Top 10 Facts about Dolphins

Dolphins are the marine animals which are somewhat related to porpoises and whales. There are around 40 species of dolphins found all around the world in 17 genera. They may be found in various sizes and weights as per their size. They are mostly found in shallower seas and eat fishes and squids. Dolphins are of Greek origin as their name is from Greek word “Delphis” which means “womb” and that is why the meaning of Dolphin can be interpreted as “A fish with a Womb.” There are many interesting facts about Dolphins related to their behavior, vocalizations, behavior, reproduction and sexuality, feeding and many more. This article will provide us with the amazing facts about dolphins that most of us are not aware of. Every animal lover should read this article to know bizarre things about dolphins and to get to know them better.

10. DOLPHINS ARE KILLER WHALES

Orca, popularly known as killer whales is a member of dolphin’s family. It is basically the largest dolphin found worldwide. Has anyone ever thought that such cute looking creatures can come in a category of killer whales? But it is true! Orca whale which is also known as blackfish belongs to oceanic dolphin family. It is a toothed whale found from Arctic and Antarctic regions to the tropical seas. They are given the name killer whales because they feed on sea lions, walruses, seals and even on large whales for their survival. But still they are considered to be highly social and their sophisticated techniques of hunting have been described as a reflection of the culture.....

10 Very Interesting Facts about Tigers

Tigers are voted as the most favorite animal by 50,000 people from over 73 countries during a poll conducted by the animal planet! Being the most admired and adored animal, their numbers keep going down drastically. Most people are not aware of many of the interesting facts about them.

The word “Tiger” is said derived from the Greek term, “Tigris” of Persian origin meaning ‘Arrows’. This refers to the speed of the animals as they are as swift and fast as an arrow in the wild. They can sprint at a speed of 60 km/hr over short distances.

Tigers are famous for their fierce and gigantic personality. Most of us have heard about them being poached incessantly, and most of the species are becoming extinct due to lack of sufficient prey and loss of habitat. There is widely spread misconception that these tigers are being killed for medicinal purposes, but actually most of the medicines made are available from many other sources than from the tiger’s parts. They are indeed used for exotic purposes more, than for their traditional medicinal properties. They lose their habitat because of deforestation and human occupation in their territories. Most of the tigers starve to death due to lack of prey as most of the other animals too are becoming extinct because of man’s selfish and cruel activities and other natural causes. All these lead to the extinction of this rare and amazing animal of the wild.

There are many misconceptions and myths regarding tigers which we believe to be true and real! You may wonder what makes the tigers so special among all the animals of the wild. They are special because they have many distinct features and characteristics which are unique only to them when compared to all the other animals. These animals need human’s protection from fellow men’s inhuman activities. Here are some of the most interesting facts about tigers which will make you admire them even more than you usually do and inspire you to protect them even more!

10. The Grand Camouflage

Tigers are differentiated from other cat species only by their distinct mark – The Stripes! The pattern of the stripes on the body of every tiger is unique like the human finger prints. No two tigers have the same pattern of stripes on their body. In fact their stripes are not just on their fur but are also imprinted on their skin. Even when all their fur is shaved, you can see their stripes on their body over their skin. The stripes on their body act as a camouflage to help them conceal themselves among the thick grasses and bushes in their habitat when they are about to attack their prey. Tigers come in different colors like white tiger, golden tiger, blue or slate colored tiger and the black tiger which is thought to be unreal and if existed, it could only be a species of intermittent mutations than being distinct species...

Top 10 Very Interesting Facts about Elephants

Elephants are a part of our life, culture and traditions. They are associated with various religious beliefs round the world. They are also seen as a symbol of wisdom and altruism. They are the third most intelligent animals in the world. There are various interesting facts about them from why they live near water bodies to the longest pregnancy period. Let us discover the top ten facts about elephants which we still are unaware of, here goes the list:

10. Ears

 The big ears of an elephant are another major attraction. There is a reason behind such big ears. It radiates heat to keep the huge body cool that is the reason why elephants don’t sweat. Ears act as a cooling device for their body. During the times of danger or threat they spread both the ears wide on either side of the head to get signals. Even they use their ears to communicate visually. Together with their feet and trunk they use their ears to receive communication signals over a long distance sent by other members of the community. It is said that they can receive communication signals upto 4 km and during times of threat or danger upto 10 km. They also flap their ears to either express anger or joy.....

