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If you went outside and looked up at the sky right now, what would you see? Blue sky, puffy clouds, raindrops -- there is so much up there! Some of the stuff in the sky can be seen, and some is invisible. Click on the pictures above to learn about air, the Sun, clouds, water, colors, and pollution in the sky!

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If you went outside and looked up at the sky right now, what would you see? Blue sky, puffy clouds, raindrops -- there is so much up there! Some of the stuff in the sky can be seen, and some is invisible.

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This is an article from Curious Kids, a series for children. The Conversation is asking kids to send in questions they'd like an expert to answer. All questions are welcome - serious, weird or wacky!

Why is the sky blue and where does it start? - Oliver Scott, age 7, Wombarra.

This is something that parents get asked every day. And it's a great question, Oliver!

Some people think the sky is blue because of sunlight reflected off the ocean and back into the sky. But the sky is blue even in the middle of the countryside, nowhere near the sea!

Others think it's because of the water in our atmosphere. But the sky is blue in places that are extremely dry, like the desert.

So what's the real reason?

The sky is blue because of the way sunlight interacts with our atmosphere.

If you've ever played with a prism or seen a rainbow, then you know light is made up of different colours. The name "ROY G. BIV" helps us remember these colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

These colours make up just a tiny portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes ultraviolet waves, microwaves, and radio waves. This means the invisible waves that cause sunburns, allow us to heat-up our leftovers, and let us listen to the radio are all forms of light.

Light moves as waves of different lengths: some are short, making bluer light, and some are long, making redder light. As sunlight reaches our atmosphere, molecules in the air scatter the bluer light but let the red light pass through. Scientists call this Rayleigh scattering.

When the Sun is high in the sky, it appears its true colour: white. At sunrise and sunset, we see a much redder sun. This is because the sunlight is passing through a thicker layer of our atmosphere. This scatters the blue and green light along the way, allowing the redder light to pass through and illuminate the clouds in a beautiful array of red, orange, and pink.

Rayleigh scattering can affect how we see the Moon. When the Moon passes through the shadow of the Earth during a total lunar eclipse, blue and green light is scattered in the Earth's atmosphere, letting red light pass through. Our atmosphere acts a like a magnifying glass, refracting (bending) the red sunlight onto the Moon. This can give it an eerie dark red hue.

For this reason, many cultures - including some Australian Aboriginal groups - associate lunar eclipses with blood.

Frank Schulenburg/Flickr, CC BY-SA

Rayleigh scattering works on other planets, too. Did you know that the sky on Mars is also blue? (When there are no big storms kicking red dust into the air, that is!)

And finally, where does the sky start?

This is a tricky question. A bird flying 50 meters above us looks like it's in the sky. But so do aeroplanes, and they fly more than 10,000 metres overhead.

"The sky" is just our atmosphere as we see it from underneath. A majority of our atmosphere extends about 16 km upward, and this is where most of the Rayleigh scattering happens.

If you've ever seen video of a rocket going into space, you can see the blue sky fade away to a black background as it climbs above the atmosphere.
Hello, curious kids! Have you got a question you'd like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to us. You can: * Email your question to curiouskids@theconversation.edu.au
* Tell us onTwitter by tagging @ConversationEDU with the hashtag #curiouskids, or
* Tell us onFacebook

CC BY-ND

Please tell us your name, age and which city you live in. You can send an audio recording of your question too, if you want. Send as many questions as you like! We won't be able to answer every question but we will do our best.

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Curious Kids: Why is the sky blue and where does it start?

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This is an article from Curious Kids, a series for children. The Conversation is asking kids to send in questions they'd like an expert to answer. All questions are welcome - serious, weird or wacky! Why is the sky blue and where does it start? - Oliver Scott, age 7, Wombarra.

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We asked you to ask Planet Science a question and we've had some great ones so far. Check out last week's question - How do electric toothbrushes charge through plastic? This week, pupils from Sunbury State School in Australia asked us Why is the sky blue?

We set off to investigate. First we needed to find out about sunlight.

The light from the sun looks white, but it's made up of all the colours of the rainbow. Sunlight travels in waves. Each colour of the rainbow has a slightly different wave length. Some colours travel in short waves. Other colours travel in longer waves. Blue light waves are shorter than red light waves.
Why is the sky blue?
Earth's atmosphere isn't empty, it is full of gases, like oxygen. When sunlight hits the Earth's atmosphere it is scattered by all the gases in the air. Blue light is scattered more than most other colours in the rainbow because it has a shorter wave length. This means that we see the blue light scattered over the sky, making the sky look blue.
Why is the sunset red?
At sunset the sky looks orange and red. The sun is lower in the sky so the light has much further to travel to reach us. The blue light is scattered so much that it doesn't reach us. The red light, with a longer wavelength, does reach us, so the sky looks red.

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We asked you to ask Planet Science a question and we've had some great ones so far. Check out last week's question - How do electric toothbrushes charge through plastic? This week, pupils from Sunbury State School in Australia asked us Why is the sky blue? We set off to investigate.

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The biography will introduce you to the life of most famous scientist of all times- Albert Einstein. He was German-born physicist. He developed the 'Theory of Relativity', which brought a revolution in field of physics. He also gave the famous 'mass-energy equation' for which he got Nobel Prize in physics. Read the biography to get inspired by the journey of this extraordinary genius.

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The biography will introduce you to the life of most famous scientist of all times- Albert Einstein. He was German-born physicist. He developed the 'Theory of Relativity', which brought a revolution in field of physics. He also gave the famous 'mass-energy equation' for which he got Nobel Prize in physics.

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You might think Albert Einstein's theories have little to do with your life, but his discoveries made everything from television to garage door openers to DVD players possible. Einstein was one of the most brilliant scientists of all time. He was named "Person of the Century" in 1999 by TIME Magazine.

But Albert Einstein had personal struggles too. When his grandmother first saw him, she called him "thick," which means, "not very smart." Einstein didn't talk until he was four years old and he liked to repeat words and sentences over and over until he was about seven. Some researchers think he had a form of autism. Albert Einstein didn't learn to read until he was nine. Although he loved learning, he didn't like school. Even as an adult, Einstein was disorganized. He often forgot appointments and his lectures were hard to follow. He was the classic "absent-minded professor."

Fun Facts about Albert Einstein for Kids

Albert Einstein was born in Germany in 1879. He was the oldest child and he had one younger sister.

Einstein first became interested in science when his father gave him a compass.

Even though Einstein didn't like school, he loved reading and learning on his own.

He loved classical music and played the piano and violin.

Einstein wrote his first scientific paper when he was sixteen.

He hated war and worked for peace throughout his life. He was a pacifist. He supported the Civil Rights movement in America.

Einstein became famous after he published his theory of relativity in 1915. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for physics in 1921.

Albert Einstein Vocabulary

1. Theory: idea backed by research

2. Brilliant: exceptionally bright

3. Autism: a neurological disorder that causes social, communication and organizational challenges

4. Pacifist: one who supports compromise and collaboration over war

Learn More All About Albert Einstein - Person of the Century

Get to know more about Einstein in this video:

A video about 5 facts you might not know about Einstein.

Albert Einstein Q&A

Question: Did Albert Einstein invent the atomic bomb?

Answer: Albert Einstein did not invent the atomic bomb and was actually barred from helping the US government develop atomic weapons. He opposed war and violence. He wrote a letter to President Roosevelt warning him that the Germans were developing atomic weapons.

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Question: What did Albert Einstein do when he wasn't discovering theories?

Answer: Albert Einstein moved to the United States when the Nazis took power in Germany. He spent many years as a mathematics professor at Princeton University.

Enjoyed the Easy Science for Kids Website all about Albert Einstein info? Take the FREE & fun all about Albert Einstein quiz and download FREE all about Albert Einstein worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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You might think Albert Einstein's theories have little to do with your life, but his discoveries made everything from television to garage door openers to DVD players possible. Einstein was one of the most brilliant scientists of all time. He was named "Person of the Century" in 1999 by TIME Magazine.

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Albert Einstein was a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who changed the way we think about our world and our Universe.

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DK Find Out! | Fun Facts for Kids on Animals, Earth, History and more!

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Visit DK Find Out! to learn about dinosaurs, space, animals, nature & more. Fun learning activities for kids with videos, quizzes & galleries at DKFindOut.com

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Airbus - a company which makes aeroplanes - have made a video showing what they think aeroplanes will look like in the future. Have a look!

Wow. Can you imagine being on a plane where the cabin lights are powered by body heat? Or a plane with a huge swimming pool on board?

If you'd asked somebody 40 years ago about a double-decker plane which can carry 800 people, they'd have thought you were crazy. Now we have double-decker planes flying above us every day.

It's taken humans a long time to learn how to fly. Have a look at these early inventions.
Hot air balloons
Joseph Michel and Jacques Etienne Montgolfier invented the first hot air balloon, in 1783. Their first passengers were a sheep, rooster and duck!
The first successful hot air balloon Gliders
George Cayley wanted to invent a way for man to fly like a bird. He was the first person to properly investigate the four forces necessary for flight - weight, lift, drag and thrust. George's first idea was a glider.
A model of George Cayley's glider (c) Nigel Coates Aeroplanes
Orville and Wilbur Wright were the first people build and fly a plane with an engine. The Wright brothers realised that as well as an engine, the pilot needed to be able to control the plane reliably - otherwise, they couldn't steer properly! Orville was the first to fly the plane - it travelled 36 metres. Although that's not a lot now, it was a huge achievement in 1903. Have a look at the Wright brothers' first ever flight:

Aeroplanes have changed a lot since 1903. What will they be like in 2050? Will Airbus be right about the aeroplanes of the future? Or will aeroplanes be even stranger than we can imagine?

Find out more about Airbus's vision of the future of aeroplanes and the Airbus A380 at the Daily What News.

I'm sorry, it appears you do not have flash installed.

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Airbus - a company which makes aeroplanes - have made a video showing what they think aeroplanes will look like in the future. Have a look! Wow. Can you imagine being on a plane where the cabin lights are powered by body heat? Or a plane with a huge swimming pool on board?

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Watch Turtle Diary's Air Transportation video. Your students will learn about science in a fun and engaging way!

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How Airplanes Work - may need help reading/understanding

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How Airplanes Work - may need help reading/understanding

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An easy-to-understand explanation of how planes fly and stay in the air.

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DK Find Out! | Fun Facts for Kids on Animals, Earth, History and more!

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Visit DK Find Out! to learn about dinosaurs, space, animals, nature & more. Fun learning activities for kids with videos, quizzes & galleries at DKFindOut.com

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In February, 2021, a robotic rover named Perseverance landed on Mars after an eight-month journey. Like a science lab on wheels, the robot explores the red planet to help determine if life ever existed here-and help to prepare the planet for human exploration. Follow its incredible journey.

Perseverance has everything it needs to collect samples and conduct experiments, from a weather station to a robotic arm to x-ray devices to panoramic cameras. For instance, it can look for signs of past life in Martian rocks and test a method for producing oxygen from the Martian air, which future human explorers will need. The rover even has a helicopter drone strapped to its belly!

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On February 18, 2021, a robotic rover named Perseverance is scheduled to land on Mars after an eight-month journey. Like a science lab on wheels, the robot will explore the red planet to help determine if life ever existed here-and help to prepare the planet for human exploration.

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National Geographic Info on Mars

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Fun Kids - the UK's children's radio station

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Learn more about the Red Planet with our Top 10 facts about Mars

Mars is the fourth planet from its Sun and is the second smallest planet in the solar system. What else do we know about this amazing place?

It's named after the Roman god of war.

The planet is red because of a mineral called iron oxide that's very common on its surface.

Mars is a terrestrial planet

It's rocky with craters and mountains. Not a gas giant like Jupiter or Saturn. Its landscape includes some of the tallest volcanoes that we know about in the solar system. One's 21km high and 600km in diameter.

Even though it's billions of years old, scientists think it could still be active.

An interesting fact is that even though Earth is much bigger that Mars, they both have approximately the same amount of landmass! That's because most of Earth is covered in water. There's therefore plenty of land to explore on Mars.

Mar's atmosphere is very thin.

It's composed primarily of carbon dioxide.

The Martian gravity is only a third that of the Earth's.

This means you could leap nearly three times higher on Mars.

Mars has the largest dust storms in the solar system.

They can last for months and cover the entire planet.

Mars has seasons just like on Earth but they're much longer because Mars is further away from the Sun.

The seasons are more extreme too because Mars's orbit is in an elliptical shape. That means when it gets cold it gets really cold - even the hottest summer's day would be not much above freezing. Not exactly beach weather!

A Martian year lasts 687 days - getting on for double that on Earth.

Each day themselves are about the same as on Earth - 24 hours and then an extra 9 minutes.

Mars has two moons called Phobos and Deimos.

Sometime is the next 2 to 4 million years Phobos is expected to be torn apart by gravity - leaving a ring of dust and debris around the planet.

As you can see... Mars is a pretty cool place!
You can hear Deep Space High: Destination Mars on Fun Kids Radio or listen to the series below! Deep Space High: Destination Mars with support from the UK Space Agency.

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10 Fun Mars facts For kids! - Fun Kids - the UK's children's radio station

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Learn more about the Red Planet with our Top 10 facts about Mars Mars is the fourth planet from its Sun and is the second smallest planet in the solar system. What else do we know about this amazing place? It's rocky with craters and mountains. Not a gas giant like Jupiter or Saturn.

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All About Mars | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids

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Facts about Mars

1) Named after the Roman God of war, Mars is the fourth planet from the sun in our solar system.

2) Mars is also known as the ' Red Planet' because, well, it's red! This signature colour comes from the large amount of a chemical called iron oxide (or 'rust' as you might know it) in its rocks and soil.

3) Mars is the second smallest planet in the solar system after Mercury. With a diameter (distance through the middle) of 6,791 kilometres, it's roughly half the size of Earth.

4) It can get pretty cold on Mars -- much colder than our own planet, since it's further away from the sun. At the equator, temperatures can reach 20°C, but at its poles they can plummet to as low as -140°C. Brr!

5) Mars is home to the highest mountain in our solar system -- a volcano called Olympus Mons. Standing a whopping 24 kilometres high, it's about three times the height of Mount Everest!

Did you know...? There are bits of Mars here on Earth! In the past, asteroids hit the Red Planet, sending debris into space. Some of this debris landed on our planet as meteorites.

6) You could jump around three times higher on Mars than you can on Earth. Boing! This is because the planet's gravity - the force that keeps us on the ground - is much weaker.

7) Do you like to look at the at night? Well, check this out -- Mars has two moons! One is called Phobos and the other Deimos.

8) A day on Mars is 24 hours and 37 minutes -- only a little bit longer than a day on our own planet. A year on Mars, however, is almost twice as long, lasting 687 Earth days! This is because it takes a lot longer than Earth to complete its orbit around the Sun.

9) Until recently, scientists believed that there was no liquid water on the surface of Mars -- only rocks, soil dust and ice. But... News flash! In 2018, they found evidence of a lake under the planet's south polar ice cap. Exciting stuff!

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Mars primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

10) Humans have not yet been to Mars, but scientists have sent spacecraft there to help them research this fascinating planet. The first spacecraft to land on Mars were the Viking Landers, which touched down on the surface in 1976.

What did you think of our facts about Mars? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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Facts about Mars | Facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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1) Named after the Roman God of war, Mars is the fourth planet from the sun in our solar system . 2) Mars is also known as the ' Red Planet' because, well, it's red! This signature colour comes from the large amount of a chemical called iron oxide (or 'rust' as you might know it) in its rocks and soil.

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A molten mix transforms into British travel sweets right before our eyes in this A L Simpkins factory video from Museums Sheffield. The company, first founded in the 1920s, ships their sweets to over 40 countries around the world. The video above is one in a series featuring internationally-known businesses that are local to Sheffield, England.

Next: Incredible Amezaiku candy animal sculptures by Shinri Tezuka and liquid sugar painting of a Chinese candy dragon. Plus: How is Victorian Nectar Drop candy made? and How are candy canes made?

This Webby award-winning video collection exists to help teachers, librarians, and families spark kid wonder and curiosity. TKSST features smarter, more meaningful content than what's usually served up by YouTube's algorithms, and amplifies the creators who make that content.

Curated, kid-friendly, independently-published. Support this mission by becoming a sustaining member today.

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Made in Sheffield: How A L Simpkins sweets are made | The Kid Should See This

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A molten mix transforms into British travel sweets right before our eyes in this A L Simpkins factory video from Museums Sheffield. The company, first founded in the 1920s, ships their sweets to over 40 countries around the world. The video above is one in a series featuring internationally-known businesses that are local to Sheffield, England.

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Jawbreakers, known as gobstoppers-'gob' is slang for 'mouth' in the United Kingdom and Ireland-are hard candy spheres made from layer after layer of water, corn syrup, food coloring, and a sugar called dextrose. They've been around since the 1800s, made popular by companies like Chicago's Ferrara Candy Company, who were making Jawbusters in 1919.

In this Discovery UK How It's Made video, we're shown how the gum and hard centers are made in a factory. Then layers of sugar mixture are poured into large coating pans that tumble and dry the spheres as they grow. The process is repeated to create ten layers over four days before the outsides are decorated and shined.

Next: How Victorian Nectar Drop candy is made and Incredible Amezaiku candy animal sculptures by Shinri Tezuka.

Then balance it all out with Sugar: Hiding in plain sight, How Much Sugar Are You Really Eating? and What Causes Cavities?

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How are jawbreakers made? | The Kid Should See This

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Jawbreakers, known as gobstoppers-'gob' is slang for 'mouth' in the United Kingdom and Ireland-are hard candy spheres made from layer after layer of water, corn syrup, food coloring, and a sugar called dextrose. They've been around since the 1800s, made popular by companies like Chicago's Ferrara Candy Company, who were making Jawbusters in 1919.

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How are hard candies created with messages written within their cores? See how this sugary treat, called 'rock candy' in the UK, is poured, pulled, assembled, rolled, stretched, hardened, and cut into pieces in this Discovery UK visit to Spun Candy in London. It's a clip from the series How Do They Do It?

The magic of this 'conversation candy' is in the formation of the large candy letters, the proofreading of the assembled words, and the careful hand-stretching of the warm candy "so that the letters shrink from 3 centimeters tall to just one millimeter."

Related videos about candy and sugar include:
* Incredible Amezaiku candy animal sculptures by Shinri Tezuka
* How are candy canes made?
* How is Victorian Nectar Drop candy made?
* How Much Sugar Are You Really Eating?

