enough to see one, waving foolishly until you notice the cat won't wave back, when it hits you: how much do you really know about these panthers? Take our quiz to find out.

1. What are one of the things that make the Florida Panther stand out?

a. It is the biggest feline in the world

b. It is the only feline native to the United States

c. It is critically endangered

d. It had a role in the Pink Panther movies

2. Roughly how much does the average male Florida Panther weigh?

a. 150 pounds

b. 100 pounds

c. 210 pounds

d. He prefers not to answer this question

3. To what genus does the Florida Panther belong?

a. Felidae

b. Carnivora

c. Puma

d. Homo Sapiens

4. What is the greatest threat to the survival of the Florida Panthers?

a. Prey

b. Inbreeding

c. Loss of habitat

d. Overused litter boxes

5. In 1982, the panther became the state animal of Florida. Who was behind this vote?

a. Florida school children

b. The Major of Miami

c. The governor of Florida

d. The panthers wrote themselves on the ballot

6. What do Florida Panthers generally eat?

a. Just meat

b. Just plants

c. An equal balance of both plant and meat

d. They order pizza

7. Roughly how many adult panthers are there in Florida?

a. Between 50 and 70

b. Between 100 and 200

c. Between 200 and 400

d. Just one. His name is Bob.

8. How many kittens are in the average Florida Panther litter?

a. Four

b. Two

c. Six

d. Panthers don't have kittens, they only lay eggs.

9. How do Florida Panthers hunt?

a. In packs

b. In pairs

c. Alone

d. With guns

10. What is the scientific name of the Florida panther?

a. Panthera leo

b. Puma concolor coryi

c. Panthera tigris

d. Kitty Cat

Answers: 1. c. It is critically endangered; 2. a. 150 pounds; 3. c. Puma; 4. c. Loss of habitat; 5. a. Florida school children; 6. a. Just meat; 7. a. Between 50 and 70; 8. b. Two; 9. c. Alone; 10. b. Puma concolor coryi.

See how you did:

9-10 Correct: Very good. You are the cat's meow.

6-8 Correct: Not bad, you earned nine lives.

3-5 Correct: Hmm…about average. No meow mix for you.

Less than 3: Ouch. Maybe you're just more of a dog person?

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Five Sharp Shar Pei Dog Trivia

Loose skin, prickly coat, small ears, unquestionable courage at home and outside.... The shar pei dog is all this and more! The Shar-Pei is an ancient breed that has called its home for centuries the southern provinces of China. Certain similarities make it a probable relative of the smooth-coated Chow Chow and the Tibetan Mastiff. This remarkable breed is now all over the world, but its odyssey started out at home simply enough with tasks like cattle herding, property guarding, and hunting assistant.

1. The Shar Pei are a brainy breed. They also make good in obedience training. The best way to maintain their interest is to vary their training routine.

2. The shar pei dog has a bluish-black tongue, just like its likely relative the Chow Chow. But if you are into show dog competitions, you may have hear many times over that spotted and all-pink tongues are "undesirable" or do not have much chance, from the judges' point of view; lavender, on the other hand, is permissible.

3. Aside from seeing extra yummy food, the only other way that a shar pei dog will get slobbery is when water gets trapped in the folds of their muzzle.

4. Just because a Shar-Pei is somewhat exotic in origin does not mean it can also live in exotic temperatures. This means that a Shar-Pei is in danger of overheating if left under the sun for long periods of time, and will also suffer if kept as an outdoor dog during cold weather.

5. Finally, let's go over this dog colorful history. Did you know that at some point, these dogs were even on the brink of extinction?

We have already mentioned the dog's peasant roots. When Communism rose to power in China, raising dogs either as pets or for fighting were considered an excessive activity. By 1950, the breed's low numbers were in big trouble.

Somewhere along the way, a few breeders in the British colony of Hong Kong acquired a few of these Chinese Fighting Dogs. Chinese businessman Matgo Law was one such fancier of the wrinkled dogs, and in 1973 he and fellow breeder C.M. Chung began a campaign to save the breed with a plea for help in Dogs magazine.

Incredible as it may seem, the founding batch sent to the US from Hong Kong were of an inferior quality than the Shar-Pei observed today. More specifically, some of the original 12 dogs imported to the United States that make up the breed's genetic foundation in this country were actually street dogs with nasty dispositions! Just the same, most Americans responded positively to the campaign. Soon enough, the Shar-Pei was like a fad in its early years in the US, with pups commanding prices that reached thousands of dollars and dog breeding ballooning without any regard for the breed's overall temperament, health, or structure.

While Chung and Law ended up with more than 2000 responses and requests, they only sent puppies to some breeders they tried to select as much as possible. Eventually, some of these early breeders would organize the Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America in order to formulate a breed standard and collaborate to improve the breed. The breed's numbers are now currently a far cry from their status when the magazine plea was put up; in 1994, the registration of 15 thousand individuals and 6600 litters was able to make the breed the 25th most popular in the US, out of 137 breeds.

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Termite Facts Every Homeowner Should Know

Termites are amazing little insects that have roamed the Earth for hundreds of millions of years. There are over 2600 species of termites throughout the world, and these resilient insects can be found on every single continent on the map - including Antarctica. Termites feed on decaying wood. Because they dispose of a large amount of the world's decaying plant material, these insects provide a valuable ecological service. When they form colonies in urban areas, however, these destructive little insects can cause a whole lot of damage to homes. Below are some useful termite facts every homeowner should know.

Termites are very social insects that live in colonies with caste systems, which means the insects within the colony fall under different social classes and perform specialized roles within the colony. There are three termite castes: reproductives, workers and soldiers. The colony's chief female reproductive insect, the queen, lays several thousand eggs every day for her entire lifespan, which can last as much as two decades. Some colonies actually have several queens laying eggs simultaneously. A termite colony may survive its queen, however, and a reproductive nymph will step up after the death of the queen and begin laying eggs to ensure the colony's survival.

One of the most important termite facts is that these insects eat 24/7. They consume wood in order to get at the cellulose inside. Cellulose is a substance found in plant fiber that provides the energy needed to feed entire colonies. Termites are not able to break down and digest the cellulose on their own, however. To aid with digestion, these insects enlist the help of single-celled organisms which live in their stomachs. This symbiotic relationship developed over millions of years and is necessary for termite survival.

