Nature. Travel. Animals FYI

Welcome to the World of Animals and much more! We travel the world in search of fascinating creatures and cultures in some of the most spectacular places in the world. Join us as we explore the world!

Cruise News

Follow along on our journeys as we travel around the world as guest speakers.

A joyful white dog running framed within an oval shape, accompanied by an inspirational quote from the Viking World Cruise 2024.

Viking World Cruise – Viking Sky 2023/24

Resource Page

The resource page has some of the key pieces of information that I mention in many of my lectures.


Cover of Animal Facts book by B.B. Brilliant

Download Your Own Free Copy of Fun Animal Facts

This little e-booklet is loaded with amazing fun animal facts.

Great for sharing with kids and grandkids!

Download here

For example, did you know that the barrel eye fish has a transparent head?! It can look upwards through its transparent skull. The barrel eye fish has a 360-degree field of vision without moving its body. Better than having eyes in the back of your head!


Read George’s book on the Amazing Octopus –

The Octopus Paradox: 9 Brains, 3 Hearts, and 8 Arms Make for a Fascinating Creature” Learn how octopuses make nine brains work as one!

Dive into the mesmerizing world of octopuses with this captivating book! Explore their incredible abilities, from problem-solving to tool usage. Discover the intriguing behaviors that hint at their possible consciousness. Immerse yourself in a journey that unveils the mysteries of these fascinating creatures. Get ready to be amazed and gain a whole new appreciation for the extraordinary octopus.


Share Your Memories – the Easy Way!

Learn how easy it is to create your own free eBook to share your travel adventures and photos with family and friends. Download my FREE eBook written from personal experience as a world traveler and cruise ship lecturer for over 17 years.

George Sranko free PDF cover-  share your memories of travel the easy way.

  • Viking World Cruise 2024

    Viking World Cruise 2024

    Hi Friends, thank you for visiting! It is my great pleasure to join you for this exciting segment of the Viking Sky World Cruise from Asia to Africa and around the Cape to Lisbon, where we will disembark. I am one of your guest speakers on board and my focus is on the Natural Sciences.…

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  • 7 Most Scenic Romantic Spots in Bali: Love Amid Nature’s Beauty

    7 Most Scenic Romantic Spots in Bali: Love Amid Nature’s Beauty

    Bali is a paradise for couples looking to immerse themselves in breathtaking scenery and serene natural spots. Discover the magic of Bali’s most picturesque locations that blend romance with stunning vistas. Whether you’re captivated by the fiery hues of a sunset at Uluwatu Temple or enchanted by the lush greenery of Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Bali…

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  • 10 Amazing Facts About the Secretary Bird: Stilt-Walker of the African Savanna

    10 Amazing Facts About the Secretary Bird: Stilt-Walker of the African Savanna

    The Stilt-Walking Secretary Birds of Africa In the open African plains, there’s a bird so unique that it could have sprung from the pages of an explorer’s wildest journal. The secretary bird, with its long legs and quill-like feathers upon its head, is a sight to behold. It’s a bird that wears its name like…

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  • How do we Inspire Young People? Using Fun Facts to Engage Young Minds

    How do we Inspire Young People? Using Fun Facts to Engage Young Minds

    How do we inspire the Young People in our lives? I’ve been reflecting on this as we come towards the end of our time on the Viking World Cruise.  Our lives have been filled with so many awesome experiences, stories and photos!  What are the messages we want to convey to our friends and family?…

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  • How Smart Is a Crow: Unveiling Avian Intelligence

    How Smart Is a Crow: Unveiling Avian Intelligence

    The Intelligence of a Crow Crows possess a remarkable level of intelligence that is evident in their behavior and social interactions. Their cognitive skills are on display when they encounter obstacles; they use a variety of strategies to navigate these challenges. For instance, they are known to select sticks as tools to retrieve insects from…

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  • Deep Sea Dragon Fish: 12 Fascinating Facts and Best Kept Secrets

    Deep Sea Dragon Fish: 12 Fascinating Facts and Best Kept Secrets

    Diet and Hunting Deep-sea dragonfish have a diverse diet, primarily focusing on smaller marine life such as crustaceans and various types of fish. Their unique hunting techniques allow them to effectively find and capture prey in the challenging deep-sea environment. You may find it interesting to know that the deep-sea dragonfish possess specialized adaptations for…

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  • Elephant Trunks: 10 Incredible Facts and Secrets Uncovered

    Elephant Trunks: 10 Incredible Facts and Secrets Uncovered

    Anatomy of Elephant Trunks The elephant trunk, an incredible fusion of the upper lip and nose, is a testament to the extraordinary adaptations found in these majestic animals. The anatomy of an elephant trunk, which lacks any bones or cartilage, consists of a muscular hydrostat, a powerful arrangement of muscles that makes it extremely flexible…

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  • Why Did Giraffes Evolve Long Necks? Discover the Latest Science

    Why Did Giraffes Evolve Long Necks? Discover the Latest Science

    There is still some debate about why giraffes have long necks. The accepted theory has been that long necks evolved as as an adaptation to feeding in tall trees and to help giraffes spot predators. Another idea is gaining support; it is called the “necks-for-sex” hypothesis, which suggests that a primary driver for the evolution…

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  • How Does an Anaconda Snake Kill Its Prey? Science of Constrictors Explained

