When confronted with danger, we often face a choice between fight or flight. For many, the instinctive reaction to a charging bear is to run. However, this response can be more dangerous than you might think. A wildlife tour company, Scenic Bear Viewing in Homer, Alaska, recently shared a video revealing that it’s better to stand your ground when faced with a charging bear.

The short video shows a native grizzly bear charging quickly towards a group of photographers, who instinctively start warding off the animal with loud noises. One of the professional bear guides, known as Martin, took a bold step by pretending to chase the bear, which effectively caused it to retreat.

“Never run from a charging bear, even though your instinct is to run,” says the caption of the video. “This is a bluff charge. They are just trying to get you to run.” Bears have a natural instinct to chase, so running away can actually trigger their pursuit.

It’s just as important to avoid getting too close to the natural-born predators. “Don’t get close to bears in the wild. Make sure you have an experienced guide with you,” says Scenic Bear Viewing. “We do not get closer than 50 yards. This is not the first time we’ve been bluff charged. We are trained exactly for this situation.”

The Scenic Bear Viewing team explains that these bears have been accustomed to human visitors for over 30 years, making them a familiar part of their daily lives. They say, “These bears are not fed or hunted by humans. No harm is being done to these bears and we want to keep it that way. We take photos of the bears and leave no trace.”

Check out the viral video below, as well as other clips showing more peaceful interactions with bears. For more bear videos, you can follow Scenic Bear Viewing on Instagram.

A video by Scenic Bear Viewing reveals that you should never run when a bear chases you. Instead, it's safer to face it head on.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Scenic Bear Viewing (@scenicbearviewing)

The guided photography group are also treated to plenty of peaceful moments, too.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Scenic Bear Viewing (@scenicbearviewing)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dylan (@dylan_the_grizzly_guy)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Scenic Bear Viewing (@scenicbearviewing)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Scenic Bear Viewing (@scenicbearviewing)

Scenic Bear Viewing: Website | Instagram | YouTube
h/t: [Laughing Squid]

Related Articles:

Wildlife Photographer Captures Intimate Photos of Alaska’s Grizzly Bears

Photographer Reveals the Secrets of Photographing Brown Bears in Alaska [Interview]

Bears in Alaska Are Competing To Be the Chubby Champ of ‘Fat Bear Week’

Great-Grandmother Reignites Passion for Photography by Documenting the Antics of Brown Bears

READ: You Should Never Run From a Charging Bear But Here’s What You Should Do Instead

A thread of rare media of animals that are now extinct

1. Footage from 1933 of the last known surviving Thylacine, commonly called the Tasmanian Tiger. It died in 1936 in captivity in Tasmania. pic.twitter.com/fYj3NN9FHj

— Time Capsule Tales (@timecaptales) August 18, 2024

Some well-known extinct species, such as the dodo, have been gone for centuries, meaning that there are no photos of videos that show us what they really looked like. But there are dozens of other creatures that have disappeared over the last 150 years. Though lower in quality than what we're used to today, several of them have at least been recorded by media. While convenient, the footage, much of it in black and white, is a haunting reminder of the way humans have affected animal life and their habitats since the Industrial Revolution.

A self-proclaimed “internet history museum” known as Time Capsule Tales compiled footage of recently extinct animals in a thread on X (formerly Twitter). Some, such as the quagga, a subspecies of the common zebra, were photographed in 1870 and were extinct by 1883—some 60 years after the invention of photography in 1822. The tarpan, a free-ranging horse subspecies of the Eurasian steppe, met a similar fate. Its only surviving photograph was taken in 1884, 25 years before the last individual died in captivity in 1909.

In addition to still images, Time Capsule Tales has included some restored clips of species that are no longer around. The Layson rail, a flightless bird native to Hawai'i that went extinct in the 1940s, is seen prancing around what looks like a rocky beach. And a pair of heath hens, extinct in 1932, can be seen having a “booming” match in a silent film by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation.

The most heartbreaking, however, are those whose likenesses were recorded in high quality color images. Such is the case of the Western Black Rhinoceros who went extinct in 2011. And just a year later, the Pinta Island tortoise known as Lonesome George, the last of his species, died in 2012.

As harrowing as the compilation is, it's not only a valuable resource to learn about animals that are no longer in existence, but also a warning. Animals that are endangered today could only exist in photographs and videos if we don't protect them and the ecosystems they call home now. We can't change the past, but we can always do something about the future.

