Category: Curiosities

Horses are such fascinating creatures…! Even if you’ve never learned to ride one, or have never been around them, you could spend your whole life studying them and still have a lot to learn about them.

Would you like to discover some of the best curiosities about horses? Here are 10 interesting facts about them.

10 interesting facts you didn’t know about horses

• Horses sleep standing up

Yes, horses can sleep standing up! But they can also sleep lying down. Horses must rest for a full restorative sleep cycle for a minimum of 30 minutes per day to avoid sleep deprivation. There are many factors that influence a horse’s ability to lie down, sleep and rest. These factors can be environmental, such as climate, available space and comfortable bedding, or physical deterrents, such as musculoskeletal impairments, i.e. osteoarthritis.

• Horses cannot burp

That’s right! Horses can’t burp, at least not like humans can. Nor can they vomit or breathe through their mouths as humans do. A horse’s digestive system is a one-way street, unlike cattle and other ruminants that regurgitate food to chew it back up. Although they have a fairly efficient way of processing the tough, fibrous foods that make up their forage, this long, one-way system can cause problems that result in colic.

• You can estimate a horse’s age by its teeth.

While you can’t tell the exact age of a horse by its teeth, you can estimate its age. Horses need proper equine dental care for their teeth, but sometimes a horse outlives its teeth, so extra care is needed when feeding older horses.

• Horses can live longer than 30 years

One of the most common questions about horses is “how long does a horse live?” The answer may surprise you. Knowledge about horse nutrition, horse care and veterinary medicine has increased. So, just as human life expectancy has increased, so has equine longevity.

• The American Quarter Horse is the world’s most popular breed.

Appreciated by novice and professional riders alike, the American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed in the world.

• Most Arabian horses have one less vertebrae than other breeds.

The Arabian horse is the basis for many other horse breeds. They also possess some unique characteristics. Most Arabian horses have one less vertebra, rib and tail bone than other horses.

• Horses are herbivores

Humans are omnivores, lions are carnivores and horses are herbivores. The way teeth are formed (grinding molars to break down fibrous plant matter), the position of the eyes (facing sideways to watch for predators) and the type of digestive system are typical of herbivores.

• Horses are herd animals

Wild horses live in small herds, and domestic horses feel more comfortable if they also have companions. It can be quite stressful for a horse to live alone. Companionship for horses can be an equine stablemate or even another species, such as a goat, donkey or mule. Even a dog can become a suitable companion for a horse.

• Horses were domesticated by humans more than 3,000 years ago.

Dogs may have been domesticated around 14,000 years ago. Cats became human companions around 8,500 years ago. Humankind’s relationship with the horse began a little more recently, about 6,000 years ago, although some evidence has come to light that horses may have been domesticated even earlier.

• Most white horses are actually grey horses

Most of the white horses you see were actually much darker in colour at birth and gradually turn white. These “white” horses may start out as chestnut or almost black. In fact, these horses are not called white, but grey.

Have you ever wondered how a dog’s sense of smell works and why they are such good trackers? Some of these questions arise for many of us who have dogs at home, and the fact is that our furry ones tend to be very good with their sense of smell. Would you like to understand a little about how your dog’s sense of smell works and some curious facts? Or even how to train their sense of smell? You’ll be surprised!

How does a dog’s sense of smell work?

When dogs inhale, they split the air into two streams through their nasal turbinates. The turbinates are elongated, bony-based, mucous formations located on the side wall of the nostrils. One stream of air enters the lungs to allow breathing. The other stream reaches the olfactory membrane, where odour molecules are captured and processed by special cells.

Unlike humans, dogs have an additional olfactory organ that enhances their ability to smell. Jacobsen’s organ, also known as the vomeronasal organ, is a specialised part of the dog’s olfactory apparatus. It is located in the soft tissue of the nasal septum, in the nasal cavity, just above the roof of the mouth.

This organ serves as a secondary olfactory system designed specifically for chemical communication. This is because this organ detects pheromones (body odours), giving the dog its great ability to identify and recognise animals and people.

The nerves of Jacobsen’s organ go directly to the brain and differ from the other nerves in the nose in that they do not respond to common odours. Rather, these nerve cells respond to a variety of substances that often have no odour at all. In other words, they function to detect “imperceptible” odours.

