5 animals that are better parents than humans

Humans have protected animals, killed them, caged them, freed them, loved them and hated them...and now parents can learn a thing or two from them. Here are five ways animals are better parents than some humans:

1. Barn Owls

Humans can learn faithfulness from barn owls because these owls mate for life. If one dies their mate often dies soon after, unless there are little owlets to take care of. The male always provides food and protection for his mate untill his owlets are born. When the eggs hatch, the male makes it possible for his mate to focus her energy on teaching the little owls how to survive. Male and female barn owls will hunt for their owelts together once their little babies are able to be left in the nest.

2. Elephants

These majestic creatures don't often have babies, but when they do the calf is well protected. Protection is important for these mothers, and the entire herd. Occasionally, another herd will steal a calf but when this happens the original herd will all attack the calf theives and get the child back to its mother. This protection is important lesson for human parents; Let your community help protect you and your child and do the same for others.

3. Seals

Seals are adorable to watch and the way they teach their children to survive is amazing. Not only do they begin teaching survival techniques while their pups are young, seal parents protect their pups fiercely. It is a difficult balance to keep their pups safe while teaching them to survive, but somehow they manage. From seals, human parents can learn how to keep their kids safe, while still letting them experience life.

4. Orangutans

Orangutan mommies spend up to nine years in seclusion to teach their children how to feed and protect themselves and ensure mom and baby have a strong bond. When these orange cuties can't handle a danger themselves, they know mom will be there to protect them. That level of trust in a crisis is something all human parents should strive to have with their children.

5. Dolphins

I cannot talk about animal parents without mentioning playful dolphins. Dolphins have strong parental instincts - instincts that provide them extraordinary patience. Dolphin mothers will keep watch over her newborn calf for over a month, non-stop, without any sleep. They also patiently teach their calf how to swim, breath and survive the the ocean. But on top of all, dolphins also teach their young to be playful.

Humans do a great job raising our children (most of the time) but we could all use a little help learning faithfulness, protection, parent-child bonding, patience and playfulness...good thing we can learn from animals!

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11 Wild Animal Species You Never Knew Were Endangered

Orangutans

 
There are two species of orangutans: Bornean, ones that prefer the ground over the trees, and Sumatran, which have longer facial hair and develop closer bonds with each other. A century ago, their global population was more than 230,000. Now there are between 45,000 and 69,000 Bornean (endangered status) and only 7,500 Sumatran (critically endangered status).

Ground squirrels

That’s right, even squirrels are endangered, specifically the San Joaquin antelope ground squirrel. Native to California, these guys have been disappearing since 1979 on account of the construction and human developments going through their habitat. Their total population is unknown, but it could be anywhere between 124,000 and 413,000.

Tigers

All six tiger species are endangered, with Sumatran and South China tigers at a critically endangered status. The main reasons for their population decline are poaching and destroyed habitats, as humans clear forests to gather timber and build roadways. Only about 3,890 tigers currently live in the wild.

Giraffes

 

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature recently put giraffes at a vulnerable status, the level just before endangered. The giraffe population has declined a drastic 40 percent in the last 30 years, primarily due to loss of habitat and poaching. Some giraffes are killed just for their tails, which are considered status symbols in Africa.

Hummingbirds

 

Seven hummingbird species are endangered, all found in the Americas, primarily because of deforestation. The chestnut-bellied hummingbird has fewer than 1,700 mature individuals, and there are less than 400 sapphire-bellied hummingbirds left.

Black rhinos

 

Black rhinos are critically endangered, with fewer than 5,000 left in the world. The rest have succumbed primarily to poaching and illegal trading for their horns. Between 1970 and 1992, hunters killed 96 percent of Africa’s black rhinos. 

Bonobos

 

War hurts more than just humans. Civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has made bonobos more vulnerable to poachers and continues to destroy their forest homes. It’s unclear how many bonobos there are—probably 10,000-50,000—but scientists believe their population will continue to decline over the next 50 years.