Time Capsule Tales compiled the last remaining footage of some of the animals that have gone extinct in the last 150 years.

3. The only existing photo of a Quagga, taken in 1870 at the London Zoo. Quaggas were hunted to extinction by 1883 pic.twitter.com/NcVf6SMpVn

— Time Capsule Tales (@timecaptales) August 18, 2024

5. The last photo of a Barbary Lion, taken in 1924. The last recorded Barbary lion was shot in Morocco in 1942. pic.twitter.com/xO1rHIOU3M

— Time Capsule Tales (@timecaptales) August 18, 2024

While convenient, the footage, much of it in black and white, is a haunting reminder of the way humans have affected animal life and their habitats.

7. The only Tarpan ever photographed, taken in 1884. They were declared extinct in 1909 pic.twitter.com/OijcFNsBra

— Time Capsule Tales (@timecaptales) August 18, 2024

9. Footage from the 1920s of Heath Hens, a large North American bird that became extinct in 1932 pic.twitter.com/Yaa1zUNQfA

— Time Capsule Tales (@timecaptales) August 18, 2024

As harrowing as the compilation is, it's not only a valuable resource to learn about animals that are no longer in existence, but also a warning.

11. Lonesome George, the final Pinta Island Tortoise, was the last of his species & died in 2012 at the age of 102 pic.twitter.com/YDTHgADDGM

— Time Capsule Tales (@timecaptales) August 18, 2024

13. The Western Black Rhinoceros, extinct in 2011 pic.twitter.com/RjacMvlI9S

— Time Capsule Tales (@timecaptales) August 18, 2024

Animals that are endangered right now could soon only exist in photographs and videos, if we don't protect them and the ecosystems they call home today.

15. The Caspian Tiger, extinct by 1970 pic.twitter.com/0IBLS47MkN

— Time Capsule Tales (@timecaptales) August 18, 2024

16. The Caribbean Monk Seal, last seen in 1952 & declared extinct in 2008 pic.twitter.com/ioIWgF8YWC

— Time Capsule Tales (@timecaptales) August 18, 2024

Related Articles:

After Nearly Going Extinct, Famed Giant Tortoises Return to the Galápagos Islands

16-Million-Year-Old Skull of Extinct Species of Giant Dolphin Discovered in Peru

Whale Thought To Have Gone Extinct Nearly 200 Years Ago Spotted off Coast of Massachusetts

Rare Saharan Antelope Is Brought Back From the Brink of Extinction

READ: Haunting Final Footage of Now-Extinct Animals Reminds Us What’s at Stake

Conservationists in Arizona are excited about a highly rare sighting. An endangered ocelot was caught by a wildlife camera in the Atascosa Highlands region—the first in the area in more than 50 years. After analyzing the animal’s spots, researchers confirmed it had never been recorded before.

Ocelots are small neotropical cats, about the size of a bobcat. They can also be found in places such as Mexico and South America, but have been listed as endangered in the United States since 1972. Their U.S. population is thought to be fewer than 100 individuals, with the only known breeding population located in Texas. They depend on small rodents, rabbits, lizards, and birds that live in these forests and grasslands for food.

In Arizona, there are only two known ocelots in the entire state—the one just spotted by the camera, seen at a lower elevation than most historical records show, and another seen many times throughout 2023 in a different mountain range 50 miles away. The sighting of the latest ocelot took place in Atascosa Highlands, which includes the Atascosa, Tumacácori, and Pajarito mountains—a key wildlife corridor that’s relatively understudied, according to the zoo.

The sighting was a result of a wildlife monitoring project run by researchers with the Phoenix Zoo. The team deployed about 50 cameras in April around the Coronado National Forest near Arizona’s border with Mexico. It wasn't until a routine change of SD cards and batteries that they checked the footage. The researchers then saw the cat crossing the frame and standing on a rock for a few seconds.

“It’s [a] very rare record,” Kinley Ragan, field research project manager for the Phoenix Zoo, tells Shannon Handy of CBS8. “However, more research is needed to further understand the full extent of these populations, and for our record, is this individual passing through? Are they staying year-round? Are there others with it? This is all kind of questions that we’re really excited to explore.”

In addition to the thrill of the rare sighting, the researchers hope it'll help them understand ocelots' behavior to take better care of them.

