July 28/2021

 

Feature:

The Difference Between Dog People & Cat People, According to Science

"There are certain things in this world that divide us... And perhaps the greatest dividing line of all is the one between dog people & cat people. But why does that divide exist? Cats & dogs are both cute & fluffy & amazing in their own ways. Why, then, are people so firm in taking a stance between the 2? To answer that eternal question, we must turn to science.

The science behind why humans love dogs

For dog parents, there's an inherent, undeniable truth to the label 'man's best friend.' For dog people, the bond between pups & humans feels natural & right. But why is that? Well, for one thing, the relationship between humans & dogs goes way back—at least 14,000 years back, to be precise.

In that time, dogs & humans have developed a shared language that seems to impress scientists more & more the more it's studied. According to a study published in Animal Cognition, dogs can actually smell our emotional states. Stanley Coren, Ph.D., DSc, FRSC, suggested, 'dogs do seem to be able to smell our emotional state, & they then seem to trust our responses to the situation by adopting those emotional states as their own.' Recent research from the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Bari Aldo Moro in southern Italy found that dogs also seem to be able to hear difference in our emotions.

But does understanding us mean that dogs love us? The skeptics of the world might argue that dogs are just leveraging their ability to read us to get things they want or need (like food & shelter & treats & toys) & that it's a stretch to assume that they really love us back.

Over the years, scientists have designed a range of experiments aimed at answering the question: Do our dogs really love us...

...some studies have found that oxytocin, also known as the 'love hormone' because it gives us warm-fuzzies & is released during moments of social bonding & physical affection, is released in greater amounts by both humans & dogs when we interact. Translation: Cuddling with your dog isn't just proven to make you feel good—it's also proven to make him feel good too.

The science behind why humans love cats

Team Cats has plenty of evidence to back up cat parents' bonds with their 4-legged friends, too, though. When it comes to pure numbers, cats reign supreme as the world's most popular pet & the cat/human relationship can be traced back between 10,000 & 15,000 years, with DNA evidence placing the first appearance of the pet cat's ancestor, the Arabian wildcat Felis silvestris lybica, somewhere in that timeframe.

Although the fact that cats actually domesticated themselves has led some to assume that their relationship with humans is more give than take, there's plenty of scientific evidence that cats don't just pretend to love humans because they feed them...

Cats (kittens in particular) also have neuroscience on their side when it comes to courting human love. The human brain is wired to want to protect & love on cute things as a way to make sure we take care of our own babies. Kittens, it turns out, are cute enough to trigger the same response the brain has to human babies, leaving us inclined to love & want to care for little kitties.

And the awws that cats & kittens elicit are good for our mental health, too. In a study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, researchers found that just watching videos of cats online lowers stress levels.

What science says about the difference between dog people & cat people

...In a study conducted by researchers at the University of Florida, participants were given a personality test as well as a test to determine their preferences for dogs versus cats, with people who identified as liking both dogs & cats (or to disliking both animals) being eliminated from the final findings. The study found that dog people were, on the whole, more extroverted & outgoing with richer social lives & that dog lovers were more likely to be 'tough-minded'—meaning that they tended to focus more on situations than emotions.

In their analysis of the results, the researchers wrote, 'Taken together, these findings describe the personalities of the average cat person as shy, solitary, impersonal, serious, & nonconformist, but also creative, sentimental, independent, & self-sufficient. Conversely, these findings describe dog people as grounded, pragmatic, & dutiful, as well as warm, outgoing, sociable, expressive, & group oriented.'

A 2010 study compared 4,565 participants' self-reported preferences for dogs or cats with their results in the Big 5 Inventory & found that dog people rated higher on Extraversion, Agreeableness, & Conscientiousness, but lower on Neuroticism & Openness than did cat people...

Some differences between dog people & cat people are self-reported. In one recent survey, dog owners were more likely to describe themselves as fun to be with, while cat owners were more likely to describe themselves as dependable & emotionally sensitive. For what it's worth, fish owners described themselves as being the happiest & reptile owners reported being the most independent.

According to some researchers, the differences between cat & dog people is likely a combination of innate qualities & those self-reported preferences & ideals. Denise Guastello, an associate professor of psychology at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, who presented the findings of a study she worked on at an Association for Psychological Science meeting in 2014, says people may gravitate toward pets that fit the vision they have of themselves or the lifestyle they want to lead.