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How are words added to hard candies? | The Kid Should See This

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How are hard candies created with messages written within their cores? See how this sugary treat, called 'rock candy' in the UK, is poured, pulled, assembled, rolled, stretched, hardened, and cut into pieces in this Discovery UK visit to Spun Candy in London. It's a clip from the series How Do They Do It?

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Layer upon layer of heated and spun sugar is shaped into pastel-colored patterns that eventually form what international street and gourmet food YouTube channel Aden Films calls a "massive, massive, massive" cotton candy flower. The price for this dessert, made in ten minutes by this skilled street vendor in Chongqing, China: 50 RMB (Chinese Yuan Ren Ming Bi) or around $8 dollars.

There are more videos about sugar on this site, including liquid sugar painting of a Chinese candy dragon, Amezaiku (飴細工) Japanese Candy Sculptures by Ame Yoshihara, Sugar: Hiding in plain sight and Why do carrots taste sweeter in the winter?

Bonus: More street vendor videos.

via The Awesomer.

This Webby award-winning video collection exists to help teachers, librarians, and families spark kid wonder and curiosity. TKSST features smarter, more meaningful content than what's usually served up by YouTube's algorithms, and amplifies the creators who make that content.

Curated, kid-friendly, independently-published. Support this mission by becoming a sustaining member today.

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How a gigantic cotton candy flower is made | The Kid Should See This

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Layer upon layer of heated and spun sugar is shaped into pastel-colored patterns that eventually form what international street and gourmet food YouTube channel Aden Films calls a "massive, massive, massive" cotton candy flower. The price for this dessert, made in ten minutes by this skilled street vendor in Chongqing, China: 50 RMB (Chinese Yuan Ren Ming Bi) or around $8 dollars.

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Though it's the result of an antiquated 1952-era husbands vs wives plot, this chocolate candy factory conveyor belt scene from I Love Lucy is a classic. Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance give a memorable performance as Lucy and Ethel, who try to wrap chocolates as they pass by on a swiftly moving conveyor belt.

The full season 2 Job Switching episode (with commercials) here on CBS, on Hulu, or on Amazon Prime. Another classic.

Related watching: more conveyor belts and assembly lines and more television.

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Chocolate Candy Factory Conveyor Belt - I Love Lucy | The Kid Should See This

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Though it's the result of an antiquated 1952-era husbands vs wives plot, this chocolate candy factory conveyor belt scene from I Love Lucy is a classic. Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance give a memorable performance as Lucy and Ethel, who try to wrap chocolates as they pass by on a swiftly moving conveyor belt.

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Science + candy = rainbows! Check out this classic and colorful trick as the artificial candy colors dissolve into hot water-fueled PGYOR stripes. YouTuber Dexter See tried it with awesome results. Here's how:

Simple DIY rainbow magic with Skittles candies. Form a circle with Skittles on a plate (colours should be in repeated order, preferably according to colours of the rainbow e.g. purple, green, yellow, orange, red), then pour hot water over them. Wait for the magic to unfold right in front of your eyes!

Create your own designs and experiments, and if you like your results or if it doesn't work out the first, second, or third time, send us a photo or vid on Twitter or on Facebook ...

Related reading: Melting vs dissolving:

Melting and freezing of materials is dependent on their temperature. When something melts the liquid is the same substance as the solid. Not all solids melt on heating (they may burn or decompose).

When something dissolves an additional substance (the solvent) is needed. Dissolving can involve chemical changes (for example, antacid tablets mixing with water or metal dissolving in acid).

More candy experiments to try: How to build your own Wave Machine physics demo, How to Make Balancing Sculptures, and what happens when you put marshmallows in a vacuum?

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Science + candy = rainbows! Check out this classic and colorful trick as the artificial candy colors dissolve into hot water-fueled PGYOR stripes.

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This machine belongs to and has been returned to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Museum in Skagway Alaska, and to this day there aren't many good roads into it... Imagine how hard it would have been to get this device up there to be used for candy, and how much money there must have been in the 1890s to warrant someone bringing it up so that miners could have a little bit of happiness in their pocket... some nice candies to eat, I guess, when they mine. It was a good bit of luxury that they could take with them, that they didn't have to worry about spoiling... because they lived a really rough life as they mined up there.

And while it probably was worth bringing to Skagway for business reasons, it probably wasn't worth bringing it back, so it got stashed in a barn and it's been sitting there for the last hundred and something years, slowly rusting away forgotten.

And now I've been given an opportunity to give it a little bit of new life making candy again.

Watch more Victorian Nectar Drop candies being made at Lofty Pursuits. Plus: How A L Simpkins sweets are made in the UK, incredible Amezaiku candy animal sculptures from Japan, and how are candy canes made by hand and by machine?

via The Awesomer.

This Webby award-winning video collection exists to help teachers, librarians, and families spark kid wonder and curiosity. TKSST features smarter, more meaningful content than what's usually served up by YouTube's algorithms, and amplifies the creators who make that content.

Curated, kid-friendly, independently-published. Support this mission by becoming a sustaining member today.

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Making strawberry hard candy drops on a restored machine from Alaska, circa 1890 | The Kid Should See This

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This machine belongs to and has been returned to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Museum in Skagway Alaska, and to this day there aren't many good roads into it...

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Ame Yoshihara sculpts taffy candy into adorable "Amezaiku" animals, a traditional Japanese folk art that dates back to the 700s. This video from SweetsTales showcases his craftsmanship, as well as Ame-pyon, Yoshihara's charming rabbit mascot that he invented. Watch it dance in a brief stop motion clip made from multiple candy figurines. From ana-cooljapan.com:

When you first open the door of Amezaiku Yoshihara workshop in Sendagi, Tokyo, you'll smell the sweet scents of vanilla and mizu-ame (thick gomme syrup). Then you'll see a tiny parade of fantastic shapes snipped with small scissors from the soft liquid candy - mouse, tiger, flower, doll, and many more charming creations...

Ame-zaiku combines live performances with candycraft sales. Mr. Yoshihara himself gives ame-zaiku-making shows regardless of where he is - at a festival or in a store - while treasuring his conversations with candycraft fans.

SweetsTales, by the way, is a treasure trove of Japanese dessert videos.

Related reading: Spoon and Tamago's Realistic Animal Lollipops Created By Amezaiku Artist Shinri Tezuka. If you're ever in Tokyo, both Tezuka and Yoshihara provide classes that older kids can attend.

Watch these next: How to make macarons with cute faces and How is Japanese Fake Food Made?

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Amezaiku (飴細工) Japanese Candy Sculptures by Ame Yoshihara | The Kid Should See This

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Ame Yoshihara sculpts taffy candy into adorable "Amezaiku" animals, a traditional Japanese folk art that dates back to the 700s. This video from SweetsTales showcases his craftsmanship, as well as Ame-pyon, Yoshihara's charming rabbit mascot that he invented. Watch it dance in a brief stop motion clip made from multiple candy figurines.

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Cake-decorating robots! We generally prefer the whimsy and unique details that happen when humans decorate cakes, but this cake finishing equipment from food service manufacturing company Unifiller is interesting to watch.

Here's a longer video featuring more of their decorating equipment:

Related watching (and an excellent discussion starter) for older kiddos: CGP Grey's Humans Need Not Apply.

In the archives: videos in factories, plus learn the "scientific way" to cut a cake or how to make cute macaron faces, and do not miss how Ellie Davies decorates her incredible illustrated gingerbread cookies.

via Viral Viral Videos.

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Automated Cake Icing and Decorating Machines | The Kid Should See This

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Cake-decorating robots! We generally prefer the whimsy and unique details that happen when humans decorate cakes, but this cake finishing equipment from food service manufacturing company Unifiller is interesting to watch. Here's a longer video featuring more of their decorating equipment: Related watching (and an excellent discussion starter) for older kiddos: CGP Grey's Humans Need Not Apply.

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In this golden First Honey of the Year video from MudSongs.org, watch how a honeycomb is cut from a foundationless hive frame that has been filled with deliciousness by bees in St. John's, Newfoundland.

MudSongs.org is the hobby blog of two novice beekeepers who are documenting their mistakes and successes. If you want to know more about these honey combs and how honey can be harvested, watch their narrated Cutting & Bottling video. Recommended viewing:

There are more bees buzzing in the archives.

This Webby award-winning video collection exists to help teachers, librarians, and families spark kid wonder and curiosity. TKSST features smarter, more meaningful content than what's usually served up by YouTube's algorithms, and amplifies the creators who make that content.

Curated, kid-friendly, independently-published. Support this mission by becoming a sustaining member today.

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Cutting honeycombs and bottling honey by hand | The Kid Should See This

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In this golden First Honey of the Year video from MudSongs.org, watch how a honeycomb is cut from a foundationless hive frame that has been filled with deliciousness by bees in St. John's, Newfoundland. MudSongs.org is the hobby blog of two novice beekeepers who are documenting their mistakes and successes.

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How Do They Put the Centers in Chocolates? | The Kid Should See This

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From the National Film Board of Canada, a classic wordless short film from 1997: How Do They Put the Centers in Chocolates? File under chocolate, factory,

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...and why are lemon drops, cough drops, and fruit drops all called drops?

In this video by Tallahassee, Florida's Lofty Pursuits artisanal candy makers, we get an up close look at how their restored candy equipment, circa 1848, made (and makes) Victorian era nectar candy drops. Watch the hot sugar roll through the pairs of brass drop rollers into sheets of molded candies...

And the 'drop' name? Wait until you see how the candies are separated.

Next: Liquid sugar painting of a Chinese candy dragon, Amezaiku Japanese Candy Sculptures, and from Lofty Pursuits: How are candy canes made?

via Metafilter.

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How is Victorian Nectar Drop candy made? | The Kid Should See This

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and why are lemon drops, cough drops, and fruit drops all called drops? In this video by Tallahassee, Florida's Lofty Pursuits artisanal candy makers, we get an up close look at how their restored candy equipment, circa 1848, made (and makes) Victorian era nectar candy drops.

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How to make cotton candy - Bytesize Science

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10 Weird Ways You Can Make Your Own CANDY At Home

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How to Make Rock Candy (No Bake Recipe) from Cookies Cupcakes and Cardio

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Astronomy is the study of space. If you were an astronomer, you might focus on galaxies, stars, planets, or traveling objects such as comets and asteroids. Don't get astronomy confused with astrology. Astrology is a form of mystical prediction based on the stars and the time of year. Horoscopes are based on astrology. Astronomy is grounded in science. Astronomy uses math and science to study and predict the actions of the universe.

To be a good astronomer, you need to understand its history of scientific discoveries. Over thousands of years, humans have developed and proved many ideas about space. Proving the fact that the Earth revolved around the Sun was one of the first major accomplishments of modern astronomy. As you learn more, you will find out that ancient societies understood the movement of the Earth long before it was accepted by ruling powers. We are now using orbiting telescopes to photograph possible black holes (Hubble, Chandra). There are still thousands of unanswered questions. This science will depend on a long future of exploration.

Humans rarely visit other planets. Humans do take pictures of other universal bodies. From those pictures we study the colors, movement, and composition of other objects in the universe. Astronomers need to understand the sciences of Earth because this is the only place we can study firsthand. Astronomers work with chemistry when studying the atmospheres on other planets. Astronomers need to understand geology to explain the structure of planets and stars. Astronomers also need to know physics to explain how objects move through the universe.

The countries of the world are currently building a space station that orbits the Earth. This is the first step in our efforts to colonize and study the Solar System. One day (maybe in your lifetime), there may be groups of scientists working on the Moon and Mars. As time passes, Earth will also send more probes into deep space to study the outer planets and the interstellar region outside of our system. Even though the study of space has been going on for thousands of years, we have only been able to study the universe firsthand for about 40 years.

In 2006, NASA announced that its new exploration vehicle would be called Orion. The Constellation Program will develop the new spacecraft and its launching technology (Ares rockets). The new manned capsule will have the latest technology and be the foundation for missions to the Moon and Mars.

Encyclopedia.com (Space Program):
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Space_Program.aspx
Wikipedia (Space Exploration):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_exploration
Encyclopædia Britannica:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/557348/space-exploration

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Current Page: Cosmos4Kids.com | Space Exploration | Introduction

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Cosmos4Kids.com! This astronomy tutorial introduces space exploration. Other sections include the Universe, galaxies, stars, and the Solar System.

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A few hundred years ago, traveling over the Earth's surface was a risky adventure. Early explorers who set out to explore the New World went by boat, enduring fierce storms, disease and hunger, to reach their destinations. Today, astronauts exploring space face similar challenges.

Space travel has become much safer as scientists have overcome potential problems, but it's still dangerous. It's also very expensive. In order for a space shuttle to break free of Earth's gravity, it has to travel at a speed of 15,000 miles per hour. Space shuttles need 1.9 million liters of fuel just to launch into space. That's enough fuel to fill up 42,000 cars! Combine the high speed, heat and fuel needed for launching and you've got a very potentially dangerous situation.

Re-entering the atmosphere is dangerous too. When a space craft re-enters the atmosphere, it is moving very fast. As it moves through the air, friction causes it to heat up to a temperature of 2,691 degrees. The first spacecrafts were destroyed during re-entry. Today's space shuttles have special ceramic tiles that help absorb some of the heat, keeping the astronauts safe during re-entry.

Fun Facts about Space Travel for Kids

One space shuttle launch costs $450 million.

The German V2 was the first rocket to reach space in 1942.

In 1947, fruit flies were launched into space. Scientists wanted to see how they reacted to space travel. Later, in 1949, Albert II, a Rhesus monkey went to space. In 1957, the Russian space dog, Laika, orbited the Earth. Scientists wanted to make sure space travel was safe for humans. Sending animals first gave them valuable information about how bodies react to being in space.

In 1959, the Russian space craft, Luna 2, landed on the moon. It crashed at high speed. Fortunately, it was an unmanned craft with no astronauts inside.

Russian astronaut, Yuri Gagarin, was the first human in space. He orbited the Earth in 1961.

In 1963, the first woman, Valentina Tereshkova, entered space.

The first U.S. spacecraft landed on the moon in 1966.

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon and return home safely - a journey of 250,000 miles.

In 1970, Apollo 13 was headed to the moon when an explosion on board caused serious problems. The astronauts fixed the problems with materials they had on hand and returned home safely.

US astronauts returned to the moon three more times in 1971.

1981 marked the first space shuttle that could be used again. Six shuttles have been built since then.

In 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after launch, killing all seven astronauts onboard, including school teacher, Christa McAuliffe.

Since 2000, permanent crews have been living and working in space at the International Space Station.

In 2001, the first private citizen, millionaire Dennis Tito, toured space. He paid $20 million to spend a week in space.

Learn More All About Space Travel

Check out this cool video all about space travel:

A video about the N.E.X.T. mission for space travel by NASA.

Enjoyed the Easy Science for Kids Website all about Space Travel info? Take the FREE & fun all about Space Travel quiz and download FREE Space Travel worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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Easy Science for Kids Space Travel - learn fun facts about animals, the human body, our planet and much more. Fun free Space Travel activities!

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Space Weather Center: the sun, plasmas, aurora, and storms in space.

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The story of space weather effects. From the plasma state of matter and the Sun, to forecasting auroras and storms in Earth's magnetic field.

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space law, agreements governing the exploration and use of outer space, developed since the first launching (1957) by humans of a satellite into space. Space law, an aspect of international law, has grown under the aegis of the United Nations. A 1963 UN declaration stated that the exploration and use of outer space would be for the benefit and in the interest of all people; that no sovereignty could be claimed in space; that objects and persons launched into space would be returned promptly and safely if they landed in a foreign country; and that nations launching objects would be responsible for damages caused by them. In 1967, a general treaty embodying these principles and adding a prohibition on the military use of space and a provision for the inspection of installations on celestial bodies went into effect. A UN treaty on use of the moon's resources was drafted in 1979. The boundary between airspace (see air, law of the), which is subject to sovereignty, and outer space remains an object of discussion. Some favor definitions based on the composition of the atmosphere. Others favor a functional approach; thus, if commercial airlines use a particular layer of the atmosphere, it is to be considered airspace.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: International Law

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agreements governing the exploration and use of outer space, developed since the first launching (1957) by humans of a satellite into space. Space law, an aspect of international law, has grown under the aegis of the United Nations. A 1963 UN

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Julie and her daughter, children's author and educator Emma Walton Hamilton, invite you into their library to read their favorite children's books. Every story comes to life with sound, music and activities. Authors, kids and other special guests chime in, too!

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Super-size-asaurus: How did dinosaurs get so big?

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Julie and her daughter, children's author and educator Emma Walton Hamilton, invite you into their library to read their favorite children's books. Every story comes to life with sound, music and activities. Authors, kids and other special guests chime in, too!

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What is a Dinosaur?

Millions of years ago, long before there were any people, there were dinosaurs. Dinosaurs were one of several kinds of prehistoric reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic Era, the "Age of Reptiles."

Dinosaurs were reptiles and most hatched from eggs. No dinosaurs could fly and none lived in the water.

Plant-eating sauropods were the largest animals to ever walk on Earth - but blue whales are more massive than any of the dinosaurs were!
The largest dinosaurs were over 100 feet (30 m) long and up to 50 feet (15 m) tall (like Argentinosaurus, Seismosaurus, Ultrasauros, Brachiosaurus, and Supersaurus). The smallest dinosaurs, like Compsognathus, were about the size of a chicken. Most dinosaurs were in-between.

It is very difficult to figure out how the dinosaurs sounded, how they behaved, how they mated, what color they were, or even how to tell whether a fossil was male or female.

No one knows what color or patterns the dinosaurs were.

Most dinosaurs were plant-eaters (also called herbivores). For example, Triceratops was a plant-eating dinosaur.

Some dinosaurs were meat-eaters (also called carnivores). For example, T. rex was a meat-eating dinosaur.
There were lots of different kinds of dinosaurs that lived at different times.

Some walked on two legs (they were bipedal), some walked on four (they were quadrupedal). Some could do both.

Some were speedy (like Velociraptor), and some were slow and lumbering (like Ankylosaurus).

Some were armor-plated, some had horns, crests, spikes, or frills.

Some had thick, bumpy skin, and some even had primitive feathers.

The dinosaurs dominated the Earth for over 165 million years during the Mesozoic Era, but mysteriously went extinct 65 million years ago. Paleontologists study their fossil remains to learn about the amazing prehistoric world of dinosaurs.

When the dinosaurs lived, the Earth's continents were jammed together into a supercontinent called Pangaea and the Earth was warmer than it is now.

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The dinosaurs went extinct 65 million years ago, probably because of the environmental changes brought about by an asteroid hitting the Earth.
The dinosaurs went extinct about 65 million years ago, at the end of the Cretaceous period, which was a time of high volcanic and tectonic activity. There are a lot of theories why the extinction occurred. The most widely accepted theory is that an asteroid impact caused major climactic changes to which the dinosaurs couldn't adapt.