“They used to historically be here, and so because of changing climates, because of lack of habitat and connectivity, they're not here anymore,” Ragan shares. “And so to be able to have this record just gives us more information of how to better protect these ecosystems for species, so that we can ensure that they're here in the future.”

An endangered ocelot was caught by a wildlife camera in the Atascosa Highlands region of Arizona—the first in the area in more than 50 years.

Exciting news! The Phoenix Zoo’s Atascosa Complex Wildlife Study recorded a video of a new ocelot in southern Arizona in June. It is the first confirmed ocelot sighting in the Atascosa Highlands region in at least 50 years.

Read more here: https://t.co/gxX5U45SjZ pic.twitter.com/mzQSSGqpac

— Phoenix Zoo (@phoenixzoo) August 13, 2024

h/t: [Smithsonian Magazine]

Related Articles:

Trail Camera Catches a Sloth Surprisingly Fighting off the Attack of an Ocelot

Largest Eagles in the World Are So Big That Their Talons Are Bigger Than Bear Claws

Adorable New Addition to Utah Zoo Is Also World’s Deadliest Cat

Trail Camera Captures Spunky Skunk Doing a Handstand

READ: Endangered Ocelot Is Caught on Camera in the Atascosa Highlands Region of Arizona for the First Time in 50 Years

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Apollo G. Bird ’d April 2020 (@apolloandfrens)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Parrots can be very talkative and intelligent birds, but nothing compares to the talents of a bird named Apollo. The 4-year-old African grey parrot broke the Guinness World Record for the most items identified by a parrot in three minutes after successfully identifying 12 items on December 18, 2023. Now, he's the star of the Guinness World Records 2025 book.

Apollo lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, with his human parents, 25-year-old content creators Dalton and Victoria “Tori” Mason. The couple adopted Apollo in 2020 after spotting him at their local pet store. “He immediately got our attention, and we knew upon meeting him that we’d be taking him home,” they told Guinness World Records.

Among the 12 objects Apollo identified were “bug,” “book,” and “socks,” which he spots by getting a close look and taking a bite to check the texture. The achievement reinforcers his parents' goal “to spread awareness of the natural intelligence found in animals.” That's why he is currently receiving what the Masons describe as a “preschool-level homeschooling education.”

The couple has trained Apollo using Dr. Irene Pepperberg's Model/Rival method, which has helped Apollo master his skills and acquire a large vocabulary. The intelligent parrot is always excited to get a pistachio as a reward for learning something new.

Apollo is said to have the intelligence of a human toddler, and is able to recognize color, words, and objects. His verbal skills are developed enough to allow him to count, as well as ask and answer elaborate questions—a resource that comes in handy, as the curious bird likes to learn about the world around him.

When he's not training, he can be seen playing with his bird sisters, two white-bellied caiques named Soleil and Ophelia. He also loves playing with his toys, particularly a Super Mario figurine of the villain Wario, who he now identifies by name. On top of being incredibly clever, Apollo has amassed a large following on social media thanks to his charming personality.

Today, Apollo continues perfecting his skills and discovering more and more things. “He loves learning new things and applying his knowledge outside of his training environment,” his humans say. With a little work, they'll see their dream come true—for Apollo to be “the smartest parrot ever.”

This is Apollo, a 4-year-old African grey parrot who just broke a Guinness World Record.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Apollo G. Bird ’d April 2020 (@apolloandfrens)

He earned the distinction for most items identified by a parrot in three minutes after successfully identifying 12 items on December 18, 2023.

Now, he has been named of star of the Guinness World Records 2025 book.

Today, Apollo continues perfecting his skills and discovering more and more things. “He loves learning new things and applying his knowledge outside of his training environment,” his human parents said.

Apollo G. Bird: Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
h/t: [IFL Science]

Related Articles:

Adorable 84-Year-Old Blind Parrot Finally Finds His Forever Home in the Netherlands

Parrots Taught to Video Call Each Other Show Increased Happiness According to New Study

Australian Parrot Lands on Redditor’s Bird Book at Exact Moment It’s Open to Its Page

Sprawling Rainforest With Giant Parrots Line a Fantastic Façade in London

READ: African Grey Parrot as Smart as a Human Toddler Breaks Guinness World Record

Maine Coon cats are gentle giants that get a lot of love on the internet—and it’s easy to see why! The majestic creatures are large and in charge with fluffy coats and striking manes. In fact the Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cats. One of the latest pets to make a splash online is Kefir, a Maine Coon that lives with his human Yulia Minina in Stary Oskol, Russia. This absolute unit of a cat is so large that he is often mistaken for a dog.

