Thirsty calf adorably nudges his tired mother for milk
Effie is a devoted mother cow who loves her calf and takes care of it very well. She patiently stands still and grazes while he drinks milk several times each day. In fact, little Helen would drink almost non stop. She's a demanding little calf who is growing rapidly and she needs all the nourishment that she can get.
But poor Effie is tired after a long day in the sunshine and she would like a little time to relax and get off her feet. Helen wants milk right now and she playfully nudges her mother so she will stand up and let her have it. Like any mother who hears her child asking for a snack or playtime when she's just had some, Effie would like to have a rest first. She patiently takes the nudging and licking without complaint.
Effie's eyes are droopy and she is exhausted. She eventually lies down, hoping her bouncy little calf will do the same.
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Adorable "river" of Golden Retriever puppies flow into the backyard
These are golden retriever puppies and they among the fluffiest and cutest creatures on the planet. They live in a beautiful home that is run by wonderful breeders who treat these animals like members of the family. Each pup has been named after a character from a Shakespearean play and each will soon be going to a carefully selected forever home.
In fact, these pups have just reached eight weeks of age and most are being picked up later in the day. Their last day at this little farm will be spent playing in the pool and visiting with the grown up dogs who also live here. They have woken up, very excited at the prospect of a day in the sunshine and they are eager to get out the door. They will even be wearing puppy pajamas for the festivities today.
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Scuba divers in complete awe over gigantic loggerhead sea turtle
Loggerhead sea turtles are the second largest of the living turtles, capable of growing to almost 2m (6 feet)in length and weighing up to 450kg (1,000lbs). The average size of a fully grown male is approximately 190kg (418lbs). They are enormous and powerful, with a head as big as a Saint Bernard dog. They feed on conch shells and the jaws are strong enough to pulverize the shell of even a large conch. Most scuba divers have heard of these turtles and some have been fortunate enough to see one, but they are a threatened species, with some populations listed as endangered, and sightings are very rare.
These lucky scuba divers were taking in the sights on the reef near San Pedro, Belize when they caught sight of this massive male cruising over the coral, looking for shells. They swam alongside this beautiful turtle for almost fifteen minutes. Strong enough to outswim a diver with just a few flaps of its powerful flippers, it was unconcerned with the humans around it. It continued looking under ledges and along coral fingers for food. It occasionally slowed or stopped and looked directly at the divers as if slightly curious about the clumsy creatures that followed it. The dive master was in complete awe over the size of this beast and he can be seen holding out his hands to emphasize the width of the turtle’s head as it gazed right at him. Despite being a very seasoned diver, he has never been lucky enough to see a loggerhead only a few feet away from him, looking him right in the eye. This male weighed approximately 180kg (400lbs) and has very little to worry about, aside from a large shark. Once mature, they have few predators.
Being able to witness such a magnificent animal in its natural environment is a thrill that these divers will not soon forget.
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Puppies in adorable pajamas drink milk from their mother
These puppies are 7 weeks old. They will soon be going their new homes with their forever families, but before they do, they are being given a pajama party. Eleven beautiful little pups have matching outfits to wear for this special occasion.
Golden retrievers have some of the most adorable puppies in the world. Beautiful dogs with a disposition to match, they are one of the best family dogs you could ask for. When they have been raised by knowledgeable and ethical breeders, like As Good As Gold in Cavan, Ontario, the results are simply perfect. These puppies are the love children of two amazing dogs with personalities that cannot be beat. The breeders here place a high emphasis on nutrition and health, caring for the puppies like they are children. The bond and trust begins at birth and by the time the puppies leave for their forever families, they are already suited for life with children and loving parents. When selecting a good breeder, one of the most obvious things to look for is how much emphasis they place on selecting the right homes.