To maximise their ability to smell, dogs increase the speed of their breathing by inhaling and exhaling very quickly, a movement known as “sniffing”. In addition, dogs have a good olfactory memory, which allows them to recognise other dogs, even if they have not seen them for years.

Interesting facts about dogs’ sense of smell

Now that you know how many olfactory receptors dogs have and how their sense of smell works, let’s look at some fun facts about the subject:

• Dogs are not able to “get used to” smells: We, when we notice a smell in the environment, gradually get used to it and after a while we are no longer able to detect it. This process is called “odour habituation”. This phenomenon does not occur in dogs, as the sense of smell is their most important channel of perception and they never stop perceiving the smells around them, even if they have been exposed to them for a long time.
• Dogs can use their sense of smell to establish temporal sequences: this is because they are able to detect the concentration of odour molecules in the environment. The higher the concentration of molecules, the more intense the odour and the less time has passed since the source of the odour was present. Thanks to this ability, dogs can easily follow the tracks of humans or other animals.
• Not all dogs have the same ability to smell: breed, skull morphology and genetics, among other things, influence the development of the sense of smell in dogs. This sense is less developed in brachycephalic dogs (flat muzzle) or dolichocephalic dogs (very long muzzle) because their anatomy makes it more difficult for odour molecules to pass through than in mesocephalic dogs (proportional muzzle). You can find out which dogs have the best sense of smell in this article: Dog breeds with the best sense of smell.
• Each of the dog’s nostrils works separately: Unlike our nose, the canine nose has two orifices or nostrils that can detect odours independently to locate their origin and send different signals to the brain. This is often colloquially referred to as “stereo sniffing or 3D sniffing”.
• The nasal pattern is unique to each dog: The lines and patterns that form the skin tissue of a dog’s nose are unique to each individual, just like our fingerprints. This discovery has led to several countries already using dog nose prints as proof of identification in cases of loss, theft or abandonment.

How can you stimulate your dog’s sense of smell?

Depending on your dog’s preferences, you can offer him plenty of options to train his sense of smell alone or in company. Something as simple as hiding food, toys, or even hiding around the house, can be very stimulating and fun for your dog. Here are some tips on how to train your dog’s sense of smell:

• Make the most of daily walks: You don’t have to spend a lot of time thinking about how to stimulate your dog’s sense of smell every day. Just offer them enriching walks and let them explore as much as they want. Ideally, you should let your dog sniff large, natural and quiet places, such as a field or a park, while using a long leash. Also, let your dog spend several minutes sniffing the same place, as there should be very interesting information there for him. If your dog doesn’t normally sniff when you walk him, you can encourage him to do so by scattering bits of food around a certain area and encouraging him to search for it, helping him as you see fit.
• Use puzzles and interactive toys: The sense of smell can also be stimulated without leaving the house. There are hundreds of toys and puzzles on the market in which food can be hidden for the dog to find and retrieve. These products have a double advantage in that they not only invite the dog to sniff more, but also provide a mental challenge that encourages decision-making and other cognitive functions. Of course, the level of difficulty of these games should be adapted to your dog’s skills and level of experience, otherwise it can also be a frustrating experience.
• Play hide and seek with your dog: Stimulating your dog’s sense of smell does not always require physical materials or toys. You can also do this by playing hide-and-seek indoors or outdoors. While one person holds and distracts the dog, run into a room or behind a piece of furniture and hide. Along the way, you can touch various objects to leave a trail that the dog will follow. Once hidden, call its name or whistle once to make your dog come after you.

As you can see, the world of canine olfaction is very interesting and it is well worth stimulating our furry friends. Did you find these tips useful? Did you know all this information about dogs’ sense of smell? We’ll read you in the comments.

Most dogs have pink tongues, but some breeds have naturally blue tongues, sometimes called “black tongues”. The chow chow, shar pei, eurasier and thai ridgerback are four such dogs, so read on to find out more!

The colour blue on the tongue

Dark-blue colouration (with a greyish tinge) is caused by extra pigmentation on the tongue of some dogs. In certain breeds, this excess pigmentation is a trait that is passed down from generation to generation. Some other species have blue tongues, including giraffes, polar bears, okapis, impalas and blue-tongued slender lizards.

