Nice Animals Facts photos

A few nice animals facts images I found:

Masai Giraffe (giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi)

Image by Gregory Moine
Masai Giraffe (giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi)

- Range: the Savannas of eastern Africa. Note: in prehistoric time this single species ranged over most open areas in Africa. The giraffe range began to shrink 1,400 years ago to its present size.
- Diet: Girraffes are browsers. plucking leaves, buds and fruits from trees such as acacia, mimosa and wild apricot.
- Fun Fact: a giraffe's 18-inch tongue helps extend its reach way up into the treetops and curls in between spiny thorns on acacia trees. It is believed that the black pigmentation prevents the tongue from getting sunburned.

Masai Giraffe (giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi)

Image by Gregory Moine
Masai Giraffe (giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi)

- Range: the Savannas of eastern Africa. Note: in prehistoric time this single species ranged over most open areas in Africa. The giraffe range began to shrink 1,400 years ago to its present size.
- Diet: Girraffes are browsers. plucking leaves, buds and fruits from trees such as acacia, mimosa and wild apricot.
- Fun Fact: a giraffe's 18-inch tongue helps extend its reach way up into the treetops and curls in between spiny thorns on acacia trees. It is believed that the black pigmentation prevents the tongue from getting sunburned.

Masai Giraffe (giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi)

Image by Gregory Moine
Masai Giraffe (giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi)

- Range: the Savannas of eastern Africa. Note: in prehistoric time this single species ranged over most open areas in Africa. The giraffe range began to shrink 1,400 years ago to its present size.
- Diet: Girraffes are browsers. plucking leaves, buds and fruits from trees such as acacia, mimosa and wild apricot.
- Fun Fact: a giraffe's 18-inch tongue helps extend its reach way up into the treetops and curls in between spiny thorns on acacia trees. It is believed that the black pigmentation prevents the tongue from getting sunburned.

Camel Stuffed Animal & Camel Facts

by Ninithedreamer

Despite their unusual looks, or perhaps because of them, a camel stuffed animal is one popular soft toy. With their signature humps (depending on the species, it can be one or two), both children and adults are fascinated with these odd looking animals, making a camel stuffed animal the soft toy of choice when it comes to exotic plush.

Contrary to popular belief, camels cannot go days and days without water. The idea that water is stored in a camels hump, comes entirely from myth. A camels hump or humps (the Bactrian species has two) are a fatty deposit that gives the animal energy when they have a lack of food. When their energy is low due to little or no food, the hump will shrink and get soft and consequently flop over to one side. After a few days of eating, the hump returns to its normal position firm and upright. Water, is actually stored in a camel's bloodstream. They are capable of losing forty percent of their body weight before they become distressed and can go from five to seven days without drinking. In about 10 minutes, a camel will consume 22 gallons of water an amount that most animals would not be able to handle. If they have food that will provide them with moisture of some kind, their water intake will not have to be so substantial.

The teeth, mouth, and stomach of a camel is such, that they are able to eat plants that other desert animals cannot digest. When eating plants and/or branches with thorns, for example, a camels tough rubbery mouth will not sustain any damage. In addition, they have 34 sharp teeth which enables them to bite just about any kind of tough food. Like cows, camels have three stomachs and do not chew their food; it is swallowed first, partially digested, and then chewed again later as cud.

During prehistoric times, it is believed that camels crossed over the Bering Strait to eventually evolve in North America. They eventually became domesticated and of the 500-700 camels living in the Gobi desert, only a small population is still wild. Today, domesticated camels only make their homes in Asia and Africa. At one time, some were introduced to Australia and as a result, there are still a few feral camels living in the wilds there. In the 1800s, an experiment was conducted in which camels were introduced to the North American desert, but it turned out to be unsuccessful.

A camel stuffed animal- whether it has one hump or two - will never need food or water. It will however, require the love of someone who is willing to put in the time to care for it not unlike they would with the real thing. Like a camel stuffed animal, camels are quite pleasant and friendly.

Angeline Hope is a collector of big stuffed animals. You can view a selection of big stuffed animals including camel stuffed animals at MyBigPlush.

Husky Stuffed Animals & Facts

by cliff1066™

You can't help but be completely intrigued with dogs that have blue eyes, simply because it's so unusual. Siberian Huskies are one of the breeds that gets its blue eyes because of genetics, though for the same reason, some huskies have brown eyes too. For that matter, Huskies can also have a half blue, half brown eye or even one blue and one brown eye. Blue eyed Husky stuffed animals are a popular choice for children over other plush breeds because they find their eye color unusual and not like anything they have seen before.

Huskies are a hard-working and strikingly beautiful breed of dog. Although huskyis now a general name for all sled-pulling dogs (with its double thick fur coat, Huskies can withstand temperatures of up to -76 Fahrenheit), the Siberian is the only official Husky.. Their name derives from its first owners the Chukchis, a nomadic tribe of eastern Siberia. The care they invested in breeding the dogs has been rewarded by the incredible stamina Huskies display.

Despite its rather wolf-like appearance, the Husky is remarkably calm and gentle with people, so much so that it cannot be expected to be a guard dog they just love everyone too much. They rarely bark, but howl instead. The call of the wild is such an extremely strong one for Huskies, it can conquer any human attachment they have. As is the case, most Huskies need to be kept on a leash at all times unless you want to find yourself chasing down your beloved dog with little to no avail. Huskies are extremely smart and can be easily trained but they will only obey commands if they see that the human giving them instructions is of a stronger mind than they are. If leadership by their handler is not displayed, Huskies don't see the point in doing what's asked of them. They will take advantage of someone that is not their consistent pack leader by becoming strong-willed and naughty.

