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The robin, both European and American is famous for its red breast.  The subject of nursery rhymes and Christmas cards the male of the species is resplendent in red. Australia, too, has a robin.  One might, of course, expect this particular country to produce something a little different: it has form, after all.  So, step forward the pink robin, Australia’s passerine of pulchritudinous pinkness.


Just in case you think this is some kind of practical joke, here's a rare and short video of the pink robin.

This very interesting video is all about the Red Panda and how it got its name.  You might think that it was a straightforward process, but that isn’t really the case with beautiful animal which belongs in a class of its own (quite literally).  Of course, this tells the story of how it got its English name.  And it made me wonder – what do the Chinese call both species of panda?  As you will have seen from the video, panda is not a word of Chinese origin. Image Credit

The answer?  Well the Chinese call the giant panda 大熊猫 (dà xióng māo).  If we break that down, 大 (dà) = big, 熊 (xióng) = bear, and 猫 (māo) = cat. So literally, it means “big bear cat.”  That's a beautifully pragmatic name, even if it is scientifically inaccurate (but they probably didn't care about taxonomy). So what of the red panda? The answer is glorious! 小熊猫 (xiǎo xióng māo), literally means “small bear cat.”  It makes me think that Chinese is a very sensible language, far more so than English.  So one panda is the big bear cat and the other is the small bear cat. Ta da.

I digress – take a look at the video which explains, very humourously, how the Red Panda got its name (and other assorted facts).

Did you know that there are over 50,000 spiders on planet Earth today?  Just imagine if there were that many different species of human on the planet.  Good grief!  As well as being one of the most successful types of animal of all time, there are many questions the average person in the street couldn’t answer about arachnids.  For example, were spiders around at the time of the dinosaurs? When did the ability to produce silk happen and was it used in the same way as spiders use it today?  Where on the planet did spiders first emerge?  And are there any species of spiders that have weathered the millennia and are still with us today after millions of years?

All these questions and many more are answered in this fantastic video from Animated Earth (otherwise known as Peter Schumaker and Tristan Reed).  It really is one of the best natural history animations that I have seen over the last few years.  As such it answered a few questions about spiders for me that I didn’t even realise that I wanted to ask – such as how likely are spiders to survive an extinction event?

Watch the video below:

Dogs like nothing better than when something a little out of the ordinary happens. So, when the world has turned white one morning and the water has gone hard and slippery, you can’t blame a dog for getting a little excited, can you?

At first you might be a little unsteady on your paws but when there is a new and interesting experience to be had then a few slips and slides hardly matter.

There's no single optimal strategy you can follow at dice games to win money every round at non GamStop casinos. However, you can still make smart choices.

You can choose to increase your points total by creating winning combinations at non GamStop casinos. If you get a winning combination in three slots, you'll receive one and a half times your points total. If you get a winning combination in four slots, your points are even doubled. And for players looking for broader platforms to enjoy such games, licensed non-GamStop betting sites UK can also provide a variety of dice formats and payout structures. If you also manage to land nine identical symbols in a slot, you'll receive an additional 200 points..

Deal or No Deal Live is a live casino game from Evolution, combining the Wheel of Fortune with a live game show. Hosts guide you through the familiar briefcase game, but ultimately, the choice is yours whether to accept the banker's offer or not. Previously, you could only watch players make their decisions on television, but now you can try it yourself in a non GamStop casino and play your favorite titles off GamStop with the same level of excitement and interaction.

Deal or No Deal Live is a live game with high risks and high potential winnings. This live game show has a relatively long runtime and includes three different rounds. The final round is the actual show, where live presenters guide the game.

No one is quite sure where the name Tanuki came from, but a possibility is the old Japanese word tanoke which means spirit of the fields.  Since people first came to Japan they have lived alongside this remarkable canid species.  Despite what it’s English name might suggest, this is not a racoon.  It is so-called simply because of the physical similarity between it and racoons. It’s a member of the dog family, but it’s definitely not a dog either.  Image Credit

Image Credit

Why? The tanuki is not a “dog” in the everyday sense (like Canis lupus familiaris, the domestic dog). It’s more closely related to foxes than to domestic dogs, and it has quite different behaviour and appearance. For instance, it can climb trees and even hibernate, which dogs can’t do.

