WildCreatures

Sea lions are hilarious animals with their antics and loveable personalities. Tourists and even residents of the Galapagos islands are fascinated with these comical characters. They inhabit almost every beach and rocky shore in the islands and they act like they own the place. When full grown, they are formidable animals and they have no reason fear people or even other animals, except large sharks. These sea lions have climbed onto every bench on the pier and they have stretched out and completely taken over. This family who has arrived couldn't find a place to sit anywhere. Sea lions spend a great deal of their day napping. They venture out into the ocean several times a day to hunt for eels, fish, and octopus. They return to nap and socialize on the beaches. For sea lions, life is easy and very relaxing!

Golden retrievers are one of the world's favourite breeds, They are beautiful and gentle souls, with angelic faces that almost seem to be locked in a perpetual smile. Their compelling eyes seem to peer into our core and we instantly fall in love with every part of them. These dogs are no exception. They all live on a beautiful little farm in Cavan, Ontario. Their owners run a top-notch breeding service called "As Good As Gold", aptly named and highly respected. The dogs here live the perfect life. They roam the house with complete freedom, occupying beds and couches in comfort. They have a large property to run and woods to explore. And mornings are an exciting time for these beauties when they line up and stare in anticipation, waiting for the call for outside playtime. When they hear the magic words and the twist of the door handle, they erupt in excitement and scramble for the door in the most beautiful stampede imaginable. It's outside play time and they cannot wait to see what lies on the other side of the door. It's winter in Ontario and fresh snow falls during most nights, allowing the dogs to roll and sniff, scratch and run. Very few things warm our hearts like excited dogs loving life. As Good As Gold is a breeding service that provides dogs only to loving homes with families who understand the commitment of owning an animal for ten years or more. A family looking for a dog should carefully investigate their breeder to ensure that the puppies are being carefully bred for both health and temperament. They should ask questions about veterinary care and nutrition, and interviewing the vet that the breeder uses is also very wise. References and previous clients should be carefully considered to make sure the breeder's reputation is solid. A tour of the facility and a look at the parents of the pups will also provide a lot of information. Breeders who do things right will often have a long waiting list, but it is worth the wait for the right dog. And just as important, while a family investigates and checks the breeder, a good breeder will also check their prospective forever families carefully too, asking for references and a show of commitment and preparedness for the challenge of raising a puppy properly. The best breeders will place their dogs only with families capable of providing the love and care that a dog deserves. Taking time to research and select a good breeder is crucial for getting the right dog, and it can also save you from medical expense or heart ache that can come later with the health and personality issues that we can expect from unprofessionally bred pups. Getting a dog from an online advertiser who cannot answer questions or provide references is often a recipe for disaster.

Spotted salamanders are fascinating creatures that live in most forests throughout central and eastern United States and Canada. They are abundant yet we rarely see them. Like other salamanders, they live under leaves and logs, and in the burrows of small rodents and mammals, spending a great deal of the year underground. They eat worms and insects and keep to themselves. But every year, these salamanders move in unison in great numbers, seeking the closest pond or vernal pool for breeding. They prefer small bodies of water without fish, which would eat their eggs. The salamanders can journey considerable distances to find their breeding grounds. This migration takes place at night in the early spring when the snow and ice have just begun to melt. Signaled by their hormones, they wait for the first rainy night that is more than 7°C (45°F) to make their trek to the water. The males arrive first and deposit sperm on the leaf litter in the pond. The females arrive soon after and gather the sperm pouches, taking them inside their bodies to fertilize their eggs. They lay the eggs in masses of up to 100 eggs, attached to submerged sticks near the water's edge. Salamanders have an amazing regenerative ability that allows them to regrow limbs, organs, and even portions of their brains if they are injured. Scientists are particularly interested in understanding this ability and how it might benefit humans. Spotted salamanders are unique from other species in several ways. They are the only vertebrate animal in the world that hosts another organism in a symbiotic relationship. Typically, when a vertebrate is a host to another organism, it is a parasitical relationship, having no benefit to the host. In this case, the salamander eggs contain an algae that uses sunlight to create energy and oxygen. This benefits the eggs by helping to sustain them as they grow and develop. The algae benefits from the stability and protection of the egg and also from the carbon dioxide that it consumes, which is produced by the eggs. The spotted salamander also lays eggs that are coated with a unique outer jelly to prevent the eggs from drying out. On some eggs, the jelly morphs into a water soluble, protein based substance, and on other eggs, it becomes a crystalline protein that repels water. The fact that it develops into two different types allows for the survival of eggs when wood frog larvae are present. The wood frogs would eat the water soluble eggs and deplete the population of salamanders. This is where the algae in the eggs is crucial because the crystalline jelly prevents oxygen absorption from the water. Nature can be complex and fascinating beyond our expectations. The world around us is more of a wonder than we once realized and we would not even realize it if we did not take a close look at some of the small creatures that are right under our feet.