Dinosaurs probably live on today as the birds. All that's left of the dinosaurs are fossils and, perhaps,the birds. Dinosaur fossils have been found all over the world, maybe even near where you live!

Some dinosaurs were very bird-like and may be the ancestors of today's birds.

Find It! - A print-out for 2nd Graders. Skills: reading, writing, research, and comprehension.

Word Unscramble - A print-out for 3rd Graders. Do this writing/spelling activity after (or while) reading this page. Unscramble the words to answer questions about dinosaurs.

Information Sheets About Dinosaurs
(and Other Prehistoric Creatures)

Just click on an animal's name to go to that information sheet. If the dinosaur you're interested in isn't here, check the Dinosaur Dictionary or the list of Dinosaur Genera. Names with an asterisk (*) were not dinosaurs.
How to write a great dinosaur report.

For dinosaur printouts, click here. For brief dinosaur fact sheets, click here.

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Dinosaurs - What is a Dinosaur?- Enchanted Learning Software

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Zoom Dinosaurs is a comprehensive on-line hypertext book about dinosaurs. It is designed for people of all ages and levels of comprehension. It has an easy-to-use structure that allows readers to start at a basic level on each topic, and then to progress to much more advanced information as desired, simply by clicking on links.

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Ready for a roar-some prehistoric adventure? Then join NG Kids as we meet seven of our favourite dinosaurs!

The most famous dino of them all, the T-rex was armed with jaws which remain the most powerful weapon nature has ever created. Its thick, sharp teeth could rip almost 100kg of flesh off its victims in a single bone-crunching chomp!

It was also one of the smartest of the meat-eating dinosaurs with a brain twice as big as those of other giant carnivores. More than 20 almost-complete skeletons have been found, and the most perfect, nicknamed Sue, was unearthed in South Dakota, USA, 20 years ago. Experts together spent more than 25,000 hours restoring Sue's bones for exhibition. Awesome!

Name: Velociraptor
Lived: 80 million years ago
Size: Up to 2m long
Discovered: Mongolia
Say it: Veh-loss-ih-rap-tore

In 1924, the first velociraptor remains were discovered in Mongolia's Gobi Desert by the American Roy Chapman Andrews - the man believed to be the inspiration for the Indiana Jones character!

Although small, velociraptors were quite clever and could move very fast (the name means 'speed thief'), using their long tails for balance as they ran after their tasty prey. These carnivorous creatures hunted in packs, and probably ate mostly small lizards and mammals. They may have even eaten other velociraptors' babies. Yikes!

With its long, thick skull, crowned with bony spikes and horns, this plant-eater has caused debate among experts. Some think the fossils found are from a previously unknown animal. Others believe that it died young, and that if it had lived longer, its sharp horns would have grown into deer-like antlers until it became a stygimoloch, an already-known dinosaur. It's full name is actually dracorex hogwartsia, so it's the only dino to be named after Harry Potter's school!

Some dinosaurs were taller. Some were just as long. But overall, the argentinosaurus was the biggest, and by far the heaviest, weighing up to 100 tonnes - that's as much as 20 elephants! Still, it didn't look so big in the "monkey puzzle" forests where it lived - these giant trees can grow to 25m tall! But even the planet's most colossal creature wasn't safe from predators. Although being 10 times lighter, mapusauruses, the largest known meat-eating dinosaurs, would hunt argentinosaurus in packs!

Discovered just 10 years ago, the nothronychus' distinctive features show scientists that it is related to the therizinosaurus, which lived far, far away in what is now Central Asia! With bird-like hips, a big "pot belly" and four, forward-turning toes on each foot, it walked - slowly! - on its hind legs, leaving its huge but nimble clawed arms free to tear down branches and plants to eat. It seems this creature has a lot to teach us. Before it was found, experts believed that the area where it lived had been under the sea!

This hefty, horned herbivore still holds the record for the largest skull of any land animal ever! Measuring 3m long, its spectacular skull featured five horns, as well as a huge "frill" at the back of its head which may have evolved to protect its neck. Experts believe that the horns were too thin to be much use for fighting off big predators and that perhaps they were more for showing off! Pentaceratops also had a parrot-like beak for chomping through tough plants. Who's a pretty boy, then?

When it comes to being well-defended, this mighty plant-eater is pretty hard to beat. Weighing in at about a tonne - as heavy as a large car - its body was covered in tough bony plates. Huge spikes up to 30cm long grew from the gastonia 's shoulders, back and along its sides, while thick layers of bone protected its brain and a smooth plate across its hips guarded its spine. On its powerful tail, double rows of jagged barbs lined each side so the animal could lash out at attackers. Nasty!

For more dino-mite adventures, check out the National Geographic Kids Dinopedia book, available at Waterstone's and other good book retailers now.

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Meet Some Deadly Dinos! - National Geographic Kids

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Take a prehistoric journey with NG Kids to meet seven amazing dinosaurs! Learn all about these brilliant beasts - when dinosaurs lived, how big they were, what they ate and more!

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The question of pet ownership: Do we 'own' cats or do they 'own' us? The answer is debatable, but here's something that is not: living with a cat comes with responsibilities.

A Suitable Place to Live

Cats dominate their living quarters. They may prefer sunning by the kitchen door over the dining room rug. They may choose to sleep on your bed rather than their own. Although they may dominate your home, it is your responsibility to provide a house that is suitable, safe, and sheltered. Providing shelter from the elements is not very difficult, especially for indoor cats. The roof over their heads is the same one over our heads. Keeping the house safe is another story.

Hazards lurk within your home. It is your responsibility to keep electrical cords covered. It is your responsibility to keep doors closed to prevent your cat from escaping. It is your responsibility to keep poisons out of reach. In other words, cat owners must 'cat proof' their homes.

Keeping your cat safe extends beyond the walls of your house. Place her in a carrier when transporting her to the veterinary clinic or groomer. Have him micro-chipped so that he can be identified should you become separated. This relatively painless procedure requires an injection of the chip and registration with a national service that will facilitate the safe return of lost cats.

Cats do not always like to stay indoors, but going outside is risky. Outdoor cats are often victims of other predatory animals. They can lose races with moving vehicles. They become injured while skirmishing with neighborhood cats or dogs. They may contract contagious diseases while associating with feline friends. It is your responsibility to protect your outdoor cat from these threats. Or better yet, keep him indoors.

A Suitable Lifestyle

Cats are not dogs. They do not beg for a game of fetch. They take a lot of naps. But their tendency to be inert does not mean they should lounge on the sofa all day. It is your responsibility to entertain and exercise them.

Physical and mental stimulation keeps them sharp. Instigating a game of 'chase the red dot' with a laser or 'catch the mouse on a string' can be fun for both of you. Plus, physical exercise may keep your cat's weight in check.

Cats are more independent than dogs and do well when left alone. They are good pets for busy people, but remember to set aside some one-on-one time with your kitty. Felines are social animals and need interaction with people or other cats.

A Suitable Diet

Cats can be finicky eaters and expect to dine in style. But they don't do the shopping or cooking, so it is your responsibility to provide them with nutritious meals. Talk to your veterinarian and choose a diet that is age appropriate. Kittens, adults, and senior cats should consume food specifically formulated for their age brackets. Cats with medical issues often require prescription diets.

Cats are ad lib feeders which makes your job easier. You can fill the food bowl and let your cat eat at will. But, if weight is a problem, you'll need to measure and monitor consumption.

Cats also need an appropriate dining environment. They do not like to eat near their washroom....who would? Place food and water bowls away from the litter box. Feed your cat in a quiet area of the house. Cats don't like to have dinner time interrupted by busy household activities.

A Suitable Health Care System

Cats may have nine lives, but they are still at risk of deadly diseases and injuries. Outdoor cats are at greater risk; however, indoor cats need protection, too. It is your responsibility to have your cat vaccinated for diseases such as Feline Leukemia, Rabies, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia and, in some instances, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Your veterinarian can help you decide which vaccines your cat should have.

Parasites plague cats, so it is also your responsibility to give your cat preventive medications to ward off intestinal parasites, fleas, ticks, and heartworms. Parasites are always around, so preventing them is an ongoing obligation.

Cats are prolific breeders and there are many kittens and adult cats that need homes. Have your cat spayed or neutered to ensure that your cat doesn't add to the overpopulation problem.

Healthy cats should see the veterinarian twice a year. Early detection of medical problems means faster, more effective treatment. It is your responsibility to schedule routine medical examinations and laboratory evaluations.

Preventive care is the hallmark of a healthy feline, but sometimes even the most protected cats get sick or hurt. It is your responsibility to handle medical emergencies. Have the number of a veterinary emergency clinic on hand and stash rainy day funds to pay for unforeseen medical problems. An alternative measure is to have health insurance for your feline friend, to ensure you are always able to provide them with the medical care they require without compromise.

A Clean Environment

Your cat is king (or queen) of his (or her) domain. Even though they are not terribly messy, cats require a little domestic assistance. Keeping the litter box fresh is your responsibility. Keeping the food and water bowls clean is your responsibility. Wiping the paw prints off the countertop is your responsibility.

Cats ARE good about keeping themselves clean. They are fastidious groomers, but still need the occasional bath and brushing. Set aside time to give your cat a spa day, or bring her to the groomer regularly.

And remember, there are no vacations for a cat's household staff. So when you are not available, you should find someone to care for your cat at home or bring her to a boarding facility.

A Suitable Commitment

Hopefully your cat will live a long life and be part of your family for many years, so be prepared for a long term commitment. As long as you understand what your cat expects of you and are willing to be of service, it should be a long happy relationship. Keep in mind that your cat will do what suits him!

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While cats are more independent than dogs and do well when left alone, they still require the basics such as shelter, clean water and food, mental and physical stimulation, and regular health checks with a veterinarian. As long as you understand what your cat expects of you and are willing to be of service, it should be a long happy relationship.

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Human Responsibility for Cats

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Contents

Intro

Cats are the most popular companion animal in the U.S., with more than 86 million of them living in nearly 39 million American households.

Tens of millions more unowned cats live outdoors and usually rely on people to provide them with food and shelter.

Their sociability ranges from truly unsocialized feral cats to friendly strays cats who have become lost or have been abandoned.

The Humane Society of the United States believes that every cat deserves a life free from hunger or thirst, fear and distress, discomfort, pain, injury, or disease and that cats at risk for these are our responsibility to care for. Regardless of whether they are owned or not, cats who are outdoors are the leading cause of cat overpopulation in communities and can be a conservation threat to at least some species of wildlife on a case-by-case basis.

Owned cats

The decisions people make for their cats are important for their cats' health and welfare; they also play a role in cat overpopulation as a whole. We urge all cat owners to take the following steps:

Have your cats spayed or neutered. Cats can begin reproducing as early as five months of age, so they should be sterilized by that age or younger whenever possible. Cats can have more than one litter each year, and each litter adds to the millions of cats across the country competing for homes. Close to two million cats are euthanized each year in shelters and animal control facilities nationwide. In addition to population control, sterilization can also eliminate unpleasant behaviors of intact cats, such as male cats fighting and female cats going into their reproductive season.

Keep your cats safe indoors. Indoor cats live longer, tend to be healthier, and can avoid some of the predators, injuries, parasites, and communicable diseases to which outdoor cats may be exposed. Indoor cats do not kill birds and other wildlife. An outdoor enclosure or walk on a harness and leash can provide a cat with safe outdoor access, if desired, although cats do not require outdoor access to live full and happy lives.

Put visible identification on your cats at all times. Accidental escape is a common risk for indoor cats. Only about 2 percent of lost cats who enter animal shelters are claimed by their families. A collar with visible identification attached is the best life insurance you can buy. Cats can easily and safely wear collars with identification, and a microchip is a good backup means of identification. Microchips alone are not enough, since it's the visible ID that will immediately alert people that the cat is owned.

Provide regular veterinary care. All cats, even cats who never interact with other animals or venture outdoors, should be examined at least once a year and receive vaccinations against rabies and other diseases, as recommended by their veterinarian. Regular veterinary visits, as well as preventative care, such as keeping cats indoors and providing good nutrition, are key to ensuring the highest quality of life for cats.

Unowned cats

The most pressing cat issue in the U.S. is the large population of unsterilized outdoor cats. This results in many cats without permanent/conventional homes living in outdoor populations, quickly producing ongoing generations of cats. These cats may be feral, meaning they do not willingly interact with humans, while some are semi- or formerly-owned, or otherwise friendly cats who have been lost or abandoned. Until the day when the population has been reduced and all cats live in loving homes, The HSUS supports and promotes humane management of outdoor cat populations.

To this end, we support Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and similar sterilization programs, legislation that allows for and supports non-lethal population control, and coalition-based approaches that involve community leaders, citizens, and stakeholders to implement effective community cat management programs. Programs that attempt to use lethal control to eliminate cat populations are inhumane, ineffective, and wasteful of scarce resources.

In standard TNR practice, cats are humanely trapped and, if healthy, spay/neutered, rabies vaccinated, eartipped (for identification), and returned to their community. These programs have shown evidence of stabilizing cat numbers that eventually dwindle to zero as the cats naturally pass away. The HSUS believes that the humane reduction and eventual elimination of unowned cat populations should be the end goal for all TNR participants and supporters. TNR should be considered a humane means to an end, not a method of permanently maintaining outdoor cat populations.

Cats in shelters

In many areas of the U.S., unlimited admission of cats is not a legal mandate for shelters, yet millions of community (unowned and outdoor) cats are regularly admitted and, despite strong efforts by shelters, most cats do not make it out alive. Even though large numbers of cats are euthanized in shelters, the numbers do not come close to reaching a tipping point to decrease outdoor cat populations. This results in a cycle of intake and euthanasia for a small percentage of the overall cat population in a given community, with little to no impact on total numbers.

Managing cat populations in this way is not working. Instead, we as a society need to focus on finding and deploying solutions that will work - ones that will serve the interests of cats, wildlife, and communities. Shelters may consider reducing intake of healthy cats they cannot place into loving homes and can effectively use those freed-up funds to address cat overpopulation; whether that be through accessible spay/neuter programs; behavioral resources for people struggling with their owned cats; assistance with pet food, vaccines, and other services; or TNR and other non-lethal population control strategies.

Cats and wildlife

Predation by outdoor cats on birds and other wildlife is a real and legitimate concern. While The HSUS believes that outdoor cats are entitled to protection, it also believes that wildlife populations need to be protected from cats. That's one of the reasons we actively promote TNR, and why we have been involved in programs such as the removal of feral cats from San Nicholas Island, Calf., in an effort to balance the needs of all animals, and not promote one species at the expense of others. The HSUS does not support managed colonies in ecologically sensitive areas or in areas where the cats are at imminent risk of harm, such as demolition sites or areas where nuisance complaints have escalated and remain unresolved.

The HSUS supports collaborative efforts, such as coalition-based initiatives, to humanely reduce outdoor cat populations while protecting threatened and endangered wildlife populations. The scope of the problem is so large, both geographically and in terms of the sheer number of cats, that a triage approach is needed to protect the most vulnerable wildlife populations, such as endangered species on islands. Also, incremental progress must be made to address harm done to all species of wild animals vulnerable to cat predation, as they all hold inherent value. Through wildlife-sensitive-area mapping, cat-colony relocation or feeding modification, the establishment of appropriate sanctuaries, and other innovative solutions, the negative impacts can be lessened and eventually eliminated.

Collaboration/humane communities

Each community is different, and there is no effective one-size-fits-all response to managing community (unowned) cats. Stakeholders must work together to create programs that address specific needs and maximize available resources in their community.

Communities will succeed when they pursue a combination of the following:

Truly accessible spay/neuter and TNR services for pet and community cats

Support and implementation of best practices for managing community cat colonies

Pet food pantries, behavior assistance, and other programs to help people keep their cats in their homes

Shelter and rescue innovations and partnerships to increase cat adoptions

Shelter policy changes to reduce the intake of healthy community cats when euthanasia is the likely outcome

Public education and outreach

Adequate, enforceable cat-related ordinances and state laws

Of course, successful community programs will rely on sufficient government funding as well as private/public partnerships and significant volunteerism to support these broadly beneficial programs.

Conclusion

While the task ahead of us is complex, it is not impossible. Great efforts are already underway in a variety of cities, towns, and islands across our country and the globe. America's favorite pet deserves to live a long, healthy, and humane life, and the HSUS is dedicated to making that a reality.

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Cats are the most popular companion animal in the U.S., with more than 86 million of them living in nearly 39 million American households. Tens of millions more unowned cats live outdoors and usually rely on people to provide them with food and shelter.

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On the left column of the webpage, look for the word Fauna and then click on that to go to the part of the webpage that tells you about the animals (fauna) of Japan.

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The soils of Japan are customarily divided from northeast to southwest into a weak podzolic (soils with a thin organic mineral layer over a gray leached layer) zone, a brown earth zone, and a red earth zone. There are some local variations. The northern half of the Tōhoku area of northern Honshu is included in the area of brown forest soils. The northern tip of Hokkaido is classed as a subzone of the podzolic soils; the remainder of the island is included in the subzone of the acidic brown forest soils. Most of western Honshu is a transitional zone. Yellow-brown forest soils extend along the Pacific coast from southern Tōhoku to southern Kyushu, while red and yellow soils are confined to the Ryukyu Islands. The widespread reddish soils are generally regarded as the products of a former warmer, more humid climate. Immature volcanic ash soils occur on the uplands.

Kuroboku soils (black soils rich in humus content) are found on terraces, hills, and gentle slopes throughout Japan, while gley (sticky, blue-gray compact) soils are found in the poorly drained lowlands. Peat soils occupy the moors in Hokkaido and Tōhoku. Muck (dark soil, containing a high percentage of organic matter) and gley paddy soils are the products of years of rice cultivation. Polder soils (those reclaimed from the sea) are widely distributed. Soil fertility increases in the lowlands where agriculture is practiced, the result of a combination of natural alluvium washed down from the uplands and centuries of intense reworking of the soil medium by rice farmers.

Climate

In general, Japan's climate is characterized as monsoonal (i.e., governed by wet and dry seasonal winds). The main influences are the country's latitudinal extent, the surrounding oceans, and its proximity to the neighbouring Asian landmass. There are numerous local climatic variations, the result of relief features. In winter the high pressure zone over eastern Siberia and the low pressure zone over the western Pacific result in an eastward flow of cold air (the winter monsoon) from late September to late March that picks up moisture over the Sea of Japan. The winter monsoon deposits its moisture as rain or snow on the side of Japan facing the Sea of Japan and brings dry, windy weather to the Pacific side. The pressure systems are reversed during the summer, and air movements from the east and south (the summer monsoon) from mid-April to early September bring warmer temperatures and rain. Cyclonic storms and frequent and destructive typhoons ( tropical cyclones) occur during late summer and early fall, especially in the southwest.

