Showing posts with label Science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Science. Show all posts

Monday, 5 June 2017

Most Famous Endangered Animal Species That we could lose forever

Whooping crane

The whooping crane the tallest North American bird, is an endangered crane species named for its whooping sound. In 2003, there were about 153 pairs of whooping cranes.habitat loss and hunting drastically reduced the whooping crane population.  Before human interference, there were believed to be 15,000-20,000 whooping cranes, which fell to ~1400 in 1860 and then plummeted to an all time low of 15 birds in 1941.Captive breeding programs have boosted their numbers, and successful reintroduction efforts have raised the number of wild birds to several hundred.



Whooping crane
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Fishing cat

As its name implies, the fishing cat mainly feeds on fish and can dive into water to catch its prey.Since 2016, it is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Fishing cat populations are threatened by destruction of wetlands and declined severely over the last decade.These cats are typically found in a number of water habitats, including marshy thickets, mangrove swamps, and densely vegetated areas along rivers and streams.

Fishing cat
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Greater bamboo lemur

The greater bamboo lemur is a small primate despite its name, weighing only 2.5 kilograms and measuring between 25 and 46 centimetres overall.The greater bamboo lemur previously known as Hapalemur simus is arguably the most critically endangered lemur species in Madagascar .The population is currently estimated at less than 250 individuals (IUCN 2008).

Greater bamboo lemur
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Markhor

Markhor is a wild goat and one of the most beautiful wild animals inhabiting the mountainous regions of Pakistan.This species is assessed as Near Threatened: it nearly qualifies as Vulnerable under criterion C2a as there are less than 10,000 mature individuals (estimated 5,808, based on our analysis of data from 2011-2013) and each subpopulation, except one, has less than 1,000 mature individuals. The largest subpopulation had an estimated 1,697 mature individuals in 2011.

Markhor
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Philippine eagle

The Philippine eagle is the world’s largest eagle with a wingspan of up to 2 meters, a body length of 90 centimetres, and a weight of 4.5 to 8 kilograms.it is also one of the world’s rarest and certainly among its most critically endangered vertebrate species.Philippine eagles are still being shot or captured despite the presence of laws protecting them. Very often, they are killed without provocation, and mostly out of fear and ignorance, or worse, just for sport. At least one Philippine Eagle is killed every year because of shooting.

Philippine eagle
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Red panda

Red pandas can be easily distinguished by its unique ruddy coat color, which acts like camouflage in the canopy of fir trees where branches are covered with clumps of reddish-brown moss and white lichens.The red panda has been classified as Endangered by the IUCN because its wild population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature individuals and continues to decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and inbreeding depression, although red pandas are protected by national laws in their range countries. Due to Human encroachment, illegal hunting and poaching there have been drastic declines in the Red Panda population numbers with these populations also being pushed into more separate, isolated areas.

Red panda
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Polar bear

Polar bears are classified as marine mammals because they spend most of their lives on the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean.Most polar bears occur north of the Arctic Circle to the North Pole. There are some populations south of the Arctic Circle in Hudson Bay, Manitoba, Canada.There are currently 8 of the 19 species of Polar Bears out there with a status of vulnerable. This is due to the drop in their numbers and concerns that if that continues they will become extinct. Seismic blasting, construction, transportation and operation of oil facilities can negatively affect polar bears.

Polar bear
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Saola

A Saola has two parallel horns at the top of its head. Its horns are straight with a slight bend at the tip.The saola, one of the most critically endangered species in the world and on the IUCN red list, is a very rare and distinct species that was discovered only around a couple of decades before in May 1992, often called the “Asian Unicorn.” The main threats to the saola are hunting and fragmentation of its range through habitat loss.

Saola
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Red wolf

The red wolf also known as the Florida wolf or Mississippi Valley wolf is a canid of unresolved taxonomic identity native to the eastern United States. It is generally, morphologically, an intermediate between the coyote and gray wolf, and is of a reddish, tawny color.The red wolf is a distinctly different species from the gray wolf.Threats to the red wolf include habitat loss due to human development, negative attitudes that hinder restoration, severe weather, deaths by motor vehicles, and illegal killings.

Red wolf
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Island fox

The island fox is a small fox that is native to six of the eight Channel Islands of California.The island fox, which only a short time ago was on the brink of extinction, provides an instructive example of how a coordinated, organized and highly focused strategy was able to reverse the certain extinction of an endangered population. At the turn of the century, as few as 55 foxes barely survived in the wild on Santa Cruz Island; only 15 remained on nearby Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands.