Most people have heard of the Ring-tailed Lemur (above) and could suppose that it is the only species. However, there are many varieties of Lemur, a lot of which are beautiful and incredibly rare. Take a look in to the planet of the lemurs and discover for yourself the wonderful diversity of this lesser known family of animals. Image Credit Flickr User Tambako the Jaguar

The Red-ruffed LemurThis exquisitely colored species is critically endangered and part of its habitat in Madagascar has recently been made in to a National Park. This may at least ensure the survival of some of the species but as it is unable to tell where it is safe for itself, many of the animals live outside the park’s boundaries and are still prey to humans as ‘bush food’. Who could possibly bring themselves to eat this delightful animal in the full knowledge that it is nearing extinction?

We often read about people taking over the natural habitat of other species but it is rare to come across a case where the animals come back and reclaim their territory from us.  Yet this is exactly what has happened in San Francisco.  Local Californian Sea Lions have always been present in the city’s bay but had been pushed out to Seal Rocks, a small formation at the north end of the Ocean Beach.  Pier 39’s K-Dock was developed and opened in 1978.  Little did we know that the sea lions also had their eyes on this particular piece of seaside real estate.

They bided their time but their opportunity to move in (or back, if you argue that their presence along the Californian coastline predates human occupation by tens of thousands of years) came just over a decade later in 1989.  It was then that it was decided that the docks needed refurbishment.  In order to facilitate this all the boats had to be removed from Pier 39.  This left large open spaces inside the Bay.  A small number of sea lions saw their opportunity.  They metaphorically weighed anchor from the stony slopes of Seal Rocks and began to arrive at Pier 39.

 Sometimes, nature isn’t pretty – but it is still fascinating. Some spider species have a way of ensuring that the next generation gets a good start in life. In this particular case, narrated by the ever mellifluous Sir David Attenborough, the mother spider dies shortly after her eggs hatch. Rather than let her go to waste, her spiderlings take advantage of the situation. Drawn towards their mother, whose dying movements mimic the struggle of an insect caught in the web, they proceed to gobble her up without so much as a by your leave. The video below shows the full, gruesome truth, so if you are a little squeamish then perhaps avert your eyes. Ah, too late…

Water! From a purely biological point of view water has a number of properties that are paramount for the proliferation of life on this – or any other – planet. Its life giving and sustaining properties is what sets it apart from all other substances.

From the largest mammal to the tiniest insect we all have to drink. If we don’t we die. Here, we focus on the little guys, the ones which you can hardly imagine need much water. Indeed, sometimes they can be in danger of being carried away in their enthusiasm to sate their thirst. Thanks to some wonderfully macrophotography we get to see this most vital of functions being carried out – with some gusto – by a host of insects.

When you are building a new home sometimes you need some help. A little teamwork goes a long way and these green tree ants (or weaver ants) from Australia could teach us a thing or two about that. Their own task may, to begin with, seem almost impossible but with some supreme acrobatic skills anything, it seems, is possible.

When Your Pet Needs Emergency Care

When it comes to your pet’s health, it’s not always clear if something is a true emergency or if it’s something that can wait. But in some instances, a long interval can exacerbate the condition. Below are the signs to know when it’s an emergency and your pet may need the attention of a veterinarian sooner rather than later.

Red-Flag Symptoms--Time to Act Now

Some signs are clear evidence that your pet is in danger. What are they? Have a look:

• Blue, pale or grey gums (from lack of circulation or oxygen)
• Fainting, unresponsiveness or collapse
• Convulsions or violent tremors
• Hemorrhage or bleeding (uncontrolled), large lacerations
• Palpably taut or distended abdomen with pain.
• Poisoning (oral, e.g., chocolate, drugs, chemicals)
• Difficulty with urination without passing, which is a more serious problem in male cats (it can be fatal)

Note: If you see one of these red-flag signs, do not hesitate. Contact your regular veterinarian or request an at-home visit from Veteris in an emergency.

