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 actually laugh, but it’s not quite the same cackle humans emit. Their laughter comes in the form of high-frequency 50-kilohertz ultrasonic calls or “chirps” that are distinct from other vocal emissions in rats, which humans … Read more

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

Octopus eye close-up showing pupil

Octopuses have some of the most advanced eyes in the animal kingdom. Consider this: Superior design: Octopuses have a unique, concave-shaped retina that is oriented in the opposite direction from the human retina, with photoreceptor cells located at the front of the retina, facing the incoming light. Our photoreceptor cells are hidden behind the retina! … Read more

Coyote Attacks on Humans: Analyzing Recent Vancouver Incidents and North American Data

Coyote staring into camera

Have you ever wondered if coyotes pose a threat to humans? Recent incidents in Stanley Park, Vancouver, have raised concerns about the possibility of coyote attacks on people. In the months between December 2020 and March 2023, over 40 attacks have been reported in Stanley Park, including incidents where individuals were bitten on the leg … Read more

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

Octopus crossing sand

These incredible marine animals have not one, not two, but three hearts! This begs the question: why does the octopus have three hearts? Moreover, what makes their blood so unique that it appears blue instead of red? Let’s dive into the amazing world of octopus anatomy and explore their incredible circulatory system. Why do Octopuses … Read more

The Biggest Great White Shark Ever Recorded: Facts about Size and Weight

Gargantuan Sharks: Their Size and Weight Might Surprise You! The largest great white shark ever recorded was a massive 20-foot (6.1 meters) long beast. This colossal creature was caught off the coast of Canada in 1988 and weighed an astonishing 4,200 pounds (1,905 kilograms). Read on for more about this shark and other massive great … Read more

How Do Octopus Kill Their Prey? Can an Octopus Sting You? (Beaks and Venom)

Picture of octopus and cartoon crab with title, "how do octopus kill their prey?"

Octopuses are stealth hunters that feed on prey such as crabs, lobsters, and shellfish—and even other octopuses. They grasp the prey with strong suckers, enveloping it in their webbed arms while biting and tearing with their powerful parrot-like beaks. They can pierce the shells of prey with their beaks and drill-like radula. Once there is … Read more

Great White Sharks – Lifespan, Lifecycle and Diet (Cool Facts You Won’t Believe)

Photo of great white shark showing teethjaws

The lifespan of great white sharks is thought to be up to 70 years or more, which is far longer than earlier estimates. This makes it one of the longest-living cartilaginous fishes currently known. Scientists believe that female great white sharks need 33 years to attain reproductive age, while males reach sexual maturity in about … Read more

12 Cannibal Animal Facts and Surprises! (Is Your Cute Hamster Truly Harmless?)

Photo of hamster

Contrary to popular belief, cannibalism—the act of eating members of one’s own species—occurs frequently in the natural world. For examples of animals that prey on their own kind, continue reading. Why do Animals Become Cannibals? In his book, Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History, Bill Schutt demonstrates how lowering competition, eliminating the weak, and strengthening the … Read more