7 Strange Natural Phenomenon in The Animal World

The natural world can be a bit odd at times. You’d hear a lot of crazy stories about how certain animals act, but believe it or not, some of those crazy stories that you hear are actually true. From strange team-ups to exploding insects, below are a seven phenomenal wonders that happen in the animal kingdom.

Strange Pair

Sure, some species work hand in hand to help each other, but some pairs are just too unlikely and strange. In the ocean, sharks would hunt with a sidekick fish, eels would get cleaned up by shrimps, and anemones are used by crabs like poisonous boxing gloves. On air, certain birds would actually preach inside a crocodile’s open mouth to clean up scraps from their teeth, or would rest on top of large animals like elephants and buffaloes. On land, zebras would often act like eyes while ostriches would act like eyes to keep each other safe.

Colorful Stealth and Clever Camouflage

Invisibility is a common power in science fiction stories, but animals do it all the time in the wild. Animals have adapted over time to the surroundings, and camouflage and stealth could mean eat or be eaten. There are insects that look exactly like leaves or twigs, fishes and other marine life that blend perfectly into the corals or sea bed, and mammals that can hide in the bushes with their stripes and dots.

Shape-Shifting and Color-Changing Animals

Some animals need a lot of time to change from one state to the next while others need just a matter of minutes. Take for example the chameleon, which can turn to different colors, depending on its surrounding. Some octopus species can also do this, changing their colors to match the coral reefs they live in.

Cannibalistic Mate-Eating Animals

There is still no scientific explanation on why some species end up eating their mates. The main theory is that they need the nutrients to keep themselves sustained for their fertilized eggs. However, some species would try to eat their partners even before mating. The male scorpion would sting their partners to save themselves, male mantises would wait on a feeding female before approaching her, and some spiders would bring food to potential mates, hoping that they don’t become dinner.

Animal Architects and Group Builders

Humans have learned a thing or two from insects on building structures. Some animal structures are ju arguably more impressive. Spider webs that are so detailed, ant colonies that extend thousands of miles, termite mounds that can reach more than 10 feet tall, these are just a few examples of how these tiny animals could creating something so complex.

Exploding Animals

Yes, certain species actually have the ability to make themselves explode. Certain ant species, when threatened, would secrete a certain chemical which makes their abdomen burst, spreading acid. Toads in Germany were also reported to swell up and explode.

Raining Animals

Although this sounds ridiculous, there have been a few recorded times that this has happened. Birds, frogs, and fishes are the most common animals reported to have dropped from the sky in the thousands. There are a number of theories that explain this. It’s generally assumed that a strong wind or even a tornado caused these animals to get swept off the ground or water and then fall from the sky.

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7 Other Jays in North America

Blue jays are one of the most beautiful bird species native to North America. The species is easily recognized by its blue, black, and white feathers and its crest. They can be seen throughout Colorado to Newfoundland. They not only look good, but they also have a beautiful song. Many consider these birds as a symbol to their state or city, Toronto has even named their sports team after it. However, blue jays are not the only jays around. There are a number of other incredible jays which have stunning looks, as well as great voices.

Stellar jay

Stellar jays have a deep blue color, a triangular crest with black heads, and small white markings around its beak. They’re commonly seen though the evergreen forests and woods along the west coast, from Canada down to certain parts of Mexico. Pacific coast Stellars have a different look compared to the ones found in the Rocky Mountains.

Gray jay

They’re commonly seen in Canada, but they do fly south to Colorado, Idaho, and Oregon. They’re identified with their short beak, fluffy bodies, and round heads. These jays tend to hang around camp sites a lot and would often swoop down and pick off food from campers.  They store food during summer and live off their supply through winter. Unlike most jays, they also mate during the colder months. 

Green jay

Seen throughout southern Texas and the surrounding areas, green jays often surprise people with their looks. They’re the only green colored jays, which makes them even more special. It does, however, have some blue feathers around their face. They live off insects and lizards and would sometimes even feed on baby birds of other species.

Florida scrub-jay

Seen in Florida and areas around it, they have white and blue feathers and a short, black beak. Unfortunately, this sub-specie is facing habitat loss due to the rapid destruction of trees in Florida. They’re even listed as threatened in the Endangered Species Act.

Western scrub-jay

The Western scrub-jay is seen in the same areas as Stellar jays live. Another gray and blue colored jay, they stand apart from the others because they don’t have a crest. They prefer to live in pairs where the females stay with the eggs while the male goes off and finds food.