Top 10 Most Intelligent Dog Breeds

As an ardent dog lover, I cannot help but sing praises of this amazing species, truly man’s best friend. Josh billings had said, and I quote, “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” An epitome of friendship and loyalty, they will love you and worship you as the centre of their universe. Man’s companion since olden times, these faithful creatures will always bring a smile to your faces. No matter whom you are, or what you have done, they will never judge you. If you own a pet you will know what I mean when I say that they can understand us; getting excited when you are happy or staring at you with those soul melting eyes when you are angry , dogs are highly intelligent. Intelligence to a great extent is dependent on the breed. Judged on the basis of obedience and learning speed and capability, and some of the world’s most intelligent dogs are:

10. Australian Cattle Dog

Australian cattle dog

Reputed to be strong, sturdy dogs, Australian cattle dogs are highly smart and active. As the name implies, they were used as herders of sheep and other livestock by Australian settlers in ranches. Broad skulls with pricked ears set wide apart, these dogs known for their endurance have a muscular physical build. They are highly energetic, and possess a tendency to nip and bite which can be controlled via proper training, of which they are highly receptive. Protective and wary of strangers, these intelligent dogs make excellent watchdogs. They are known to be sturdy because very competitive, they can withstand high temperatures and travel long distances in high terrains, which also brings out their natural agility, making them excellent for sporting events, as police dogs, and detection dogs. They are known as shadow dogs because of their proximity to their ‘person’ and are very reactive to their body language....

Top 10 Effects of Global Warming

Global warming is a phenomenon wherein there occurs a rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and water bodies since the late 19th century and is still an on-going process. Since the early 1900’s, Earth’s average surface temperature has rose by about 0.8 °C(1.4 °F), with almost two-thirds of this hike occurring since 1980. Proposed policy responses to this crisis include mitigation through emissions reduction, adaptation to its effects etc. Most of the countries in the world  are members of the  United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC)  whose sole objective is to prevent dangerous anthropocentric i.e., human-induced climate change. All of the party members have taken an oath to adopt a range of policies that work around reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are the sole reason for an increase in global. Currently efforts as of the early 21st century that  are mainly directed towards  reducing emissions seem to  be quite  inadequate to cope up with  the UNFCCC’s 2 °C target. Here are the top 10 causes for Global Warming.

10) War

Hostilities and conflicts amongst countries are constantly on the rise as nations are competent and ruthless when it comes to acquiring resources. An important example of this is the genocide in the Darfur region situated in Sudan or the Somalian war with roots in the reduction of its natural resources due to the sole reasons of climate change. It is clearly evident that the increasing number of wars that commence on the foundation of food and water scarcities may lead to uncontrollable levels of aggression, security trouble, regional instability, panic etc. We should realize that there is a direct relationship between a geological condition such as global warming and civil unrest. Production of weapons, the oil industry etc.  is often considered to be the most common reasons for global politics....

Top 10 Most Poisonous Snakes in the World

The worlds’ most poisonous snakes has the most amazing skin, they are shiny, glossy, striking and alluring. But no matter how beautiful these creatures are, you cannot even dare to be around them forget about the whim to touch. Snakes never intent to attack humans willingly but it doesn’t change the fact that they are the most venomous and dangerous creatures in the world. In fact, they fear us as much as we fear them and ergo when encountered one should never try to harm them; they get aggressive and furious when disturbed. It’s important to have a basic knowledge about the most poisonous snakes in the world. This is the reason why we have brought yet another top ten most addictive list for our readers. So, have a look on “The Most Poisonous Snakes in the World”