Non-urgent But Important Symptoms

Watch for these symptoms and get your pet to the vet ASAP.

• Vomited or had bloody diarrhea on more than one occasion.
• Anorexia over 24 hours
• Difficulty walking
• Crying, yelling or being too physical.
• Drooling or bad breath
• Swollen or tender spots
• Constant coughing or wheezing

These types of symptoms can be due to infection, injury or an underlying condition. It's smart to step in as early as possible, Carlos says, because once it reaches emergency levels, in general.

What Veteris Can Do Now at the Eleventh Hour?

Veteris can help. It’s a 24/7 emergency mobile vet service. They can come right to your house and tend to your animal’s needs, keeping them alive happy, and healthy. That too without any hassles of travelling and time wasted at a clinic.

What is Veteris?

Veteris is a UK wide mobile vets on call service that offers emergency vet at home. No matter what time of the day or night, if it’s a bank holiday, Veteris will meet your need to find a registered vet in the nick of time. They'll collect his/her gear and fetch your "emergency" complaint while you sit at home.

Key features:

Covers all the big cities of UK including London, Birmingham, and Manchester).

• Fast response to severe symptoms
• Licensed, trained veterinarians with emergency equipment
• Transparent rates, no hidden fees

Conclusion

Turst your instincts when it comes to your pet's health. If something does not feel right, check it right in there. Timings matters the most in these situations. You might be feeling that this is something small but it can turn into your nightmare in no time. So, keep a look at the red-flag symptoms and report to your vet as early as you can.

We have already told the story of how the critically endangered Lord Howe Island Stick Insect was brought back from the edge of extinction in the animation Sticky.  Of course, there is still much work to be done.  This entrancing video shows – for the first time – the hatching of a young stick insect.  It was captured by  zoo keeper Rohan Cleave at Melbourne Zoo. The eggs incubate for over six months and, until now, the hatching process has never been seen.

This goes to show - yet again - the invaluable conservation work that is done by zoos across the world. Watch the video below.  If this doesn’t bring a smile to your face, then it’s unlikely that anything will!

Now you see me, now you don’t.  Australia is well known for all creatures great, small, venomous, bitey, spiky, leapy and apparently hell-bent on ruining your day - there’s a list of them as long as your arm.  However,  the wraparound spider (Dolophones conifera) is not on that particular list.  Although it has given many the shock of their lives when it suddenly appears in front of them, this spider doesn’t want to hurt you. In fact, it has developed a cunning camouflage technique with the sole purpose of being left alone.  It’s waiting, resting up, patiently letting the daylight hours pass it by until night falls and its work may begin again. Image Credit

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In the meantime, it needs to be unseen, particularly from its main predator – birds.  So, over countless millennia it has evolved the ability to wrap its body around twigs of its forest home.  It can do this so effectively that when still it simply looks like a small nodule where new shoots, leaves, or flowers might emerge.  The underside of its bodies is concave, and this allows it to press itself so closely on and around a twig that nothing or no one can spot them unless they decide to move.

This amazing video presents the life cycle of the sea biscuit Clypeaster subdepressus, as part of a master's thesis project conducted at the Biosciences Institute of the University of São Paulo.

Adult specimens were collected from sand beds in the São Sebastião Channel (São Sebastião, SP, Brazil). Researchers then induced gamete release (eggs and sperm), followed by in vitro fertilisation. The resulting embryonic development was observed under light microscopy in a controlled laboratory setting.

As development progressed, embryos transformed into free-swimming larvae approximately 0.2 mm in width. These larvae were sustained on a diet of microalgae until they reached the stage of metamorphosis. During this stage, a juvenile sea biscuit began forming within the larval body. Once the tiny podia (tube feet) and spines developed, the larva sank and underwent metamorphosis, resorbing its larval tissues in the process.

