April 2/2025

 

A New Study Explains Cat Facial Expressions — All 276 Of Them!

By Krissy Howard

11/ 23/ 2023 

Ever feel like your cat might be making faces at you? If you have, you aren't wrong! In fact, they can conceivably make up to 276 faces at you, according to a new study published in ‌Behavioural Processes‌. If you're wondering how an animal with no eyebrows & an average head size that measures no more than 4 inches in diameter can make hundreds of different faces, read on to hear about the exciting recent research that indicates new ideas about feline domestication.

Feline faces & composition

In the 2023 study, 2 researchers, Lauren Scott, & Brittany Florkiewicz, examined 53 adult domestic shorthair felines at the Los Angeles, California, establishment, CatCafé Lounge. The duo used the Facial Action Coding System for cats to measure unique facial movements in both affiliative, or bonding, & non-affiliative contexts. They looked at how complex their facial muscle movements were, as well as the overall composition of the cats' heads, ear positions, whiskers, & pupil sizes. After reviewing nearly 200 minutes of video, they documented 276 distinct facial expressions among the cats, & more than half of them were done for building social bonds among them.

Different facial expressions recorded

It's not hard to measure when cats are using their body language to express unfriendly or even aggressive signals toward another animal, be that a fellow feline, a dog, or a human. It makes sense that cats would act this way because of their comparatively small stature in these cases, & because cats don't really need to rely on one another for survival. In this study, cats of both sexes, all of whom were spayed & neutered, were shown to express assertive or aggressive behaviors about 48.5% of the time. The majority of the time, the cats displayed positive, friendly behaviors to help grow & nurture social bonds more than half of the time.

The friendly expressions appeared as closed eyes with both the ears & whiskers positioned forward on the head, according to a report from CNN. Non-friendly facial signals included ears flattened against the head, narrow pupils, & lip-licking to signal that other cats should stay away. The affiliative, or friendly, signals may be recent adaptations to cats' facial expressions due to things like cohabitation within the same home, feral colonies where multiple cats are fed & housed together, & overcrowding in heavily populated cities. As none of these would likely happen among wild cats, the research team's findings suggest that domestication likely has a huge part in how & why pet cats make so many faces.

Cat body language

The body language of cats has long been heralded as the go-to language for understanding cat communication — both among feline friends & between felines & humans. Anyone who's lived with a cat has seen examples of this, including hissing, switching or tapping their tails, slow blinking, purring, & meowing, to name a few. Cats are generally solitary creatures, & many wildcat species don't really live in packs or groups in the wild. Thanks to domestication, housecats are subjected to far more cat-to-cat interaction than their wild ancestors were, which has forced them to develop more complex ways of communicating with one another. Because domesticated cats live in such close proximity to people, it's not out of the question that they've adapted to communicate in similar ways that we do, as evidenced by their preference toward people who use so-called "baby talk" when addressing them.

The bottom line

Domesticated cats can make up to 276 distinct facial expressions, & more than half of them are used to form positive & productive social bonds with other cats around them. Examples of friendly cat facial expressions include forward-facing whiskers & ears, & closed eyes, or eyes that blink slowly, which suggests that a cat is comfortable with those around them. While there's still more work to be done in the area of understanding cat communication, this research makes huge strides in measuring the effects of domestication on our feline friends.

Read More: https://www.cuteness.com/13778868/cat-facial-expressions-explained/

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March 26/2025

 

It’s Official: There’s Another ‘World’s Largest Snake’

by Olivia Young

atlasobscura.com

2/ 29/ 2024

The cloudy swamps & creeping streams that cover vast expanses of South America harbor some of the most hair-raising wildlife on the planet: poisonous frogs, electric eels, deadly mosquitos, & grinning caymans are just some. The Amazon is no place for someone who is spooked by things slimy, scaly, or hidden under murky water with only menacing eyes & nostrils visible. And yet that’s exactly what Jesús Rivas has looked for when he’s waded through the wetlands of South America over the past 32 years.

Rivas, a biology professor at New Mexico Highlands University, is an anaconda expert. In his decades of research, he has collected hundreds of blood & tissue samples to expand our collective understanding of the world’s largest snake, ultimately to protect it against threats like human impact & climate change. With a team of fellow researchers composed of both academics & Amazonian Indigenous peoples, he has discovered a major divergence in the green anaconda, one of historically 4 anaconda species.