'It makes sense that a dog person is going to be more lively, because they're going to want to be out there, outside, talking to people, bringing their dog,' Guastello said. 'Whereas, if you're more introverted, & sensitive, maybe you're more at home reading a book, & your cat doesn't need to go outside for a walk.'

Conclusion

Whether you're a cat person or a dog person, there is plenty of science to back up your undying affections. This is definitely one divide where there is no such thing as a wrong choice."

Kayleigh Roberts  

May 29/2020

cuteness.com

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July 21/2021

 

Feature:

8 Unexpectedly Beautiful Sea Creatures

"...when is the last time you paid mind to the humble snail or mollusk? In 2019, a lobsterman in Maine reminded us of the lesser-known beauties of the ocean when he caught a rare cotton candy lobster, named, & admired for its bright blue, pink, & purple shell. If a species as pretty as this is lurking in the water, what other beautiful sea creatures are out there?

1. Nudibranch

You probably know of nudibranchs by their informal name: sea slugs. These soft-bodied marine mollusks include more than 3,000 species & live in seas all over the world.

Nudibranchs can be a variety of bright, beautiful colors & patterns. This is a defense mechanism because of their lack of shell. They resemble the plants around them to camouflage themselves from predators. Additionally, bright colors scare away potential dangers as they generally signal that a creature is poisonous (even if it isn't).

2. Coconut Octopus

The coconut octopus is considered one of the most intelligent invertebrates in the animal kingdom. It impressively uses tools — such as coconut shells — to conceal itself & protect from predators.

When it's not hiding in a self-made bunker, the coconut octopus is a beautiful sea creature. Its appearance is notable for its contrast between light & dark tones. The textured pattern of its main body is reminiscent of snakeskin, & light-colored suckers pop underneath the darker body as this cephalopod swims & even walks along the ocean floor.

3. Brittle Star

Closely related to starfish, brittle stars move briskly along the seafloor, thanks to long, slender arms. Their attractiveness can be attributed to their symmetry, with each arm protruding from a central disk.

Brittle stars are majestic & agile in their movement. They combine a graceful, snakelike quality with flexibility to pull themselves toward their intended direction.

They are also excellent multitaskers, with a 5-jawed mouth & the ability to regenerate lost arms.

4. Mantis Shrimp

Neither a shrimp nor a mantis, this stomatopod is only 4 inches long. With a long, colorful body & big, bright eyes, the mantis shrimp surely turns heads.

However, this sea creature is more dangerous than it lets on. It uses its tiny but powerful clubs to break the shells of its prey with punches with the force of a .22 caliber bullet. In fact, when being studied, scientists must keep mantis shrimp in thick plastic tanks because their powerful punches can actually break glass.

5. Leafy Seadragon

Though they may look like pieces of seaweed, the leafy seadragon is a fish related to the seahorse. Known as 'leafies,' these creatures are kings of camouflage, living among kelp and seaweed in the waters off south & east Australia.

The flowing protrusions may look like functioning appendages, but the leafy seadragon uses thin, nearly transparent fins to propel itself through the water. Most impressively, this beautiful sea creature has the ability to change color to match its surroundings for better camouflage.

6. Flying Gurnard

The flying gurnard is most notable for its eye-catching 'wingspan.' Gurnards usually keep their huge pectoral fins held close against their body, but they flare out spectacularly when a predator is near. The transparency of the fins combined with the blue spots that adorn them make this creature especially beautiful underwater.

While their name suggests that they fly through the water, flying gurnards are bottom dwellers. Their large fins do little to help them swim — they don't soar so much as move in short bursts. The name gurnard is derived from the French word for 'grunt,' which is the sound made by their swim bladder as water moves through it.

7. Christmas Tree Worms

One look at a Christmas tree worm is all it takes to know where they get their name. These beautiful creatures are scattered throughout tropical oceans worldwide, but you'll most likely find them embedded in coral reefs. The feathery 'crowns' that give them their distinct yuletide appearance act as both a filter for food & a harness for oxygen. Each worm has 2.

Unlike their namesake, Christmas tree worms come in a variety of colors including red, blue, orange, & yellow. They can live for as long as 40 years, making them a much better investment than your typical Christmas fir tree.

