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Showing posts from May, 2020

15 Interesting Facts About Hyenas

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Hyenas are carnivorous mammals. There are 4 extant species of hyenas: spotted hyena, brown hyena, striped hyena, and aardwolf.   Spotted, brown, and striped hyenas belong to the bone-crushing type of hyenas. Aardwolf is the only extant member of dog-like hyenas.  Dog-like hyenas perished around 1.5 million years ago due to climate change and competition from canids (dog-like animals) in Eurasia. But aardwolf survived the extinction thanks to its insectivorous diet. The main diet of aardwolf is termites . Three species of hyenas live exclusively in Africa . The striped hyena is the only species native to parts of Asia (Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent) along with northern and eastern Africa. Hyenas have the largest jaw pressure among land animals . Their jaws can apply 800 pounds of pressure per square inch. It is the reason that they can easily grind down hard bones. ( Source ) Hyenas have the largest jaw pressure among land animals Hyenas have been p

20 Interesting Facts About Komodo Dragons

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The Komodo dragon is the largest species of lizard on earth . It can reach a length of 3 m (10 ft.) and weigh up to 70 kg (150 lbs.). Komodo dragons are  dangerous to humans . Several incidents of these lizards attacking and killing humans in their native range and captivity have been recorded. ( Source ) According to a study, the blood of the Komodo dragon contains a compound that has  antibacterial properties . This protein heals infected wounds in mice and is helpful as an antibiotic against multidrug-resistant pathogens. ( Source ) Like few other reptiles, female Komodo dragons  can reproduce asexually . Females live alone in many zoos where they can give virgin births. But unlike most other asexual births, these Komodo dragons give birth to male babies. ( Source ) According to a study, a female Komodo dragon  lays 60% of its eggs in nests of orange-footed scrubfowl, a chicken -like bird locally known as a gosong bird. Komodo dragons eat a wide  variety of food . Their diet inclu

20 Interesting Facts About Beluga Whales

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The beluga whale is a species of toothed whales, and the nearest relative of  narwhals . These two whales are the only members of the family Monodontidae. Beluga is a  mid-sized whale . It can grow to the size of 5.5 m (18 ft) and attain a weight of 1,600 kg (3,530 lb). Beluga whales can swim forward as well as backward direction. The  deepest recorded dive  of a trained beluga whale is up to 647 m (2,123 ft.). The thick blubber accounts for 40% of the beluga’s total weight. ( Source ) Beluga whales are the  second most abundant cetaceans present in captivity worldwide. There are 227 belugas in captivity around the world. An important feature distinguishing beluga whales from other whales is their white color . They are the only whales with a body of pure white color. The white color of beluga whales provides them the advantage of camouflage in the same color of snow and icy waters of the Arctic. The calves are grey as they live in warm water after their birth. Beluga whale mainl