July 27/2022

 

All hail the hen! Chickens were revered for centuries before they were food

"Chickens' first relationship with humans may not have been as a platter of wings or a pair of tasty drumsticks. Researchers have found that people initially saw these now-ubiquitous birds as exotic, & they venerated & even worshiped them.

These first domesticated chickens weren't the hefty, fast-growing birds of today. They would have been about one-third the size of modern chickens, & their striking coloration & distinctive noises likely led people to view them as mysterious & exciting novelties rather than as potential meals, according to a new study. In fact, approximately 500 years elapsed between the time when chickens first arrived in Europe, & the time when they began to be used widely for food. 

In other words, eating a chicken in central Europe in 500 B.C. might have been the equivalent of chowing down on a scarlet macaw today.

'Chickens, at first, are this amazing thing,' said study co-author Greger Larson, the director of the paleogenomics & bio-archaeology research network at the University of Oxford in England. Whereas people today scramble to acquire 'whatever the Kardashians have,' thousands of years ago 'that would have been a chicken,' Larson told Live Science. 'That's what everyone wanted.'

The mysterious origin story of chickens

Around 80 million chickens (Gallus domesticus) exist on Earth today. In the U.S. the typical chicken raised for meat will live only 6 weeks before slaughter, & a laying hen will get perhaps 2-3 years of life.

But before there were domesticated chickens, humans became acquainted with their wild ancestors: red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) from Southeast Asia, where the birds carved out a niche eating fruit & seeds, particularly in dense forests of bamboo. The story of how these jungle birds became one of the most popular foods on Earth has murky origins. That's because archaeology in heavily forested Southeast Asia is challenging, & archaeologists haven't always paid close attention to tiny artifacts like chicken bones. What's more, chicken bones easily sink down into the ground or are disturbed by mammals' digging, human construction & other disruptions, said study co-author Joris Peters, a zooarchaeologist at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich...

The voyage of the chicken

This research involved more than a decade of re-measuring & analyzing previously discovered chicken bones, as well as directly radiocarbon-dating 12 bones from 16 sites in Europe to track the chicken's spread out of Asia. The findings of both studies revealed that chickens were domesticated far more recently than previous estimates suggested. For example, one set of purported chicken bones from China dating to 10,000 years ago turned out to be from pheasants, Peters told Live Science.

In fact, humans & chickens have probably been associated for only about 3,500 years, Larson said. By about 1500 B.C., people in southeastern Asia began dry-cultivating rice & millet, a process that involved clearing areas of forest & planting fields that erupted with grain all at once. This would have attracted red junglefowl, & people probably found these colorful birds very endearing.

'They're very easy to tolerate, & they're very good-looking,' Larson said.

As junglefowl came to rely on humans for food, the domestication process kicked off. Around 1000 B.C., domesticated junglefowl — what we now know as chickens — spread to central China, South Asia & Mesopotamia, probably along similar trade routes to the Silk Road, which would become more well-traveled around 200 B.C.

Sometime between about 800 B.C. & 700 B.C., chickens reached the Horn of Africa as part of a burgeoning maritime trade. Greek, Etruscan, & Phoenician sailors probably spread the birds throughout the Mediterranean — chickens landed in Italy by about 700 B.C. & made it to central Europe between about 400 B.C. & 500 B.C. Interestingly, many chicken skeletons found in Europe from between 50 B.C. to A.D. 100 were associated with burials: Men were often buried with cockerels, & women with hens, & these chickens were likely important to the people with whom they were buried, Larson said.

'These are older birds, their individual birds,' Larson said. 'They matter to their society.'

From pedestals to platters

Chickens' transition from exotic & venerated bird to food likely occurred with the rise of the Roman Empire in Europe, where eggs became popular as a stadium snack, Larson said. The first evidence of widespread chicken consumption in Roman-controlled Britain dates to around the first century A.D. It's unclear how the shift occurred, Larson added, but it's possible that having chickens around for centuries made humans reevaluate their relationship in a more practical light. 

"Familiarity breeds contempt," he said.

Future archaeology will likely help refine the chronicle of chickens, Larson said, especially in Southeast Asia & the Pacific Islands, where evidence has been lacking. New findings could reveal more about how chickens conquered the globe — & changed human society in the process. 