Green anacondas are the heaviest snakes on the planet & the second longest, after reticulated pythons. They occur in the wet tropics of South America, east of the Andes, from northern Venezuela to the south of Brazil. Until recently, the green anaconda was thought to be just one species, Eunectes murinus, but a newly released study headed by Rivas found out there are actually 2. The research describes major genetic differences between green anacondas in the northern half versus the southern half of their range.

“We got the first hints that [the northern] species was different from the southern one in 2007,” Rivas says. “Then we started the hard process of gathering samples from all over South America.” Even though the 2 snakes appear identical, DNA sampling shows a drastic genetic difference of about 5.5%. That’s a bigger difference than the one between humans & chimpanzees. When 2 or more species are classified as one because they are morphologically indistinguishable, they’re called “cryptic species.” This is the case for the green anaconda, whose northern & southern populations are virtually identical in their massive size (reaching lengths of 30 feet & weighing up to 550 pounds) & coloring (olive green with dark splotches along their backs & sides).

Bryan Fry, co-author of the study & professor at the University of Queensland in Australia, says the key difference between the 2 populations is the geographic range. Years of field work & sampling revealed that specimens studied across the northern part of the green anaconda’s distribution were actually of a sister clade of E. murinus, which the researchers have named E. akayima. Whereas E. murinus (the southern green anaconda) can be found in Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, & presumably Colombia, the second species E. akayima (the northern green anaconda) inhabits Peru, Bolivia, & Brazil. The species stick to their separate zones except for in French Guiana, & the study suggests that country “might be a contact zone for these 2 groups.”

In 2022, Rivas, Fry, a local Indigenous leader, actor Will Smith, & the crew of National Geographic’s “Pole to Pole” series embarked into the Waorani Territory of Ecuador & found evidence that the northern green anaconda is present there as well. That Indigenous leader, Penti Baihua, & his son, Marcelo Tepeña Baihua, are listed as co-authors on the study, & Will Smith is mentioned in the acknowledgements.

“One key factor that allowed us to make the publication now is new developments in our understanding of the history of South America,” Rivas says. He clarifies that the 2 species weren’t always so different. They likely diverged millions of years ago as a result of a ridge that rose & geographically separated the north & south. Now that there’s data to support that the green anaconda is made up of 2 claves, researchers can begin to work out the unique needs of each so these enormous snakes can continue slithering about & dominating the jungle.

“The discovery of a new species is always important,” Rivas says, “as it informs us better of the diversity we have—& may lose.”

* Article & photos from New Anaconda Species Has Been Officially Recognized - Atlas Obscura

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March 19/2025

 

How To Bunny-Proof a Room

By Janelle Leeson. 

Reviewed by Melissa Witherell, DVM

Updated 2/22/2024

Rabbits can make wonderful pets for people of all ages. They enjoy being near their pet parents & can even be litter trained, says Natalie Lopresti, PhD, a longtime bunny foster & volunteer educator for the Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society (MCRS).

But rabbits have some special quirks that can potentially lead them into trouble—or danger—without proper preparations. From carpet diggers to bunnies that love to munch on everything, here’s how to bunny-proof a room.

Why Is Bunny-Proofing Important?

It's in a rabbit’s nature to dig & chew, so it's essential to prepare your living space & offer plenty of outlets for your active bunny.

Rabbits have a natural tendency to chew because their teeth are constantly growing & need to be worn down, says Heather Smith, foster coordinator at Rose City Rabbit Rescue. It’s important to keep your belongings safe so they aren’t ruined by rabbit chewing, but it is also key to keeping your rabbit safe from possible shock or even electrocution from biting exposed cords.

Additionally, a rabbit’s instinct to tunnel can kick in when they are in a dark corner that’s easy to dig in, like one with a plush carpet. Rabbits can easily ruin your carpet with their claws if left unsupervised or without protection placed on the carpet.

How To Bunny-Proof a Room

Rather than allowing their rabbits to free-roam all day, many pet parents opt to use a pen. Whichever approach you choose, here are 5 steps for bunny-proofing to help keep your bunny safe.

1. Take a Bunny’s Perspective

What better way to survey your bunny’s room than getting down on the floor & seeing the world from their point of view? Look for potential dangers for your rabbit & address them:

Cover any open electrical sockets

Pick up any loose items

Remove or protect any cords, table & chair legs, or other belongings that could be chewed

Protect carpeted corners that could tempt tunneling

Cover baseboards to protect from chewing

Remove plants that could be toxic, especially if they tend to drop leaves

“When you first bring a rabbit into a new area, monitor them closely—they will quickly point out to you things that you missed,” says Lopresti.