River is a dainty dog who loves her treats. She is content to wait patiently as Serena serves her up a hefty slice of watermelon. River has a sweet tooth and a fondness for the juicy fruit. Although this seems like an unusual food to give to a dog, many enjoy watermelon a great deal. Serena has recently taught River to shake a paw and then shake the other on command. But River is too excited to follow the plan. She gets her treat all the same and she savours every mouthful. River is a rescue dog with an incredible story. She was seconds from death when Serena fell in love with her and adopted her, agreeing to provide the care that River needed. Diagnosed with serious health issues and a heart defect, River's first owners were not able to manage the complicated treatment and frequent tests that she would need. They faced the difficult decision to end River's suffering and have her euthanized. Serena is a veterinary assistant and she and her mother had the skill and access to the resources that would allow River to live a decent life. River has been going strong, having had three extra years so far, with no sign of serious trouble. She enjoys free run of a large property and frequent walks in the nearby forest. River also loves canoe rides and lying by the fire at the cottage. She is living her best life and loving her treats.

Gus is an enormous bull, tipping the scales at about 2,000 pounds. He is solid muscle and extremely powerful. Yet, he is a big softy who loves a slice of bread, or ten, as well as a good head scratch. Dave has been visiting Gus every week or two as he walks or cycles past the beautiful farm where Gus lives. Gus got so big from eating big meals and he loves bread most of all. What's surprising about him is that despite his tremendous size, he's as friendly and gentle as a pet dog. By nature, bulls are usually grumpy, aggressive and not to be trusted. It's never wise to turn your back on one or to put yourself in a position where you could be injured. They have enough power and strength to do a lot of damage in a very short time if they chose to. But Gus is an exceptional bull. He was raised on a farm where he had a lot of interaction with people right from birth. Gus roams in a lush meadow on a beautiful farm in Millbrook, Ontario. He’s got a lot of company too. He’s the only male in a herd of about 30 lovely female cows. Gus is living the life! Gus developed an appetite for grains of all sorts, especially bread. This is not unusual for cattle, and Cornell University even did an extensive study to determine the effects of feeding cattle bread and other baked goods. The result was that the animals did very well on a diet that was very high in bread. Gus' taste is not that unusual. What is unusual is the way he will approach someone for a slice of doughy goodness. He literally begs like a dog would beg for a slice of sirloin. The farmer who owns Gus is fine with him having visitors, and with him being hand fed. If you walk slowly into Gus’ pasture and you call him, he’s likely to wander over curiously. He’ll actually hustle a bit if he sees that you have a slice of bread. A tongue, longer than seems possible, shoots out and wraps around the slice of bread like a large hand. The slice of bread completely disappears with about three quick chews. Gus doesn’t disappear when the bread is gone. He’s as fond of a good head scratch and face rub as he is of the treats. Gus will turn his head and nudge you like a big dog does when you stop petting it. It’s hard to tell which part Gus likes best!

