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Gorilla vs. Hippo: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a gorilla and a hippo: Even though gorillas have an impressively strong bite and can cause serious damage, still they are no match for a hippo’s bite force. Hippos can deliver a 2000 PSI (pounds per square inch) when biting and gorillas have a biting force of 1300 PSI. So if you want to learn all about who wins in a fight between a gorilla and a hippo, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get started! Who Wins in a Fight Between a Gorilla and a Hippo? In a hypothetical fight between a hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious) and a gorilla, the hippo will come out victorious. The sheer size of the hippo is the animal’s biggest advantage. As big as gorillas are, hippos are still much bigger. Other factors that would affect the outcome are strength, skill, and intelligence. Although the gorilla is more skillful and more intelligent than the hippo, its massive size disadvantage is simply too much to overcome. Thus the undisputed winner is the hippopotamus. The chances of actually seeing a hippo fight a gorilla, however, are close to zero. Since both species cannot clash in natural real-life settings, determining a theoretical winner requires examining and comparing some key facts about hippos and gorillas. Only then can we make a fair prediction. What Is the Basic Information on Gorillas and Hippos? Gorillas are the largest living primates on Earth. They are mainly herbivores that consume stems, leaves, and fruits. Five percent of their diet consists of animal protein coming from ants, termites, and larvae. These are social animals that live in groups or families ranging from 2 to 30 individuals. At the top of the group, there is a dominant male leader called a “silverback.” Wild gorillas can only be found on the African continent in the tropical and subtropical forests south of the Sahara Desert. Wild gorillas are the most endangered of all ape species. Strict laws protect the 200,000 specimens left in the world. Gorillas are very intelligent and can produce more than 24 different vocalization sounds, each containing a different message. Captive gorillas are thought by some to have an IQ between 75 and 100 (the human average is around 100), though many skeptics doubt this claim. Hippopotamuses are half-terrestrial, half-aquatic animals that also inhabit sub-Saharan regions. They prefer areas with abundant water where they spend 16 hours a day cooling and keeping their skin moist. Gorillas, on the contrary, are afraid of water because they don’t know how to swim. Hippos are nocturnal animals and can be mostly seen foraging during the night. They are the third-largest terrestrial mammal, right behind elephants and rhinos. Even though they may appear as humongous pigs, biologically hippos are more similar to dolphins, whales, and porpoises. With only 150,000 wild hippopotamuses left in the wild, the species is considered vulnerable. Despite being related to whales, they are not as intelligent. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re stupid, though. What Is the Behavior of Gorillas and Hippos? Generally speaking, gorillas are very peaceful and quiet creatures. They keep their business to themselves and only engage in confrontation when it is of utmost necessity. Confronting with intruders, threats or other gorillas starts with screams, barks, and roars. They can be especially dangerous when provoked. You can’t qualify gorillas as territorial animals because they sometimes tolerate members of different groups coming to visit when mutual territories overlap. Hippos for the most part are also social animals. Their groups are called hippo schools and consist of 10 to 30 individuals. All hippos are highly territorial and don’t tolerate other beings invading their habitats. Interestingly, hippos are territorial only in the water. On land they tend to ignore other beings, so there is a situational change of character. They have such bad tempers and aggressiveness that sometimes adults kill younger hippos for no evident reason. Before they attack, they display their deadly teeth to scare off threats. Which Animal Is Bigger: The Gorilla or the Hippo? Weighing anywhere between 3,300 and 4,000 pounds (1,496–1,814 kilograms), the hippo is almost 10 times bigger than a gorilla. Male gorillas usually don’t weigh more than 450 pounds (204 kilograms), with their average weight being around 300 pounds (136 kilograms). Female hippos are lighter. They weight around 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms), while female gorillas can weigh between 150 and 200 pounds (68–91 kilograms). The length of hippos is from 11 to 17 feet (3.3–5.1 meters), and they are 5.2 feet (1.58 meters) tall at the shoulder line. Gorillas can reach heights between 4.1 and 6 feet (1.25–1.85 meters). Does a Gorilla Bite Stronger Than a Hippo? Even though gorillas have an impressively strong bite and can cause serious damage, still they are no match for a hippo’s bite force. Hippos can deliver a 2000 PSI (pounds per square inch) when biting and gorillas have a biting force of 1300 PSI. A hippo’s killing power is not just in the ferocious biting strength, but also in the possibility to open its mouth at a 180-degree angle. They don’t always use their mouths first in fights and more often rely on their enormous size to pursue and knock enemies on the ground. A gorilla’s bite force is a direct result of an herbivorous diet that made their jaw muscles and neck muscles pump up. What Are the Strength, Speed, and Endurance of Gorillas and Hippos? Scientists estimate that gorillas can lift a weight 27 times heavier than their own bodyweight. That would come to 4,000 pounds (1,810 kilograms) of deadweight. Needless to say, hippos aren’t able to use their legs for lifting, so no comparison there. What we can compare is the running speed. Although you might imagine hippos as clumsy and slow, they can run at 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour). Because of their bulky build, they can’t maintain the high speed for more than a couple of seconds, but that’s usually long enough for an attack. …

Animals

Human vs. Tiger: Can a Human Survive?