Pinyon jay

These birds come in blue and gray. They’re commonly seen around the Great Basin region of the U.S. The Pinyon jay is named after pinyon pines which they feed on. Unlike other jays, they don’t have feathers on the base of their bills. It’s also easier for the birds to peck on pinecones without them.

Mexican jay

The Mexican jay is mainly seen in Mexico, but they also nest up north to certain parts of New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. Feeding off acorns, they’d open them by grasping the acorn with their feet, while still hanging on the branch, and use their beaks to break them open.

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9 of Biggest National Animals

Every country has what they consider as a national animal. Usually it’s an indigenous specie that’s unique to the area, an animal that they want to represent their country. Some places prefer to choose specie that’s small and friendly, while other prefers one that’s on the big side.

Below are some of the biggest national animals and which country they represent.

Snow Leopard – Afghanistan

You might think that Afghanistan is the last place a snow leopard would be living, but this big cat is actually native to areas in South and Central Asia, which is exactly where Afghanistan is found. These cats can grow to 27 to 55 kg (60 to 121 lb). They are listed in the IUCN Red List as endangered, and there are roughly around 4,080–6,590 adults in the wild today.

Grey wolf – Turkey

Gray wolves are also called known as western wolf or timber wolf and are native to the remote areas and wilderness of Eurasia. It’s the biggest amongst the family of canid, averaging at 95–99 lb for males and 79–85 lb for females. They’re one of the most well researched animals in the planet and have a very long history with humans.

Royal Bengal Tiger - Bangladesh   

Another big cat that’s also listed in the IUCN Red List as endangered, the Bengal tiger is the most common tiger subspecies found in the world. Their coats have a light orange to yellow color with stripes that range from black to dark brown. These tigers can reach a weigh of 717 lb (325 kg) and a body length of 130 in (320 cm).

Markhor – Pakistan

These large wild goats are seen in Pakistan, as well as areas around it, even leading up to Indian-occupied Kashmir and Jammu. They’re also called Shakhawat and are known for their interesting, spiral horns which can grow to about 160 cm long.

Komodo dragon – Indonesia

Probably the closest thing we have to a real dragon, the Komodo Dragon is an enormous lizard species native to the islands of Padar, Montang, Gili, Flores, Rinca, and Komodo in the Indonesian archipelago. They’re the biggest living lizard species, growing to a body length of 10 ft and weighing in at 150 lb.

Indian elephant – India

The Indian elephant is an Asian elephant subspecies that’s indigenous to mainland Asia. These huge animals can grow to around 6 to 11 feet tall and 4,400 to 11,000 lb. sadly, these majestic beasts are endangered and suffer from fragmentation, degradation, and habitat loss.

White-tailed deer – Honduras

These medium-sized deer are native to the Americas and have around 30 to 40 subspecies. Their height and weight very depending on the subspecies, but a male deer can reach a weight of 100 lbs. bucks regrow their antlers once a year and use them for defense and matting purposes.

Philippine eagle – Philippines

Also known as the monkey-eating eagle, the Philippine eagle is endemic to the Philippine forests. usually measuring to 2.82 to 3.35 ft in height and 2.82 to 3.35 ft in length, they can weigh in at 10.4 to 17.6 lb. they’re considered to be the largest extant eagles based on length.

Unicorn – Scotland

This might sound like a joke, but Scotland actually considers the Unicorn as their national animal. Also known as the Queen's Beast, unicorns are horses with a single horn growing out of their skulls. Legend says that these animals have magical capabilities and can grant immortality.

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7 Pair of Animals that are Often Confused with Each Other

Everyone gets confused, especially when it comes to distinguishing two things that look very similar. In the animal world, some species look so similar that we often get confused and can’t tell them apart. Below are a few animals that may look the same, but are actually very different.

African/Asian Elephants

African elephants have a bigger build, but you can’t really tell them apart by size, not unless they’re standing next to each other. Asian elephant have two domes on the head. African elephant trunks have two “fingers” at the tips. Asian elephants also tend to be lighter in color compared to African Elephants.

Alligators/Crocodiles

Gators and crocs have a couple of features that can help tell them apart from each other. Gators have a snout that has a V shape to them and in terms of habitat, they’re only found in China and the Americas. Crocs on the other hand have a more rounded snout and are found in Australia, Africa, Southeast Asia, and some parts of the Americas. Crocs are also able to lift themselves off the ground when walking, unlike Gators.