Smoke from a distant forest fire was being monitored by drone above cottage country. The drone was hundreds of miles from the actual fires and there was no chance of interference with aircraft that could potentially be used to fight or monitor the fires. This drone was simply collecting data about the distant migration of the smoke due to wind currents. The operator of the drone is licensed and trained to fly this piece of equipment and he was far enough from any airport or restricted air space that his flight would not pose a hazard. The drone was within the 400 feet altitude limit required by law. The operator was also maintaining visual observation of the drone and the flight area. The drone operator heard an airplane far to the north. He noticed that the sound was loud enough to suggest the plane was flying low. The noise also suggested that it was approaching his location. Planes are not generally permitted to fly under 400ft from the ground so it was not expected to be an issue. But, out of an abundance of caution, he began bringing the drone lower. He also moved the drone sideways to move away from the sound of the airplane. The noise was quickly becoming louder and the drone operator swiveled the camera to search the sky to the north. To his surprise, the airplane was coming towards the drone on a flight path that would take the plane directly past the drone, almost exactly where it had been. The plane was actually slightly lower than the drone but this was a much closer call than anyone would wish for. The airplane passing through is a float plane and it is equipped to land on water. It would have been possible for this pilot to intentionally fly this low to land on the lake under the drone, but he flew over and away from the lake. There is no other body of water close enough that the airplane pilot was preparing to make a landing as it flew so low. The only possibility in this case is that he was flying low in order to view the scenery over the cottage country beneath him. He probably did not see the tiny drone so close to him but he would have been at least as surprised as the drone operator if he had. As recreational and professional drones become more common, there will be an even greater potential for mid air collisions or near misses like this one.

Hogfish are large fish that roam over the sandy areas on reefs throughout the Caribbean and other areas in the Atlantic ocean. It is a shy and reclusive fish that prefers to avoid being approached by humans or other animals. Scuba divers who are patient enough to close the distance slowly will occasionally get a close look at one, but the encounters are usually brief. They seem to be aware that they are prized for their food value and they are considered to be excellent for spearing and eating. This hogfish seems to be very comfortable being filmed and he casually picks through sand and plants on the surface of a mooring block in Belize while he is filmed. He casts a wary eye toward the cameraman now and then but he boldly swims straight up to the lens and even puts himself between the diver and the mooring block at one point. Turning his back on the diver as he looks for tiny crabs and mollusks, he shows complete confidence that he is in no danger. The hogfish goes a step further though when he comes across Peter who is intent on capturing a photograph of a juvenile French Angelfish. The elusive little fish is darting back and forth and Peter is remaining still to wait for the little fish to position himself for the shot. As if he wants to be the star, the hogfish casually swims right in front of the camera, photobombing the angelfish. For a fish that is normally shy, this lack of concern is remarkable. Several scuba divers who were exploring around this mooring block watched with complete fascination, laughing later as they talked about this event back on the boat. It seems that the hogfish wanted to "hog" the spotlight and be the centre of attention. This video was filmed at a depth of 10m (33 feet) on a sunny day with perfectly calm conditions. The sand bar between the two coral reefs provided a perfect spot to explore and observe fish, octopus, crabs and reef sharks. Scuba diving is a sport that opens doors to a magnificent and awe inspiring world. The animals are unique and the scenery under the waves is beautiful beyond words.

These are two of four crows (the famous talking "Freds") that were rescued when their nest fell from a tree. After many hours, the parents did not return and the babies were going to starve. Cameron and his family raised the crows and hand fed them until they were old enough to feed themselves. They had to be taught how to find to find berries. They learned this so well that they flew to the yard next door and cleaned out Mrs. Hottner's berry patch. They unplugged the satellite dish too. Here, Cameron demonstrates berry picking for Russell Crow and Crow Magnon. When full, a crow will stash food for later and Russell decides to use Cameron's armpit as a hiding place. Crows actually have a sense of humor. Highly intelligent, these birds also learned to say "hello".