The warm waters of the Kuroshio (Japan Current), which corresponds in latitude and general directional flow to the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic, flow northward along Japan's Pacific coast as far as latitude 35° N. The Tsushima Current branches westward from the Kuroshio off southern Kyushu and washes the coasts of Honshu and Hokkaido along the Sea of Japan; it is this current that lends moisture to the winter monsoon. The Pacific counterpart of the Atlantic's Labrador Current, the cold Oya (Kuril) Current, flows southeastward from the Bering Sea along the east coast of Hokkaido and northeastern Honshu. Its waters meet those of the Kuroshio, causing dense sea fogs in summer, especially off Hokkaido.

The physical feature that most affects climate is the mountainous backbone of the islands. The ranges interrupt the monsoonal winds and cause the gloomy weather and heavy snows of winter along the Sea of Japan coast and the bright and windy winter weather along the Pacific. Temperatures and annual precipitation are about the same on both coasts, but they drop noticeably in the mountainous interior.

Temperature

Temperatures are generally warmer in the south than in the north, and the transitional seasons of spring and fall are shorter in the north. At Asahikawa, in central Hokkaido, the average temperature in January, the coldest month, is 18 °F (−8 °C), and the average temperature in August, the warmest month, is 70 °F (21 °C), with an annual average temperature of 44 °F (7 °C). At Tokyo the average temperature for January is 42 °F (6 °C), the average for August 81 °F (27 °C), and the annual average 61 °F (16 °C). Inland from Tokyo, Nagano is cooler, with an annual average temperature of 53 °F (12 °C), whereas an annual average of 57 °F (14 °C) occurs on the Sea of Japan coast at Kanazawa. The warmest temperatures occur on Kyushu and the southern islands; at Kagoshima, the mean temperature for January is 46 °F (8 °C), the mean for August is 82 °F (28 °C), and the average is 64 °F (18 °C).

Precipitation

Precipitation in the form of rain and snow is plentiful throughout the islands. Maximum precipitation falls in the early summer, and the minimum occurs in winter-except on the Sea of Japan coast, which receives the country's highest snowfall. The summer rainy season occurs through June and July; it is known as the baiu ("plum rain") because it begins when the plums ripen. Torrential rains accompany the typhoons.

Precipitation patterns vary with topography, but most of the country receives more than 40 inches (1,020 mm) annually, mainly as rain during the summer. The smallest amount of precipitation occurs on eastern Hokkaido, where only 36 inches (920 mm) fall annually at Obihiro, whereas the mountainous interior of the Kii Peninsula of central Honshu receives more than 160 inches (4,060 mm) annually. Varying amounts of snow fall on Japan. From November to April snow blankets Hokkaido, northern and interior Honshu, and the northwest coast.

Plant and animal life

Flora

Much of the original vegetation has been replaced by agriculture or by the introduction of foreign species to the islands. Semitropical rainforest prevails in the Ryukyu and Bonin archipelagoes and contains various kinds of mulberries, camphor, oaks, and ferns (including tree ferns); madder and lianas are found as undergrowth. In the Amami Islands this type of plant life occurs only on lowlands, but it grows at higher elevations to the south. There are a few mangrove swamps along the southern coast of Kyushu.

The laurel forest zone of evergreen, broad-leaved trees extends from the southwestern islands northward to the lowlands of northern Honshu. Camphor, pasanias, Japanese evergreen oaks, camellias, and hollies are typical trees, with various kinds of ferns as undergrowth. In Kyushu, the evergreen zone reaches elevations above 3,300 feet (1,000 metres), but its vertical limit decreases northeastward across Honshu. In general, camphor dominates in the littoral lowlands, pasania in sunny and well-drained sites, and Japanese evergreen oak in the foggy and cloudy inlands. In the southwestern Hondo region (western Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu) are ficus and fan palm. The coastal dunes are dominated by pine trees. Natural stands of Japanese cedar s, some containing trees that are more than 2,000 years old, occur above 2,300 feet (700 metres) on Yaku Island, south of Kyushu.

Deciduous broad-leaved forests develop in the higher and more northerly portions of the laurel forest zone. In Kyushu, this type of forest occurs above 3,300 feet, but it gradually descends northward to sea level in northern Honshu. Its upper limit reaches 6,000 feet (1,800 metres) in Shikoku and 5,000 feet (1,500 metres) in central Honshu. Representative trees are beeches, katsura trees, maples, oaks, and birches, rising above an undergrowth of various species of bamboo. All these trees, but especially the maples, are admired for their beautiful fall colours. The deciduous trees have been occasionally replaced by larches, false cypresses, false arborvitaes, Japanese cedars, Japanese red pines, Japanese black pines, and other coniferous species. The deciduous zone extends into western Hokkaido, where beeches terminate at the southwestern peninsula and further northeastward are replaced by basswoods and maples. Some stands of conifers are mixed with the representative forests of this zone.

Coniferous trees are numerous in the north and eastern periphery of Hokkaido up to elevations of 2,300 feet. Sakhalin spruces, Sakhalin firs, blue firs, and Yezo spruces are mixed with such deciduous trees as birches, oaks, and maples and dense undergrowth of mosses and lichens. Coniferous trees are mixed with deciduous vegetation in southwestern Hokkaido and occur in the higher portion of central Honshu and Shikoku. High-elevation small shrubs, creeping pines, and alpine plants grow in the high mountain knots of central Honshu above 8,000 feet (2,400 metres). This zone gradually descends northward to the Hakkōda Mountains, in northern Honshu, at 4,600 feet (1,400 metres) and to the Daisetsu Mountains, in central Hokkaido, at about 3,600 feet (1,100 metres).

The cherry tree ( sakura), celebrated for its spring blossoms, long one of the symbols of Japan, is planted throughout the country. Many varieties have been cultivated, and natural stands are also found in the mountains.

Fauna

Despite the country's large human population, the land mammals of Japan are relatively numerous in the remote, heavily forested mountain regions. These animals include bears, wild boars, raccoon dogs ( tanuki), foxes, deer (including sikas), antelope, hares, and weasels; some species are distinct from those of the neighbouring Asian continent. Wild monkeys (the Japanese macaque) inhabit many places; those found at the northern tip of Honshu represent the northern limit of monkey habitation in the world.

Reptiles include sea turtles, freshwater tortoises, sea snakes, and lizards. There are two species of poisonous snakes, but most of the snakes, including the 5-foot- (1.5-metre-) long Japanese rat snake, are harmless. Toads, frogs, and newts are common, and the endemic Japanese giant salamander of Kyushu and western Honshu can attain a length of four feet or more. Insect life is typical of a temperate humid climate; several species have seasonal associations in literature and popular culture, such as cicadas and dragonflies (summer) and crickets (autumn).

The Japanese archipelago constitutes a major East Asian flyway, and some 600 bird species are either resident or transitory. Water birds are abundant and include gulls, auks, grebes, albatrosses, shearwaters, herons, ducks, geese, swans, and cranes. The cormorant is sometimes trained to catch fish. There are about 150 species of songbirds, as well as eagles, hawks, falcons, pheasant, ptarmigan, quail, owls, and woodpeckers.

The confluence of cold and warm ocean currents near Japan has produced a rich sea life. Japanese waters are inhabited by whales, dolphins, porpoises, and fish such as salmon, sardines, sea bream, mackerel, tuna, trout, herring, gray mullet, smelts, and cod. Crustaceans and mollusks include crabs, shrimp, prawns, clams, and oysters. The rivers and lakes abound in trout, salmon, and crayfish. Carp (koi) are often kept in ponds, both for commercial food production and for decorative purposes.

carp© M_MUC1968-iStock/Getty Images

The environment

The tremendous growth in population from the late 19th to the mid-20th century and the rapid industrialization after 1945 put increased pressure on Japan's natural plant and animal communities, primarily through loss of habitat and environmental pollution. Once-abundant creatures, such as the eastern white stork ( kōnotori) and the Japanese crested ibis ( toki), have become extinct. Awareness of pollution grew from the 1960s, and after 1970 a number of strict measures were taken. Although domestic air and water quality improved, air pollution from the East Asian mainland increased the incidence of acid rain in Japan.
Akira Watanabe Yasuo Masai Gil Latz

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Japan - Japan - Soils: The soils of Japan are customarily divided from northeast to southwest into a weak podzolic (soils with a thin organic mineral layer over a gray leached layer) zone, a brown earth zone, and a red earth zone. There are some local variations.

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Why does everyone say I'm aloof? Shutterstock

To some people, cats are the perfect pet. Intelligent, elegant, calming companions, capable of dealing with their own exercise and cleaning. To others, they are frustratingly independent, cool and aloof. So what is the true nature of the domestic cat?

The cats many of us choose to share our homes with did indeed evolve from a solitary species, the African wildcat ( Felis silvestris lybica). But feral domestic cats can form colonies, based on friendly and reciprocal relationships when resources are plentiful.

This capacity to live in social groups has been exploited by humans for thousands of years. Before realising their value as animal companions, communities initially took advantage of the cat's prowess as predators of vermin species to safeguard crops. Cats are now one of the most popular companion animal species in the world. There are over 10m estimated to be living in the UK alone, and around 25% of UK households own at least one cat.

So cats clearly share some characteristics with other pet species to make them such a popular addition to the home. They are able to satisfy people's need for a human-animal bond, providing owners with social and emotional support. And the fact that cats often engage in undesirable behaviours (from an owner's perspective) such as hunting, mean that that bond must have the capacity to be very strong.

Cats have not been as commonly studied as dogs when it comes to social behaviour and people (possibly because they are not perceived to be such willing subjects). Nevertheless, studies have shown that cats form affectionate bonds with their owners. (Although there is still some debate as to whether this is actually a preference for a person who provides safety and security.)

Although cats are known to show a preference for interacting with their owners over strangers, the social behaviour of cats can vary. The quality of human-to-cat interactions can also be influenced by the owners' gender, age and how much time they have available. Cats appear to have the best relationship with owners who are adult women. Differences in human behaviour may help explain the varying quality of these relationships. For example, men are thought to be more likely to interact with cats while seated whereas woman tend to interact with cats at their level, normally on the floor.

Shutterstock

Adults also usually call to a cat before interacting, allowing the cat to decide whether to respond or not. Children, especially boys, tend to approach cats directly, which may not be tolerated well by individual cats. Interactions initiated by the cat itself tend to be longer than those initiated by the human.

The cat's sociability towards humans therefore ranges from "very independent" to "very attached". Where an individual cat lies on this spectrum is likely to be related to genes and previous learning experiences - that familiar mixture of nature and nurture. For example, feral kittens who have positive experiences with several different people in their early developmental stage (before six or seven weeks of age) are more likely to respond well to handling and become satisfying "good" pets than feral kittens which are first handled after the end of this period.

Having kittens

According to research, paternal friendliness, as well as socialisation to people, affects responses to people throughout a cat's life. Kittens with friendly fathers and which have been socialised were shown to be more friendly. Kittens of friendly fathers that had not been socialised were less so. They were also more friendly than kittens that had been socialised to people but had unfriendly fathers. Breed may also influence how friendly cats are to people. Owners of Siamese and Persians report higher levels of affection than owners of non-pedigree cats, for example.

Toys, food and scents

Recent research has attempted to further investigate cat sociability by comparing their preferences for interacting with people to their preferences for food, toys and scents. The authors found similar numbers of cats that preferred human interaction to those who preferred food.

Significantly lower numbers of cats preferred toys and scents. The preference of some cats for playing or petting interactions with people over food is contrary to the age-old belief that people are just cats' servants, who only tolerate people because they provide food. This view is also disputed by findings that providing food in the absence of other social interactions from the human carer, such as speaking or stroking, cannot maintain a social bond.

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So, are domestic cats aloof? There is no easy answer to this. Cats have the capacity to be very affectionate towards their owners and form significant bonds. But this largely depends on their genetic predispositions and early life experiences with people.

Owner demographics and cat-directed behaviour will also influence the quality of cat-owner interactions and relationships. The degree of aloofness in the domestic cat is likely to be very individual. Potential owners should get to know a cat well before taking it into their home as a companion and respecting the cat's choice to interact.

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The curious character of cats - and whether they are really more aloof

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To some people, cats are the perfect pet. Intelligent, elegant, calming companions, capable of dealing with their own exercise and cleaning. To others, they are frustratingly independent, cool and aloof. So what is the true nature of the domestic cat?

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Explore Japan

Nature and Climate

Q. What sort of animals live in the wild?

A.

Japan stretches north to south in the shape of an arc. Because the climate in the north is quite different from that in the south, the wildlife found in the respective regions is also different.

160 types of wild mammals, 700 species of birds, 32,000 species of insects. On Okinawa and in other southern areas are the Iriomote wildcat and Amami hare. On the main island of Honshu and on Shikoku and Kyushu are found the Japanese serow, giant flying squirrel, Japanese bear, Japanese macaque, and wild boar. In Hokkaido live the Ezo brown bear, sable, striped squirrel, and Sakhalin red fox.

Kids feeding swans.

Japanese macaques.

There are 700 species of birds, among the most common being the bush warbler, which heralds the coming of spring, the swallow, common pheasant, and copper pheasant. Many migratory birds make Japan their seasonal home, including the swan, which travels from Siberia to spend its winters in the northern parts of the country.

There are 32,000 species of insects. The chirping of insects in the fall is considered particularly poetic, and it is a poplar subject of traditional types of verse.

Photos:Asahi Shogakusei Shimbun and Tokyo Metropolitan Government

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Japan stretches north to south in the shape of an arc. Because the climate in the north is quite different from that in the south, the wildlife found in the respective regions is also different. 160 types of wild mammals, 700 species of birds, 32,000 species of insects.

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Types of Cats

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It's long been a running joke in the Britannica offices that we should compile a list of "best cats"-this is the internet, after all. Two intrepid and cat-crazy editors have finally taken on this task for your enjoyment. After much considered debate, we present you a definitive list of best cats, according to us.

Polydactyl

Let's be real, polydactyl cats give the best high-fives. Errr, high-sixes. Also known as "mitten cats" or "thumb cats," polydactyls have a genetic mutation that gives them more than the usual number of toes on one or more feet. Polydactyl cats can have anywhere from six to eight toes per paw. The extra toes sometimes make them look like their paws have thumbs. While polydactyly can happen in many different animals (including humans), it's arguably cutest in cats. Writer Ernest Hemingway certainly thought so-he himself was a polydactyl owner, and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is now home to some 50 polydactyl cats.

British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is known for both its looks and its typically easygoing and fun-loving personality. The appealing chunkiness of its face and body and its plush, thick fur match its sturdy temperament. The wide-cheeked faces of British Shorthairs appear to be smiling and more expressive than many cat breeds', and it's said that they were the inspiration for the wide-grinning Cheshire Cat of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. British Shorthairs are reputed to be doglike in their readiness for fun and games, such as fetching.

Siamese

Who can resist the Siamese cat's pretty blue eyes? These cats have been valued for their unique patterning and outspoken personalities for centuries. Long a status symbol, Siamese cats have been given to dignitaries as gifts. They made their U.S. debut in 1878 when one was given to President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife by an American consul. These cats are especially known as being very vocal-their loud meows are sometimes mistaken for babies crying!

Norwegian Forest Cat

If you like hugging a cat who's a big armload of fur and can take what you dish out, then the Norwegian Forest Cat is for you. A big cat with big paws and lots of fur, the Norwegian is like a Maine Coon cat's Viking cousin. The large, muscular, affectionate, and calm Norwegian has a dense and water-resistant double coat and tufted toes and ears, making it the perfect companion for snowshoeing, raiding neighboring countries, and standing atop the dragon head on the prow of a Viking ship.

Japanese Bobtail

Japanese Bobtails are like cats on the front end and rabbits on the back end. Just let that sink in for a minute. It's almost too cute to handle. Kitties with bunny tails? Sign me up. These adorable critters are native to Japan, and have been around long enough to score appearances in traditional art. Unlike most dogs with "docked" tails, Japanese Bobtails come by their stubby tails naturally. The genetic mutation that causes the tail reduces the number of vertebrae present. And did I mention they like to play fetch?

Scottish Fold

While his ears are relatively straight, internet sensation Maru is a Scottish Fold, a breed of cat usually characterized by ears that fold forward and down. The first Scottish Fold was a barn cat discovered in 1961. For show, Scottish Folds are required to have the turned-down ears-but these are a result of a genetic mutation, so not all purebred Scottish Folds have them.

It's long been a running joke in the Britannica offices that we should compile a list of "best cats"-this is the internet, after all. Two intrepid and cat-crazy editors have finally taken on this task for your enjoyment. After much considered debate, we present you a definitive list of best cats, according to us.

Polydactyl

Let's be real, polydactyl cats give the best high-fives. Errr, high-sixes. Also known as "mitten cats" or "thumb cats," polydactyls have a genetic mutation that gives them more than the usual number of toes on one or more feet. Polydactyl cats can have anywhere from six to eight toes per paw. The extra toes sometimes make them look like their paws have thumbs. While polydactyly can happen in many different animals (including humans), it's arguably cutest in cats. Writer Ernest Hemingway certainly thought so-he himself was a polydactyl owner, and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is now home to some 50 polydactyl cats.

British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is known for both its looks and its typically easygoing and fun-loving personality. The appealing chunkiness of its face and body and its plush, thick fur match its sturdy temperament. The wide-cheeked faces of British Shorthairs appear to be smiling and more expressive than many cat breeds', and it's said that they were the inspiration for the wide-grinning Cheshire Cat of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. British Shorthairs are reputed to be doglike in their readiness for fun and games, such as fetching.

Siamese

Who can resist the Siamese cat's pretty blue eyes? These cats have been valued for their unique patterning and outspoken personalities for centuries. Long a status symbol, Siamese cats have been given to dignitaries as gifts. They made their U.S. debut in 1878 when one was given to President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife by an American consul. These cats are especially known as being very vocal-their loud meows are sometimes mistaken for babies crying!

Norwegian Forest Cat

If you like hugging a cat who's a big armload of fur and can take what you dish out, then the Norwegian Forest Cat is for you. A big cat with big paws and lots of fur, the Norwegian is like a Maine Coon cat's Viking cousin. The large, muscular, affectionate, and calm Norwegian has a dense and water-resistant double coat and tufted toes and ears, making it the perfect companion for snowshoeing, raiding neighboring countries, and standing atop the dragon head on the prow of a Viking ship.