If they truly care for the dogs enough to place them well and follow up with support, advice, training, and high expectations for their upbringing, the dogs will thrive. People looking for the right dog should also seek advice from veterinarians and other owners. Of course, visiting the breeding site will also tell an owner if the dogs have the right facilities and care. Back yard breeders are common, but easily avoided if those points are followed. These breeders were thrilled and saddened at the same time to see these pups reach the age when they would leave. In celebration, they bought each puppy a pajama set and they dressed them up for a special play time and photo opportunity. Treats and extra love were served up as well while the pups frolicked in the sunshine. And the mother brought the milk.
Every one of these puppies is going to a home where they will be loved and adored, as all dogs should be. A dog is forever. A dog is family. And every dog is As Good As Gold.
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Overjoyed Golden Retriever Puppies Flow Like A River Of Cuteness Into Back Yard
Golden retriever puppies might be the fluffiest, cutest, most adorable animals in the world. Their beautiful faces seemed to be locked in a perpetual smile as they approach each new moment with excitement and joy. They bounce, run, roll, and fall adorably over each other to get to anything new and interesting.
These puppies are enjoying their last few days with their breeders at As Good As Gold near Peterborough, Ontario. They will soon be going to their carefully selected forever homes, many of them with children to play with all day long. Golden retrievers make wonderful pets and family companions and they are exceptionally good with children.
These puppies love their back yard playtime and they are thrilled when the nap time enclosure opens and the green grass and open air await. They flow like a river of furriness over the steps and leap through the air into the yard. Once there, they will dig in the dirt, chew at anything new, and sniff at their parents through the fence. The older dogs are eager to join in the fun too and they wait patiently at the gate for their turn to come in and be with the pups.
One of the best parts of all though is when the mothers come in and stand still so the pups can latch on and enjoy a drink of fresh milk. The puppies have been eating solid food for a few days and their milk drinking will soon come to an end. The mothers will be relieved and will finally have more time for their own fun when this duty is over. Mother golden retrievers are incredible parents.
When selecting a breeder, it is not hard to find an operation such as this one where dog health and well-being is the highest priority. You will know a good breeder or kennel because they will proudly show you their facilities, the parents, the pups, and they will offer advice on nutrition, vet care, and dog health. Past clients and veterinarians can provide background and inside advice on their quality and their ability to provide ongoing support. And very importantly, prospective clients will also feel that they too, are being interviewed and assessed for their own suitability as dog owners. It is well worth the time to seek out proper breeders and boycott back yard puppy mills.
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Scuba diver befriends critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle
Hawksbill sea turtles are critically endangered. A rare sight to see on the reefs, even a glimpse of one is a delight for scuba divers.
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Puppies Entirely Fill The Back Of A Car After Their First Veterinary Checkup
Puppies on their own are incredibly cute, but when there are so many puppies that they entirely fill the back of a car, it's more cuteness than anyone can stand. These fluffy little angels are all being loaded into the back of the car after completing their first veterinary checkup. There are thirteen perfect little fluffballs in this litter. They will soon be going to their carefully selected forever families and the breeders are committed to making sure that all are healthy and happy before they make their way. Their veterinary visit involved heart checks, vaccinations, and overall health assessments. Happily, all of them passed with flying colours.
These are the love children of Stella, a beautiful Bernese mountain dog and Dexter, a strapping and handsome Maremma. They are both wonderfully dispositioned dogs and it's no surprise that their litter of pups is equally good natured. The puppies began life on a beautiful farm in the country near Peterborough, Ontario. They have rolling hills, woodland areas, and a crystal clear creek to play in and explore. Life could not be better for these very deserving little souls.
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Fearful Great Dane puppy has adorable first swimming lesson
Raven is a ten month old Great Dane puppy with a love for adventure. She has watched her family playing in the water at the cottage and she would like to join them, but she is adorably nervous about the lake. This is her first experience with swimming and she tries her best to work up the courage to jump in.
Although Great Danes are large and powerful breeds, they are notoriously apprehensive about the smallest of things. It's no surprise that she is unsure about going for a swim. She runs around the rocks, wades in and out, and even tries to climb on top of her owners. She seems to want to be included in the fun without actually getting wet.
