Category: Life on Earth

Tree Facts: 42 amazing things about trees

Post author By Our Planet
Post date February 8, 2022
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Trees in Belgrad Forest — Trees play a critical role in producing oxygen, supporting biodiversity, and combating climate change-just a few of the fascinating facts explored in this article, 'Tree Facts: 42 Amazing Things About Trees.' I tok this photo in Istanbul's Belgrad Forest on April 14, 2019.

Trees are among the most remarkable living organisms on Earth, silently supporting life in countless ways. From producing the oxygen we breathe to stabilizing ecosystems and providing shelter for diverse species, trees are essential to our planet’s health. But their significance goes beyond environmental benefits – trees have inspired cultures, shaped history, and even revolutionized modern science. With over 60,000 species worldwide, each with unique traits and ecological roles, trees continue to amaze us with their resilience and diversity. Here are the most amazing tree facts.

Animals Life on Earth

Top 10 Giraffe Facts

Giraffe on savanna in Serengeti, Tanzania, Africa — A solitary giraffe stands tall amidst the savannah in Serengeti, its mottled pattern blending with the golden grasses, a serene embodiment of the wild's quiet grace. Image source: Deposit Photos

Giraffes are like the tall towers of the animal world, living in Africa where it’s warm and grassy. They are famous for their long necks and spots, each one different like a fingerprint. Although they look quiet and calm, giraffes hide many surprises. They don’t just eat leaves and roam around; there’s much more to learn about them. From the way they drink water to how they talk without making a sound, giraffes are full of interesting secrets. We’re going to explore some of these cool facts, getting to know these tall friends better. Here are 10 amazing giraffe facts.

Animals Life on Earth

Do giraffes get struck by lightning more often than other animals?

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date January 22, 2022
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An interesting question: do giraffes get struck by lightning more often than other animals? At first, it looks funny, but when you think that giraffes are way taller and pointier than other land animals, why they shouldn’t be? And, interestingly, there are studies about that subject, and some of them are even peer-reviewed!

Life on Earth

Early Earth was a Horrible Place for Life Because of UV radiation

Post author By Universe Today
Post date January 11, 2022
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Kepler-1649c artist conception — An artist's concept of what Kepler-1649c could look like from its surface. Credit: NASA/Ames Research Center/Daniel Rutter

Earth has had a long and complex history since its formation roughly 4.5 billion years ago. Initially, it was a molten ball, but eventually, it cooled and became differentiated. The Moon was formed from a collision between Earth and a protoplanet named Theia (probably), the oceans formed, and at some point in time, about 4 billion years ago, simple life appeared.

Animals Life on Earth Oceans

10 Amazing Humpback Whale Facts

Post author By Ceren Bayraktar
Post date December 22, 2021
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Humpback whale jumping out of water. Image source: Deposit Photos

Humpback whale (scientific name: Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of baleen whale (also called toothless whale). Baleen whales have a special net-like epidermal modification called baleen in their mouth, which is used to filter food from the water. Here are 10 amazing Humpback whale facts.

Animals Life on Earth

10 Amazing Honey Badger Facts

Post author By Ceren Bayraktar
Post date December 19, 2021
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Honey badger (scientific name: Mellivora capensis), also known as ratel has a well-earned reputation of being a very fierce, feisty, and brave little mammal. Although barely a foot (30.5 cm) tall, they have a reputation for attacking just about anything – from venomous snakes to full-grown lions. Here are 10 amazing honey badger facts.

Environment Animals Life on Earth

10 Reasons Why Hydroelectric Dams are a Big Threat to Endangered Big Cats

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date December 17, 2021
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Tiger near water. Image source: Deposit Photos

Big cats, such as lions, tigers, and jaguars, have captured our admiration for their majestic presence and crucial ecological roles. These magnificent predators regulate herbivore populations, thus preserving vegetated habitats and maintaining biodiversity. However, their survival is being challenged in unforeseen ways. One of the most pressing threats to big cats is something that we’ve been endorsing for its potential in sustainable energy: hydroelectric dams.

Plants Life on Earth

How to Save and Revive Dying Trees

Post author By Evelyn Long
Post date December 16, 2021
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Just like other living organisms, trees can get sick and die of disease if they’re not cared for properly. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to relieve the stress your trees are experiencing and protect their long-term health.

Injured trees exist on a spectrum from stressed to dying. Unfortunately, once your tree is dying, there’s little you can do to bring it back to life. However, if you catch the symptoms of illness early, it is very possible to save your tree.

Read on for practical tips on how to revive struggling trees.

Animals Life on Earth

10 Amazing Fossa Facts

The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is a carnivorous mammal that is endemic to the island of Madagascar. It is a member of the Eupleridae, a family of carnivorans closely related to the mongoose family Herpestidae. They look like a cross between a dog, a cat, and a mongoose. Here are 10 amazing fossa facts.

Prehistoric Life on Earth

7 Reasons Why Dinosaurs Continue Fascinating Humans

Post author By Our Planet
Post date December 11, 2021
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Tyrannosaurus model — Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the largest land carnivores of all time; the largest complete specimen, located at the Field Museum of Natural History under the name FMNH PR2081 and nicknamed Sue, measured 12.3 meters (40 ft) long, and was 4 meters (13 ft) tall at the hips. Mass estimates have varied widely over the years, from more than 7.2 metric tons (7.9 short tons), to less than 4.5 metric tons (5.0 short tons), with most modern estimates ranging between 5.4 metric tons (6.0 short tons) and 6.8 metric tons (7.5 short tons). One study in 2011 found that the maximum weight of Sue, the largest Tyrannosaurus, was between 9.5 and 18.5 metric tons (9.3–18.2 long tons; 10.5–20.4 short tons), though the authors stated that their upper and lower estimates were based on models with wide error bars and that they "consider [them] to be too skinny, too fat, or too disproportionate". Packard et al. (2009) tested dinosaur mass estimation procedures on elephants and concluded that those of dinosaurs are flawed and produce over-estimations; thus, the weight of Tyrannosaurus could have been much less than previously thought. Other estimations have concluded that the largest known Tyrannosaurus specimens had masses approaching or exceeding 9 tonnes. This image is a full-size model in Poland, depicting Tyrannosaurus with both feathers and scales. Photo: wikipedia

Dinosaurs’ stories have been captured in paintings, films, comics, literature, and museums. Since the dawn of time, dinosaurs have captured the human imagination and sparked creative thought. Scaled monsters and gentle giants are two of the many ways described in the literature.