Japanese Bobtail

Japanese Bobtails are like cats on the front end and rabbits on the back end. Just let that sink in for a minute. It's almost too cute to handle. Kitties with bunny tails? Sign me up. These adorable critters are native to Japan, and have been around long enough to score appearances in traditional art. Unlike most dogs with "docked" tails, Japanese Bobtails come by their stubby tails naturally. The genetic mutation that causes the tail reduces the number of vertebrae present. And did I mention they like to play fetch?

Scottish Fold

While his ears are relatively straight, internet sensation Maru is a Scottish Fold, a breed of cat usually characterized by ears that fold forward and down. The first Scottish Fold was a barn cat discovered in 1961. For show, Scottish Folds are required to have the turned-down ears-but these are a result of a genetic mutation, so not all purebred Scottish Folds have them.

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It's long been a running joke in the Britannica offices that we should compile a list of "best cats"-this is the internet, after all. Two intrepid and cat-crazy editors have finally taken on this task for your enjoyment. After much considered debate, we present you a definitive list of best cats, according to us.

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Japanese macaques are known to bath in hots pring pools during the cold winter months.

Japan has a diverse habitat that supports several species of animals. There are about 153 species of mammals in the country, of which 3 are critically endangered, 22 are endangered, and 13 species are categorized as vulnerable. Below are some of the animals that are native to Japan.

10. Red-Crowned Crane

The red-crowned crane is a large crane known is as a symbol of luck and longevity in some parts of the world. The Japanese crane is among the rarest East Asian cranes. Their name originates from the patch of red bare skin on the crown which turns brighter during the breeding season. The red-crowned crane is snow-white in color with black on the lower parts of the wings. Males also have black cheeks, throats, and necks while the females are gray in these spots. The cranes are found in the Hokkaido and are mostly non-migratory. They are omnivores and feed on rice, carrots, and water plants.

9. Ussuri Black Bear

The Ussuri black bear is the largest Asiatic black bear subspecies. It is native to the Far East including the Korean Peninsula. The Ussuri black bear is named after the Ussuri River which runs through Russia and China. It has white or cream "moon" collar that is common on Asiatic black bears but has larger ears compared to other species. The male bear weighs approximately 200 kg while the female weighs 140 kg. Ussuri black bears spend most of their winters in dens and are mainly nocturnal. The bear is technically omnivorous but predominantly herbivorous, feeding on grass, nuts, and termites.

8. Stellar's Sea Lion

Stellar's sea lion is a species of sea lion that has been categorized as near-threatened. Their recent significant, unexplained decline has attracted considerable attention. Adult Stellar's sea lions are lighter than most sea lions. Its color ranges from pale yellow to tawny and sometimes reddish. Males can be distinguished from the female by the higher forehead and coarser hair around the neck. The sea lions live in coastal waters because of the cool temperate climate. They are mainly carnivores but can fall a prey to killer whales.

7. Japanese Pond Turtle

The Japanese pond turtle is a species of turtle belonging to the family Geoemydidae. It is endemic to Japan and is locally known as "Nihon ishigame". Its population has significantly decreased over the last two decades mainly due to habitat loss. However, it is yet to be declared threatened. The turtle has a yellowish-brown carapace and olive-brown head. The female is bigger than the male and can grow up to 21 centimeters long. However, males have longer tails. The diet of a Japanese pond turtle is varied and include frogs, water insects, tadpoles, and earthworms.

6. Green Pheasant

The green pheasant is endemic and native to the Japanese Archipelago and the national bird of Japan. It is mainly found in Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. The bird is spread throughout its range and can always be seen on farmlands and human settlement. The male green pheasant has green plumage on its breast and flanks while the female has brownish-black plumage. The males are slightly larger than the female. In Japan, those with hunting licenses are allowed to hunt the bird. They can capture at most two male birds per day. However, shooting a female bird is not permitted.

5. Japanese giant salamander

The Japanese giant salamander is endemic to Japan and found across southwestern Japan. An adult salamander can grow to approximately 5 feet long and weigh 55 pounds. The Japanese giant salamander is the second largest amphibian in the world. It has a brown and black skin that helps it to camouflage against river bottoms. Its eyes are small and have no eyelids while the mouth runs across the width of the head. The Japanese giant salamander protects itself from predators by releasing a strong-smelling milky substance. Its diet consists of insects, fish, and frogs.

4. Sika Deer

The Sika deer is a deer species native to parts of East Asia and also introduced in some parts of the world. The species is in overabundant in Japan. The name "Sika" comes from the Japanese word "Shika" which means deer. The Sika deer is among the few species of deer that do not its spots upon reaching maturity. Some species have large spots while others have nearly invisible spots. The pelage color ranges from mahogany to black. The coat darkens during winter. It mainly forages during the day in patchy clearings in the forest.

3. Japanese Macaque

The Japanese macaque is a terrestrial monkey. It is also called "snow monkey" because it inhabits areas where snow covers the ground for some months of the year. The monkey has a pinkish face and posterior with the rest of the body covered in gray hair. The coat is adapted to the cold area with the thickness increasing as the temperature decreases. The Japanese macaque is omnivorous, eating varieties of food including 213 species of plants, insects, and soil.

2. Dugong

The dugong is a marine mammal and one of the living species of the family Dugongidae. It is the only strictly marine herbivorous mammal. The dugong has a large body with cylindrical shape tapering both ends. The skin is thick and smooth, and is pale in color at birth and darkens with age. The body has sparse hair which is mainly developed around the mouth. The tail flukes and flippers resemble those of a dolphin. Dugongs are common in warm coastal waters. It is referred to "sea cow" because its diet consists of sea-grass. Dugong ingests the whole plant including the root.

1. Amami Rabbit

The Amami rabbit is a rabbit commonly found in Amani Oshima and Toku-no-Shima in Japan. It is a surviving remnant of the ancient rabbits that once inhabited the Asian mainland. The rabbit has short feet and hind legs. Its body is bulky and covered by thick, wooly, dark-brown pelage. The forefeet have strong and nearly straight claws while those on the hind feet are curved. The diet of the Amami rabbit consists of over 29 plant species including shrubs and herbaceous plants.

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2. World Facts

3. Animals Native to Japan

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Japan has a diverse habitat that supports several species of animals. There are about 153 species of mammals in the country, of which 3 are critically endangered, 22 are endangered, and 13 species are categorized as vulnerable. Below are some of the animals that are native to Japan.

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Whenever you see pictures of Mars, the one standout feature is its redness. If you've ever wondered what it is, that gives Mars its characteristic color, be sure to keep reading! Our friends at Planets for Kids help to explain the reason behind this planet's red color.
A Layer of Dust
The rocks and soil on the surface of Mars contain a dust that is primarily made up of iron (in addition to small amounts of other elements, including chlorine). Wind eroded these surface rocks and soil, and ancient volcanos blew out the iron, spreading it all over the planet.

When this happened, the iron within the dust reacted with oxygen, producing a red rust color. So, Mars is red because it has a layer of rusty dust covering its entire surface!
Dust Storms
Mars has some of the largest dust storms in the galaxy, in which the red dust gets whipped into the light atmosphere surrounding the planet. This is why Mars also appears to have a red sky.

Are you now wondering why the rust doesn't blow away? Well, it appears that some of the dust does blow out and away from the planet. However, scientists believe that, while some of the dust blows out into space, more dust is being made. And as more is made, the dust storms continue to blow it across the planet, keeping its red color!
Looking for more Never Stop Asking "Why?" questions? Catch up on all of the past "Why's" on the blog!

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Why is Mars red? | The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

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Whenever you see pictures of Mars, the one standout feature is its redness. If you've ever wondered what it is, that gives Mars its characteristic color, be sure to keep reading! Our friends at Planets for Kids help to explain the reason behind this planet's red color.

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(Image: © NASA/ESA/Hubble Team)

Expect to see a lot of red-orange landscapes over the next few weeks, as the Curiosity rover beams back its first photos of the rugged Martian scenery. But why is Mars red, anyway?

The simple explanation for the Red Planet's color is that its regolith, or surface material, contains lots of iron oxide - the same compound that gives blood and rust their hue. But why does Mars have so much iron, why is that iron "oxidized," and why does iron oxide look red?

It all started 4.5 billion years ago. When the solar system formed, many of the planets landed a dose of iron. Forged in the heart of long-dead stars, the heavy element swirled around in the cloud of gas and dust that gravitationally collapsed to form the sun and planets. Whereas the bulk of Earth's iron sank to its core when the planet was young and molten, NASA scientists think Mars' smaller size (and weaker gravity) allowed it to remain less differentiated. It does have an iron core, but abundant iron exists in its upper layers, also.

Plain-old iron looks shiny black. The element only takes on a reddish tinge when it has been exposed to oxygen, and enough oxygen at that for it to become iron(III) oxide, an atomic fivesome composed of two iron atoms and three oxygen atoms. So why did so much of the iron on Mars' surface oxidize, or gang up with oxygen?

In fact, the jury's still out on that one. For sure, some sort of weathering gradually rusted the iron on Mars. But did the ancient rainstorms that are thought to have occurred on a young, wet Mars rust the iron by pounding the regolith with oxygen atoms freed from water molecules? Or, did the oxidation happen gradually over billions of years, as sunlight broke down carbon dioxide and other molecules in the atmosphere, producing oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide and ozone? Or, as a group of Danish scientists suggested in 2009, have Martian dust storms slowly rusted the iron, by crumbling the quartz crystals that also exist in the regolith and leaving their oxygen-rich surfaces exposed?

Because no one yet knows the right explanation, the color of Mars is, in a sense, still a mystery. But however its surface rusted, the compound iron(III) oxide appears red because it absorbs the blue and green wavelengths of the light spectrum while reflecting the red wavelengths. [ Your Color Red Could Be My Blue]

The planet's bloody tinge - visible even from millions of miles away - got it strapped with the name of the Roman god of war, while other civilizations also named the planet for what was once its main distinguishing feature. The Egyptians called it "Her Desher," meaning "the red one," while ancient Chinese astronomers went with "the fire star."
Follow Natalie Wolchover on Twitter @nattyover or Life's Little Mysteries @llmysteries. We're also on Facebook & Google+. Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

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(Image: © NASA/ESA/Hubble Team) Expect to see a lot of red-orange landscapes over the next few weeks, as the Curiosity rover beams back its first photos of the rugged Martian scenery. But why is Mars red, anyway?

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All About Mars | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids

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How the Mariana Trench was formed - may need adult help to read/understand

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How the Mariana Trench was formed - may need adult help to read/understand

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National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

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While thousands of people have summited Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth, less than a handful have managed to explore our planet's deepest point, a location known as the Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench.

A Trench of Epic Proportions

Located in the western Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines, the Mariana Trench is a crescent-shaped scar in Earth's crust that measures more than 1,500 miles (2,550 kilometers) long and 43 miles (69 kilometers) wide on average. In fact, if you cut Mount Everest off at sea level and put it on the ocean bottom in the Challenger Deep, there would still be over a mile of water over the top of it.

The Mariana Trench was formed through a process called subduction. Earth's crust is made up of comparably thin plates that "float" on the molten rock of the planet's mantle. While floating on the mantle, the edges of these plates slowly bump into each other and sometimes even collide head-on.

When two plates crash into each other, an oceanic plate plunges downward into the mantle, while the other plate rides up over the top. This movement creates a trench where the descending oceanic plate drags down the edge of the overriding plate. This movement also creates the largest known earthquakes, which often generate tsunamis.

Today, the majority of the Mariana Trench is a U.S. protected zone as part of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, established in 2009.

Science Goes Deep

Part of the reason that the Challenger Deep is largely unexplored is due to hydrostatic pressure. When you enter any body of water and begin diving down from the surface, the deeper you dive the more water covers you. The more gallons of water between you and the surface, the greater the pressure on your body.

When you dive into a swimming pool and go all the way to the bottom of the deep end, you can often feel the hydrostatic pressure against your eardrums-a feeling of having them squeezed or pushed in. Magnify that feeling by thousands and you can imagine how incredible the pressure would be in the Challenger Deep with almost 7 miles of water overhead.

As challenging as it is to explore the Mariana Trench and the Challenger Deep in particular, several intrepid explorers have succeeded in this task.

The trench was first sounded during the Challenger expedition in 1875, using a weighted rope, which recorded a depth of 4,475 fathoms (8,184 metres; 26,850 feet).The Mariana Trench was also surveyed in 1951 by the British Survey ship, Challenger II, which is the namesake for the Challenger Deep. In 1984, the Japanese sent a survey vessel to the Trench to collect data using a multibeam echo sounder. The sound waves sent from the echo sounder bounce off the bottom of the ocean and are plotted on a graph to make a map of the ocean bottom. This system allowed scientists to collect important environmental data without endangering a human diver. A 2010 multibeam sonar survey of the Mariana Trench by the University of New Hampshire found new seafloor features, and obtained the most precise measurement of Challenger Deep- 10,994 meters (6.8 miles), plus or minus 40 meters (.02 miles).

Most famously, and also most recently, in 2012, director James Cameron made a historic, solo dive down to the bottom of the Challenger Deep in a specially-designed manned submersible named DEEPSEA CHALLENGER. This expedition collected data and specimens previously unknown, leading to a wealth of scientific knowledge about one of the least known parts of our Earth.

Discover the Mariana Trench From Your Couch

You don't have to take a trip in the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER to get a glimpse of the Mariana Trench for yourself. Experts at NCEI have created visual dive animations that allow you to travel through portions of the Mariana Trench.

Along with a visual journey to the Mariana Trench, you can view a wealth of data related to the area, including multibeam bathymetry data and digital elevation models (DEMs) that illuminate seafloor features, such as seamounts and fault scarps. DEMs are a 3D representation of terrain, merging both land and seafloor. A new endeavour to map the entirety of the world's ocean floor, Seabed 2030, will reveal even more seafloor features and deepen our understanding of the processes shaping the seabed.

With continued research into the deepest points of our ocean, the mysteries held in the Mariana Trench are slowly being revealed.

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While thousands of people have summited Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth, less than a handful have managed to explore our planet's deepest point, a location known as the Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench.

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What lurks in the depths of the deepest ocean? | CBC Kids

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The Mariana Trench is as deep as you can get on the planet Earth. Find out what lurks at its depths.

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Mariana Trench or Marianas Trench,, elongated depression on the Pacific Ocean floor, 210 mi (338 km) SW of Guam. It is the deepest known depression on the earth's surface, having been measured by various means since the 1950s at 35,760-36,201 ft (10,900-11,034 m) below sea level at Challenger Deep, with a 2010 measurement by the U.S. Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at 36,070 ft (10,994 m). The Trieste, a U.S. navy bathyscape crewed by Swiss oceanographyer Jacques Piccard and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Donald Walsh, reached its bottom in 1960. In 2012 James Cameron became the third person to descend to the Deep, in the submersible Deepsea Challenger. Victor Vescovo made the dive in 2019 in the submersible DSV Limiting Factor. Robotic vessels have also surveyed the trench and deep. The Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, 96,714 sq mi (250,488 sq km), was established in 2009 to protect the submerged lands and waters around the trench and around the three northernmost Mariana Islands and 21 sites with undersea mud volcanoes and hydrothermal vents.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Oceans and Continents

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Mariana Trench or Marianas Trench,, elongated depression on the Pacific Ocean floor, 210 mi (338 km) SW of Guam. It is the deepest known depression on the earth's surface, having been measured by various means since the 1950s at 35,760-36,201 ft (10,900-11,034 m) below sea level at Challenger Deep, with a 2010 measurement by the U.S.

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Map of Africa

Fennec Fox

Fennec Fox Classification and Evolution

The fennec fox is a small species of fox found in the deserts of North Africa. They are the smallest canine species but have the largest ears relative to their body size which are used to both aid their hearing and to help them to control their body temperature in the hostile environments in which they live. Fennec foxes are largely nocturnal animals as this both helps protect them from the scorching African heat and keeps them safe from predators during the day. Their adorable appearance has lead to them being kept as pets throughout much of their natural range and also overseas. Male fennec foxes are known as reynards and females are called vixens.

Fennec Fox Anatomy and Appearance

Fennec foxes are the smallest species of fox found anywhere in the world growing up to 41cm in length and weighing just 1.5kg. They have long and bushy black-tipped tails that help to steer them when changing direction when running and also keep their nose and feet warm while they are curled up sleeping in their dens. Fennec foxes have light, sandy coloured fur that helps to ensure they are well camouflaged when they are out on the sand. Their fur is long and thick which helps to keep them warm when the desert temperatures plummet at night but also keeps them cooler during the hot daytime hours as the colour also reflects the sun away from their bodies. The most distinctive feature of the fennec fox is their pointed oval, over-sized ears which can grow up to 15cm in length. Their large ears give the fennec fox incredibly sensitive hearing so they are able to find prey and also act as a temperature regulator to prevent them from getting too hot. Fennec foxes have long and sharp, curved claws that enable them to effectively dig their burrows with great speed.

Fennec Fox Distribution and Habitat

Fennec foxes are found inhabiting both sandy and semi-arid desert regions across northern Africa and the northern Sinai peninsula. They have a relatively wide range from Morocco across to Egypt, south to north Niger and Sudan and east to Kuwait. Fennec foxes are found in both the Sahara and Nubian deserts, where they dig extensive underground burrows with sandy dunes thought to be the optimum habitat for them. Although little is really known about the exact distribution of wild fennec fox populations, they are not thought to be too threatened in their natural environments at this time as they are able to successfully survive in a range of desert environments from coastal regions to more sparse areas of the inland deserts.

Fennec foxes are largely nocturnal animals that tend to be most active during the cooler nights. The sandy colour of their thick fur means that they can more easily go unseen on the sand but they tend to avoid too much activity during the day due to the searing heat. Fennec foxes are unique amongst foxes as they are actually relatively sociable animals (other fox species are highly solitary only coming together to mate). They inhabit elaborate, inter-connecting burrows in small communities of up to 10 individuals with each individual or mating pair having their own territory within their underground community. Like other canines, male fennec foxes mark their territory with urine and become incredibly aggressive towards one another, particularly when competing for females during the mating season.

Fennec foxes mate between January and March. Once they have found a mate, the mate for life with couples inhabiting the same part of the den for the whole year round. After a nearly two month long gestation period, the female fennec fox (vixen) gives birth to between 2 and 5 offspring that are known as kits. Born with grey skin and weighing just 50grams at birth, fennec fox kits suckle on their mother's milk until they are about 5 weeks old when they start to be weaned onto more solid foods. Young fennec foxes remain in their maternal den protected by the female for their first two months with the adult male being temporarily evicted until the kits are older. Fennec foxes are fully mature by the time they are 11 months old and can live for up to 12 years in the wild.

