Learn more about the giant Huntsman Spider, big, fast...and mostly harmless.
Animals & Nature
Rain is a BIG TOPIC! Rain brings relief when it's dry, it brings chaos when it rains too much. This lens looks at the science of rain and the affect it has on nature.
You can't fail to be cheered by the sight of a rainbow! This lens looks at the science and mythology of rainbows.
Pet Scabies or Mange to use it's proper name can be unbearable for both the pet and owner. Can you become infested with scabies from your pet ? How much do you love your pet enough to suffer the itches?
All about my favourite birds of Thailand. After birdwatching in Thailand since 1996 I have now got some real favourites amongst the Thai bird fauna. This is a lens about them.
Tips on how to improve your birdwatching skills and contribute more to bird conservation.
A run down of my ten favourite bird species from birdwatching in India.
All about the BBC series, "The Life of Birds", narrated by David Attenborough.
A free animal card game based on the popular "Top Trumps" theme, downloadable direct from the lens. This set of cards cab also be used to play the old favourite "Happy Families".
Information on rainforests and a list of links to charitable organisations that offer rainforest purchase as a means of protecting this valuable habitat.
Potbelly pigs can make wonderful pets, but a certain amount pre-knowledge is necessary. Learn about their behavior,
eating habits, and how to keep a happy potbelly pig.
A lens about the formation of clouds, the types of clouds and why we should love the skies above!
Resources to help you study nature with children. This page includes resources, nature poems, notebook journaling pages and more.
Frontline flea and tick control is the worlds best flea remedy trusted by millions of pet owners around the world. We have where you can find frontline flea plus cheaper then you local vets and with free shipping
Taking the time to go bluegill fishing with your children for the first time can be a great experience for everyone. The thrill and joy on their face when they catch that first fish is priceless.
The porcupine is a rodent. It has black to brownish-yellow fur and strong, short legs. It has hairless soles on its feet so it can climb trees.
The chipmunk is abundant and coexists peacefully with man. This little guy will become fairly tame, if you have patients, and lots of sunflower seeds. The wild ones will eat from your hand sometimes
Actions of these little friendly critters.
All species of badgers and the American Badger, are similar in appearance. Fur coat colors range from silver-gray, dark brown or black to spotted or striped. The American badger is a miniature version of the Eurasian badger.
You'll find otters mostly in the northern half of Wisconsin in streams, rivers, marshes, lakes, and ponds where you may see a sleek, dark brown critter with a long, tapered, muscular body gliding just below the water surface. They often appear on the ice in the winter near open water with a fish.
The short-tailed weasel is most likely the smallest carnivore around. This little guy wears two "coats", a light brown summer coat with white underneath, and an all white winter coat.
Are you killing your dog with dog foods? That is a question that dog owners everywhere should carefully consider. Several different types of dog foods that are sold on a commercial basis have been found to have a devastating effect on the health of these pets
A potbelly pig is a cute little pig smarter than most people. Having a pig in the house is a lot like having a 3 year old child that is usually behaved, but never gets older.
Everything about the Philippine legend, The Adarna Bird.
A list of charitable organizations that offer animal adoption as a way of supporting conservation action.
A large collection of royalty free photos of flowers available for use on squidoo lenses, blogs, websites etc.
A large collection of my butterfly photos available for use as royalty free photos on squidoo lenses, blogs, websites etc.
All about the pair of Olive-backed Sunbirds that visit my front yard in Bangkok, Thailand every morning to feed on the flowers and insects.
Video clips of ten amazing pieces of bird behaviour from disco dancing birds of paradise to shoplifting seagulls and a superb lyrebird mimicking the sound of a chainsaw and camera shutter.
Losing a pet is a difficult thing to go through in life. This is the place with great tips on how to cope with the loss of a pet.
Hermit crabs make wonderful pets. As exotic as it may sound, this cute creature is easy to care for and fun to watch. Learn everything about taking care of hermit crab.
