If the internet was a perfect place, it would surely give us something more valuable than time well wasted. Imagine how awesome it would be if our all-time favorite pet pics and animal videos were to meet the knowledge we all crave. Well, guess what?
This Reddit community titled "Awwducational" is doing precisely that. Created in November 2012, it has become home to some of the most amusing educational facts you’d love to share on your next trivia round with friends. The best part: they all have to do with the most wholesome furry creatures out there, from cute possums and giggling rats, to playful cows and the slow-mo sloths.
So let’s get ready to soak up some did-you-knows and make your biology teacher proud. And scroll down for Bored Panda’s interview with r/awwducational senior moderators who shared some insights about their wholesome Reddit community.
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Trained African Giant Pouched Rats Have Found Thousands Of Unexploded Landmines And Bombs. Researchers Have Also Trained These Rats To Detect Tuberculosis. And Most Recently They Are Training Them To Sniff Out Poached Wildlife Trophies Being Exported Out Of African Ports
Yep. But, actually more useful than some humans I know.
Load More Replies...I know this! They are called Hero Rats and you can find them on instagram
In Most Western Cultures, Black Cats Are Considered A Bad Omen. But In Scottish Lore, The Arrival Of A Strange Black Cat Signifies Prosperity
My black cat has brought an abundance of feline love into my life, so yes, I believe the Scottish Lore to be true.
Same - we had 20 years together that I wouldn't wanna miss!
Load More Replies...I will never understand how someone can call an animal bad luck because of the color of their fur.
It was generally in association with witches and demons.
Load More Replies...Cheetahs Are So Shy That Zoos Give Them Their Own Emotional “Support Dogs”
I've worked with cheetahs and I have never come across the idea that they're "shy" before.
As a kid I always wanted to work with cheetahs. I envy you a little now lol ;)
Load More Replies...the cheetah looks like it didn't expect the puppy to be there... "WAIT WAIT todAy was supposed to be my day, you're not supposed to come until tomorrow!! oh whatever, let's cuddle"
Funny, years ago a zoo in NZ used to let you meet cheetah cubs and their mum. It was cool. The keeper said it was the only paddock in the zoo that never had a problem with rabbits.. Much smaller and lighter than I expected
I took one for a walk once and she was very sweet and gentle (I’m talking about the Cheetah) true story
To find out more about this awesome subreddit, we spoke to senior moderators u/IchTanze and u/AGreatWind. Reddit user u/IchTanze, who has been moderating r/awwducational for 5 years now, said that the cool title of the subreddit refers to the “aww” reaction to insects, flowers, baby animals, or a critically endangered species. “‘Aww is in the eye of the beholder’ as we say,” he said.
Meanwhile, “The educational component is what gets added in the comment section, where the user must provide a source for their fact in the title that is either peer-reviewed, from a highly reputable source, or has citations from one of the above to back it up.” Most importantly, the community wants their users to learn something.
Opposums Get A Lot Of Hate, But They Clear Many Unwanted Bugs And Parasites From The Ecosystem And Are Generally Helpful Friends. Please Appreciate Them, Especially This Good Boy
What about trashivores? Because my neighborhood possum really likes eating trash.
Load More Replies...Opossums foever!!! I love these little guys! I had a 'pet' one named Ted who ate with the feral barn cats. I basically just considered him another cat and he was one of the few I could actually touch. Their ears feel really cool.
My wife found out that they even eat snakes. She has loved them ever since.
As an Australian, I have no idea why Americans hate them. They seem chill as hell and incredibly vital to the ecosystem. Lovely little marsupials!
Americans actually eat possums. Watch how to eat a possum on YouTube
Load More Replies...I absolutely LOVE them, and it's true that they are definitely misunderstood.
A Sloth's Claws Work The Opposite Way That Human Hand Does. The Default Position Is A Tight Strong Grip, And Sloths Must Exert Effort To Open Them Up. This Is Why Sloths Don't Fall Out Of Trees When They're Asleep
No not really, birds' feet will do that because of the weight put on them or something like that, the default is kind of like humans? At least that's what I thought.
Load More Replies...Simple: Usually there are two evolutionary responses to a food shortage: 1. evolve to be smaller and more energy efficient. 2. evolve to use as little energy as possible to exist... Guess which one the Sloths picked. :P
Load More Replies...I have to exert effort to open my hand due to arthritis, but I think I'll just tell people I'm a sloth now.