The juvenile then began life among sand grains, exploring its new benthic environment.

The video footage was captured at the University of São Paulo’s Marine Biology Center (CEBIMar-USP), located in São Sebastião, on the northern coast of São Paulo State, Brazil.

Here's the video - enjoy!

They are completely blind, but somehow driver ants (Dorylus wilverthi) manage to make their way through their African forest home.  They coordinate through chemical signals with the larger workers, with hooked jaws (that can bite us, yes indeed) protecting the smaller ones.  If they come across an obstacle – no problem, they just use themselves as bridges.  If you’re an insect and you get in the way of a driver ant swarm, you have no chance.  Even human babies and the infirm have been known to fall victim to a driver ant swarm…

This fascinating short documentary was made by a member of the Day’s Edge team when he was a teaching assistant in UCLA's Field Biology Quarter program. His class of 15 undergraduates spent three weeks conducting original research in Kibale National Park, Uganda. They encountered these amazing driver in the forest whenever they entered it. On his return to Los Angeles, he decided toc create a short documentary about the driver ant species.

Watch the video below.

When I was a kid there was a place on the walk home where touch-me-not balsam used to grow.  Over the years, I had great fun touching their seed pods, as, if they were ripe enough, they would explode in contact with my fingers.  Pow!  The seeds would be ejected, sometimes quite a distance and always at super-high speed.  However, during all my pod popping years I never once saw a caterpillar (or noticed one at least).

Yet the touch-me-not balsam is the favourite food of a certain moth’s caterpillar.  I never saw one because the netted carpet moth (Eustroma reticulatum) was, metaphorically, on its knees at that point in time.  It was, in fact, close to extinction in the UK and is now still only found in a few places in the Lake District.  That was a good hundred miles away from where I grew up (Chester) and as such explains why I never saw any of the moth’s caterpillars. It is, fortunately, found elsewhere in Europe and Asia so there is no fear of a complete species extinction – in fact the moth has seen a 900^% increase in abundance in the UK since 2000 (due to some clever conservation management).

That’s great news – but you might notice when you watch the video below that this caterpillar doesn’t do much to help itself in terms of staying safe… Just as I would never know which pod was going to pop when I was a child, likewise the caterpillars have to risk, for the sake of a good munch, being the trigger for an explosion which will send it flying through the air.  One can only hope that these caterpillars have a safe landing and can make their way back to the plant without too much trouble.  It just leaves me wondering how many times the average netted carpet moth caterpillar finds itself being ejected through space before it undergoes its metamorphosis into adult form and can use its wings instead…

Watch the amazing video from BBC Earth below.

Did you know that the collective noun for pandas is an embarrassment?  So, when you see more than one of them you can say “Oh, look – it’s an embarrassment of pandas”.  Lions get a pride.  Owls get a parliament. And hippos get a thunder.  Meanwhile, pandas get an embarrassment.  (Image Credit)

While there is no doubt that the antics of any family member can leave relatives slack-jawed in bewildered puzzlement, a question must be asked here. Is it fair to condemn a whole species because of the actions of just a few?  At Ark in Space, we think not.  It is time that this gross injustice was exposed, overturned and ended.  Today we begin the search for a new, worthier collective noun for Ailuropoda melanoleuca, otherwise know as the Giant Panda.  You will be able to vote for your current favorite or suggest your own at the end of this article.

And yet. Before we move on, let’s take a moment to acknowledge that yes, pandas in general are somewhat prone to doing things that could be considered embarrassing.  They love climbing, but they aren’t very good at it.  They like rolling down slopes, even if the slope is, in fact, an abyss. They get stuck in awkward places where it might be assumed a panda of average size could not fit.  There is so much evidence stacked against them that panda fail compilations are all over the internet. Here’s just one of them…

You may not have heard of the Alpine Newt but, like every other organism, it starts as a single cell.  It is silent, so put some inspiring music on in the background to accompany the newt’s development.   The detail is absolutely amazing, from the single cell right up to the hatching of the larva, you will remember the alpine newt for some time to come!