Pileated woodpeckers are enormous birds with powerful beaks that splinter logs and trees with ease. They are the largest woodpeckers in North America and they are a beautiful sight at a backyard feeder or in the trees around any home. With their beautiful red crest, they are a sight to behold. This woodpecker and his mate have been coming to this yard for several years. The nest in a nearby tree but they arrive daily to peck at the suet that the family puts out. Usually, the male announces his arrival with a loud, cackling cry as he swoops in to land on one of the feeders. Today, this woodpecker has had a drink at the pond and then he hopped up onto the cedar deck. He casually inspects the deck as the family, and even Raven, the Great Dane watch in awe of this majestic fellow. But he decides to peck the railing of the deck and in seconds, he has a chunk carved out. The wood splinters easily as he chisels away and the couple who own the deck are too amazed to do anything but chuckle. The deck is weathered and faded and these bird lovers are more attached to the woodpecker family than they are to their railing. They joke about calling the insurance and they watch amusedly. Raven's head is on the back of the couch and she watches silently too. Raven also appreciates nature and her little bird friends. The woodpecker loses interest quickly and hops over to the other railing where he perches and looks around. He may be waiting for his mate to arrive so that they can go to the suet cakes together. Or he may just be enjoying the gentle rain. It's even possible that he can see the family in the window and he is watching them with equal curiosity. Backyard feeders are a great way to attract wildlife that can be enjoyed daily. Woodpeckers love suet cakes and feed with insects in it. They will also take advantage of any opportunity to peck at dead or dying trees where grubs make their homes.

The Galápagos Islands are famous for many things, and one of the most remarkable is the fearlessness of the wildlife. This is a barn owl, one of two species on the Island of Santa Cruz. On a very dark night, this owl could be heard in the distance as it called out. Cameron has spent a great deal of time studying and imitating owls in various locations around the world. He has had considerable success with enticing owls near. Often they perch in a tree close by and answer his calls. Cameron traveled to Santa Cruz to experience the wildlife on land and in the ocean, but it was unexpected that he would have an opportunity to meet one of the local owls. Cameron listened to the unique call in the distance. Convinced that it was an owl, he called back. The owl called in response a few times and was then silent. Within minutes, this beautiful bird had closed the distance and was perched extremely close to him. Using a dim light source and a camera equipped with night vision capabilities, the owl was captured on video. Cameron repeats the "hiss" that the bird makes and the bird seems extremely interested. It answers him several times, with one of the exchanges being caught on film. The owl sat and looked at him curiously for several minutes before Cameron decided to leave and let the owl focus on hunting. Shortly after dark the following evening, Cameron stood at the edge of the woods and called out onto the night. Almost instantly, a distant call was heard. Again, the owl appeared and watched him as he hissed. The two had another conversation. Cameron slowly and quietly walked to the tree that the owl was perched in and he found that the owl was not only unafraid, but it moved closer as well. This encounter was not recorded, but Cameron and the owl were less than 1m (3 feet) apart by the end of the exchange. Another owl also arrived and perched close by. It appears that this was a mating pair. Cameron decided again to keep the encounter short in order to not distract the birds from their feeding routine. Barn owls of the Galápagos Islands are smaller owls with a wing span of 68cm (2.5 feet). Because they are nocturnal, and generally shy, the barn owl is rarely seen by visitors or even locals on the islands. To catch one on video at such close range is a very rare occurrence.

Most cottage owners are aware that there is an unseen world beneath the surface of their lake but they might be surprised to see what it actually looks like. This GoPro was sent down to the bottom to film what was happening. The result was that it captured an eerie underwater world full of algae covered sticks and logs. This far from the light, the world looks green and ghostly. Numerous large bass are curious about the shiny camera and they swim over to investigate. One of the biggest surprises of this adventure was just how many large bass there are lurking on the bottom.