Island fox
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Wednesday, 15 March 2017

10 Most Dangerous Animals in the World That Kill the Most Humans

As for wild animals, what determines their danger level might not necessarily be size.Animals are blessed with weapons by nature that in some circumstances turned into a serious threat for human life.these animals have killer instincts that are really scary, and while many will not kill humans unless they are provoked, some others will kill humans just for the mere fun of it.There are many scenarios that even most innocent looking animal is the most deadly animal and even most dangerous one will not hurt you.


Dangerous Animals in the World


1. Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes make number one on the list of deadliest animal in world. The pesky bugs that suck blood and transmit viruses from person to person are responsible for the most animal-related deaths.It is thought that around the world, between 2 and 3 million people die of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes each year.It can spread diseases, most notably malaria. It can also spread elephantiasis, yellow fever, and West Nile virus.The most dangerous kind of this species is dengue which is considered to be hazardous for people because large number of people died every year by this dengue fever.


Mosquitoes
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2. Snakes

Snake bites kill more than 100,000 people a year as of 2015. Though not all snakes are dangerous, many of them are. More than 450 species are venomous, and 250 are capable of killing a person. Most venomous bites occur in Africa, Asia, and North America.The asian cobra kills the most due to an aggressive nature and lack of fear towards people. Among the most venomous snakes on earth is the inland taipan, native to Australia. Its poison is so intense that it can kill in less than a half hour.


Snakes
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3. Sharks

Research shows that sharks explore objects with their mouths and will normally “test bite” something to see what it is. Many attacks on humans are thought to simply be these test bites.In the majority of cases, after the initial bite, the shark will retreat, though unfortunately, that first bite can often kill a person.While sharks are among nature's most feared predators they are not one of the most dangerous, at least for humans.About 100 of deaths caused by white sharks are reported every year.


Sharks

Image source

4. Lion

A full-grown male lion is about 6 inches taller than a tiger and weighs anywhere from 330 to 550 lbs averaging 400.This dangerous animal has attacked people on farms and in cars at African Safaris; it has attacked trainers in circuses, zookeepers, and people keeping lions as pets.These caused over 250 deaths per year.


Lion
Image source


5. Black Mamba

Black Mamba is especially deadly due to its speed. Found in the savannas and rocky areas of southern and eastern Africa, the species, which can grow up to 14 feet long. The snake is capable of striking at a significant range and can deliver a series of bites in rapid succession. The venom of this snake is composed of potent neurotoxins which spread quickly through the bloodstream.


Black Mamba
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6. Tsetse flies

It is a small fleck of insect that measures between 8 to 17 mm, or may have the same size as the average house fly so it is generally found in 36 sub Saharan countries.It carries African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, a parasitic disease which causes fevers, headaches, and joint pain.As small as they may seem, tsetse fly kills around 300,000 people every year. They cause a dreaded disease called African sleeping sickness. A tsetse fly is a large sucking insect that attacks when a person is sleeping.


Tsetse flies
Image source

7. Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus is the third largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl.Hippos are usually found in Africa and are responsible for more human fatalities on the continent than any other large animal.

8. Saltwater Crocodiles

These ferocious killers can grow up to 23 feet in length and weigh more than a ton, and are known to kill hundreds each year, with crocodiles as a whole responsible for more human fatalities annually than sharks.The saltwater and Nile crocodiles are the most dangerous.Saltwater Crocodile has been known to eat everything from water buffalo to sharks.


Saltwater Crocodiles
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9. Cone Snail

These are mostly found in the temperate waters near and around the equator.A cone snail is highly poisonous and could cost a person their life if they were to come across one while swimming in the ocean.cone snails often live on the ocean floor away from humans. The snail isn’t all bad, though; these days, researchers are using cone snail venom and its components to create painkillers and other pharmaceutical drugs.


10. Cape buffalos

They have unpredictable nature and are highly dangerous for human being.The Cape buffalo, found in Africa and belong to the African bovine family of buffalos, is sometimes called “black death,” being one of the most dangerous animals on land.This species kills over 200 people a year. Its danger comes from its unpredictability. Unlike the Asian buffalo, this bovine has never been domesticated.


