When expanded, the mouth of a blue whale can hold up to 99 tons of food and water; however, in a cruel twist of nature, the size and dimensions of its throat doesn't allow it to swallow anything larger than a beach ball!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Friday Facts - Blue Whales & Their Mouths
Did you know that the blue whale has the largest organs of any in the animal kingdom? Its tongue alone weighs about 3 tons!
When expanded, the mouth of a blue whale can hold up to 99 tons of food and water; however, in a cruel twist of nature, the size and dimensions of its throat doesn't allow it to swallow anything larger than a beach ball!
When expanded, the mouth of a blue whale can hold up to 99 tons of food and water; however, in a cruel twist of nature, the size and dimensions of its throat doesn't allow it to swallow anything larger than a beach ball!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Picture Of The Week - A Kingfisher Goes For A Dive
How stunning is our Picture Of The Week? An underwater photographer caught this amazing shot of a kingfisher diving into water to snap up a fish for dinner. We love the way you can see the motion of the bird in the way the water rushes around it.
Although kingfishers are known for hunting fish, only a few species can dive like this. Other species also feed on crustaceans, frogs and insects. Kingfishers that can dive hunt from a perch above the water; their eyes are able to judge underwater distance very accurately. Upon impacting the water, a membrane covers their eyes to protect their vision.
Although kingfishers are known for hunting fish, only a few species can dive like this. Other species also feed on crustaceans, frogs and insects. Kingfishers that can dive hunt from a perch above the water; their eyes are able to judge underwater distance very accurately. Upon impacting the water, a membrane covers their eyes to protect their vision.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Family Halloween Costume Idea - Lions & Tigers & Bears (Oh My)
Halloween is still more than a month away, but we think it’s never too early to start planning your costumes – especially when you have a couple of children to think about! Every mom loves quick and easy themes, so we couldn't resist sharing this adorable family costume idea we found on Pinterest, which is the creation of April from My Sunshine Photography.
Get it? Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Although we can’t help you with Dad’s “Oh my.” shirt, the Jungle Store has everything else you need to recreate this costume grouping yourself, in a couple of different ways.
Get it? Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Although we can’t help you with Dad’s “Oh my.” shirt, the Jungle Store has everything else you need to recreate this costume grouping yourself, in a couple of different ways.
OR TRY...
Adult Knitwits Lion Hat, Baby Tiger Costume, Baby Bear Costume
How simple and easy is that? We really do love how many ways you can play around with who is what animal. We also have matching Knitwits Bear and Lion gloves for those extra chilly Halloween nights!
How simple and easy is that? We really do love how many ways you can play around with who is what animal. We also have matching Knitwits Bear and Lion gloves for those extra chilly Halloween nights!
Monday, September 24, 2012
The Crested Owl
My, what big eyebrows you have! This is the crested owl, known for it's large eyebrow feathers that blend into its long ear tufts. Some crested owls have a severe V-shape to this feature while others have a flatter, horizontal line of feathers. We say no matter which shape they have, crested owls look more sinister than regular owls - what do you think?
Another distinct feature of the crested owl is its deep croak, almost frog-like in sound, that it repeats every 5 to 10 seconds (just imagine trying to sleep with one of those outside your window). The crested owl lives in the forests of Mexico and Costa Rico.
Another distinct feature of the crested owl is its deep croak, almost frog-like in sound, that it repeats every 5 to 10 seconds (just imagine trying to sleep with one of those outside your window). The crested owl lives in the forests of Mexico and Costa Rico.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Elephant Appreciation Day
Tomorrow is Elephant Appreciation Day and we’re celebrating with a round up of some of our favorite elephant blog posts from the archives!
Did you know that elephants eat about 350 pounds of food each day and drink 18 to 26 gallons of water?
In ancient times, elephants were actually used in military combat as battle tanks, and are credited with helping Hannibal with the Battle of the Trebia River
Here’s a fun video of an elephant playing a xylophone.
