How predators kill their prey is a fascinating subject. Big cats typically either asphyxiate by pressing down on an animal’s trachea with paws and mouth, though lions will also stop its prey from breathing by covering its mouth and nose with their jaws. Jaguars deliver the coup de grace with a bite to the skull. […]
Tag: alligators
Louisiana gears up for first recreational alligator hunt in more than 50 years
The first recreational alligator hunt in Louisiana in more than half a century is about to commence in the swamps of that state, with up to 5,000 hopeful trappers facing strict rules in order to snare a reptile. The state’s fish and wildlife commission banned alligator hunting in 1962 to allow the species to recover after decades […]
Snow shoes, ‘anti-freeze’ blood and group hugs: How 10 snow animals outsmart winter
During the winter, as the cold nights draw in, many people like to curl up by the fire with a soft blanket and a hot drink to warm their cockles. But wild animals don’t have the luxury of warm houses and thermal clothing to protect them when the thermostat plummets. So, how do the animals […]
Can a human outrun a crocodile? Just how fast are these deadly, ferocious reptiles?
I believe it was the renowned biologist, Charles Darwin who once said, “Never smile at a crocodile. Never tip your hat and stop to talk a while. Don’t be taken in by his welcome grin. He’s imagining how well you’d fit within his skin.” How do crocodiles run on land? This, it turns out, is […]
‘Iconic swamp king’: San Francisco’s beloved albino alligator dies aged 30
Claude, the beloved albino alligator who called the California Academy of Sciences home for the better part of two decades, has died at age 30. The San Francisco museum announced his death on Tuesday and said that the reptile had in recent weeks received treatment for a “suspected infection”. Claude, with his unusual white scales, […]
To save jaguars from extinction, scientists in Brazil are trying IVF and cloning
MIRANDA, Brazil — We made three attempts to capture a jaguar after arriving at Fazenda Bodoquena in Miranda, Mato Grosso do Sul state, on a Thursday afternoon in early September. Part of the team went to set up a snare trap near a cow carcass that had been found earlier that day. We were sure […]
Alligators Are Thriving in Fort Worth Wetlands
According to CBS Texas reporter Nicole Nielsen, researchers at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge are tracking a surprising local success story: alligators are nesting in North Texas, and they’re here to stay. Once thought to be a rare sight, these reptiles are now a steady presence, with experts estimating around 70 to 100 […]
Restaurant in China criticised for putting baby lion cuddles on menu
A restaurant in northern China has been criticised by animal welfare groups for offering an unusual item on the menu: lion cub cuddles. According to a screenshot of a menu circulating on social media, Wanhui – a restaurant in Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province – has a four-course set afternoon menu costing 1,192 yuan […]