Becoming is a film by Jan van IJken. a Dutch filmmaker and photographer whose work lies at the intersection of art and science. He explores the hidden dimensions of nature, focusing on microscopy, embryology, and the complex relationships between humans and animals.

Watch the full video below - and don't forget to find some great music to go with it!

Down in the moist and wet tropical forests of Central and South America, something isn’t moving in the dense canopy cover. It is quite still, rolled in a tight ball, its head tucked under its arms and its partially prehensile tail wrapped around the branch upon which it lightly sleeps.  This is the silky anteater – the smallest (and possibly the cutest – you be the judge) anteater species on the this, our ark in space.

Image Credit

The species has the skill of a contortionist and seems able to wrap its body into all sorts of positions in the pursuit of a peaceful day’s sleep.   It is nocturnal, so in the day time it snoozes the hours away until the sun goes down and its time to feed again.  Yet even though it only goes out at night, it isn’t exactly the lean and hungry type. Sometimes, only around 700 ants will be slurped up by its saliva-covered tongue, onto which the hapless Formicidae stick before being eaten alive. 

It's true, most people wouldn’t mind having a little extra cash. Whether it’s to cover bills, save up for a trip or just have some more freedom, a side hustle can really help out. The great thing about this digital age is the fact that you don't have to leave the house to do this. Thanks to the Internet, there are loads of different ways for you to earn money from your phone or laptop and you don’t always need special skills to get going.

It's important that you pick a side hustle that works for you, your time management and honestly, interests you. There are so many options to pick from, below only a few are mentioned but it's up to you to find one that suits your needs. 

Try Your Luck With Online Casino Games

If you enjoy playing games and don’t mind a little risk, online casinos might be your thing. They’re not a guaranteed way to make money but they can be a fun option when approached responsibly.

There are thousands of online platforms where you can play for real cash. Most offer games like:

• Slots: These games are simple, fast-paced and have tons of variety.
• Blackjack and Roulette: Classic table games with a mix of strategy and luck that you can play anytime and anywhere.
• Poker: This is where you can compete against other players for real money.
• Live Dealer Games: Real-time games streamed with actual dealers.

There are a few things that you need to bear in mind when it comes to picking online casino games as your side hustle. You must choose a reputable and licensed online casino. It's paramount that you set a strict budget and stick to it. Try to take advantage of welcome bonuses and free spins, they're there, so you might as well use them. Also, remember that if you do make a winning, you want to receive that as quickly as possible, which is why a fast payout online casino might be a good option for you, as they're super speedy when it comes to that.

Freelance Your Skills (Or Learn New Ones)

Freelancing has become a major way people make money online. Whether you're a graphic designer, writer, video editor or even just good at data entry, there’s probably someone out there willing to pay you for your work.

Even if you don’t think you have any skills to sell right now, you can learn a lot online for free or cheap. Platforms like YouTube and Coursera are full of tutorials on everything from coding to writing resumes. Once you’re confident in something, start small and build your portfolio.

Popular freelance jobs include things like writing blog posts or product descriptions, managing social media accounts, designing logos or flyers, translating content or even editing videos or podcasts. The best part? You set your own hours and choose your clients, all you have to do is get the ball rolling. 

Start Selling Stuff Online

Selling things online is one of the fastest ways to earn some extra cash. You don’t need a fancy store or inventory to get going, either.

Here are a few options that you can think about:

• Flip items on eBay or Facebook Marketplace: Buy stuff cheap (from thrift stores or garage sales) and resell for a profit.
• Sell handmade goods: If you’re crafty, Etsy is the go-to for selling jewelry, art, home decor and more.
• Use print-on-demand services: There are certain sites that let you create designs for t-shirts, mugs, stickers and more. They handle the printing and shipping, you just make the art.
• Sell digital products: Got a great resume template or budget spreadsheet? Turn it into a downloadable product on Etsy.

Here's one pro tip that you can take with you: Keep your listings clean, use good photos and write honest descriptions. The better your listings look, the more likely they are to sell.