So much fun, isn't it? Sloth hands sounds better though.
Load More Replies...Similar situation with giraffe's necks: the default position is straight up. They have to push to get their head down to the ground. So they don't use up energy walking tall.
Cows Have "Eureka" Moments, And Take Pleasure In Their Own Learning Achievements
Do you mean cows and pigs? Chickens are seen as more stupid than they are, but they're more set on escaping the cage than anything else.
Load More Replies...Cows are lovely animals with humor and intelligence, who love their young. They are like horses in many ways, but for some reason, we treat them very differently.
I know, it is sad. I grew up in a dairy farm and the cows were lovely.
Load More Replies...I have known for a while that cows have best friends and have ways to communicate to bulls when they are horny, but I only found out this week that they are also super hierarchical and every cow has its rank in the herd. The 'alpha cows' will tussle if introduced to a new cow and when two alphas are introduced together they can have shoving matches that last 40min. Watching the shoving matches is a sport in Switzerland.
They also tell each other when they find a hole in a fence and kick up a big fuss while escaping. Always made me laugh when the cows got out, they could never do it secretly.
Load More Replies...I remember a game I used to play and it was about cows and there was Eureka cards. It sounds weird but it was really fun.
Another senior user u/AGreatWind commented that they allow content about natural history as well as “animals and plants of all kinds, even if their cuteness may be... subjective.” The moderator said that users provide a source for their fact, which must link to peer-reviewed research or an article that links to peer-reviewed research, which is then verified by a member of the mod team.
“Our mod team is a diverse group of animal lovers, enthusiasts, and scientists from a range of backgrounds spanning ecology, biophysics, and infectious disease.”
u/AGreatWind also said that it’s a lot of work as each post needs to be attended to, but the community enjoys it since they “get to learn new things every day.”
Scientists Know That Rats Like To Have Their Bellies Tickled, So They Used That As Basis For Testing Happiness In Rats. They Found Out That The Ears Of Rats Undergoing Tickling Became Droopier And Pinker - Subtle Signs Of Being Relaxed And Happy
I can't say enough about rats. Properly cared for, you won't find a sweeter creature than rats. It's just a shame they don't live longer lives. RIP Grizzy, Hamlet, Sophie and the Twins.
Apparently the latest studies show that not all rats like to be tickled. In case you are wondering, yes, it was British scientists who ran that study)
I wasn't, but now I am curious as to why you think that matters?
Load More Replies...I had rats for few years as pets, they're sooo underrated. They're just tiny dogs and have very interesting personalities. But you have to take care of them properly, I often see people who keep them in cages that are too small, feed them poorly, take them outside, don't go to the vet or keep them all alone, while they need other rats as a family. They deserve so much better. Absolutely amazing creatures and very, very loving.
I've had rats for years, they're the best buddies I've ever had, gentle, loving and intelligent
The Opossum Is North America's Only Marsupial, They Can Eat 5000 Ticks A Year And Are Almost Immune To Rabies! Their Body Temperature Is Too Low For The Virus To Survive!
I stopped to let one cross the street last night coming home from work. XD "Go go go! I'll keep you safe little fren."
Did he have his reflector on his little hat?
Load More Replies...This picture and the hat win every award in the book! Whoever made that hat, your sense of humor makes sad days less sad and happier days happier.
And why is their little heart cold? They don't get the love and respect they need. Liked your joke Sawdust.
Load More Replies...Lynx Have Evolved Enormous Paws To Distribute Weight Better In Snow, Acting Like Natural Snowshoes
Natural selection is the driving factor behind the process of evolution.
Load More Replies...Redditor u/AGreatWind said that in his time as a moderator here, “we went from 50,000 subscribers to over 2 million. In that time, we have maintained a consistent approach to verification and civility.” Thus, u/AGreatWind likes to think of /r/Awwducational as "a big little sub."
“We are rather large by subscriber count, but the community still feels small because of the interaction and cooperation we have with them. We try to engage with and listen to our subscribers rather than try to herd them, much as we did when there were only a few thousand.”
In the r/awwducational community, the users make it as much as the mod team. “So often someone in the comments has a remarkable insight about a post's subject animal, be it cooperation amongst lab rats, newly discovered birds of paradise, or the hyoid mechanics of a snow leopard's voice box. It’s fantastic!”