'The bird's management & domestication helped to sustainably expand human subsistence over time,' Peters said. 'In retrospect, the domestication of the chicken proved very useful for cultural developments throughout the wider region, as domestic flocks could easily be taken on sea voyages, either as provisions or, ultimately, to raise chickens in newly occupied areas.'"

Stephanie Pappas

June 08, 2022

Originally published on Live Science

livescience.com

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July 20/2022

5 Odd & Amazing Facts About Sloths

"These unusual animals are famous for their lazy lifestyle & slow pace, but there are more amazing things you need to know about them. Enjoy these 5 little-known sloth facts.

​#1 There are 3-toed and 2-toed sloths

Don't get confused by these names, as the difference between the 2 genera is found in their front limbs ('fingers'), not 'toes'.

​#2 They used to be giant

It's one of the most incredible but true facts about sloths. 10,000 thousand years ago, their unbelievably large ancestors inhabited North America. They weighed up to 4 tonnes & were as big as elephants.

​#3 They are great swimmers

Sloths prefer to spend 90% of their time hanging below branches. If a sloth has to, it walks on the ground very slowly. Anyway, when it comes to swimming, they take things seriously. In water, sloths can move 5 times faster than they usually do.

​#4 They move slowly to conserve energy

Sloths mostly feed on fruit, branches, & leaves, so their diet doesn't provide much nutrition. By moving at sluggish pace, they conserve energy to survive. Usually, a sloth doesn't travel more than 120 feet (36 meters) a day.

​#5 A baby sloth spends 6 months with its mother

Sloth mothers carry their babies on their bellies & help them to learn to provide for themselves. When sloths are ready to live on their own, they usually don't go far & continue to communicate with their mother."

quizzclub.com

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July 13/2022

18 Bald Eagle Facts That Will Make You Soar With Joy!

"Eagle Fact #1: Bald Eagles are not actually bald.

...The name comes from an old English word from centuries ago: Piebald, which is defined as “having irregular patches of 2 colors, typically black & white.”

Eagle Fact #2: It is the national bird of the United States!

Being the national symbol of the United States since 1782 has garnered these avians a lot of attention over the years. Eagles appear everywhere, from one-dollar bills to the president’s flag, making it the most pictured bird in the country, even beating out Northern Cardinals on Christmas cards.

But there was one founding father of America that didn’t specifically like the Bald Eagle. That was Benjamin Franklin.

We know this because Franklin wrote a letter to his daughter, where he said, 'I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly.' The reason for this strong statement is that Ben had witnessed eagles stealing fish from Ospreys after they made a successful kill.

Franklin was more in favor of a Turkey being the National Bird, saying the 'Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America… He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, & would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.'...

Eagle Fact #3: Bald Eagles can live a LONG time.

Their average life span in the wild is 20 years, but the oldest recorded bird was 38! Captive individuals have been known to live longer, with one eagle almost reaching the age of 50.

Eagle Fact #4: They embrace strong family values

Eagle pairs typically bond for life. When breeding season arrives each year, the same pair meet, build (or reuse) a nest, & raise up to 3 young.  Both eagles help raise the babies, with each sitting on eggs, & hunting & providing food for the young.

The concern for their young is so strong that they walk around the nest by folding their talons in so that they won’t accidentally hurt the young birds.

 When Bald Eagles are not breeding, they tend to be solitary, self-reliant, & independent.

Eagle Fact #5: Their wingspan is REALLY large.

A Bald Eagle’s typical wingspan is between 5 ft 11 in (1.8m) & 7 ft 7 in (2.3 m).

...Eagles only weigh around 10 pounds and are 3 feet long!

Eagle Fact #6: It takes 5 years to become an adult.

You probably think that identifying a Bald Eagle is easy with their dark bodies, yellow talons, & distinctive white heads.

Well, you would be right as long as it’s an ADULT eagle. Juveniles are INCREDIBLY hard to identify correctly. And the problem is that adult colors don’t manifest themselves until the 5th year.

Juveniles are (generally) uniformly brown during the first year. Then during the second year, they start to have flashes of white on the underwing & the bottom of the tail feathers, with tan chests that include light-colored speckles.  Not to mention the beak is black as night.