4 blue-tongued dogs

1. Shar Pei

The shar pei, of Chinese origin, is instantly recognisable thanks to its unique wrinkled skin and large muzzle, which even resembles a hippopotamus. The true shar pei should have a bluish-black tongue, although some only have spotted tongues. This breed can be prone to many different health conditions, including skin problems, ear problems, eye problems, patellar luxation and hip dysplasia.

No one knows for sure how old this ancient breed is, but the shar pei may have existed in China for 2000 years. It almost died out in the 1970s, but foreign breeders took a fancy to this rare breed, making it a very popular breed again. The shar pei is naturally wary of strangers and needs extensive socialisation as a puppy. They are very devoted to their families, but also independent, so they can be difficult to train.

2. Chow chow

The tongue of the chow chow is also usually bluish-black in colour, in fact, it is said that the darker the colour, the purer the breed. Because the bluish tongue is an inherited trait, it is likely that the chow chow and shar-pei are distantly related.

Chow Chow puppies are born with pink tongues. They slowly turn a bluish-black colour as the puppy matures, beginning when they first open their eyes. The process is complete by 6 months of age.

Like the shar pei, the chow chow also originates from China and is as old, if not older, than the shar pei. This breed can require very solid training and socialisation by someone experienced in dog breeding, as some of them can be overly territorial and independent.

3. Eurasier

The Eurasier is a younger breed of dog, of German origin, and localised around the 1970s. It is related to several breeds, most notably the Samoyed and the Chow Chow, from which it most likely inherited its bluish tongue. The Eurasier was bred specifically to be a loving and devoted family pet.

The breed is active outdoors, but calm in the home, with a relaxed temperament. They can be aloof with strangers, but adore their closest humans. They are a very intelligent breed and easy to train, and respond readily to positive reinforcement methods.

They need a moderate amount of exercise and enjoy dog sport training such as agility or flyball.

4. Thai Ridgeback

The Thai Ridgeback is a rare, but quite ancient breed, originating in Thailand over 300 years ago, where it was used as a hunting and guard dog. Its tongue can be seen either completely dyed or with certain bluish stripes distributed horizontally. The Thai Ridgeback is a medium sized dog with short hair and a fringe of hair resembling a crest running down the entire line of its back, growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat.

The breed is active and athletic and needs plenty of daily exercise. Although the Thai Ridgeback is very intelligent, it is an independent and stubborn breed, so training can be a challenge. The breed is naturally protective, requiring extensive socialisation from puppyhood. The Thai Ridgeback is extremely loyal to its family, but can be wary of strangers.

Did you know about these 4 blue-tongued dog breeds? Do you have any at home? If so, and you are looking for a vet in Barcelona who can take care of their health, we are the perfect veterinary hospital for you. We offer you a complete veterinary service so that your pet has all its needs covered. Do you want an appointment? Call us! 932 460 805.

Is your cat pregnant? If so, you may be wondering how long cats are pregnant. Knowing whether or not your cat is pregnant is important to make sure she’s ready for pregnancy. You’ll also want to make sure you’re prepared for the arrival of a few kittens.

If you’re wondering how long a cat’s pregnancy lasts, you’ve come to the right place! For more information on cat pregnancy, simply read on.

Chronology of pregnancy in cats

Cats can spend a good part of the year in heat, as oestrus in cats is related to sunlight. During this phase, the female can be mounted by males. Due to the long duration of a cat’s oestrus, they are considered highly fertile animals.

Pregnancy in female cats usually lasts about two months, which translates to about (58-67 days). This duration of a cat’s pregnancy is true both for cats that have experienced pregnancy before and for cats that are pregnant for the first time.

Pregnancy in cats: what are the main signs?

During the first few weeks of a cat’s pregnancy, there are no apparent signs or symptoms that your cat may be pregnant. Do you think your cat is pregnant? If so, a vet will be able to confirm this around day 20 of pregnancy. During the gestation period in cats, if you do not want your cat to have kittens, a veterinarian can perform an ovariohysterectomy. In fact, this procedure can be performed throughout a cat’s pregnancy, however, the more advanced the pregnancy, the greater the risk of complications.

Towards the middle of a cat’s gestational term, you may notice the main symptoms of pregnancy in cats. The main sign that your cat is pregnant would be a noticeable increase in her size. Once pregnancy is confirmed, you must be sure to feed your cat properly and adequately, ensuring that she and her kittens receive all the nutrients they need.