Teach or Tutor Online

If you're confident in a particular subject or skill, teaching or tutoring online can be a great way to earn extra cash. You don’t necessarily need to be a certified teacher to get started. Many platforms are looking for people who can help others learn, whether it’s academic subjects, languages or even hobbies. Most importantly, just try to have a passion for something and that will already get you in.

For example, tutoring English online is a popular option, especially for native speakers. If you’re more academically inclined, you can find opportunities on tutoring sites that focus on subjects like math, science and history. These usually let you set your own schedule and teach at your comfort level.

You could also offer private lessons through Zoom or Google Meet. Promote yourself on social media or local community boards and start working with students one-on-one. This can be especially effective if you specialize in a niche area or offer personalized help.

Give it a Go

There are tons of ways to earn extra cash online, whether you’re looking for something fast and easy or want to build a full-blown side business. From online casino games to freelancing, the key is to find something that fits your lifestyle and goals. Why not just give it a go? You don't have much to lose, other than a little bit of time. 

Just when you think it’s safe to go back in the garden, the natural world pulls another fast one on us. The picture above is a snail infected with a parasitic flatworm that goes under the (rather menacing) name the green-banded broodsac.  Found mostly in Central and Eastern Europe, its binomial scientific name is Leucochloridium paradoxum which translated means “strange little white-green creature”.  Isn’t that just the understatement of the decade?

Image Credit

Some might be inclined to exchange paradoxum with nauseosum (nausea inducing) because although it looks strange in a photo, you should see this creature in… motion.  So, if you are even remotely squeamish by nature, don’t read on. And certainly, don’t play this video (definitely not narrated by David Attenborough). Don’t say you weren’t warned…

He searched online  and came across a website, leaving a message on the local "Swarm Hotline". The person who returned the call was Mandy, who quickly turned up and resolved the situation.  Maxwell captured some amazing footage so asked Mandy if, next swarm season, he could shoot a little documentary.  You don’t need to guess Mandy’s answer as this  charming short is the result.

I love the insight that this video gives swarm chasing, as Mandy calls it (and a great play on words it is too).  You will learn the things that need to be done to relocate a hive – and how it can get a little tricky depending on where the bees rock up.  If you have doubts about the importance of making sure that bees end up on the right place, then seven little words from Mandy should suffice: “Without the bees, there is no us.”

Watch the short documentary below.

Sploot? Splooting? Splooted? You may have come across the word in one or more of its forms while goggling at a picture of a very flat looking dog or squirrel. Although it’s quite probably self-explanatory, we thought a short diversionary interlude to look into the word, the action and its mammalian manifestation might allow for a little procrastinatory pleasure. So, put off the more important things you  must do today and delve with us into this fascinating phenomenon. Perhaps you could even attempt a languid sploot yourself as you read on…

ImageCredit

Or perhaps not (disclaimer #1). First, the action.  Merriam-Webster added "sploot" to its dictionary in 2022, defining it as a slang term for the pose in which an animal lies flat on its belly with its hind legs stretched out behind it.  That much is obvious, but why do animals sploot?  The rather silly looking pose is in fact a very sensible solution to the issue of overheating.

From these photographs you could easily imagine that the animal kingdom had suddenly been enveloped in its own zombie apocalypse.  Yet these pictures do not feature the Squawking Dead. Thanks to high speed photography, these pictures capture the nictitating membrane in action. It is also known as the third eyelid, haw and the inner eyelid. It is drawn across the eye to protect and moisturize it while retaining visibility.

This short ten minute film by the British Council provides as much information about the life cycle of the newt as anyone really needs unless they wish to become a herpetologist – the scientific term for someone who studies reptiles and amphibians professionally.  Even though it was made in 1942 (during World War II no less), I don’t think you will find a more accurate and succinct description of the life cycle of this charming amphibian.

It focuses on the Smooth Newt and with some great photography for its time, looks at the process from conception to the point when the tiny but fully-formed newt leaves the pond for land, where it will stay for three years until ready to reproduce itself.  Watch this wonderful short film below.