Minina adopted Kefir nearly four years ago, when he was a kitten, without knowing that one day he’d weigh over 27 pounds. At this weight, he’s beyond the larger end of the Maine Coon size spectrum, which typically taps out around 25 pounds for males and 15 pounds for females. Notably, a purebred Maine Coon won't reach their full size until their fourth or fifth year.

Kefir was named after the fermented dairy drink as his milky white fur is what caught his human's eye when she spotted him at a cattery. He's become an integral member of the family, demanding a literal seat at the dinner table and eschewing kibble for fresh meat.

Kefir doesn’t let his large size go to his head, though. According to his human, the giant Maine Coon cat has a sweet temperament and is “very smart and always behaves calmly.” Unlike some cats, he doesn’t mind being the center of attention and having his long fur stroked by friends and acquaintances alike. Playful personalities and their love of socialization are traits that make the Maine Coon breed an ideal choice for families looking for a good pet and companion.

Scroll down to see just how large Kefir is. Then, follow him on Minina’s TikTok account dedicated to all of his fluffy glory.

Kefir the Maine Coon cat is a gentle giant that weighs over 27 pounds. He's so big that people mistake him for a dog!

Kefir loves to show off his purrsonality in his “selfies.”

See the legend that is Kefir in all his fluffy glory on TikTok.

@mainecoonkefir #mainecoonKefir#mainecoon#bigcat #lve#мейнкун#ласковыйзверь ♬ Sweetdreams (Podval Capella Remix) – emily browning

@mainecoonkefir Грозный сторож птиц устал#охотанеудалась#заснулвгоршке#дичьутомила#mainecoonkefir#mainecoon#cat#bigcat#verybigcat ♬ оригинальный звук – mainecoonkefir

@mainecoonkefir #Когдаразмеримеетзначение#bigcat#mainecoon#mainecoonkefir#biglove ♬ Candy Shop (Remix) – 林怿

Kefir the Maine Coon: TikTok

My Modern Met granted permission feature photos by Yulia Minina.

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

9 Fluffy, Silly, and Majestic Maine Coon Cats to Follow on Instagram

30 Photos of Maine Coon Cats Who Look Like Majestic Gentle Giants

Adorable Litter of Maine Coon Kittens Look Like a Tiny Gang of Grumpy Old Men

READ: This Giant Maine Coon Cat Is So Big That People Think He’s a Dog

A Greenland shark photographed in 2007 at Admiralty Inlet, Nunavut. (Photo: Hemming1952 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Aging is a process all living beings seem to go through, but certainly not in the same ways. Currently, the oldest living person is 117, while the oldest living dog and cat are 24 years and 28, respectively. Some animals, like parrots and tortoises, can clock many decades, with species such as the Galapagos tortoise easily outstripping human lifetimes. But no animal has mastered longevity with the finesse of the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), also known as the gurry or grey shark. These large, slow-moving Arctic recluses can live up to 500 years. Scientists are still hoping to learn the secrets of this long life to better understand both the species and biological aging processes.

The Greenland shark is a variety of sleeper shark and one of the largest shark species. It stretches an impressive length of up to 23 feet and weighs in at about 1.5 tons. It typically inhabits the chilly, deep waters of the Arctic, although it can migrate to other regions. Despite being a fierce predator, it is quite slow-moving and enjoys a lazy scavenge. The massive beasts are listed as vulnerable. Their incredibly slow gestation period of about eight to eighteen years does not inspire confidence in their rebound ability, nor does the fact that they only reach sexual maturity around age 150.

How does all this reproducing take so long? Well, the extended timeframe is possible due to the record-setting life span of the Greenland shark, the longest-living vertebrate. While scientists continue to investigate just how long this species can persist, testing of one individual's eyes with radiocarbon technology produced a range of possible birthdates between 1504 and 1744. This shark may have swum at the same time Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I lived, and he certainly predated the American Revolution.

Scientists are still working on the answer as to why these sharks have such longevity, but it is possible that metabolism may play a role. Recent work has revealed the sharks' metabolism does not seem to slow in the same way as aging humans. Enzyme activity preservers, suggesting they may be able to resist the slowing of aging.