Here’s whether a human can survive a fight with a tiger: Despite the slim chances, a human can survive a fight with a tiger if their luck is in their favor. Therefore, it is safer to avoid getting into a fight with a tiger altogether. Once the animal starts engaging, you are pretty much toast. So if you want to learn all about whether and how a human can survive a fight with a tiger, then this article is for you. Let’s jump right in! Can a Human Survive a Fight With a Tiger? A human can survive a fight with a tiger if luck is in his/her favor, but the chances are very slim. The safer option is to avoid getting into a fight with a tiger altogether. Once the animal decides to engage, you are about as good as dead. Weapons and tools provide about the only real chance for a human to survive a tiger attack. Hand-to-hand combat is very unlikely to go well for a person. Firearms will scare off a tiger with the noise alone. Pepper spray can also do the trick if you start spraying while the tiger is at a good distance. Firecrackers might come in handy. Lighting a few of them makes tigers flee the spot because it sounds like a gun battle is on. Never think of a sick, injured, very old, or very young tiger as something less dangerous than an adult, healthy one. All tigers are fierce killers. Disabled tigers may have less ability to hunt big animals, but humans are still a little match for them in direct combat. How Many People Have Been Killed by Tigers? Around 373,000 people have been killed by tigers between the years 1800 and 2009. Most of the attacks happened in Southeast Asia, Nepal, and India. An average of 1,700 people are killed by tigers every year. How to Survive a Tiger Attack? Your best chance of surviving a tiger attack is spotting the predator before it spots you. In any case, you need to stay motionless and quiet. Any movement will alert the animal and turn its predatory attention to you. The worst thing you can do is panic. How can one avoid panicking when threatened by a tiger attack, you ask? Well, not easily, that’s for sure. However, staying calm will increase your odds of survival. Inhaling deeply and closing your eyes for a second might help you lower your anxiety, even for a little bit. Panic tends to make people engage in a fight or flight response. Either of those reactions will encourage the tiger to attack you. Once you’ve taken that moment to calm yourself, start backing away slowly without making eye contact. Don’t turn away or show your back to a tiger. You only make yourself a more appealing target that way. You can start running in the opposite direction as soon as the animal is out of your sight. Until then, keep facing it. Avoiding a Tiger Attack With Another Person If a parent were to see their child attacked by a tiger, their first instinct would be to step in front of their son or daughter and shield them with their own body. That instinct might not be the best solution, unfortunately. Experts think that putting your child on your shoulders might make you look more intimidating to the tiger by making you look bigger. The same rule applies if you are with another adult and if either can hold the other one on their shoulders. Any action that makes you look bigger is beneficial in this situation. Stand tall, puff yourself up, and hope the tiger perceives you as a large threat. Doing the opposite, such as crouching or sitting, will encourage the wild cat to come running in your direction. Keep Yourself Clean A natural (albeit embarrassing) response in a situation of extreme fear or happiness is for a person to pee his or her pants. When you are near a wild tiger, however, you must do everything in your power to hold your urine in your bladder. Tigers are very attracted to the smell of urine. They also might think you are trying to mark your territory and perceive the urinating as an act of aggression. In this case, a simple pee is a thing that can get you killed. Keep a Safe Distance From Captive Tigers Nowadays there are more tigers in captivity than there are tigers living in the wild. Despite what you might see on social media and TV, tigers can never become reliable pets. That’s why you should always keep your distance from tigers. Don’t try to pet them. Simply enjoy their beauty with your eyes only. Fight Back If there is no chance of remaining hidden, and the tiger looks ready to attack you, then you need to fight back. Lying on the ground and playing dead won’t work with this particular animal. It will only make you an easy meal. If the tiger caught you in its grips, try to stick your hand in its mouth to trigger a gagging reflex. This reflex stops the animal from biting. The good news is that tigers are more afraid of humans than they are of just about anything else, including lions. Chances are that you won’t need to use your hand in that manner. Can I Escape From a Tiger if I Jump in the Water? Even though it’s a popular belief that all cats fear water, tigers are excellent swimmers that willingly go into the water to cool themselves off. Jumping into the water to save yourself from a tiger won’t do you much good. What would happen if you did jump into water? Well, first of all, the tiger will jump towards you and practically crush you beneath its weight. They can jump at distances of over 33 feet (10 meters). Even if you went far, the tiger can cross as much as 18 miles …

Animals

Octopuses Making Gardens: True?

Here’s whether octopuses really make gardens: They make homes and shelters from shells and other objects they find. They built supportive structures around these shelters called gardens. These gardens aren’t meant to be beautiful exteriors around their homes. Their sole purpose is to reinforce the home, not to make it look better. So if you want to learn all about octopuses building gardens, then this article is for you. Keep reading! Do Octopuses Really Make Gardens`? Octopuses use shells and other objects that they find to make homes and shelters. Around these homes and shelters, they built supportive structures that are often called gardens. The gardens aren’t meant to provide a beautiful exterior around their dens. Their sole purpose is to reinforce the home, not to make it more appealing. Building and maintaining dens is a complex behavior in octopuses. It’s not just a simple reflex. Every octopus does the action individually. There is no collective action or teamwork involved in choosing a place for the den, digging a den, and making a garden. Although a solitary act, there are places that are kind of like octopus communities where the animals build separate housing. Each unit is only 8–12 inches (20–30 centimeters) apart. Are Octopuses Intentionally Reinforcing Their Homes With Shells? Octopuses don’t intend to make their homes more secure when bringing shells to their dens. They bring scallops home to eat and, in doing so, leave shells behind. So, the hard parts that make the gardens are just waste. An octopus considers eating at home to be a lot safer than eating anywhere else. When eating out in the open, the animal risks being noticed by predators. Many octopus species show the same behavior and have piles of prey-remains just outside their dens. The piles indicate to scientists where an octopus den can be located. Scientists also get information on their choices of prey according to the types of shells. The dens are holes surrounded by shells or other objects. Sometimes these vertical shafts can be 16 inches (40 centimeters) deep. It’s not possible to have a stable shelter with that depth in the soft seabed, so the hard walls increase the quality. The octopus, however, must not spend a lot of time outside its home searching for food. Excessive time away leaves the den free to be occupied by another octopus. So, bringing the food home is intentional behavior. The octopus wants to eat in a safe place to protect his home from intruders. Do Octopuses Use Barriers to Protect Themselves? Octopuses can bring different inedible objects near their homes to serve as barricades. For example, some species collect coconut shells to use as hiding shelters when the need arises. An octopus can make use of any object he sees fit to carry home and hide in it, human-made waste included. So, sometimes they make additions to their gardens in the form of a piece of garbage. What Octopus Species Make Gardens? All of the octopus species living on the seabed make gardens. What’s the Biggest Octopus Garden? The largest octopus garden to date is located 50 miles (80 kilometers) off the coast of San Simeon, a village in California (United States). The place is part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. It’s a nursery where hundreds of female octopuses lay and care for their eggs. The temperature of the water gets low when going this deep, and it’s almost impossible for divers to go scuba diving near the nursery. Underwater robots were used to investigate the large octopus garden and take footage. The robot vehicles caught, on camera, hundreds of octopuses in lavender color. They were nestled among the rocks. Some of the animals even started clinging to the vehicles. The funny thing is that, even though you have to go through freezing water to get to the largest octopus garden, still the water around the settlement is warm. Scientists discovered that the warmth comes from the seafloor releasing warmer water. The area is in the Davidson Seamount Management Zone (an underwater mountain). Its highest peak is around 4000 feet (1220 meters) below the surface. The Seamount is an ancient volcano. Maybe that’s the reason why the water is heated and why the female octopuses decide to nest here. Do Pet Octopus Make Gardens in Aquariums? If you keep an octopus as a pet in an aquarium, you can see the magic of creating an octopus garden happen right before your eyes. Now, this isn’t a thing all octopus owners are very fond of. Imagine you made the perfect aquarium setting that’s both beautiful and practical for the octopus to live and hide in. Chances are your pet will rearrange the whole thing and turn everything upside down. So, don’t even bother creating a garden. The octopus will destroy it to make its own. What Is Octopolis? Octopuses generally avoid contact with others of their kind and prefer to spend their lives enjoying the ocean environment alone. However, 50 feet (15.2 meters) below the surface in Jervis Bay (Australia), scientists discovered a rare sighting of a group of octopuses cohabitating on a small patch of the seabed. They decided to call it “Octopolis” because it reminded them of a small octopus town where social interactions are common. These social interactions sometimes make the animals mate and sometimes fight. What’s more unusual is that they can be seen throwing objects at each other, something that spiked the interest of many animal behavior experts. Very few animal species throw objects at one another, so it’s a significant scientific discovery knowing octopuses do so. Octopolis is an octopus town that’s spread across a few square meters, but still is meaningful real estate for the population of gloomy octopuses inhabiting it. Like any other octopus habitat, you can expect to see thousands of scallop shells making up octopus gardens. The town is built on a piece of metal, and the shells have been brought by the octopuses themselves. They …

