Why Do Pigs Like Mud?

Check out my list of fun, weird and just plain amazing fact of life I have found: Why Do Pigs Like Mud?

Pigs roll in mud primarily in order to regulate their body temperature. This behavior is more commonly referred to as "wallowing."

As well as offering protection from the sun's rays, a coating of moist mud is crucial for keeping pigs cool in warm weather through gradual evaporation. This method is so effective that some have suggested wallowing as the reason for the limited evolutionary development of sweat glands in pigs. Pigs also wallow in cooler weather, indicating additional motivations such as the removal of parasites, and possibly marking territory with scent. Of course, pigs also genuinely enjoy wallowing for its own sake, showing signs of distress when farmers attempt to curb their behavior with anti-parasite medicines or air-conditioned barns.

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The best collection of Pangolin facts

Here are a handful of fascinating, little-known facts about some of the weirdest creatures: The best collection of Pangolin facts

Pangolins, often called “scaly anteaters,” are covered in tough, overlapping scales. These burrowing mammals eat ants and termites using an extraordinarily long, sticky tongue, and are able to quickly roll themselves up into a tight ball when threatened. Eight different pangolin species can be found across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Poaching for illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss have made these incredible creatures one of the most endangered groups of mammals in the world.

1. The pangolin’s closest relatives are carnivores, but they are the only mammals that are covered in scales. That might be one of the most awesome animals facts you had no idea before.

 

2. Pangolin scales are made of keratin, just like our finger nails, and make up 20 per cent of their body weight.

3. The word ‘pangolin’ comes from the Malay word ‘penggulung’, which means ‘one that rolls up’. When it is threatened a pangolin will curl itself into a tight ball, which is impenetrable to predators. 

4. The mammal can consume up to 20,000 ants a day. That’s about 73 million ants a year!

5. Pangolins can close their ears and nostrils using strong muscles. This helps protect them from ant attacks. 

6. They have long, sticky tongues, which are often longer than their body and attached near its pelvis and last pair of ribs. If a pangolin fully extends its tongue, it is longer than the animal’s head and body! Wanna take a quick look at funny pictures with captions that can help you relax effectively.

7. Pangolins don't have teeth, so they can’t chew. Instead, they have keratinous spines in their stomach and swallow stones that help them grind up their food in much the same manner as a bird’s gizzard.

8. There are eight pangolin species, four Asian and four African. They include the Chinese pangolin (critically endangered), Sunda pangolin (critically endangered), Indian pangolin (endangered), Philippine pangolin (endangered), Cape or Temminck’s ground pangolin (vulnerable), tree pangolin (vulnerable), giant ground pangolin (vulnerable) and black-bellied pangolin (vulnerable). However, fossil evidence suggests that they evolved in Europe. How much do you know about tiger facts for kids? Let’s check.

9. Pangolins are hunted for meat, for use in traditional medicine and as fashion accessories. The large-scale illegal trade in Asian pangolins is drastically driving down their numbers.

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Interesting cycads facts

Learn all information you wanted about animals by this article cycads facts

• Certain types of cycads shed their leaves during extremely hot and dry season.
• Some species of cycads look like palm trees, while others look like ferns at the first glance. Despite similarities in morphology, cycads, palms and ferns are not genetically related.
• Cycads live in symbiosis (mutual beneficial relationship) with cyanobacteria which are able to fixate atmospheric nitrogen. These bacteria produce neurotoxin that can be found in various parts of the plant, including the seeds.
• Cycads do not produce flowers. Male and female reproductive organs develop on separate plants (dioecious). Male plants produce egg-shaped cones that are usually yellow to brown in color. Female plants develop ovules and seeds on leafy structures called sporophylls.
• Wind and beetles are in charge for the pollination. Cycads produce specific smell which attracts beetles and ensures successful pollination. Still boring? Check out our funny images to get relaxing moments in your freetime.
• Cycads produce small seeds that are covered with yellow or reddish flesh. Even though seeds contain toxin, they are used in human diet in some parts of the world.

• Cycads can be cultivated as houseplants. They can be propagated via seed or tissue cuttings.
• Cycads are source of food for many animals. Larvae of certain butterflies and ants eat secretion from the leaves, cattle feeds on the leaves, while fruit bats eat seeds.
• Cycads were used for the production of flour in the 9th century in India.
• Certain types of cycads are known as bread trees because they contain starch which is important part of diet of indigenous people.
• Leaves and cones of cycads are used in traditional Asian medicine.
• Most cycads grow slowly, but they can survive over 1000 years in the wild.

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