During the 3rd and 4th years, the youngsters will still be speckled with white all over. At least at this point, they will be approaching what we typically recognize as Bald Eagle coloration, although the beaks are still dark, & the face may sport a brown brow line that reminds you more of an osprey.

Unfortunately, none of the above is a hard & fast rule, & there are many variations of different colored underwings, chests, & tail feathers...

Eagle Fact #7: The iconic eagle scream is FAKE.

Just imagine what you think a Bald Eagle sounds like. I’m sure you have heard one in a movie somewhere. As soon as it spots its prey, the eagle lets out a death call that strikes fear...

Would you believe me if I told you that the sound... wasn’t from a Bald Eagle? That audio clip came from a Red-tailed Hawk...the actual calls of a Bald Eagle aren’t so impressive. I think they sound more like a giggling seagull than a scary raptor...

Eagle Fact #8: Their nests are HUGE!

Believe it or not, Bald Eagles make the most massive tree nests ever recorded for any animal species! The largest nest documented was 9.5 feet in diameter, 20 feet deep, & weighed almost 3 tons...

The average nest is about 4 to 5 feet in diameter & 2 to 4 feet deep. Each year, the adult breeding pairs add to the previous year’s nest, typically adding about 1-2 feet of new material. Eagle nests usually don’t last past 5 years because they collapse from their immense weight in the tree.

Bald Eagles are not that selective about which type of tree they build their nest in, as long as the location is open, has excellent visibility, is over 66 feet high (20 meters), & is near food...

Eagle Fact #9: Their babies really don’t want to leave the nest.

Once an egg hatches, the baby eagle will be confined to the nest anywhere between 8 to 14 weeks before fledging (taking their first flight).

But even once they can fly, the parents will continue bringing the juveniles food & providing protection for another 6 weeks! During this time, they continue to develop their flying & hunting skills before heading off on their own.

So, from hatching to leaving their parents, Bald Eagles spend a few months with their babies. As far as birds go, this is an incredibly long amount of time!

Eagle Fact #10: Being a young Bald Eagle is dangerous.

As with many other animals, the highest likelihood of death for eagles comes in the first year, where the rate at which young birds perish is 50% or more.

The most significant risk for young eagles usually comes from their older siblings. The oldest chick almost always has the advantage of a larger size & voice, which draws the parent’s attention. This extra attention means they are usually given more food, which can lead to starvation for younger chicks.

 Sometimes the oldest chick even attacks & kills the younger ones, especially right after the eggs hatch, & the size difference is most notable.

 Other risks come from nest collapses, bad weather, eggs that never hatch, or predation. Animals that have been recorded preying upon baby Bald Eagles include Red-tailed Hawks, owls, large gulls, crows, ravens, magpies, wolverines, fishers, bobcats, bears, & raccoons.

Eagle Fact #11: They almost went extinct.

In the latter part of the last century, there was a lot of Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT for short) in the environment.  DDT is an insecticide that was invented in the 1940s, & at first, it was seen as a miracle.

Unfortunately, DDT was a terrible thing for birds, particularly raptors. This harmful insecticide caused the eggs of many birds of prey to become so thin that the shell would collapse, & the young would never hatch. As you can imagine, after many years of severe infant mortality, there were massive decreases in Bald Eagle populations. During the mid-20th century, eagle populations became so low they were put on the Endangered Species List, & many people thought they would never recover.

Luckily, DDT was finally banned during the 1970s. After a lot of work by many conservation organizations, Bald Eagles & other species experienced a tremendous resurgence, & now are common across North America!

To give you some context, in 1963, there were only about 400 nesting pairs of Bald Eagles left. Now there are almost 10,000!

Eagle Fact #12: Sometimes, they get themselves in trouble.

Some Bald Eagles have gotten themselves in a jam, at which point they needed a bit of help from some helpful humans...

In another instance, a very young eagle got stuck in a grassy portion of a lake where it was impossible to get dry enough to fly again.  A passing couple managed to get the bird on their boat, where it was taken to dry land.

I love that the Bald Eagle seems to enjoy the boat ride and sits on the side the entire time. Even when they get to shore, the bird sticks around to eat a fish that the rescuers provide!

Eagle Fact #13: They are mostly pescetarians.