Animals

Gorilla vs. Lion: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a gorilla and a lion: Although the odds are in the gorilla’s favor due to its intelligence and strength, you can’t dismiss the king of the jungle just yet. In dense forests, gorillas have an obvious advantage, while lions have an advantage in open fields like savannahs. So if you want to learn all about who wins in a fight between a gorilla and a lion, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get started! Who Wins in a Fight Between a Gorilla and a Lion? Both gorillas and lions are very strong and very dangerous, yet only one can win. Who is the better fighter of these two African wild beasts? The odds are in the favor of the gorilla because of its intelligence and strength, but you can’t write the king of the jungle off just yet. The gorilla has an obvious advantage in a dense forest, while lions have an advantage in open fields such as the savannahs they call home. It’s impossible for a group of lions to strategically attack in a forest, and a lion is vulnerable when fighting alone. In this scenario, the gorilla is the obvious winner. On the other hand, large male gorillas are sometimes taken down by leopards. Leopards are more agile than lions, but probably not stronger. So, if a leopard can kill a gorilla, a lion can, too. How Can a Lion Kill a Gorilla? The lion just needs to use its stealth. If it comes close enough and scores an accurate bite, the fight will probably end before it even begins. However, if a gorilla notices the predator, it will start throwing objects and punches while making use of its enormous endurance to come out victorious. In this fight, the gorilla’s biggest disadvantage is that the whole thing goes completely against its nature. A silverback gorilla (the name for adult males) is not a predator. His strength is just for show. Another problem might be that, when he gets in trouble, he depends solely on himself. The other silverbacks likely won’t fight with him, as lions do in pride. The pairing of these two tough individuals doesn’t have an obvious outcome, unlike other animal rivalries. Both gorillas and lions have their fair share of strengths and advantages that are unique to their species. Power of the Limbs Lions have short legs and strong claws. They use them to inflict both blunt and cutting blows. Gorillas have very strong and long arms. Even though they don’t have claws, they use their hands to craft rocks and trees as weapons. Who Has a Greater Bite Force? The large canine teeth in gorillas are not designed to rip off flesh but instead to intimidate potential opponents. Their teeth can reach 2 inches (5 centimeters) long. Comparatively, a lion’s canine teeth are twice the length of the gorilla’s. They are also used for tearing flesh. Lions have a bite force of around 650 pounds per square inch. Surprisingly enough, gorillas can bite with an incredible 1300 pounds per square inch of force. Their strong jaw muscles and massive necks make the production of such a bite force possible. However, gorillas are more likely to use their limbs and body weight in fights, rather than their mouths. Do Gorillas and Lions Cross Paths in Nature? Lions and gorillas inhabit some of the same general areas of the world, but their habitats are much too different for them to cross paths. Gorillas live deep in the jungles and never leave them. Lions have never been seen entering jungles at all. They live in the wide-open savannahs, where gorillas have never been known to go. Geographical Distribution of African Lions All the subspecies of African lions are separated by large territorial expanses that don’t have any lions living in them. While in the past the vast majority of the African continent had lions roaming free, their current range is restricted to small, widely dispersed areas in southern and central Africa. There were times when lions could be found from India to Greece, but humans decimated these populations step by step over the centuries. Only the Gir Forest National Park in India still serves as a sanctuary for a small population of Asiatic lions. Lion prides live on savannahs and grasslands that are close to rivers and other freshwater sources. They fight and hunt in open areas, and it’s harder for them to get around in densely packed woods. That’s why they don’t reside in forest habitats within their range. Geographical Distribution of Gorillas Gorillas live in jungles spread around the mountain ranges in Africa. Lowland or western gorillas live in the forests of equatorial Africa. Populations can be found in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. Eastern gorillas have the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo as their natural habitat. There are lowland and mountain eastern gorillas. Mountain gorillas live at elevations between 8000 and 13000 feet (2.4 to 4 kilometers). Are Lions or Gorillas Bigger Threats to Humans? Approximately 200 people die each year as a result of lion attacks. Lions are a bigger threat to humans than gorillas are because they attack to kill, not merely to defend themselves. Gorillas can be dangerous to humans only when they feel threatened and need to protect their troops. They would like to avoid attacking you as much as possible and would make a lot of noises at first to scare you away. There are no known cases of humans being killed by captive or wild gorillas to date. Who Runs Faster? Lions can reach a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour). Due to lack of stamina, they can hold it only for a short time. Most species of gorillas can run with a speed of 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour) for long bursts. Some silverbacks …

Why Are Sharks and Whales Not in Rivers Anymore?