10. Death Adder –

Death Adder is native to Australia and is one of the most poisonous snakes in the world found mainly on the east coast of Australia, New Guinea and nearby Islands. They have a very unique way of hunting; they have the habit of burying themselves in the sand or leaf litter and secretly wait for their prey to approach rather than aggressively stalking like other snakes and as soon as the prey reaches nearby they twitch their tail to lure them and rapidly grab their diet. Their venom contains highly toxic neurotoxin, and they are capable of delivering the fastest strike among all venomous snakes in the world. If you ever come across something shiny and meek on Australian sand, avoid the urge to touch, it might be Death Adders tail.....

10 Animals that became Extinct in 20th Century

We all remember the story of the dodo well, the fearless, flightless bird native to Mauritius which was driven to extinction by hunters, because it was such an easy prey. Rampant hunting and deforestation caused this highly populated bird to become extinct in less than a century, which was barely noticed initially but brought to light the danger of human intervention in extinction of an entire species! But it is not the only species in the world to have gotten extinct in recent times. Evolution does naturally cause certain species to become extinct through natural selection, but this slow process has been picking up great pace due to human involvement and activities. Deforestation, hunting, poaching, global warming have all contributed to this; and the twentieth century saw several species of animals driven to extinction, ten of which are:

10. Cascade Mountain wolf

Cascade Mountain wolf

Also known as the brown wolf, it was of medium size and had a grayish brown coat. Found in abundance in southwestern Canada and in Northern California, North American Pacific Coast Mountains, very little is known about these wolves. Their numbers began to subside due to the rampant hunting of these wolves during the twentieth century on account of the danger possessed to livestock and sheep of the settlers, by these wolves.  With government announcing bounties this species was gradually driven to extinction by 1941....

Top 10 Reasons to Get a Dog as a Pet

Dogs are those animals which are known for their cuteness, loyalty and their vested love for their masters. In fact they were the first domesticated animals which are generally used for hunting, working and as pets by humans. There are many breeds of dogs such as Pug, Boxer, Pit Bull, German Shepherd, Beagle and a thousand more. They also possess various health benefits and have the ability to enhance psychological and physical health of humans. But, as we know, with the good comes the bad, so they also possess health risks to humans and thence must be vaccinated before petting. They are known for performing different roles for people such as assisting police, pulling loads, herding and many more other roles. Though there are just countless reasons for petting a dog, but this article will list the top ten among them, so that we can know the importance of owning a dog and thus buy it as soon as possible.

10. REGULAR EXERCISE

Having a dog also helps us to stay fit. As we know, that if we are keeping a dog as our pet then we have to take care of its diet and exercise. Taking our dog out for a walk not only keeps him healthy but also will include daily exercise in our routine. We all are aware that walking provides us with unlimited health benefits such as lowering our blood pressure and bad cholesterol level, reducing stress, increasing blood circulation, providing us with a sound sleep, preventing heart diseases and many more countless advantages. Also, when we walk, run or bicycle with a friend then it is more fun to do. They care so much about our health that they will go out of their way to take us out. Thus, when we own a dog, we are also getting an added bonus of a healthy and a longer life.....

Top 10 Critically Endangered Animals in the World

This article is about the animals which are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the near future if their populations keep on declining at the same rate as now. The very existence of these animals is threatened by many factors most of which involve humans directly or indirectly. All the species of animals presented in this list have been given a conservation status of Critically Endangered by the IUCN. The Critically Endangered status is just one level below the ‘Extinct in Wild’ and is the highest risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List. This indicates how dangerously threatened these animals are. The following is a list of top 10 critically endangered animals in the world.

10. Leatherback Sea Turtle

Scientific Name: Dermochelys coriacea

Location: Atlantic, eastern Pacific and western Pacific Oceans.

