No. All of the horns on a goat are permanent. They grow as the animal gets older, but they never lose them. Horns are made of an exceptionally hard material called keratin, also found in hair and fingernails. It will never come off once it grows out of a goat’s head, just like your fingernails …
Wolverines don’t hibernate during the winter because they’ve adaptive features to survive in extreme conditions. They find habitation out of the wind and cold during spring and winter. Wolverines’ fur is dark, thick, and oily, enabling them to withstand water and frost. Moreover, they can walk on top of the snow, so they don’t hibernate. …
Nothing makes you think about a tropical island getaway or vacation in the sun like the presence of palm trees. I remember the enthusiasm I displayed on my first trip to the beach. We knew our destination on the sands, and a beautiful body of water was near because the scenic route was lined with …
A brain is essential for the survival of most living creatures, including humans and other animals. However, when it comes to animals, the matter is a little bit more complicated. There are some animals that do not have brains. To most people, this is a puzzling statement, because how can such animals survive without a …
Mother Nature has provided mankind with so much wonder and curiosity for all of recorded history. It seems that we just can’t help but look around at the planet that surrounds us and be awed. One thing that brings home much of this joy and wonder are the trees that we see. Oak trees are …
Depending on the variety, redwood tree roots can extend out for more than 100 feet. California or coast redwoods, giant sequoias, and dawn redwoods are nature’s three forest giants. I’ll never forget the classic scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo where Madeleine (Kim Novak) and Scottie (Jimmy Stewart) are virtually dwarfed by the “Father of the Forest” sequoia. …
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum, Lycopersicon lycopersicum) grow up to 3 feet long depending on which root system they have. I’ve always planted tomatoes in my garden after turning about one foot or more of the soil over with a pitchfork. I know, I’m pretty old school about that. I find that the tomato taproots grow deep …
The central tap-root of a dandelion grows up to 3 feet long, but for most dandelions, it’s 6 to 12 inches. If you’re like me, you have a love-hate relationship with dandelions. You might know them as puffballs, lion’s tooth, or monk’s head. The bright, yellow blooms are harbingers of springtime, which I yearn for …
Pine trees are popular for landscaping because of their beautiful, evergreen needles and sturdy branches. Besides being attractive additions to any property, pine trees have many practical uses. For example, they can provide shade from the sun in the summer or a windbreak during the winter months. They also produce cones that make beautiful decorations. …
Blood is the fluid that carries oxygen and many nutrients around the body that are essential for the survival of humans and animals. But what some people might not know, is that not every blood is red. In fact, blood can come in different colors. Blood is made mostly of plasma, proteins, and other good …
The cactus is the king plant of the desert, or any desert environment. Cacti can be seen sprouting up in any region with an arid and hot climate. One consequence of the spread of American civilization in the West was the reclamation of large tracts of desert. But even where modern cities have been established, …
Anteaters are silly-looking mammals that fascinate anyone who looks at them. With their long snouts, slow-motion movements, and coarse and spiky hair, they’re quite interesting to watch. Anteaters live in Central and South America and get their name from their diets. Did you know that it’s possible to tell anteaters apart by their front claws? …
If you come face-to-face with a snake, you may be wondering just how many times it can bite you before it runs out of venom. For the vast majority of snakes, it’s highly unlikely that they will bite more than once. And when they do, they can decide how much venom they’ll inject into you. …
Yes, several species mate for life, but you’re far more likely to find these rare couples sporting feathers rather than fur in the animal kingdom. According to BBC Earth, while up to 90% of bird species partner up for a lifetime, only 3 to 5% of mammals form monogamous relationships. So, who are these die-hard duos, …
Bears do not usually live in the same den year after year. So, does that mean if you know where a bear has spent the winter, you are unlikely to see a shaggy black boar or a brown sow and her cubs emerging from the same cozy hole in winters to come? Not necessarily. Great …
How long bears hibernate depends on where the bear lives. From mountaintops to tropical forests, believe it or not, bears of the same species living in different environments will hibernate for different periods of time. Some bears don’t hibernate at all, while others can stay in their dens for up to eight months. Learn more …
Gardening can be a rewarding and relaxing pasttime. If, like me, you work in a job that keeps you still and sedentary, if you are chained to a desk for the better part of the day, you should take up gardening. It is nice to go into the air and sun and dig your hands …
Bamboo is a great plant to have in your garden but if the roots are not maintained well enough, they may spread extremely quickly and cause damage. If you wish to eliminate the bamboo plant or regulate its roots, the first thing you need to do is determine how long the roots are in the …
Polar bears live in the arctic, hang out on slabs of ice, and snack on sea lions. Ultimately, slabs of ice are a big part of what polar bears call home, they live their lives floating around on them. But because the ice continually shifts and moves, so do the bears and they can be …