February 2010

  • Killer Whales: Turns out, Aptly Named

    By Lipps on 2/25/10 3:50pm
    1 Comment

    Killer Whale hunting sealsKiller Whale hunting sealsI'm sure most of us have already heard about the Killer Whale attack on the trainer in Florida. She was pulled in and apparently drowned, or possibly mauled to death. It was show time and families were watching, which makes it especially tragic.

    I watched our local news and they went to the former Sea World park in Vallejo, CA, now run by Six Flags. They also have a Killer Whale named Shouka. I assume Shouka lives alone. People were outside saying stuff like "I hope they tighten up their precautions so it doesn't happen again."

    Read more >

  • The Indonesian Dragon and Operation Wallacea

    By erika on 2/17/10 6:30pm
    1 Comment

    This adorable little dragon was recently discovered during a herpetology study in Indonesia.  Although it is most likely related to the gliding dragons, a well described albeit somewhat rare species of lizard, it is making a big splash across the internet today.  (Perhaps because dragon jokes are just so easy for us internet folks! And because it is really really cute.)

    The beautiful russet wings of the diminutive Indonesian dragon are one of its most striking features.  The gliding lizards "fly" in the same way that flying squirrels do - with a flap of skin that connects their forearms to their rib cage.  In fact, the rib cage forms part of the "wings," as these movable ribs help to support the membrane during flight.


    Read more >

  • Puppy Bowl VI

    By erika on 2/8/10 4:53pm
    Add Comment

    Once again, Animal Planet brings us the entertainment that we want - nay, crave!  If you ask me, Puppy Bowl VI is THE premier sporting event of the year, and the fact that it's timed to coincide with certain other (non-puppy) sporting events is just a quirk of fate.

    This year Pepper the Parrot was sorely missed.  Pepper's bizarre, crackpot rendition of the national anthem last year had me in tears of laughter from start to finish.  And how many other singers are wheeled out onto the field perched atop an RC car?  Pepper's childlike mangling of the lyrics was nothing short of hysterical.  Wherefore art thou, Pepper?

    Fortunately, Animal Planet brought in two new things which helped cut the sting of a Pepper-less national anthem:


    Read more >

  • You Buy them Toys, and all They Want are the Boxes

    By lisala on 2/4/10 1:56pm
    Add Comment

    There's a thing that cats share with small children. That is, that you buy them a toy, and the cat, much like the toddler, favors the empty box over the shiny new toy.



    Read more >

  • Stop Seal Slaughter, Get Free Stickers

    By sarajean on 2/3/10 5:45pm
    2 Comments

    If the idea of clubbing baby seals (and no, I don’t mean adolescent water mammals dressed in midriff-revealing skirts and halter tops shimmying drunkenly at some place called Spanky’s or Porky’s) turns your stomach, you’ve probably signed a petition or two against the act. You may have even emailed a friend or two to ask for his or her support.

    Read more >