How did the giraffe get its long neck?

Keep reading for more interesting information about giraffes' neck

A giraffe's height is an evolutionary adaptation that allows it to feed from tall trees and other sources of vegetation. The long tongue of the giraffe, which can grow to 21 inches in length, is a similar adaptation designed for reaching difficult spots.

Also see: baby giraffe

Giraffes can grow up to 19 feet in height and weigh nearly 3,000 pounds. While the giraffe's height is advantageous for eating and searching for predators, it also poses difficulty when the animal needs to drink from a watering hole. When kneeling, a giraffe must splay its legs, making the giraffe vulnerable to predators such as lions and crocodiles. Despite this, giraffes rarely need to drink and derive most of their water from vegetation.

There are two main scientific theories as to why giraffes’ necks are so tall. The first was proposed by Charles Darwin and suggests that due to intense competition from rival creatures for foliage under two metres high, giraffes’ common ancestor slowly evolved a longer neck in order to access untapped leaf reserves – with only the more successful, longer necked animals feeding efficiently. The second theory is that giraffes evolved long necks as a secondary sexual characteristic, giving males an advantage in physical combat and therefore granting access to more sexually receptive females to reproduce.

You might be like to see interesting animal facts

Read More

Can vitamin C boosts microvascular function?

Can you give the answer for the question: Can vitamin c boosts microvascular function? If you can't, just keep reading to find out

Vitamin C helps to reduce stress because it allows the body to quickly clear out cortisol, a primary stress hormone that increases sugars in the bloodstream. Although helpful in a fight or flight scenario, regularly elevated levels of cortisol in your body suppress normal functioning of the digestive system, reproductive system, and growth processes. Vitamin C helps to regulate cortisol and prevent blood pressure from spiking in response to stressful situations. Grab an orange, a kiwi, or try a supplement of 3,000mg for maximum benefit.

But vitamin C might have another effect upon our metabolism that should be considered. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin studied 45 obese adults who were in their early thirties. They found that vitamin C infusions increased blood vessel smooth muscle communications among small capillaries and blood vessels – indicating that vitamin C increased the body’s ability to transport blood through our microvascular system.

And where is microvascular function most critical? Within our brains. Our brain cells and nervous system are fueled with oxygen and nutrients supplied through some of the body’s smallest (micro) blood vessels.

As these vessels lose their flexibility from oxidative damage, our brain cells suffer because they don’t get enough nutrients. As other research has found, microvascular damage among the brain can significantly affect moods and anxiety levels – in addition to increasing the likelihood of dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Would you like to see single malt scotch?

Read More

When do tigers climb trees?

Just keep reading to have the best answer for the tigers facts question: When do tigers climb trees?

The tiger - a terrestrial cat:

Tigers are essentially terrestrial animals which confine climbing to their juvenile years:

They are very clumsy when aloft.

Despite their incredible muscle power tigers need to enter a tree at a run, being unable to simply pull themselves up in the manner used by leopards.

They may get stuck in trees. Not being climbers by nature, it takes them time to learn the best way to descend is backwards.

Usually find that though claws make tree climbing possible, their angle also makes the descent an awkward job. 

Also see elephant facts

Cubs:

Tiger cubs willingly climb trees for about the first sixteen months of life and young tigers have been sighted following langur monkeys up into the trees in an effort to secure a feed. But after this age their increasing weight makes both ascent and descent difficult, and few tree branches have the needed strength to hold their weight.

Adults:

Adults seldom climb, but are quite capable of doing so; they may do this if being chased by dogs or when after prey. There have been occasions of men climbing trees to escape an attacking tiger, only to be killed when the tiger followed them up. 

This does not mean tigers are willing or efficient climbers. On the contrary, they are not. The white Bengal and Amur tigers shown here are doing something quite unusual for tigers of their age.

See more amazing animal facts

Read More

Dragons are actually Gods or Exist in the Afterlife

There is a idea about amazing animal facts that Dragons are actually Gods or exist in the afterlife. I don't believe but feel it is very interested. Let's see

Dragon myths exist in a number of different countries and cultures throughout history. Dragons are often guardians of treasure and must be slain by a hero.

Although dragons are fictional, Smithsonian Magazine has suggested that the discovery of dinosaur fossils may have led to the creation of dragon myths. Additionally, the Nile crocodile, Goanna lizards of Australia or whales may have served as inspiration for the dragon myths.

A lizard known as the Komodo dragon lives in Indonesia, but this reptile has little in common with the dragon myth.

In many Asian religions it is believed that dragons represent the primal forces of nature and the universe. Even in western societies they were sometimes seen as God’s judgement sent upon a nation or people.

Some belief systems associate dragons with spirituality and wisdom. They are the keepers of secrets in the universe and bearers of immense power.

The Celts even believed Dragons existed in the Afterlife.

These accounts force us to consider other possibilities as well like perhaps Dragons were (and are) in fact the physical manifestations of Angels or the forces of nature. Or they are the forms Gods (who control balance in this world) take on.

Learn more funny random facts. 

Read More

The flying capabilities of cockroaches

I love to know and share amazing animal facts about cockroaches

The flying capabilities of cockroaches vary according to the particular species, and sometimes sexual category, to which they belong. In Canada, the German cockroach is the most important and prevalent cockroach species in the country. Depending on the region, other significant pest species present are the American, brown-banded, oriental, smoky-brown, and wood varieties of cockroach. Though both males and females of the German cockroach have wings, they do not fly except for short downward gliding. Meanwhile, both sexes of the smoky-brown species of cockroach are strong fliers. Amongst the brown-banded and wood cockroaches, only the males enjoy flying capabilities. Though not regarded as true flyers, both male and female American cockroaches maintain the ability to glide through the air. Both genders of the oriental cockroach lack the capacity to fly. The Canadian cockroach species capable of flying are generally only able to remain in the air for short amounts of time.

