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!

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

Visit GeorgeSranko.com

You’ll find my latest updates on cruises we have planned, presentations, and books.

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.…

    Read more…


  • Archer Fish Hunting Tactics, Adaptations, and Vision: Mastering Aquatic Precision

    Archer Fish Hunting Tactics, Adaptations, and Vision: Mastering Aquatic Precision

    Archer Fish Overview Archer fish display remarkable hunting tactics and unique adaptations that enable their survival in various environments. Their evolutionary background and physical adaptations play a crucial role in their ability to hunt and thrive. Evolution and Ecology The archer fish is a type of teleost fish known for its specialized hunting techniques. It…

    Read more…


  • Flightless Birds: Nature’s Amazing Ground-Dwelling Wonders!

    Flightless Birds: Nature’s Amazing Ground-Dwelling Wonders!

    Flightless birds are a fascinating group of avian species that have lost their ability to soar through the skies. These unique creatures come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny Inaccessible Island rail to the towering ostrich. With over 60 different species spread across the globe, flightless birds have adapted to a wide range…

    Read more…


  • Wolves & Moose of Isle Royale: Ecosystem Effects of Moose

    Wolves & Moose of Isle Royale: Ecosystem Effects of Moose

    Moose and wolves are vital parts of the Isle Royale’s ecosystem. We’re diving into how moose impact the environment there. Understanding ecosystems involves looking at the flow of energy and materials, like how moose and wolves interact with their surroundings. You’ll also learn how these processes fit into bigger ideas like deep ecology. This concept…

    Read more…


  • 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…

    Read more…


  • 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…

    Read more…


  • 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?…

    Read more…


  • 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…

    Read more…


  • 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…

    Read more…


  • 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…

    Read more…


Browse Our Posts – More Fascinating Creatures!

Where Can You Climb Giant Sand Dunes? Namibia!

On a couple of world cruises, we've stopped at Walvis Bay in Namibia. This is one of the best locations ...
A lyrebird with a long tail standing in the grass of the Blue Mountains, Australia.

Where Can You see Lyrebirds in the Wild? the Blue Mountains, Australia

Whenever we explore the scenic hills and valleys of eastern Australia we are on the lookout for the amazing Superb ...
One of the best places to see wild lemurs in Madagascar: a black lemur climbing a tree in the forest.

Where Can You See Wild Lemurs in Madagascar? One of the Best Places

Join us on our expedition to find wild lemurs in Madagascar. Lemurs are some of the most iconic creatures on ...
Galapagos iguana - unique animals.

Why are Animals of the Galapagos Islands Unique?

A trip to the Galapagos islands is like a dream come true for naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts like us. We’ve ...

Why are Deep Sea Fish So Weird and Ugly? (Warning: Scary Pictures!)

Some of my most popular presentations are about weird and ugly creatures! I love the reactions I get when I ...
Hippos yawn to give threat signal

Why are Hippos Aggressive? (Why Do Hippos Kill People?)

We were on safari in a mokoro - a local canoe - in the Okavango delta, when our guide suddenly ...

Why are Honey Badgers So Fearless? (Are They Dangerous to Humans?)

There’s no doubt that honey badgers have a fearless “bad ass” attitude. Let's see why. Honey badgers, also known as ...
A peacock is displaying its colorful feathers, showcasing sexual selection.

Why Are Male Animals More Beautiful and Colorful? Sexual Selection! With Photos

As a biologist, I find myself marveling at the amazingly complex rituals, colorful outfits, and tricky dance routines that various ...

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 ...

Why Do Animals Hibernate? Do Bears Hibernate or Sleep?

Hibernation is one of the great mysteries of the animal kingdom. How can animals survive such long periods without eating? ...
lion mane close up

Why do Lions Have Manes? (Do Dark Manes Mean More Sex?)

In our travels throughout South Africa, we've always treasured our memories of viewing lions in the wild. When observing lions ...

Why do Male Octopuses Die after Mating? (How does Octopus Senescence work?)

Death is inevitable for male octopuses once they’ve mated because they stop feeding, they become uncoordinated, often attracting predators in ...
Octopus crossing sand

Why Do Octopuses Have 3 Hearts and Blue Blood? An Amazing Circulatory System

These incredible marine animals have not one, not two, but three hearts! This begs the question: why does the octopus ...
Octopus by Jeahn Laffitte on Unsplash

Why do Octopuses have 9 Brains, 3 Hearts, and Blue Blood? Surprising Facts About Smart Suckers!

Learning about fascinating creatures is a passion of mine, and one of the most amazing creatures I’ve run across is ...
A close up of a bird with a long beak, highlighting the Cassowary's dangerous nature and unique characteristics.

Why is the Cassowary the Most Dangerous Bird in the World? 10 Facts

The Cassowary is one bird that commands respect and awe. As a biologist I’ve noticed that much of the information ...
Giraffe eating Acacia trees with its long tongue

Why is the Giraffe’s Tongue Black? Is it Really as Long as Your Arm?

The color of a giraffe's tongue is quite fascinating! It is a dark blue or black, which is believed to ...
Photo of wolf howling

Why Wolves Howl (Wolf Communication Explained – Listen to Wolves Howling)

Over many years of research as a biologist, one of the most fascinating topics I’ve run across is wolf communication ...
Moose-shivam-kumar-unsplash

Wolves & Moose of Isle Royale: Ecosystem Effects of Moose

Moose and wolves are vital parts of the Isle Royale's ecosystem. We're diving into how moose impact the environment there ...