Starfish are invertebrates with a central disc and five arms. There are species that have a larger number of arms, but this is a crown-of-thorns starfish that is a five armed species. Scientists have debated that this six armed specimen is actually a sub species known as "luidia superba", having first been documented in 1888 of the Pacific coast of Colombia in a single sighting. Although these creatures have not been seen there since, they have recently been found in significant numbers in the Galapagos Islands. These snorkelers were on a tour in the area of Espanola Island in the Galapagos when their guide described the unique creature and explained that there had been some sightings of the animal nearby. Three were sighted that day among thousands of specimens with five arms. Researchers began seeing the six armed starfish in 1977 in a cove off Isabella Island. Sightings have increased in the last 40 years, prompting a debate about the reason for the extra appendage. Some researchers argue that it is a genetic mutation that has led to the development of the sixth arm. Others maintain that the species existed all along but had not been documented or observed frequently due to its rarity and isolated populations. The Galapagos Islands are a unique part of the world because they are relatively young islands, formed in the middle of the ocean through volcanic activity. Land masses that emerged out of the depths of the ocean had no animal life or vegetation. Every single species that now exists on the islands or in the waters surrounding them is cut off from the rest of the world by the vast distance to other land. Too far for most animals to swim or fly, this means that almost all species arrived on floating masses of vegetation or a similar means. They remain completely isolated from other populations and the result is that they have evolved uniquely since the time of their arrival. This adaptation and evolution has provided the world with many clues to our origins. These islands were crucial to Charles Darwin's entire theory of evolution and our understanding of life on earth.

Maggie is a newborn Holstein calf with a lot of energy and personality for one so young. She acts more like a giant puppy than a calf as she bounds around the pen after a feeding. Maggie has been adopted by a wonderful and patient cow named Miss Jersey, who is nursing a calf of her own. Every time Maggie gets fresh milk from her new mother, she runs around and jumps excitedly, bouncing and leaping in the air. She is overjoyed at having a full belly. Maggie also likes to run around playfully if someone will chase her. Watching her, you would think she was a dog. Maggie is just one of the many animals that live at Hamish's farm in Keene, Ontario. Hamish and his mother are rebuilding their farm after the house and the barn burned down last November. Maggie is a welcome addition to the herd and she has captured the hearts of Gertrude and Hamish. They love their animals as if they were pets. Like the other animals, Maggie seems very happy with life at Hamish's farm.

The Dogtooth Snapper can grow to 5 feet in length and can weigh over 60 pounds. It is remarkably intelligent and cunning. It is named for its large canine teeth and powerful, crushing bite. At night, it is a formidable hunter and it often follows divers so that it can use their light to gain advantage on fish that become illuminated. This snapper emerges from the darkness and grabs a smaller fish. It then smashes the fish on the coral with a sideways motion to stun the fish before swallowing it.