Whales

 

As few as 300 North Atlantic right whales remain in the wild, and the populations among the other seven species range between 10,000 and 90,000. Pollution is a major threat for these aquatic giants, but according to the World Wildlife Fund, more than 1,000 whales are killed every year for commercial purposes.

Asian elephants

 

The main threat to Asian elephants, one of the most intelligent animals, is their shrinking habitat. As the human population grows, people invade their land to build roads and railway tracks. Elephants in Myanmar are at an especially high risk for being captured and traded or used illegally in the tourist industry. Fewer than 50,000 are left on the entire continent. 

Chimpanzees

 

Game meat from chimps, called bushmeat, has become a delicacy for wealthy African residents, which makes them a prime target for poaching. Additionally, baby chimpanzees are taken from their natural habitats and sold as pets in nearby cities. Their current population is somewhere between 173,000 and 300,000.

Sea lions

 

ImagingSea lions native to Australia, New Zealand, and the Galapagos Islands are all on the endangered species list. Their main threat is bycatch, which occurs when they are accidentally caught in fishing equipment while commercial fishers are trying to catch other fish. New Zealand sea lions are predicted to be extinct in five generations, about 50 years.

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7 of the Smarts Animals On Earth

Humans may have the power of consciousness, but we are not the lonely smart beings on the planet. Some animals are actually quite smart, even when you least expect them to be. Scientist noticed that animals are also capable of solving problems, giving them a lot of edge in the wild.

Here are some of the smartest animals.

Bees

According to researchers, bees have a sort of kaleidoscopic memory d the flowers they see in the environment, which helps them figure out which flowers are the best to feed on. They also self-medicate inside their hives. They’re also great engineers, creating complex hives with honeycomb structures that we even use as an inspiration for a number of buildings.

Octopus

They might have squishy tentacles, but don’t let these fool you. Octopuses are very intelligent animals. They spread cultural information, communicate through colors, flashing, and patters, and even mimic others. Octopuses also have an advanced navigational abilities and spatial learning capacity. Their tentacles act like fingers that can manipulate objects.

Elephants

The largest mammal on land also has highly evolved social skills, much like us humans. Elephants are able to shoe loving and compassionate behavior to their family members. They also have amazing memory skills and can remember enemies and friends for 50 years or more. They even have their own form of communication.

Ants

These tiny creatures are absolutely amazing team players. Along with their social skills, the also show a great amount of individual intelligence. They’re great navigators and can remember lengthy routes. Studies on ants show that they know how to care and become altruistic amongst members of their colony.

Dolphins

Dolphins have long interest researchers.  They have a certain communication system, identify themselves in the mirror, and are creative in finding new ways to capture fish. Like humans, they are also very social and work together as a team. Wild dolphins are also known to help herd fish into fishermen nets, expecting their share afterwards.

Crows

Crows are one of the smartest birds on the planet. They are able to use analogies and counting to solve problems. They can take on higher-order, relational-matching task spontaneously. Crows also use tools to finish tasks. Studies have also shown that crows are able to comprehend the Archimedes principle, which successfully abled them to access food by manipulating water levels.

Anole

Lizards don’t really get a lot of recognition for cognitive abilities, but the Anole has impressed researchers with their intelligence.  They demonstrate that they know how to count, and they have advance problem solving and learning skills. They also have extraordinary memories.

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5 Animals that make Strange, Unexpected Sounds

We often have our own ideas of how things are just by how they look. But every now and then, these ideas are replaced with unexpected facts that sound too strange to be true. Take for example animals. Even the recognizable or common ones can sometimes surprise us with certain features, like the sound they make. Different species have different ways of communicating with each other and their environment. You might find that some animals sound very differently than what you’d expect.

Cheetahs

One of the big cats, you might think that these animals sound loud and scary like their brothers, the lion and tiger. However, cheetahs can’t give out that familiar big cat roar since they only have one thyroid bone. Instead, these cats give off a sharp, chipping sound, much like what birds would make. It sounds a little odd, but they are able to reach falcon-like speeds. Also, like house cats, cheetahs can purr, which makes they very adorable.