During the final stage of your cat’s pregnancy, you may notice that if you place your hands on the sides of her abdomen, you can feel the kittens moving. Additional signs of pregnancy in cats include:

• Swollen or larger abdominal area.
• Enlarged breasts, preparing to nurse.
• Your cat will seek a quiet place to rest, free from distractions.
• Her appetite will decrease.

The appearance of vaginal discharge in your pregnant cat is often a sign that labour is imminent. All of these specific symptoms can help you determine how far along your cat is in her pregnancy. If you don’t know yet, we recommend you make an appointment at our hospital and have a veterinarian perform the appropriate tests to find out.

Neutering in cats

Cats are seasonal polyesters, which means that during the months of highest sunshine, usually from late winter to early autumn, they are constantly in heat and uncomfortable due to their oestrus phase.

Now, knowing how long a cat’s pregnancy lasts, it is easier to calculate that a cat may give birth to more than one litter per year. Neutering cats is important not only for them, but also to avoid unwanted litters. In addition to controlling the birth rate of kittens, spaying your cat has several health benefits for the animal.

These benefits include avoiding uterine infections and/or breast tumours.

Calico cats comprise many breeds of domestic cats that feature a myriad of colours, almost like highlights done on their coat. One variety may be vibrant orange and black, while others may be a more subdued shade of cream mixed with greyish. In feline genetics, the latter is known as “dilute calico”.

The various patterns in the calico’s coat are almost as unique as snowflakes, so you will never see two exactly alike. Their personalities are equally interesting; calico cats are known for their sass and spunk, but they are also loving and loyal companions for owners of all ages.

Characteristics of the calico cat

The calico is a medium-sized domestic cat known for its courageous and bold personality. While a generally independent cat that does not require constant attention, the calico is also sweet, affectionate and loyal. It will easily bond with a single owner, but will also enjoy the company of an entire family.

The calico differs from tortoiseshell cats by its distinct colour patches all over its body, usually with a predominance of white, the tortoiseshell has a more scattered pattern, with black predominating.

History of the calico cat

No one is sure where the calico breed originated, although there is speculation that it originated in Egypt and was traded throughout the Mediterranean.

Researchers began seriously studying calico cats in the 1940s. Murray Barr and his graduate student EG Bertram noticed dark, drumstick-shaped masses inside the nuclei of nerve cells in female cats, but not in male cats. These dark masses eventually came to be called Barr bodies. In 1959, Japanese cell biologist Susumu Ohno determined that Barr bodies were X chromosomes. In 1961, Mary Lyon proposed the concept of X inactivation: one of the two X chromosomes within a female mammal is switched off. She observed this in coat colour patterns in mice, similar to the patterns in calico cats.

Calico cats are believed to bring good luck in the folklore of many cultures. In Japan, for example, they are good luck figures.

Common health problems in the calico cat

Regardless of breed, a male calico cat is prone to a genetic health condition called Klinefelter’s Syndrome. In addition to being infertile, these cats experience cognitive and developmental problems, behavioural problems, reduced bone mineral content and obesity.

Calico cats do not have health problems that correlate with their colour patterns, but may have problems specific to their respective breeds.

Appearance of calico cats

Calico cats are some of the most visually striking cats, with striking patches of colours including orange, black, white, grey and cream. Calico eye colours include copper, blue, green or bicolour eyes.

Diet and nutrition for calico cats

A healthy dry and/or canned cat food is usually a great choice for feeding calicos of any breed. However, it is always best to research whether the specific breed of cat needs a particular diet, to find out if it has any dietary requirements you should be aware of.

Types of calico cat
It would be easier to list those breeds that do not accept calicos than those that do. Calicos do not appear in breeds such as the Siamese or Himalayan, nor in those that only accept solid colours, such as the Bombay. While the calico pattern can appear in many breeds of cats, the following are the most likely to show it:

• American Shorthair
• British Shorthair
• Devon Rex
• Exotic Shorthair
• Japanese Bobtail (calico is the most popular colour pattern in this breed)
• Persian
• Turkish Angora

The calico is not a breed and has no technically identifiable personality traits, but owners and enthusiasts of these kittens often insist that the calico pattern seems to impart a particular vitality and cheekiness to female felines who carry the colourful genes. These friendly, outgoing cats have a knack for independence, but they also enjoy socialising with their human families and other pets. Do you have a calico cat with you? Tell us a quirk about them!