Betta is one of the most beautiful inhabitants of any aquarium. Small in size and often colorful, it is no wonder that the Betta easily became a favorite choice among freshwater aquarium keepers and hobbyist.
See the beauty of Autumn find out when it begins and ends. Find everything related to Autumn, coloring pages, beautiful tablecloths,accesories and much more.
Understanding how to feed your doggie is vitally important in providing safe healthy dog food. Our dogs are some of our Best Friends, and the least we can do is educate ourselves about how to keep them Healthy!
This lens is about different types of penguins. Here you can find out about the differences and similarities between penguin groups and you can see some cute pictures. So check it out!
These are the cats that I have owned or babysit. I loved them and they kept me company while I was doing my degree in Australia.
I used to have a website with geocities that wrote about my cats while I was in Australia. Even since I have graduate from my university, I have created a blog with blogger just for my cats. I have moved most of my articles and photos to this cat blog.
This lens is dedicated to my 2 cats, Brownie and Mui Mui.
It was 4pm on a Sunday afternoon on July 2001. Me and my boyfriend (now husband) was on the way to my mom's place. We went to a wet market near our place because my husband wanted to withdraw some money from a bank...
1) You will save money on kitty litter.
2) No more clearing of litter box.
3) No more unpleasant smell in your house.
4) It will be a very good idea if you intend to have a baby in future. You will be advise not to handle cat feces with your bare hands. If your cats are toilet trained, you will just need to flush the toilet.
We have collected some cat jokes and interesting websites and we think it will be nice if we have a lens just on that. This lens is dedicated 99% to the cats and 1% to other pets or animals. Sometime, we like to joke on the dogs too.
You can see some beautiful cat paintings in this lens. These are some of the cats painting I will really like to have them.
Sunsets are beautiful all around the world. View sunsets from around the world and let their beauty relax and inspire you.
Many people overlook black cats when looking for a cat to add to their family. But black cats are sweet, full of personality, and they need homes too!
This lens is about the different types of cats people have as pets. Here you will find information and photos of cats both common and unusual. Stop by and check them out!
Drifting silently through a world of cool, milky green water, you feel something soft and gentle brush up against you, tickling your skin. Looking through your mask and snorkel you notice it is a jellyfish. You probably thought is was impossible to swim surrounded by millions of jellyfish, but at this lake, Jellyfish Lake, its not. Discover a true biological paradise as you dive in and swim with the sea jellies.
A look at Lurchers - what type of dogs they are, what care they need, their suitability as pets etc plus advice and links for anyone considering adopting a rescue Lurcher.
This lens is about Global Warming and it's various causes. It also is about how normal cyclic weather changes occur and how this affects our planet
This lens is about the Wonders of Nature. Here you will see some beautiful photos among which are some from a local colleges beautiful garden. Please stop by.
This lens is about all types of unusual weather phenomena. Here you will find everything from lightning, to hurricanes to dust storms. Stop by and check it out!
The Adler Planetarium, America's First Planetarium, was founded in 1930 by Chicago business leader Max Adler. The museum is home to three full-size theaters, and one of the world's most important antique instrument collections. The Adler is a recognized leader in science education, with a focus on inspiring young people, particularly women and minorities, to pursue careers in science.
The Common Loon or the Great Northern Diver is often called the 'symbol of the North.? They are reported to be among the oldest groups of birds still living today, with a history stretching back close to 50 million years.
When we think of predators, frightening images come to mind. Our heart rate jumps and we glance around warily. In society predators have thrown off the balance of life and need to be stopped. It's another story in the wild. There is a check and balance between predator and prey. One cannot exist without the other.
There are over 30,000 types of spiders in the world, but the Black Widow is probably the best known and most feared. Arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, is one of the most common of all phobias. It doesn't matter if spiders are a part of the food chain, or help keep the insect population under control.
When the Black-crowned Night Heron courts a mate, they don't get "cold feet," they get "red feet." Once a match is made and a bond formed, their leg and lores fade to a blushing pink.
