Rhino horns are made up of keratin. It is the same protein that forms our nails and hair. Although there is no scientific proof of its medical value, the rhino horn remains to be one of the most coveted items in Asian Medicine. This leads to the poaching of rhinos. But what measures have conservationists […]
In October 2017, the Northern California region experienced the Tubbs Fire. At the time, the fire burned through portions of the counties of Napa, Sonoma, and Lake while wreaking the most havoc in Santa Rosa, was the most destructive wildfire in California history. Its destructiveness was quickly surpassed by the 2018 Campfire only one year
Black widow spiders are well-known for the colored, hourglass-shaped mark on their abdomens. Several species respond to the name and can be found in temperate regions worldwide. But did you know how male black widow spiders choose their mates? To avoid being eaten, male black-widow spiders choose their mates by determining if the female has
The only gemstones in the world that originate from living things are pearls. These priceless gems are created by mollusks like oysters and mussels, which humanity has sought since ancient times. But did you know that a fisherman from the Philippines found the largest pearl weighing 24 kilograms? The giant pearl measures 30 cm wide,
Salamanders are solitary creatures. Several myths and legends about them have emerged over the centuries. Many ancient people thought salamanders were fireproof and cold-blooded enough to extinguish flames. But did you know why people during medieval times thought they were fire-resistant? Salamanders were thought to be resistant to fire due to their habit of hibernating
As the world warms and Arctic sea ice melts, starving polar bears are forced further south, where they meet grizzlies, whose ranges are expanding northward. With increased contact between the two species comes more mating, and thus more sightings of their hybrid offspring. But did you know polar bear and grizzly bear hybrids all came
Capuchin monkeys are New World monkeys belonging to the subfamily Cebinae. They are easily recognized as the organ grinder monkey and have appeared in several films and television shows. Capuchin monkeys can be found in tropical woods throughout Central and South America, as far south as northern Argentina. But did you know how the Capuchin
According to a 2015 study published in the US and the National Library of Medicine, certain food have addictive properties. It also revealed that these foods might have characteristics similar to illicit drugs. But did you know that cheese has a morphine-like compound? Casomorphin, a morphine-like compound found in cheese, makes them highly addictive. This
Magpies belong to the Corvidae family of birds. Like other family members, they are often regarded as clever creatures. The Eurasian magpie, for example, is considered one of the most intelligent creatures on the planet. It is one of the few non-mammal species capable of recognizing itself in a mirror test. But how did a
We often hear the phrase, pets live in the moment, but anyone who owns a dog or cat will tell you that they’ve witnessed incidents that call that statement into question. But did you know cats and dogs have excellent memory? We may believe that cats and dogs live in the now, but their ability