Many people see something adorable about a dog growling or barking in their sleep. Most of us probably imagine that they are chasing rabbits in the park or playing with their favourite toy. How can you be sure that your dog is having pleasant dreams and not a nightmare? Is it possible for them to have nightmares? Here we tell you a little more about dog dreams.

How do dogs dream?

Dogs dream during REM sleep just as we dream during REM sleep, but dogs reach this stage much more quickly than we do. For dogs, REM sleep usually occurs within 15 to 20 minutes after falling asleep and may last only a few minutes (less than five). Research has shown that dogs do, in fact, dream. While people may dream of the unknown or the future, most scientists believe that dogs dream of memories, both of their owners and of past experiences.

So do dogs have nightmares?

A dog having a nightmare may be dreaming about something he doesn’t like or even something that makes him anxious. This can vary from dog to dog, but any situation that causes stress or anxiety for the dog could trigger nightmares, such as nail clipping, grooming, stress at the vet and more. Also, if your puppy is rescued, even though he is now living in a good environment, he may still dream about his life before rescue.

How can you tell if your dog is having a dream or a nightmare?

Being able to tell if your dog is having a good dream or a nightmare can be tricky at first, but there are some subtle differences that you will notice if you pay attention. The more you observe your dog while he is dreaming, the easier it will be to spot the various signs to look out for.

In general, if your dog is having a pleasant dream, you may see his paws twitching, his ears flapping and his eyelids twitching. You should see no obvious signs of stress in your dog. Nightmares, on the other hand, may cause your dog to growl in his sleep along with twitching legs and eyes. They may even whine or bark. If the nightmare is stressful enough, your dog may wake up suddenly, just like any of us.

What to do if your dog is having a nightmare

If your dog is in the middle of a nightmare, it is important not to wake him up unless absolutely necessary. If you do, he may become frightened and react badly, even bite. Although it may be distressing for you, remember that most nightmares only last a few minutes. They will usually return to a restful sleep in a short time.

How to help prevent your dog’s nightmares

Although there is little you can do while your dog is in the middle of a nightmare, there are things you can do to help prevent nightmares. Dogs often have nightmares about things that cause them anxiety. Helping your dog overcome his fears can not only help him in his waking hours, but also during his sleep.

While we can’t talk to our dogs to find out what they dream about or what they have nightmares about, thanks to scientific research, we can say for sure that dogs dream and have nightmares. Have you ever found your dog dreaming? Do you think it was a nightmare or a pleasant dream?

En termes generals, els gats de per si ja són animals molt intel·ligents en comparació amb altres. No és gaire difícil identificar els gats intel·ligents: es poden ensenyar, interactuen bé amb altres animals i s’adapten a noves situacions i entorns.

Descobrim junts quines són algunes de les races més intel·ligents de gats!

Les races de gats més intel·ligents

Algunes característiques comunes entre els gats intel·ligents són que solen tenir molta energia, i fins i tot certa vena entremaliada. Aquesta picardia té més a veure amb com són de curiosos. La majoria dels gatets intel·ligents gaudeixen dels desafiaments, aprendre trucs i dels jocs interactius. Aquests felins també capten ràpid les rutines de la llar, com quan sols arribar a casa, les hores dels àpats i quan esperar certes activitats.

Abisini

Aquest gat elegant és atlètic, àgil i afectuós amb els humans. Els abissinis són molt intel·ligents i estan molt en sintonia amb les activitats de les seves famílies. Aquesta raça gaudeix de les altures i de sentir-se vigilants de tot. De tots els tipus de gats, aquest pot ser el que més ràpidament aprengui trucs. En general, no són gats falders, però els encanta que els acariciïn o els raspallin. També tendeixen a gaudir de la companyia d’altres animals i s’adapten bé als canvis a l’habitatge.

Balinès

El balinès és la versió de pèl llarg de la raça siamés. Solen ser gats actius a qui encanta investigar tot el que fan els humans. Mantingues aquest gatet actiu amb puzles, llums làser i un gran grimpador i l’ajudaràs a estimular el seu cervell. Poden aprendre a cercar, caminar amb corretja i descobrir trucs ràpidament. En general, són afectuosos amb les seves famílies, però poden fer entremaliadures a la llar si no se’ls estimules durant massa temps.