Bernise is a wonderful cow with a beautiful disposition. She is a seasoned mother who has had many healthy calves. But her new baby, JuJube has had serious trouble since birth. In an industry where farmers are faced with difficult choices, a calf like JuJube might not get an opportunity to overcome such a poor start in life. Most farmers just cannot justify the expense. Fortunately, Bernise and JuJube live on a wonderful farm in Millbrook, Ontario. The cows here wander freely over vast expanses of lush, green pasture. They have ponds to drink from and fresh air and sunshine almost all year round. Life here is as close as possible to what nature intended for these gentle beasts. The cows are treated almost like pets and the farmers see herd health as being more important than profit. Bernise and her calf deserve a proper chance, and the farmers are caring enough to provide it, even if it means a greater cost and more effort on their part. Bernise has been a good cow and she obviously cares for her baby too. If Bernise isn't ready to give up on JuJube, neither is farmer Dave. JuJube is outwardly robust and healthy. He is a big calf and he nurses well, but he has difficulty standing and he cannot get to his feet on his own. A calf can only nurse if he can get up and he cannot follow the herd if he can't walk. JuJube's weakness may be caused by a condition called "white muscle disease". A lack of selenium in the soil can mean that some calves are born with a deficiency in this important mineral. The first treatment for JuJube is a round of vitamins A,D, and E, along with mineral supplements. A veterinarian has also come to look at JuJube and try to diagnose the problem. But JuJube requires more than medical treatment. Until he is strong enough, the farmer and his helpers will bottle feed JuJube and elp him to his feet several times per day. He needs encouragement to walk and build his muscles. He also needs frequent sponge baths to keep him clean. Because he is less able to move, his hair can get soiled with his feces. Left unclean, this would invite flies, infections, and other problems. Farmer Dave is committed and won't let this stop him from giving JuJube a fighting chance. As the days went on, JuJube responded to treatments and care and he eventually began to walk well enough to keep up with his mother. If he continues to progress, JuJube will enjoy a good life here in the Canadian sunshine, thanks to a farmer who cared enough to make this possible.

Kristy is an avid gardener who has a very green thumb. When the pandemic was announced and food uncertainty was very real, she expanded her vegetable patch to make sure that her family had an endless supply of food. There were baskets of potatoes that filled a big part of their cold storage to get through winter and the patch itself was like a potato rainforest. Kristy not only filled the freezer with peppers, tomatoes, raspberries, and beans, but she grew enough to supply her friends and neighbours with a lot of fresh produce as well. She even had enough plants and vegetables to sell many of them for a fundraiser for a deserving family whose child was battling cancer. She worked tirelessly and her efforts paid off in many ways. This year, Kristy told her husband that she could use some help with the huge vegetable patch. Eager to get involved, Dave rototilled for days and he dug out rocks and mulched around the tomatoes that Kristy had started. But he decided to surprise her with some extra effort in the potato section. Dave is pretty good with a shovel, and even with the rake and the hoe, but there's a very good reason why Kristy looks after the planting part of growing their garden. She's surely going to be impressed with his thoughtfulness, if not with his understanding of gardening. Dave should probably stick to digging holes and picking rocks from now on.

Sea turtles are among the most peaceful and beloved animals in the ocean. For most scuba divers, there are few animals that they look forward to seeing more than these beautiful creatures. This scuba diver was exploring a coral head in Papua New Guinea when she was lucky enough to swim with a pair of hawksbill turtles. These turtles are critically endangered. The two turtles that live on this remote coral head are quite accustomed to humans. They spent their first few years in a wildlife rehabilitation center before being released back into the wild. They were fed and cared for by humans and they learned to trust them. One of the rehab workers is a scuba diver who checks on these turtles often. They have no apprehension about approaching divers. This diver was thrilled to have such a beautiful encounter with two wild animals in their own environment.

Snowy is a house cat who lives in England. She shares her backyard with wild crows, squirrels, seagulls and a few other animals. Snowy's owner, Pam feeds a lot of wildlife and they have become very accustomed to her as she gives them their snacks. The cats have learned to live with these visitors too, having no apparent desire to actually catch any of the birds. The birds have learned that they are relatively safe on the fence. Although not completely relaxed when a cat is beside them, the birds are more playful than fearful. This is Steven Seagull and he frequents Pam's feeding stations and water buckets, He waits patiently for the food to appear and he shares his excitement with Snowy, trying to engage in a conversation. It sounds like he's laughing at an inside joke, or maybe he's asking what's on the menu. Snowy doesn't seem impressed enough to pay much attention. She looks around and ignores Steven, despite his best attempt at socializing. After a few tries, he decides to fly over to another fence to wait on his own for the food to come. Seagulls and cats are not normally so comfortable with each other. Snowy has proven reluctant to fight with the animals who some to see Pam. They've established enough trust that they can share a spot on the fence without fear. It's remarkable to see this kind of comfort between cats and birds!