A few more elephant facts for you: Their teeth weigh 9 pounds and they can communicate over a distances of many miles using soundwaves that are so low, humans can’t hear them.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Pictures Of The Week - Kids & Animals, Part 2
We got such an overwhelming response from our first "Kids & Animals" photo gallery that we decided to do it again! Last time we went with a black and white photo theme; this time we decided to gather pictures of future equestrians with their horses.
If you missed our first "Kids & Animals" post, click here. And to see even more pictures of children and their animal friends, visit our "Kids & Animals" board on Pinterest!
Monday, September 17, 2012
That's One Hairy Beast
Pop quiz time! What type of animal do you think is hiding under all that hair? A horse? A cow? A donkey?
If you chose the third answer, you’re right! This is the Poitou donkey, an extremely rare breed of donkey thought to have originated in the Roman Empire some time around 545 B.C.
This donkey is known primarily for its distinctive fur, which grows long and twists into dreadlocks because it’s so soft. The Poitou is also larger than other donkey breeds; standard height is between 4 1/2 and 5 feet.
If you chose the third answer, you’re right! This is the Poitou donkey, an extremely rare breed of donkey thought to have originated in the Roman Empire some time around 545 B.C.
This donkey is known primarily for its distinctive fur, which grows long and twists into dreadlocks because it’s so soft. The Poitou is also larger than other donkey breeds; standard height is between 4 1/2 and 5 feet.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Friday Fact - Baby Humpback Whales
Did you know that baby humpback whales is born measuring 14 feet long and weighing roughly 2.5 tons? That's one big baby! So it's no wonder that a baby humpback drinks 130 gallons of milk each day.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Pic Of The Week - Not Your Average Tree Climbers
In the United States, we're used to seeing birds and squirrels in the trees. Maybe the occasional cat. But, goats? No, never goats!
This picture was taken alongside a road in Morocco. The photographer told The Daily Mail that the goat herder told him the goats climb the tree to get the olive-like fruit, which is hard to come by. Nine goats climbed as high as 17 feet on the small branches to get the fruit, with many more waiting their turn.
This picture was taken alongside a road in Morocco. The photographer told The Daily Mail that the goat herder told him the goats climb the tree to get the olive-like fruit, which is hard to come by. Nine goats climbed as high as 17 feet on the small branches to get the fruit, with many more waiting their turn.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The Love Of Animals
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." ~ George Eliot
The Jungle Store would also like to add that the same applies to your stuffed animals too ;-)
Monday, September 10, 2012
Play Date Themes For Kids
It's true, you don't need much to host a good play date. Just a pile of toys, some cookies and juice and the kids are happy. But if you want to get more creative with your next play date, we have some quick and (very) easy themes and ideas you can incorporate!
Tell Me A Story: Read a few of the kids’ favorite stories to them, then have them write their own story. Afterward, have them act it out with puppets – or, if the kids are younger, have the parents do this while the kids watch.
When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth: Have the kids draw their own dinosaurs. What would it look like? What kind of things could it do? Make some yummy fossil cookies, then let them loose with some dinosaur figurines and toys.
Animal Tea Party: Perfect for little girls. Have each one dress in her favorite outfits (or pick one from your dress up box), bring their favorite stuffed animal and have “tea”. Serve them “fancy” finger foods like tiny peanut butter and jelly squares. This is also a good opportunity to give them a quick lessons on manners, such as using napkins and silverware properly, saying please and thank you, etc.
Under The Sea: Set up a babypool in the backyard or garage and fill it with plastic fish, sea creatures, even mermaids for some imaginative play. Make toilet paper roll octopuses or styrofoam cup crabs, then finish the date with some Goldfish crackers and watching "Finding Nemo".
Tell Me A Story: Read a few of the kids’ favorite stories to them, then have them write their own story. Afterward, have them act it out with puppets – or, if the kids are younger, have the parents do this while the kids watch.
When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth: Have the kids draw their own dinosaurs. What would it look like? What kind of things could it do? Make some yummy fossil cookies, then let them loose with some dinosaur figurines and toys.
