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Legend Has It That Jackalopes, Or Jackrabbits With The Horns Of Antelopes, Have Roamed Wyoming Since The 1930s
Since the 1930s, the jackalope, a jackrabbit with the horns of an antelope, is said to have roamed across Wyoming. American folklore states that the jackalope is lightning-quick, powerful, and skilled in singing. But where did the legend of the jackalope come from? Some believe the hybrid creature exists, but most others credit two brothers […] More
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The Last Male Northern White Rhino Died Five Years Ago, But Researchers Believe Some Frozen Skin Can Save Them From Extinction
Five years ago, the last male northern white rhino died. With just two infertile females left, the future of the species is seemingly doomed. The frozen skin of dead northern white rhinos could provide the answer, saving the species from extinction. A new study has found that a stable population could be grown from the […] More
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“Toygers,” Or Toy Tigers, Are The Perfect Domestic Cat Breed For People Who Really Want A Feline Friend That Resembles The Big And Powerful Wild Cat
Tigers are fascinating creatures with their beautiful, majestic stripes and powerful, fearsome roar. It would be cool to have one as a pet, but of course, that is not at all advisable. Wild animals simply don’t belong with humans. If you really want a feline that resembles the big wildcat, opt for the toyger or […] More
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This Island In Japan Is Home To Hundreds Of Cats, Significantly Outnumbering The Island’s Population Of Only Six Humans
If you are a cat person through and through, I’m sure you’ll find this slice of heaven on earth worth visiting. On Aoshima Island, hundreds of cats prowl the area, earning it the title of “Cat Island.” Currently, Aoshima is home to only six humans, so they’re greatly outnumbered by all the feline residents. In […] More
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The Box Jellyfish May Not Have A Brain, But A Study Has Shown This Tiny, Translucent Creature Still Has The Ability To Learn From Past Experiences
The box jellyfish swims in the warm waters of the Caribbean, searching for small crustaceans to eat while carefully avoiding the roots of mangroves, which could easily cause damage to their soft bodies. The tiny, translucent creatures are about the size of a grape, and they do not have brains, yet they are capable of […] More
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Spider Webs Capture DNA From The Surrounding Environment, Which Can Be Used To Learn More About Wildlife
The silken webs that spiders weave are meant to capture flies and other insects. But it turns out their webs can also trap tiny bits of DNA from the surrounding environment, which can be used to measure biodiversity and learn more about wildlife. In a groundbreaking study, scientists analyzed 49 spiderwebs collected from a woodland […] More
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Aside From Just Being Cute, Sea Otters Have Helped Central California’s Kelp Forests Overcome Environmental Threats And Thrive By Keeping Sea Urchin Populations In Check
Sea otters are one of the most adorable aquatic animals. But aside from being cute and charming, they also play an important role in the ocean’s ecosystems. They are known for helping kelp forests flourish, particularly in central California. Otters like to eat sea urchins, which feed on kelp. If there are too many sea […] More
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The British Museum Has Employed Cats To Work As Mousers Since At Least The Nineteenth Century, Earning Pay, Food, Lodging, And Even Healthcare For Their Services
Since 1759, the British Museum has been open to the public. At some point during its 265 years, a colony of cats took over and eventually ended up being employed by the museum, thanks to some human staff members. According to The New York Times, cats have officially worked as mousers at the British Museum […] More
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Human-Caused Threats Are Decimating Bee Populations In The U.S., But We Can Still Reverse Or Mitigate These Effects
There are around 3,500 species of bees in the United States, and several of them are being threatened in multiple ways, causing their numbers to drop dramatically. Some of the threats to bees include habitat loss, diseases, parasites, pesticides, and climate change. Bees may be the ones experiencing the effects directly, but they’re not the […] More
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Indigenous Leaders Recently Signed A Treaty Granting Whales Legal Personhood In Hopes This Move Will Spark Conservation Efforts From National Governments
For many Polynesian Indigenous groups, whales are more than just animals. They are regarded as sacred beings that guided their ancestors across the Pacific Ocean. As a result, those groups consider it their responsibility to protect the enormous aquatic creatures. Recently, Indigenous leaders of New Zealand, Tahiti, and the Cook Islands signed an official treaty […] More
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This Wild Dolphin Was Caught Conversing With Porpoises, Making It The First Time In History An Animal Was Able To Speak To A Different Species