Watching the birds in your own backyard can be both rewarding and satisfying, but as your expertise grows, you may want to join other birders on a bird watching excursion. There are several things to keep in mind as you troop along the birding trail.
Watching the birds in your backyard is both fun and relaxing. You may have already put up a birdfeeder and even recognize some of the regular visitors. You?ve reached the point where ?watching the birds? is not enough. You want to know the name of that bird you hear singing as you head to your car every morning.
One of my favorite birding spots is a little known corner of the Francis Beidler Forest. The Francis Beidler Forest Sanctuary encompasses over 15,000 acres of Four Holes Swamp, the heart of which is the 1,763 acre virgin stand of cypress and tupelo trees. The swamp has not been improved or enhanced. There are no artificial plantings, removal of dead or overturned trees, or attempts to lure wildlife close to the boardwalk. It is a swamp as nature intended, unspoiled by man and spectacular in its own right.
The Tundra Swan was formerly called the ?Whistling Swan? due to the sound made by the powerful beating of the wings in flight. It is a beautiful swan often confused with the Trumpeter Swan.
The Mourning Dove is considered a game bird in many states, but due to flight speeds of up to 55 mph, it rarely ends up on the dinner table.
A small amount of research and education on the part of prospective dog owners can make a huge difference in ending up with a successful partnership with your pet. Dog breed information is fascinating interesting and useful. Besides, learning more about dogs is just fun!
The Burrowing Owls are aptly named. They live underground in burrows. Rather than dig their own, they let the ground squirrels and prairie dogs do the work, and then evict them.
The Mute Swan was first introduced in the United States as an ornamental bird in the 19th century. Since then their population has exploded. The aggressive Mute Swan is crowding out native species and stripping rivers and lakes of its foliage disrupting the natural food chain. Methods of controlling the growth and decreasing their numbers are being considered.
The American White Pelican doesn't dive for its dinner as most pelicans do. They simply dip their heads underwater and come up with a pouch full of water. Using its beak as a strainer, the water is expelled leaving fish and other delectable treats behind.
Known for their V-shaped migrating flocks, and their loud and frequent honking, Canada Geese are among the most familiar of all North America's waterfowl.
The green head, yellow bill, and black rump of the Mallard Duck is a familiar sight for many people living in the Northern hemisphere. Nearly 10 million Mallards live in North America with millions more in Eurasia. It is thought to be the most abundant duck in the world today.
The Herring Gull is a familiar bird. It is often seen along the coast and in coastal urban settings. It has a gray mantle and black wing-tips and can be seen dining in garbage dumps and following the fishing vessels to shore.
The Double-crested in this Cormorant's name refers to the crests that grow during the breeding season. It east mostly fish and it is often seen holding its wings out to dry.
Evidence suggests that the Sandhill Crane is the oldest known bird species in existence today. A fossil of a bird estimated to be10 million years old was found in Nebraska, a popular stopover point for migrating birds. Its structure was identical to that of the modern Sandhill Crane.
The Snowy Owl is often referred to as the Great White Owl. It is an apt description. The Snowy Owl is a magnificent bird and quite a site to see. It inhabits the northern regions during mating season but migrates to warmer regions in the winter.
The Great Gray Owl is one of the most reclusive owls in North America. Add to that its secretive habits and you have a bird that is rarely seen and little known.
The Bald Eagle is the United State's National Symbol but according to Benjamin Franklin, it should have been the Wild Turkey. The Bald Eagle would rather steal from other birds than hunt for its own meal. In Franklin's eyes, that represented poor moral fiber. On the other hand, while the Wild Turkey was a vain and silly bird, it had courage. If its territory was invaded, it wouldn't hesitate to attack.
The California Condor was on the brink of extinction with its numbers dropping to less than 25. They are still endangered, but conservation efforts have paid off. Last count there were 302 California Condors in existence.
The Peregrine Falcon is one of the fastest flying birds in existence today. It has been clocked at 90 mph (145 km/hr).