Animals

Sharks and Whales Not in Rivers: Why?

Here’s why sharks and whales are not in rivers anymore: Some sharks and smaller whale species can be found in rivers, but the majority avoid them. Due to pollution, aquatic constructions, boats, and fishing nets, whales and sharks try to stay away from coastal waters. Rivers can only be accessed from coastal waters. So if you want to learn all about sharks and whales and their connection to rivers, then this article is for you. Let’s jump right in! Why Are Sharks and Whales Not in Rivers Anymore? The natural flow of rivers has been compromised by humans in many ways, often making them uninhabitable for animals that need clear water and lots of food. Although some sharks and smaller whale species can be found in rivers, the majority avoid them. Large quantities of food are only available in oceans and seas, and sharks and whales need them to survive. Since they had no reason to go into freshwater over the centuries, their bodies adapted to the natural properties of saltwater only. Not only do the seas contain enough food for these predators, but the water also has properties that help them with infected wounds after fights with other predators. Whales and sharks try to stay away from the coastal sea and ocean waters due to pollution, aquatic constructions, boats, and fishing nets. Coastal waters are also the only places where they can get access to rivers. Why Are the Coastal Waters a Bad Environment for Sharks and Whales? A lot of physical pollution (garbage) and chemical pollution can be found in coastal freshwater and saltwater environments. The population of marine birds and fish are affected by this. They either swallow the contaminants or get caught in them. Animals are more likely to come across private and commercial boats in coastal waters. Animals are naturally frightened of human activities and tend to remain at safe distance. Different types of structures around coastal environments can disrupt the normal functioning of sharks and whale pods. Dams and bridges cut off essential food supplies, so marine animals tend to stay in open waters where there is more food. Many times, sharks and dolphins get caught up in fishing nets by accident. The animals are unaware of them and, once trapped, send signals to others of their kind to stay away. What Whales Can Live in Freshwater? The first type of whale that pops up in our minds when we mention these animals is probably the enormous blue whale. Along with 13 other large whale species, they form a group known as “Baleen whales.” Baleen whales swim slowly and open their mouths to randomly get food and water inside. Afterward, they push the water out through baleen plates where the food gets trapped (filtered) and swallowed. All Baleen species are unable to live in freshwater due to their size and the type of nutrition they need. A group of whales smaller in size are the toothed whales, which count almost 70 different species. Few of them can be found in freshwater. The biggest representative is the sperm whale, which is almost the size of the baleen species. While the feeding method of baleen whales is limited, the possibilities for toothed whales are vast. These possibilities mean that they can find food in many different habitats, including freshwater. Some toothed whale species can be found in lakes and rivers. At some point, though these environments are inadequate for them, they developed a few adaptations that made river trips possible. Few toothed whales have whiskers used to detect prey in muddy and murky rivers and lakes; also, they produce low-concentrated urine to keep the internal salinity stable. Toothed whales with the ability to inhabit freshwater can only be found in Asia and South America. These species include: South Asian river dolphin Indus river dolphin Irrawaddy dolphin Chinese river dolphin Amazon river dolphin Bolivian river dolphin Araguaian river dolphin Asian Freshwater Whales The one freshwater whale species no one is sure still exists is the Chinese river dolphin. In 1997, the species had 13 individuals, and the last sighting of such an animal was back in 2018. The endemic dolphin of the Yangtze River could be extinct as a result of electrofishing, habitat degradation, dam construction, and other human activity. On the south of the Asian continent, the Indus and south Asian river dolphins all have one thing in common – eyes the size of a pinhead, which make it possible for them to see in their muddy environment. South American Freshwater Whales All three species of South American freshwater whales (Amazon, Bolivian, and Araguaian) have long-toothed rostrums and are nearly blind. They inhabit several rivers in South America and get around using echolocation only. The Amazon River dolphin is the most abundant of the dolphins and shares its habitat (Amazon and Orinoco Rivers) with the tucuxi. The tucuxi are classified as oceanic dolphins that occasionally go into freshwater. Why Can’t Large Whales Live in Freshwater? First of all, the freshwater environment is too shallow for whales to live in. There is very little they can eat in that environment. Freshwater can also be easily polluted and become hazardous for whales. Whales share the ocean with marine animals that can live in freshwater, but they need different circumstances to survive. Over the years, whales and their prey biologically adapted to the properties of saltwater only. If a whale travels into a freshwater environment that’s naturally shallow, it risks getting stuck. Similar to when a whale gets trapped on a beach after the tide goes out, this is called “beaching.” Has Anyone Seen a Baleen Whale in a River? In 2020, three humpback whales, which belong to the group of baleen whales, have been spotted in the East Alligator River. The river belongs to the Kakadu National Park (Australia), and contrary to its name, it’s inhabited by crocodiles and not alligators. This was the first time a humpback whale was seen in a river. Before that, they …

Animals

Animals With the Best Eyesight: Which?