Cape buffalos
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Tuesday, 12 July 2016

Plants that repel mosquitoes


Plants that repel mosquitoes

Lemongrass

Mosquitoes hate the lemony scent of lemongrass.You can plant this in pots around your porch and keep it near your home entrances. For a quick relief from insects crush up a handful of leaves and keep them in your pocket or rub them on your skin.Lemon grass is used in making citronella oil which has proven mosquito repelling abilities.Because of its high level of citral, the oils used to repel insects, both the fresh plant, as well as the oils, are effective in using as a natural insect repellent.


Basil

Basil can be grown in an herb garden or in pots on your porch. As one of the most pungent of herbs, basil makes an outstanding natural mosquito repellent, giving off a scent without the leaves having to be crushed or touched. For best results, try lemon basil or cinnamon basil. These emit a stronger scent.


Lavender

Lavender is a perennial plant that requires full sun; however, it prefers to live in pots with rich soil that isn’t kept too moist.Even though lavender is a smell often enjoyed by humans, lavender repels mosquitoes because mosquitoes dislike the scent lavender gives off.The pleasant aroma of lavender is offensive to mosquitoes and is best harnessed by planting it in the garden, or in pots situated near doors, windows and entertainment areas.


Citronella

Citronella is the most common natural ingredient used in formulating mosquito repellents. Citronella should be planted outside after your last frost. If you are planting in pots, you can move it outdoors to your porch so it can repel pesky mosquitoes in the springtime.The plant carries the fragrance of citronella in its foliage, and when a leaf is crushed and rubbed onto the skin, the aroma is very pleasant, yet it helps to naturally repel those mosquitoes.


Peppermint

Mints, in general, have a distinct aroma that naturally repels insects.usually grown in gardens to flavor tea. However, mint also repels mosquitoes and you can make your own repellent with mint! it can serve as a natural insecticide to repel mosquitoes.Peppermint exudes a strong fragrance that ants, mosquitoes, and even mice don’t like. Grow it in a pot to contain its rampant growth.


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Friday, 8 July 2016

5 Things Humans Do That Dogs Dislike

1. Teasing them.

Please tell us that you already know it's not cool to do any of the following to a dog: pulling their tails, ears or other appendages. The list can go on and on, but in short, don't do something you know makes a dog mad just because you think it's funny. It's not funny to the dog and can lead to some serious behavioral problems


2. GIVING BATHS

Humans enjoy their daily bath or shower, but for most dogs the experience is an uncomfortable! Dogs do not think of hopping in the shower and getting themselves clean! They do not enjoy the splashes of water on their skin, and they do not enjoy the noise of the running water! It turns out that many dog owners tend to overwash their dogs, which can deplete their skin and fur of their natural, moisturizing oils. For most dogs, one bath a month will suffice.


5 Things Humans Do That Dogs Dislike
5 Things Humans Do That Dogs Dislike


3.Eye Contact

Direct and prolonged eye contact, especially with a dog that is unfamiliar to you, is unnerving to a dog. Don’t creep them out! Wild and domesticated dogs use their eyes to communicate. It's polite in the canine world to not make direct eye contact, as it can communicate aggressiveness.


4. HUGGING

Hugging, most dogs hate it!  And, so many people want their dogs to tolerate it. Some will tolerate hugs from those they love and trust, but it doesn’t mean they like it. In the end, it really depends on their personality. A hug is an odd concept for animals and you would never see two dogs hug one another on their own. Pay attention to how your dog reacts to your hug— if it has a relaxed jaw and its ears are forward, it's tolerating your hug.


5. A TIGHT LEASH!

You should get a leash that can be rolled outward and back when needed so a dog can explore the environment at least a little. Too tight a leash can be very frustrating for them.Pulling the leash too tight drives your dog to react in the OPPOSITE way you want them to. Teaching them to behave on a more slack line will help you both relax.
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Thursday, 7 July 2016

Scientists have revealed why do flamingos stand on one leg

Flamingos spend a lot of time partially immersed as they live, feed and breed in lagoons or other large bodies of shallow water. Six species of flamingos can be found around the world, in South America, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean.Most large wading birds have the ability to stand on one leg, and flamingos are one of the biggest wading birds out there.The researchers discovered that when flamingos are less active or asleep they will sway less on one leg than two. Surprisingly, they could not stand deceased flamingo upright on two legs, indicating that the flamingo must use more muscles to stand on two legs than one. But in another study, New Zealand scientists observing flamingos and other wading birds found that water temperature didn’t seem to make a difference. Instead, they said, it appears that flamingos share a primitive feature also seen in whales and dolphins: the ability to shut down half the brain while sleeping. That keeps the underwater animals from drowning while asleep.