The Eastern Screech Owl is an elusive nocturnal predator. It is usually identified by its distinctive call, which varies from a low whistle or whinny to a hoot, rather than by sight.
The Baltimore Oriole is a cheerful bird. It can be spotted in wooded lots and whistling along city streets. The mainstay of their diet is beetles, bugs, and caterpillars, but they can be drawn to your yard with offerings of fruit (especially orange slices), and nectar feeders designed with their unique beak shape in mind.
The Swainson's Hawk can eat an average of 100 grasshoppers a day giving it the nickname ?Grasshopper Hawk?.
The Common Barn Owl is sometimes called the ?monkey-faced owl? because of its white, heart-shaped face and dark eyes. As it can locate a mouse by sound and catch it in the dark, it can keep a barn or structure free of mice better than most cats.
Carolina Wrens are a southern bird and once they?ve established their territory, they usually remain there throughout their life. The male can be heard whistling any time of the day and any time of the year.
Spotting a bird is one thing, identifying it is another story. With over 10,000 species of birds in the world, no one is an expert right from the start. It takes time and practice. Follow the steps listed below and you will be on your way!
Distinguishing the Purple Finch from its cousins, the House Finch and the Cassin's Finch, can be tricky. All three are about the same size and shape, and all three are frequent visitors to the birdfeeder. To make matters worse, their territories overlap. The color is the key. The Purple Finch has more color than the other two, and the House Finch's coloring is more red than purple.
Once an abundant bird, there hasn't been a reliable sighting of the Eskimo Curlew in over 40 years. There are occasional reports of sightings which allows for the possibility that a small population still exists, but most authorities believe it is extinct.
As a child, I was told that spotting a robin in the yard heralded the arrival of spring. Living in northern Minnesota, that was usually the case, but while most robins migrate southward in the winter, not all of them do. Their breeding range is extensive and in some of the warmer climates, they congregate in large flocks and winter-over close to home.
It doesn't matter if you are searching for a birthday gift, Christmas, father's day, mother's day, anniversary gift, or even a wedding gift. Some people are notoriously hard to buy for. We want our gifts to be meaningful, otherwise we would just buy a gift certificate and call it good.
The Passenger Pigeon used to be the most common bird in North America. They lived in huge flocks, and during migration, they covered the sky, some flocks containing up to a million birds.
According to some estimates there were as many as five billion passenger pigeons residing in North America when the Pilgrims arrived.
The Bald Eagle is the United State's National Symbol but according to Benjamin Franklin, it should have been the Wild Turkey. The Bald Eagle would rather steal from other birds than hunt for its own meal. In Franklin's eyes, that represented poor moral fiber. On the other hand, while the Wild Turkey was a vain and silly bird, it had courage. If its territory was invaded, it wouldn't hesitate to attack.
The once abundant Carolina Parakeet was a gregarious bird. They would form large, noisy flocks that fed on cultivated fruits and grains. They would tear apart an apple to get to the seeds, wreck havoc in the grain fields, and strip a corncob of its kernels. Determined to protect their crops, farmers killed them in droves. It was no big deal. The pesky parakeets were plentiful. Some flocks even numbered in the thousands.
The Great Horned Owl is a phenomenal hunter. When it recognizes the sound of prey, it will hop from tree to tree until it pinpoints the source. Then it silently swoops in with its talons wide and pounces on the unsuspecting prey.
The female Northern Pintail will protect her brood by flying at an intruder, or by pretending to be injured and leading the predator away.
If there was a ten most wanted list for birds, Purple Martins would be on it. Over a million people in North America put up Martin houses in hopes of attracting a colony. If only it were so easy. Purple Martins are picky house hunters. If the house isn't perfect or the neighborhood not up to their specifications, they will look elsewhere.
Hurricane Hugo formed off the coast of Africa on Sept, 19, 1989, tore through Charleston, SC on Sept 22, and finally dissipated on Sept. 25th. It left 82 people dead, 56,000 homeless, and caused over 10,000 billion dollars worth of damage.