A tank of hungry piranha are given a salmon fillet for the first time. It doesn't take them long to figure out that salmon is delicious. They take turns biting off chunks and darting away. Piranha are a very nervous fish. They are well aware that when the feeding starts, they are also at risk of being bitten, which would turn them into part of the meal.

Gopher babies are beautiful animals that are the epitome of cuteness when they are tiny. These are more accurately referred to as groundhogs, which is actually a different species in the rodent family. But the names groundhog and gopher are often used to describe either animal. They were made famous by the legends of Punxsutawney Phil and Wiarton Willie, two groundhogs who became known for their supposed ability to predict the weather as they came out of their burrows each spring. The legend claims that the groundhog will run back inside if he sees his shadow and the world will be subjected to six more weeks of winter. Caddyshack, a Hollywood classic with Bill Murray, also made these adorable animals more well known. These little balls of fur have been hiding for months as they nursed on milk and grew in their den. Spring has just arrived and the four little cuties have emerged for a peek at the world around them. They will nibble on grass, like their mother over the summer, putting on as much weight as they can. They will need to store up sufficient fat to carry them through the next winter. With their furry little faces and round bodies, these gophers are adorable to watch!

This chipmunk provides an extreme close-up while he stuffs his face and then proceeds to literally get himself on camera. Very few things are as cute as a chipmunk at the cottage!

Channel clinging crabs are enormous and beautiful creatures that emerge under cover of darkness to hunt in the night. They inhabit reefs throughout Florida and the Caribbean and they are the largest of the crab species in these parts of the ocean. Their shell, or carapace measures at least 15cm (6 inches) across and their legs reach another 60cm (2 feet). Too large to hide in the usual crevices, they spend the day hiding under ledges and in small caves, relying on their camouflage to help disguise them as rocks and chunks or coral. They come out at night to feed on algae and decaying plants and animal matter. Janitors of the reef, they clean up organic material that would rot and cause bacterial growth. This keeps the water clean and also helps reduce the impact of rotting matter on the corals and sponges. They play a role in keeping algae growth in check as well, which benefits the reef. These crabs are an important food source for larger predators such as octopus and even some stingrays. Scuba divers on this reef in Belize waited until nightfall to slip beneath the waves. They navigated by lights and explored what is a different world after the sun sets. These gigantic crabs are numerous as they comb the reef and sandbars in search of their food. They are fascinating to watch as they use their giant claws to pick up food and pass it into their mouths. Resembling mechanized robots, their movements are mesmerizing. Not much is known about these crabs. Researchers know that they are omnivores and that they are nocturnal, but there is still a lot to be learned about how they breed, how long they live, and their whole role in the complex web of life that exists in our oceans.

