In fact, sloths spend the majority of their time hanging from trees, eating and even giving birth upside down, so sleeping upside is just part of the routine. Some sloths even remain hanging from limbs after they've died!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The Sleeping Sloth
Did you know that sloths get about 10 hours of sleep each day? Although it might sound like a lot to us humans, it's not the most amount of sleep in the animal kingdom. What's different about the sloth's sleep habits is HOW they sleep. That is, hanging upside down.
In fact, sloths spend the majority of their time hanging from trees, eating and even giving birth upside down, so sleeping upside is just part of the routine. Some sloths even remain hanging from limbs after they've died!
In fact, sloths spend the majority of their time hanging from trees, eating and even giving birth upside down, so sleeping upside is just part of the routine. Some sloths even remain hanging from limbs after they've died!
Monday, July 30, 2012
You Are What You Eat
Did you know that ants have clear stomachs? We didn't either until we saw these amazing pictures.
They were taken by Dr. Mohamed Babu of the United Kingdom, after his wife noticed that the ants who had drink some spilt milk in their backyard had turned white. Dr. Babu decided to experiment and created a mixture of sugar and parrafin, colored with food coloring, and photogrgraphed the ants eating.
According to Dr. Babu, "The ants preferred light colours, yellow and green...The darker green and blue drops had no takers, till there was no space around the preferred yellow and green drops."
To read more about how Dr. Babu set up these awesome shots, click here.
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Friday, July 27, 2012
Friday Funny - The Turtle & The Snail
What did the snail say when the turtle gave him a ride on his back?
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Picture Of The Week - Need A Lift?
Here's a picture you definitely don't see every day (or ever). This shot, an entry in the National Geographic Traveler Photo contest, shows a marine nomad child hitching an underwater ride on a shark pal of his.
In case you're wondering what marine nomads are (like we were), here's the scoop: Marine nomads are people who live their lives at seas, on small boats, and rarely step foot on land. These people live in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia but their numbers are dwindling. Click here to read more.
Image via.
In case you're wondering what marine nomads are (like we were), here's the scoop: Marine nomads are people who live their lives at seas, on small boats, and rarely step foot on land. These people live in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia but their numbers are dwindling. Click here to read more.
Image via.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
It's A Jungle Store Christmas In July
When the heat gets to above 100, and everyone is sunburned and tired of sweating just going from the house to the car, it's nice to think about cooler times ahead. Like Christmas! Even though we're still 5 months away from Christmas Day, isn't it fun to think about decorating the tree, putting up lights and wrapping presents?
And speaking of presents, check our some of our favorite Christmas-themed items! We have everything from stuffed animals to ornaments to Christsmas decor! Which one will you put on your wish list?
And speaking of presents, check our some of our favorite Christmas-themed items! We have everything from stuffed animals to ornaments to Christsmas decor! Which one will you put on your wish list?
My First Christmas & Santa Baby Onesies
Herald The Reindeer & Twigs The Snowman Beany Babies
And these are just a handful of the great Christmas items we have! Visit our site to see our full selection of stockings, ornaments and Christmas gifts.
Monday, July 23, 2012
How To Use Safari Limited Toys In Educational Learning
We came across this post from the Blessed Elements site and just had to share! The author, a grandma, wrote about how she uses different Safari Limited figurines and Toobs each summer to have fun with her grandchildren while also teaching them lessons about different subject!
"One year it was pirates and we ended the week with a day long water fight extravaganza.Three years ago it was butterflies joined with planting butterfly flowers,crafts, and a field trip to a live butterfly exhibit," she writes.
This year her lessons plans focus on the rainforest. Here are some of the ways she uses her Safari Limited toys:
Want to try something similar with your children or grandchildren? With the range of Safari Limited products, you can teach them about everything from the Civil War to dinosaurs to farm animals. Visit our website to see our selection of Safari Limited figurines and toys!
"One year it was pirates and we ended the week with a day long water fight extravaganza.Three years ago it was butterflies joined with planting butterfly flowers,crafts, and a field trip to a live butterfly exhibit," she writes.
This year her lessons plans focus on the rainforest. Here are some of the ways she uses her Safari Limited toys:
- For animal recognition. She uses the figurines to show the kids the different animals and teach them about which part of the rainforest they live in.
- To add a hands-on element to the lesson. The kids not only see the animals, but can pick them up and study the details of them.
- Encouraging imaginative play. The kids love to play with the figurines, creating their own stories for the animals.