Basenji

Dogs are known to bark. But this certain dog breed which originated in Central Africa can’t seem to do so. This is because it has a narrower larynx compared to other dog breeds, which results to it vocalizing instead of giving off barks. Basenjis howl and yodel instead, making them great alarms. These dogs are also known to be very smart and are proficient hunters. They’re also stubborn and curios to the point that they might seem mischievous, so they’re better off with experienced dog owners.

Possums

Brushtail possums, which are commonly seen in throughout Australia are fuzzy, opportunistic omnivores that are known to eat plants from people’s gardens and eat eggs from bird’s nests. When possums become scared or intimidated, they make a sound that is very similar to a chainsaw. They can also make a sound similar to a barn owl screech. Possums are often used in the fur trade because of their silk-like texture and light weight.

Elephants

Elephants are known to make loud sounds like trumpets, but did you know that they can also growl? They actually make this sound more often when communicating to one another. They make this sound through the vibrations from their throat and use it when organizing. Their rumbles and growls can be heard from miles away.

Guinea Pigs

Kids love them and they make great pets. For those who grew up owning one, it’s probably no surprise to hear guinea pigs make strange sounds that can only be described as a mixture of squeaking and wheezing. They often make this sound in most emotions, but negative ones are often paired with teeth chattering.

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Are We going to Face Another Animal Mass Extinction?

Over the past few centuries, there has been a drastic shift in nature. This change is very real and it’s affecting not only humans, but animals as well. Our current biodiversity which is the result of more than 3.5 billion years of changes and adaptation in evolution may be in danger.

Biologist at Stanford warns that we could be facing a mass extinction event, which has already happened 6 times throughout the earth’s history. By reviewing the recent scientific analysis and literature of data published by Science, scientist all over the world are saying that the decline and loss of a number of animal species is underwriting to what seems to be the making of the earth’s sixth mass extinction event.

Since the 1500, there have been more than 320 types of land animals which have been marked as extinct. The populations of all the other remaining species are showing a 25 percent decline. If this trend continues, it could cause a lot of problems for all animal life.

Rodolfo DirzoStanfordbiologyprofessor says that although the previous mass extinctions where caused by natural changes of the earth’s crust or catastrophic events like asteroidstrikes, what we are currently facing today can strongly be linked to human activities.

Across the list of all vertebrates, 16 – 33 percent are labeled endangered or threatened. Large animals, called megafauna, such as polar bears, rhinoceroses,and elephants and a number of other animals found worldwide are the most prone to population problems because of fewer offspring, habitat changes, and poaching.

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Greenpeace Says Goodbye to Simba

Greenpeace along with Netherland based animation studio Studio Smack gave us a horrifying glimpse of what life on Earth is without all the adorable memeable cats, loyal friendly dogs and noisy beautiful birds. ( I could do without the cockroaches though, just saying...)

Dutch company Studio Smack gave the world, a world without animals in their "Hacking Disney" video where they deliberately wiped out the fauna in Disney's epic musical adventure The Lion King.

One by one, the animals ranging from zebras, elephants, giraffes, including our favorite characters Zazu and Mufasa slowly dissappear before our eyes.

Greenpeace and Studio Smack did an excellent job in showing us how important wildlife conservation truly is and the need for humanity to step up our game in conserving our treasured fauna.

With animals getting extinct and are in danger of extinction each year, this bone chilling picture of a barren African savannah might not be so far at all!

Hopefully, this would encourage us to take good care of our Earth and we wouldn't say goodbye to Simba soon.

Rejoice is the social media manager for Mapping Kindness (www.mappingkindness.com) and the Mapping Kindness Blog (www.blog.mappingkindness.com) 

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Elephants Use Their Trunks to Ace Intelligence Tests

Say it ain't so, Dumbo. Elephants rely on their trunks and not those big ol' ears to find their way to food and likely to solve other puzzles, report scientists. (See: "Elephants at Risk.")

Elephants are renowned for their acute senses of hearing and smell, both of which play central roles in their everyday life. But until now, it was not known how important these senses were for basic, everyday tasks. (See: "Elephant Photo Gallery.")