At the heart and soul of a Husky is a sled-dog, which is something that needs to be taken seriously when considering raising this breed. Huskies get bored very quickly and as is the case, they can be very destructive if they are not given the right amount of mental and physical exercise. Like with any breed of dog, Huskies require a great deal of time and energy. They also do not do well when left alone for any length of time and are prone to damage things as a result.

The good news with Husky stuffed animals is that they can be a lifelong friend and companion without any of the responsibility that goes along with raising the real thing. Of course, Husky stuffed animals are not like caring for a new puppy which is the time a dog is at its most appealing discovering new experiences, making friends, learning to play, bark, and explore. But, with Husky stuffed animals, a child's imagination can go a long way to replicating what life might be like with a Husky puppy. Instead of welcoming a Husky puppy into the home, a child can welcome a Husky stuffed animal instead, giving it the same love and care as they would have done with the real thing.

Angeline Hope is a collector of husky stuffed animal toys. You can view a selection of big plush dog toys at MyBigPlush.

Cool Animals Facts images

Some cool animals facts images:

Aoudad eating (ammotragus lervia)

Image by Gregory Moine
Aoudad (ammotragus lervia)

- Range: The Sahara region from the Atlantic to the Red Sea as far as Khartoum, Kordofan, and the great bend of the Niger river.
- Diet: Acacias, shrubs, and thin ground cover of grasses
- Fun fact: Aoudads, also called Barbary sheep, are native to Africa's Barbary Coast. This area includes Morocco, Egypt, Sudan and parts of the Saharan desert.

Aoudad (ammotragus lervia)

Image by Gregory Moine
Aoudad (ammotragus lervia)

- Range: The Sahara region from the Atlantic to the Red Sea as far as Khartoum, Kordofan, and the great bend of the Niger river.
- Diet: Acacias, shrubs, and thin ground cover of grasses
- Fun fact: Aoudads, also called Barbary sheep, are native to Africa's Barbary Coast. This area includes Morocco, Egypt, Sudan and parts of the Saharan desert.

Aoudad resting behind rocks (ammotragus lervia)

Image by Gregory Moine
Aoudad (ammotragus lervia)

- Range: The Sahara region from the Atlantic to the Red Sea as far as Khartoum, Kordofan, and the great bend of the Niger river.
- Diet: Acacias, shrubs, and thin ground cover of grasses
- Fun fact: Aoudads, also called Barbary sheep, are native to Africa's Barbary Coast. This area includes Morocco, Egypt, Sudan and parts of the Saharan desert.

Nice Animals Facts photos

Some cool animals facts images:

Three-Banded Armadillo

Image by MTSOfan
This little guy did not come from the produce section. In fact, his variety is native to Brazil. The three-banded armadillo is the only armadillo that can seal itself completely into a tight ball.

At the Bucks County Zoo, we held this guy and gently passed him around. The bands are easy to see in this photo. Between the bands are lighter colored sections, made of a material similar to our fingernails. They're flexible, allowing for the curling that he needs for protection.

Shark Stuffed Animal & Facts

by Topsy@Waygood

While a shark stuffed animal might not be your first choice of soft toy for your child, don't be surprised if that's the one they really want. After all, a shark stuffed animal comes complete with teeth (the plush kind) if you choose to go with the Great White species, making it all the more authentic as compared to a less imposing type of soft toy a teddy bear, for example.

A recent study published in the Journal of Zoology, claims that great white sharks uses geographic profiling, an investigative technique applied to the hunting patterns. Researchers discovered that while sharks do kill for food, when they do, they stalk their prey while remaining out of sight. Geographic profiling is the first time such a technique has ever been used on a marine species. 340 great white shark attacks were observed of Cape fur seals, located off Seal Island in False Bay, South Africa. With the use of radar charts, researchers were able to plot the attack sites so they could look at the distribution of the encounters and also take note of where the attacks began and ended. Normally, the frequency of the attacks should have been related to how dense the population of the prey was with sharks lying in wait where most of the seals gathered. The results of the study, however, showed that was not the case. Instead, sharks were positioning themselves close to 328 feet from the island at water depths of about 82 feet. It is believed that the rational behind this technique was that it struck just the right balance for the shark to be close enough to attack but still not close enough to be detected [by the seals]. Large adult sharks also had very specific points from which they anchored themselves which is where they would launch their attacks repeatedly. Younger, smaller sharks, however, did not show the same focus.

Researchers believe the differences between older and younger sharks' attack strategies was based on refined hunting skills which they could only learn over time - older sharks would have the advantage and as a result could dominate younger sharks and keep them away from the best hunting areas. When it comes to hunting for seals, sharks must be very smart in their attack strategies as seals can inflict serious damage on them.

If you're looking for the best possible great white shark stuffed animal, online stores have a great selection. Some have a 3 foot great white shark stuffed animal that comes with an open mouth displaying lots of 'sharp' teeth a terrific replica of the real thing.

Angeline Hope is a collector of large plush stuffed animals. You can view a selection of large plush stuffed animals including shark stuffed animals at MyBigPlush.

Related Facts About Animals Articles

Cow Stuffed Animal Toys & Facts

by matsuyuki

Cows are one farm animal that children most easily recognize. It's one of the first animals they both learn to identify on sight as well as how to make its signature moo sound. Is it no surprise then, that a cow stuffed animal (or two) is among some of their most cherished plush toys?