Seagulls Stomping On Grass Is Called, The Rain Dance. This Mimics Rain By Vibration, And Brings Earthworms And Other Bugs To Surface
Someone please photoshop a disco ball in this, make it a video and add 70s disco sound.
And theyre like oh no its wrong theyre like oh no its wrong
Load More Replies...I used to flood the grass in our backyard to bring out bugs, and then keep them as pets in 'swimming pools' I made in buckets with rock islands. I legit thought they loved swimming and so I called them 'swimming beetles'. Only as an adult did I realise I was probably flooding them out and drowning them - they came to the surface to breathe, not swim in the grass pools I made!
I think QI (and I know QI is a poor source of facts) said that this imitates the shuffling vibrations of a digging mole, so the worms stream to the surface to escape it. Just an interesting alternative explanation.
All the facts on this subreddit are cited and verified. Could still be a bit of both though?
Load More Replies...Blue Penguins Are The Smallest Type Of Penguin. Adults Reach Only 12-13in Tall. Owing To Their Small Size And Bright Color They Are Often Called Fairy Penguins
bippity boppity you are nobodies property. AND KEEP IT THAT WAY!
There is a Fairy Penguin Sanctuary on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. The penguins come back to their burrows each night. It's a very popular tourist attraction. (Don't worry, the public have to stay behind the barricades and are not allowed to disturb the penguins). Due to COVID-19, the sanctuary has been closed to the public, but they are livestreaming every evening at 7:40pm AEDT (right now actually). Check it out. It's fascinating! https://www.penguins.org.au/virtual/live-penguin-tv/
Load More Replies...Did not know these existed. The world is a happier place now.
Finally something that doesn't try to kill you! Or do they...? O_o (Joke ♡)
Load More Replies...Were always fairy penguins when I was a kid (younger than 60)
Load More Replies...The Burmese Star Tortoise Is One Of The Few Animals That Have Comeback From Being Called Functionally Extinct
So is the big one! Look at that face and adorable front legs all hunched up!
Load More Replies...'Funtionally extinct' means that the population is dropping to zero and there is no known way of reversing this. Improvements in knowledge/technology can reverse that: in this case, in 2003 they finally succeeded in finding the correct conditions to breed these in captivity. 200 captive tortoises quickly became 14,000, some of which were released to bolster the failing wild population.
Load More Replies...A University Of Chicago Study Found That Rats Are Just As Capable Of Empathy As Humans
I'm sorry Danny de Meyer I hope u meet some truly kind empathetic people some day. Your life will change for the better. Navydave isn't one of them. Ugh
Load More Replies...Without a certain amount of empathy, rat packs wouldn’t survive—-their population would dwindle if they didn’t look out for each other. That’s something a lot of humans seem to forget when they start playing their zero sum games.
I had a pet rat with a middle ear problem who couldn't sit up properly. One day I saw her sister sit down next to her and gently prop her up so she could groom. It was amazing.
Maybe if they would leave you at least one M&M?
Load More Replies...It's a lot to expect from a human, too. I think most people would save a piece but not everyone would, and very rarely would someone save an equal share.
I must differ with your opinion. The people I know not only would share what they have but would give all and do without themselves. I hope you meet some people like this in your life. Here's a hug pass it forward. Here's two.
Load More Replies...150 Kākāriki Karaka Chicks Have Hatched This Season, Potentially Doubling The This Rare Birds Population
This little guy is sort of scraggly but the adults are real beauties. I am so happy to hear that yet another critically endangered species is slowly coming back!
No, these ones fly. Kākāpō are the flightless parrots.
Load More Replies...These are the parrots who nest on the ground, I think, leaving them open to predation.
The Northern Cardinal Is Probably The Most 'Romantic' Bird Species: They Mate For Life, Travel Together, Sing Before Nesting, And During Courtship, Feed Seed Beak-To-Beak
A family lives in my garden and eats bread crumbs off my deck. They make my day.
I once saw a documentary, where a bird (I think seagull) that mates for life was expecting back her mate from a long journey (I think only the males flew away in winter), but he hadn't appeared and she was so distressed and and devastated, it was heartbreaking to watch. But in the end he did turn up and their reunion was so happy and heartwarming. And I don't think that it is just anthropomorphized and we just try to push human emotions to birds, I really think that they felt all those emotions I described.