Fennec foxes are omnivorous animals that primarily hunt for food during the cooler nights. They eat a wide range of desert vegetation including grasses, roots, berries and fruit as well as hunting for insects, small reptiles and rodents in and on the sand. Using their incredibly sensitive hearing, they can hear their prey walking around on the soft sand or burrowing into it. Like many other desert dwelling creatures, fennec foxes are well adapted to living in such a dry environment and get almost all of the water that they need through the vegetation they eat. Their kidneys are specially developed to ensure that there is minimal water loss in their day to day lives.

Due to their agile nature and the fact that they spend most of the daytime hours sleeping safely in their underground burrows, fennec foxes have very few common predators in their natural environment. Eagle owls are considered to be the main predator of the fennec fox but they are also thought to be preyed about by larger mammals too including hyenas, caracals, jackals and domestic dogs. Fennec foxes are often trapped and captured by people to be sold into the pet trade as well as being hunted by locals for their beautiful fur. In some regions, fennec foxes are also threatened by habitat loss from expanding human settlements.

Fennec Fox Interesting Facts and Features

Fennec foxes have many adaptations to help them to successfully survive in their desert environment and one of their most notable features is their furry feet. Their thick fur continues onto the soles of their feet to allow them to walk around on the scorching hot sand without a problem. Highly unusual amongst canines, the sociable nature of the fennec fox is quite a remarkable behavioural trait. These small communities are often referred to as either a skulk or a leash. Their extensive underground burrows provide each individual or mating pair with their own small territory within their community, where fennec fox individuals dig their own burrows which they line with soft materials including feathers and fur to ensure that they are warm and comfortable when they are sleeping during the day.

Fennec Fox Relationship with Humans

The wide range of the fennec fox means that they only really come into contact with people in certain regions as they are able to successfully survive in the more remote and hostile regions of the desert. In areas where local human populations are expanding, fennec foxes are starting to be increasingly threatened by habitat loss as human settlements develop. Fennec foxes have long since been hunted by local people for their beautiful fur and are commonly captured and sold into the exotic pet trade all around the world.

The fennec fox has been classified by the IUCN as an animal that is of Least Concern from becoming extinct in the wild in the near future. Despite the fact that certain fennec fox populations are becoming increasingly threatened from habitat loss and hunting, there is currently no known range-wide threats resulting in population decline that would warrant them being placed into a threatened listing category.

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Fennec Fox Classification and EvolutionThe fennec fox is a small species of fox found in the deserts of North Africa. They are the smallest canine species but have the largest ears relative to their body size which are used to both aid their hearing and to...

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Fennec foxes are sometimes called "desert foxes" because they live in desert zones of North Africa and the Sinai and Arabian peninsulas. They are nocturnal and avoid the daytime heat of the desert environment. Their batlike ears radiate body heat and help keep the foxes cool. They also have long, thick, soft fur coats with a wooly undercoat that insulates them during cold nights and protects them from the hot sun during the day.

They have been known to jump in the air 2 feet (.6 meters) high from a standing position, and they are able to leap a distance of 4 feet (1.2 meters).

These foxes dwell in small groups of up to ten individuals. Like dogs and other canids, male fennecs mark their territory with urine.

They forage for plants but also eat rodents, eggs, reptiles, and insects. Like most desert dwellers, the fennec fox has the ability to go for long periods without water. These foxes are cream-colored with black-tipped tails.

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The fennec fox is the smallest of all the world's foxes, weighing only 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram). It has enormous ears, measuring 6 inches (15 centimeters), which it appears to have borrowed from a much bigger relative. Fennec foxes are sometimes called "desert foxes" because they live in desert zones of North Africa and the Sinai and Arabian peninsulas.

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Fun Facts About Cute Animals - Fennec Fox | CBC Kids

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The female carries her baby in the pouch for 6 or 7 months after it is born. The baby feeds on its mother's milk inside the pouch. Between 22 and 30 weeks of age, its mother starts feeding the joey a substance called pap, which is formed from pre-digested food and her droppings. This is important, because it contains bacteria from the mother's intestine that will enable the joey to digest the toxic eucalyptus leaves. It is fed to the joey for several weeks before it leaves the pouch.

After it leaves the pouch, the baby travels around on its mother's back, but continues to drink milk until a year old. It is then often referred to as 'back young', now that it is no longer 'pouch young'. Generally this is when a young one leaves its mother, but if she does not breed then the young one stays longer.

Conservation status and threats

Koalas are classified as Endangered, although this is now being re-assessed. Habitat loss is a major threat for koalas as forests are cleared. When on the ground or low branches, koalas are hunted by dingoes, feral (once domestic but now wild) dogs and foxes. Goannas, wedge-tailed eagles, and large owls are a danger to baby koalas. If there are too many koalas in a small place, usually because much of the forest is cut down, koalas can become stressed, and then ill. When this happens, the government will organise a project to move some of them to a similar habitat elsewhere.

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The female carries her baby in the pouch for 6 or 7 months after it is born. The baby feeds on its mother's milk inside the pouch. Between 22 and 30 weeks of age, its mother starts feeding the joey a substance called pap, which is formed from pre-digested food and her droppings.

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Just the Facts: The Koala is broadly similar in appearance to the wombat (its closest living relative), but has a thicker, softer coat, much larger ears, and longer limbs, which are equipped with large, sharp claws to assist with climbing. Weight varies from about 14 kg for a large, southern male, to about 5 kg for a small northern female. Contrary to popular belief, their fur is thick, not soft and cuddly.

Cough Drops? Much as the Flamingo's bright color comes from the carotene they eat, the Koala has been observed as smelling like large cough drops due to their diet of eucalyptus.

Barely a Brain: The Koala has an unusually small brain, with about 40% of the cranial cavity being filled with fluid, while the brain itself is like "a pair of shriveled walnut halves on top of the brain stem, in contact neither with each other nor the bones of the skull. It is the only animal on Earth with such a strangely reduced brain."

Where in the World? The Koala is found all along the eastern coast of Australia from near Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula, and as far into the hinterland as there is enough rainfall to support suitable forests. The Koalas of South Australia were largely exterminated during the early part of the 20th century, but the state has since been repopulated with Victorian stock. The Koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia.

Leaf: it's what's for dinner... The Koala lives almost entirely on eucalyptus leaves. This is likely to be an evolutionary adaptation that takes advantage of an otherwise unfilled ecological niche, since eucalyptus leaves are low in protein, high in indigestible substances, and contain phenolic and terpene compounds that are toxic to most species.

Like wombats and sloths, the Koala has a very low metabolic rate for a mammal (which conserves energy) and rests motionless for about 19 hours a day, sleeping most of that time. Koalas spend about 3 of their 5 active hours eating. It feeds at any time of day, but usually at night. An average Koala eats 500 grams of eucalyptus leaves each day, chewing them in its powerful jaws to a very fine paste before swallowing.

Digestion: The liver deactivates the toxic components ready for excretion, and the hind gut (especially the caecum) is greatly enlarged to extract the maximum amount of nutrient from the poor quality diet. Much of this is done through bacterial fermentation: when young are being weaned, the mother passes unusually soft feces, called pap, which is rich in these bacteria, thus passing these essential digestive aids onto her offspring.

Quiet Creatures: It is a generally silent creature, but males have a very loud advertising call that can be heard from almost a kilometer away during the breeding season. There is little reliable information about the lifespan of the Koala, but in captivity they have been observed to reach the age of 15 years.

Solitary Koalas: Females are solitary and occupy distinct home ranges that they rarely leave. In the more fertile areas, these ranges overlap; in areas where suitable food trees are scarce they tend to be larger and more exclusive. Males are not territorial, but do not tolerate one another, particularly not during the breeding season: dominant individuals attack subordinate ones, and most adult males carry scars on their face, ears and forearms as a result.

Tree Huggers: The Koala is almost entirely arboreal. It does not make nests, but sleeps in a tree fork or on a branch. It climbs using its powerful claws for grip, usually moving quite slowly but can climb rapidly when needed. The Koala will leap confidently from one tree to another if they are reasonably close together. Its climbing is aided by a pair of thumbs on each paw, and it is the only other animal aside from primates to possess fingerprints. Longer distances are traversed on the ground in a slow but effective waddle. If threatened, the Koala breaks into a surprisingly athletic gallop, heading for the nearest tree and bounding up it to a safe height. There the Koala waits for the intruder to go away with the patience of a creature that routinely sleeps for 18 hours a day. The Koala is also rather adept at swimming, but this has rarely been witnessed.

Birds and Bees: Females reach sexual maturity at 2 to 3 years of age, males at 3 to 4 years. If healthy, a female Koala can produce one young each year for about
12 years. Gestation is 35 days; twins are very rare. Mating normally occurs between December and March, the Southern Hemisphere's summer.

Draw-string Pouch: A baby Koala is referred to as a joey and is hairless, blind, and earless. At birth the joey, only the size of a jelly bean, crawls into the downward-facing pouch on the mother's belly (which is closed by a drawstring-like muscle that the mother can tighten at will) and attaches itself to one of the two teats. Young remain hidden in the pouch for about six months, only feeding on milk. During this time they grow ears, eyes, and fur. The joey then begins to explore outside of the pouch.

Baby Food: At about 30 weeks it has begun to eat the semi-liquid form of the mother's excrement called "pap". The baby Koala will remain with the mother for another six months or so, riding on her back, and feeding on both milk and gum leaves until weaning is complete at about 12 months of age. Young females disperse to nearby areas at that time; young males often stay in the mother's home range until they are two or three years old.

All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

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Just the Facts: The Koala is broadly similar in appearance to the wombat (its closest living relative), but has a thicker, softer coat, much larger ears, and longer limbs, which are equipped with large, sharp claws to assist with climbing. Weight varies from about 14 kg for a large, southern male, to about 5 kg for a small northern female.

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For koalas, sprawling against the trunk of a tree isn't just a sign they are lazy. It could signal it's hot - really hot. And that sprawl could provide more than half the cooling a koala needs to survive a typical hot summer day, new research shows.

Koalas don't have dens. So there's nowhere for them to retreat during a heat wave. Panting and licking their fur may bring some relief. But these tactics can use up precious water. In fact, it can put the animal at risk of becoming dehydrated. Flopping against tree bark that's cooler than air can help. It's like holding a cool glass of some lemonade up against your cheek on a hot summer's day. It's a newly recognized way animals cope with heat, says Michael Kearney. An ecologist, he works at the University of Melbourne in Australia.

His co-worker Natalie Briscoe first noticed that as temperatures soar past 37° Celsius (98.6° Fahrenheit), koalas tend to retreat lower in a tree. They also stretch out in dishrag poses. Some even abandon edible eucalyptus trees to loll in an inedible tree (the Acacia mearnsii).

On a hunch, the scientists used infrared photography - which displays different temperatures with different colors - to study the animals in different poses and different trees. This, and related calculations, showed that these shifts cooled the koalas. For instance, acacia trunks tend to be slightly more than 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler than the local air temperature. Briscoe, Kearney and their team report their new findings June 4 in Biology Letters.

"It gives us a very different perspective on what the habitat requirements are for koalas," Kearny says. They need trees good at air conditioning as well as trees good for food.

Power Words

dehydrate To lose a large amount of water.

ecology A branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. A scientist who works in this field is called an ecologist.

eucalyptus Several species of tall and aromatic trees found naturally only in Australia. Their wood is valued for timber. The oil found in the leaves has been used in medicine. And these trees are perhaps best known as the only thing adult koalas will eat.

habitat The area or natural environment in which an animal or plant normally lives, such as a desert, coral reef or freshwater lake. A habitat can be home to thousands of different species.

infrared light A type of electromagnetic radiation invisible to the human eye. The name incorporates a Latin term and means "below red." Infrared light has wavelengths longer than those visible to humans. Other invisible wavelengths include X rays, radio waves and microwaves. It tends to record a hit signature of an object or environment.

Susan Milius is the life sciences writer, covering organismal biology and evolution, and has a special passion for plants, fungi and invertebrates. She studied biology and English literature.

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For koalas, sprawling against the trunk of a tree isn't just a sign they are lazy. It could signal it's hot - really hot. And that sprawl could provide more than half the cooling a koala needs to survive a typical hot summer day, new research shows. Koalas don't have dens.

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Inside the Earth
Printout: Label the Inside of the Earth

The Earth is made of many different and distinct layers. The deeper layers are composed of heavier materials; they are hotter, denser and under much greater pressure than the outer layers.

Core: The Earth has a iron-nickel core that is about 2,100 miles in radius. The inner core may have a temperature up to about 13,000°F (7,200°C = 7,500 K), which is hotter than the surface of the Sun. The inner core (which has a radius of about 750 miles (1,228 km) is solid. The outer core is in a liquid state and is about 1,400 miles (2,260 km) thick.

Mantle: Under the crust is the rocky mantle, which is composed of silicon, oxygen, magnesium, iron, aluminum, and calcium. The upper mantle is rigid and is part of the lithosphere (together with the crust). The lower mantle flows slowly, at a rate of a few centimeters per year. The asthenosphere is a part of the upper mantle that exhibits plastic properties. It is located below the lithosphere (the crust and upper mantle), between about 100 and 250 kilometers deep.

Convection (heat) currents carry heat from the hot inner mantle to the cooler outer mantle. The mantle is about 1,700 miles (2,750 km) thick. The mantle gets warmer with depth; the top of the mantle is about 1,600° F (870° C); towards the bottom of the mantle, the temperature is about 4,000-6,700° F (2,200-3,700° C). The mantle contains most of the mass of the Earth. The Gutenberg discontinuity separates the outer core and the mantle.

Surface and crust: The Earth's surface is composed mostly of water, basalt and granite. Oceans cover about 70% of Earth's surface. These oceans are up to 3.7 km deep. The Earth's thin, rocky crust is composed of silicon, aluminum, calcium, sodium and potassium. For a page on soil, click here.
The crust is divided into continental plates which drift slowly (only a few centimeters each year) atop the less rigid mantle. The crust is thinner under the oceans (6-11 km thick); this is where new crust is formed. Continental crust is about 25-90 km thick. The lithosphere is defined as the crust and the upper mantle, a rigid layer about 100-200 km thick. The Mohorovicic discontinuity is the separation between the crust and the upper mantle.

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INSIDE THE EARTH - ENCHANTED LEARNING SOFTWARE

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Advertisement. EnchantedLearning.com is a user-supported site. As a bonus, site members have access to a banner-ad-free version of the site, with print-friendly pages. Click here to learn more. (Already a member? Click here.) Inside the Earth Printout: Label the Inside of the Earth The Earth is made of many different and distinct layers.

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Dynamic Earth Interactive - Annenberg Learner

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Delve into the structure of the Earth to learn what causes earthquakes, volcanoes, and more.

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Earth has a diameter of about 12,756 km (7,972 mi). The Earth's interior consists of rock and metal. It is made up of four main layers:
1) the inner core: a solid metal core made up of nickel and iron (2440 km diameter)
2) the outer core: a liquid molten core of nickel and iron
3) the mantle: dense and mostly solid silicate rock
4) the crust: thin silicate rock material

The temperature in the core is hotter than the Sun's surface. This intense heat from the inner core causes material in the outer core and mantle to move around.

The movement of material deep within the Earth may cause large plates made of the crust and upper mantle to move slowly over the Earth's surface. It is also possible that the movements generate the Earth's magnetic field, called the magnetosphere.

You might also be interested in:

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Earth's Interior - Windows to the Universe

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Earth has a diameter of about 12,756 km (7,972 mi). The Earth's interior consists of rock and metal. It is made up of four main layers: 1) the inner core: a solid metal core made up of nickel and iron (2440 km diameter) 2) the outer core: a liquid molten core of nickel and iron 3) the mantle: dense and mostly solid silicate rock 4) the crust: thin silicate rock material The temperature in the core is hotter than the Sun's surface.

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Make your own lollipops at home, it's so much fun and easy to make lots. A word of warning though the candy is very hot so perhaps not a recipe for younger ones.

I have an exciting week coming up, my channel is being featured at an event for youtube. I can't tell you much now, it's all top secret, but I'll share more with you next Friday.

To make your own candy you will need:

600g (21.16 ounces) or 2 and 3/4 cups of sugar
200mL (6.76 fluid ounces) or 3/4 cup plus 2 tsp water
100g (3.53 ounces) or 1/4 cup plus 2 tsp of glucose syrup or corn syrup
1/16th tsp cream of tartar
A good candy thermometer.
flavours / colours of your choice
The lemon Fizzers need 37g (1.31 ounces) or 2 Tbsp sherbet, yellow colour and lemon flavouring

Basic Candy Instructions
Put the sugar, water and glucose syrup into a pan. Place it over high heat. If you've got any sugar on the sides wash it down using a wet pastry brush.

Turn your oven on to 100C (212 degrees Fahrenheit) and place a tray lined with non-stick baking paper in to warm up.

Let your sugar mixture boil until it reaches 150C (302 degrees Fahrenheit). Turn off the heat and stir through the cream of tar tar.

Sherbet filled candy
Follow the candy directions above and add yellow food colouring.

Pour it into a warm tray lined with baking paper.

Protect your hands using cotton gloves covered in silicone gloves.

Fold in the edges of the candy towards the centre lift it up and begin to pull it out then fold it back in. The more you pull it the more shiny and opaque it becomes, if you want it transparent then don't pull it much at all. Place it back in the tray and flatten it out, then put it in the oven to warm up again.

Stretch it into a rectangle. Place a generous amount of sherbet down the centre and then bring the sides up and around to cover it. Push down each of the ends to seal in the sherbet and squeeze to make a cylinder shape.

Place it back in the oven for about 30 seconds then stretch it to make a long snake. Working quickly before it hardens make firm indents along the candy.

Other candies follow the same basic directions, see the video for directions on how to make the spirals, hearts, lollipops and more.

How To Cook That

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How to Make Candy at Home - HowToCookThat : Cakes, Dessert & Chocolate

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Make your own lollipops at home, it's so much fun and easy to make lots. A word of warning though the candy is very hot so perhaps not a recipe for younger ones. I have an exciting week coming up, my channel is being featured at an event for youtube.

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whaling, the hunting of whales for the oil that can be rendered from their flesh, for meat, and for baleen (whalebone). Historically, whale oil was economically the most important.