White-tailed-deer are beautiful creatures that roam freely through many forests on North America and a few other countries in Europe. Shy and reclusive, these deer will often avoid contact with humans. Their keen hearing and smell allow them to detect predators and other animals long before they are seen. Deer are surprisingly stealthy in their retreat and they can slip away into trees and brush easily without making a sound. Deer are herbivores and they are hunted by many predators, and by humans, making the extremely difficult to approach. Even a large male, commonly referred to as a stag or a buck, will avoid people, despite the fact that they have formidable antlers that can be used as weapons in self defence. During the rut, or breeding season, stags have increased testosterone and they can be very aggressive, even towards humans. Their hooves and their antlers are capable of causing very serious injury. But as with almost all wild animals, keeping a respectful distance and acting in a non-threatening manner will usually be enough to prevent an unpleasant or dangerous encounter. This man has found that sitting very still and silently in a remote forest will occasionally provide him with a close look at the wildlife as they wander past him or around him. He set up a camera and took a seat on a gentle slope, deep in the woods. Before long, he heard the rustle of footsteps in the autumn leaves. A few female deer (does) appeared behind him grazed on the patches of green grass that still remained. A large stag with an impressive set of antlers followed close behind them and it wandered straight towards the man. He remained motionless and quiet as the deer came very close and stared at him curiously. Although they could smell him, and undoubtedly recognized him as human, they seemed unafraid. One of the females approached so closely behind that this man could feel her breath as she sniffed him and the camera. Something that this man has learned from being close to deer for prolonged periods is that they communicate with each other far more than we once believed. Even the most subtle ear or tail movement can have meaning in a herd and can raise the alarm if danger is perceived. They are attune to the eye movements and even the breathing of the animals around them, taking cues from small changes in behaviour. This man is breathing slowly and keeping his eyes slightly averted. His relaxed posture is meant to tell the deer that he is not in a position to give chase or cause them harm. It is believed that deer have hearing so keen that they can even hear the heartbeat of a human or an animal that is close enough. In this case, patience has paid off and the deer soon relaxed enough that even slow movements do not scare them off. Spending time in a tranquil forest with wild deer almost close enough to touch is one of the most peaceful experiences imaginable.

This cheeky little red squirrel is named "Peanut", for reasons that are not hard to imagine. He loves peanuts in the shell and he has learned that the family who lives on his island have an ample supply. Peanut has become very accustomed to coming up on the porch all day long and searching for peanuts in the shell. Sometimes he will eat them right there and sometimes he will scamper off to store them where he can eat them later. Peanut's island is a remote spot on Parry Sound, Ontario. In the heart of Canada's cottage country, it's a remote and quiet spot where life progresses at a leisurely pace. The lake has very few boats and there are only a handful of cottages along the shores. It's a glimpse of nature that has not changed much in hundreds of years. There is very little boat traffic on the lake, and Peanut's only exposure to humans is the kind family that speaks to him when he appears and keeps the supply of peanuts coming. He has grown quite comfortable scampering around at their feet and he will sit and demand more peanuts by squawking at them in a very cheeky way. Mornings begin with Peanut sitting on the deck railing, chirping away noisily until somebody feeds him. Since it seems that Peanut has a sense of humour about early morning wakeup calls, it also seemed likely that he has a sense of humour about other things. His human friends decided to test this out with a little trick. They attached an elastic band to the peanut and then strung it through the slit in the deck. Attached to a small stick under the deck, the peanut could be pulled only so far before it was pulled back. Peanut is very perplexed by this and he struggles comically with the peanut, pulling and stretching the elastic band. He spins around in all directions and then stares at the cottage door, adorably confused. In frustration, he stamps his feet a little. When he begins to chew on the deck board with his razor sharp teeth, it was conceded that he had won this round. Before he could gnaw through the board and cause serious damage, his people friends replaced the attached peanuts with loose ones and let him have his treat. Peanut seemed to forgive the ruse and he continued his routine, as usual.

Chris has always had a love for animals. Animals seem to sense this in people and will often approach them curiously, as they do with Chris in this video. He has chosen a spot on a log in a protected forest in Ontario, Canada. The deer are completely wild and they are free to roam through a vast area of beautiful forest. Because they are not hunted here, they have little reason to fear humans. The animals in this forest will often allow people to get much closer than usual and those who visit are often rewarded with the sight of deer grazing in the distance. But Chris shows how it's possible to sit quietly and wait for them to come close. He has brought a few apples and carrots and the sound and smell of the crunchy treats makes them curious enough to come right up to share. Eventually, he gains their trust completely. Chris moves slowly and speaks softly and soon has the deer eating right out of his hand. Many people would be thrilled to have a close look or encounter with a wild animal like this, but to be able to touch and feed a deer like Chris is doing provides memories that will never be forgotten. For Chris, this is not an isolated incident. He finds himself surrounded by animals wherever he goes. Whether its sea turtles, wild birds, horses, and even sharks, Chris befriends them all.