Estimated Population: 35,860 nesting females

Leatherback sea turtle is the most wide ranging sea turtle. It got its name due to its unique carapace which is flexible and rubbery in texture unlike the other sea turtles whose shells are made of hard bony plates. It is the largest of all living turtles and also the largest extant sea turtle. It is sometimes called the lute turtle. Leatherback turtles can be generally found in the pelagic zone. An amazing fact is that this large and active animal can survive on a diet of jellyfish which is mostly composed of water and is a poor source of nutrients. The main threats to these turtles include entanglement in fishing gear, egg harvesting, ship strikes, incidental take in marine fisheries and marine pollution. Balloons, plastic and other marine debris floating in the water are mistaken for jellyfishes and consumed by these turtles causing their death....

9. Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Scientific Name: Eretmochelys imbricata

Location: Tropical reefs of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans.

Estimated Population: 22,900 nesting females

In spite of widespread distribution, this turtle is threatened with extinction. Hawksbill sea turtles are among the smaller sea turtles. Their eggs are still consumed around the world, and they are killed for their flesh despite the international conservation status they have been given. They have become the target for commercial hunting due to their stunning shell which is often referred to as ‘tortoise shell’ and still used in some countries to make head ornaments, jewelry and other decorative items.

8. Sumatran Elephant

Scientific Name: Elephas maximus sumatranus

Location: Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Estimated Population: 2400-2800 in wild

The Sumatran elephant is a subspecies of the Asian elephant and smallest of all the subspecies. The population declined by at least 80% over the past 75 years. The subspecies is conspicuously threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation, poaching for their ivory tusks, degradation and fragmentation. Within the last 25 years, 69% of their potential habitat has been lost to deforestation for palm oil plantations. As the forest area decreased, elephants often come into contact with human settlements generating many conflicts with humans resulting in many elephant deaths. Most of the elephant deaths are due to human persecution, 30% of which is through poisoning due to fear of the animal.

7. Mountain Gorilla

Scientific Name: Gorilla beringei beringei

Location: Virunga Mountains, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.

Estimated Population: 880 individuals

The mountain gorilla is a large and strong ape inhabiting the Africa’s volcanic slopes. It is one of the two subspecies of eastern gorilla. These gorillas are peaceful, gentle and social. The mountain gorilla endured uncontrolled hunting, war and instability, disease, charcoal production which is destroying gorilla habitat, forest habitat loss due to clearing of land for agriculture and capture for illegal pet trade. All these factors led to their dramatic decline in numbers. Due to extensive conservation efforts in the recent years the populations have slightly increased in numbers, from 620 individuals in 1989 to around 880 individuals today.

6. Sumatran Tiger

Scientific Name: Panthera tigris sumatrae

Location: Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Estimated Population: Less than 400 individuals

The Sumatran tiger is a rare subspecies found exclusively on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, which is the last stronghold for tigers in Indonesia. These tigers are the smallest surviving tiger subspecies. They are losing their habitat due to logging, clearing for agriculture, expansion of oil palm plantations, and settlement. This habitat destruction is also reducing their prey, forcing the tigers to enter the human settlements in search of food, where they come into conflict with people. Human-tiger conflict is a more serious issue in Sumatra than other parts of tiger’s global range. The Sumatran tiger is also threatened by poaching for illegal trade. Conservation measures include the prohibition of hunting, protecting tiger habitat and monitoring the tigers.

5. White-headed Langur

Scientific Name: Trachipythecus poliocephalus

Location: Cat Ba Island, Vietnam, and Guanxi, China.

Estimated Population: 60-70 individuals

White-headed langurs are among the rarest primates in the world and are near extinction. They are also known as Cat Ba Langurs or Golden-headed langurs. These langurs live high up in caves, hills and trees and live in groups and take turns scavenging and babysitting. They have excellent tree-climbing skills. Hunting, habitat loss and illegal poaching are the main threats endangering their existence. They are among the World’s 25 most endangered primates. Their habitat is now protected by law,and there are two sanctuaries for them.

