Fascinating facts about Sea Turtles

• Amongst all species of sea turtles, the leatherback sea turtles are the largest. They can grow up to 6.5 ft long and weigh up to 1200 lbs. They are also unlike to other sea turtles as they are the only ones that are lacking of backbone that joins to its inner shell.

• On the other hand, The Kemp’s Ridley is the smallest species of sea turtles, measuring around 2.5 ft in length.

• Since both female and male sea turtles have comparable size, it is quite difficult to differentiate them. You can identify which sea turtle is male through its tail. Significantly, male sea turtles have long tails where their reproductive organs are to be found.

• One amazing fact about sea turtles is that they can thrive in their natural habitat for as long as 80 years.

• Many sea turtle facts suggest that turtles have existed on Earth’s surface since 200 million years ago. And did you know that they can live for a year even without food.

• It is believed that sea turtles cry. But the fact is sea turtles excrete salt water from their body with the help of their eyes.

Comparable to its relative species of shark, the whale shark and basking shark, Megamouth shark is also a filter feeder. It has its wide mouth open as it swims to filter water for jellyfish and plankton. To know more facts about shark, read on and enjoy these shark facts.

Shark Facts – Fascinating Facts about Megamouth Shark

• This rare shark specie is distinctively characterized by its enormous head along with rubbery lips.

• Since it is very unlike among other shark species, new family classification has to be instituted – the Megachasmidae, in which the Megamouth shark is the sole member.

• Because of its soft fins, slack body, lack of keels and asymmetrical tail, Megamouth sharks are relatively poor swimmers and less active.

• Other shark facts suggest that megamouth is generally blackish-brownish in color on its top and white underneath.

• This shark can grow up to 18ft long and weigh up to 2,600 pounds!

• The Papua New Guinean Hooded Pitohui is the only recognized poisonous specie of bird. This bird has poison on its feathers and skin.

• Mot all bird species can fly. Dodo, penguins and ostriches are birds that cannot fly.

• The only bird that has no wings is the Kiwi which can be found in New Zealand.

• As birds rest, their heart beats around 400 times per minute and more than 1000 times per minute as they fly.

• Archaeopteryx, has been on earth for about 150 million years, was known to be the oldest bird. The size of this bird was similar to raven’s. It had wings and was coated with feathers.

More Interesting Facts about Birds

1. The average body temperature of birds is normally 7 to 8 degrees higher than the human’s. They use three-quarters of the air they breathe to cool down as they are not capable to sweat.

1. Pigeons can fly at the speed of 100mph while doves, sandpipers, swifts and falcons can reach the speed of up to 200 mph.

1. While the hummingbird’s eggs are the smallest eggs in the world, ostrich’s eggs are the biggest.

1. About 1/5 of bird’s body is made of air sacs.

Specific Facts about Panda Bear

Characteristics

Basically, they have bear-like body shape. Its ears, muzzle, shoulders, eye patches and legs are coated with black fur, while the rest of its body is covered with white fur. The reasons why giant pandas have this kind of body markings are unknown. The thick fur of pandas helps to keep themselves warm in cool environment.

The size of giant panda is similar to the size of American black bear, around 4 to 6 feet tall (from head to toe). Male panda bears are relatively bigger than its female counterpart, weighing around 250 lbs. Female pandas can reach up to 220 lbs.

Habitat

Giant panda are found inhabiting in humid, coniferous forests with dense bamboo setting, at the altitude between five thousand and ten thousand feet. These forests usually have dense mist or torrential rains all through the year.

Diet

The usually diet of wild panda is mainly bamboo. Other food source comes from small rodents and grasses. In captivity, they eat sugar cane, bamboo, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples and rice gruel.

Natural Life

The lifespan of panda in the wild is uncertain. On the other hand, those in captivity can live up to 35 years old.

Fast Facts about Wolf

Characteristics: Wolves are commonly characterized by their rounded ears and extensive, heavy muzzle. They come in varied colors and sizes. Wolves are well-known for their howling, which they use for communication.

They can grow around 91cm to 160cm, with tail length of around 13 to 20 inches. Their weight varies from 19 to 79 kilograms.

Diet: Wolves are carnivorous in nature, generally feed on elk, mouse, bison, deer and beaver. When food supply is scarce, they feed on mice and voles to survive.

More Interesting Wolf Facts

• The wolf is recognized as the biggest family member of wild canine and an ultimate predator on the food chain.

• In average, wolves can thrive in their natural habitat for as long as 6 to 8 years.

• A wolf can run at the average speed of 5mph.

• A wolf uses its interlocking canine teeth to grip and tightly grab their struggling prey. And to tear meat and crush bones, it uses its carnassials molar or back teeth.

• The breeding season for wolves is usually between the months of February and March.

• As opportunistic predators, wolves usually prey on vulnerable animal species. Although they also prey on healthy animals, they usually search for weak, old, crippled, young and sick animals.

• An average type of wolf has 42 teeth.

• Fish are known to have been on Earth for over 450 million years.

• There are more than 25,000 recognized fish species on Earth and more than 15,000 fish species are yet to be discovered.

• The total number of fish species is greater than the total number of reptiles, birds, mammals and amphibians species combined.

• Although the Earth has less than 1% freshwater, around 40% of fish species are freshwater-dwelling fish.

• While some species of fish can create sounds by rasping their teeth, some like catfish can create sounds through swim bladder filled with air.

• Many fish facts acknowledge the capability of fish species to fly, climb in the rock, skip in the water surface and glide.

• It is known that the biggest fish on Earth is the Great whale shark, measuring around 50 feet long.

• On the other hand, Philippine goby is considered as the smallest fish. A full-grown goby can measure less than 1/3 inch.

• Just like birds and mammals, fish also suffer from stress and feel pain.