“My best guess would be that the deep waters of the Arctic can be a challenging environment to live in, where an animal such as the Greenland shark may not have consistent access to plenty of food, and they may not frequently be in contact with other Greenland sharks,”  shared biologist Ewan Camplisson, a doctoral student at the University of Manchester. “Therefore, as a species with low natural mortality rates, their optimal life strategy would be one of a slow growth and building reserves of energy, so that when they do interact with the opposite sex they are in a suitable condition to reproduce.

I believe that if we can work out how the Greenland shark lives so long and how they seem to be so resilient to age-related diseases (such as cardiac disease), we may be able to improve the quality of life within the elderly human population.”

Greenland sharks are an ancient species, living deep within cold ocean waters where they can reach incredible ages of up to 500 years old.

h/t: [Science Alert, Yahoo]

Related Articles:

Clever Dog Learns to “Pay” for Cookies With a Leaf After Watching Students Use Money

Record-Breaking 17 Endangered California Condor Chicks Born at LA Zoo This Year

Monumental Portraits of Tiny Peacock Spiders Flaunting Their Colorful Bodies

9 Fun Facts About Maine Coons, the Gentle Giants of the Cat World

READ: Scientists Look into Anti-aging Secrets of the Greenland Shark, Which Live for Centuries

Photo: Wild Planet Trust

Paignton Zoo, in the United Kingdom, has recently welcomed an adorable group of new habitants. For the first time since 2018, the zoo has seen the birth of a handful of Chilean flamingo chicks. Among the new bird parents, are Curtis and Arthur, a same-sex pair that successfully hatched a chick.

While zoo workers are puzzled by the whole thing, Pete Smallbones, curator of birds at Paignton Zoo, has a theory. “Regarding the same-sex parenting, we aren’t entirely sure how this has come about, although it is a known phenomenon in Chilean flamingos as well as other bird flocks,” Smallbones said in a statement. “The most likely scenario is that the egg was abandoned by another couple, so this pair have ‘adopted’ it.”

On average, Chilean flamingo eggs usually hatch after 28 day. After being laid, the eggs are incubated on mud pile nests by both parents. When they are born, the chicks are covered in gray, downy feathers—a striking difference from the bright pink that makes adult flamingos so recognizable.

Curtis and Arthur are not the only ones who have welcomed a bundle of joy. Ahead of the summer mating season, the zoo had the public name the flamingos, and launched an initiative known as “Love Lagoon,” in which people could follow along as the birds formed families, inspired by the hit show Love Island. While there are currently only a few of chicks on the island, there are still a number of eggs incubating.

On top of the adorable scene, the arrival of new chicks offers some hope. Chilean flamingos, which are native to South America,  are declining in the wild due to egg-harvesting, habitat degradation due to mining, and disturbance from tourists.

“We are pleased at the success of this year’s breeding programme so far,” Smallbones added. “It’s a testament to the skill and hard work put in by the Bird Team and we are hopeful that we may see more eggs hatch over the coming days and weeks.”

Flamingos are not the only birds known to form same-sex pairs and hatch eggs. In 2022, Elmer and Lima, two male penguins at Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York, welcomed a baby. On top of that, they showed exemplary behavior while incubating it, taking turns and being careful.

Ted Fox, zoo director at Rosamond Gifford, says, “Elmer and Lima’s success at fostering is one more story that our zoo can share to help people of all ages and backgrounds relate to animals.”

Curtis and Arthur, a same-sex pair of flamingos living at UK's Paignton Zoo, successfully hatched a chick.

Photo: Wild Planet Trust

“The most likely scenario is that the egg was abandoned by another couple, so this pair have ‘adopted’ it,” said Pete Smallbones, curator of birds at Paignton Zoo.

Photo: Wild Planet Trust

“Regarding the same-sex parenting, we aren’t entirely sure how this has come about, although it is a known phenomenon in Chilean flamingos as well as other bird flocks.”

Photo: Wild Planet Trust

When they are born, the chicks are covered in gray, downy feathers—a striking difference from the bright pink that makes adult flamingos so recognizable.

Photo: Wild Planet Trust

On top of the adorable scene, the arrival of new chicks offers some hope, as Chilean flamingos are declining in the wild.

Photo: Wild Planet Trust

“It’s a testament to the skill and hard work put in by the Bird Team and we are hopeful that we may see more eggs hatch over the coming days and weeks.”