Subterranean termites cause the most destruction to homes in the United States. This type of termite lives in large colonies underground which can contain up to a million insects or more. They build mud shelter tubes to travel to and from food sources. Once there, they feed on wood foundations and support beams, exterior walls, furniture, carpets, insulation and other cellulose-containing materials in your home.

Termites rarely come out into the open; instead they move through elaborate mud tunnels or burrow through walls to travel to and from food sources. Because they tend to remain concealed, homeowners often fail to detect the presence of termites until serious and costly damage has already been inflicted. For this reason, it is essential that homeowners contact a termite control specialist to conduct an inspection as soon as possible. Getting a professional termite inspection every year is essential to protecting your home from damage. Catching an infestation early can save a homeowner thousands of dollars in home repair costs. For more termite facts, contact a termite control specialist near you.

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Pure Honey Fun Facts

Let's talk about the top ten fun science facts that surround honey, the oldest and probably the most nutritious food source of man. Honey is that popular sweet and sticky fluid that is made by honey bees from the nectars of so many flowers.

Here are the ten facts that you must know about honey:

1. Do you know that honey doesn't spoil? Honey does not go bad like most foods. When archaeologists unearthed the tomb of King Tut under the pyramid, they found honey that's still edible! Fascinating, isn't it?
2. Honey is the best kind of sweetener. It contains large quantities of fructose and glucose. It is about 20% to 60% sweeter than table sugar.
3. It has no fats and no cholesterol. It has no sodium, too. Unlike most sweet foods, honey is not bad for your health.
4. Do you know that you can actually live off a diet that's strictly honey? It has ALL of the substances that the human body needs. It has water, too.
5. Now, here's an amazing biology fact about the makers of honey - the honey bees. These animal species have evolved sparingly - their forms have been completely unchanged for over 20 million years! They're one of the most perfectly evolved animal species on earth. They are the most hardworking, too.
6. A single honey bee can visit around 2,000 flowers in one day. It can fly at a speed of around 25 kilometers per hour. But, here's the thing: the honey bees need about 2 million flowers to create a mere half kilogram of honey! A honey bee colony produces 30 to 40 kilograms of honey every year. So, don't waste honey! Every drop of this sweet liquid gold count. Each drop of honey has exhausted worker bees to shreds.
7. Mead or honey wine is the oldest fermented beverage in the world.
8. Honey bees don't sleep. Yes, they're that hard-working.
9. There are over 20,000 species of bees, and only 4 of them make honey.
10. Honey has excellent medicinal properties with no side effects. It has a host of nutritional properties as well. You can take honey for weight loss, for coughs, for wound healing, for insomnia, for clearing your skin, for conditioning your hair, for aiding in digestion, and so much more.

Get the latest science scoop and trivia, plus fun facts and games, to enrich your mind. How to make science fun is easy! Visit Easy Science Fun.

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Fun Facts about Tigers

If you're planning on booking on to a Tiger safari, here are some fun tiger facts to keep every else entertained.

Inevitably, when you take a Tiger safari, you will find yourself regaled with facts about the fascinating animal by a knowledgeable tour guide. However, in case the wildlife guru misses anything, here are some interesting titbits that you can surprise your fellow holidaymakers with. Get ready to become to the king of the knowledge jungle!

Pug marks

The footprints left by a Tiger - in the snow or the sand, for instance - are called 'pug marks'. Wildlife conservationists around the world will catalogue these pug marks in the areas they operate in order to track the animals and collect valuable data about their movements. So, when you're on your Tiger safari - keep your eyes peeled for these distinctive imprints.

A Streak

The collective name for a group of Tigers is called a 'streak'. Another name for this phenomenon is called an 'ambush' of Tigers. You won't find this happen often on a Tiger safari, however, as groups occur mainly in captivity. This is because the restricted in space in these facilities forces the animals into social groups that do not occur naturally. In the wild, tigers usually hunt on their own and at night.

Roooaar!

Chances are that, on your Tiger safari, you will hear the animal before you see it. That is because a Tiger's roar can be heard from over two kilometres, or three miles, away! Interestingly, only four cats in the whole cat family can roar. These are the Lion, Leopard, Jaguar and the Tiger. And, why is the roar so fierce? It is made so as to defend its territory or to quickly attract the attention of his mate or cubs.

Champion swimmers

The Tiger is known for being the Michael Phelps of the cat kingdom. For, unusually for the cat family, it loves nothing more than splish-sploshing about in lakes and rivers. He doesn't like getting too hot, and, luckily for him, he is also a very strong swimmer. So, if your Tiger safari experiences a really hot day, your guides will probably head towards pools and streams as this is where the animal will inevitably be lounging.

'Man? No thank you!'

Contrary to many held beliefs and depictions in films and books, this big cat is not a proactive man-eater. It only kills human in self defence - that is, in the cases they are foolish enough to stumble into their habitat.

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Thoroughbred Trivia and Fun Facts

A horse's heart weighs not more than 8.5 pounds, Secretariat's weighed 22!

As you all must be aware of the incredible findings of a vet who treated Secretariat regarding the colt's magnificently pounding heart; it weighed 22 pounds, the heaviest heart any thoroughbred has been found with. While the normal heart in a horse weighs around 8.5 pounds, Secretariat's vet estimated that the horse's extreme pumping capabilities and exemplary performance at the Belmont Stakes, also known as the Triple Crown Racing's Graveyard by 31 lengths lead over the remaining field exhibited a heart much beyond the power levels of a normal thoroughbred. After Secretariat, Sham, his prime and most deserving rival, was declared to have the second heaviest heart at 18 pounds.

Equine genetics suggest this physical characteristic has been traced down in the pedigree led by Eclipse's female line of descendents.

Thoroughbred hooves need trimming just like human nails

Equine care's most critical procedure is horse hoof care. Horse hooves must be protected by horse shoes and they must also be trimmed regularly at a time span of 4-6 weeks. However, the hooves are most susceptible to instigate infections that often turn fatal for the thoroughbreds. Every month a horse's hoof grows by a centimetre and while longer toe allows a thoroughbred to have a longer stride, it also brings down the entire weight of the horse's body onto their toes, thus straining them beyond their tolerance. Similarly, shorter hoofs put increased pressure on the body's angular weight distribution thus resulting in increased discomfort often leading to lameness.