8. Enypniastes Eximia

Despite being discovered in the 1880s, the enypniastes eximia was not caught on camera until 2017. This genus of deep-sea sea cucumber is unkindly called a 'headless chicken monster' by scientists, & it has neither a true brain nor sensory organs. Still, it plays a valuable role in filtering sediment off the ocean floor.

The colors of the enypniastes eximia vary from bright pink to reddish-brown. Notably, it is also transparent, which allows its digestive system to be visible."

by Lindsey Reynolds

Nov. 6/2020

treehugger.com

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July 14, 2021

 

Feature:

Garter Snakes

"There are many types of garter snakes found all across North America, from Mexico to Canada. They have a variety patterns & markings, & can be brown, tan, olive, or black with yellow, red, orange, or even blue stripes down their sides & backs. Some are all black. They can grow to be over 4 feet long, but most adults reach only 2–3 feet in length.

Often called 'gardener snakes,' they earn that name by eating grasshoppers, slugs, grubs, & other insects. A large adult garter snake may even eat mice. (Unfortunately, they also eat some critters such as frogs, toads, salamanders, & earthworms.) To eat large prey, they unhinge their jaw from their skull. Back-curving teeth keep the prey from escaping.

Since they grow throughout their lifetime, snakes need to shed their skin when it gets too small. To do this, they rub their head on something rough to hook the skin near their lips & as they crawl out of it, the skin is turned inside out. 

Garter snakes won’t bite you unless provoked. They won’t chase you. They are really very shy & are not looking for a fight!

Garter snakes do produce a very weak venom, but the venom is so mild that it rarely has any effect on humans (it can cause light swelling in those who are allergic, however). The snake uses its venom to subdue larger prey items, like frogs & mice.

Active year-round in the south, in the northern half of North America they hibernate below the frostline in the winter, congregating in large numbers in burrows & crevices to keep warm during the cold months. In the spring, they emerge & mate.

Females only breed every 2 to 3 years. They bear live young in the late summer, usually having between 4 & 20 babies, though some can bear up to 85! 

It takes 2 years for garter snakes to reach maturity & they can live to be 10 years old in the wild."

From: Garter Snakes: The Gardener's Friend 

Why Snakes Are Good For Your Garden

almanac.com

by Robin Sweetser

July 7/2021

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July 7/2021

 

Feature:

Exploring the Sea Urchin’s Exceptional Longevity

"The sea urchin, historically a model organism in developmental biology, has only more recently been recognised for the exceptional lifespan displayed by some species. In 2003, carbon-14 dating showed that the red sea urchin M. franciscanus contained ‘bomb carbon’ from early nuclear weapons testing, & this species is now confirmed to live 100 years or longer, with some even reaching the age of 200.

The longevity of some sea urchins has interested scientists seeking to understand the ageing process. Sea urchins display negligible signs of the biological processes we have come to associate with ageing & continue to grow, reproduce & regenerate throughout life. At the cellular level, telomeres, the protective caps of the chromosomes that usually shorten each time a cell divides, are maintained throughout a sea urchin‘s life by continuous expression of an enzyme called telomerase.

Telomere shortening is thought to be an important component of the ageing process in multicellular organisms, & so one can speculate that the lack of telomere shortening seen in sea urchins might be the key to their longevity. Yet perplexingly, some sea urchin species live comparatively short lives (4 years at most in the case of the green sea urchin), despite sharing the telomerase activity of their centenarian cousins.

This raises an interesting question: if sea urchins show negligible signs of ageing, why do they die? The mortality of sea urchins is not well understood. Further study of organisms that do not fit with our classical understanding of biological ageing could lead to important insights into what actually determines lifespan across different species, including humans."

Growinglife.com

June 4/2020

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June 30/2021

 

Feature:

9 Breeds of Long-Haired Guinea Pigs With Amazing Manes

"When thinking about guinea pigs, most people have a picture in their minds of the well-known, common American guinea pig breed that has a short coat. However, unbeknownst to most people, guinea pigs come in a variety of breeds with different shapes, slightly different sizes, & different coat colors & lengths...

So, if you’re considering getting one of these adorable little rodents as a pet, be sure that you get a proper guinea pig cage, including guinea pig supplies such as water & food dishes, guinea pig food & bedding. You should also purchase a wide-tooth comb or soft-bristled brush to do daily brushing of your long-haired guinea pig.

While the different long-haired breeds of guinea pigs all share the feature of a mane-like coat, they each have their own unique characteristics that make them special...