Turtles/Tortoises

The biggest difference between these two shelled animals is that turtles spend most of their lives in water and have fins. Turtles would venture to land just to lay eggs. Tortoises live on land, have long stubby feet, and they can’t swim. They’re found in dry and hot places where they dig burrows to live in.

Cheetahs/Leopards

Cheetahs have a more slender body structure compared to leopards. Leopards are nocturnal while cheetahs tend to be more active during the day. Their spots can also help differentiate them. Cheetahs have round, solid black spots while leopards come in patterns that look more like broken rings.

Frogs/Toads

There are about four hundred frog species and three hundred toad species so it really is difficult to spot the difference. Generally, frogs tend to be smaller and have bulging eyes and strong legs. They also have webbed feet since they spend more time in water. Toads prefer to walk than jump, and are usually bigger. Frogs have slimy smooth skins while toads are covered in small warts and have dry skin.

Alpacas/Llamas

Some might mistake alpacas as young llamas, but their size difference is actually one of the things that can tell them apart. Llamas are also less hairy and produce little fleece compared to alpacas. Llamas can also be used to guard alpacas, which make them look more like the big brother of the group.

Seals / Sea Lions

Looking at their flippers, you can tell them apart right away. Seals have a smaller flipper since they mainly use them for swimming and diving. Sea lions walk with their flippers so they’re bigger and a bit more stalky looking. Seals also have a harder time moving on land compared to sea lions.

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10 Admirably Beautiful Insects

We would never usually associate insects and creepy crawlies with beauty. In fact, many of us find them more annoying creatures with painful bites or stings. However, if we take the time to really look at them, they do have a few physical features that make them beautiful.
Here are 10 insects that you might not mind admiring.

Stick Insect

At times, beauty isn’t measured with gorgeous colors. With stick insects, you can find their appeal in how they are shaped. They have top rating in camouflage since they look exactly like a stick and are almost impossible to spot when mixed with twigs and leaves.

Christmas Beetle

Imagine a bug that comes in all the colors of the rainbow. The Christmas Beetle’s shell has a shimmering, metallic quality to it that makes it shine and reflect different colors. They may not look the prettiest, but they are the most colorful.

Honey Bee

Something about their stripes and furry bodies make them a favorite subject for photos. Honey Bee are very well loved by gardeners since they help pollenate plants, plus they produce honey, which can make any baked good taste so much more awesome.

Signature Spider

Although most of us hate spiders because they just look scary, signature spiders come in different lovely colors that you’d forget that they make your skin crawl. These are found all over Asia and are generally harmless.

Grasshopper

You might think of these insects as boring because they are commonly seen in either green or brown, but some species of grasshoppers are actually quite colorful. They’re a visual surprise when seen in a group.

Caterpillars

Most prefer to wait for these bugs to turn to butterflies before calling them beautiful, but caterpillars can be a stunning surprise to see on a leaf. They come in all different colors and patterns, some even having textured bodies that just add to their appeal.

Ladybugs

Also known as ladybirds, these insects are probably one of the first things we think of seeing in gardens filled with flowers. They come in vivid yellow, orange, and the most common, red. Although they’re tiny, a closer look on their glossy colorful shells and black spots will make you appreciate them more.

Dragonfly

Delicate and colorful, anyone can say that a dragonfly is beautiful when they spot one. You can see iridescent greens and blues on their wings and thin, long bodies. But since they’re very fast and small, you get to see their full beauty when they’re resting.

Praying Mantis

It sound crazy to call a praying mantis beautiful, but some species come in an array of wild, colorful wings that look amazing when they flutter them. These insects are strangely beautiful.

Butterfly

You can argue that butterflies are the most spectacular insects on the planet. From something that looked more like a worm, to a hard shell that hung from a twig, they emerge with wings that have vivid and outstanding colors and patterns. There’s something calmingly beautiful abut butterflies which makes them even more welcomed in gardens.

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7 of the Deadliest Insects on Earth

Insects were the first few living organisms to have ever walked the planet, but most of us are really not big fans of them. Creepy crawlies scare us, and some of them are actually quiet deadly. Although insects would commonly just runaway when confronted, some of them will bite or attack when threatened.