When In Danger, The Malabar Giant Squirrel Often Freezes Or Flattens Itself Against The Tree Trunk, Instead Of Fleeing
Oh, please do and then share a photo. I have seen some beautiful needle felting of animals.
Load More Replies...That explains something. I've watched a video of monkeys slapping these squirrels (they compete for the same food) and the squirrels just standing still and taking it.
The Pudú Deer Is The Smallest Species Of Deer Standing At 15 Inches Tall On Average
well, in other news, Bear 435 (Holly) won the fastest bear competition. apparently, that's a thing... and not just in pandemic. (bears of Katmai Nat. Park.) https://www.npr.org/2020/10/02/919411655/voting-opens-for-katmai-national-parks-iconic-fat-bear-week fat_bear-5...07161f.jpg
Son hermosos y en peligro de extinción,en nuestro país es una especie protegida. No se permite la caza o tenencia como mascota.
Load More Replies...Look similar to east-asian kancil.. Kancil is famous in our country because many fable story cast them as wise councilor of jungle
My time to shine. Those are Chinese Water Deer. I know this because I just read it here.
Load More Replies...The Milk Of Pinnipeds Consist Of Up To 60% Fat, Allowing The Young To Grow Fairly Quickly. Pups Can Gain Over 2.2 Kg (4.9 Lb) Per Day While Nursing
A Newborn Chinese Water Deer Is So Small It Can Almost Be Held In The Palm Of The Hand. When It Matures, Instead Of Growing Antlers, They Grow Long Upper Canine Teeth Gaining Them The Name "Vampire Deer"
Aski nice! Maybe they will let you!! LOL! (love ur name!)
Load More Replies...Just Googled adult pic. Would be perfect for a Monty Python movie.
They are like cats of the deer world. Fluffy, adorable (look at the ears!) but with scary teeth.
Load More Replies...?? The fact is likely true - however... this picture - I remember seeing it some years ago. Not sure what species it was - but the story it was attached to is that this l'il one was named "Rupert" - and he was notable because he was essentially a preemie newborn and his mother was killed with humans finding him immediately - the sad story is that because he was deprived of his mother so early that she wasn't able to pass on the protective factors nor could he digest any non-mom food, so he ended up passing away.
Cows Have Similar Emotional Range As Dogs. They Display Boldness, Shyness, Fearfulness And Even Playfulness
And they can have a life long best cow friend whom they stick with whenever possible!
Young calves are very playful and very very naughty.. :-)
Load More Replies...I find that a very weird “fact“, because I would have never assumed otherwise. Why should a cow feel less than a dog?
Cows often seem like big dumb animals who only have a minimal range of emotions. We bred them to be stupid and only care about food and fear. It changed my perception entirely when I was shown how to interpret all their moods by a cow farmer.
Load More Replies...I'm rather poor to be honest, yet I'm vegan for many years. So it's not about being non affordable, especially if you eat homemade food. Besides, you can always eat vegan as much as it's possible to you, that still counts, just stop making excuses.
(That was supposed to be a reply to another comment, sorry guys)
Load More Replies...As a teenager, my father told me to move cattle from one paddock to another. I got tired and fell asleep in the middle of the field while doing this and only woke up when a cow licked my face, with the rest of the herd standing around looking down at me! They obviously knew that I also fed them and patted them.
My neighbors have a cow, and it will lick my dogs nose when she stops to say hi.
Van Kittens Are Initially Born With Pale Blue Eyes, Which Change To A Deeper Blue Or Amber As They Grow Older. Occasionally, You’ll Also See A Van With One Amber Eye And One Blue Eye, Or Two Blue Eyes Of Different Hues
His eyes weren't different colours. It only appeared that way as one eye was damaged.
Load More Replies...My son has the same eyes. Both started off bright blue, now one is blue the other is hazel going between green and brown. soooooo freeking cooooool
Pigs Have Episodic Memory. It Is Likely That They Can Replay And Feel Past Experiences In Their Heads
Another animal that is intelligent and has feelings, just like a dog, but boy, do we treat them differently.
Pigs are amazing. And if more people researched how they were raised in factory farming, fewer people would eat them. Seriously. Google gestation crates. It should be considered abusive for any animal, but for an animal who is as intelligent and emotionally complex as a pig, it's legitimate torture.