2. Remove Cables

To keep your rabbit from chewing cables, pin cords up & out of your rabbit's reach. Otherwise, cover cords with specialty pet cord protectors. Choose thick cord wrappings, as rabbit teeth are sharp & can quickly penetrate flimsy wraps.

Alternatively, you could opt for a different room altogether or block off your rabbit's access to the room if there's an abundance of cords.

3. Protect Your Carpet

Wondering how to stop a rabbit from chewing carpet? Shield your floors with:

Plastic wall corner protectors

Floor protectors

Strategically placed ceramic tiles

Alternatively, you can divide your bunny room with a pen, creating a bunny-proofed area while leaving the rest off-limits.

Even with your floors protected, your rabbit will still want to dig & chew. Lopresti recommends providing them a dig box. A dig box can be made from a cardboard box filled with bunny-safe goodies such as straw, wooden chew toys, & their favorite treats or snacks.

4. Add Baseboard Protection

Bitter apple spray can come in handy for baseboards & other furniture you don’t want your rabbit to chew. But Lopresti warns, “Some bunnies may find bitter apple spray to be a condiment rather than a deterrent.” That’s why she & other volunteers at MCRS reach for 99.44% pure Ivory® soap instead.

“You can rub the bar of soap on anything the rabbit is chewing on, from baseboards to wooden furniture,” she explains. “The soap is very high purity & doesn’t contain additives that hurt rabbits, but it still tastes bad & highly discourages them from eating items they shouldn’t.”

As with protecting carpet from bunnies, you can also cover your walls & baseboards with protective plastic coverings or block off your bunny’s access.

5. Provide Rabbit Chew Toys & Enrichment Items

Rabbits are curious creatures with natural instincts to explore, dig, & chew. The key to safely allowing your rabbit to exercise these natural tendencies (without wrecking your home) is to offer toys, enrichment items, & games.

Chew Toys

Grass mats: Made from natural materials

Chew sticks: Help maintain your rabbit’s teeth & offer a flavor bunnies love

Hanging chew toys: In addition to chewing, bunnies love batting at them

Enrichment Activities

Snuffle mats: Hide treats within the fabric folds, encouraging natural foraging behavior

Stuffed animals: Many bunnies love having their own “stuffie” for comfort & companionship

Paper towel & toilet paper rolls: Stuff them with hay & bunny treats for DIY foraging fun

Large enclosure & supervised playtime: Allow rabbits to exercise & explore freely a few times a day

Consider adopting a bonded pair: Bunnies do better with a partner & tend to have less destructive behaviors than a single bunny because they have each other to stay occupied

A happy bunny will exhibit many behaviors that are entertaining to watch, says Smith, “whether you love their twitching little nose, radar ears, or their zooming & binkies—a binky is a giant leap into the air & a twist at the end just for fun!”

Rabbit-Proofing FAQs

How do I protect my walls from rabbits?

Protect your walls by covering them in cardboard or plastic wall protectors. Block off your rabbits' access to walls by using a pen, or deter them from chewing walls by spraying bitter apple or rubbing pure Ivory soap on the surfaces.

How do I stop my rabbit from chewing my baseboards?

To prevent your rabbit from damaging your baseboards, provide plenty of chew toy alternatives, such as apple sticks, wooden blocks, or baby chew toys without small parts. For particularly determined bunnies, consider covering your baseboards with cardboard or plastic wall protectors. Alternatively, you can use bitter apple spray or rub pure Ivory soap on them as a deterrent.

How do I bunny-proof my bed?

Similar to protecting your couch, you can bunny-proof your bed by blocking off the underside with untreated wood, cardboard, or fencing.

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March 12/2025

 

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes?

By Angelina Childree, LVT. Reviewed by Maria Zayas, DVM

1/8/2024

Feeding your bearded dragon properly is important to help prevent health problems & disease. A bearded dragon's dietary needs change throughout life & generally always include insects, vegetables, & fruits. Fruits in particular should make up 5–10% of a bearded dragon’s diet.

If you've ever had a dog, you may know that grapes & raisins can have toxic effects if ingested, but what about your bearded dragon? Can bearded dragons eat grapes?