Source: Here

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Elephants and humans have 'unique bond'

Researchers from the University of St Andrews have found that African elephants seem to have an instinctive understanding of what it means when a human points to something.

Commenting on this new research, Rachel Melling, an animal keeper from Knowsley Safari Park said African elephants were "highly intelligent".

Source: Here

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Elephant Rumbling Explained

If you try to stand beside an elephant you might feel a gush of wind or perhaps a vibration on the chest area. Are you scared? Yes, you have every reason to be, but it’s not the thudding on the chest brought about by your heavy heartbeat. This may be a surprise but the sound comes from the animal situated just beside you. It is called elephant rumbling. Elephants are one of the highly intelligent animals yet they are the ones with the least form of communication. Unlike cats that purr and dogs that bark, elephants have some form of communication and vocalization.

Apart from the trumpeting sounds, the snorts and the croaking that they are popularly known for, elephants produce a rumbling sound. It is actually a deep, vibrating infra sound that is not easily heard by the human ear because it is very low (about twenty hertz) and this rumbling is produced from the elephant’s throat. You may not see them open their mouths, but the rumbling sound comes from the inside. In fact, it is their lively conversation. Try touching their bodies and feel their skin - you will find out that the strong vibration runs throughout the whole body of the elephant, something like a physical buzzing deep within. Most often, when elephants do the trumpet sound, the rumbling follows soon afterwards but not quite easily heard and detected not until you go near one of them.

Rumbling is a form of a long and far distance kind of communication even though it is kilometers apart from another elephant. It helps detect other elephant locations. In determining friends and family members, the intensity of the rumble is relied upon – the stronger the rumble, the closer they are to proximity and kind. Rumbling can be depended upon for protection of one’s kind when there is imminent danger. It is also used for communicating mating behavior.

How far can the rumbling sound be reached? As seen in the Discovery Magazine and Suite 101.com site, a study conducted by Dr Caitlin O'Connell-Rodwell, of Stanford University studies elephants in the wild in Nambia, Africa through her nonprofit organization Utopia Scientific revealed “that elephants' low-frequency rumbles can travel over two kilometers, and some studies have suggested that the sounds might travel up to 10 kilometers. Not only do these vibrations travel through the air, but these sound waves can also be transmitted through the ground the elephants stand on. Elephants sense these long- distance seismic vibrations through their feet and also by pressing their trunks to the ground. ”

 Elephant Rumbling Explained

 

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Elephants and Tusks

Elephants, apart from their massive sizes, are also known for their tusks, considered to be an essential elephant feature that everyone knows about, regardless if a person in question has actually ever seen an elephant or not.

Though tusks have become readily identifiable elephant attributes, not everyone is aware of the 1980 movie entitled Tusk, telling the tale of a young girl and an elephant who happened to be born on the same day.

Based on the novel written by Reginald Campbell, the French language movie has been considered by many as a waste of time, but as it is based on the realities of the threats elephants are faced with in poaching, the movie’s message is far from being that of trivial.

As a part of the elephant’s physiology, tusks are actually the “teeth” of an elephant, defined as their second upper incisors. Unlike how humans and other mammals use their teeth, an elephant uses its tusks for digging, pushing, and other tasks that their trunks can not effectively do.

Thinking of them as “arms” is also apt, since elephants are known to have certain inclinations with which tusk they are more prone to use, with “left-tusked” and “right-tusked” elephants being around. Also, unlike human teeth, the tusks of an elephant is known to grow like how fingernails would grow.

The tusks of elephants are often valued for their ascribed exotic value, with many finding the ownership of real elephant tusk items as a symbol of wealth. Utilized in the making of jewelry items, souvenirs, accessories and other items, elephant populations are threatened by illegal poaching activities, primarily targeting the tusks of elephants as the “score”.

Though elephants are large, their size makes them big targets, which doesn’t really do anything in protecting them from being taken down. Their tusks, an important part that elephants need to have to survive, continue to be hunted by poachers, and as the movie Tusk shares, encouraging the demand for elephant tusks stands to be the best move in protecting them as a species.

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Elephants Wallpapers

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