Photo: Wild Planet Trust

Paignton Zoo: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Wild Planet Trust.

Related Articles:

Male Same-Sex Foster Penguins Are Proud Parents of an Adorable Newborn Chick

Record-Breaking 17 Endangered California Condor Chicks Born at LA Zoo This Year

Incredible Aerial Photos Highlight Beauty of Great Flamingo Migration

Massive Flamingo Installation Lands at Florida Airport

READ: Same-Sex Couple of Flamingos Successfully Hatch Chick at UK Zoo

Photo: GUDKOVANDREY/Depositphotos

The Galápagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) is an iconic creature that is native to the Galápagos Islands. Despite the fact that the islands they live on were named after them, seeing Galápagos Giant Tortoises in their home has been a rare occurrence for many years. Due to a mix of excessive hunting, habitat loss, and introduction of invasive species by colonists, the tortoises nearly went extinct. Thankfully, their luck seems to be changing.

First discovered by famed naturalist Charles Darwin in 1835, the species has many unique characteristics, including being one of the largest cool-blooded land animals and the oldest living reptiles on Earth, with some living past 150 years. Over several centuries, the population of these majestic animals on the islands plummeted from 250,000 to a shocking 15,000, making the animals endangered, with two of the 15 subspecies going extinct altogether. But for the other 13, an optimistic future may be on the horizon.

Thanks to the efforts of conservationists, around 560 tortoises were recently reintroduced to the islands in 2023. This was made possible thanks to rangers from the Galápagos National Park and staff from Galápagos Conservancy, a U.S. based nonprofit dedicated to the protection and restoration of the islands. Though they can grow over 4 feet long and weigh up to 660 pounds, the animals returned to the island were smaller, adolescent tortoises. They were collected in the wild as eggs and raised as babies before being released back into their natural habitat.

In addition to being welcome news for animal lovers, the tortoises' grand return is also great news for the islands' ecosystem, as they are vital to the continued survival and biodiversity of a number of other species in the area. Eating more than 225 kilograms of vegetation every year, the creatures serve as natural gardeners for the islands, carving out a one-of-a-kind landscape. The work of these conservationists may mean that the islands return to the way they were when Charles Darwin first stumbled upon them all those years ago.

To learn more about the program, visit the Galápagos Conservancy website.

Conservationists were recently able to reintroduce 560 Galápagos Giant Tortoises to their native islands after the animals nearly went extinct.

#Galápagos | Guardaparques del @parquegalapagos, con el apoyo de la organización @savegalapagos, repatriaron 136 tortugas gigantes juveniles de la población de Cinco Cerros en la isla Isabela.

Los quelonios pasaron por un proceso de análisis de estado de salud, cuarentena y… pic.twitter.com/9X1hr75pzT

— Parque Galápagos (@parquegalapagos) December 6, 2023

Galápagos Conservancy: Website | Instagram | Facebook
h/t: [ABC News]

Related Articles:

Critically Endangered Burmese Turtles Hatch and Bring New Hope for the Species

Hawaiian Teen Wins $10,000 for Research on Mysterious Outbreak Killing Sea Turtles

Sea Turtle Given the Very First 3D-Printed Shell Brace Is Still Thriving Years Later

Robert Irwin Gets Emotional Showing Baby Turtle of an Endangered Species Discovered by His Dad

READ: After Nearly Going Extinct, Famed Giant Tortoises Return to the Galápagos Islands

Photo: Joshua J. Cotten via Unsplash

At 10 feet long, venomous, and covered with a scaly suit of armor, Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) are already terrifying—and fascinating—enough.  And just to add to it, scientists have recently found that these giant lizards have iron-tipped teeth.

Using chemical and structural imaging, the researchers, led by paleontologist Aaron LeBlanc, discovered that iron is the protective orange layer coating the serrations and tips of the lizard's teeth.

The study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, explains how aggressive feeding habits forced the Indonesian lizards to adapt. Komodo dragons are the largest existing predatory lizards and consume prey as large as carrion, deer, and even water buffalo. These apex predators rip large chunks of meat and swallow them whole, putting stress on their tooth enamel. This ultimately led to the evolutionary appearance of their iron-capped teeth.

“If they didn't have this iron coating, I'm sure the enamel on the cutting edges would wear away very quickly, and the tooth would dull,” Le Blanc told CNN.