Back in 2022, a lone wild dolphin was seen conversing with porpoises, marking the first time that an animal was able to speak to a different species. A team of researchers from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, reviewed audio recordings of the dolphin to study its behavior and communication style. The female dolphin, […] More
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Pygmy Slow Lorises May Look Adorable, But They’re Actually Deadly, And The Only Venomous Primate Species
At the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, a 3-year-old pygmy slow loris gave birth to two babies on March 21, bringing a wave of joy and hope to the institution. The caretakers of the mother, Naga, suspected that she had been pregnant. After being introduced to a 2-year-old male slow loris, she started […] More
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A Fox That Went Extinct 500 Years Ago Was Found Buried Alongside Humans, Indicating Ancient People Most Likely Kept Them As Pets
At a gravesite in South America, the bones of a fox from a species that is now extinct were found buried alongside several human remains, indicating that ancient humans may have kept foxes as pets. The excavations took place at a site called Cañada Seca, which is located in northwest Patagonia in Argentina. The grave […] More
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The Salish Wooly Dog Became Extinct In 1940, But New Research Suggests The Genetic Remains Of This Canine Can Still Be Found In Some Modern Day Pups
Long ago, the Coast Salish peoples bred a dog with thick fur that they could use to spin into yarn. A few decades after colonizers arrived in the region, the Salish woolly dog became extinct. The only remnants of the canine were believed to be some blankets made out of their fur and a pelt […] More
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The Concept Of A Service Dog Didn’t Arise Until The 1970s, But There Are Many Examples Of Dogs Helping People Throughout History
There has been evidence showcasing canines’ relationship with humans since prehistoric times. Approximately 15,000 years ago, early humans began taming wolves, turning the predatory wild animals into loyal companions of several different breeds that helped them with a variety of tasks. Nowadays, canines continue to be of great assistance to humans, especially in the form […] More
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There Are 24.4 Trillion Pieces Of Microplastics In The Ocean, And Whales Are Sadly Ingesting Them
The ocean is filled with countless creatures that scientists have discovered, and there’s definitely even more that we don’t know about. According to a 2022 study, it also contains 24.4 trillion pieces of microplastics. In the past two decades, the amount of microplastics on the bottom of the ocean has tripled. Obviously, all this pollution […] More
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The Breeder Who Created The First Labradoodle In 1989 Actually Called The Mix His “Life’s Regret”
Being an inventor can be a rewarding experience, especially when you get to see your inventions become part of people’s daily lives. Plus, you’ll be immortalized in history books, and everyone will know your name even long after you’re gone. However, for all the good you might do as an inventor, there are some downsides […] More
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The Curious Case Of The Cow Who Was Blamed For Causing The Great Chicago Fire Of 1871
On October 8, 1871, a fire started in a barn in Chicago. The blaze traveled through about three square miles of the city, burning everything in its path. When it was finally contained two days later, the city was left in critical condition. The fire had killed 300 people, wiped out the homes of 100,000 […] More
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Migratory Animals On Our Planet Are In Peril, With 1,189 Species Needing International Protection
All around the world, migratory species face threats of extinction and population decline, and humans are to blame. Recently, the Convention on Migratory Species released a report that revealed the dire state of the migratory animals on our planet. Out of the thousands of existing migratory creatures, 1,189 species need international protection, which includes 962 […] More
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A Dogsitter Lost Her Beloved Dog After She Left For A Six-Night Trip To Florida, So She Flew Home To Look For Her Pup
It seems that a growing number of dogs have been subjected to improper care while being looked after by pet sitters from a service that provides pet parents with sitters and dog walkers. Many people have reported horror stories of their dogs going missing or even being found dead while with the company’s sitters. A […] More
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Goldfish May Be An Easier Pet To Care For Than A Puppy, But These Creatures Still Require More Attention And Maintenance Than Most People Think
Did your first pet happen to be a goldfish? If so, it probably wasn’t your top choice of a pet. Almost every kid begs for a puppy at some point during their childhoods. Of course, their request is usually denied, and their parents will try to appease them with a goldfish. Goldfish are very attractive […] More