Here are the animals with the best eyesight: Each animal has a type of vision that satisfies its natural requirements to survive. Eagles have the best eyesight among birds. The cheetah has the most evolved eyes of any mammal. Octopuses have the best vision of all marine life. So if you want to learn all about the animals with the best eyesight, then this article is for you. Keep reading! What Does Best Eyesight Mean? Each animal has a type of vision that fulfills its natural requirements to survive; no more, no less. Among birds, the eagles have the best eyesight. Cheetahs are the mammals with the most evolved eyes in the animal kingdom. In the seas, the octopus has the best vision of all marine life. Naturally, human beings have eyesight. Our binocular vision makes it possible for us to concentrate both eyes on one object and create a three-dimensional image. So, not only do our eyes see the shapes of things, but they also perceive their depth. Binocular vision is only possible if the eyes are on the front of the face and have a forward-facing orientation. Cows, for example, have monocular vision because their eyes are on the sides of the faces. Thus, they are not able to see the depth in things and are blind in the area in front of their noses. Although people can see clearly up to 3 miles (5 kilometers) away and distinguish colors from a distance, some animals have significantly better vision. Many animals can see many more colors than humans can. The human eye doesn’t have night vision or underwater vision properties because our evolution didn’t require them. Groups of animals use a different adaptation of the eyes to have excellent visuals at night and in the water according to their needs. All changes in one’s body come at a price so that balance is maintained. If an animal doesn’t have very good eyesight, it probably has excellent hearing or scent that makes living in its environment possible. Which Mammals Have the Best Eyesight? The development of excellent vision in mammals is according to the animal’s lifestyle. Mammals with the best eyesight according to different advantages include: Cheetah: best running vision Arctic reindeer: best vision for polar regions Asian short-clawed otter: amphibious vision Bornean tarsier: most prominent eyes Domestic goat: best panoramic vision Cheetah Being the fastest mammals on Earth, cheetahs need to have a vision that can spot prey precisely during their rapid movement. Their vision is binocular, and additional structures in the vestibular regions of their skulls help them hold a stiff head while running. The tear lines on their faces absorb sunrays and keep them away from blinding the eyes. Of all their feline relatives, cheetahs have the most photoreceptors in the retina of the eye. During the daytime they can spot a victim from 3 miles (5 km) away. On the other hand, their night vision is quite bad. Arctic Reindeer Snow is highly reflective, and, on the North Pole, nights can last for several months. That’s why the arctic reindeer has two visual adaptations. First, their tapetum lucidum changes its color to blue in winter and to gold in summer. The function of the tapetum lucidum is to increase visual sensitivity at low light, but the change of color decreases that sensitivity. So, the eye of the reindeer is more sensitive to light during winter and less sensitive during summer. Second, they have protective mechanisms that prevent direct reflection of ultraviolet lights from damaging the eyes. Asian Short-Clawed Otter Good amphibious vision means that these animals have high-quality vision both on land and underwater. That’s possible because the otters have special mechanisms for focusing. Some of the muscles in the structure of their eyes can change the shapes of their corneas (the most outer layer of the eye). They adjust their cornea shapes for different behavior in air and water. Although otters can perceive color, it’s only a limited number of variations. Bornean Tarsier Tarsiers are recognizable by their unconventionally large, round eyes. The shape and size aren’t just for cuteness. It’s a way for them to function well at night. Bornean Tarsiers don’t have the tapetum lucidum layer that other nocturnal animals use to see in the dark. Instead, they simply have large eyes with a very high density of photoreceptors. The density is approximately 2–3 times bigger than humans. If people had the same eyes-to-head size ratio as tarsiers, our eyes would be the size of very large grapefruits. Domestic Goat Many people find the eyes of goats intimidating. Indeed, their visual system is unique. Unlike other mammals, the shape of a goat’s pupils is rectangular and horizontal. Their retinas are triangular-shaped, as well. The unusual shape gives goats a field of vision that can be between 320 and 340 degrees. While grazing, their eyes can rotate to make sure there is no danger lurking in their surroundings. An enhanced panoramic view comes at a price, however. Goats completely lack depth of vision. Also, because of the limited number and types of cones in their eyes, they can only see a few colors like green, yellow, orange, blue, and violet. Which Birds Have the Best Eyesight? Most birds can see quite well, but raptors (birds of prey) have the most enhanced vision. Birds with the best eyesight are: Bald eagles: the best distance vision Harris hawks: the best color vision Tawny owls: the strongest night vision American woodcock: the best panoramic vision European robin: ability to visually detect magnetic fields Broad-tailed hummingbird: best tetra chromatic sight Bald Eagles The phrase “eagle eye” didn’t come from nowhere. According to scientists, the acuity (sharpness) of eagle vision is eight times higher than humans. Bald eagles can track fish movements from incredible heights, despite the fish being concealed by water. Eyes take most of the space inside the eagle’s skull. They can switch from a monocular to binocular vision and vise versa. Eagles can …

What Can a Mantis Shrimp Do to a Human: Can It Hurt a Human?

Animals

Mantis Shrimp vs. Human: What Can a Mantis Shrimp Do To a Human?