The researcher initially thought the orange pigment was from food staining. However, after analyzing a fresh set of teeth from a Komodo dragon that had lived in the London Zoo, it became clear that the teeth emerged from the gums with the iron color rather than developing later.

According to the study, these lizards are not the only ones with iron-coated teeth. By analyzing the teeth of monitor lizards and crocodiles, the researchers found that iron deposits are common in reptile teeth. However, this feature is most apparent in ziphodonts—organisms with serrated teeth, such as the Komodo dragon. Non-reptilian animals also exhibit this trait: mammals that rely on gnawing, like beavers and rats, are also known to have similar iron tracings.

With this discovery, Le Blanc's team looked at the past and attempted to explore how ziphodont carnivorous dinosaurs, who had teeth similar to those of Komodo dragons, may have eaten. However, their investigation was limited by fossil analysis: the abundance of iron in fossils makes it extremely difficult to determine whether the metal was initially present or developed later.

Their research doesn't end here. According to Le Blanc, the next step is to search for other distinctive features in fossilized monitor lizard teeth to better understand the fossil composition.

Unfortunately, Komodo dragons are listed on IUCN's Red List and are classified as endangered. This discovery shows how much more there is to learn about these remarkable creatures. Understanding the species' unique adaptations is crucial to understanding the reptiles of the past and necessary for conservation efforts. It allows us to appreciate the complexity of these animals and emphasizes the importance of preserving them.

Scientists recently discovered that Komodo dragons have iron-coated teeth, with the iron forming a protective orange layer along the serrations and tips.

Photo: Aaron LeBlanc (CC BY 4.0)

This adaptation is necessary because their aggressive feeding habits put significant stress on their tooth enamel.

Photo: Danadi Sutjianto via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

The study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, found that while iron deposits are especially common in serrated-tooth organisms like Komodo dragons, they are also widespread in other reptilian teeth.

Photo: Mats Stafseng Einarsen via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

These findings are crucial for understanding the feeding habits of carnivorous dinosaurs and emphasize the importance of Komodo dragon conservation due to their unique qualities.

Photo: NAPARAZZI via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

h/t: [CNN]

Related Articles:

World’s Oldest Piece of Fossilized Skin Is Discovered in Oklahoma Cave

202-Million-Year-Old Ichthyosaur the Size of a Blue Whale May the World’s Largest Marine Reptile

Man Spends 30 Years Photographing the Most Bizarre Cold-Blooded Animals on Earth

Isolated Crocodile Gets Itself Pregnant and Has “Virgin Birth” After 16 Years of Living Alone

READ: New Study Reveals Komodo Dragons Have Iron-Capped Teeth

Photo: Stock Photos from nikkytok/Shutterstock

Anyone who has ever had a Maine Coon in their life knows that these gentle giants are something special. Their incredible size, long coats, bushy tails, and loving personalities have made them one of the most popular cat breeds in the world.

As one of the oldest natural breeds in North America, Maine Coons are majestic cats that have a delightfully playful side. These adept mousers love hunting down prey, and therefore, enjoy playing with their owners in order to keep up this skill.

Maine Coons are so beloved that they even have their own society: the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association. Founded in 1968, this global organization helps promote the breed, which fell so far out of popularity that at one point in the 1950s, it was thought to be extinct!

If you want to learn even more about Maine Coons, read on for some fascinating facts about this beautiful cat breed with wonderful personalities.

Learn about Maine Coons cats, the gentle giants of the feline world.

They're world record holders as the longest domestic cat

Photo: Stock Photos from Sergey Ginak/Shutterstock

Maine Coons are well known for their stature, with the average cat weighing between 9 and 18 pounds. Males can get even larger, with some tipping the scales at 25 pounds. This makes them the largest domesticated cat breed in the world.

But it's not just their weight that makes them impressive. These felines actually hold quite a few records. A Maine Coon named Barivel, who lives in Italy, has been named the World's Longest Living Domestic Cat by the Guinness Book of World Records. He measures three feet and 11.2 inches and is the latest in a long line of Maine Coons to dominate the category over the past 10 years. In fact, a previous record holder named Stewie, who passed away in 2013, was even longer, measuring just over four feet at full size. And though Barivel is currently the longest living feline, a cat named Fenrir is the Guinness record holder for the World's Tallest Living Domestic Cat.