Sections in this article:

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Environmental Studies

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whaling, the hunting of whales for the oil that can be rendered from their flesh, for meat, and for baleen (whalebone). Historically, whale oil was economically the most important. Sections in this article: The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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Jean-Michel Cousteau : Ocean Adventures . Sharks at Risk | PBS

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In the PBS series, Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures, take a voyage to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, learn about why sharks are at risk, follow along with a gray whale as it navigates an obstacle course along its migration, explore the National Marine Sanctuaries, and join the crew members as they get to know the flora and fauna of the Amazon River Basin.

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Scroll down to the 10th paragraph to read about Japan's response to shark protection laws

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Scroll down to the 10th paragraph to read about Japan's response to shark protection laws

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This undated photo made available by The Pew Charitable Trusts shows a mako shark swimming in the Atlantic Ocean off Rhode Island. (Matthew D Potenski/The Pew Charitable Trusts via AP)

GENEVA (AP) -- Countries have agreed to protect more than a dozen shark species at risk of extinction, in a move aimed at conserving some of the ocean's most awe-inspiring creatures who have themselves become prey to commercial fishing and the Chinese appetite for shark fin soup.

Three proposals covering the international trade of 18 types of mako sharks, wedgefishes and guitarfishes each passed with a needed two-thirds majority in a committee of the World Wildlife Conference known as CITES on Sunday.

"Today we are one step closer to protecting the fastest shark in the ocean, as well as the most threatened," said Jen Sawada, who directs The Pew Charitable Trusts' shark conservation work. The measures don't ban fishing these sharks and rays, but any trade must be sustainable.

The move isn't final but is a key sign before an official decision at its plenary this coming week.

Conservationists applauded and exchanged hugs after the tallies. Opponents variously included China, Iceland, Japan, Malaysia and New Zealand. The U.S. voted against the mako shark measure, but supported the other two.

Critics variously argued that the measures distanced CITES from its initial mandate to protect endangered land animals and plants, not marine life, and insisted the science didn't back up the call to increase protections. They also noted that that millions of Mako sharks exist and even the CITES secretariat advised against the protections.

But proponents countered that stocks of sharks are in a deep dive, with tens of millions killed each year, and that measures need to be taken now -- with what they call some of the most significant rules ever adopted for trade in shark parts.

Rima Jabado, a shark expert and lead scientist of the Gulf Elasmo project, said many of the species included in the CITES proposals are classified as "critically endangered." Jabado said there has been an 80% decline in the number of wedgefishes, based on available data. Like giant guitarfishes, the enigmatic wedgefish has an elongated triangle-shaped head and can be found in oceans in Southeast Asia, the Arabian Sea and East Africa.

Makos are the world's fastest sharks, reaching speeds of up to 80 mph (nearly 130 kph). But they often get caught up in the nets of fishing trawlers hunting for tuna.

Several countries with large fishing fleets, including Japan, opposed the measure to protect mako sharks.

"Japan has been highly dependent on (live) marine resources from the ancient times," said Hideki Moronuki, director of fisheries negotiations at the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. "It's very, very important for us in Japan to sustainably use all those marine riches," he said. He was among those who noted that even the CITES secretariat had recommended rejecting the mako shark proposal.

CITES concluded that "with the possible but uncertain exception of the Mediterranean, the population of (mako sharks) does not seem to have declined below the 30% threshold in different ocean regions" and that "it is currently not projected that declines would continue."

Still, Jabado said some species of sharks and rays are becoming so difficult to find in the wild that scientists only often see them when they are on sale at local fish markets.

"How are we ever going to save these species if we only see them when fishermen bring them in?" she said, adding that even if actions are taken now, it will be decades before shark populations start to recover. Losing more sharks and rays could also have other unintended consequences since they are top ocean predators and help to balance the ecosystems, Jabado said.

Scientists warn that although warming oceans and climate change are also hurting sharks, it is the demand for shark fin soup that is threatening to drive some species to extinction. The Pew Trust estimates that between 63 million and 273 million sharks are killed every year, mostly to feed the shark fin trade centered in Hong Kong.

Dried shark fin can draw up to $1,000 per kilogram. The fins are often turned into shark fin soup, a Chinese delicacy that symbolizes good fortune, in which the gelatinous fin is served in a broth whose recipe dates back to the 10th-century Song Dynasty. Fishermen often slice off a shark's fin while the animal is still alive before tossing the writhing carcass back into the ocean.

While Chinese celebrities like retired basketball star Yao Ming are trying to persuade diners to abandon the soup, many aren't convinced.

"Shark fin soup is a Chinese tradition so why should I stop eating it?" Wilson Kwan said outside a seafood restaurant in London's Chinatown. "I know some people say it's cruel to sharks, but sharks are killers too."

Last year, there were an estimated 66 unprovoked shark attacks on humans globally, including four fatalities, according to the Florida Museum, which tracks such incidents. It is exceedingly rare for sharks to bite humans -- and when they do, it's often because they have mistaken them for seals or other prey.

Conservationists say movies like "Jaws" have unfairly maligned society's perception of sharks and in turn, made it difficult to garner support to protect them.

"People would be outraged if they were serving dolphins in restaurants," said Graham Buckingham of the British shark group, Bite-Back. "But because it's a shark, they think it's perfectly OK."

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Extinction bites: countries agree to protect sharks and rays - The Mainichi

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GENEVA (AP) -- Countries have agreed to protect more than a dozen shark species at risk of extinction, in a move aimed at conserving some of the ocean's most awe-inspiring creatures who have themselves become prey to commercial fishing and the Chinese appetite for shark fin soup.

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Welcome to five consecutive calendar days dedicated to programming about everyone's favorite cartilaginous fishes: the sharks!

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Scroll down to the Snake Movement Section of this article

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Scroll down to the Snake Movement Section of this article

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Female western painted turtle
Photograph by Stan Levine

The painted turtle ( Chrysemys picta) is the most widely distributed North American turtle, and the only one to range across the entire continent, occurring from southern Canada to northern Mexico and from the northwestern to the southeastern United States. They are small turtles with an adult carapace length of 4-10 inches (10-25 cm). The carapace is a smooth, flattened oval, and is green to black in color, with red markings in some sub-species. The plastron is generally yellow, sometimes tinged with red, sometimes with a black to reddish-brown figure of varying size and shape. The skin of the painted turtle is black to olive with red and yellow stripes on the neck, legs and tail and yellow stripes on the head. Males have elongated foreclaws and long, thick tails. Females have shorter foreclaws, shorter and thinner tails, and tend to be larger.

The eastern painted turtle, C. p. picta (Schneider, 1783), ranges from southeast Canada through New England and down to Georgia and eastern Alabama. It is usually 5-7 inches (12.7-17.8 cm) long, and the record is 7.1 inches. This turtle is unique in that the vertebral and costal scutes run virtually parallel, so the light bordered seams are aligned across the carapace. On all other North American turtles, the seams alternate. The plastron is usually plain yellow. In the coastal portions of its range, it may be found in brackish tidal waters.

The midland painted, C. p. marginata Agassiz, 1857, ranging from southern Quebec and Ontario to the central US, eastward to New England, Pennsylvania to West Virginia and Maryland, is similar in size to the eastern painted. It has dark borders around its alternating carapacial seams, relatively ornate marginal scutes and a dark figure on its plastron.

At about 5 inches (12.7 cm) long, with a record of 6.1 inches (15.5 cm), the southern painted turtle, C. p. dorsalis Agassiz, 1857, is the smallest subspecies. It ranges from southern Illinois and Missouri along both sides of the Mississippi River south to Louisiana and eastward to Alabama. It features a conspicuous red, orange or yellow stripe running the length of the carapace, and has a plain yellow plastron.

The western painted turtle, C. p. bellii (Gray, 1831), is the largest subspecies. Adults are often over 7 inches (17.8 cm) long, with a record of 9.8 inches (25 cm). It ranges from western Ontario to British Columbia south to Missouri, northern Oklahoma, eastern Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and northern Oregon with isolated populations in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Chihuahua, Mexico. Its green carapace features a network of faint markings. Its yellow or reddish plastron is marked by an intricate dark figure branching along the seams.

Where their ranges overlap intergrades, exhibiting a mix of subspecies characteristics, occur. Because they are often kept in mixed company, hybrids produced by matings between different subspecies are common in captivity.

Wild painted turtles prefer slow-moving shallow waters of ponds, marshes, creeks and lakes with soft, muddy bottoms, with suitable basking sites and ample aquatic vegetation. Painted turtles are diurnal, spending the nights sleeping on the pond bottom or on a partially submerged object. They become active at sunrise and bask for several hours before foraging for food in late morning. They may forage again in late afternoon into early evening.

The basking habit is well developed in painted turtles. As many as 50 turtles have been observed on a single log, often stacked atop each other in several layers. Even hatchlings can be seen basking. Basking in the sun serves several important purposes. The heat helps maintain the preferred body temperature. The sun's ultraviolet helps eliminate skin parasites and is essential for the synthesis of vitamin D3.

Courtship is quite graceful and occurs from March to mid-June. The male slowly pursues the female, swimming past her and turning to face her. He strokes her head and neck with his long foreclaws which he moves in a trembling motion. If receptive, she responds by stroking his outstretched limbs with her foreclaws. The male swims away apparently trying to entice her to follow. Eventually the female sinks to the pond bottom where mating takes place.

Nesting occurs from late May to mid-July. The female prepares a flask-shaped nest in slightly moist loamy or sandy soil at a sunny site near water. The number of eggs laid varies from 2 to 20, differing among the subspecies. Incubation in nature and in captivity averages 76 days.

The influence of incubation temperature on hatchling gender is well-documented in painted turtles. Eggs incubated at relatively higher temperatures (87°F, 30.5°C) produce female hatchlings; lower incubation temperatures (77°F, 25°C) produce male hatchlings. At the pivotal temperature of 84°F (29°C), both males and females are produced.

Hatchlings emerge from the egg with the help of the caruncle or eggtooth. The caruncle drops off a few days after hatching. The hatchlings have a keeled shell and an abdominal fold, both of which disappear as they grow. Their shell pigmentation and markings are brighter and more pronounced than those of adults. They mature about five years after hatching and are thought to live as long as 20 years.

Wild hatchlings may overwinter in the nest. The inch-long (2.5 cm) hatchlings can survive being frozen! Adult painted turtles are also cold tolerant, and have been observed swimming under ice. Most painted turtles become dormant in the colder winter months. They burrow into the mud of their pond or seek muskrat burrows or other suitable shelter. While dormant, their need for oxygen is greatly decreased, and they can absorb sufficient oxygen for their needs from the water through their skin, throat linings and thin-walled sacs in the anal area.

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The Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta by Mary Cohen

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Female western painted turtlePhotograph by Stan Levine The painted turtle ( Chrysemys picta) is the most widely distributed North American turtle, and the only one to range across the entire continent, occurring from southern Canada to northern Mexico and from the northwestern to the southeastern United States.

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Green sea turtles have a gray, green, black and brown shell that covers both their dorsal and ventral sides. Individual turtles can reach 3 feet (1 m) in length and can weigh over 400 pounds (136 kg). Unlike their terrestrial counterparts, these marine turtles can reach speeds of up to 35 mph (56 kph). Green sea turtles breathe air and when asleep are able to remain submerged for up to two hours without resurfacing for oxygen. On average, green sea turtles reach sexual maturity at age of 25 and have a lifespan of 50 years. Females nest nocturnally, laying roughly 100 eggs at a time in their "clutch" or nest. Females return to the beaches where they were born to nest, often traveling great distances from the habitats where they feed during the rest of the year.

Did you know? Forests are home to 80 percent of Earth's terrestrial biodiversity! We're preserving habitats for endangered species, conserving wildlife corridors, and saving breeding grounds. Please join our alliance to keep forests standing:

The range of the green sea turtles extends through most tropical and subtropical oceans in the world. The Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea is home to the Atlantic subpopulation - where they live in shallow waters and travel through costal inlets, bays, and estuaries.

Adult green sea turtles are herbivorous, their diet consisting mainly of sea grasses and algae. Their green diet is thought to produce the greenish colored fat which gives green sea turtles their name.

Juvenile and new hatchlings face many predators throughout their early life. Once they reach maturity, green sea turtles have few predators beyond sharks. Human use of nesting beaches for development and poaching, either for food or ornamentation, have been the main drivers of green sea turtle population decline.

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Green sea turtles have a gray, green, black and brown shell that covers both their dorsal and ventral sides. Individual turtles can reach 3 feet (1 m) in length and can weigh over 400 pounds (136 kg). Unlike their terrestrial counterparts, these marine turtles can reach speeds of up to 35 mph (56 kph).

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Difference between cell phone and land line phone

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Difference between cell phone and land line phone

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Ring! Ring! Hello! What's that familiar sound? It's the phone, of course. Whether it's a land line at home or a cell phone on the go, the ring of a phone is music to our ears. When we hear that sound, we know we're about to hear the voice of a friend or loved one.

Many of us take phones for granted. After all, the technology has been around a long time. But isn't it incredible all the same?

Hundreds of years ago, your communication options were quite limited. If you had a message for a friend, you could tell them in person or write them a letter. Today you might text, post, or email someone a message. Or you can pick up a phone to hear their voice on the other end...and they could even be on top of a mountain at the other end of the world!

In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented the first telephone. The technology in existence at that time was not very advanced. Surprisingly, though, the basic technology that makes land line phones work hasn't changed drastically in the 100 years and more since then.

Home phones, or land lines as they are commonly known now, are very simple devices that, at their most basic, require only a switch, a speaker, and a microphone. Of course, most land line phones have various other types of technology to improve their sound and performance.

Many phones in homes and offices are called land lines because they are connected to a phone network via wires and cables. A wired connection runs from the inside and connects to a phone box on the outside. From that box, many wires are bound together that then connect to a phone company's local switch. At the phone company's switch, advanced computer systems connect your call to the person you want to speak with.

Although many intermediate steps are involved along the way, a phone's basic operation involves turning your voice from sound waves into that is then transmitted along various lines until it reaches the phone of the person you're speaking to. In the 's phone, the is converted by the speaker back into sound waves you recognize as the voice of the person you're speaking to.

For many years, phone users were bound by land lines. To speak to someone, you needed to be at home where your phone was. If you were on the go, you were out of luck unless you could find a pay phone to use. Of course, all of that changed when cell phones were developed.

Unlike land lines, cell phones are not bound by wires. With a cell phone, you're free to travel and far away from home and still stay in touch with those you love. Although it probably seems normal to be able to stay connected no matter where you are in today's world, the limits of communication were much different before cell phones.

So, how do cell phones transmit your voice to another phone without wires? They do it through the air! At a basic level, cell phones are just extremely sophisticated radios.

With the number of cell phones in use every day, the usual of frequencies simply would not allow for enough channels for everyone to communicate. However, the system divides areas into smaller areas, called cells, which allow the limited number of frequencies to be reused across a wider area.

As the number of cell phone users in an area increases, mobile phone carriers will usually respond by building more cell towers in that area. This allows current cells to be further subdivided in order to improve and service for all users.

With the invention of cell phones, technology was maximized by digitizing and compressing signal information to make the most of the frequencies available. Today, a modern smartphone is a miniature computer in your hand. Unlike a basic land line phone, a modern smartphone contains amazing and complex technology that allows you to do so much more than simply speak with someone on the other end of the line!

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Ring! Ring! Hello! What's that familiar sound? It's the phone, of course. Whether it's a land line at home or a cell phone on the go, the ring of a phone is music to our ears. When we hear that sound, we know we're about to hear the voice of a friend or loved one.

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cellular telephone or cellular radio, telecommunications system in which a portable or mobile radio transmitter and receiver, or cellphone, is linked via microwave radio frequencies to base transmitter and receiver stations that connect the user to a conventional telephone network. The geographic region served by a cellular system is subdivided into areas called cells. Each cell has a central base station and two sets of assigned transmission frequencies; one set is used by the base station, and the other by cellphones. To prevent radio interference, each cell uses frequencies different from those used by its surrounding cells, but cells sufficiently distant from each other can use the same frequencies. When a cellphone leaves one cell and enters another, the telephone call is transferred from one base station and set of transmission frequencies to the next using a computerized switching system. Over the years, cellular telecommunications systems have undergone a series of generational improvements that have increased the ability of the system to support more sophisticated telephones that utilitze increasing data transmission rates and ever more versatile software.

The camera phone, an innovation that dates commercially to 2000, is a cellular phone that also has picture taking and often video recording capabilities; the pictures and videos may be sent to another cellular phone or to a computer. Nearly all cellphones are now so equipped, and also have the ability to send text messages. Advances in digital technology and microelectronics also led to the development of so-called smartphones, which date to the early 1990s but only became significant in the mid-2000s, now dominate the market and typically also include e-mail programs, Internet browsers, personal information managers, music and video players, alarm clocks, calculators, games, voice memo recorders, e-book readers, payment services, and many other specialized software applications, or apps. Such phones typically have touch screens for accessing data and content, and are usually capable of accessing the Internet through a wireless network connection as well as through the cellular telephone system. These features have allowed smartphones to replace personal digital assistants, portable music players, and other portable electronic devices, and also supplant portable computers in many uses. The increasing size of smartphone screens has blurred most of the distinctions between the largest smartphones and smallest computer tablets, though the largest smartphones can be awkward when used for making telephone calls. The software needed for smartphone programs can make the devices vulnerable to software viruses.

The first cellular telephone system began operation in Tokyo in 1979, and the first U.S. system began operation in 1983 in Chicago. In many countries with inadequate wire-based telephone networks, cellular telephone systems have provided a means of more quickly establishing a national telecommunications network.

Cellphones emit nonionizing radiation, and there have been concerns expressed about whether they might cause cancer. Studies on the subject that have found evidence of increased cancer rates have been criticized for having methodological flaws. Although a World Health Organization panel concluded in 2011 that cellular phones were possibly carcinogenic, that finding was criticized by the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute and undermined by a large Danish study published in 2011.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Electrical Engineering

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cellular telephone or cellular radio, telecommunications system in which a portable or mobile radio transmitter and receiver, or cellphone, is linked via microwave radio frequencies to base transmitter and receiver stations that connect the user to a conventional telephone network. The geographic region served by a cellular system is subdivided into areas called cells.

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Cell phones in the past (left) were very different from the cell phones we use today (right). In what ways have they changed?

The cell phone turned 40 years old on April 3. On that day in 1973, Marty Cooper made the very first cell phone call. He called Joel Engel from a sidewalk in New York City. Marty and Joel worked at two different companies racing to make a cell phone. Marty called to tell Joel that he had won the race. He had succeeded in making a cell phone!

Before cell phones, people used only landline phones. Alexander Graham Bell invented the first landline phone 137 years ago, in 1876. Landline phones use wires to connect to a telephone network. A cell phone doesn't use wires. Instead, it sends radio signals through the air. Cell phones are portable, which means you can carry them with you. Some people still use landline phones today, but more use cell phones.