Horses are categories into more than 300 breeds, one of which being Thoroughbreds

Racing horses are mostly lighter in weight, weighing in the range of 1300lbs, their physique is firm and muscular and they are characterized with long spindly legs, thoroughbreds and quarter horses belong to this category; Percherons are Arabian horses that are characterized with heavy bodies that make them suitable for high stamina work, their bodies are muscular and legs are strong; Shetland is a breed that describes horses that aren't more than 14 hands tall, they are usually ponies and of smaller physique and Mustang which belongs to the category of wild horses.

Horses are measured in hands, each hand corresponding to human hand's 4'' width

Horses over centuries have evolved drastically and the species that initially a small mammal very much in line with their carnivorous contemporaries, grew to gain good height over the duration. Horses are measured in hands, each hand equal to 4'' width of human hands measured from ground to their withers, the point at their neck where the head meets the back.

The smallest horse named Little Pumpkin measured 14inches while the tallest horse named Samson who measured 21.2 hands.

Equine species are full of mysterious facts and figures, some that are amazingly unbelievable and parallel to no other species of living beings. Horses form the very basis for horse games, be it thoroughbred racing, quarter horse races and others. Their care has been researched and studied over the years so the sport has generated great depths of knowledge regarding their diseases and treatment options. However, repeated inbreeding over the years has resulted in weaker racing horses that exhibit exceptional speeds but lack the stamina and strength.

To learn more about us, log on to http://www.horseracegame.com.

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Rainforest Facts for Kids

The Layers of the Rain Forest
The trees of the emergent layer spread out very thinly with only one or two emergent trees in every acre of forest and are bathed in direct sunlight. When these big trees fall they create a wide clearing, known as a tree fall gap, allowing the sunlight to reach the smaller trees below them. This new area of light (the forest floor is usually pretty dark) cause many new plants to grow and race to reach the canopy first. These smaller trees will grow taller and eventually replace the emergent layer.

The canopy of the tree forest is made up of the limbs and leaves of trees which form a dense platform of vegetation more than 100 feet off the ground. The canopy offers such an abundance of shelter that many of the animals living in this layer never need to descend from it. The trees of the understory layer grow slowly, just waiting for an emergent tree to fall down to give them sunlight to grow larger. Most remain in the shadows, growing tall pointed crowns as they grow upwards seeking light. Others, such as woody vines called lianas, attach themselves to young trees. As the young trees grow, the vines ride towards the light and once they reach the canopy they will spread out among the trees.

Plant life is quite sparse in on the forest floor. The leaves, limbs of trees and remains of animals that fall to the forest floor break down quickly because of the high temperature, humidity, and the activity of termites, earthworms and fungi. This organic material, recycled into nutrients stays on the surface of the soil where it is quickly absorbed by the shallow roots of the many rainforest trees.

Green Iguana
Iguanas are active during the day, feeding on leaves, flowers, and fruit. They live high in the tree canopy. Youngsters establish areas lower in the canopies while older iguanas reside higher up.

No matter where they inhabit, Iguanas prefer to have water around as they are excellent swimmers and will dive beneath the water to avoid predators. They are also tough enough to land on solid ground from as high as 40 feet and survive.

Most disputes between iguanas take place over sun basking sites. Basking is important for increasing body temperature and aiding digestion.

When frightened, an iguana will usually freeze or hide. Like many other lizards, iguanas can drop of part of their tail. This gives them a chance to escape before their predator figures out what is going on.
Their average lifespan is 20 years and they can grow to almost 7 feet in length.

Keel Billed Toucan
The Keel Billed Toucan travels in flocks of 6 to 12 adults. The flocks roost in holes of tree trunks, sometimes with several birds crowding into one hole.

In flight, the Keel-billed Toucan displays a period of rapid flapping and then a glide. It cannot travel long distances, and it is much more agile when hopping around from branch to branch in the trees. Its call is a "creek, creek", which sounds similar to the croak of a tree frog.

Its' diet consists primarily of fruit, but it will also consume the eggs or fledglings of other birds, insects, small lizards and tree frogs. Although the function of the long bill of the Keel Billed Toucan is not fully understood, it does make a very good tool for plucking fruit off branches that are too small to bear the weight of the bird.

Spider Monkey
These Spider Monkeys, are the brown headed variety, and are found in the rainforests of Central and South America. The population of Spider Monkeys has been declining in due to deforestation, which means that forests that once served as their habitat have been cleared of trees.

The majority of the Spider Monkey's time is spent in the uppermost branches of trees, looking for food. Spider Monkeys prefer ripe fruits and leaves, but will eat nuts, seeds, insects, and sometimes eggs.

Spider monkeys are active during the day, sleep at night. They move through the forest using both their hands and feet to swing between trees, and walk in an upright position along branches. They can leap more than 30 feet from branch to branch.

Three Toed Sloth
The three-toed sloth defends itself from predators like jaguars with its long arms, sharp claws, and sharp teeth. The sloth does not leave the forest and moves very, very slowly. It would take nearly a month for this animal to travel a single mile. The sloth sleeps 19 hours a day, hanging upside down from the branches. It also eats, mates, and gives birth in the canopy.

During the rare times (every week or so) it drops to the ground to poop, moving by dragging itself by its hands. The sloth can stand on its feet, but cannot walk on them. Surprisingly though, the three-toed sloth is an excellent swimmer.

The three toed sloth is has almost no tail or external ears, and its head is slightly rounded with a blunt nose. The body is covered with long and course hair.

Blue Morpho Butterfly
You might be surprised to learn that the wings are not actually blue. Their color comes from overlapping iridescent, diamond shaped scales that act like mirrors covering the tops of their wings. The scales reflect the blue spectrum of sunlight and enable them to shimmer. The underside of the Blue Morpho's wings are brown, which provides it with camouflage when seen from below.

As a mature butterfly, the Morpho drinks it food, using its proboscis, which is a tube like structure connected to the Morpho's head, that enables it to suck nectar from fruit and flowers .

Red Eyed Tree Frog
How do the red eyes of this Tree Frog protect it from predators?
Some scientists believe that the bright, red eyes and feet are a form of self defense known as startle coloration. Red-eyed tree frogs are nocturnal, which means they rest during the day and look for food at night. If a predator were to happen upon the frog when sleeping its eyes would pop open abruptly. The sudden brightness of their red eyes and feet might startle the predator enough to allow the frog to jump to safety.