4. Cross River Gorilla

Scientific Name: Gorilla gorilla diehli

Location: Border between Nigeria and Cameroon, in both tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests.

Estimated Population: 250-300 in wild, 115 protected in Nigeria’s Cross River National Park

The Cross River gorilla is a subspecies of western lowland gorillas and thought to have diverged from them about 17,800 years ago. It is considered one of the World’s 25 most endangered primates. Two parks, Takamanda National Park in Cameroon and Cross River National Park in Nigeria, have been established for the protection of the Cross River gorillas. Their numbers declined due to habitat loss, degradation, hunting for bushmeat, farming activity and construction of roads throughout their habitats.

3. Vaquita

Scientific Name: Phocoena sinus

Location: Northern part of Gulf of California, or Sea of Cortez.

Estimated Population: Fewer than 200 individuals

The other names of Vaquita include cochito, desert porpoise and gulf porpoise. It is the most endangered cetacean in the world. It is also the smallest living cetacean. Main threats to Vaquita include directed fishing, reduction of food supply due to fishing and accidental entangling in gill nets set for fish, a problem known as bycatch. Vaquitas can only be saved by eliminating the bycatch. Other major threats are pesticide pollution, natural predators, habitat loss and degradation. Many protective measures are being taken to help this species to recover.

2. Javan Rhinoceros

Scientific Name: Rhinoceros sondaicus

Location: Ujung Kulon National Park on the western tip of Java.

Estimated Population: Only about 40 exist in the world in Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park

The Javan rhinoceros is also known as lesser one-horned rhinoceros. Only one population of this species remains making them extremely vulnerable to extinction due to natural disasters, disease, genetic drift, loss of genetic diversity due to inbreeding depression and poaching. The main reason for the extinction of the Vietnamese subspecies is poaching which still remains a threat to the remaining individuals. The Javan rhinos are primarily killed for their horns which are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine. These rhinos are also threatened by habitat loss caused by commercial logging and forest conversion for agriculture.

1. Amur Leopard

Scientific Name: Panthera pardus orientalis

Location: Primorye region of southeastern Russian and Jilin Province of northeast China.

Estimated Population: 19-26 extant in wild

The Amur leopard is a rarity among the leopard species. The other names of this leopard include Far Eastern Leopard, Korean Leopard, and Manchurian Leopard. The average life span is 17 years in the zoo. This leopard is mainly threatened by poaching, encroaching civilization, forest degradation, human induced fires, hunting of its prey, climate change and inbreeding. As it is severely endangered many conservation actions are being taken to save it from extinction.

Top 10 Most Loved Stuff Toys

Stuffed toys are really like the cutest thing to exist on earth. Girls can cry hugging it and for babies, it works as a safety blanket. These toys are enjoyed by every kind of people residing on earth, mainly the female section of the population and that of the babies. Also if you are probably tired of racking your brains thinking what to buy then you need not look for anything if you have found a stuff toy; be it that kid next door or your girlfriend on the one month anniversary, close your eyes and pick one stuffed toy up and your dear one will be beaming with joy, that is the kind of effect these fluffy little toys have. Now, there are various forms of these stuffed toys and they come in various shapes and sizes and of all they come in certain characters from some fiction, be it a game of be it in the shape of a farm animal. And likewise, there are levels of joy that can be attained by collecting these toys so here is the list of 10 most loved stuffed toys:

10. ANYTHING THAT COMES IN PINK

Women have this weird connection with the color pink, yes; even those who claim to not stand the color. When it is pink and it’s a stuffed toy, girls go crazy like they have just been transferred to their favorite Disney world and given a chance to dance with the prince charming in Cinderella’s glass shoes. Pink stuffed toys are truly adorable, not only are they fluffy but they are P-I-N-K. What can be cuter? For men who do not get why girls act like screaming and screeching birds when they see pink toys, put this in the way, you would react, when you are in a shoe store and you just being gifted an Italian leather shoe for FREE. It’s the same feeling.....