Here’s what a mantis shrimp can do to a human and whether it can hurt them: A mantis shrimp’s powerful punch can hurt humans. A shrimp can land before a person even realizes it is there because its strike is so quick. Shrimp punches cause deep wounds and lacerations with rounded edges. There is almost always a loss of tissue after a mantis strike and heavy bleeding. So if you want to learn all about what a mantis shrimp can do to a human, then this article is for you. Let’s jump right in! What Can a Mantis Shrimp Do to a Human? A mantis shrimp can hurt humans with its powerful punch. The shrimp’s strike is so fast that it can land before a person even knows the animal is there. The shrimp’s punches leave deep wounds and lacerations with rounded shapes. After a mantis strike there is almost always a loss of local tissue along with heavy bleeding. Fishermen attacked by mantis shrimp say that it hurts terribly to get punched or pierced by them. Fishermen fear mantis shrimp and are very cautious because of the many anecdotal reports of these marine animals injuring humans. Have There Been Reports of Humans Getting Injured by Mantis Shrimp? There have been a few reports of people getting into fishing accidents with mantis shrimp. Luckily, none of them were lethal or too serious. However, some people did have to get professional medical help because of the intense pain and the bleeding. One case was a 50-year-old fisherman that tried to remove the animal from the hook of his fishing rod. The mantis shrimp used its tail to strike the man in the arm, causing pain and bleeding. The mantis shrimp’s tail, however, is actually the thing that causes the least damage. Two fishermen from Brazil were injured by mantis shrimp they found in their fishing nets. When trying to get the shrimp out of the nets, the fishermen received stinging strikes from the animals. One of the fishermen rinsed the wound with soap and water and saw it heal in one week. The other fisherman left the wound unattended and suffered the injury for weeks. Some people have been injured by accidentally stepping on mantis shrimp. Because the animals camouflage themselves by burrowing into holes, they are quite easy to step on. Doctors that have treated people attacked by mantis shrimp say that a course of antibiotics and wound-cleaning promote faster healing. Has a Person Ever Been Killed by a Mantis Shrimp? No, a person has never been that severely injured by a mantis shrimp to die. Even though mantis shrimp injuries are painful and severe, they have never killed a human. A human can die if they are allergic to mantis shrimp and suffer anaphylactic shock after eating one. Choking on a mantis shrimp could also be fatal. What Animal Has the Most Powerful Punch in the Animal Kingdom? The animal with the most powerful punch in the world is the mantis shrimp. It generates approximately the same force as a 22-caliber bullet that has just exited a gun barrel. How Do Mantis Shrimp Hunt? Mantis shrimp are carnivorous animals, which means they eat exclusively meat. According to their hunting style, they can be divided into two hunter categories: Smashers Spearers Smasher and spearer mantis shrimps aren’t different species of animals. They are just specimens from the same species that prefer two different forms of attack. Smasher Mantis Shrimp As the name indicates, the smashers have blunt clubs on their raptorial arms. The term “raptorial arm” is pretty much the same as the term “predatory arm.” It describes how the forelegs of some arthropods are modified to grasp their victims while they consume them. Smasher mantis shrimp use the clubs to smash and open crabs, clams, oysters, and other creatures with hard shells. When they strike, the smashers move their arms at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour (20 meters per second). The mantis shrimp punches with 200 pounds (91 kilograms) of force. Its arms move so fast that they practically tear the water apart. When punching, mantis shrimp create something called “cavitation.” Cavitation is when watery areas with low pressure are vaporized into bubbles that almost instantly collapse. The collapse is characterized by a burst of sound, heat, and light. The heat of the punch can reach 8500°F (4700°C). How hot is that, do you ask? Well, it’s approximately 5–10 thousand times hotter than the sun’s surface. Boat engineers pay a lot of attention to this phenomenon when they are designing boat propellers. Cavitation bubbles have the power to tear holes through metal propellers, as well. Smashers leave their burrows more frequently than spearer shrimp do. They seek out sedentary prey and settle the beef face to face by smashing their opponent’s armor and exposing the tasty, soft interiors. Spearer Mantis Shrimp Spearers ambush their prey. Fish species with soft skin fall victim to spear attacks. The fish aren’t nearly fast enough to escape the quick bursts of punching speed executed by mantis shrimp. Spearers have barbed spears on the end of their arms. They surprise their prey and release the spears surprisingly fast. Even though spearers plenty fast enough to put food on their mantis tables, their attacks are slower than the attacks of smashers. A fast spearer mantis species can deliver a spear attack at around 13 miles per hour (6 meters per second). Scientists discovered that smaller spearers are faster than larger ones. Still, even the smallest mantis spearer doesn’t come close to the speed of the average smasher. Uropods What both spearers and smashers have in common are their uropods. Uropods are structures in the tails of mantis shrimps that make their recognizable caudal fans. On each uropod, there is a pair of pointed spikes that the shrimp use as an additional weapon. The top of a mantis shrimp’s tail is called a telson. Researchers discovered that the shrimps use their telsons …

Animals

Black Lines in a Shrimp: What Are Those?