Bengala

El Bengala és potser més conegut pel seu pelatge exòtic que s’assembla a un jaguar o lleopard. Aquesta raça es va originar en creuar un gat domèstic amb un gat lleopard asiàtic. Els bengalins són molt intel·ligents, atlètics i encara una mica salvatges. Els encanta córrer, saltar, escalar i jugar. Requereixen un ampli espai per a l’exercici (especialment l’espai vertical) i desafiaments mentals, com ara jocs de trencaclosques i joguines. Les seves potes àgils són gairebé tan bones com les mans. Alguns poden encendre i apagar els interruptors de llum, treure peixos domèstics dels aquaris i treure objectes petits dels calaixos.

Birmà

El birmà és una raça enèrgica i amistosa a qui li encanta relacionar-se amb la gent. Aquests gats són intel·ligents, adaptables, juganers i entranyables. A més de seure, girar-se, saludar i venir a tu, aquesta raça pot aprendre moltes ordres si els entrenes. Els agrada la socialització i prefereixen la companyia, incloent-hi altres animals.

Korat

El Korat, anomenat així per una província de Tailàndia, és una altra raça peculiar; i és que es considera de bona sort a la seva terra natal. Són brillants i estan atents al món que els envolta. Els korats són enèrgics i gaudeixen dels jocs interactius, però també els encanten les migdiades i descansar a llocs còmodes. Aquesta raça pot aprendre trucs, com ara jugar a buscar. Gaudeix de l’ús de joguines i, de vegades, és massa tossut per compartir amb els altres. Els encanta l’atenció i solen ser afectuosos amb les famílies.

Savannah

El Savannah és una raça rara i exòtica amb una gran intel·ligència. Necessiten molt d’espai per córrer, saltar i jugar. I s’avorreixen ràpidament; requereixen suficient interacció i estimulació ambiental. Aquesta raça és súper curiosa amb el seu entorn i aprèn molt fàcilment tot allò que li vulguis ensenyar.

Siamès

Una de les races de gats més populars i reconeixibles del món, el siamès és famós pel seu bell pelatge, la seva naturalesa curiosa i la seva tendència a comunicar-se molt. Aquests gats són intel·ligents, afectuosos i enèrgics. Els encanta jugar i anhelen atenció i companyia. Mantingues el cervell d’aquest gatet ocupat amb jocs i activitats. Si pots, compra-li un gran arbre per a gats per enfilar-se; aquesta raça de gat t’ho agrairà molt, ja que, com passa amb moltes races, si està avorrit, un siamès s’entretindrà fent entremaliadures.

Singapur

Com el seu nom ho indica, Singapur es va originar als carrers de Singapur. Aquests petits gats són generalment juganers, extravertits i curiosos. I els encanta estar involucrats en tot allò que fan els humans. Són força actius i els encanta escalar, així que assegura’t de proporcionar suficients espais verticals.

Però, saps què? A nosaltres no ens importa quina sigui la raça del teu gat, volem tenir cura de la salut. Estàs cercant un centre veterinari a Barcelona amb especialitat felina? Hospital Veterinari Glòries compta amb els professionals adequats per cuidar el teu gatet. Demana la teva cita trucant-nos al 932 460 805.

Snakes represent a unique group of reptiles. As limbless animals, snakes have inspired both fascination and fear, as many of them can be deadly poisonous. However, they do not bite out of malice and do not go looking for enemies. There is much of them that is still not known at a popular level…

In this article, you will learn 5 facts you didn’t know about snakes:

1. Snake sizes vary a lot

Snakes are a very diverse group in terms of size. For example, there are some tiny specimens, such as the Barbados thread snake (Tetracheilostoma carlae) with a length of about 10 cm. There are also huge species, for example the green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), native to South America. There are records indicating that this species can grow more than 6 meters long and weigh around 35-80 kilos.

2. His senses are amazing

It is interesting to see how the senses of snakes differ from one species to another. For example, some species have very limited vision, while some arboreal species of tropical forests have well-developed vision, such as the parrot snake (Leptophis ahaetulla), which lives in Central and South America.
Snakes may not have an outer or middle ear, but they are not deaf because they have an inner ear that allows them to sense vibrations in the ground to hunt and stay alert. These reptiles perceive vibrations in the ground very well, which is necessary for alertness and hunting.