The Red Eyed Tree Frog feeds primarily at night on a diet of insects or other small animals to come their way. Their green color allows them to stay hidden in the leaves waiting for food to come their way and their suction-cup toes allow them to attach themselves to the underside of leaves.

Margay
The Margay, also known as the Long Tail Spotted Cat, is an unusual animal and very much at home in the trees where it can live its entire life.

Margays have unique claws and ankle joints which can move through 180 degrees, enabling them to scamper down the trunks of trees head first and run upside down beneath branches. They move almost like monkeys among the tree tops, jumping easily from branch to branch. The Margay generally hunts at night and its prey includes birds, small monkeys, tree frogs and insects which inhabit the forest canopy, however it will also take prey from the ground and has been know to supplement its diet with fruit. At maturity, they are approximately 2 and half feet long and weigh about 8 lbs.

Tamandua Anteaters

Food for these long snouted animals consists mainly of termites, which it obtains by opening nests with its powerful sharp front claws.

The Anteater uses its long, flexible, rapidly moving tongue covered with small spikes and sticky saliva to sweep up the fast moving termites. Their tongue can be flicked up to 150-160 times or more per minute.

Tamandua anteaters have no teeth. Their physical digestion is aided by the sand and gravel that they consume when they are eating their protein-packed meal. Tamanduas are quite clumsy on the ground and amble along. In the rainforest it is typical to see them surrounded during the day by a cloud of flies and mosquitoes and is often seen wiping these insects from its eyes.

Strangler Fig Tree
As you have learned, the life of a Strangler Fig Tree is an amazing story. It begins with a tiny seed deposited on crevice of a tree in the canopy. The seed becomes a vine, and the vine eventually surrounds and overtakes the original tree upon which it began its life. When the host tree dies, the fig tree is left behind with a lattice like hollow trunk that serves an important role in the rainforest.

The hollow trunk with its many nooks and crevices provides a home for bugs, bats, reptiles, frogs and birds. It is also a welcome source of food because of its production of sweet tasting figs.

Protecting Rain Forests
Efforts are underway by governments, non-profit organizations and educators around the world to save rainforests. Six important ways they working to save rainforests are:

1) Establishing new parks and promoting tourism to rainforest locations.

2) Purchasing rainforest land and placing it into conservation areas to protect it from development or farming.

3) Restoring forests (also known as reforestation) by planting new trees where forests have been cut down or cleared.

4) Educating kids and adults about the importance of rainforests to the earth's ecology, climate regulation and plant and animal diversity.

5) Showing support for products and companies that operate their businesses in ways that are respectful of the importance of rainforests and believe in sustaining them.

6) Conducting scientific research on the plant and animal life of rainforests and educating people about their findings.

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Turtle Facts

There are many fun and fascinating turtle facts. One is that when they reach maturity, female turtles always return to the beach where they originally hatched to lay their clutch. There are certain species that only hatch on one single beach. This is part of what makes them so vulnerable.

Five species of turtle nest on the beaches of Sri Lanka. They are the green turtle, the olive ridley turtle, the leatherback turtle, the hawksbill and the loggerhead turtle. The primary nesting areas, on the southern to western beaches are unfortunately also where the greatest density of human population can be found. Wilpattu and Yalanational parks afford a degree of protection. Some hatcheries have been set up as tourist attractions, as the peak season and hatching coincides.

Concentrating all eggs in a single hatchery can be disastrous in the case of flooding and localized erosion and might draw greater numbers of predators, including human ones.

According to some reports, moving the eggs lowers the hatch rate by 20 to 30 percent. Fertile turtle eggs are marked with a white patch after one day of incubation and moving them after this stage greatly increases the mortality of hatchlings. Also the practice of holding hatchlings for a few days before releasing them may disrupt natural instincts. At some facilities, visitors are allowed to handle and even release hatchlings.

In some coastal regions in the USA, persons living near the beach are legally obliged to dim their lights when turtles are hatching, as researchers believe the moonlight may play a role in their imprinting. Light pollution by human civilization may interfere with that.

It is estimated that sea turtles diverged from other turtle species more than 100 million years ago. One of their distinctions lies in their inability to retract their heads and legs into their carapaces as other turtles do.

The leatherback turtle does not have a hard shell as the other six seagoing species do. Instead its carapace is made up of tough leathery skin covered with thousands of hard bony plates.

There are a few turtle terms you may not be familiar with. The nares are the openings to the nasal cavity. Brumation is another word for hibernation and the central part of a scute is sometimes referred to as the areola. Aestivation is another type of hibernation, but in this case, the cause is heat or extreme drought, rather than cold. The collective name for a group of turtles is a bale.

These are just a sprinkling of the amazing wealth of turtle facts available online or in books.

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5 Sharp Shar Pei Dog Trivia

Loose skin, prickly coat, small ears, unquestionable courage at home and outside.... The shar pei dog is all this and more! The Shar-Pei is an ancient breed that has called its home for centuries the southern provinces of China. Certain similarities make it a probable relative of the smooth-coated Chow Chow and the Tibetan Mastiff. This remarkable breed is now all over the world, but its odyssey started out at home simply enough with tasks like cattle herding, property guarding, and hunting assistant.

1. The Shar Pei are a brainy breed. They also make good in obedience training. The best way to maintain their interest is to vary their training routine.

2. The shar pei dog has a bluish-black tongue, just like its likely relative the Chow Chow. But if you are into show dog competitions, you may have hear many times over that spotted and all-pink tongues are undesirable or do not have much chance, from the judges' point of view; lavender, on the other hand, is permissible.

3. Aside from seeing extra yummy food, the only other way that a shar pei dog will get slobbery is when water gets trapped in the folds of their muzzle.

4. Just because a Shar-Pei is somewhat exotic in origin does not mean it can also live in exotic temperatures. This means that a Shar-Pei is in danger of overheating if left under the sun for long periods of time, and will also suffer if kept as an outdoor dog during cold weather.

5. Finally, let's go over this dog colorful history. Did you know that at some point, these dogs were even on the brink of extinction?

We have already mentioned the dog's peasant roots. When Communism rose to power in China, raising dogs either as pets or for fighting were considered an excessive activity. By 1950, the breed's low numbers were in big trouble.

Somewhere along the way, a few breeders in the British colony of Hong Kong acquired a few of these Chinese Fighting Dogs. Chinese businessman Matgo Law was one such fancier of the wrinkled dogs, and in 1973 he and fellow breeder C.M. Chung began a campaign to save the breed with a plea for help in Dogs magazine.