 
Out of the over 4,000 species of frogs on Planet Earth, around a third of them are considered to be at threat of extinction. Here, Guy Fenton takes us on a journey, exploring why frogs are so vital to our ecosystems.  Fenton also covers how frogs are helping scientists to create new innovations in the medical field.  Told from a non-scientific perspective, this short video speaks volumes about the importance of our amphibian friends.

One reason (apart from any species has a right to survive without forced extinction because of our actions) can be seen as purely selfish.  The frogs of this world may well turn out to be incredibly important to the future of our species.  So, conserving them in the wild so we can continue to learn from them is something that we should make every attempt to ensure.

Scientists, for example, are studying frog skins to see how the cells can be turned into new antibiotics.  As most of our current antibiotics are now becoming useless because of antibiotic resistance, these new ones are vital – urgent even.  More and more bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics – could frogs hold the secret to a new group of antibiotics?

Have a look at this video – it’s very short and you will (most likely) learn something.

The seahorse has been known to us for thousands of years: the ancient Romans created beautiful mosaics celebrating their shape and grace. Yet a number of species escaped our attention until the 1970s – and then it took till the twenty first century to name six of the seven previously hidden kinds. Why did they elude us for so long? Firstly their size – they are tiny. Yet it is their amazing camouflage which really allowed them to remain concealed for so long.

When you think of porcupines, you might imagine a spiky little creature having a good old waddle across the forest floor, bristling with quills and grumpy charm. But did you know that some porcupines are expert climbers who spend most of their lives in the treetops? Meet the Coendou genus — a group of tree-dwelling porcupines that swing through the forests of Central and South America like prickly little acrobats.  Did I mention that they’re cute, too?

The Paraguaian hairy dwarf porcupine (Coendou spinosus) ranges across Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

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It’s perfectly understandable, in this day and age, when starting a family is put off for a year or two.  After all, parenthood is best coped with when planned. However, when the “decision” to become a first time mom is put off by decades, then friends and family stop asking when it’s ever going to happen.  This must surely have been the case with the an endangered giant tortoise who had become a mother at an estimated 100 years old.

Mommy – yes that is her name – is, to be completely accurate, a Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise.  She was taken from her island at some point in the past (no one is sure when) but she has called Philadelphia Zoo home for 90 odd years.  Arriving in 1932, she is believed to be around a century old and even though her species stay capable of producing young way into their long, long lives, Mommy has never before produced any viable offspring.  

We've been waiting for this... forever.  Finally we can have fully-formed conversations with our non-human owners!  The guesswork is over!

London, England– April 1, 2025: At last, the long-standing dream of talking to our pets takes a step toward reality! Today, relaxAI, the advanced AI assistant platform, unveiled a groundbreaking experimental feature - PetTalk - designed to translate pet vocalizations into human language in real time. Even more astonishing, it allows humans to respond back in their pets’ native "tongue."  Our days of trying to communicate (but gettingi it badly wrong) are finally at an end.  And it's all down to technology.  You can try it by following this link.  Simply change to "pet mode" when you get there and you can start communicating!

Harnessing deep learning, speech pattern recognition, and a proprietary natural language model trained on thousands of pet audio samples, PetTalk aims to bridge the communication gap between humans and their furry companions.  Now your granny doesn't need to scratch her head when wondering what ails fluffy.  Fluffy can tell her (although it isn't always guaranteed that granny will like what she hears, of course).

According to Mark Boost, CEO of relaxAI, the inspiration came from users who wanted to build deeper emotional connections—not just with AI, but with their pets.

“PetTalk is a fun yet technically ambitious step toward pushing the limits of human-AI communication,” said Boost. “We’ve been collaborating with academic researchers and animal behavior experts to make the impossible… well, just a little less impossible.”

The feature was developed in partnership with Dr. Emily Petrichor, Professor of Animal-Human Communication at the University of Ashwood, whose pioneering research into animal vocalization patterns provided critical insights for the training data.

