Browsing: Nature

A Brief History On February 27, 2018, the entire world celebrates International Polar Bear Day, a day to appreciate Ursus maritimus, the large white bear of the North. The largest land carnivore, Polar Bears are cute and cuddly looking, especially when young, but are probably the most dangerous of bears to humans. Needing ice from which to hunt their main prey (seals and other sea mammals), the loss of Polar Ice is threatening these magnificent animals. Digging Deeper Created by Polar Bears International, a Montana based non-profit organization dedicated to the education, research and action needed to save Polar Bears…

A Brief History On February 18, 1930, as previously chronicled in our article “First Cow Milked in the Sky!” we told of the first cow to fly in a fixed wing airplane, which also happened to be the first cow milked while flying in an airplane. (We still do not know why!) We use this momentous milestone in the history of Mankind and Cattlekind to regale our readers with 10 Amazing Facts About Cows. Digging Deeper 1. Why do cows wear bells? Because their horns don’t work! (This one is obviously a joke, so laugh and go to the next…

A Brief History On January 6, 2017, the infamous Killer Whale (also known as Orca), named Tilikum, the subject of the expose Blackfish that first aired in 2013 on CNN detailing the keeping and displaying of Killer Whales (Orcas) by Sea World, died of natural causes at the age of 35. Due mostly to pressure created by the CNN documentary, SeaWorld had announced an end to their showing of Orcas and their Orca breeding program in 2016. Digging Deeper The whipping boy of the Blackfish documentary, SeaWorld, was first opened in San Diego in 1964.  Its success created a push…

A Brief History On September 16, 1961, Hurricane Esther became the target of the United States National Research Project to drop Silver Iodide into an active hurricane in an attempt to reduce the magnitude of the storm.  When eight cylinders were dropped into the eyewall of the storm near Puerto Rico, a 10% drop in windspeed was noted, giving rise to Project Stormfury. (The dropping of Silver Iodide crystals was tried from 1962 to 1983 until ended because it really did not work.)  Today in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, we will tell you at least 10…

A Brief History On August 12, 1883, the last known living specimen of the Quagga died, and the species became extinct.  This Zebra-like critter had only the  front half of its head and body striped, and unfortunately, only 1 photo of a live Quagga is known to exist.  Human encroachment on the habitat of the Quagga, including European colonization of Africa, farming and fencing, and hunting led to the extinction of this nifty looking beast.  We previously listed “10 Animals Extinct or Endangered Because of Humans,” and today we list “10 More.” Digging Deeper 1. Woolly Rhinoceros. Did you know that…