The beauty of a cow stuffed animal is that it is such a non-threatening plush toy, much like the teddy bear. It does not bring with it the fear that a dragon or dinosaur plush might. With its large doe eyes and pleasing expression, a cow stuffed animal is about as tame as you can get when it comes to plush toys for children, especially very young ones.

It is estimated that there are about 920 cow breeds in the world. Domesticated cows today, are likely descendants of wild ox-like animals called aurochs, that once roamed areas in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The majority of scientists have agreed that aurochs' became domesticated around 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. Based on archeological records, it has been shown that a major domestication center was located in the Near East. The question remains, however, if cattle were only domesticated in the Near East prior to their expansion into Europe and Africa or were they domesticated in different locations independently?

It is believed that the cows that were found in Africa, Europe, and India, were descendants of the domesticated aurochs of the Near East. Two types of cattle evolved from these species the humped Zebu and the humpless European Highland. Based on further data, it is believed that not all breeds of cow were descendants of the Near Eastern cattle, nor was there a single place where all of them were first domesticated. Instead, it is likely that cattle were actually independently domesticated in what we now know as India and Pakistan and perhaps Africa as well.

By the time 3000 B.C.E. Had rolled around, domestic cattle were already very well established in ancient Egypt. They were used for farming and played an integral role in both their religion and culture. Paintings found in ancient Egyptian tombs show that cows were a source of meat and milk and worked in the fields. In addition, the cow goddess Hathor, was a very powerful deity who represented creation, motherhood, and love.

As a child gets a little older, they might find it very interesting to learn about where their cow stuffed animal finds its origins in the real animal it represents. While still quite young, however, their main concern with their beloved plush cow is how much they love to snuggle up with it. And, as a result, all the history can come later.

Angeline Hope is a collector of plush stuffed animal toys. You can view a selection of plush stuffed animals including cow stuffed animal toys at MyBigPlush.

Related Stuffed Toy Animals Articles

Whale Stuffed Animal & Facts

by Smithsonian's National Zoo

A whale stuffed animal is a wonderful substitute for a teddy bear. After all, whale stuffed animals are large, and soft and plush just like the teddy. In addition, while not the traditional choice for a plush toy, they are still a welcome addition to any plush toy collection.

Whales live in every ocean in the world. They belong to the cetacea species which are mammals that live in the water. Whales are descendants of animals that lived on land for millions of years who then returned to the water. They are close relatives of both dolphins and porpoises and are unusually large. In fact, the blue whale is considered the largest animal on the planet. Scientists have identified two types of whale which have numerous sub-species within each group: baleen and toothed whales. Baleen whales have a specifically designed jaw structure that allows them to filter their food out of water. Toothed whales have teeth which are used to kill their food.

Even though they resemble dolphins (though a much larger version of them), the most familiar whale of all the species that exist is the killer whale. While killer whale's are part of the toothed whale group, they are members of the dolphin family. Like all whales, killer whales are warm-blooded mammals that breath air. There are three species of killer whale including: Resident Killer Whales, Transient Killer Whales, and Off-shore Killer Whales. What sets the three apart are their physical appearances, social behavior, food, and dialects. In online stores there are killer whale stuffed animals that don't necessarily belong to any of the discernible species. All that's really important, especially for a child interested in having one, is that these whale plush animals are large and cuddly. Like the whale they're designed after, the killer whale stuffed animals have black and white coloration and a streamlined body shape. They also have the requisite pectoral and dorsal fins.

Killer whales use their fins for a variety of 'tasks;' their round pectoral fins are used for steering and stopping and their dorsal fin acts as a hydrodynamic element to help stabilize them in the water. Their dorsal fin is the most prominent and not surprisingly (given how big they are), can grow up to six feet on a male killer whale. Female dorsal fins, on the other hand, are three to four feet and are sometimes curved.

Some male killer whales can live to the ripe old age of forty, though it's conceivable that they could go to up to sixty years of age. Females, typically live longer and have been known to live until they're eighty. A whale stuffed animal will never age in the true sense of the word it'll be around for as long as you want it to be.

Angeline Hope is a collector of giant stuffed animals. You can view a selection of giant stuffed animals including whale stuffed animals at MyBigPlush.

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Giraffe Stuffed Animal & Facts

by marsmet551

Despite their incredible size and height, giraffes are graceful animals that roam open grasslands in Africa. They are the animal which often draws large crowds at zoos and animal parks because of their unusual looks. As is the case, a giraffe stuffed animal usually ends up in the car ride home.

Not surprisingly, giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world. Just their legs are six feet taller than a humans. They can stand up to 19 feet and weigh as much as 2,800 pounds. Their long legs give them the ability to run up to 35 miles per hour over short distances and over longer distances, they can cruise at a comfortable 10 miles per hour. One of the great things about some of the giraffe stuffed animals on the market, is that they can be purchased in such large sizes, you get the pseudo feeling of what it's like for them to be that tall. Online stores have a giraffe stuffed animal that is 5 feet tall! They also have others which are 4.5 feet in height that also come with sound. A young child standing next to one of these spectacular giraffe stuffed animals is sure to be a hit, albeit an overwhelming one given their size.