Dr. Petrichor explains: “There are clear acoustic patterns in animal sounds that suggest intent or emotion. While we’re still far from full interspecies dialogue, machine learning allows us to ‘guess’ what your dog or cat might be trying to express. Whether it’s accurate or not—well, that’s up to the pet.”

Though PetTalk is not (yet) certified for scientific or veterinary use, early testers have reported amusing results—from a Labrador requesting “longer belly rubs” to a cat insisting on “a private litter box with better ambiance.”

Taking care of horses is not the easiest assignment for those that look after the equine stars, but it is a job that should be taken very seriously to ensure that horses have the best quality of life.

Horses that are well-groomed always look like they are the best-cared horses in the yard, and learning how to get into a routine for grooming an equine is essentially important if you want to be hands on with a horse.

Hiring a professional groom can typically be expensive, meaning that being able to groom a horse yourself is an excellent alternative to cut your outgoings. But, what are some of the most important factors to take into account when grooming a horse?

Why Groom a Horse?

Keeping a horse well-groomed is vitally important to making sure that your equine is healthy and happy. Having a shiny and gleaming coast is a sign of health and all owners of horses will want their equines to look as though they are well looked after.

However, there are also important factors that should be considered when it comes to grooming a horse. For example, it improved a horse’s health as brushing can stimulate blood flow to the skin and help spread natural oils.

Removing dirt and other items from the coat also reduces the risk of skin diseases, as wet and dirty hair are prone to bacterial growth. Meanwhile, grooming a horse also ensures that you’re able to monitor your equine, ensuring that you can quickly notice anything that looks strange and assessing whether you need medical assistance.

Owners will also need to maintain hoof care, as constant grooming reduces the risk of conditions such as thrush. Furthermore, there are also positives that come with grooming and riding, as a healthy grooming lifestyle will ensure that horses are comfortable to ride, as tacking up a dirty horse can lead to shaving due to equipment which may cause issues and discomfort for a horse.

So when you are ready to bet on the 2025 Kentucky Derby with TwinSpires imagine all the work and investment that was put into taking care of each racehorse.

When Should You Groom A Horse?

Horses should be groomed before every ride. This ensures that everything is fine with the equine, and maintains that they will be able to move freely without any lingering issue.

Pre-grooming before a ride also ensures that there is limited risk of chafing when working out, as this could be very uncomfortable for a horse when equipment is rubbing up against their skin.

Checks should always be made to horses before sitting on it, and also when you get off the horse. Daily grooming is also completed to make sure that there is nothing amiss with the equine every day.

While this may not be practical for every owner, it is still encouraged to put your mind at ease. Despite horses that wear blankets reducing the amount that they get dirty, owners should still groom these equines just as they would the horses without a blanket. This is vitally important as horses with blankets on could have rain scald if they are wet or muddy.

General Grooming Tips

Grooming your horse can be straightforward if you have a good relationship with the equine.

Firstly, you must ensure that the horse is secure, as if the equine is moving around and wiggling, it will be harder to complete the grooming process. You should then clean the horses’ hooves, this should always be the first step on your daily grooming schedule.

Lift their leg and then remove all the debris from their foot. If they are wearing a horseshoe, you should pick inside to remove any pebbles and big pieces of dirt. Next, you should currycomb your horse. This piece of equipment is used to bring dirt to the surface of the skin, which you can then pick up or brush off to ensure that they are clean.

After completing the combing, you can get straight into adding some shine to your horse. A soft body brush can be used to add the shine, while this will also help remove any finer pieces of dirt that you may have missed in the last step. Long and broad strokes are required, while shorter strokes may be preferred for more delicate areas such as the legs.

When you get to the tail, a wide-toothed comb or brush could be the preferred option. You should untangle the hair using your fingers, before moving onto using the comb or brush.

Work on small sections at a time, and gently hold the root end of the hair. It is important to stand to the side of a horse when combing or brushing the tail, which ensures that you will be nowhere near the dangerous kicking zone. After the grooming process is complete, you can hop aboard your horse and go for a stroll.