Bald Eagles are opportunistic feeders that prey on a wide variety of food, but their most common source of food is fish! They are expert fish hunters & have adapted to swoop down to snatch fish from the water with their talons.

Bald Eagles are also known to eat other birds, mammals, and even carrion.

Studies have found that an eagle’s diet consists of approximately 56% fish, 28% birds (mostly waterbirds such as ducks), 14% mammals, & 2% other prey.

Eagle Fact #14: They only live in North America.

Bald Eagles are the only eagles that are found only in North America.

They have a wide range across the continent, which includes most of Canada, Alaska, & all of the contiguous United States. They even can be found in northern Mexico.

Eagles are almost always found near large bodies of water where they can hunt fish & find large trees for nesting. They are found in deserts, islands, forests, mountains, & swamps. As long as there are fish to eat, it’s possible to see Bald Eagles.

Eagle Fact #15: They are one of nature’s most perfect predators.

 Bald Eagles have many adaptations that make them deadly & efficient hunters.

Speed: When diving for their prey, they reach speeds between 75 – 100 miles per hour.

 

Talons: Their talons are incredibly strong, & their estimated gripping power is 10 times greater than a human. Bald Eagles can fly with fish at least equal to their weight. When their prey is too heavy to fly with, it’s not uncommon to see an eagle dragging it through the water to find a place that is safe to eat.

 

Beak: The beak is large, hooked, & strong, which helps them rip into the flesh of their prey.

 

Eyes: They have excellent eyesight allowing them to see small prey from very high in the sky. Eagles have a wider field of vision than humans, along with seeing ultraviolet light. The expression 'eagle eye' is spot on!

Eagle Fact #16: But they also steal food & eat trash.

 Yes, Bald Eagles are deadly predators — but they don’t always catch their meals themselves.

Rather than do their own fishing, Bald Eagles often go after other creatures’ catches. For example, they will sometimes harass a hunting Osprey until the smaller raptor drops its prey in midair, where the eagle swoops it up. A Bald Eagle may even snatch a fish directly out of an Osprey’s talons!

Bald eagles will also scavenge in dumpsters, feed on waste from fish processing plants, & gorge on carrion (dead, decaying animals).

 Maybe this is what Ben Franklin was referring to when he wrote that a Bald Eagle was of 'bad moral character.'

Eagle Fact #17: They have dramatic courtship routines.

 Bald Eagle courtship can be pretty dramatic, with many elaborate calls & flight displays.

 But the craziest part involves the birds flying high into the sky, locking talons, & free-falling & spinning together, releasing right before they hit the ground...

Eagle Fact #18: They can gather in HUGE numbers.

 During the winter months, when eagles aren’t protecting a breeding territory & food is scarce, they are known to gather in large numbers.

 This phenomenon tends to happen when a reliable & consistent food source becomes available."

Scott

birdwatchinghq.com/bald-eagle-facts

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July 6/2022

 

Do Rabbits Make Good Pets?

"So you're thinking of including a new furry family member into your home, but you aren't sure whether or you want a rabbit? It's important to consider all the facts before you bring this pet into your life.

...Rabbits don't necessarily need as much care & attention as many other pets, but they do require daily activity, regular vet appointments, & a steady, healthy diet. Under no circumstances should rabbits be left outside after dark as they are the prime target of nocturnal predators such as cats, raccoons, possums, & coyotes...

How long do rabbits live as pets?

In the wild, rabbits generally only live a couple of years. With so many natural predators, it isn't surprising. As a pet, however, a healthy bunny will stick around somewhere between 7 & 12 years. Proper nutrition, secure housing, & thoughtful care will all contribute to how long your pet rabbit sticks around. If you are planning to house your rabbit outside, be aware that this simple act can cut your rabbit's lifespan in half. No matter how secure or predator proof your hutch, rabbits who spend the majority of their time outside are more prone to accidents, escaping, & becoming some wild animal or bird's snack...If you live in a climate that tends toward hot summers or cold winters, you will need to be prepared to move your long-eared friend into a climate controlled space that protects her from the elements.

How much space do rabbits need?