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Gigantic grizzly bear plays with a stick like a cub
Grizzly bears are one of the most massive land predators in the world. However, in this clip this one is just so cute and cuddly!
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Golden Retriever puppies settle down for a nap in big, fluffy pile
Golden retriever puppies are among the cutest creatures on earth. These puppies are 8 weeks old and they have been playing and climbing on each other for several hours. They are now exhausted and it is nap time. They have all settled into the corner in their enclosure to make the most adorable pile of cuteness imaginable. Sleep has found some of them while others struggle to stay awake a little longer. A few restless ones are climbing on the others, looking for a comfortable position to lie in to have a rest. In about an hour they will spring to life and start playing all over again.
Aside from playing and climbing on each other, these puppies also get excited for meal times. When their mother comes in to check on them, they will swarm her and try to latch on fro a drink of milk.
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Baby sea lion puts on his best begging performance at Galapagos fish market
Sea lions are adorable animals with personalities and charm that capture our hearts. They look and behave much like our beloved dog companions and they are often called sea dogs. They inhabit almost every beach and rocky shore ion the Galapagos Islands and they are a delight for the tourists and the residents to watch. Their comical antics often have us in stitches.
Playful and curious, sea lions have learned to coexists with humans and they will often venture inland to look for scraps of food in shoreline villages. They are regular customers at these fish markets, pleading with their huge eyes and pitiful cries, hoping for a stray piece of fish to fall in front of them. While it is frowned upon to interfere with nature and feed these animals, even the most hardened fisherman cannot completely resist their begging.
This kind man has been cleaning fish as fast as the boats bring it in. He is watched carefully by an adult sea lion and also by a baby, both of which have great hopes for some generosity. They can see the enormous tuna and smell the delicious aroma of a fresh dinner as they are carried past the noses of the hungry sea lions. The sea lions know that they will be chased away from the fish if they try to grab one. They also know that the fish are far too large to swallow. They must wait patiently for a scrap or a slice to "accidentally" fall. Their fisherman friend has been known to have an occasional slip and a chunk will leave the table.
As predicted, the skin of a red snapper drops to the floor right in front of the hungry baby. He eagerly grabs the fish skin before the herons, pelicans, or other sea lions can move in. The trouble he has is that he is unable to rip the fish skin, and he is unable to swallow it unless part of it reaches the back of his throat. In the most comical fashion, the baby sea lion repeatedly tosses the fish skin in the air until he can work enough of it into his mouth to swallow it. The tourists watching this cheer him on and laugh at his adorable attempts to eat such a big meal.
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Adorable calf with zoomies runs around like a big farm puppy
Bobby is a new calf who is getting used to his long legs, and he can't contain his joy. It's a sunny day in the meadow, and he can't resist the urge to show off his speed for his mother and the other cows in the field. They are living a good life on this wonderful farm. They have acres of lush, green grass for grazing, ponds full of fresh water to drink from, and forests to explore and find shade from the sun. They roam free in all but the harshest months when it becomes too cold to be outside. Life here is as close as what nature intended for these gentle beasts.
Bobby's mother, Clarice, watches patiently as he runs around her and then takes off. He runs back and seems to want to head butt her to challenge her to keep up with him on his laps around the herd. She wants no part of the running as she is content to eat the grass and relax in the sunshine.
The rest of the herd looks a little confused by Bobby's antics as well, but a few of the other calves look like they are tempted to join him. They watch in astonishment as he runs like he's just drank an energy drink.
Watching these cows and calves, it becomes clear that they are gentle and peaceful animals that deserve proper treatment. The farmers here believe that herd health is more of a priority than profit, and they provide the best conditions and care possible. It costs a little more to produce beef in this way, but supporting the farmers who do things right means far less cruelty and anxiety for the animals. Factory farms typically have their animals indoors where they are crowded, and veterinary care is too expensive when profit is sacrificed. For this reason, many people who choose to eat meat are seeking local farms where they can see how the animals are raised. It's more ethical, and it's more environmentally friendly to buy food locally too.