Incredible as it may seem, the founding batch sent to the US from Hong Kong were of an inferior quality than the Shar-Pei observed today. More specifically, some of the original 12 dogs imported to the United States that make up the breed's genetic foundation in this country were actually street dogs with nasty dispositions! Just the same, most Americans responded positively to the campaign. Soon enough, the Shar-Pei was like a fad in its early years in the US, with pups commanding prices that reached thousands of dollars and dog breeding ballooning without any regard for the breed's overall temperament, health, or structure.

While Chung and Law ended up with more than 2000 responses and requests, they only sent puppies to some breeders they tried to select as much as possible. Eventually, some of these early breeders would organize the Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America in order to formulate a breed standard and collaborate to improve the breed. The breed's numbers are now currently a far cry from their status when the magazine plea was put up; in 1994, the registration of 15 thousand individuals and 6600 litters was able to make the breed the 25th most popular in the US, out of 137 breeds.

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Discus Fish Food Facts

In their natural habitat, discus are accustomed to swimming in the murky, warm waters of the Amazon River in small to medium sized groups, hiding amongst the dense root networks of the rainforest. Wild discus have a number of different food types in their diet, such as insects and larvae, tiny plant particles, and little water-swimming worms. The typical fish hobbyist is accustomed to feeding extremely restricted diet programs to their fish.

However, whilst discus can survive on one kind of high quality discus fish food source they will definitely not thrive. Discus have unique dietary requirements, a lot like every thing else, they need the highest quality discus food. Discus feeding may be approached by two methods: shop purchased or homemade.

Nearly all discus keepers purchase some kind of industrial fish Flake because it's the foundation for the diet plan. The very best food type you can purchase is one which has minimum filler (i.e. wheat, corn and grains) within the flakes. These fillers are nutritionally ineffective and merely bulk up the meals to reduce expenses. These fillers will also be hazardous towards the delicate discus digestive tract. These synthetic fillers can trigger bloating in discus. Excellent quality flake food should be clean fish components instead of filler.

A great method to predict whether or not or not your flakes have clean components would be to search for a item with low ash and substantial protein. Actually, protein content material is among the greatest methods to figure out the quality of one's fish food. Discus meals need to have freshly ground salmon, cod or whitefish because it's the primary ingredient. Actually, any fish meals you buy need to be clean and by no means have ground up filler content. Additionally to flaked food, you need to feed a number of frozen fish food types for your discus, ideally Hikari brand name. The very best frozen discus meals are bloodworms (also helpful for appetite stimulation), vegetable bites and beef heart. Discus may also consume krill, but in moderation as krill is recognised to trigger constipation.

For the superior keeper, or in the event you just wish to conserve some cash on meals, you can make hearty and wholesome discus food inside your very own kitchen area! Homemade discus fish food is complete and has probably the most nutritional worth and quality. The components you'll need are accessible at nearly any butcher store and consist of: beef heart (cleaned, trimmed), clean shrimp (peeled), whitefish or salmon, beef liver, plankton, spinach and peas. Setting these components together produces a nutritionally packed, all natural food which will permit your fish to thrive.

You will find various recipes for these components in numerous amounts. The vast majority of home made discus food will include beef heart. The very best thing about homemade discus fish food is you have much less mess and virtually no ash to discolour your aquarium water.

A crucial element to a thriving discus aquarium is really a extremely varied diet plan that offers the proper stability of protein, amino acids, body fat and important components. Each and every discus keeper has their very own dietary secrets and techniques, but most discus keepers discover a way for fantastic results with a diet plan is to combine both commercial and homemade food. As with all fish food, whether or not it is homemade or commercially created, cautious cleansing of the tank following every feeding session and regular water modifications to safeguard your discuses long-term wellness. These easy actions need ten minutes each day and may provide you with many years of discus satisfaction.

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Turtles Facts

Most people are under the impression that turtles make for better pets compared to dogs, cats or fishes. They think that turtles are low maintenance and easier to care for, especially because it looks like turtles do nothing but lie around and swim in their tank all day. It's true that turtles make for great pets; owners of pet turtles can attest to the fact that keeping these animals under their care is an excellent experience. Nevertheless, it is not true that they are easier to take care of. Pet turtles require a specific form of care from their owners. An individual who desires to have a pet turtle ought to be well-informed of various turtles facts, particularly those in relation to the species of the desired pet. A good source of turtles facts is The Turtle Guide Book.

Like other reptiles, a turtle follows a specific eating regimen plan and requires a specific type of living environment. Both the food and dwelling ought to be appropriate to the age and species of the pet turtle. For a person to actually become a responsible pet owner, he or she should be aware of this. He or she should also learn about correct care, health problems and proper tank maintenance. It would be impossible for a new turtle pet owner to know all these things at once. To get all the knowledge necessary, the individual should be armed with a reliable and useful source of turtles facts.

The Turtle Guide Book may be considered as the ultimate source of turtles facts for those individuals who wish to own pet turtles or those who have already got pet turtles. It was written by an author who have several years of experience taking care of turtles, and this guide compiles all the valuable information gathered from all those years. The Turtle Guide Book features relevant turtles facts about aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles, as well as land-dwelling turtles. It would teach owners of pet turtles how to set up the right turtle environment, how to determine turtle sicknesses and how to treat them, how to breed baby turtles and how to train the turtle to your touch and voice, just to name a few. The guide even includes pictures to illustrate how things are done. The Turtle Guide Book also comes with two bonus guides with more turtles facts in store for the readers.

It is possible to become the perfect pet owner with regards to turtles. All that is needed is a lot of information. The Turtle Guide Book is filled with quality turtles facts that allows any pet owner to take care of the pet turtle the best way she or he can.

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Basic Facts about American Bulldogs

The American bulldogs are a descendent of English bulldogs. These dogs had been close to extinction post World War II and it was because of careful breeding of John Summerville that they are now amongst us in America. These dogs are basically a working breed which are known to be great hunters, very loyal and a good pet for the family. In fact, quite a lot of these bulldogs are also known to be courageous and bravery when it comes to defending the masters.