Want to try something similar with your children or grandchildren? With the range of Safari Limited products, you can teach them about everything from the Civil War to dinosaurs to farm animals. Visit our website to see our selection of Safari Limited figurines and toys!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Harpy Eagles - Predators Of The Rainforest
It's natural that Americans tend to picture eagles only as bald eagles, the majestic symbol of our country. We forget that are other kinds of eagles, and not all of them look as regal (or as friendly) as the baldies. Especially the harpy eagle.
The harpy eagle is the largest and most powerful raptor in the Americas, with adults weighing between 6 to 11 pounds. Harpy eagles live in the rainforest and are at the top of the food chain. They hunt from the tree canopy, feeding on small, tree-dwelling mammals such as sloths and monkeys. Their talons are extremely powerful and can kill prey within second. These talons also make the eagles capable of picking up and flying with prey that weighs the same as them.
A few random facts about the harpy eagle: It is the national bird of Panama and is depicted on the Panamanian coat of arms (looking more like a bald eagle, though). The harpy eagle was also the inspiration behind the design for Phawkes, the phoenix in the "Harry Potter" series.
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| Come on, doesn't he look mean? We wouldn't want to mess with him! |
The harpy eagle is the largest and most powerful raptor in the Americas, with adults weighing between 6 to 11 pounds. Harpy eagles live in the rainforest and are at the top of the food chain. They hunt from the tree canopy, feeding on small, tree-dwelling mammals such as sloths and monkeys. Their talons are extremely powerful and can kill prey within second. These talons also make the eagles capable of picking up and flying with prey that weighs the same as them.
A few random facts about the harpy eagle: It is the national bird of Panama and is depicted on the Panamanian coat of arms (looking more like a bald eagle, though). The harpy eagle was also the inspiration behind the design for Phawkes, the phoenix in the "Harry Potter" series.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Pics Of The Week - Kids And Animals
We're featuring more than one picture in today's Pic Of The Week posts, but can you really blame us? These black and white photos we've collected are just too precious - how can we pick just one?
Want to see more adorable pictures of children and their animal friends? Then visit our "Kids & Animals" Pinterest board!
Want to see more adorable pictures of children and their animal friends? Then visit our "Kids & Animals" Pinterest board!
Monday, July 16, 2012
The Goblin Shark
Sharks are scary enough, but that scare factor increases quite a bit when they have a long, spear-shaped appendage on their head! Say hello the goblin shark, a deep-sea shark and the lone member of the Mitsukurinidae family. Looks a bit like something you would see in a sci-fi movie, doesn't it?
The goblin shark is known, obviously, for its long, spearlike snout, which is much larger than the snouts of other shark species. It also has a jaw that can be protruded and retracted. They can be found throughout the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as the Gulf of Mexico, but are most commonly sighted around Japan (where they were discovered).
Though the goblin shark looks scary, you can rest easy that the likelihood of running into one is much more rare than, say, a great white. They live in waters that reach more than 200 feet deep. Aside for their carnivorous eating habits, not much is known about the goblin sharks because they living environment makes it very difficult to observe.
The goblin shark is known, obviously, for its long, spearlike snout, which is much larger than the snouts of other shark species. It also has a jaw that can be protruded and retracted. They can be found throughout the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as the Gulf of Mexico, but are most commonly sighted around Japan (where they were discovered).
Though the goblin shark looks scary, you can rest easy that the likelihood of running into one is much more rare than, say, a great white. They live in waters that reach more than 200 feet deep. Aside for their carnivorous eating habits, not much is known about the goblin sharks because they living environment makes it very difficult to observe.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Ancient, Man-Eating Crocodiles
If you think crocodiles are scary and dangerous now, take a moment to sympathize with our ancestors who had to contend with prehistoric crocs. The most recent ancient crocodile fossil to be unearthed measured in at 27-feet long - and scientists think it could have easily eaten humans (who only stood at about four feet)!
Prehistoric humans likely met a painful end when they ventured to the water to drink.
"It put our ancestors in a bad situation—you die if you don't drink, you may die if you do," said Christopher Brochu, an associate professor of geosciences at the University of Iowa, told National Geographic. "It's the roll of the dice."
"We don’t actually have fossil human remains with croc bites, but the crocs were bigger than today's crocodiles, and we were smaller, so there probably wasn't much biting involved," he said.