Are Grapes Good for Bearded Dragons?

Grapes contain over 1,600 compounds, such as potassium, vitamin E, & antioxidants. These components can boost your bearded dragon's immune system & even promote eye health.

Grapes also have a high water content. Many bearded dragons drink water droplets from surfaces like plants & decor rather than drinking out of a bowl, so grapes can help promote hydration.

Not all grapes are created equally, however. Dark red & purple grapes will contain more antioxidants than white & green grapes, making them a more ideal snack for your lizard. While grapes have many health benefits, they shouldn’t be the main source of food for your bearded dragon’s diet due to their high sugar content, which can lead beardies to obesity.

Can Bearded Dragons Be Allergic to Grapes?

 While it’s rare for a bearded dragon to be allergic to grapes, it can happen. A bearded dragon having an allergic reaction may begin gasping or flaring their nostrils. If your bearded dragon is exhibiting signs of difficulty breathing, seek veterinary care immediately. 

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grape Seeds?

When feeding grapes to your bearded dragon, always remove the seeds. Seeds can cause blockages within your bearded dragon's digestive tract, preventing waste from leaving their bodies which can be life-threatening. As a general rule, any fruit or vegetable containing seeds should always have them removed before it’s offered to your bearded dragon.  

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grape Jelly?

Fruit jelly contains a high amount of sugar &, often, high fructose corn syrup. Even a homemade jam will contain a higher amount of sugar than is recommended for your bearded dragon. It’s best to avoid jelly altogether.

You can puree grapes at home if you don't add other ingredients. Putting pureed fruit on a lick mat can be a fun form of enrichment for your bearded dragon! 

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Wild Grapes?

It can be OK for your bearded dragon to eat wild grapes; however, they may not want to. Wild grapes are much different from those in the grocery store. Wild grapes tend to have thicker skin, which may make it harder for your bearded dragon to consume. Additionally, wild grapes are much more bitter than the domestic ones we are used to, so your bearded dragon may not enjoy their taste.

Wild grapes may contain chemicals & other harmful pesticides. If you do not know the source of the grape, it’s best to avoid offering it. 

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grape Leaves?

Bearded dragons may enjoy eating grape leaves. Grape leaves can be fed in moderation because they contain a high amount of vitamin A. Bearded dragons can be prone to vitamin A deficiency, which can make them sick. However, grape leaves, just like grapes themselves, should only make up 5–10% of their diet in combination with other varieties of fruits.

How Many Grapes Can a Bearded Dragon Eat?

Fruits are an essential part of a bearded dragon's diet, but they should be, at most, 5–10% of their total diet, or about 1 to 2 grapes once or twice a week as a treat. Having a gram scale to portion out your bearded dragon's food appropriately can be helpful.  

While grapes have many health benefits, eating too many can cause digestion issues & lead to obesity. Obesity can be a problem in all reptiles, but bearded dragons are one of the most common species to struggle with it. Saving high-value treats higher in sugar, such as grapes, for physical enrichment can help motivate your bearded dragon & promote exercise.  

How To Safely Feed Your Bearded Dragon Grapes

Wash the grapes thoroughly & remove any seeds. Depending on the size of your bearded dragon & the size of the grape, you may need to chop the fruit into pieces. Foods should be bite-sized to ensure your bearded dragon can safely consume them.

Foods that are too large for your bearded dragon can cause impactions. Impactions can create a blockage within the digestive system, causing little to no material to pass through the tract. Impactions can be fatal, so they are always considered a medical emergency. If your bearded dragon is not eating, defecating as normal, or is having trouble using their hind legs seek veterinary care immediately.

Fresh grapes have more nutritional value than cooking or freezing them. Grapes & other foods should be presented in a bowl, on a dish, or even in an enrichment item, especially if substrate is used in your bearded dragon's habitat. If the substrate is accidentally consumed, it may cause impaction as well.

What Other Fruits Can Bearded Dragons Eat?

Your bearded dragon may enjoy other fruits as well as grapes, such as:

Mangos

Apples

Apricots

Tomatoes

Blueberries

Strawberries

Raspberries

Avoid feeding your bearded dragon citrus fruits, as the acidity can cause gastrointestinal upset.