Below are 7 of the deadliest insects on the planet, and some of them might be found in your back yard.

Hemiptera

Also known as the kissing bugs, they’re considered as “true bugs”. These insects commonly feed on plants, but some species do feed on the blood of large animals. What makes them deadly is that they’re known to transmit the Chagas Disease, which takes time to develop but affects the person’s digestive system, nervous system, and heart.

Asian or Giant Japanese Hornet

These hornets have got to be the stuff of nightmares for most people. They can grow to around 3 inches long and live in nests composing of 20 to 30 individuals. A single sting can hurt a lot because of toxins, which is actually powerful enough to dissolve human tissues, and it’s fatal for those who have allergic reactions. Unlike bee stings, hornets are able to sting repeatedly, adding to their danger factor.

Siafu

Siafu or African Ants may not be as scary when they’re alone, but try taking on twenty million of them. Colonies of these ants have been known to take out vegetation in the African countryside. If they run out of food, the members will stop at nothing to ensure their colony’s survival just to get sustenance. Their bites can cause asphyxiation and 20 to 50 people are reported to die yearly because of these ants.

Wasps

Wasps, in general, are very dangerous. They’re social creatures, living and hunting together. They’re very territorial and protective of their nests. Not to mention that they can sting multiple times since their stingers don’t fall off like bees. Many people are allergic to their stings and there have been some cases where a person died because of one sting.

Locusts

Even the bible says that these insects are dangerous. Although they can’t kill humans directly, these insects are known to wipe out acres and acres of fields of crops. They can strip the land barren and a single swarm, composed of thousands of locusts, can finish off a field in a short amount of time. This results to starvation in the area.

Fire Ants

These ants usually nest in soil or sand, building large mounds and feed on plants and the occasional small insect that comes their way. However, when these ants are bothered, they bite. The sting from their pincers is venomous and results in a burning sensation, hence their name. The bite swells up and becomes more painful. Deaths have been recorded because of these ants and millions of dollars worth in damage in crops.

Mosquitos

They may be tiny, but these bugs are terrible. Since they live off blood, they end up transmitting all sorts of illnesses, specifically Malaria. A huge number of people still get infected, and some die, due to malaria especially in tropical areas.

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7 of the Most Colorful Butterfly Species

Butterflies have long been used as a symbol of beauty and life. These delicate and colorful creatures don’t live that long, but they do play an important role in the eco-system. Sadly, a number of butterfly species have declined in population due to habitat lost. With collective action and conservation, we can save these gorgeously patterned and colored insects.

Below are 7 of the most colorful and stunning species of butterflies.

Purple Spotted Swallowtail

This beautiful purple, black, and green colored butterfly is found in the upper mountains and highlands areas of New Guinea. A member of the Papilionidae family, these lovely butterflies are becoming less and less common in the area because of human interference in their habitat. 

Red Lacewing

The Philippines is known to have a number of beautiful butterfly species and the red lancewing is one of them. This specie is no stranger to the world. It’s also seen in parts of Indonesia and India, even way up to china and Nepal. It has a vibrant orange red wing with white and black accents.

Blue Morpho

These fluttering beauties are known for their metallic color, which makes them look even more precious. They’re seen all over the world, ranging from different subspecies. Wonderfully mesmerizing and glossy in appearance, the biggest ones can reach a wingspan of about 8 inches and can be found in South and Central America, as well as parts of Mexico.

Leopard Lacewing

Native to the far east, these attractive butterflies are seen throughout India, the Malay Ppninsula and Singapore, even in southern China. Their bright orange yellow wings with accents of black and white spots and patters give these insects a unique look.

Peacock Butterfly

Named after the majestic and colorful bird, this butterfly is seen all over Europe and is considered to be one of the most beautiful butterfly specie.  The base color of their wings is a warm rusty red, and each of their wingtips has a unique black, yellow, and blue eye spot.

Australian Painted Lady

Although Australia is largely a desert continent, they still have one of the most beautiful butterflies on the planet. Australian painted lady is found here, as well as in New Zealand. Their striking orange base comes with a brown, black, and white pattern. They migrate in large groups from north to the south, filling the sky with bright patterns.

Monarch Butterfly

One of the most iconic butterfly species, these elegant living pieces of art are known for their rich orange and black wings. Their wingspan grows to about 4 inches and since they travel their migration route in millions, they give any summer day a pop of color.

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