Like their bodies, a giraffes tongue is also large. At 21 inches in length, it helps them with retrieving their food from branches. Their height, of course, also assists in giving them the advantage to be able to browse the leaves and buds in treetops that most other animals cannot reach their favorites are acacias. Hundreds of pounds of leaves are eaten by a giraffe on a weekly basis and they have to travel for many miles just to find enough food. Thankfully, a giraffe stuffed animal only requires a place to live and lots of love and attention. Trying to find that many leaves to feed it might be a problem!

There are clearly only advantages to having a giraffe stuffed animal. While they are only made of plush fur and don't require food or water to live, they will nonetheless be a lifelong companion and friend that will share with you all your adventures, trials, and tribulations. And for that alone, you simply can't go wrong with a giraffe stuffed animal.

Angeline Hope is a collector of large stuffed animal toys. You can view a selection of large stuffed animals including giraffe stuffed animal toys at MyBigPlush.

Animals really do do the strangest things. Where else to find All Time 10s... Facebook: http://ow.ly/3FNFR Twitter: http://ow.ly/3FNMk Check out a selection ...

Wolf Stuffed Animal Toys & Facts

by citizen for boysenberry jam

We don't realize how lucky we are to be able to choose a wolf stuffed animal from the vast array of soft toy choices, given there was a time when, in many parts of the United States, the real thing had all but disappeared. To this day, wolves are very misunderstood animals so it's a good thing the same can't be said about the wolf stuffed animal.

By the time the 1970s rolled around, in the lower 48 United States, wolves had been hunted to extinction in order for both ranchers and farmers to protect their livestock. Given the wolves were the predators, there was nothing else to prey upon them except humans. Finally, after 30 years without them, researchers felt that in order to control rising populations such as cougar and elk, wolves needed to be reintroduced.

Fourteen wolves from the Canadian Rocky Mountains were transferred to Yellowstone National Park in the United States in 1995. The next year, another 17 wolves joined them. From the original 31, more than 1,000 healthy wolves are descendents and 150 of those still live inside the park boundaries. The question researchers had back in 2006 was: why were the wolves only dispersing at a rate of about 6.2 miles one tenth of their usual 62 mile disperse rate? The puzzle was finally solved by a team of mathematical biologists from the University of Alberta.

According to Dr. Mark Lewis, co-author of the study when the wolves travelled far distances in their new environment it was easy for them to lose track of their mates, and the further they travelled the less likely it is for them to find a mate. Ultimately, the wolves recolonization process was significantly slowed when there was the reduced possibility of them finding a mate. Despite the fact that the wolves were adapting well to their new home, researchers weren't so much concerned about their slow dispersal as they were puzzled by it all; as long as they are dispersing into uncharted territory, we expect the population to continue spreading at the slow rate - about 6.2 miles per year, said Dr. Mark Lewis.

Luckily, for the soft toy world, the wolf stuffed animal has made it's place amongst the numerous teddy bears, tigers, lions, and elephants, to name just a few.

Angeline Hope is a collector of large stuffed animals. You can view a selection of large stuffed animals including wolf stuffed animal toys at MyBigPlush.

Dalmatian Stuffed Animals & Facts

by Ojie Paloma

You would be hard pressed to find any child that has not seen Disney's 101 Dalmatians. It's the story of two Dalmatian parents and their brood of 99 puppies. The film was based on a book originally called The Hundred and One Dalmatians, by English author Dodie Smith. More than 300 artists worked on the movie which included a team who were hired solely for drawing all the spots on the dogs (which totals 6,469,052, if you count them all).

Both children and adults can't help but fall instantly in love with these unusual looking black and white dogs. It's no surprise then, that the sale of Dalmatian's goes up exponentially every time the Disney film is seen. Along with that, Dalmatian stuffed animals also become big time sellers. Despite their unique, polka-dotted bodies, however, this is not a breed for everyone; many of the puppies purchased after seeing the film, are unfortunately, returned to animal shelters.

There is an idea that the Dalmatian breed originated in Dalmatia. Yugoslavia is now known to be wrong, but the name has stuck. The Dalmatian is a very old European breed, its exact origins are obscure, but the Pointer was certainly amongst its ancestors. Known as the firehouse, dog, in the 19th century, Dalmatian's became a fashionable carriage dog, which would race along, beside, or even in between, the huge wheels. This included fire engines which were pulled by horses. Dalmatian's would often guide the horses through city streets, clear a path, and even help to control the equines when necessary. The breed was also used to help guard firehouses so as to prevent vandalism and theft. Dalmatians today, are still kept as pets in some modern firehouses.

While Dalmatian's are considered family dogs and are known to be good with children, due to their very lively nature, they may not do so well around toddlers. In addition, because they are such a high energy breed, this is not a dog for the Sunday stroller; in its carriage days, the Dalmatian ran up to 30 miles a day so they require plenty of exercise. Unless your child is capable of taking care of the real thing, all of its daily exercise will fall to you, thus opting for a Dalmatian stuffed animal instead, would be a much better idea.

A Dalmatian stuffed animal is covered in black (or brown spots) just like the real thing, but amazingly, the breed is born completely white; their spots grow as they age. And, no two Dalmatian's have identical spots, which further adds to their uniqueness. Some online shops have a stunning 2.5 foot Dalmatian stuffed animal that looks so authentic, you won't be able to tell the difference between it and the real thing.