The Red-headed Woodpecker is a squatter. Rather than build their own nest, they will claim an abandoned one, or take a nest in use by force.
The Tufted Titmouse is a noisy bird and can usually be heard before it's seen. It is a social bird and will frequently join with Chickadees and Nuthatches to form small flocks. It is quick to scold predator and will join other birds.
The Red-winged Blackbird makes its home in the marshes and wetlands. Approach the nesting site and the easily identified male will make its presence known. If he perceives your presence as a threat, he will attack.
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. They prefer the open country rather than forests and can be spotted in desert grasslands, and above the timberline.
The Bald Eagle is the only eagle unique to North America. Over the last few years the population of Bald Eagles has made a comeback. It was removed from the Federal List of Endangered Species on June 28, 2007.
Blue Jays are beautiful birds and fun to watch, but they are birdfeeder bullies. They will chase smaller birds away until they?ve had their fill.
The Spotted Owl, also called the Northern Spotted Owl, lives in the dense, old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Its numbers are dropping due to the loss of habitat.
The Osprey's eyesight is phenomenal. It can spot prey lurking beneath the water even with its hovering 130 feet above the water. Spotting its prey, it will plunge into the water, feet first. It resurfaces moments later with the fish clutched in its talons.
Snowy Egrets inhabit marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes, and shallow coastal areas and tidal flats. In the 19th and early 20th century, they were hunted to near extinction for their beautiful white feathers.
Cattle Egrets are usually seen foraging in grassy fields rather than along waterways. They follow along behind cattle and horses, even tractors to catch the insects they stir up.
Similar in appearance to the Tundra Swan, listening to the Trumpeter Swan's call is usually the easiest way to identify it. It has a deep, resonant, trumpet-like voice whereas the voice of the Tundra Swan is soft and melodious.
The Great Blue Heron stands four feet tall and has a wingspan of more than six feet. It is the largest of the North American herons, dwarfing other herons as well as its closest relatives, the egrets and bitterns.
Due to the decrease in grasslands and prairies, the Ferruginous Hawk population is on the decline. It may end up on the endangered species list within the next year or two.
The Common Grackle is an opportunistic feeder. They will devour insects, grains, frogs, mice, and even the eggs and hatchlings of other birds.
The House Sparrow, formerly called the English Sparrow, is one of the best known and abundant birds. Like the European Starling, it is not one of North America's native birds. With its expanding population and domination over nesting sites, it has caused localized decreases in the cavity-nesting birds such as the bluebird.
Unlike most woodpeckers, Flickers forage on the ground. They think grasshoppers and crickets are a tasty treat. However, they will occasionally visit your birdfeeders if suet is available.
House Finches are aptly named. They will make their home in any man-made structure available, including garages, barns, under awnings, and in flower baskets.
The Northern Harrier is one of the most widespread and easily recognized raptors in North America. It has an owl-like facial disc which allows it to hunt by sound as well as sight. It has been known to locate its prey by sound alone.
The Black Vulture is a large bird measuring between 20 and 26 inches in length and has a wingspan of close to 5 feet. Its plumage is a glossy black, but its head is gray and featherless. Its legs are grayish-white and it has 2 long front toes. As with most vultures, the Black Vulture's feet are weak and its talons blunt. Awkward on the ground, it is more likely to hop than try to walk.
The Barn Swallow can be found worldwide. They spend the summers in North America and winter in South America. For some, it's a round trip totaling 14,000 miles.
The male Wood Duck is very colorful bird with patches of white, green, purple and burgundy plumage. Their crested head is iridescent green and purple. It is a very distinctive duck and easy to identify.
There are three species of bluebirds with the Eastern Bluebird being the most common. This beautiful bird is making a comeback as more and more backyard birder are erecting bluebird boxes and evicting the squatters.
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most common hawk in North America. It soars over the open country in search of its prey or perches in a tree at the edge of a field or meadow. With its sharp eyes peeled, it watches for the slightest movement signaling the presence of prey.