At the heart of the debate on how to address the climate crisis is oil, and the oil derivative, plastic. Over 10 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into the oceans each year, and researchers from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, have found microplastics raining down on Antarctica, in the form of snow.…
Although bats are not the favourite mammal of many, they are a vital part of the chain of life, and can benefit man. According to the Nature Conservancy a single bat can eat over 1,000 insects in an hour. Bats eat insects like mosquitoes who carry disease, dispense seeds, and are fruit bats considered pollinators.…
In Ireland, the Bog Cinquefoil or Barren Strawberry plant is reputed to be enchanted. It is also considered a harbinger of spring. The Sidhe (or fairies) often thought that plants deep in marshes belonged to them. Herbalists, however, might disturb fairies when gathering the plant in order to treat skin infections, rheumatism, and gout. It…
Wiarton Willie has forecast an early spring for Southern Ontario. Many of us hope he is right! In fact, it might be possible that more people pray about groundhogs and spring than they do for Candlemas? Also on February 2nd, Candlemas is a Christian celebration based on the day when the Virgin Mary first took…
Penguins can live in almost any climate on earth. They live in hot climates like the Galapagos Islands and South Africa. They also live in the coldest places on earth. Yet several species are endangered.
Platypuses are among only two mammals that do not have live young. Along with the echidna, (spiny anteaters), they are the only mammals that lay eggs. After laying approximately two eggs, a female platypus curls up around them to keep the eggs warm. A platypus’ body temperature is about 5°C (9°F) less than most mammals,…
A new initiative to bring the formerly extinct Cheetah back to India has seen a breakthrough. India’s Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has said “a historic milestone has been achieved as Indian-born cheetah Mukhi has given birth to five cubs….The mother and cubs are doing well,” according to NDTV and X. Mukhi was the first Indian-born…
It is well known that Tigers love water, but few small cats do. But, Siberian cats, a larger domestic breed of feline, are an exception. They are known to surprise their owners in the shower. Water is pleasant to the species because they have three layers of fur. Thus, they have a great deal of…
The Day of the Dead in Latin America, celebrates the cycle of life! With butterflies! Monarch butterflies! The Journey North website has also reported the first monarchs are now in Mexico, after arriving about October 22nd . In Mexico Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead in Spanish) is often celebrated on November 1st…
Among species of cute, little mouse lemurs, the recently discovered Gerp’s Mouse Lemurs are considered critically endangered. First discovered on June 25th, 2009, the species is named after the organisation that captured and then released it. GERP (Groupe d’Étude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar) is located in Antananarivo — the largest city…
Blue iguanas, found on Grand Cayman Island, are among the longest-lived lizards. They sometimes live up to 60 years old! They are also among the most endangered. They are native only to Grand Cayman, and in the early 2000’s there were about 25 adults left in their natural habitat. But thanks to the Cayman Islands…
African Honey Badgers have fearsome reputations! Perhaps only bears and wolverines can have more furious natures! Also, because it has very loose skin, it can even turn around and hurt another animal! Even when it is trapped in the animal’s mouth! For the most part, honey badgers are migratory, and use old dens from porcupines,…
With their beautiful rusty red and white coloring & fluffy striped tails; red pandas are, unfortunately, ideal pets for the exotic pet trade.
The first things to know. Red tides are caused by Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). They are dangerous to animals and fish, and also to humans. Many of us have been disturbed to smell and see green algae blooming in local lakes in huge numbers, but HABs can result in growing widespread devastation. Green algae, while…
Although it is the national symbol of Malaysia, the Malayan Tiger has only about 150 surviving cats in the wild, Malaysia is trying to save the gorgeous animals.
The female of the Belted Kingfisher bird breed, is one of the few females that is more flamboyant than the males. Although, the Kingfisher species was the 2023 American Bird Association Bird of the Year, some of us like Liz Clayton Fuller and Erica Engel, think the award should have been gender specific. “It’s about…
It seems that many throughout Ontario and Michigan have taken steps to conserve the Kirtland’s Warbler. However, that may not be so in Tiny Township. A site on the 9th Concession is home to a pair of these birds that are rare in Ontario. However, the plans to construct an administrative building on the site…
A result of a new compilation of studies is not a positive one for African elephants throughout the continent.