For any child that has seen 101 Dalmatian's and insists on having that breed of dog as their own, a Dalmatian stuffed animal would be a much better (and cheaper) alternative. Unless properly raised, they can be a very hyper active canine which is something most children will not be able to handle. In addition, a Dalmatian stuffed animal will never require the veterinary care and grooming that this, or any breed of dog actively requires. In addition, with a Dalmatian stuffed animal, both you and your child would be able to take the necessary steps to learn fully about the breed and then make an informed decision as to whether you're both ready for the real deal.

Angeline Hope is a collector of dalmatian stuffed animal toys. You can view a selection of big stuffed dog toys at MyBigPlush.

Cool Animals Facts images

Some cool animals facts images:

Bodhisattvas

Image by h.koppdelaney
Path to Edge

Rinpoche smiled when he saw the picture:
“Yes”, he said. “The only way home is to become a beast of burden.”
Maybe I looked at him asking as he continued.
“When I was young I was weak. I was not able to carry my own responsibilities. I blamed others. But as long I was blaming I felt wrong somehow. This state of consciousness kept me down and I felt like a victim of circumstances and men. I started blaming myself of being that weak. It took quite a while until I stopped being self-destructive.”
He pointed at the man. “Look, he is still trying to reach the edge, still trying to be a Bodhisattva, keeping his dark thoughts and feelings enclosed in his huge bag, not blaming others but himself. He is walking like a slave, carrying his own secret vows.”
I felt a bit weird. Obviously he knew.
“Don’t worry”, he said. “Nobody ever reached the edge. In fact one day you stop searching. I left the bag… maybe a few miles further on…” He giggled. “Down the mountains I was singing and dancing… till you crossed my ways.”
I did not smile.
Rinpoche laughed: “That’s a joke, my friend…”

HKD

Falls Psychologie interessiert:

Das Bild zeigt Persönlichkeitsaspekte eines demütigen Menschen. Er trägt seine Lasten selbst anstatt sie dem Esel aufzubürden. Das macht ihn selbst zum Lastentier und in gewissem Sinn zum Esel. Es ist im Alltag normal, die physischen wie auch die psychischen Lasten anderen Menschen aufzubürden, Kollegen, Partnern, Kindern. Ängste werden zum Nächsten abgeschoben; auch Aggressionen, Trauer oder Verzweiflung. Man redet sich die Sorgen von der Seele und der offenherzige Zuhörer wird immer bedrückter. Ein Bodhisattva verzichtet darauf, die eigenen Sorgen bei anderen zu entsorgen, im Gegenteil, er übernimmt und teilt die Kümmernisse seiner Mitmenschen. Er entlastet alle Kreaturen und wünscht ihnen in seinen Gebeten alles Glück, während er sich selbst bescheiden zurück nimmt. Demut und Bescheidenheit sind auch christliche Tugenden. Wer diese Tugenden anerkennt und übt, hält seine niederen Ego-Instinkte in Schach und wird sich dieser Energien erst richtig bewusst. Auf dem Weg der Tugend entsteht der innere Konflikt zwischen Selbstanspruch und Schatten-Natur. Wird dieser Konflikt erkannt und bewusst geschlichtet, kommt es zur Vereinigung der Gegensätze und damit zur Erlösung aus der spannungsvollen Dualität.
Shambhala, das Paradies der Seele oder das verheißene Land sind Metaphern für den inneren Frieden, der durch den Aufstieg des Geistes auf den hohen Gipfel der Erkenntnis gewonnen wird. Millionen pilgern auf die Berge und nehmen als symbolische Erfahrung vorweg, was sie im weiteren Verlauf ihrer Pilgerschaft auch geistig und emotional erfahrbar nachvollziehen. Innerer Friede ist ein gutes Gefühl.

HKD

Anmerkung:

This is digital art work, not reality.
Pictures and resources my own.

Das Bild ist ein digital hergestelltes Werk.
Jede Ähnlichkeit mit realen Gegebenheiten wäre rein zufällig.

HKD

If you like to see my latest videos:

Meditation - Introducing

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vocdfNPPNJo

or

Path of Wisdom

www.youtube.com/user/koppdelaney

and

Dark Night of the Soul

www.youtube.com/user/koppdelaney#p/a/u/1/EaRQPzamppo

Standing on the desert plain, zoomed in - Youssouf in the Eastern Sahara desert - Hurghada, Egypt - October 2002

Image by David d'O
The Eastern Sahara in Egypt does not have the typical fine grained, dusty sand you see a lot. In fact, most deserts don't have that. It is very rough grained sand that covers the desert plains. I'm enjoying the wide open view in the late afternoon sunshine.

Standing on the desert plain 2 - Youssouf in the Eastern Sahara desert - Hurghada, Egypt - October 2002

Image by David d'O
The Eastern Sahara in Egypt does not have the typical fine grained, dusty sand you see a lot. In fact, most deserts don't have that. It is very rough grained sand that covers the desert plains. I'm enjoying the wide open view in the late afternoon sunshine.

Shark Stuffed Animal & Shark Facts

by Old Shoe Woman

For the kid who has everything, why not opt for a shark stuffed animal the next time a birthday, or holiday rolls around? Unlike the real thing, a child can get up close and personal with a shark stuffed animal. And the bigger it is, the more lifelike it will feel. Online stores have a very realistic looking three foot length shark stuffed animal, that is sure to delight any child. In addition, their shark stuffed animal is just soft enough to act as giant pillow for the child that insists they can't ever part with their beloved plush toy, even when they're sleeping.