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Stingrays in perfect formation drift past thrilled scuba diver in the Galapagos
Spotted eagle rays are beautiful animals that are a wonder to behold in their natural environment. Check them out in this incredible underwater clip!
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Sleeping sea lion comically wakes up to belch at fish market
The Galapagos Islands are beautiful and enchanting for many reasons. The animal life is fascinating and the relationship between people and the wildlife is one of respect and coexistence. It's no surprise for residents of Santa Cruz Island to find one of these loveable creatures parked on a bench at the market, sleeping as if he has not a care in the world. The tourists love these animated clowns and they photograph and video them at every opportunity.
This sea lion was snoring away when he suddenly woke up and belched loudly, much to everybody's amusement. These sea lions live near the fish market and they show up daily, hoping for scraps and handouts. Their antics delight those who visit these islands. Although it is well understood that feeding the animals can upset the balance and interfere with nature, occasional scraps fall to the floor, especially when the pleading eyes of the sea lions gains them a little sympathy.
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Playful humpback whale shows incredible trust in swimmers
Humpback whales are immense creatures that inspire awe and wonder in anyone who sees them. To see one from a boat or from the shore is an incredible experience. But to have one chose to interact and swim within arm's reach of you is a life changing occurrence. This whale was curious about swimmers who were drifting at the surface in a shallow bay off Vava'u Island. It actually came directly toward them and then rolled over, looking one swimmer directly in the eye as it slowly passed, exposing its belly as if asking for a scratch. It might have been playful, or it might have understood the effect that such an encounter would have on this little human. The sound of the whales singing filled the water and the vibrations could be felt as if the sounds were being produced by immense underwater speakers.
Tonga is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales. The law requires that you have a licensed and experienced guide with you at all times. This is to help tourists maintain the required distance from the animals. It is crucial that the whales never feel harassed or fearful of people in the water. They come to these quiet bays to give birth and to mate. It is one of the few areas of the world that are free from predators such as orcas and great white sharks.
Humpback whales are among the most intelligent creatures on earth. Only dolphins compare in terms of intellectual capacity. It is believed that as recently as 100,000 years ago they were the most intelligent creatures on earth, surpassing even our own predecessors. Their communication is so complex that we are only beginning to understand what the sounds could mean. A whale song can be heard through the ocean for hundreds of miles.
Conservation efforts have made a great difference in the decline of these beautiful animals, but their numbers are still critically low. To lose our whales would be beyond tragic.
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How to properly rescue a large snapping turtle crossing the road
Snapping turtles are large and ferocious looking creatures that do not like to be handled, or even approached by humans. Vulnerable on land, they appear to be aggressive and fierce. In reality, they are not interested in attacking anyone, or anything, and they are merely acting defensively when they strike and try to bite. Their pointed beaks are strong enough to inflict a wound and cause pain, although they cannot actually sever a finger or a limb as common folklore suggests.
This is a COMMON snapping turtle, not an alligator snapper, which is an important distinction. The common snapping turtle reaches 18kg (40 lbs) and has a strong jaw. The alligator snapping turtle reaches up to 45kg (100lbs) and has a jaw strength many times greater. The alligator snapping turtle is definitely capable of taking off a finger, or worse.
Common snapping turtles are not dangerous to humans. They live in almost all lakes and rivers in North America, although people rarely see them in the water. They are often encountered when they are crossing the road in the spring or the fall. This is when they are likely on the move to find a spot to lay eggs, or when males are in search of better feeding or breeding grounds.
Slow-moving, the turtles are frequently killed by cars when they cross the roads and highways. Well-meaning motorists will stop to help these creatures, and it is not difficult to do so safely. An important thing is to determine which way the turtle was headed. This will help prevent it from simply wandering back into danger after it is moved of the road. It is also important to lift them in a way that prevents injury to both the human and to the turtle.