Here’s what the black lines in a shrimp are: The black lines in shrimps are part of the animal’s digestive system. They are also known as “sand veins,” which look like thin black ribbons. The shrimp’s sand veins can be completely or partially filled with things it ate. So those black lines are, in fact, bowels filled with feces. So if you want to learn all about the black lines in a shrimp, then this article is for you. Keep reading! What Are the Black Lines in Shrimps? Many people believe that the black lines in a shrimp are veins, but actually they are a part of the animal’s digestive system. The black lines, which look like ribbons, are also called “sand veins.” Sand veins can be fully or partially filled with things the shrimp has eaten. Some people are disgusted to discover that the black lines are indeed bowels filled with feces. That’s why knowledge is power. It’s also why good hygienic and culinary practice is to get rid of the sand veins before eating or serving the shrimp. What Would Happen if You Eat a Shrimp That Wasn’t Deveined? “Deveining” shrimp is taking those black, feces-filled lines out. The probability is very low that you would get sick from eating shrimp that their sand veins left in them. The probability is high, however, that the sand veins give the shrimp a gritty texture in your mouth—which is particularly gross when you remember where the grit comes from. A shrimp’s digestive system is filled with bacteria that can potentially harm humans. But in a shrimp that has been properly cooked, the bacteria inside the sand veins will be sterilized by the heat. You can devein the shrimp yourself, or you can buy them already cleaned. However you go about it, the best practice is to not eat the bowels of any animal. Should You Take the Veins Out of a Shrimp Before Cooking? Shrimp are one of the most popular types of seafood because of their tenderness and tastiness, but preparing them can be a demanding job. It’s not just the shell of a shrimp that needs to be taken out, but also its digestive parts—the so-called “sand veins.” You should devein large shrimp with clearly visible veins. It’s not that they will do your health any harm, but just that you don’t want shrimp with a muddy taste. So, you may be wondering why we only need to devein large shrimp. The answer to that is that it’s because the small shrimp don’t even have such veins, so there’s nothing to take out in the first place. What Types of Sand Veins Do Shrimp Have? Each shrimp has two types of sand veins—a black one and a white one. The black vein, which is the intestinal tract, is on the top of the animal’s body. The vein is colored black because it’s filled with feces. The white vein is on the underside of the shrimp. It’s quite tiny. The white vein is the actual blood vessel, and it’s white because shrimp have clear blood. Even if you decide to devein shrimp before cooking them, you do not need to take the bottom vein out because it doesn’t negatively affect anything. Do Shrimp Have Real Veins? No, shrimp don’t have veins. What they have are arteries and a heart that make a simple circulatory systems. A shrimp’s circulation is of an open type. That means that the lymph and the blood are combined as they flow throughout the body. The mixture is called “hemolymph” (part blood, part lymph). The hearts of shrimp have a single chamber with three openings in the wall. These opening allow blood to enter the heart. In other parts of the body, they also have smaller accessory hearts that help the hemolymph circulate. What Is the Digestive System of Shrimp Made Of? The digestive system of shrimp consists of the alimentary canal and the digestive gland, also called a “hepatopancreas.” The hepatopancreas is a mixture of a pancreas and a liver, and its purpose is to produce enzymes and other compounds that help break down food. For example, we humans have both a liver and a pancreas as part of our digestive systems, but they are not connected and are located in different areas of the system. The alimentary part of shrimp stretches from its mouth to its rectum as one continuous canal. There are three parts of it: Foregut, or “entering part” (mouth, buccal cavity, esophagus, and stomach) The middle part (intestines) Hindgut, or “exiting part” (rectum) A Shrimp’s Diet Shrimp are omnivorous animals. They mainly feed on moss, algae, and other weeds found in water. Occasionally, shrimp consume small aquatic animals such as tiny fish, snails, tadpoles (larvae of amphibians such as toads, frogs, or salamanders). They also feed on debris they find on the floor of the water system in which they live. Shrimp are nocturnal. They capture their food with their legs, which are also arms, and shovel the food inside their mouths. Can You Get Sick From Eating a Shrimp With Veins? The chances of getting sick by a deveined or non-deveined shrimp are pretty much the same. The cause for sickness would be the shrimp being undercooked and would apply regardless of the state of its sand vein. Shrimp that weren’t refrigerated or shrimp that are past their sell-by date can have significantly more pathogenic microorganisms in them. Food poisoning is a frequent occurrence, even in the modern world where all food-producing establishments are required by law to follow strict safety protocols. When you buy shrimp, make sure they don’t have any bad odors. Also make sure they look translucent and shiny. A translucent appearance means that the shrimp is fresh. How Many People Get Food Poisoning From Eating Shrimp? The likelihood of getting food poisoning from shrimp depends mostly on the state it was cooked in. Raw or undercooked shrimp can make you sick. Millions of people …

Animals

Gorilla vs. Rhino: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s whether a gorilla or a rhino would win in a fight: The rhino is much heavier, faster, and happier to fight than the gorilla. With its horn or lower teeth, a rhino could impale and throw a gorilla, resulting in a win. Neither gorilla species would be able to defeat either rhino species. So if you want to learn all about whether a gorilla or a rhino wins in a fight, then this article is for you. Let’s get started! Who Wins in a Fight Between a Gorilla and Rhino? Rhinos are a lot heavier, faster, and happy to fight than gorillas are. If a rhino were to impale and throw a gorilla with its horn or slash with its lower teeth, it would most definitely win the fight. Gorillas and rhinos have no obvious reason for getting in a fight, which is good news for the gorilla. Both animals are on the more defensive side because neither of them is a predator. They carefully observe their surroundings for possible dangers to their groups. If they attack in an attempt to defend, once the danger passes, their aggression will quickly vanish. The difference in size and weight between different species of rhinos is significant. The two species of gorillas and their respective subspecies are pretty much equal in size. However, neither gorilla species would be able to defeat either of the rhino species in a fight. How Do Rhinos Defend Themselves? Rhinos defend themselves by charging whatever threat crosses their paths. Although peaceful, they are far from being true pacifists. Once in a fight, they become very aggressive. One of their best defensive attributes is the thickness of their skin. Just like elephants, rhinos have skin that’s 2 inches (5 centimeters) thick. That makes it hard to penetrate, but rhinos are still sensitive to sunburns. That’s why they spend a lot of their time in mud avoiding the sun’s rays. How Do Gorillas Defend Themselves? Gorillas don’t attack other gorillas and animals if there isn’t a reason for it. When a threat is lurking from the shadows, it’s time for the alpha male gorillas, called “silverbacks,” to step in and defend the group. The silverback is the leader of the group. The large silverbacks will try to avoid fighting as much as possible. A gorilla tries to scare off his opponent before engaging. To do this, he stands on his back legs in an upright stance and starts beating his chest, producing intimidating sounds. The large canine teeth serve as a warning to potential opponents. If that doesn’t solve the problem, the silverback will most likely charge at the threat. How Do Rhinos Attack? If a rhino charges at its opponent, two things can happen. If it’s an African rhino, it will use the horns for fighting in an attempt to either impale or throw its adversaries. Asian rhinos fight by using their bottom teeth in a slashing motion. When it’s other species, the rhino will likely end the attack once it sees the threat is walking away or is immobilized; when it’s one of their own kind getting on their nerves, it gets a little messy. Rhinos are known for fighting each other to death. Of all the rhino species, the black rhino is the most aggressive one. They have the highest rate of deadly combat of all mammals. Approximately 30 percent of black rhino females and 50 percent of males die as a result of injuries inflicted by mutual combat. How Do Gorillas Attack? Gorillas often attempt to harm their opponents by throwing rocks at them or using strong sticks for beating. These primates are intelligent and know that they can use weapons to inflict damage from a safe distance. However, when the fight gets really wild, they will use punches and bites to win. There’s no real strategy other than pushing and giving punches with every single muscle in their massive bodies. Bites are rare, but they can happen as well. Why Do Rhinos Need Their Horns? Rhinos have horns for multiple reasons. The horns are tools that make their way of life a lot easier in the harsh African environment. On the nutritional aspect, rhinos use their horns to dig for water and break branches for food. The horn is also a weapon that can be used both for attacking and defending. Primarily, rhinos charge other competitors with their horns pointed at them to defend territories and to defend their calves. Who Has Better Hearing and Eyesight? Rhinos have really bad eyesight. They are not able to spot a motionless person at a distance greater than 100 feet (30 meters). What gets them around is their strong sense of smell. Gorillas, on the contrary, have pretty good eyesight. Because their eyes are on the front of their heads, they have binocular vision that creates a three-dimensional image with the ability to correctly visualize objects at greater distances. Rhinos have excellent hearing, mostly because of cone-shaped ears that can pick up even the tiniest of sounds. Gorillas are vocal animals that communicate with a variety of noises to keep themselves safe. They can hear their family members and unusual noises quite well. Do Rhinos and Gorillas Meet in the Wild? Rhinos and gorillas don’t meet in nature. Gorillas live in dense forests, and their usual neighbors are forest buffalos, forest elephants, forest hogs, and leopards. Rhinos mainly roam the open savannahs and grasslands along with the other wild animals that prefer open fields. Running Speed Rhinos are very fast and can run at an amazing 25–34 miles per hour (40–55 kilometers per hour) for long periods. Gorillas can reach a maximum of 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour) and hold the speed for a short while because their habitats don’t support long runs. What Are the Natural Enemies of Gorillas and Rhinos? There are no real predators to pose a threat to adult rhinos. The rhinos sometimes fight elephants for territory. Even …