Scientists have revealed why do flamingos stand on one leg
 Flamingos stand on one leg

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Sunday, 5 June 2016

5 Air Purifying Plants that Reduce Indoor Air Pollution

Aloe (Aloe vera)

Many people have Aloe Vera in their homes because of its healing ability. The gel inside the leaves is excellent for helping to heal burns and cuts. Aloe Vera however, is also a great plant to improve your indoor air quality. This easy-to-grow, sun-loving succulent helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Aloe is a slow grower, but it can get quite large. The recommended rule of thumb is one potted houseplant every 100 square feet.


5 Air Purifying Plants that Reduce Indoor Air Pollution
Air Purifying Plants

Peace Lily

Improves indoor air quality by up to sixty percent. Reduces levels of mold spores by absorbing them through leaves. It can also absorb formaldehyde which is commonly found in some household cleaning products and furniture or carpeting treatments. The beautiful broad green leaves and cupped white blooms of the peace lily is a favorite in the NASA study for removing the three most common pollutants: formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.

Spider Plant

Commonly found plant and easy to grow indoors. Within 2 days reduces up to 90% of toxins in indoor air. The leaves grow quickly and help to absorb harmful substances like mold and other allergens so it is the perfect plant for those who have common dust allergies.Spider Plants filter out chemicals emitted from leather and rubber. This resilient plant takes very little maintenance, and can get by happily without water.

Dracaena reflexa

Remains green throughout the year. At maturity, white flowers bloom, followed by minute red/orange berries. This plant is best for removing xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, which can be introduced to indoor air through lacquers, varnishes and gasoline.This low-maintenance plant is extremely popular in America not just because it looks cool, but also because it takes little work to keep it alive.

Bamboo Palm

This sturdy palm can grow tall, between 3 to 6 feet, and is an elegant plant in any room.The bamboo palm was the third most powerful plant at removing formaldehyde from the air.Bamboo Palms grow rapidly and can become quite large (up to 20 feet in height), but you can limit their vertical reach by keeping them confined to smaller pots.
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Monday, 3 August 2015

Blue Whale, The Biggest Animal in The World

The blue whale  is a marine mammal belonging to the baleen whales. At 30 metres (98 ft) in length and 180 tonnes (200 short tons) or more in weight, it is the largest extant animal and is the heaviest known to have existed.It may have reached lengths of up to 31 meters (100 feet)--roughly the length of a basketball court.They feed on small shrimp-like crustaceans. The whales consume up to eight tons of these animals a day during their feeding period.Blue whales have been found in every ocean of the world.Blue whales diet consists mainly of krill, a tiny shrimp that lives in tremendously large schools in almost every ocean of the world. Krill is probably one of the most plentiful food species anywhere on earth.The largest blue whale ever recorded was 110 feet (33.6 m) long and weighed nearly 200 tons (180,000 kg).

Blue Whale, The Biggest Animal in The World



The heart of a blue whale is the size of a car and their blood vessels are so large you could swim through them.

The heart of a blue whale is the size of a car and their blood vessels are so large you could swim through them.

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Sunday, 27 July 2014

Five Amazing Facts About Human Brain

Brain is considered to be the most essential part of human existence which is responsible for the ability to think, express, feel, etc. Here are some amazing facts about brain that most probably you didn't know before.


Five Amazing Facts About Human Brain


1. Human Brain does creative work better when tired:


When we are tired our brain is not good at filtering out distractions and focusing on a particular task. There are also very less chances of making connections between concepts and ideas. These two factors are important when it comes to the creative work. As this kind of work requires our mind open to the new ideas. So we also mostly say that the creative idea often comes in our mind while taking shower after a lot of stress work.

2. Our Brain Feels no Pain:


You would be amazed to know that brain is the only organ in the human body that lack nerves, this implies that our brain feels no pain.

3. Multi-tasking is impossible for Human brain:


It is literally impossible for human brain to perform different tasks simultaneously. Actually our brain performs quick switching back and forth between different tasks while multi-tasking. Research shows that twice time is required to perform the same tasks as error rate increases.

4. Human Brain Produces Electricity:


You would be surprised to know that when we are awaken our brain produces enough electricity to power a small light bulb. The energy produced is about 10 to 23 watts.

5. Sense of Vision Takes precedence our other senses:


Human brain rely more on the sense of vision. It is a known fact that when you read some information, you would remember only a little bit of it but when you see the information in the form of images it would be in your mind for a lot of time because its easier for brain to read and store the images than small letters in the words.
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