Despite possessing four wings, each flying cockroach uses just a single pair for air travel. Thick and protective, the front pair of wings displays the same coloration as the body of the cockroach and rests against the back of the insect when not in use. The back pair of wings remains hidden and protected beneath the front pair until the cockroach takes flight. When preparing to fly, cockroaches lift the front wings to expose the back wings. The insects keep the front wings lifted while flying and move through the air by using the back pair. In contrast to the front pair, the back wings of cockroaches that fly are membranous, thin and clear.

Even though many cockroaches can fly, the insects boast highly effective legs and prove more adept at running than flying. The body of a cockroach features three legs extending from each side of the thorax. Covered with setae and pointy spines, each leg varies in length and fulfills different yet interrelated functions that enable the physical act of running. With a total of six legs working together to propel the insects forward, cockroaches can cover a distance equal to roughly 50 body lengths in a single second. For a human to run the same distance as 50 of his or her own body lengths in one second, he or she would have to reach a speed of about 200 miles per hour.

For more facts of life

Read More

Duck facts

Here are some amazing news and facts about ducks:

1. A baby duck is called a duckling, and an adult male is a drake. An adult female duck is called a hen or a duck, and a group of ducks can be called a raft, team or paddling. Generic terms like bird, chick and flock also apply to ducks.
2. All ducks have highly waterproof feathers as a result of an intricate feather structure and a waxy coating that is spread on each feather while preening. A duck's feathers are so waterproof that even when the duck dives underwater, its downy underlayer of feathers will stay completely dry. The uropygial gland produces that waxy oil that coats feathers so well, and many other birds also have the same gland.
3. Ducks are precocial, which means that ducklings are covered with down and able to walk and leave the nest just a few hours after hatching. This helps protect the young chicks from predators, since they do not need to stay in the vulnerable nest area for long.
4. A hen will lead her ducklings up to a half mile or more over land after hatching in order to find a suitable water source for swimming and feeding. As soon as a baby duck's down is dry after hatching, they will be able to swim.
5. Dabbling ducks feed on the surface of water, on land, or by ducking their head underwater. Along the edge of their beak is a comb-like structure called a pecten, that enables them to hold slippery food and filter nutrients out of the water.
6. A common urban legend is that a ducks quack does not echo. This has however, been proven to be false.
7. Ducks are curious and friendly creatures they have been domesticated as pets and farm animals for more than 500 years. All domestic ducks are descended from either the Mallard or the Muscovy duck.
8. The most common and recognised species of duck is the Mallard or Wild duck. It is a dabbling duck that lives in the Americas, Europe, Asia, North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia.
9. The male Mallard has a glossy green head, grey wings and belly, while the female has a brown-speckled plumage. Mallard ducks have a moulting season, they are vulnerable during this time as the moulting stops them flying.
10. Mallard ducks live 5 to 10 years in the wild and 8+ years in captivity.
11. Paradise Shelducks of New Zealand often have one mating partner for life.
12. All ducks have highly waterproof feathers due to the feathers interlocking nature and waxy coating.
13. Ducks have many economic uses. Their feathers, particularly their underlying 'down' feathers, are used in many products, while the white Pekin duck is the most common variety raised for eggs and meat.
14. Ducks have featured as popular cartoon characters over the years, such as Walt Disney's Donald Duck and Warner Brothers, Daffy Duck.

Read More

Get to know elephant facts

Have you thought about elephant facts? How much do you know about them? Keep reading the below writing

1. Elephants live in herds guided by oldest and wisest female member. Male elephants will leave the herd when they reach 12 years. They will form "bachelor" herds before they become old enough for a solitary life (life on their own).
2. Elephants sleep 2-3 hours per day. They spend the rest of the time in eating. Elephants are vegetarians (eat only plants). An adult elephant needs to drink around 210 litres of water a day.
3. An elephant can use its tusks to dig for ground water. An adult elephant needs to drink around 210 litres of water a day.
4. Elephants have large, thin ears. Their ears are made up of a complex network of blood vessels which help regulate their temperature. Blood is circulated through their ears to cool them down in hot climates.
5. Elephants have no natural predators. However, lions will sometimes prey on young or weak elephants in the wild. The main risk to elephants is from humans through poaching and changes to their habitat.
6. The elephant’s trunk is able to sense the size, shape and temperature of an object. An elephant uses its trunk to lift food and suck up water then pour it into its mouth.
7. An elephant’s trunk can grow to be about 2 metres long and can weigh up to 140 kg. Some scientists believe that an elephant’s trunk is made up of 100,000 muscles, but no bones. 
8. Elephants communicate within their herds or between herds many kilometers away by stamping their feet and making sounds too low for human ears to perceive.
9. Both female and male African elephants have tusks, but only male Asian elephants have tusks.
10. An elephant can use its tusks to dig for ground water.
11. Elephant's skin is one inch thick, but it can burn on the sun if it is not protected. Elephants use mud to cover their skin and protect it from the sun.
12. Elephants communicate by producing the sounds that humans can't hear and by producing vibrations in the ground using their feet.
13. Elephants perform "burial ceremony" when they lose a member of the herd. They gather around the body and stay in silence for a while. They will use branches to cover the body before they leave.
14. Elephants can recognize themselves in the mirror. Just few animals beside human toddlers are able to do that.
15. They evolved large, thin ears to help regulate their body temperature and keep cool.
16. The elephant’s trunk is able to sense the size, shape, and temperature of an object.

Read More