Not everybody can be vegan or even vegetarian. I tried to become a vegetarian (out of curiosity, not because of any ideology) and yes I DID contact a dietician before doing so. Despite having a well-balanced diet my body was like "nah, nope, no way" and I was feeling awful for two long months before I eventually gave up. I may love veggies, tofu etc. but I just need meat to feel well. Probably there are more people like me, too.
Load More Replies...They love tummy cuddles and will flop onto their sides like cats!
That’s one of the reasons I don’t eat pig meat. In my opinion it’s very close to cannibalism. Humans should be ashamed at how we treat them.
Flamingo's Pink Coloring Comes From The Shrimp They Eat, And In 1992 In The Miami Zoo They Had To Stick The Flamingos In The Bathroom To Ride Out Hurricane Andrew
Even though it's for their own safety, the poor things look confused.
Imagine what it sounds like in the middle of a hurricane.
Load More Replies...Reminds me of when after Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Zoo gave free admission to the Army and National Guard. The animals were getting lonely
I had heard they get their pink colour (bizarrely) from blue-green algae.
Geez, would you hurry up already in there? Some of us gotta use that stall, too!
This Is The Raccoon Dog, The Only Extant Species In The Genus Nyctereutes. It's A Close Relative Of True Foxes And The Only Canid Known To Hibernate During The Winter
It's also the inspiration for the tanuki, since raccoons aren't native to Japan. Raccoons were later introduced, though.
This is a tanuki. Tanuki aren't mythical creatures, and tanuki/raccoon dogs aren't the same as raccoons. Although real raccoons were definitely introduced later to Japan
Load More Replies...We have them here in Germany as well. They were originally brought to be used for fur but some escaped or got liberated. We call it "Marderhund", which is roughly translated "marten-dog". Idk why, they're not related to the marten.
Very interesting and again I am seeing another animal that I have never seen!
I just can see a dog making love to a racoon in ancient times
The Okapi's Closest Realative Is The Giraffe. Okapis Were Descovered In 1901. Unfortunately, They Are Now Endangered
"Discovered in 1901" yeah right. Native ppl from that region would be laughing at this title
There is a relief image of an okapi from an ancient Persian palace. It was thought to be an image of a mythical creature until 1901 when the first photos of okapi were produced. Suddenly it became apparent that okapi may have been exported to the middle east from the Congo more than 2500 years ago.
Load More Replies...There are "people" I wish they were extinct ..... all cruel people. Unfortunately, they are not endangered.
They live deep in the forests of west and central africa. The locals knew about them, they were only new to western science.
Load More Replies...When Mother Nature was spending a long day creating giraffe and zebra, she sneezed and the Okapi was born
Rats Giggle When You Tickle Them. Their Voices Are So High-Pitched You Need Special Equipment To Hear Them, But When You Do, Their Laughs Are Immediately Evident
ALL ANIMALS SHOULDN'T be used for research, medical or for beauty products. There are many ways other ways to test chemicals. It's very cruel and degrading to do so.
Most cosmetics don't need to be tested on animals. Medicine is a completely different story.
Load More Replies...That rat isn't about to be tickled. She's also only about half grown.
They also do something called "bruxing" when they're happy or tickled... it's awesome!
Animals deserve a LOT more respect than they get from us -- shut down ALL animal experiments that cause harm or pain !
I really look forward to a time when we can live in peace with all creatures
I would love to hear a rat’s laugh! I imagine it as being really adorable!
You can hear them giggle and watch an explanation here: https://www.scientificamerican.com/video/eavesdrop-on-ultrasonic-rat-giggles/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/video/eavesdrop-on-ultrasonic-rat-giggles/
Load More Replies...Tigers Are Carnivores, But Will Eat Fruit In Order To Ease Digestion
Most carnivores eat plants in some capacity. Just like most herbivores will eat meat in some capacity. There are very few 100% carnivores or herbivores.
I have cats that enjoy various non-meat foods (notably lettuce and various grains), so I can definitely vouch for this.
Load More Replies...My cat would destroy the garbage searching for pumpkin skin, specially if it was boiled. Never knew why.
He's fine, he has plenty of knives sitting in his mouth
Load More Replies...Adult Giraffes Only Sleep For A Couple Of Minutes At A Time. Baby Giraffes Will Sleep For Much Longer Periods Of Time With Their Head Resting On Their Rump
Adult moms develop similar sleep patterns as the adult giraffe, too. 😂😂😂
Yet they have the exact same amount of vertebrae in their neck as humans!