Cell phones have changed a lot in 40 years. The first models were brick-shaped and clunky-looking. They had long rubber antennas and weighed about 2 1/2 pounds. That's about the weight of three hard-covered books! Those early phones were used mostly to make calls. Today, people use cell phones to take pictures, access the Internet, send text messages, play games, and more.

Cell phones will continue to change. Marty Cooper thinks that in the future, cell phones may be small enough to hang behind your ear. What do you think cell phones will be like 40 years from now?

Image credits-left: ©Bettmann/Corbis; right: ©Isaac Lane Koval/Corbis
Related Links

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Happy Birthday, Cell Phone! | HMH In The News

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Cell phones in the past (left) were very different from the cell phones we use today (right). In what ways have they changed? The cell phone turned 40 years old on April 3. On that day in 1973, Marty Cooper made the very first cell phone call.

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How do dolphins transform as they reach maturity?

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How do dolphins transform as they reach maturity?

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Dolphins are small-toothed cetaceans easily recognizable by their curved mouths, which give them a permanent "smile." There are 36 dolphin species, found in every ocean. Most dolphins are marine and live in the ocean or brackish waters along coastlines. There are a few species, however, like the South Asian river dolphin and the Amazon river dolphin, or boto, that live in freshwater streams and rivers.

The largest dolphin, the orca, can grow to be over 30 feet long. The smallest, the Maui dolphin, is just five feet long.

Dolphins feed chiefly on fish and squid, which they track using echolocation, a built-in sonar that bounces sound waves off prey and reveals information like its location, size, and shape. An echolocating bottlenose dolphin can make up to a thousand clicking noises per second.

Behavior and reproduction

Living in pods that can number a dozen or more, dolphins are intensely social mammals that communicate with squeaks, whistles, and clicks. Whether dolphins have language, as humans do, is a topic that scientists have debated for decades.

As mammals, they have warm blood and nurse their young. Dolphins have more than one mate, and generally produce a single offspring that will stay with the mother for up to six years, depending on the species.

Dolphins are graceful, sleek swimmers that can reach speeds of more than 18 miles an hour. They are also playful and often frolic in a boat's wake, leaping out of the water-possibly for fun, to communicate, or even shed pesky parasites.

For centuries, people have hunted dolphins for their meat and blubber. Today, their main threat comes from being caught accidentally in commercial fishing nets. Dolphins must rise regularly to the surface to breathe-becoming entangled in nets prevents this, leading to drowning. For maine dolphins, warming ocean temperatures because of climate change have caused some of their primary food sources to move into deeper, cooler water. Furthermore, marine heatwaves, also caused by climate change, appear to have a negative affect on dolphins' reproductive rates and ability to survive.

In addition to hunting and entanglement in fishing gear, freshwater dolphins face the additional threat of dams fragmenting and degrading habitat.

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Dolphins are small-toothed cetaceans easily recognizable by their curved mouths, which give them a permanent "smile." There are 36 dolphin species, found in every ocean. Most dolphins are marine and live in the ocean or brackish waters along coastlines.

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What is our responsibility to having dogs as pets

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What is our responsibility to having dogs as pets

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Has your dog ever started running around like a maniac for no apparent reason? Some dogs get sudden bursts of energy that seem to make them go from zero to sixty in mere seconds. Many people call this "the zoomies" because it often involves the dog zooming all over the place at high speed.

What Causes the Zoomies?

The term "zoomies" is used to explain the sudden bursts of energy many dogs seem to get at random. More technically, these episodes are called Frenetic Random Activity Periods, or FRAPs. When dogs get the zoomies, it's usually as a way to release pent-up energy and relieve stress. Most dogs will experience these energy bursts on occasion, even if they are getting sufficient exercise and activity. However, frequent episodes of the zoomies might be a sign that your dog is bored, stressed, or not getting enough exercise and/or mental stimulation.

For many dogs, FRAPs involve fast, intense running and playing. Some dogs will chase their tails or run in circles. These episodes may seem to come out of nowhere. Episodes are often brought on by excitement. Your dog may see someone he knows or find a beloved toy, then suddenly get the zoomies.

It is very common for the zoomies to be somewhat contagious. Seeing a dog "frapping" can set off the zoomies in another dog as well. It can be a lot of fun to watch dogs enjoying themselves during these bursts of energy.

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of FRAPs is that the dogs seem to be completely occupied when they are happening. Many dogs seem incapable of hearing their owners and following cues, no matter how well-trained they are. The zoomies seem to put dogs in their own little exciting worlds.

FRAPs typically last for several minutes before your dog becomes rather exhausted. Many dogs will lie down, panting and utterly spent. At this time, it can still be pretty difficult to get your dog's attention. Most dogs need several minutes to relax before they are willing to go anywhere or do anything you ask of them.

What to Do When Your Dog Gets the Zoomies

Your dog's episodes of the zoomies are generally nothing to worry about. Just make sure that your dog is in a safe place when it happens. Being outdoors in a fenced-in area is the ideal location for the zoomies.

Remember to always keep your dog on a leash and never allow him to roam free. This will keep him from suddenly running wild through the neighborhood, wreaking havoc and risking an accident or injury.

If your dog gets the zoomies indoors, it's a good idea to move anything fragile out of the way. Fortunately, most dogs are able to navigate with some grace even when frapping, but accidents can happen. Try to lure your dog to a carpeted area to avoid slipping and sliding. Also, try to keep your dog away from any stairs.

One risk from the zoomies is present during warm weather. Your dog can easily overheat when running around maniacally during warmer months. Be sure to keep plenty of fresh water available at all times. Watch your dog for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Try to distract your dog and calm him down if he appears at all overheated.

What to Do If Your Dog Escapes During the Zoomies

If your dog somehow manages to get loose during an episode and you are not in a fenced-in area, you will need to carefully catch him. First, try the recall command. If that doesn't work, use an emergency recall (if you don't have one, you should work on this). Don't chase your dog as this will just seem like a game to him and will likely make him run away faster. Instead, make a different type of game out of it and try to get your dog to chase you. See if you can lure him to a fenced-in area or indoors. Then, keep playing for a little bit so it doesn't seem like a punishment. Once your dog settles down, offer treats and praise.

When Two or More Dogs Have the Zoomies

It can be a lot of fun when two or more dogs have the zoomies and are playing together. However, be sure to watch the dogs carefully so the playing does not become too intense. When excitement levels are high, playtime can quickly turn to a fight, even with dogs that usually get along well. If the dogs do start fighting, be extremely careful trying to break up the fight, then keep the dogs separated until they are both calm.

Overall, the zoomies are a normal part of being a dog. As long as your dog is in a safe situation during the episode, sit back and enjoy. It can be pretty funny and entertaining to watch this behavior in dogs!

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Has your dog ever started running around like a maniac for no apparent reason? Some dogs get sudden bursts of energy that seem to make them go from zero to sixty in mere seconds. Many people call this "the zoomies" because it often involves the dog zooming all over the place at high speed.

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Full of life, your puppy quickly hits the ground running-sprinting across the confines of your home as if they are about to finish their first 100-meter race. Not only is your puppy leaving you in a trail of dust, but they also have you wondering, why does my puppy have so much energy ?

Just like being a first-time owner of , your new, furry bundle of joy is bound to come with a few surprises. While having an inherent need for speed is a common trait among young pups, it is still likely to catch you off guard. Want to understand why your four-legged housemate can't sit still? Keep reading to learn the possible sources of your puppy's energy while gleaning a few tips to help calm them down along the way!

For Puppies, Age Isn't Just a Number

Just like an infant, young puppies are experiencing the world for the first time. In their pursuit of exploration, your puppy is also exploring boundaries: from what they can fit in their mouth to how fast they can run to the other side of the room. With their boundless curiosity, puppies not only amplify the energy of any space they're in, but they can also test your patience at the same time.

You'll be happy to learn that just like the spontaneous desire you once had to dye your hair hot pink, your puppy's hyperactivity is probably just a phase.

Here is a basic breakdown of everything you need to know about your puppy and their energy levels (broken down per age):

Birth to 8 Weeks: A lot, and we mean , happens in these first weeks. Your pup not only learns the power of their own four legs and starts eating solid dog food, but they also begin their basic training in socialization . Playing with littermates and letting their curiosity run wild is not only a vital part of healthy mental development but physical development as well.

" During the early socialization period, a pup learns through experience to associate social and non-social stimuli with positive or negative emotions. These experiences allow the pup to build adaptive capacity in order to cope with and adapt to new situations. " -

8-16 Weeks: Noted by some as the teenage phase , puppies in this stage can become slightly rambunctious. Still curious and excited by their surroundings, your puppy may ignore your commands in pursuit of the prolific bushes next door. Around this phase, you might also want to start considering basic puppy training to help hone your puppy's energy.

4-6 Months: Around this age, your puppy will begin to mock-fight with other pups, helping them to build confidence and continue strengthening their muscles. If your puppy exhibits anxiety or fear at this stage, it's essential to sign up for a socialization program to reduce future behavioral problems.

6-12 Months: Depending on the type of your puppy's breed, your puppy might be almost fully grown! This phase is associated with increased energy, which can lead to destructive behavior if your pup becomes too bored. A quick fix for this is continued socialization and giving them adequate time to run outside to burn some energy.

At this point, your puppy will be fully grown, having reached maturity. While they should have a solid grasp on managing their energy and listening to commands, it's important to continue socializing your dog to maintain their health and happiness.1-2 Years:

Monitoring your pup during each phase is an important part of ensuring that your puppy grows up to be strong and healthy. If you have any concerns along the way, we suggest seeking expert advice from your pup's veterinarian.

Socialize, Socialize, and Socialize Again

" Certainly, the high-energy breeds... are more prone to develop true hyperactive behaviors, but a dog's genes are just the canvas that his personality is painted on by life, training, and socialization experiences. " - WholeDog Journal

If we didn't say it enough earlier, a massive factor in your pup's hyperactivity could be a lack of socialization. Socialization with other dogs and external stimuli is critical in a pup's journey to discovering boundaries. In fact, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior cites socialization as a key factor in avoiding behavioral problems such as aggression, separation anxiety, and avoidance.

Early socialization during the first three to twelve weeks will not only improve your bond with your puppy later down the line, but it can also help them safely interact and play with the outside world. Ultimately, the more time your pup spends exploring the great outdoors, the less time they will have to discover the inside of your new pillows.

Here are some tips to keep your pup healthy, happy, and hopefully, a bit calmer:

Enroll in basic puppy training - Basic puppy obedience training is essential for several reasons. For one, a skilled dog trainer can teach your dog to understand basic commands while simultaneously exposing them to new stimuli. Just make sure you have proof of your puppy's vaccinations before signing up.

Take it slow - Taking care of your puppy can be a huge learning curve for both of you. For younger puppies, it's especially important to introduce your puppy to new stimuli slowly. So before heading to your local fair, be sure to introduce your puppy to smaller things first .

Engage in positive reinforcement - While having a tiny puppy with endless energy can be stressful, it's crucial to maintain a positive and patient approach. As your puppy's owner, you can enact positive reinforcement through appropriate praise and treats. Try to avoid negative reinforcement, such as periods of imposed isolation, as it often does more harm than good.

Explore the world with your pup - At the end of the day, having a puppy is an exciting journey! As your pup gets older, continue to expose them to new stimuli: from a quick walk to the local dog park to a voyage to your local pet store. Getting your puppy outside will not only improve their behavior, but it can also burn some of that endless energy too.

Don't Forget the Exercise!

Is your puppy in a high-chase pursuit for seemingly ? A puppy not getting enough exercise will often spend the day grabbing, sprinting, and acting uncontrollably. While certain dog breeds are more prone to chase down the mailman than others, it's essential to make sure that your puppy is getting the exercise they need.

For physical exercise, make sure you have a space that's large enough to fit your puppy's sprinting needs. This space could come in the form of a backyard, a local park, or even a homemade obstacle course . While some puppies are tired out after one session of exercise, this isn't always the case: your pup might need two!

If running all day outside isn't enough for your puppy, consider some fun alternatives when your puppy gets too hyper, such as a chew toy or a game of catch. It might also be helpful to note when your puppy gets sleepy and when they can't seem to sit still, because, as it turns out, puppies tend to have a built-in cycle.

Note: Be sure to check with your vet and establish what a healthy amount of exercise is for your puppy and breed. At times, too much exercise at an early age can be bad for their developing joints. This is simply something to be aware of.

While physical exercise is a great way to manage your puppy's energy, it's also equally important to train their mind! Mental exercise can begin at home, and here are a few of our favorite tips to keep your puppy's mind active:

Play hide and go seek - Playing a few rounds of hide-and - go - seek with your puppy not only engages them mentally, but it also strengthens your bond with them at the same time.

Invest in some fun puzzle toys - Tire out your pup and boost their mental training with some fun toys! Puzzle toys not only challenge your puppy mentally, but they're also a good distraction for when your puppy's energy spikes.

Teach your dog new tricks- Once your puppy has the basic commands down, try expanding your puppy's lexicon by teaching them new tricks.

Great exercise also requires great nutrition, so make sure to keep your puppy healthy and active with Vetericyn's ALL-IN Puppy supplement . Vetericyn's ALL-IN Puppy supplement supports your puppy's growth and development every step of the way, from promoting mineral absorption to giving your puppy all of the vitamins they need to grow up healthy and strong.

Don't Fret! Having an Energetic Puppy is Normal

Boundless energy is often a mixture of genes and environment , so it's important to consider both when assessing your puppy's hyperactivity. You may need to channel your puppy's energy into a daily outdoor sprint, or introduce them to other doggos (or both)!

It's also important to note that honing your puppy's energy will take some trial and error, so remember to keep calm and collect yourself. Dogs can read your emotions , and they even absorb them as well-so if you're stressed out, your puppy might feel it too.

Ultimately, the learning curve with puppy is always a steep one. Thankfully, not only are bouts of energy normal in young puppies, but there are also plenty of resources available to help you through any growing pains. Now that we've answered the question why do puppies have so much energy, you can begin training your high energy dog and start getting some sleep! However, if you feel like your puppy is too hyperactive, we always recommend consulting your veterinarian.
Sources:
Dr. Melinda J. Mayfield-Davis, DVM, WCHP-AH, brings over 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She is the Technical Services Veterinarian with Innovacyn, Inc., parent company of Vetericyn Animal Wellness. She received her DVM from Oklahoma State University and now resides in Southeast Kansas with her husband, two children, four dogs, and six horses. Prior to working with Innovacyn, Dr. Mayfield owned and operated the Animal Care Center in Columbus, KS.

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Full of life, your puppy quickly hits the ground running-sprinting across the confines of your home as if they are about to finish their first 100-meter race. Not only is your puppy leaving you in a trail of dust, but they also have you wondering, why does my puppy have so much energy ?

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At Barking Mad, we believe that the time we have with our dogs is never long enough! However, understanding a dog's life cycle allows us to appreciate each stage. It also helps us to understand our canine best friend's behaviour and know what to expect in the next stage.

Research from RSPCA has shown that the average lifespan for purebred dogs is 11.9 years, with crossbred dogs averaging a longer 13.1 years. This obviously varies from breed to breed and dogs transition through the four stages of their life cycle at different speeds. The rate of ageing is determined by factors such as genetics, nutrition and quality of care.

Dogs go through four stages of the life cycle: puppy, adolescent, adulthood and senior. Let's take a look at the four stages of a dog's life cycle, so you can know what to expect.

Puppy Stage

The puppy stage begins with birth and lasts until dogs are between six and eighteen months old. They are born deaf, blind and unable to regulate their body temperature.

At around 2-3 weeks, puppies start to see and hear and are able to stand and move around a little. With their senses developed, they now start to learn about their surroundings. This is the prime time to learn how to interact with humans and other pets.

A pup's first eight weeks should be spent with their mother and siblings before beginning life with their new owner. The dog's breeder will start the socialisation process and their new owner will expand upon it, whilst keeping them safe from infectious diseases before they have their vaccinations.

It is important to house train your dog during this stage and ensure they receive the vaccinations and care your vet recommends.

Adolescent Stage

The adolescent stage of your dog's life cycle will begin sometime between the ages of 6 and 18 months.

This is the stage of your dog's life when hormones start to kick in, if not sprayed or neutered, your adolescent dog may show signs of moody 'teenage' behaviour, just like humans.

You may notice your dog being reluctant to pay attention and more likely to exhibit undesirable behaviour. Female adolescent dogs will go into heat and male adolescent dogs will become more interested in marking with urine and sniffing.

The adolescent dog stage may continue until your dog reaches 18-24 months for smaller breeds and up to 36 months in larger breeds. Training using gentle and consistent methods is highly recommended for adolescent dogs and can help to stop behavioural problems. You can find a reputable dog trainer near you by visiting the Association of Pet Dog Trainers' website.

Adulthood

The adult stage of a dog's life cycle begins at about 18 months for smaller breeds and up to 3 years for larger breeds.

Dogs become easier to manage, as their earlier training pays off, although they still enjoy walks, play and mental stimulation.

It is a great time to find activities that you and your dog can enjoy together, such as agility classes or hill walking.

The Senior Stage

Dogs cycle through their life quickly and they fill our lives with so much joy. It is important to cherish each stage as a dog's golden years will begin roughly between the ages of 7 and 10.

Their muzzle will tend to become grey and they will slow down, preferring a quiet stroll to an energetic run. More sleep is needed and joint or dental problems are common. It is vital to keep up with regular vet visits.

Larger breeds of dog will typically age faster, with the average lifespan being 11-12 years but some dogs can even make it past 20!

Do you have to go away but are worried about leaving your dog at their particular stage of life?

Barking Mad Dog Care provides a bespoke home from home dog sitting service which is suitable for dogs at all stages of their lives, as long as they are fully vaccinated (subject to suitable host availability).

Whether your pooch is a young pup who's never been apart from you, or a golden oldie who just wants to snooze on the sofa, we will match them with a host family to suit their requirements.

Visit our 'How it Works' page to find out more about Barking Mad dog home boarding.

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The Key Stages of a Dog's Life Cycle - Barking Mad UK

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At Barking Mad, we believe that the time we have with our dogs is never long enough! However, understanding a dog's life cycle allows us to appreciate each stage. It also helps us to understand our canine best friend's behaviour and know what to expect in the next stage.

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How do dolphins transform as they reach maturity?

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How do dolphins transform as they reach maturity?

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Dolphins are highly intelligent marine mammals and are part of the family of toothed whales that includes orcas and pilot whales. They are found worldwide, mostly in shallow seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. Dolphin coloration varies, but they are gen…