One of the biggest curiosities about snakes is that they make great use of their forked tongues, which are constantly moving out of the mouth, to perceive scents. They use their tongues to catch particles as they travel through their mouths. This allows them to trap chemical traces in structures called Jacobson’s organs. These are located on the roof of the mouth and are covered with olfactory tissue so that they can smell their prey or predators.

Snakes, pythons, and boas are distinguished by their ability to sense heat, as they have structures and organs that can measure temperature. The holes in the face between the nostrils and the eyes have special membranes that detect infrared radiation from potential prey or predators. Thanks to these structures, they are able to detect their prey even in the absence of light, since they perceive the heat generated by the other individual.

3. They have different ways of moving

Although they do not have legs, snakes can move freely because they have developed certain locomotion strategies. In fact, some species are really fast and move in a very effective and undoubtedly curious way.

Snakes usually move by lateral undulations, characterized by an S-shaped movement. The movement is possible thanks to the propulsion of the animal against the irregularities of the surface. Their numerous short and wide vertebrae allow them to make these quick movements.

Snakes can also move with a mode of locomotion known as sidewinding. This type of movement is achieved by vertical and lateral undulations, with the head in a vertical plane almost perpendicular to the direction of movement and all segments at a non-zero tilt.

It is also possible for snakes to move in a straight line, and this is especially common in heavier species. This locomotion is called rectilinear.

4. They have different hunting strategies and ways of feeding

When they hunt, snakes are very agile creatures and consume a variety of animals depending on the habitat and size of the snake. Venomous snake species use their venomous bite to kill their prey before eating it.

Those without venom, on the other hand, capture and kill their prey by constriction, although some may still eat their prey alive.

5. They have very different ways of reproducing

Snakes have a strange way of reproducing. Although all snakes have internal fertilization, they differ in their reproductive methods. There are species that lay eggs, such as pythons, which take care of their nest until the young are born. Other species, such as rattlesnakes, are ovoviviparous, meaning that the embryos develop in eggs that remain in the mother’s body until they hatch. Boas, on the other hand, are viviparous, meaning that the embryo develops in the mother’s body without a shell. In other words, they give birth to live baby snakes. Many females that give birth later eat their young.

Most snakes are born through sexual reproduction. This means that two specimens (one female and one male) mate with each other. Interestingly, some snakes reproduce asexually. Females can store sperm and decide when to fertilize eggs, which they can lay at different intervals after copulation.

Did you know these curiosities about snakes? They turn out to be beings with many peculiar characteristics!

Have you ever wondered what the loneliest animals in the world are?

Well, it’s probably the humans. No animal has as much talent for solitude as the human. They can be alone in cities of millions of people, which is really amazing, if you think about it.

But some other animals also have good reason to be lonely. Here are 4 of the loneliest animals on the planet:

The 52 hertz whale

This whale has fascinated scientists for years. We know from its migration patterns that it is either a blue whale or a fin whale, but it sings in a much higher pitch than either. We don’t know why, but this whale has a totally unique song. This leads to her being ignored by all the other whales of her kind, and thus she sings her lonely song in the indifferent abyss. It was first detected in 1989 and has been heard every year since. One theory circulating about it is that this whale is deaf.

Albert: the black-browed albatross

There are more than a million black-browed albatrosses that nest on islands in the Southern Ocean. Albert, however, was first seen in Scotland in 1967, having been blown thousands of miles off course. Since then it has been viewed hundreds of times. He’s not totally alone, as he likes to hang out with other seabirds, but he hasn’t seen another member of his species in over 50 years.

Hanoi giant tortoise

A giant magic turtle is the protagonist in one of the most important legends of Vietnam, where he lived in Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi and offered a magic sword to Lê Lợi, who later led a rebellion against the Chinese and liberated Vietnam, becoming in emperor. The giant tortoise was once thought to be nothing more than a myth, until a dead tortoise, 2 meters long, was discovered in the same lake. Other turtles were seen many times over the years, until the last one died in 2015. However, another one was recently discovered in another lake, Xuan Khanh, outside Hanoi, which means that this species is still alive. in the city. There are only 4 of these amazing turtles left in the world, all in different lakes in Vietnam and China.