Done Brushing Your Dog? Birds Love Using The Hair To Build Nests. Set Aside One Birdfeeder To Fill With Hair
My best friend from high school used to always take his hair outside for the birds. Started that when he was about 15. Sweetest guy I ever knew. (Died too young at age 49 a couple of years ago.)
Load More Replies...I shed like crazy so I'm always putting out my hair for the birds. I have seen them use it for nesting. It's really cool.
Please don't give human hair to birds unless it is short and not chemically treated. The same goes for pet hair. The chemicals can harm the birds and long human hair can wrap around a bird's legs injuring them. https://www.everythingbirds.com/articles/please-dont-give-birds-these-nesting-materials/
Load More Replies...Yeah! Its fun watching them grab it! You can give birds other safe non toxic nest building materials as well! Also, depending upon what bird species are in your area...MANY birds, such as the corvid bird family, (crows, ravens, jays etc) LOVE safe small toys! They dont play with them so much as decorate their nest with them and many keep a collection! They are SO smart that many will get into relationships with humans in which they sort of barter! You leave a shiny bauble for them...they will bring YOU a prezzie!
Last year I helped care for and train a crow, who is unsuitable to released back into the wild. He is an educational ambassador now. His name is Alastor. I absolutely delighted in training him, and as we built a relationship he would get excited to see me as well, evident by caws, perching on my arm, head etc and hopping around. I miss him. This is also very sad because the reason he's unreleasable is a few young boys beat him with branches and a baseball bat. How he can still bond with humans is incredibly bittersweet.
Load More Replies...Swallows love to live in horse stables: supply of building materials stands 3 metres below.
Bird love cat fur, too!! I always put the pet fur out for the birds to build homes!
only if not treated with flea and tick poisons. Treated hair will kill nestlings!
The Eyes Of The Blunthead Tree Snake Make Up Approximately 26% Of Its Head
Soooooo cute! I don’t understand how people don’t like snakes. They are so cute!!!!!!
Bats Are Not Rodents. They Are Their Own Group Called Chiroptera. They Are More Closely Related To Cats Than Rats
They're the second most speciose group of mammals. Around 1/5 of all mammal specoes are bats. (Biggest is rodents, at 2/5 species).
The World's Oldest Known Wild Bird, Wisdom The Laysan Albatross, Has Laid An Egg At 67! Wisdom Has Outlived Several Mates And Has Raised 30 To 35 Chicks
I’m feeling genuinely sad for Wisdom. Imagine having had 67 kids ... oy!
At such an age and with so many kids raised, she must deserve her name very well now.
Native To India, Sloth Bears Are The Only Ursids Known To Carry Their Young For Extended Periods. Cubs Will Ride On Their Mother’s Backs For Six To Seven Months After Leaving The Den
The Platypus Is Unique Not Only For Laying Eggs. It Also Has Elecrtoreceptors In Its Snout For Locating Prey, Eyes With Double Cones, No Stomach, A Single Duct For Their Urinary, Defecatory, And Reproductive System, 10 Chromosomes, And The Males Have Venomous Barbs On Their Hind Legs
Aaaaand they're mammals so they feed their babies with milk, but they don't have nipples or milk glands, they just produce milk with their skin) I love them soooo much for the freakiness of them <33
Yes. I really do miss him and his unique way of working with animals.
Load More Replies...So basically God got lazy and was like "I'm just gonna randomize this one"
I think it's more like God was testing different systems on one animal before God sends those systems for final production in other animals but ended up sending Platypus for production.
Load More Replies...Cows Can Recognise Individual Humans, Even When They Wear The Same Clothes
Never seen a herd of real cows wearing the same clothes, although I've seen cows wearing the same clothes.
I think it means even when unfamiliar person B wears familiar person A's clothes, they know that B isn't A. It's just worded badly.
Load More Replies...The Red Wolf (Canis Rufus) Is The Most Endangered Canid Species Alive. There Are Less Than 35 Individuals In The Wild After An Attempt To Bring The Species Numbers Up (Peaking At 130 Individuals In 2006). These Wolves Form Close-Knit Packs That Consist Of The Breeding Pair And Their Offspring
"In 1973 the Red Wolf Recovery Plan was completed and began being implemented. There were over 400 canids captured between 1973 and 1980, however, only 17 were considered genetic red wolves. Sadly, the red wolf was declared extinct in the wild by 1980, with only a few red wolves in captivity."