They come in a variety of colors

Photo: Stock Photos from Linn Currie/Shutterstock

Most Maine Coon lovers are used to seeing this cat's coat in a classic brown tabby. But the truth is that Maine Coons can come in a whole variety of colors. While they aren't bred to be lavender or chocolate, it's possible to find everything from solid to tortoiseshell to calico. Want to see another one of their lovely physical traits? Just look into their eyes. Maine Coons will also typically have green, gold, or copper-colored eyes.

They don't just meow, they chirp

All cats meow, but Maine Coon cats are known for their chirps. While the social creature does meow like other kitties, they also make chirping noises when chatting with you. You might also hear them trill, which is a combination of meowing and purring. It's just another characteristic that makes the Maine Coon a great furry friend.

They're the official state cat of Maine

Photo: Stock Photos from Seregraff/Shutterstock

As the name suggests, these felines are native to the northeastern state of Maine. They are ready for the harsh New England winters thanks to their shaggy, uneven double-layered coat, which is also water repellant. In addition to having water-resistant fur, they also have tufts of fur on their paws that act like built-in snowshoes.

But just where did the breed originally come from? There are a few legends about the origin of the Maine Coon. (Contrary to popular belief, they are not related to the raccoon.) One story starts in France. It states that during the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette made a plan to escape and shipped six of her pet cats to the United States. While she never made it, they landed in Maine and helped start the breed. Another more plausible story credits the breed's origins to Vikings who landed in New England in the 1700s. It's thought that short-haired domestic cats bred with their long-haired cats to kick off the breed.

They have a great temperament

Photo: Stock Photos from DenisNata/Shutterstock

Known as the “dogs of the cat world,” Maine Coons are generally good-natured and love people. Maine Coons are also considered extremely intelligent and can be trained to perform various tricks. These gentle giants can also learn how to play fetch with toys and even love water! Extremely loyal, they love to be around their owners, though they can keep themselves occupied when needed.

Maine Coons also make great pets for families with children. Their sociable nature makes them good fun for little ones and their size means that they aren't intimidated or afraid to be handled by children.

A Maine Coon was successfully cloned

Photo: Alec Aiello

Nicky was so nice that his human wanted him twice. In 2004, a Maine Coon kitten named Little Nicky made history as being the first known sale of a cloned pet. A Texas woman paid a California-based biotech company $50,000 to clone her original Nicky, and she was very happy with the result.

“When Little Nicky yawned, I even saw two spots inside his mouth—just like Nicky had,” she told The Guardian. “Little Nicky loves water, like Nicky did, and he's already jumped into the bathtub like Nicky used to do.”

They're referred to by several nicknames

Photo: Thirdman

We've already referred to Maine Coon cats as “gentle giants,” but they've earned other popular nicknames. They are also called “mini lions” for the mane-like fur around their necks as well as “dog of the cat world” because their temperament is similar to a good-natured pooch.

You can walk a Maine Coon

Photo: DenisNata/Depositphotos

Yes, you can walk a cat. Wearing a special harness (or walking jacket) built just for cats, these intelligent cats are able to be leash-trained. As long as you're willing to spend the time and attention training them, Maine Coons will enjoy exploring the outdoors in a safe and controlled way.

They're Instagram superstars

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lotus (@lotus_the_mainecoon) on Aug 14, 2020 at 2:02am PDT

While Maine Coons were very popular in the 19th century—a Maine Coon even won the first cat show at Madison Square Garden in 1895—their popularity declined in the early 20th century when other long-haired cats like Persians were introduced. However, since the 1970s their popularity has steadily been on the rise, and now the Maine Coon is the third most popular breed according to Cat Fancier's Association.

Their popularity is evident on social media platforms like Instagram, where over 9 million images have the Maine Coon hashtag. In fact, there are quite a few “Instagram famous” Maine Coons, who delight their fans with their good looks and playful antics. This includes Lotus, a big blond feline based in Sweden who has over 300,000 followers.

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

30 Photos of Maine Coon Cats Who Look Like Majestic Gentle Giants

Senior Cats Get Their Own Purrfect Retirement Village in the UK

Cats Who Joined Tough Street Gangs Show Off Their Bling in These Funny AI-Generated Images

Adorable Litter of Maine Coon Kittens Look Like a Tiny Gang of Grumpy Old Men

READ: 9 Fun Facts About Maine Coons, the Gentle Giants of the Cat World