ISPMB – Some Truly Fascinating Facts About Donkeys

Education

When it comes to animals there are some in the kingdom which are way more exciting than others. For example if you ask most kids they will probably talk to you about lions and tigers, perhaps even sharks and crocs, but there are some animals which are much more interesting than we may have given them credit for. For this reason we are bring you some truly fascinating facts today, directly from our friends at the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros or ISPMB, about the humble donkey.

This animal has been used as a work animal for a number of centuries, and here are some pretty cool facts about this simple-looking animal.

Memories

When it comes to the memory we often talk about how elephants are the ones that never forget. This may be true but did you know that donkeys have been proven to have memories which last for over 25 years? Evidence has been seen that donkeys are able to remember places and sounds from as long ago as 27 years.

Big Ears

Donkeys have fantastic hearing and in the right conditions they can actually hear for up to 60 kilometers away. That is a phenomenal hearing range, and it must be because of those big and floppy ears right? Wrong. The truth is that those ears are in place for temperature control, and that is why they are made so long, to keep their head cool in the desert heat. The hearing which they have is because of a huge network of tiny hair sensors inside their ear canals.

Very Inquisitive

A mule is a mixture between a female horse and a male donkey, but the term stubborn as a mule can in fact be used for any kind of donkey. This phrase comes from the fact that donkeys appear to be against the idea of doing something when they are asked. The reality here however is that these are not disobedient animals at all, they do in fact just prefer to check everything out before they take action.

Using It All Up

Traditionally donkeys have lived in hot and arid conditions, and that means that there is usually a lack of food, or at least not exactly an abundance. For this reason the donkey has evolved so that it is able to actually use up 95% of the nutritional value of every single bite that it takes. This is a phenomenal way of consuming food and it leads to very little waste, and maximum energy.

Boys and Girls

The phrase ‘ass’ comes from the latin name for donkey ‘equinus asinus’ and that is why you may have heard the phrase Jackass before. What you may not be aware of however is that jackass is used for the male donkey. Females are in fact known as Jennets, yet you never hear any mention of Jennettass.

There you have it, all you ever wanted to know about the donkey.

Continue Reading

Where to see Elephants on Every Continent

Travel

Elephants are fascinating enormous animals that many people travel the globe to see. Whether you are viewing them in the wild or in an enclosure in a zoo, watching the antics of these intelligent animals is sure to enthral everyone. Elephant viewings are now available on most continents and here are 5 of the best places where you can see these gigantic mammals.

The Zoological Center Tel Aviv

The Zoological Center Tel Aviv in Israel is situated upon 250 acres and it has the largest collection of animals in the Middle East. There are over 1,600 species of animals from all over the world located here and you can drive through the African Safari section. On your drive you have the chance to view both Asian and African elephants, lions, hippopotamus, crocodiles, and families of gorilla and orangutans. If you’d like to visit this beautiful destination, you can find information about Tel Aviv here.

San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo is in southern California, USA and it has more than 3000 animals that you can view. It is a great place to head if you want to spend a day walking and viewing many kinds of species of animals. One of the highlights of the zoo is Elephant Odyssey that has 2.5 acre enclosure for three female Asian Elephants and three female African elephants. You can view these fascinating pachyderms as well as African lions, jaguars, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and arachnids in captivity. There is also a historic section that has an artificial tar pit, and representations of the ancient animals of southern California.

Colchester Zoo, UK

Colchester Zoo is located in Colchester, England and it is listed as the 11th best zoo in the world. It is on 60 acres of parkland and lakes and there are more than 260 species of animals. It is a great place for a family excursion and you can hand feed giraffes and elephants. There are also other exotic species of animals like Komodo Dragons, white rhinos, ostrich, and zebra. There are plenty of warm areas if the weather is bad and there are great places to eat.

The Chobe National Park, Botswana

The Chobe National Park can be explored during a safari in Botswana and is renowned for its huge elephant population. September and October are the dry season and this is a great time explore the river as there is nowhere else for the animals to drink. You can go camping under the stars, stay on a houseboat or if you’d prefer to indulge yourself you can spend your evenings in a luxury resort.

Taronga Zoo, Sydney

On a trip to Australia, you are not going to be short of things to do, and there are plenty of opportunities to see animals both in the wild and in captivity. Taronga Zoo in Sydney is built on a bushy hillside that showcases a collection of native Australian animals as well as animals from other areas. The view of the harbour is stunning from within the park and you can take a fabulous ferry ride to get to it. There are eleven elephants in the zoo and if you go to the website prior to your visit then you’ll see pictures of each elephant including a description of their personalities so you can learn about them before you meet them.

Continue Reading

Your Pup Deserves the Best Care on the Market

Shopping

There are a whole host of companies and products that market to dog owners. After all, owners love their pets and are generally willing to go to great lengths to ensure the health and comfort of their canine companions. However, when you as a pet owner are looking to make a purchase for the benefit of your dog, rather than simply searching for a fun or frivolous buy, you should consider doing a little bit of research first on how the company and their products can impact dog health.

There are many companies that seek to take advantage of an owner’s love for their animal and assume that the buyer will not think twice about purchasing an item to make their pet more comfortable. As such, they crank out cheaply made, one-size-fits-all products without a real understanding of the unique issues that certain breeds face and how they can be combatted through premium-grade materials and innovative design. image1

For example, if you own a big breed, you should know that sitting and sleeping on hard surfaces like the floor are likely to wear down their ball-and-socket joints. The friction from hardwood floor and the impact of its continued pressure means that bones rub together and create aches as the connective tissues get weaker. Sleeping night after night in such an awkward position can also contribute to the development of spinal complications later in life.Additionally, big dogs are difficult to provide resting room for on couches and beds simply because they take up so much space and are likely to be uncomfortable there anyway. The benefits of orthopedic dog beds stem mainly from the fact that they are made out of premium virgin memory foam that hugs your dog’s body as he or she sleeps and bounces back when unused, so that it never goes flat or becomes threadbare as regular mattress materials do.

Dog beds are the simplest solution to your issues as a dog owner. When you select this kind of product based on the actual needs of your household and the ability for premium quality to meet them, you have endless options. Canvas-covered, long-lasting durable beds come with removable covers and cushions that are machine washable, so cleaning all that fur off is easy. At Mammoth Outlet, the options for rectangular mats that fit into crates, plush circular beds that your dog can curl up in, and multiple sizes, colours, and designs are endless.

Plus, because all of these components are easy to clean and resistant to things like stains, water damage, and mildew when you buy from Mammoth, you’ll rest assured that after coming in from a long hard day of playing in the park, at the beach, or elsewhere, no strange smells or little critters will survive in the bed itself.
If there’s ever a real guarantee to be seen in a product, it comes in the shape of a vet recommendation and a lifetime warranty, so you can enjoy your dog’s satisfaction for years and years.

Continue Reading