Sharks have been around for about 400 million years swimming in oceans long before dinosaurs arrived. In the last 150 million years, they've had little need to evolve since they are such great survivors. Their most prominent feature, are their teeth - in an entire lifetime, a shark may grow and use more than 20,000 of them. In addition, if a shark breaks and loses a tooth, it's immediately replaced with another that sits at the back of their mouth for just such an occasion.

Every species of shark has different shaped teeth (depending on their diet) which makes them easy to identify. A shark's jaw is the most powerful of all animals and unlike most animals, both its upper and lower jaw moves. When they bite, a shark uses its lower jaw first, and then the upper jaw. They tear at their food while shaking their head back and forth and then swallow the food whole. Shark stuffed animals are exceptionally designed so as to replicate a sharks prominent teeth. Without them, shark stuffed animals just wouldn't be the same.

With the exception of the whale and basking shark, all sharks are meat eaters and dine on fish, seals dolphins, turtles, and seagulls. When they feed, sharks do so alone. Feeding has been known to attract other sharks to the 'party' where sometimes a feeding frenzy will begin. The once species of shark, however, that you won't see involved in feeding frenzies, is the great white.

If nothing else, shark stuffed animals can help a child to better understand these often misunderstood predators of the sea. It's true that they're frightening, but at the same time, they're also incredibly interesting.

Angeline Hope is a collector of sea stuffed animals. You can view a big selection of sea stuffed animals including shark stuffed animal toys at MyBigPlush.

Interesting things about animals ... Short video in Did you know section!

Find More Facts About Animals Articles

Zebra Stuffed Animals & Facts

by roboM8

Zebra stuffed animals are a fun plush toy for any child to have as part of a growing stuffed animal collection. Like horses, zebras are part of the Equidae family, thus children have an easy time relating to these unusual looking animals with the horse-like bodies. The next time your child requests a plush toy, consider zebra stuffed animals over something more traditional (like a teddy bear) just for the sheer amusement of it.

Even though they are members of the Equidae family (like horses), zebras are nothing like equines except for their horse-like physiques, though unlike horses, zebras have stripes, short manes, and tufted tails. No one really knows for sure why zebras are striped; it's thought that the stripes actually act as a camouflage to confuse predators like lions and hyenas. While the stripes are visible during the daytime, at night, due to the patterns the stripes make, it's thought that predators become slightly mystified as to what the true distance of the animal actually is. Some scientists believe that in addition to camouflage, their stripes help them withstand very intense heat from the sun. There is no doubt that part of the fun of zebra stuffed animals, are their unusual black and white stripes; there is no other animal on earth that looks anything like them.

There are three types of zebra, two of which live in East Africa. The Burchell (common or plains zebra) is the species that is the most widespread in the east. The other is called Grevy's zebra (mostly found in northern Kenya) which was named after Jules Grevy, a President of France in the 1880s who received a zebra as a gift. The third species, called Equus, is a mountain zebra and can be found in southern and southwestern Africa. Any child that receives zebra stuffed animals or already has them as part of their plush collection, will likely never know the difference between the three species. As long as it looks like a zebra, 'talks' like a zebra, and 'walks' like a zebra, that's all they will ever need to know.

Some other interesting, but perhaps lesser known facts about zebras are that while they all may look identical, their stripes are actually like the fingerprint on a human -each one is distinct. By comparing patterns, stripe width, color, and scars, individual zebras can actually be identified. Grevy's zebra stripes are more narrow and more numerous than those of the plains zebra. In all of the zebra species, the stripes form a triangular pattern on their forequarters. Grevy zebras also have a similar stripe pattern on their hindquarters while the other species have a slanted or horizontal pattern.

For some additional fun with your child the next time they find themselves with nothing to do, take out their zebra stuffed animals and have them count the number of stripes on the animal and then identify the various patterns they see.

Angeline Hope is a collector of jumbo stuffed animals. You can view a selection of jumbo stuffed animals including zebra stuffed animals at MyBigPlush.

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Cool Animals Facts images

Check out these animals facts images:

Itchy!

Image by jonasflanken
A juvenile Western Gull scratching an itch. The fact that it was hanging out by the location of the former Pier 1/2 makes me wonder if this was one of the three chicks I got to watch as they grew up last summer on Pier 1/2.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Image by -RobW-
Not as sharp as I'd like due to the very low lighting in the Sea Life Centre and the fact that fish don't sit still, but I still quite like this shot!

But then, I am mildly fish obsessed.

Keep away from the trout!

Marauder

Image by cris.e
A friendly cat in fact... Always looking for a caress. Picture taken when the Sun was low in the sky in order to have a special lighting and large shadows. Blur added later with Photoshop.

5 Dog Adoption Facts!

by Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue

Studies of human and animal behavior have brought to light some interesting theories related to shelters and animal adoption. Here are five facts related to pet adoption in the United States (well, they may be more like theories supported by research than actual facts, but you get the idea)!

1) Black Dogs Don't Get Adopted

The average pet owner probably doesn't know how difficult it is for a black dog to get adopted. Being a black dog at an animal shelter is almost a death sentence on its own. Dark colored dogs are euthanize at a rate in extreme excess of other lighter colored dogs regardless of breed, or temperament. It is difficult to say the exact reason for this phenomena, which has been coined as "Black Dog Syndrome".

Studies have speculated that they are the least likely to be adopted based on how we as a society perceive them. It could be for a variety of reasons including that they don't photograph well, that they look "scary" in comparison to lighter colored animals, or that they are simply just "plain" looking and don't catch peoples interest. Whatever the reason, Black Dog Syndrome is a serious problem that shelters have to deal with.