Types and Variations

Basically there are two variations of American bulldogs- standard and classic. The standard ones are also known as performance or Scott while the Classic variety are also known as Bully or Johnson. However, there may be several hybrids and combination of both these varieties. The standard variety tends to be stocky and short which sometimes makes them similar to pit bulls. Otherwise, these variations tend to look similar. These dogs are basically white with a few patches of red or brindle. They have wiry and short coat which may be rough or bristly when touched. This breed will need regular brushing and bath. A stiff bristle works fine with their coat. These dogs also have very strong jaws so their heads look strong and very boxy.

Size and Weight

Before you think about purchasing American bulldogs it is also important that you know about their size. The males will reach a height of up to 27 inches on an average with weight up to 125 pounds. Females tend to have a height up to 25 inches and weight of up to 100 pounds. This breed tends to live up to 16 years on an average. Their English cousins had been bred to be working dogs to help herd and cattle. The American version still has a few of the characteristics including their strong personality. Although these dogs are protectors and fierce as guard dogs, they tend to be gentle and suitable around children and other pets in the family.

At times these dogs are not aware of their weight and how strong they are. For this reason it is important for owners to supervise them when they are around children, especially infants. The breed may be a little difficult to train since they tend to be a little stubborn at times. However, they will obey with consistent training. These dogs are also suitable for apartments since they are not very active indoors. However, exercise would be very important for these dogs and they will have to be taken out once a day at least. American bulldogs mostly healthy with very few health related problems.

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Snake Myths And Facts

African people believe that an angry snake will chase you, the Black Mamba are the 'angriest' snake of all and lots of myths surround this poor beauty. They are however lightning fast when startled and sometimes it happens that the human and snake choose the same escape route. Of course it will feel as if the snake are chasing you and a bystander watching will think exactly the same thing. The snake see the human as a predator and their first instinct is usually to flee, they will only strike if they cant escape. This myth has kept many African snakes alive!

The Central American bushmaster (Lachesis muta muta) is enormous and lethally venomous and it is well-known that they 'chase' humans. Panama's tourism department warns tourists about this aggressive snake.

Some members of the genera Pituophis and Agkistrodon are extremely aggressive, they hiss, lunge and strike even after the intruder has moved away, this are also seen as 'chasing'.

Myth: There Are No Snakes That Mother Their Young.

It was long believed that the African Rock Python protects her eggs and that her parental care stops after they have hatched. Recent discoveries proof that the female keeps her young near her and protects them for more than four months after they have hatched. Few birds of prey or monitors dare to approach the hatchlings while they lay close to the 17 foot long mother. Field research herpetologists speculate the warmth absorbed by the mother python during the day helps to sustain the young snakes' high body temperatures as she coils around them at night.

Myth: Snakes are Slimy.

Snakes have a shiny look to them and therefore give the impression that their scales must be slimy, this is of course false. Their scales are dry and smooth and feels silky.

Myth: Rattlesnakes Always Rattle Before They Strike.

The snake picks up the vibration of large animals and then rattle to warn them of its presence, this rattling sound can be heard meters away especially from an older snake. It does happen that a person come across a rattlesnake that did not feel the vibration and when the human are too close the snake will strike without giving any warning.

Myth: A Rattlesnake Add a Rattle Each Year

Rattlesnakes add a rattle each time they shed, and they can shed several times a year. Also, an individual may lose rattles as they break off. Therefore, counting rattles is not at all a way to tell a rattlesnake's age.

Myth: Snakes do not carry Salmonella

Snakes do carry Salmonella and it is important that you always wash your hands with an antibacterial soap after handling.

Myth: Some Snakes Can Sting With Their Tails.

Rural people believe the Copperhead's tail is a sign of a venomous sting because it is a vibrant yellow/green colour. The Copperhead uses its tail as a lure, they wiggle it around so that it resembles a struggling worm. When a hungry frog or toad duped by the wriggling tail moves in for the kill, the young copperhead strikes, making a meal of the unfortunate amphibian.

The Eastern Mud Snake found throughout the swamps and wetlands of the South-east coast has a sharply pointed tail. They hold the tail in the air and curls the tip into an aggressive looking spear as a defence mechanism. This behaviour has earned them the name "horn snake," "stinging snake" and even "scorpion snake."

Myth: Snakes can hypnotize a human with their eyes.

Due to the snake not having any eyelids their stare might look hypnotizing but has no effect on humans.

Myth: Snakes Will Go Blind During the Heat of Summer.

A snakes eyes go a milky gray-blue colour when they are close to shedding their skin. Their ability to see is minimum during this time due to the protective scales that covers the eyes and begin to separate from the new ones that are developing underneath. In the wild snakes usually enters a shed during summer and people who encountered them thought that the heat blinded them.

Myth: Female Snakes Protect Their New Born Snakes Inside Her Mouth.

When the female give birth to live young it drains her physically and it there are some snakes that are stillborn or are too weak to break free of their placental sac then the mother will eat them. If a person had to walk past and see this they may think that the snake are protecting the young instead of eating them. North American water snakes, Cottonmouths, Copperheads and especially the South American anacondas are known to eat stillborn young or those otherwise unable to survive soon after birth.

Myth: Baby Venomous Snakes Are More Dangerous Than Adults.

Adults have far more virulent venom than the young snakes and an adult snake is capable of delivering a much larger venom dose than a smaller snake. However adults conserve their precious venom because they know it takes time to produce it and a snake without venom is a hungry snake. Young venomous snakes are generally not in full control of their muscular functions and they are at their most vulnerable point in life. Defensive strikes are fast and thorough. When these snakes bite, they typically bite hard, pumping the attacker full of every last bit of venom. If a young venomous snake's bite were to be more dangerous than an adult's, this would be the only way.

Myth: Milksnakes Drink Milk From Farmers Cows

This is a popular one in the rural areas which Milksnakes live. Milksnakes do not consume milk, they eat the same as lots of colubrids. Smaller rodents.

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Giant Squid Facts

The giant squid is one of the monstrous creatures still alive and always alluring many researchers around the world but till this time seems more mystifying as none of the giant squids are captured alive and the research is based on the corpses which are washed ashore. This has led the scientists and researchers to study this mammoth sea creature from the carcasses washed ashore. With limited samples, the researchers have been able to know some amazing facts about this mammoth sea creature and one such aspect is its intelligence. Yes! The giant squids are intelligent creatures and it is no myth. Most of the giant squid are highly intelligent and at times very gentle There is an alien intelligence existing beneath the deep waters, a bizarre life form that appears to be breeding by the hundreds in cold black waters far below the surface. This intelligence resides in the giant squids that have three hearts, primate-like stereoscopic eyes, blue blood and brains large enough to suggest they are among the smartest creatures on earth.