    How Does an Anaconda Snake Kill Its Prey? Science of Constrictors Explained

    In recent years, it has been discovered that boa constrictors, anacondas, and other nonvenomous constrictor snakes kill their prey by inducing cardiac arrest rather than suffocation. This means that the constriction process is quicker and more efficient than previously thought. When these snakes wrap their coils around their prey, they apply pressure that essentially stops…

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  • The Blue-Ringed Octopus: A Shy, Venomous Creature That Can Kill You

    The Blue-Ringed Octopus: A Shy, Venomous Creature That Can Kill You

    The Blue-ringed octopus only shows its bright blue rings when it is disturbed and ready to bite in self defense. This small marvel from Australia and the Western Pacific possesses enough venom to kill approximately 30 people, making the toxin 1,000 times more lethal than cyanide. Those who fall victim to its bite may not…

    Read more…


Browse Our Posts – More Fascinating Creatures!

How to Use Google Earth to Enhance Your Presentations

I'm a frequent user of Google Earth to help enrich my presentations in front of large and demanding audiences. When ...
Irukandji by Lisa-ann Gershwin

Irukandji Jellyfish Facts and Adaptations (Can They Kill You? Are they spreading?)

We like to snorkel in tropical waters throughout the world and, as biologists, we’ve learned to be cautious when it ...
Silhouettes of antelope at sunset in Africa, with the word Evolution superimposed.

Is Evolution a Random Process? How Does it Work? Your Questions Answered

Evolution is a process that explains how different species of plants and animals came to be over time. One common ...
A close up of a black buffalo on safari in Africa.

Is it Safe to go on Safari with Africa’s Top Predators and Most Dangerous Animals?

With our biology backgrounds, extensive research, and five trips to South Africa and Botswana, my husband and I have learned ...
Photo of cookiecutter shark showing impressive teeth

Is the Cookie Shark Real? Cookiecutter Sharks Can Be Dangerous (Surprising Facts)

Yes, there really is a “cookie” shark. They are called cookiecutter sharks because they carve out a circular plug of ...
Keeping mason bees as pets gather nectar from flowers.

Keeping Mason Bees as Pets

With ten years of experience and research, I’m delighted with keeping Mason bees because they’re fun garden pets who need ...
Is Koala dumbest mammal?

Koala Brain – Why Is the Koala the Dumbest Mammal? How Being Dumb Can Be Smart

Whenever we travel to Australia, we love to observe that iconic marsupial, the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Even though it is ...
Komodo dragon with jaws wide open

Komodo Dragon Teeth: How Can One Deadly Bite Kill an Adult Buffalo?

Komodo dragons have 60 razor-sharp teeth that can grow to be one inch (2.5 cm) long. The teeth are made ...
Razor sharp mandibles of Leaf cutter ant

Leaf Cutter Ants – Surprising Facts and Adaptations; with Pictures and Videos

Leaf cutter ants are among the most charismatic of insect species. We enjoy watching them parade by with leaves held ...
Camouflaged octopus blending into background

Octopus Camouflage Uncovered: The Science Behind Their Smart Skin

Key points about octopus camouflage and their smart skin: Octopuses use their skin to change color and texture for camouflage, ...
Octopus with arms stretched wide

Octopus Communication Unveiled: Unlocking Their Secret Language

You might be surprised to learn that octopuses are way more communicative than we initially thought. Not only are they ...
Octopus eye close-up showing pupil

Octopus Eyes and Vision: A Comprehensive Guide (Better than Human Eyes?)

Octopuses have some of the most advanced eyes in the animal kingdom. Consider this: Superior design: Octopuses have a unique, ...
Octopus with cloud of ink.

Octopus Ink: Is it Toxic or Poisonous? Can it Injure a Person?

Have you ever heard of an octopus using ink as a defense mechanism? It's true! These clever cephalopods have a ...
Octopus swimming

Octopus Locomotion: Jet Propulsion, Crawling & Two-Legged Walking Explored

Among the multiple locomotion methods, the most notable are jet propulsion, crawling, and two-legged walking. Each mode of transportation serves ...
Octopus suckers

Octopus Suckers: 10 Fascinating Facts and the Latest Science

Here are the top 10 fascinating facts about octopus suckers: Octopus suckers are used for gripping and manipulating objects, but ...
Cartoon octopus holding a wrench

Octopuses: the Most Intelligent Invertebrates on Earth

Octopuses are among the most intelligent creatures on the planet, with unique abilities and behaviors that have left researchers scratching ...
Drop of water looking like Earth's atmosphere

On the Path of Wisdom and Sustainability: Looking Back from the Future

Imagine if humanity chose to take a more sustainable path. How would we describe the previous decades looking back from ...
Photo of platypus

Platypus Venom and More (Yes, a Mammal with Eggs, a Duck-like Bill, and Electrical Receptors)

We’ve had the good fortune of sitting quietly and watching wild platypuses swimming and feeding in their native habitat in ...

Rat Communication: Unraveling the Mystery of Rodent Laughter

Believe it or not, rats have their own way of expressing emotions, including laughter. That's right, these little critters can ...
Pair of Saarloos wolf dogs

Saarloos Wolf Dog: Your Ultimate Guide to this Fascinating Breed

Saarloos wolf dogs are a fascinating breed that has gained popularity in recent years. These dogs have a unique history ...
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