Tortoises are reptiles of the order Testudines, belonging to the family Testudinidae. They are different from turtles by being entirely terrestrial. Many other turtle species are at least partially aquatic. Tortoises have a shell to protect them from predators and other threats. They retract their necks and heads directly back into the shell, as do […]
The British Museum is a public museum in Bloomsbury, London, dedicated to human history, art, and culture. Its permanent collection of eight million works is one of the most extensive in the world. It tells the story of human culture from its inception to the present day. The British Museum was the world’s first public
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Since ancient times, sailors have traversed the open ocean for fishing, trading, and exploration. Because these early mariners faced many dangers and uncertainties, they relied on superstitions, omens, and luck to keep them safe and guide them home. Sailors’ superstitions provided them with a sense of control as they navigated the unpredictability of the seas.
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Sushi offers a unique and flavorful eating experience, unlike any other dish. Legitimate Japanese cuisine is usually made from premium tuna, amberjack, snapper, or mackerel. But did you know that tuna wasn’t initially used for sushi? In the earlier twentieth century, tuna was caught as a sport. Once caught, it is turned into cat food
How Did Ahi Tuna Turn from Cat Food to High-End Sushi? Read More »
Birds are renowned for designing their nest with vegetation rich in compounds that keep them away from parasites. But one unlikely component may actually help birds keep their nest pest free. The nicotine in the cigarettes help keeps the parasite away. Some urban birds like finches and sparrows use cigarette butts as a form of
How Do Birds Keep Pests and Parasites Away? Read More »
Dogs are known to be man’s best friends and loyal companions. More than just being a pet, dogs have special abilities that make them unique from other animals. They can be trained to perform tasks and even assist humans. But did you know several dogs actually fail their service training? Half of the dogs in
How Many Service Dogs Fail Their Training? Read More »
A mouse wheel is a device created for hamsters and other rodents to allow these animals to exercise in limited living environments. It was explicitly designed for domesticated hamsters that serve as pets. But did you know that wheels also attract the attention of wild rodents? Researchers discovered that wild rodents utilized mouse wheels if
Will Rodents Use Mouse Wheels When Left in the WIld? Read More »
The most popular of the many types of mole rats, the naked mole rats are recognizable from their grayish-pink skin and massive incisors. In addition to that, they’re also one of the few animals that can live without oxygen for a relatively long period. A naked mole-rat can survive without oxygen for 18 minutes by
How Long Can a Naked mole-rat Survive Without Oxygen? Read More »
The Moscow Water Dog, though now extinct, was once a fluffy four-foot canine that eventually led to the creation of the Black Russian Terrier. While you won’t find these breeds around today, here are some things you might want to know about these temperamental dogs. The Moscow Water Dog was originally commissioned by the Russian
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Owls belong to the order Strigiformes, which includes approximately 200 species of usually nocturnal and solitary birds of prey with an erect stance, a large, broad head, binocular eyesight, binaural hearing, keen talons, and silent flying feathers. Except for the polar ice caps and a few isolated islands, owls can be found in almost every
Why Do Baby Owls Lie on Their Stomachs? Read More »