The giant squids are smart hunters and during their hunt for food they make use of this quality, the intelligence, very much. Giant squids have been called the most opportunistic killers in the sea. They have been observed employing cooperative hunting techniques, yet they will not vacillate to overeat upon one another should they sense the slightest possible opening. It is being found that they will attack anything over which they sense an advantage, including humans.

Giant squids have been the most mystifying sea creature since a long time with more myths and tales than concrete scientific information. This has troubled the squid researchers as nothing was known about this giant creature. But recent studies have generated some success and a few details are now known about this creature. The food habit of the giant squid have also been a great mystery for the researchers but some of the recent studies on these creatures show that giant squid eat deep-sea fishes, such as orange ruffie, and hokie. They also eat some other species of squids, such as deep-sea squids, and not architeuthis, not the giant squid.

Another interesting factor about the giant squid is the eight arms it has which can grow up to 3 meters in length, but eventually none of them are used to grab prey. These two longer tentacles actually catch the prey. Giant squid have tentacles that may grow a length of 10-12 meters. At the other end, away from the head, the tentacles expand to look like clubs. Both arms and tentacles are equipped with suckers, which are sub-spherical cups lined with sharp, finely jagged rings of chitin. Suckers use powerful suction to hold onto prey while the rings of chitin sink into the ill-fated animal. The arms have suckers arranged in rows from the base near the mantle to the tips, whereas the tentacles are smooth from the base to near the club where there are small suckers

However, on records the largest squid found is Largest recorded giant squid was a female that washed ashore on a New Zealand beach in 1887 18 meters long (59.5 feet). Its mantle was 5 meters (16.4 feet). It weighed 1 metric ton. Scientists and squid researchers have being trying their level best to capture or study a living giant squid but till this time their hard efforts have not bearded fruits.

Resource Box: Looking for more information on Giant Squids check out www.GIANT-SQUIDS.COM your guide to Giant Squids.

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Clownfish Trivia

Clown fish are between two and five inches long. They are recognized by their orange scales with black and white stripes. Clown fish are so called because of the way they swim in a 'bobbing' fashion rather than smoothly through the water. Clown fish are a great community fish. Clown fish live in small groups with a well established hierarchy. They live their life in the tropical parts of the ocean among sheltered reefs or shallow lagoons.

There are 28 species of clown fish. The Tomato Clown fish and the Percula Clown fish are two of the easiest and most frequently kept Clown fish species. The name Clownfish has probably been coined due to their vivid colouration and captivating behaviour. Clownfish and anemone fish are fishes from the subfamily Amphiprioninae in the family. They are related to a group of small, brightly colored fish called damselfish. Clownfish lay their eggs in bunches on the coral or rocks that are near the anemones. They are popular in marine aquariums since they are very beautiful and display vivid colours. They are usually quite active fish, which is often mistaken for "clowning around".

Clown fish live by a mutual relationship with sea anemones, or in some cases settle in some varieties of soft corals. Clown Fish are usually not eaten by other fish because they are kept safe by the stinging tentacles of the anemone. They are the only fish that can live in sea anemones without being stung by the anemone's tentacles. Thus the clown fish are safe from predators and in return they mount a fierce defence in the event of any threat to their host. Clown fish are a series of 28 marine species that can all withstand the sting of anemones.

The male guards the eggs until they hatch 4-5 days later. The male then cares for the babies until they all reach maturity, at which time they leave to find their own host anemone. Clownfish also have the ability to change sex, where the most dominant male will become a female, and can successfully produce offspring. The largest male will be at the top of the hierarchy and eventually morph into a female. The second largest male will form a couple with her and they will breed.

The rest of the males are simply hang-arounds. If the female is killed or otherwise removed from the group, the largest male will turn into a female and the largest of the non-breeding males will become a breeding male. If the male is killed or otherwise removed from the group, the second-largest male will simply take his place and his reproductive system will become activated. If the male is killed or otherwise removed from the group, the second-largest male will simply take his place and his reproductive system will become activated.


Clownfish can be bred in an aquarium, and the offspring have been raised successfully for many years. Clownfish will spawn all year round laying their eggs in large batches.

The anemones eat other fish, and the clownfish feeds on the remains. Some say that they have mucus that covers the body of the clownfish to protect it from being stung. This slime seem to be species dependent, because if you give your Clownfish a new type of anemone in the aquarium the fish will need some time to acclimatize itself to the new species. Rather than being mostly protein-based like most fish, the mucus layer on the clownfish contains more sugar. For some reason, this doesn't trigger the strike of the anemone, possibly because the coating on the clownfish is similar to that of the anemone. Kevin conducts Party Wall Surveys, and deals with Party Wall Agreements. In his spare time he enjoys scuba and freediving.

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Dog Wheelchairs: Basic Facts

Putting your dogs on wheels can enhance the quality of life of your pet if they have a condition that keeps them from using their hind or front legs. There are wheel chairs for dogs, also known as dog carts, which are particularly designed to give a new found mobility to quadriplegic pets.

Your dog can benefit a lot from carts for dogs if he has exhausted rehabilitation options and if he suffers from degenerative mylopathy, hip dysplasisa, spinal or vertebrae problems, cervical or disk disease, and also certain neurological concerns.

If you like to put your dogs on wheels, there are a few considerations that you have to take and find out more about wheel chairs for dogs. In fact, a dog wheelchair has 4 significant components - a light weight frame, aluminum or not, the wheels, the harness, and also the support saddle. Besides that, there are a few dog carts that include other features like stirrups and counterweights that will be a huge help for dogs who have lost a limb for achieving balance.

You can get a wheel chair for your loyal pet custom made to meet your pet's specific requirements as far as measurements and health conditions are concerned. But if you like, you can also purchase ready made and adjustable carts for dogs that will fit to a specific dog of a particular size group. The regular prices of dog wheelchairs range from $200 to $600, depending on the kind of chair that you buy and the features that your pet will require. The kind of wheel chair that you will purchase will be dependent on the advice of your veterinarian or the veterinary orthopedic surgeon who will evaluate your pet's particular needs and wheelchair design requirements.