Heavy turtles should never be lifted by the tail. Their weight is enough to cause a dislocation in the spine, leading to serious problems for the turtle. Their bite is strong enough that people also need to avoid putting their hands within reach of the turtle's jaws. With a quick strike, their long neck can extend almost half the length of the turtle's body. They can reach up and behind their shells with lightning speed. Hands need to be kept behind the shell midline at all times.
Gripping the tail to keep the turtle from turning is safe, but it is best to grab the shell near the rear legs firmly. A hand can be placed under the plastron (lower shell in the belly area) and the weight of the turtle can be supported in this way. Another hand on top of the shell will prevent the turtle from lunging and flipping over.
The turtle can then be moved and placed in the grass to continue on its way. Hand washing is always recommended after handling snapping turtles as they can carry bacteria. It is also possible to let the turtle grab onto a stick and then it can be slowly dragged to safety. And of course, traffic safety needs to be the most important consideration of all!
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Bottle-fed calf happily waddles over for her breakfast
Josie is an adorable calf who lives on a beautiful farm in Ontario, Canada. She has the happiest life that a cow could have. Her herd wanders freely over lush green pastures with rolling hills and forested areas for shade. They have ponds full of fresh water to drink from and lots of clean, country air. They graze as they wish and snooze in the
sun whenever the mood strikes. They even have a protective bull who watches over them as they enjoy their peaceful life.
Josie is the daughter of Linda, a seasoned mother who has always done her best for her babies. But Linda's milk supply has been a little lacking this time around and she simply doesn't produce as much as her calf needs. This farm hand visits the meadow every morning, soon after sunrise to give Josie her breakfast. Josie has learned the routine and she strolls over, licking her lips in anticipation. She eagerly drinks the whole bottle in record time and then she wanders back to her mother and the herd.
Linda is a patient and trusting mother who doesn't object to Josie getting served her breakfast.
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Massive whale shark amazingly swims around boaters
Whale sharks are magnificent creatures that take our breath away. To see one up close is a life changing experience. At almost 17m (55 feet) in length, they are enormous and intimidating animals, yet they are incredibly gentle. They are completely harmless to humans and cannot bite. They glide through the water, filtering it for fish eggs, plankton, krill and small fish.
Surprisingly little is known about these mysterious giants. They inhabit almost all tropical waters around the globe and they migrate great distances, yet biologists still don't understand where they have their young. They swim seemingly effortlessly with their mouths open, capturing food in the combs in their gills. They allow water to flow out of their massive gill sots as they feed.
These Canadian tourists embarked ona boat tour with Searious Diving near Isla Mujeres, in Mexico. This is an ethical tour company that works hard to protect the whale sharks through conservation efforts and working with government agencies to share information. It is this data that is used to establish regulations and laws that protect the animals from improper human behaviour.
The tourists have been swimming in the water and photographing the whale sharks as they feed in their natural environment. The captain of the boat had just made the decision to move farther from the feeding area to prevent crowding of the sharks. When they parked the boat at a distance, they were surprised and delighted to see that a whale shark was headed toward them. Apparently curious about the boat, the gigantic shark swam around them and gave them a show they would not forget. It swam past the back of the boat and then it turned, heading straight toward the bow. Just below the surface, the whale shark was clearly visible gulping water and food as it came close. It gently nudged the boat as it swan underneath. It continued on its way, unharmed and even swam around the tourists a few more times before heading off into the distance.
Illegal harvest and entanglement in commercial fishing nets are a serious threat to these whale sharks. To lose them forever would be beyond tragic.
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Baby bunnies nursing from devoted mother will warm your heart
These baby bunnies are only a few weeks old. They live under the fence in a burrow beside a garden full of lettuce and other vegetables. But the home owner doesn't mind sharing her harvest with such a devoted mother. This little rabbit spends her days munching happily on all sorts of fresh produce and then running back to her babies to give them a drink of milk. She goes back and forth many times during the day and her demanding little ones are always as hungry as she is.
This is a wild rabbit who has become very relaxed about living close to a people house. She knows she is safe within this fenced area and she seems to know that the people here will give her lots of space. He babies run free, with little to be worried about.
