It’s fascinating to watch turtles in ponds, lakes, and marine environments. In some places they’re so common that for local people they’re like pigeons in cities! You may have seen people feeding turtles, or found a turtle close to you and wanted to feed it. But should you feed wild turtles? The answer is yes,…
The myth surrounding snakes refusing to cross a rope is an intriguing one. It all stemmed from cowboys laying their lassoos around them while they slept, claiming that this rope barrier deterred snakes from crossing and biting you in your sleep. Explanations for this claim range from the rope being prickly and uncomfortable for the…
An injured or broken wing is a serious injury for a bird, and can be extremely traumatic for them. It is essential to treat the bird in the appropriate way depending on the situation at hand. If you have found an injured wild bird there is a different set of rules to if you have…
It is a fact that animal poop is endlessly fascinating (if a little disgusting!). The color, shape, and contents of animal feces can indicate which animal it belongs to, and what its diet is made up of. If you’re a keen nature lover or simply a curious mind, you may have come across the droppings…
There are a surprising number of animals which can look a lot like beavers, especially when you’re out in the field and you don’t get a good enough view for a positive ID. Several species of mammal have adapted to freshwater environments and become semi-aquatic. Perhaps you hear a splash, see a fluffy brown shape…
The list of birds with orange beaks is vast – it is a common attribute in the bird world. So it’s understandable if you’ve come here looking to identify a species you have seen with an orange beak (also called bill). This stunning bill color comes from carotenoids, pigments from foods the birds consume. But…
Skunks are omnivorous mammals best known for their ability to spray a noxious liquid to ward off predators. This foul-smelling secretion is composed of several chemicals including thiols, which are also present in garlic and onions. The skunk’s main defense against predators is its unique ability to aim its anal glands at an attacker’s eyes,…
“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.” — Loren Eiseley Water covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface and it is essential for all known forms of life. Without it, we would die in a matter of days. The dawn of human civilizations saw people building the first cities on…
There is an urban legend claiming snakes are blind, but it is a myth. While blind snakes exist (the Indotyphlops braminus, whose common name is, appropriately, blind snake), most of them aren’t blind and can see things with their eyes. The truth about snakes’ vision is that their eyesight is very poor, especially compared to…
There are 29 different species of rabbit within the family Leporidae (not to be confused with hares in the genus Lepus). These small, fluffy mammals can be found in a range of habitats worldwide, digging burrows in the ground and foraging in open meadows, forests, deserts, wetlands mountainous areas, and scrubland. Rabbits are part of…