2 ) Love At First Sight

Research has also shown the validity of love at first sight as it is related to adopting pets at a shelter. Dogs that are kenneled in a position that puts them as the first in the line of sight of a prospective pet owner are adopted at significantly higher rates than those that are kenneled in the back of the facility. As human beings, we tend to bond with animals quickly, and those dogs that weren't the first ones we saw coming through the door are generally out of luck.

This hopefully will not be too much of a problem in the near future. More shelters are rotating their dogs throughout their kennels on a weekly, if not daily basis in order to give every dog a fair shake at being adopted.

3) Bandannas and Outfits Don't Help

As if to contradict what we had stated about love at first sight, I feel compelled to state that bandannas and other cute doggy accessories do not have a statistically significant bearing on whether or not a person would adopt an animal. Several ethological studies have shown that there was no difference in adoption rates between those animals that were, or were not dressed to impress at adoption events. This was even true across multiple days using the same dogs while rotating when any specific animal was wearing an outfit. The ineffectiveness of doggy outfits on adoption rates is surprising, but the numbers don't lie!

4) Behavioral Problems Are Common

The majority of dogs that are dropped off at shelters are not strays, but dogs that are left by owners that are not being truthful about why they are giving up their pets for adoption. It is theorized that the pet owner feels guilty about the real reason that they are giving up their dog.

It is oftentimes because they think that it will affect the chances of the dog being adopted if they admit that it had any behavioral problems that led to them being overwhelmed as caretakers. It would be much more helpful if the prior owners were honest in their evaluation of their pets so that any behavioral "defects" for the lack of a better word could be corrected with training.

This would help to prevent the same behavior problem from occurring down the road, and would effectively decrease the number of pets that are returned to the shelter due to incompatibility with their new families.

5) October Is "Adopt A Shelter Dog Month"

This month is the first adopt a dog month. Shelters across the country encourage you to adopt a pet if you are ready for the responsibility of pet ownership; however, you can also help by volunteering at a local pet shelter. Most shelters are understaffed, and the regular volunteers will appreciate the help. If you are a teenager thinking about veterinary school someday, then I would encourage you to volunteer at a shelter for experience that can be cited on your veterinary school application.

Get to know more about dog adoption

Hippo Stuffed Animals & Facts

by afagen

Even though hippos look cute and cuddly, they are known as one of the most dangerous mammals in the wild kingdom. It's because hippos look so inviting, that they are very popular attractions at zoos. It should come as no surprise to any parent that after a trip to see them, a hippo stuffed animal becomes the major request of the day. Hippo stuffed animals are some of the most adorable plush toys on the market with their oversized bodies and grey plush fur, they are a delight to all that admire them. A teddy bear is usually the plush toy of choice for most children, but one look at hippo stuffed animals changes the mind of even the most diehard teddy fans.

There are two hippo species, both of which can be found living in the lakes and rivers of Africa. Their name hippopotamus comes from the Greek word river horse even though hippos have no relation to horses whatsoever. They do love water, however, and because their skin has been designed to be wet most of the time, a good 16 hours of their part of a hippos day is spent submerged in the water. There won't be too many hippo stuffed animals that will be able to withstand getting wet unless you don't mind damage to their soft, plush fur. These are one plush animal that needs to stay on dry land at all times. If you are determined to have your hippo go into the water, a much better alternative to a hippo stuffed animal is one that is made of plastic. Plastic hippos do exist, but they can in no way make up for the realism and cuddliness of a plush one.

Hippos can hold their breath under water for a good five minutes but because they are so big, more often than not, they can stand on the river or lake bed they are immersed in. While most of their body remains under the water, they can still see, hear, and breathe as their eyes and nostrils are located high up on their heads. When the hot African sun has set, they come out of the water to graze, sometimes travelling up to six miles at night so they can consume 80 pounds of grass.

After elephants and white rhinos, hippos are the third largest living land mammal. Their skin alone can weigh as much as half a ton! And, their canine teeth can each be up to 20 inches long. Thankfully, hippo stuffed animals are in no way that heavy which means they can be held, cuddled, and loved all at the same time. They can also be prominently displayed on a bed, floor, or shelf when not in 'use' with no risk whatsoever that they will damage anything they stand stand on because of their weight.

Angeline Hope is a collector of extra large stuffed animals. You can view a selection of extra large stuffed animals including stuffed hippo animals at MyBigPlush.

Tweet this video! - http://clicktotweet.com/xWNms It's mind-blowing to think about the multitude of animals that exist in this world. From the tiny flea to t...

Bat Stuffed Animals & Facts

by marsmet551

Why is it that the things we find creepy and crawly, or, just creepy crawly, children can't get enough of? Take bats, for instance. They fit into that creepy category. And, they're as spooky as they come but that doesn't stop children from being fascinated with them nonetheless. Bat stuffed toys are just as popular, simply because they're part of the group of things that go bump in the night - and, the scarier the better.

Contrary to popular belief, bats are not mice that fly. In fact, they have no relation to rodents whatsoever. Bats have been grouped by scientists into the same group as lemurs and primates called Archonta. Also contrary to wide spread myth that bats become tangled in human hair when flying overhead, is completely untrue. They have a built in sonar system that allows them to move at extremely fast speeds through the darkness. It is so sophisticated, that it rivals any echolocation system a human could build. If a bat seemingly swoops toward you, it is likely for the mosquito that is flying just above your head it's not trying to go for your hair.