Load More Replies...Nooooo, my favorite animal! Please help me pray for these amazing species 😥
I wonder how Idaho’s 90% Wolf Slaughter Law is effecting this species. Montana is soon adopting this law. Inhumane and indiscriminate traps are set and even mothers and pups in dens are being killed. Pet dogs kill more livestock than wolves but that’s the excuse they used to pass the bill. #RelistTheWolves
Wikipedia: "The red wolf (Canis lupus rufus[7][8] or Canis rufus[2][5]) is a canine native to the southeastern United States which has a reddish-tawny color to its fur. Morphologically it is intermediate between the coyote and gray wolf, and is very closely related to the eastern wolf of eastern Canada." So they probably mate with coyotes, which mixes up the genetics.
And how many are in zoo re-population programs? MOST zoos around the world are working towards breeding programs for endangered species for release.
Captain Cook Collected Quolls Along The East Coast In 1770, And Recorded 'Quoll' As Their Local Aboriginal Name. Quolls Were Often Seen By Early Settlers, Who Called Them 'Native Cat', 'Native Polecat' And 'Spotted Marten', Names Based On Familiar European Animals
Cats Can Nurse Hedgehogs
Cats are pretty remarkable. They’ll nurse puppies, and it seems any other baby in need will be accepted as a surrogate baby!
I expect mum is thinking "...wooh, um, OK hang on a minute - what's happening??!!"
The Red Fox's Adaptability And Resourcefulness Have Earned It A Legendary Reputation For Intelligence And Cunning. Also, A Fox's Tail Is Called A "Brush"
Their name in French is "renard" which comes from the the Germanic name "Reinhardt". In ancient French they were called "goupil" but in the XIIth century there was this tale, "le Roman de Renart", about the adventures of a smart fox called Renart, and it became so popular that the entire species began to get called it instead of "goupil".
Male Ostriches Will Mate With 3 To 5 Hens That Will Lay Their Eggs In A Single Nest That The Male Digs Out. Every Night The Male Incubates The Eggs And During The Day The Dominate Female Will Incubate The Eggs, Which Take Around 40 Days To Hatch. The Male And The Females Will Help Raise The Chicks
Except the dominant female pushes the others eggs to the edges to prioritize her own
Load More Replies...Oh, and ostriches are like the gay furries of the animal world; breeding them in captivity is REALLY hard to do, because they prefer and try to mate with their caretakers, specifically the male ones :D
There were a number of animals I had never heard of... always enjoy learning new things about them!
This was a lovely list, I really like reading about new facts from the animal kingdom.
Dolphins can teach each other things over language. In an US-zoo one female dolphin learned to “buy“ fish from the wardens. (She got fish for bringing trash and dead birds to her caregivers. Soon she started to bait seagulls with fish and kill them - and ripping up papers and plastics in smaller pieces for more fish.) First she taught it her calf and soon the dolphins in other enclosures started doing it, despite not having physical contact with the others.
Please don't do the dog/pet hair thing if you use a topical anti flea treatment. It's a deadly toxin to most birds.
Orca have been known to help whaling fleets, back when it was done by rowboat. They would help tow the rowboat out to the whales, then feast on the remains, especially the tongue. There is a whaling museum in Australia with the Orca skeletons and all the details
Another site with comment sections showing the worst in humanity. Apparently not even BP is safe from people that think it’s fine to harm animals. For gods sake.
There were a number of animals I had never heard of... always enjoy learning new things about them!
This was a lovely list, I really like reading about new facts from the animal kingdom.
Dolphins can teach each other things over language. In an US-zoo one female dolphin learned to “buy“ fish from the wardens. (She got fish for bringing trash and dead birds to her caregivers. Soon she started to bait seagulls with fish and kill them - and ripping up papers and plastics in smaller pieces for more fish.) First she taught it her calf and soon the dolphins in other enclosures started doing it, despite not having physical contact with the others.
Please don't do the dog/pet hair thing if you use a topical anti flea treatment. It's a deadly toxin to most birds.
Orca have been known to help whaling fleets, back when it was done by rowboat. They would help tow the rowboat out to the whales, then feast on the remains, especially the tongue. There is a whaling museum in Australia with the Orca skeletons and all the details
Another site with comment sections showing the worst in humanity. Apparently not even BP is safe from people that think it’s fine to harm animals. For gods sake.