Rabbits are one of the few species of animal that can actually become pregnant BEFORE giving birth to their litter. Amazingly, they often breed prior to delivery and will actually have been impregnated several days before their litter is born. They are actually double pregnant, in these cases.
Rabbits are adorable and a delightful thing to watch as they run and play in a garden. Just be sure to plant enough vegetables for everyone, as they will clean out a patch of lettuce faster than you would expect!
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Fluffy Puppies In The Woods Wrestle Over New Stuffed Toy
These puppies are living a wonderful life on a beautiful country farm. They have acres of green lawn to roam, forests and streams to explore, and a warm bed for the night. They are the offspring of a lovely Bernese Mountain dog and a strapping Maremma who had an unexpected opportunity for a romantic encounter. The two dogs are the best of friends and they happily take turns caring for and playing with their pups.
The puppies are energetic and curious and they love to fight over new toys. When they were given a stuffed dog that was almost as big as they were, they played tug of war until they were tired out. Finding a stump to climb on, they took turns rolling and jumping off the log onto each other.
Few things are as heart warming as watching puppies like this play with each other on a warn, summer day.
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Playful puppy is very proud of her new pajamas
The only thing cuter than puppies is golden retriever puppies in new pajamas. This is Charlotte and she is eight weeks old. This is a big celebration for Charlotte and for the rest of her brothers and sisters because today is the day that she will be going to her forever family.
Charlotte was born at a wonderful breeding facility called As Good As Gold, near Peterborough, Ontario. They take puppy production very seriously with excellent veterinary care, the best nutrition available, and loving care from a family that adores dogs like nobody else. By the time these pups are ready to go to their new families, they have been checked thoroughly and they have had all the shots and treatments needed to give them the best start possible. The puppies have also been treated with love and affection, as the parents are, so they will all be expecting nothing but adoration when they get to their homes.
Charlotte and her siblings are having a little puppy party to celebrate their exciting new start, and also to say goodbye, as they will be sorely missed. The party involves treats, extra love, playtime, a little swimming pool, and a new set of pajamas for each puppy. The pajamas make a golden retriever just a little cuter than ever.
Charlotte approaches everything with enthusiasm and when she sees the camera pointed at her, she wants to head over and check it out. She bounces happily in front of this curious new object. But Charlotte is adorably clumsy and she rolls and tumbles as she tries to run, scratch, and play. Their tails constantly wagging, these puppies are the perfect example of happiness.
When selecting a puppy, a little care goes a long way. Ethical breeders will happily provide health details and also a reference from their veterinarian. They will provide references from satisfied customers, and they will enthusiastically show their facilities and the parents that produced the pups. Any hesitation in these areas might be an indication of a puppy mill, or at least an issue worth investigating. Supporting the breeders who treat their animals well is the best way to ensure that cruelty and abuse does not continue. It's also the best way to get a healthy and happy best friend for your family!
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Baby rattlesnake suns himself beside dock at family cottage
Rattlesnakes are often villainized, striking fear in hearts of people around the world. In fact, ophidophobia, fear of snakes is the second most common fear among people. Only the fear of public speaking is more overwhelming or more common.
Snakes have been depicted in stories and movies as threatening and dangerous for thousands of years. They have been blamed for all manner of horrible situations, dating back as far as biblical times. With many species of snake being dangerous, if mishandled, it is no wonder that people are so fearful. But snakes are rarely a hazard unless provoked, with the exception of larger predators like anacondas or pythons.
Ontario, Canada has only one venomous snake. The Massissauga rattlesnake is equipped with a venom that could make a person ill, but only very rarely could it kill a full grown human. In almost all cases, the snake was startled, stepped on, or handled carelessly. This is a young Massassauga rattler who has taken up a position to bask on a rock beside a dock at this family's cottage. Being well acquainted with nature, they know that the snake can do them no harm as long as they keep out of striking range and give the snake no reason to be alarmed. Snakes prey on small rodents such as mice and young rats. Humans would never be considered a food source and rattlesnakes are not aggressive, except in self defence.