Based on studies, most dogs easily adjust to their new mobility equipment in juist a matter of few days. But sometimes, it could take a while, and some training and rehabilitation might be required to help your dog adapt totally to his new equipment. However, a dog wheelchair might not be fit to a pet that doesn't have enough strength left in his legs and neither is it advisable for pets who are difficult to deal with or are bull-headed.

You won't need to go farther when you are in search for good options that come in much better deals. All you need to do is check online.

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Giant Squid Facts

The giant squid is one of the monstrous creatures still alive and always alluring many researchers around the world but till this time seems more mystifying as none of the giant squids are captured alive and the research is based on the corpses which are washed ashore. This has led the scientists and researchers to study this mammoth sea creature from the carcasses washed ashore. With limited samples, the researchers have been able to know some amazing facts about this mammoth sea creature and one such aspect is its intelligence. Yes! The giant squids are intelligent creatures and it is no myth. Most of the giant squid are highly intelligent and at times very gentle There is an alien intelligence existing beneath the deep waters, a bizarre life form that appears to be breeding by the hundreds in cold black waters far below the surface. This intelligence resides in the giant squids that have three hearts, primate-like stereoscopic eyes, blue blood and brains large enough to suggest they are among the smartest creatures on earth.

The giant squids are smart hunters and during their hunt for food they make use of this quality, the intelligence, very much. Giant squids have been called the most opportunistic killers in the sea. They have been observed employing cooperative hunting techniques, yet they will not vacillate to overeat upon one another should they sense the slightest possible opening. It is being found that they will attack anything over which they sense an advantage, including humans.

Giant squids have been the most mystifying sea creature since a long time with more myths and tales than concrete scientific information. This has troubled the squid researchers as nothing was known about this giant creature. But recent studies have generated some success and a few details are now known about this creature. The food habit of the giant squid have also been a great mystery for the researchers but some of the recent studies on these creatures show that giant squid eat deep-sea fishes, such as orange ruffie, and hokie. They also eat some other species of squids, such as deep-sea squids, and not architeuthis, not the giant squid.

Another interesting factor about the giant squid is the eight arms it has which can grow up to 3 meters in length, but eventually none of them are used to grab prey. These two longer tentacles actually catch the prey. Giant squid have tentacles that may grow a length of 10-12 meters. At the other end, away from the head, the tentacles expand to look like clubs. Both arms and tentacles are equipped with suckers, which are sub-spherical cups lined with sharp, finely jagged rings of chitin. Suckers use powerful suction to hold onto prey while the rings of chitin sink into the ill-fated animal. The arms have suckers arranged in rows from the base near the mantle to the tips, whereas the tentacles are smooth from the base to near the club where there are small suckers

However, on records the largest squid found is Largest recorded giant squid was a female that washed ashore on a New Zealand beach in 1887 18 meters long (59.5 feet). Its mantle was 5 meters (16.4 feet). It weighed 1 metric ton. Scientists and squid researchers have being trying their level best to capture or study a living giant squid but till this time their hard efforts have not bearded fruits.

Looking for more information on Giant Squids check out www.GIANT-SQUIDS.COM your guide to Giant Squids.

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Enjoy These Useless Facts And Fun Trivia Questions And Answers

by Deanna Mascle

Question: Which is stronger -- concrete or bone?

Answer: Bone

Useless Fact: Human bones can actually resist 40 times more stress than concrete. Don't believe it is true? Then picture a piece of concrete the size of a bone and imagine how easily it would break.

Question: What bird lays its egg in another bird's nest?

Answer: Cuckoo, Cowbird, Whyda, Honeyguide and Black-headed Duck

Useless Fact: These birds, called brood parasites, lay their eggs in another bird's nest and let the other bird parents feed and raise their chicks. The "egg abandoner" is then free to mate again and lay more eggs in another nest. The cuckoo is the best known brood parasite and an expert in the art of cruel deception. Its strategy involves stealth, surprise and speed. The mother removes one egg laid by the host mother, lays her own and flies off with the host egg in her bill. The whole process takes barely ten seconds. Cuckoos parasitize the nests of a large variety of bird species and carefully mimic the colour and pattern of their own eggs to match that of their hosts. Each female cuckoo specializes on one particular host species. How the cuckoo manages to lay eggs to imitate each host's eggs so accurately is one of nature's main mysteries.

Question: What is the largest invertebrate?

Answer: Colossal Squid

Useless Fact: A species of squid reported to be significantly larger than the giant squid, is called the Colossal squid, officially named Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni. In February 2007 a live colossal squid was brought to the surface in Antarctic waters by a New Zealand fishing boat. This enormous squid, which was determined to be a male of the species, was 10 meters (32.8 feet), and weighed 450 kilograms (992 pounds), making it the largest squid (the largest invertebrate) ever captured. What is even more astonishing is that, from what scientists know about squid species in general, there is great sexual dimorphism in squids, with females being significantly larger than the males. If that holds true for the Colossal squid, this male specimen that was captured could very well be dwarfed by a much larger female of the species.

Question: What does the first letter of a radio station's call sign mean?

Answer: The location of the station

Useless Fact: Generally, in the United States, call signs begin with K west of the Mississippi River, and W to the east.

Question: Where was the first McD0nald's located?

Answer: Arcada, California

Useless Fact: Brothers Dick and Mac McDonald open a hot dog stand called the Airdome in Arcadia, California. In 1940, the brothers move to San Bernardino, California, on Route 66. After noting that almost all of their profits came from hamburgers, the brothers close down the restaurant for several months in 1948 to implement their innovative "Speedee Service System", a streamlined assembly line for hamburgers.

Question: What is the largest insect?

Answer: Acteon Beetle or Longhorn Beetle

Useless Fact: There are different ways of measuring the size of an insect, most people would consider the largest insect to be the bulkiest and in that case the largest insect is the Acteaeom Beetle from South America. The male beetles can be 9cms long by 5cms wide by 4cms thick. If you want to measure largest by overall size, check out the South American Longhorn Beetle (Titanus giganteus) these giants can be over 16cms in body length (not including antennae) One other beetle, Dynastes hercules is also well known for reaching 16cms in length though it is not nearly as heavy. The longest insect in the world is the Stick-Insect (Pharnacia serritypes), the females of which can be over 36cm long.

About The Author

Deanna Mascle

Are you looking for more useless facts? Then try http://uselessfactsonline.com

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