Even though rabbits themselves can be quite petite, they still require ample space to move around & exercise. According to the non-profit rabbit rescue & education organization, House Rabbit Rescue, when it comes to housing rabbits, 'the more space the better!' Their suggested enclosure guidelines are 8 square feet of house or hutch space, combined with approximately 24 square feet of running & exercise space for 1 to 2 rabbits.. Your rabbit needs to be able to lie down fully stretched out in his house, have a place to eat, to sleep & to poop. If you don't have enough room for a long enclosure, you can create a rabbit condo with ramps leading up to a second floor. This will give your rabbit an enjoyable way to get his daily steps, so to speak.

What kind of hutch or house is appropriate for a rabbit?

Unlike dogs & cats that have pads on the bottoms of their feet, rabbits should not live in a cage or enclosure with a wire floor. Your rabbit will need to have a hard floor or plastic slats to stand on. Otherwise, in order to spare her feet, she'll spend all of her time tucked into her litter area, which is definitely not the ideal.

What do rabbits eat?

Rabbits require a healthy diet of rabbit pellets, fresh hay, & leafy greens. Rabbits need to eat about half their weight in greens such as romaine, green leaf, or red leaf lettuces, kale, chard, carrot tops, dandelion greens, & even fresh herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, & oregano.

While rabbits do enjoy fruits & veggies on the regular, they also require a daily dose of quality hay. Hay is the main staple of your rabbit's diet. This can be purchased at your local hay & feed store, or most pet stores. Store your hay in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent it from going rotten. If it gets dirty, wet, or develops mold, discard it. Long loose strands of hay are generally preferred over compressed hay, pellets or chopped hay.

Vegetables like carrots, summer squash, broccoli, & celery, should be fed to your rabbit relatively infrequently. Fruits like bananas, watermelon, & blueberries can be considered treats & only fed to your rabbit a couple times a week.

What foods should rabbits avoid?

Just like humans, rabbits need to eat quite a lot of fresh green foods. But there are some fruits & veggies that should be avoided at all times such as starchy, sugary foods. Peas, grapes, beans, wheat, breads, oats, seeds, & corn are all foods rabbits should not eat. Too much sugar in a rabbit's diet can cause stomach upset & other digestive issues & needs to be avoided. Toxic foods for rabbits include plants that grow from bulbs such as onions or potato tops, tomato plants, or certain weeds like foxglove or nightshade...

What are rabbits’ personalities like?

Rabbits are social animals, & love company. However, they generally do not care to be cuddled. Even though these furry fluffballs look like stuffed animals, they prefer to hop around on their own. It is very uncommon for a rabbit to enjoy being held... Just as some dogs don't like to be held, rabbits like to have solid ground beneath their feet. This doesn't mean they don't like you or don't want to be near you. Try sitting on the ground & letting your rabbit come to you.

Most rabbits are naturally shy. Unlike dogs & cats who are predators & who have been domesticated for a lot longer, rabbits were primarily prey animals or bred for meat & fur. Rabbits are cautious, sensitive to stimulation & loud noises, & require patience & care...

Can rabbits be aggressive?

Some rabbits are aggressive. Often times the first time your rabbit lashes out, it is scary & surprising. Who would expect such a cute bunny could kick or bite so hard?

Most rabbit aggression is a result of a behavioral problem that needs to be addressed. A lot of aggressive behaviors stem from your rabbit feeling afraid. Be calm & patient, no sudden movements, & allow your rabbit some space to learn to trust that you will not hurt her.

Can you train a rabbit?

Yes, & training your rabbit is important. Whether you plan to litter train your rabbit or teach him to stop biting, patience is key. Rabbits are intelligent animals. They can understand cause & effect & will make associations. So, if you are planning to litter train your rabbit, or you want to be able to pet him without him biting, make sure that you create positive associations with the litter box or your hands...

Bonding with your rabbit

Bonding with any new pet takes time, & perhaps even more so with a rabbit. Since rabbits are shy & cautious by nature, it takes a while for them to warm up & trust their new humans. Be patient. Trust doesn't happen with rabbits overnight. Since rabbits are sensitive to changes in their environment, begin your relationship with consistency. Rabbits are quick to make associations, & if they see you as a safe person, they are more likely to bond with you. Learn your rabbit's body language & respect when he is ready to move to a new activity. If he is not enjoying being petted or wants to be left alone, leave him alone! If he is sleeping or eating, let him do those things without interruption. Let your rabbit come to you."

Reyna Abraham

cuteness.com

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