Spix’s Macaw

This parrot was once native to the forests of Brazil. Assumed to be extinct in the wild for over a decade, a single Spix’s Macaw was caught on camera in 2016. If it’s still alive, it may be the last of its kind left in the wild.

If you ever feel alone, remember that it could be worse. You could be the only one of your kind in an entire hemisphere, or even the last of your kind in the wild. You could sing a song so strange that it repels all members of your species, or you could be the end of a legendary line of magical turtles.

El Bobtail Japonès és una raça de gat peculiar i molt coneguda. Estàs buscant adoptar un Bobtail Japonès? Si és així, has vingut al lloc correcte per saber-ne més!

Continua llegint per assabentar-te de tot allò que has de conèixer: la seva personalitat, les seves cures, etc.

Origen del gat Bobtail Japonès

El Bobtail Japonès és un gat molt especial amb un rerefons encara més interessant. Envoltat de diverses teories i mites, molts consideren que el seu origen es remunta a les Illes Kuri, on eren recollits pels mariners per a la bona sort. També hi ha mites sobre el Maneki-neko, un gat de cua curta que solia assenyalar els viatgers on havien d’anar. És possible que reconeguis el Maneki-nekos com els populars gats de la fortuna d’avui dia, la petita figura de gat que sovint és a prop dels caixers automàtics als restaurants japonesos.

Una de les moltes teories sobre aquest gat de cua curta és que data de fa 1000 anys i el 1602 era un dels gats de carrer predominants al Japó. El 1968, el Bobtail Japonès va ser portat de Japó al món occidental.

Si encara no ho saps, el gat bobtail és conegut per la cua curtíssima, semblant a la d’un conill. Però, d’on ve aquesta cua curta? Continua llegint per descobrir-ho!

Característiques físiques

Abans de començar, hem d’aclarir que el Bobtail Americà, una altra raça de gat, a part de la cua curta, no té res en comú amb el Bobtail Japonès.

El gat Bobtail Japonès té una cara en forma de triangle equilàter amb pòmuls alts. El seu cos és àgil i esvelt amb potes posteriors més llargues. Té ulls ovalats que solen ser de color blau o daurat/mel. Són de mida mitjana, sent els mascles una mica més grans que les femelles. El color del pelatge d’un Bobtail Japonès varia i pot aparèixer en blanc i negre, o similar al calicó o tricolor. Pots trobar bobtails japonesos de pèl curt o gats bobtail japonesos de pèl llarg.

La cua del Bobtail Japonès es forma a partir d’una mutació genètica i gens dominants i generalment fa només 3 cm de llarg. Aquesta cua ha de ser visible i pot mostrar torçades i corbes. Cap Bobtail Japonès és igual a un altre.

Caràcter Bobtail Japonès

Els gats són coneguts pel seu caràcter afable: estimen les persones, sense importar si són estranys o no. Aquests gats són gats increïblement curiosos, dolços i afectuosos als que els encanta jugar. A més, els agrada cantar! Sí, has llegit bé. Tenen una veu malenconiós característica de la seva raça.

Aquests gats poden adaptar-se a tota mena de situacions de vida sempre que rebin les cures adequades, afecte, temps de joc i una alimentació d’alta qualitat.

Cuidant un Bobtail Japonès

Si tens un Bobtail Japonès de pèl llarg, hauràs de raspallar-lo amb més freqüència que un bobtail de pèl curt, per mantenir el seu pelatge bonic, brillant i lliure de pèl mort. Com amb tots els gats, assegura’t que el teu Bobtail Japonès rebi les vacunes i desparasitacions adequades, així com visites al teu veterinari per a revisions quan sigui necessari. A aquests gats els encanta jugar, per la qual cosa us has d’assegurar d’oferir-vos suficients joguines i temps de joc perquè puguin gastar energia de forma saludable.

Salut d’un Bobtail Japonès

La raça de gat Bobtail Japonès no és coneguda per patir malalties o malalties concretes per la seva raça, de fet pot presumir de ser força saludable. No obstant això, si notes alguna cosa fora del comú, assegura’t de consultar un veterinari tan aviat com es pugui per tenir cura de la salut del teu pelut al màxim.