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March 5/2025

 

7 Betta Fish Facts: Lifespan, Origin, & More

By Sean Perry, DVM. Reviewed by Melissa Witherell, DVM

Updated 12/22/2024

Betta fish (Betta splendens), also called Siamese fighting fish, are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish in the world due to their beautiful colorations, various fin shapes, & their relative ease of care.

If you are looking into keeping ornamental fish, bettas can be a great option. There are over 70 different types of bettas that have been selectively bred for specific traits, including fin appearance, pattern, & coloration.

Learn more about these cool fish with these interesting betta fish facts.

Betta Fish Facts

1. The Betta Fish Lifespan Is 3–5 Years

One of the most common questions about betta fish is “how long do betta fish live?” While betta fish typically live 3–5 years, some of the oldest betta fish ever recorded lived to the age of 10.

Betta fish lifespan can be maximized when they are kept in ideal environments with proper care. With improper care, bettas are more susceptible to developing diseases or illness, which can shorten their lifespan considerably.

2. Betta Fish Can Reach 2.5 Inches Long

Next, you may wonder how big betta fish get. Most betta fish will reach about 2.5 inches long as adults, not including their tails.

There are many betta fish types, which will determine how long their tails can be. For example, feather tail bettas will have long tail fins, while their cousins the spotfin bettas will have shorter tails.

3. Bettas Need 10- to 20-Gallon Tanks

Recreating the betta fish natural habitat should be the top priority when keeping them in an aquarium within your house. It’s important to consider a large enclosure when planning to keep a betta.

The minimum enclosure size for a single betta is 10 gallons. However, larger tanks are even better for visual appeal. For example, 20-gallon tanks will allow you to provide lots of decorative enrichment for your bettas & their tank mates. 

Planted tanks with decorations such as rocks & driftwood can provide a great ecosystem for your betta.

Depending on how many bettas you keep in an enclosure, each fish should have about 5 gallons of space.

It’s not recommended to keep bettas in bowls.

4. Betta Fish Are Native to Asia

So where are betta fish from? Bettas originally come from Southeast Asia & can be found in:

Thailand

Vietnam

Myanmar

Laos

Cambodia

Indonesia

Malaysia

Bettas are freshwater fish, & they generally live in shallow areas like rice paddies & marshes.

5. Bettas Are Called Fighter Fish

Bettas are known as fighting fish due to the territorial nature of male bettas. Territory aggression commonly happens in the wild when ponds containing bettas dry up. Bettas become isolated within smaller ponds & fight with one another.

When the fish’s aggressive nature was discovered, humans used betta fish as a form of entertainment. Similar to cockfighting matches, people would bet on these matches & the fish would often fight to the death.

Bettas continued to be bred for these aggressive traits over many years. Fighting became so popular that the King of Siam started to regulate these fights to collect some of the winnings­ & owned personal fighting fish.

Bettas were one of the first fish species to be domesticated about 1,000 years ago. During the 19th century, they were introduced to western civilizations & became one of the most popular ornamental fish species. 

6. Female Bettas Can Live With Other Fish

Bettas are considered one of the most aggressive freshwater fish. It is not recommended to keep male betta fish together in the same tank. If males are kept together, they will likely fight until the death.

However, female bettas can be housed together because they are not territorial like males & will often form docile groups.

Depending on the space you provide, pet parents can keep 3 to 5 female bettas together. Females should be kept in odd numbers because they often develop a dominance hierarchy within their group.

Keeping other fish with bettas depends on the size of the tank. The larger the tank, the more fish can be kept together.

Species that can be kept with bettas include:

Neon tetras

Blue gourami

Pictus catfish

Other bottom dwelling fish

Other animals that can live harmoniously with bettas include African dwarf frogs.

7. Betta Fish Need High-Protein Food

Bettas are carnivores so their diet should be high in protein. In the wild, they eat small insects & larvae.

In captivity, high-protein floating fish pellets are recommended for betta fish.

It's recommended not use fish flakes to feed bettas because many fish may not accept them as food & they may not eat enough flakes to support themselves.

Occasional treats can include brine shrimp, krill, & bloodworms.

Bettas should be fed once a day, & generally may be fed 2 to 3 pellets at one time. Feeding enough pellets to take up the space of one fish eyeball is a good approximation. Depending on the brand it could vary from 10–12 pellets or one to 2 pellets.

Remember, overfeeding a betta can have adverse effects on the water quality within the environment as any uneaten food builds up on the bottom of the habitat. Filtration systems can help remove some of this waste.

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