Believe it or not, this crocodile, which was similar to a Nile crocodile, isn't the biggest fossil found! The Super Croc, discovered in 2001, measured at 40 feet long!
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| Skull of the ancient crocodile. |
"It put our ancestors in a bad situation—you die if you don't drink, you may die if you do," said Christopher Brochu, an associate professor of geosciences at the University of Iowa, told National Geographic. "It's the roll of the dice."
"We don’t actually have fossil human remains with croc bites, but the crocs were bigger than today's crocodiles, and we were smaller, so there probably wasn't much biting involved," he said.
Believe it or not, this crocodile, which was similar to a Nile crocodile, isn't the biggest fossil found! The Super Croc, discovered in 2001, measured at 40 feet long!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Pic Of The Week - Cat & Mouse
There are so many reasons why we can't stop looking at this photo! Maybe it's the determination with which the cat is chasing the mouse, you can practically see it in his eyes. Or maybe it's because this is the quintessential relationship between cat and mouse... always chasing, always being chased.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Frogs - More Than Just Green
It's hard not to hear the word frog and picture a little green amphibian. Maybe it's the popularity of Kermit The Frog, or maybe it's because here in North America we're not exposed to many colored frogs. But they do exist! In particular, the toad genus Atelopus, which is known for being brighly colored (and very pretty, we might add).
Also known as "harlequin frogs" or "clown frogs", this species is found in Central and South America. Although many are endangered, new Atelopus species are frequently discovered.
Also known as "harlequin frogs" or "clown frogs", this species is found in Central and South America. Although many are endangered, new Atelopus species are frequently discovered.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Pillow Pets - A Perfect Traveling Companion
We could on and on about how comfortable and snuggly our Pillow Pets are, but it's always better to hear it from a parent who's been there, done that with her own children. La Jolla Mom recently posted about her experience with the Lulu Leopard Pillow Pet on an overseas trip. Check out some excerpts from her review:
Top photo and review excerpts via La Jolla Mom.
A small My Pillow Pet usually travels with us, but I was interested in taking the large size on our recent long haul flight to Asia. Airplane pillows, even in first class, are not as comfortable as a My Pillow Pet (especially the large size) and I believe that familiar items like pillows, blankets and pajamas help kids sleep on airplanes while traveling.
The blanket has a Lulu Leopard head on it, which she also cuddles with. Not only does Lulu’s head provide extra cushion, but it enables her to keep the blanket from slipping off by holding it or I’d snap the seat belt just underneath the head to totally secure it.
In all honesty, I thought carrying around a large Pillow Pet was going to be a pain. It wasn’t, because she willingly did it and was able to wear a backpack and pull her Trunki at the same time. Let’s recap the benefits:
After reading that, a Pillow Pet seems like a road trip/travel accessory, doesn't it? To see our selection of Pillow Pets blankets and throws, click here!
- Kids can prop My Pillow Pets up against the airplane armrests to use them as pillows.
- La Jolla Girl used to wake up bumping against the armrest while shifting positions in her seat.
- They’re much more comfortable than airplane pillows, if you even get one.
- My Pillow Pets provide familiarity in an unfamiliar space.
- The 18″ size is supportive enough to substitute for a real pillow.
- Lulu’s head on the blanket helps keep the blanket in place when you buckle the seat belt just under it.
- They’re pretty cute.
Top photo and review excerpts via La Jolla Mom.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Nudibranch - A Colorful Ocean Creature
Not quite sure what you're looking at? Some kind of underwater glass sculpture, perhaps? Actually, it's the nudibranch, a type of mollusk that lives in the ocean. They can be found at all depths, but prefer warm, shallow waters.
Nudibranches are known for their beautiful, colorful designs. There are more than 3,000 forms of this carnivorous species, which feeds on sponges, sea slugs and, occasionally, each other.
The name nudibranch comes the Latin nudus, which means "naked" and the Greek brankhia, which means "gills".
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Patritotic Animals
We could celebrate the 4th of July without sharing some of our favorite photos of patriotic animals! When it comes to American pride, these animals have plenty of it!
Want to see more patriotic animals? Then visit our board on Pinterest!
Monday, July 2, 2012
The All-American Eagle
The 4th of July is tomorrow, and what better time to feature some of our most patriotic items? Really, it doesn't get much more American than the eagle, the symbol of our nation. Bonus: All of these would be great decorations or props if you're hosting an Olympics party later this month! Go U.S.A!
Visit our website to see our full selection of eagle toys and gifts!