Animals

Orcas Natural Predator of Moose: True?

Here’s whether the orca or so-called killer whale is a natural predator of the moose: Orcas occasionally eat moose. While both animals live in different habitats, there is a predator-prey relationship. There’s no evidence that killer whales eat moose regularly, but they do sometimes. So if you want to learn all about orcas preying on moose, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading! Is the Orca a Natural Predator of the Moose? Orcas occasionally feed on moose. Both animals occupy different habitats, but a predator-prey relationship does exist. There isn’t any documented evidence to suggest that killer whales eat moose regularly, but they do eat them occasionally. One theory suggests that Orcas feed only on the carcasses of dead moose that they find in the water, but there are other possibilities. Another theory suggests that orcas feed on moose opportunistically, which means that they grab them when random chance brings them within reach but don’t actively hunt them. Killer whales are widely distributed and live in most oceans and seas. They can adapt to all types of climates. Moose, on the other hand, can be found only in the forests of the Northern Hemisphere. Where Do Orca Whales Attack Moose? Orca killer whales attack moose off the coast of Canada and Alaska. While the moose swims between many of the islands looking for food, they end up becoming the food of the orca. A few moose carcasses have been found off the coast of Vancouver, Canada with lacerations over their bodies consistent with orca bites. The obvious conclusion is that they were killed by orcas. Moose are agile swimmers, but the water isn’t their natural habitat. They cannot evade Orca attacks, especially not a whole group of them. The persistency of orca hunting strategy eventually proves fatal to nearly any animal they decide to kill. Are Orcas Fierce Killers? The name “killer whale” can be misleading. Orcas are a species of dolphin. The reason they are called “killer whales” is that ancient sailors observed how they would prey on large whales. Their first moniker of “whale killer” somehow changed to a “killer whale.” They are also called orcas. Let’s be honest, though, they do love to kill. In the ocean, orcas are among the few apex, or top, predators. Orcas hunt other animals, but no other animal hunts an Orca. That’s what being an apex predator means. Killer whales feed on more than 140 species of fish and other marine mammals. They can kill almost anything that crosses their path because they are quite large, agile, and intelligent. The intelligence of Orca whales is compared to that of chimpanzees. For example, chimpanzees can be taught to use sign language or other forms of communication using symbols or tokens. Do Moose Attack Other Beings in Nature? Moose mothers are very protective of their young ones. If they see other animals and humans approaching, they can charge full speed. During mating season, the male moose, called “bulls,” are especially aggressive and can attack people and cars. Moose run at a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour). With their massive body weight and giant antlers, they can cause severe damage to a target. The conventionally peaceful moose can become aggressive when feeling threatened. It’s never a good idea to approach a moose because they are territorial and protective of what they consider to be their property. Approximately 10 people are injured by moose in Alaska every year. Moose are considered to be more dangerous than bears. The danger isn’t in terms of behavior, though; it’s because of their vast population. Moose outnumber bears three to one, so it’s more likely to come across one of them than it is to come across a bear. Do Moose Swim? Moose are excellent swimmers. They can reach a swimming speed of 5 miles per hour (8 kilometers per hour). Maybe that doesn’t seem that fast, but compared to the average human swimming pace of only 2 miles per hour (3.2 kilometers per hour), it’s still impressive. How can a terrestrial mammal of that size and species swim? The reason lies in the structure of moose hair. Their hair is hollow. That hollow hair gives great insulation against low temperatures. Each hair also serves as a tiny little life vest. Combined, they help hold the animal afloat. But what business does a moose have in the water? Food, of course. Moose can dive as deep as 20 feet (6 meters) in search and forage of aquatic vegetation. They go deep into the water, especially during late summer when there is a shortage of quality food on land. Coldwater also cools them off during hot weather. When there isn’t a natural water source near them, moose can even decide to go into people’s backyards and use their swimming pools for cooling. Even though they live in the northern parts of the United States and most of Canada, their bodies don’t tolerate rising temperatures well. So, even 60° Fahrenheit (16° Celsius) is more than they can take. In Europe, moose are called elk. Their Eurasian cousins inhabit the forests in the north of Europe and Asia. How Do Orcas Hunt? Orcas can come near the shore and grab unsuspecting prey from the beach. It’s mostly sea lions they are after. When they work in squads, one orca will charge the victim while the others flank it to prevent escape. No one has ever seen an Orca whale injure itself after beaching, despite the risks associated with the maneuver. Orcas cooperate inside the water when hunting flocks of fish. With mutual effort, the orca herds the fish into tight balls by slapping them with their large tails. They brandish their white bellies and blow bubbles to frighten the fish. When the fish is appropriately herded, the killer whales take turns killing them with their tails and eating them. This type of feeding when a few orca whales swim around a herded flock of …