Even still, nobody wants to get bitten, so it is highly recommended that long pants and shoes be worn in wooded areas in cottage country in case of events like this one. Fortunately, rattlesnakes have adapted so that they possess a hardened tail that emits a buzzing or rattling sound when they shake the tip of their tail rapidly. Unlike what we hear in movies, the sound resembles a bee buzzing loudly rather than a baby rattle in the hands of an excited child.
Rattlesnakes are extremely beneficial animals, keeping rodent populations at bay. This helps prevent the transmission of parasites and disease and helps avoid the cost of damage due to rodents in our living spaces. If you get a close look at a rattlesnake, observe it from a safe distance and consider yourself lucky. Normally shy and reclusive, it is a rare opportunity to find one out in the open like this beautiful creature.
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This is one of nature's most formidable predators
This octopus hunting on the reef shows an incredible ability to change texture and colour. These animals are true super predators. They are the most intelligent invertebrates on the planet, capable of observational learning and problem solving. They have short term and long term memory. They are incredibly strong and more flexible than any other carnivore.
But what most people do not realize is that they are highly specialized hunters that can prey on creatures with seemingly impenetrable shells and exoskeletons. The octopus has a tooth on its tongue that helps it drill a tiny hole in the shells of mollusks and crabs. It can dissolve calcium carbonate, the substance that mollusk shells are made of, using its saliva. It can then deliver a highly venomous bite, paralyzing and killing the animal in the shell. This makes it easy for the octopus to open the shell and eat the creature inside.
Octopus have sophisticated brains, but the nerve bundles in their arms are complex enough that they can control the movement of all 8 limbs without the need for input from the brain. The octopus also has the ability to taste and smell using each of the hundreds of tentacles on its arms. It uses the arms to reach into crevices and hiding spots and it can detect prey without needing to see it.
Pound for pound, there are few animals in the ocean that are such efficient and capable predators.
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Scuba divers become lost in gigantic & beautiful bait ball
Black striped salema are a small fish that are found in many waters around the world, and also in the ocean surrounding the Galapagos Islands. They are bait fish for sea lions, larger fish, aquatic birds, and many other animals. They are vast in number and their main defense against predators is to swarm in tight clusters to confuse attackers and make it harder to isolate and capture the individual fish. When threatened, these fish dart rapidly in all directions and move even closer together. Even when not threatened, they find safety in the school and they stay close to other fish.
These scuba divers entered the water to explore the surroundings and check out the marine life. They saw a sea lion hunting in the shallower area around the rocks and then they saw why she was there. There was a huge school of black striped salemas cruising through. In response to the sea lion's attempts to catch them, they changed direction abruptly and closed ranks. The sea lion regarded the scuba divers with a mix of curiosity and playfulness. It is very common for predators like the sea lion to work together, taking turns ambushing the fish. It's very possible that she was hoping the divers would create opportunities for feeding. Sea lions are naturally curious about humans in the water and they will often buzz past closely, seemingly in an invitation to play.
The salemas also saw an opportunity and they gathered around the divers, hoping to avoid the sea lion. The scuba divers were totally engulfed in the school of fish, occasionally swallowed up by the darkness as the light above was almost completely blocked out.
Salemas are unspeakably beautiful and being completely surrounded by an endless school was an unforgettable experience for these scuba divers.
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Adorable puffer fish in can't resist this swimmer's camera
Puffer fish are the adorable little fish with the cherub faces that swim awkwardly around the reefs in most oceans of the world. This cute little fellow lives on the reef in San Pedro, Belize. He is completely wild but he has become very accustomed to the swimmers that frequent the protected marine area off the coast. Safe from harm, the animals here have learned that humans are not a threat to them.
The fishermen come here to clean their catch and the scraps that go into the water are quickly gobbled up by the sharks, rays, fish, and other creatures. The water is crystal clear and the swimmers get a perfect view of all of their favourite marine creatures.
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