There are some 1100 species of bats living all over the world and of that, three of them are vampire bats which mostly make their home in Latin America. Vampire bats are no bigger than a package of M & M chocolates. Most bat species mainly dine on insects, nectar, and pollen, with some preferring fish and frogs. Fruit bats are a vital part of the bat species as they are responsible for bringing us more than 450 food products such as mangos, dates, and peaches - and medicines through pollination and dispersal of seeds (when they eat they chew the fruit but spit out the seeds, peel, and pulp). 95% of the re-growth that takes place in the rainforest, comes from the seeds that fruit bats have spread. There are about 166 species of fruit bats that mostly live in the dense forests of Africa, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Unlike vampire bats, fruit bats are relatively large in size. The fruit bat of Africa, for instance, has a wing span of up to six feet. If you are on the hunt for a fruit bat stuffed toy, look no further than an online store. They have an incredible lifelike fruit bat stuffed animal that is 31.5 inches long. It's facial details are remarkably like the real thing so anyone with their heart set on having a bat stuffed toy will not be disappointed.

Bats get a bad rap, mostly because they are generally depicted as something we should fear the films of Hollywood are especially good at doing that. When it comes down to it, however, bats are actually shy, gentle, and intelligent. So go ahead, forget about that next teddy bear purchase and go for a bat stuffed toy instead!

Angeline Hope is a collector of plush stuffed animals. You can view a selection of plush stuffed animals including bat stuffed animals at MyBigPlush.

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Turtle Stuffed Animals & Turtle Facts

by Ninithedreamer

Most children are quite familiar with turtles (especially sea turtles) if they have seen Disney's very popular Finding Nemo. Along the journey to find Nemo, we are introduced to sea turtles Crush and his son Squirt two very cool sea animals on their own ocean journey. Sales of turtle stuffed animals undoubtedly rose significantly after the release of the film. And why shouldn't they have? A turtle stuffed animal is every bit a comfort to a child as teddy bears are. Online, you can purchase a sea turtle stuffed animal that is two feet in length that makes for one fantastic substitute pillow.

There are seven species of sea turtle which live in just about every ocean in the world from subtropical to tropical waters. All of their lives are spent in the water except when females come ashore several times a year, to lay their eggs. Eggs hatch in about 60 days at which time the babies (called hatchlings), make their way to the water. Young sea turtles spend the first few years of their lives in the open ocean and then eventually make their way to more protected areas such as bays and estuaries. While it might be a lovely thought to take a sea turtle stuffed animal into the water with you, they won't take too kindly to getting their soft, plush fur wet.

Each species of sea turtle has a different diet; green sea turtles eat sea grass; leatherback turtles eat jelly-fish and other animals with soft bodies; loggerhead turtles dine on shelled creatures like clams and crabs; hawksbills prefer sponges and other invertebrates; Kemp's ridley turtles eat crabs.

Sea turtles have been around for more than 100 million years; even when dinosaurs became extinct 65
million years ago, turtles still managed to survive. Unfortunately, like many animals in the world today, sea turtles are in danger of disappearing altogether. They often get caught in fishermen's nets which ultimately has dire consequences for them when they are unable to free themselves. In addition, much of their habitat is being lost due to the over abundance of coastal development that is taking place critical nesting sites end up disappearing. And, in some places in the world, turtles are hunted for their meat, shells and even their eggs.

One way to pay homage to sea turtles, is to make a point of purchasing a sea turtle stuffed animal the next time your child requests a plush toy. Even if they haven't seen Finding Nemo, they will undoubtedly become quite attached to their turtle stuffed animal the same they would with a teddy bear.
While a turtle stuffed animal is a less traditional type of plush toy, it can still bring much joy to any child that has one.

Angeline Hope is a collector of large stuffed animal toys. You can view a selection of large stuffed animals including turtle stuffed animals at MyBigPlush.

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Wolf Stuffed Animals & Facts

by cliff1066™

It's hard to imagine that a child would prefer wolf stuffed animals over a cherished teddy bear, but like all wild animals, they do have their place in the plush world. For anyone that is a collector of plush toys, in particular, wild animals, wolf stuffed animals make a wonderful addition to an already established collection. Even though wolf stuffed animals can look like the canine pet next door, they should never be mistaken for domesticated dogs. Despite that, they can still add both a uniqueness and charm to an already growing assortment of plush toys.

Wolves are members of the dog family. They live and hunt in packs which usually consists of six to ten animals. The family group, more commonly known as a wolfpack, is made up of a very strict hierarchy with the dominant male of the group being the leader and his mate next in line to him. Despite their fearsome reputations, wolves (like dogs) are actually very sociable and playful animals. All of the adults in a wolfpack help to care for the babies by bringing them food in addition to watching over them while others hunt.

Most wolves have grey coats and were once found all over the Northern Hemisphere. In the lower 48 United States, grey wolves have been hunted to near extinction. Some populations, however, have manged to survive, while still others have been re-introduced following strict hunting laws and captive breeding programs. There are still many grey wolves that inhabit parts of Alaska, Canada, and Asia.

Wolf stuffed animals are available in a wide range of colors though grey is the most common. Wild wolves have coats that can be anywhere from jet black to white (all Arctic wolves are white). Still others have salt and pepper type coats which can also be found in the plush fur bodies of some wolf stuffed animals.

Angeline Hope is a collector of huge stuffed animal toys. You can view a selection of huge stuffed animal toys including wolf stuffed animal toys at MyBigPlush.

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