With only three northern spotted owls living in the wilds in Canada in 2022, the species was all but extinct. With its departure there could be that much less beauty in our country. The habitat of the northern spotted owl is diminishing. They live in 140 to 250-year-old trees in British Columbia, where only about…
In 2024, 36 Florida Panthers were accidently killed—mostly by cars. As there are many new building projects in Eastern Collier and Lee Counties, in panther territory—that number is not expected to go down in the future. CBS News has reported Michael McGrath of the Sierra Club feels that the endangered Florida Pather is “at a…
It is ironic that the Bonobo, a highly endangered ape found in the African Congo, suffered much during Congolese wars that ended in 2003. Unlike aggressive Chimpanzees in Uganda, Tanzania, the Congo and other areas in Africa; it is said that the motto for the Congo-dwelling Bonobo could be “Make love not war.’ Adult bonobos are…
The fiery red of the Hot Chocolate or Hot Cocoa Rose is tinged with brown, and looks warm in a vase in the chilly winter time. This shadowy plant is filled with mystery, and its blooms last into the hot summer naturally. The bush is three to five feet (90-150 cm) tall, and two to…
Conservationists in Cambodia have been making strides towards saving a critically endangered bird species called the Belgian florican—even if the birds may seem not to be helping. Belgian florican are known to abandon protected conservation areas before monsoon rains. They leave the safe areas because they dislike it when the wet grass grows gets too…
Flying squirrels do not fly, they glide. They can float as much as 90 m (300 ft) between trees. Flying squirrels glow pink at night. Bright pink!
Microplastics, which are less than 5 mm in size, are the basis for a new atmospheric science studying plastics so small they can be lofted up into the clouds.
Some species that are on the edge of extinction in the wild, may only be found in zoos and sanctuaries one day. Such was thought to be the fate of the greater bamboo lemur. Before 1986, so few were thought left in the wild that it seemed they were virtually extinct. From 2008 – 2010,…
Sometimes, ancient stories of magic and the arcane are shown to have some basis in fact. In the last decade years paleontologists have been researching a curious dinosaur called Dinocephalosaurus orientalis.
Stitch, an endangered African giant sulcata tortoise tried unsuccessfully to ‘go on the lam’ in Arizona recently. The 14-year-old escapee was caught about three km away from his home.
Spanish and Portuguese conservation officials have scored a “huge success” with the Iberian Lynx over the last 20 years. There were thought to be only 62 adults in 2001, and the Iberian Lynx was considered on the edge of extinction. Today there are over 2,000 adults and juveniles.
With at least 10 million tonnes of plastic being dumped into oceans each year, experts have long been warning about an environmental plastic cataclysm. Now it has been shown that animals are dying from a new man-made disease: plasticosis. The term shows just how dangerous plastic garbage became to animals.
Many of us know not to accidentally disturb a beehive, but most people do not know that bees do sleep, and can be sleep deprived. So, it seems, it’s not a good idea to bother sleepy, grumpy bees! When bees get little sleep, its wires get crossed, their messages skewed…
Many associate the call of the wild with the haunting lament of the loon, whether it be by forest lakes, or in the cottage country of Canada and the US. Over 94 % of the world’s loons breed in Canada, they are also found in the US, Mexico, and Europe.
Although many may not see kelp forests as being valuable, it is clear that they are diminishing. By attacking the root of kelp stalks sea urchins are creating urchin barrens. Could sea otters and sunflower sea stars be an answer to this global problem?
Beautiful Regal Angelfish make great aquarium fishes! They can recognize their owners faces!
Chimpanzees, critically endangered in West Africa, share up to 98% of our DNA. It is very unfortunate that now – although they once numbered in the millions – their populations have been reduced to only about 250,000 in the wild.
Lemurs, native to only Madagascar, are nearing extinction. They come in various colors, have long snouts, and some have ringed tails. It is their large eyes, however, that are most memorable.
Burrowing owls hunt in the daytime, especially early in the morning or late at night when most insects are out. Burrowing owls are named for the nests in the ground they live in, other owls live in trees. They are the only owl that runs after its prey on the ground. They eat very small…
Bush babies have many wonderful adaptations, like carrying their own combs. Bush babies or Galagos, as well as Lemurs and Loris, have front teeth evolved to help grooming. Galagos also have a small cartilage bone under their tongues. It is like a second tongue for cleaning as well. These tiny primates or prosimians, have very…
It’s almost Halloween, and some creepy things seem to be growing larger, and scarier in 2024.
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