Abyssinian Guinea Pig

Originally from South America, these guinea pigs have a rough-textured, spiky coat that can grow nearly 2 inches long. Their coat grows in swirls or cowlicks, called rosettes, that are paired across their body, typically with 8 rosettes total. Their hair comes in a variety of colors & patterns, including brindle, roan, tortoiseshell, & solid. Abyssinians are known to be very affectionate & outgoing but can get into trouble for being too curious. They make great first-time guinea pigs for families.

Peruvian Guinea Pig

With extremely long, straight hair all over its body, the Peruvian is harder to care for when compared to short-haired guinea pig breeds. Their coat can grow as long as 24 inches, & it requires a lot of daily grooming. Once referred to as Angora guinea pigs, Peruvians have hair that hangs over their foreheads like bangs, which may grow long enough to cover their eyes.

Their coats part down their backs, hanging down on both sides of their spines. Typically, their hair is arranged in 2 rosettes—one in which the hair extends forward, & the other in which it extends backward. Peruvians bond closely with their owners & are often considered the most alert & engaged of the guinea pig breeds.

Texel Guinea Pig

Also called Curlies, Texels are originally from England & have stout bodies & broad heads. They have soft, thick fur that is arranged in curls all over their bodies (including their bellies) & is often parted in the middle of their backs. They usually have shorter hair on their faces & may have longer curls behind their ears & along their lower jaws. Due to their long ringlets, Texels require quite a bit of daily brushing to maintain their coats free of tangles; thus, this breed is not ideal for children or very busy adults.

Silkie Guinea Pig

Also known as Shelties, this breed of guinea pig comes from England & is called a Silkie because of its long, soft, smooth, shiny haircoat. Unlike some of the other long-haired guinea pig breeds, the Silkie has a coat that is not parted or arranged in rosettes. Instead it sweeps backward, like it’s slicked back, away from its face, giving its body a teardrop shape. Although sometimes shy at first, Silkies are known to be gentle & laid back & are good family pets, as long as their coat is brushed daily to keep it free of debris & knotting.

Coronet Guinea Pig

Sometimes called the English guinea pig, the Coronet resembles the Silkie in that they have smooth coats that grow backwards over their bodies. However, unlike the Silkie, the Coronet has a rosette, or coronet, of hair in the center of its head. The rest of their hair is not parted. The Coronets are known to be affectionate & inquisitive & can make wonderful companions.

Lunkarya Guinea Pig

Occasionally called the 'Lunk,' the Lunkarya is originally from Sweden & is rarely seen in the US. The Lunk has rough-textured, dense, long, curly hair that sticks out in all directions & cannot be combed flat. There are 3 breed variations: the Lunkarya Peruvian—with a distinct forelock on its head, the Lunkarya Sheltie—with hair flowing back over its body, & the Lunkarya Coronet—with a crest of hair on its forehead.

Sheba Guinea Pig

Originating in Australia, the Sheba mini yak, or Sheba for short, has a stocky body & a tousled-looking coat. Their dense hair is arranged in rosettes, similar to that of the Abyssinian & the Peruvian. They have square heads & hair arranged around the sides of their faces, so it looks like they have mutton-chop whiskers. They are gentle & curious & make excellent family pets if someone is willing to groom them each day.

Alpaca Guinea Pig

These guinea pigs are also called the boucle, English Peruvian & curly coated Coronet. They have wavy, coarse hair, similar to that of the camel-like alpaca. Each strand of hair varies in color from its root to its end. They also have a rosette of hair on their foreheads. As a result of their thick coats, they should be kept indoors or they risk overheating outside in warm weather. Alpacas are extremely high-maintenance guinea pigs because their dense hair requires daily brushing & detangling.

Merino Guinea Pig

Also called the English Merino & the Merino Peruvian, the Merino has a curly coat like that of a Texel. The hair is short on their broad heads & is arranged in a crest-type rosette right on top, between their eyes & ears. They make wonderful pets, as they are typically sweet & gentle.

While the different breeds of long-haired guinea pigs have subtle differences in personality & more extreme differences in appearance, in general, they all require quite a bit more grooming than short-haired guinea pigs to keep their long coats healthy. So, if you’re thinking about taking one of these precious piggies home, just be sure your schedule can accommodate extra time for daily brushing & care."

Laurie Hess, DVM, DABVP

Oct. 31/2018

petmed.com

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