Animal Tea Party: Perfect for little girls. Have each one dress in her favorite outfits (or pick one from your dress up box), bring their favorite stuffed animal and have “tea”. Serve them “fancy” finger foods like tiny peanut butter and jelly squares. This is also a good opportunity to give them a quick lessons on manners, such as using napkins and silverware properly, saying please and thank you, etc.
Under The Sea: Set up a babypool in the backyard or garage and fill it with plastic fish, sea creatures, even mermaids for some imaginative play. Make toilet paper roll octopuses or styrofoam cup crabs, then finish the date with some Goldfish crackers and watching "Finding Nemo".
Friday, September 7, 2012
Friday Fact: The Giraffe's Tongue
Did you know that a giraffe's tongue is 18 to 20 inches in length? Imagine all the cool tongue twists and tricks you could do with a tongue that size! In fact, their tongues are so long that giraffes are able to clean their ears with them.
Did you also know that a giraffe's tongue isn't pink like ours, but rather a bluish/blackish color? Scientists believe it's colored this way to help protect it from the sun, as giraffes use their tongues to pluck leaves off tree branches for food.
Did you also know that a giraffe's tongue isn't pink like ours, but rather a bluish/blackish color? Scientists believe it's colored this way to help protect it from the sun, as giraffes use their tongues to pluck leaves off tree branches for food.
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| Sticking your tongue out at people is entirely acceptable when you're a giraffe. |
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The Buffalo Whisperer
If you get frustrated by the amount of hair and general messes left behind by your dogs or cats, just think about this: RC Bridges has to clean up after his two pet bison. Yes, bison.
RC, nicknamed "The Buffalo Whisperer" and his wife, Sherron, share their home with not one but two bison. Can you imagine having that pet try to sit on your lap while your watching TV?! Though RC says he isn't afraid of his pets hurting him or his family, bison are not typically known to make good pets; even though they can be domesticated, they still retain many of their wild traits.
According to The Daily Mail, RC is a cowboy who worked with buffaloes most of his life. When he lost an eye in 2004 he had to sell his herd, but kept Wildthing as a pet. A second buffalo, Bullet, was taken in after a friend could no longer control her. To get the full story on the Buffalo Whisper, click here.
Images via Barcroft Media.
RC, nicknamed "The Buffalo Whisperer" and his wife, Sherron, share their home with not one but two bison. Can you imagine having that pet try to sit on your lap while your watching TV?! Though RC says he isn't afraid of his pets hurting him or his family, bison are not typically known to make good pets; even though they can be domesticated, they still retain many of their wild traits.
According to The Daily Mail, RC is a cowboy who worked with buffaloes most of his life. When he lost an eye in 2004 he had to sell his herd, but kept Wildthing as a pet. A second buffalo, Bullet, was taken in after a friend could no longer control her. To get the full story on the Buffalo Whisper, click here.
Images via Barcroft Media.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Pics Of The Week - Photobombing Animals
If you haven't heard the phrase "photobomb" before, we'll give you a quick vocabulary lesson. A photobomb is when a person or group of people get into a picture right before it's taken, usually in the background, without the people having their picture taken knowing. However, some photobombs are more obvious, especialy when animals are involved.
Take a look at these funny shots of animal photobombers, getting in the way of their owners' (and fellow pets') photos, featured on BuzzFeed.com's list of "Great Animal Photobombers Of All Time".
Take a look at these funny shots of animal photobombers, getting in the way of their owners' (and fellow pets') photos, featured on BuzzFeed.com's list of "Great Animal Photobombers Of All Time".
This photobombing squirrel pictures is the one that started it all, the first evidence of photobombing to go viral on the Interenet!
Photobombing pigeon doesn't want you to take your picture in front of this cathedral.
This photobombing fish thinks kissing underwater is gross. And tacky.
Possibly the best wedding picture ever taken. Seriously, we'd rent a llama just so we could get this shot at our weddings!
It was all Felix could do to get a nice, serious shot of himself without Mr. Whiskers always jumping in the way.
Visit BuzzFeed.com to see the full gallery of epic animal photobombers.