Awesome science facts for kids

• Porpoises are among the smallest aquatic mammals. Check out my list of fun, weird and just plain amazing fact of life I have found.
• They are related to dolphins and whales and belong to the same order, Cetacea.
• They are very similar looking to the dolphin. However, the way to distinguish them generally is from: their smaller size; they have a rounder body shape and they lack the ‘beak’ of the better known dolphins.
• There are six species of porpoise.
• Different types of porpoises include the Common or Harbour porpoise, which is dark coloured on back and white underside, for camouflage in coastal waters and is similar to the Californian porpoise; Dall’s porpoise, which has a slightly more muscular body, they are jet black on back with white patches on the belly and flanks; Burmeister’s porpoise, which is dark overall, the Dorsall (back) fin has a sharp point with ‘teeth’ on its leading edge; Finless porpoise, which are grey overall, except for paler throat and face, they have a rounded, blunt head and no dorsal fin; the Spectacled porpoise, which is blue-black on back and white on sides and under-parts, they have a rim around their eyes which resemble spectacles. That might be one of the most awesome interesting facts ever.
• Porpoises are thought to have emerged as a group of aquatic mammals about 15 million years ago, when they were confined to the north of the Pacific Basin. From these beginnings they slowly evolved into the total of six species of porpoise alive today.
• They are sociable creatures and are often found in groups of 2-20, but usually about 4.
• They are sexually mature by the age of 4-7 years, according to the species. mating season is summer in the northern hemisphere. Gestation is 11-12 months and they have 1 young.
• Young calfs are born half the length of the female and has to be brought to the surface immediately to take its first breath. The female often swims on her side as she suckles her young calf. In this way they reach the water’s surface to breathe at the same time. This only happens in the first few days after birth, and soon the calf surfaces independently and dives to resume feeding. The young often remain with its mothers after being weaned.
• The Dall’s porpoise is known to be the fastest of all the porpoises. It powers through the water at speeds of 20-30km/h. It is also famous for its ‘rooster’ spray – a stream of water that arcs up over the head as it reaches the water’s surface. They are the most sociable and are attracted to moving ships.

• The Finless porpoise, as its name suggests, has no dorsal fin. The females have been known to carry her single young, or calf, on her back as on a saddle.
• Porpoises have between 60-120 teeth which are flattened into a spade shape at the tip.
• The common porpoise makes a distinctive, explosive noise as it comes to the surface to exhale. It has also been called a ‘puffin pig.
• Similar to the dolphin, the porpoise have a wide repertoire of communication calls, including ‘clicks’ used for echo-location. That might be one of the most awesome animals facts you had no idea before.
• Their greatest threat to population is fishing nets and pollution. Some species are thought to be declining as a result. 
• Another hazard of inhabiting coastal waters for the common porpoise is that it can get stranded on beaches.

1. MOOSE ARE HUGE.

Greater bilbies are commonly known as bilbies due to the lesser bilby now being extinct. They are marsupials found only in Australia and are also called rabbit-eared bandicoots. The Easter Bilby is an Australian alternative to the Easter Bunny.

Facts About Greater Bilby 

• The greater bilby comes from the family of marsupials known as bandicoots. It is the largest among all the members of the family.
• According to the AustralianNationalUniversity, the animal has derived its name from an aboriginal language ‘Yuwaalaraay’.
• Its black coloured eyes, nearly 1 centimetre in diameter, do not make clear vision. Due to the poor vision, it solely relies on its strong sense of hearing and smell. The eyes are protected with the help of fine black eyelashes. This is one of the most interesting facts about Greater Bilby ever. 
• Built of a greater bilby comprises of long pointed nose, large hairless ears, white underside, black tail with a white crest. Because of its large ears, it is also known as Rabbit-Eared Bandicoot.
• The large ears of bilby aid in its effective hearing, as well as, strive to regulate its body temperature. They are also exceptionally manoeuvrable and can be rotated, made to stand flat against the body, positioned at right angles to the body and can even be folded in half.
• The soft and silky fuzz of bilby is primarily of pale blue-grey colours, with white and cream coloured undersides and feet.
• The stretched nose with hairless pink tip gives bilby an ability to smell sharply and smartly. You can witness many long, dark fuzz stick out from either side of the snout.
• A bilby has long slim tongue and 48 teeth: 26 on upper jaw and 22 on lower.
• It has slightly curved claws on the toes of its front feet. Whereas, on the feet of its hind legs, the second and third toes have slight joints with much larger fourth toe.

• Its claws and front legs are very strong which help it dig for its food and make deep burrows. An expert in digging, a bilby can dig up to a dozen of burrows. These burrows are generally spiral and as much as 3 meters deep.
• When a female bilby digs the soil, the dirt does not fill in its pouch as the pouch of a bilby opens in backward direction.
• The weight of an adult male bilby can go up to 2.5 kg. The weight of adult female bilby on the other hand, is significantly less (sometimes half) than that of an adult male.
• These are the nocturnal creatures that came out of their burrows nearly an hour after sunset and often go back in their burrows before first rays of the sun.
• The tail of a bibly is divided into three distinct sections: in the begining for a few centimetres, the colour of the tail resemble blue-greyish colour of the body; the middle section of the tail is black coloured, and at the end the tail is white.
• Bilby is a solitary animal, which prefers to roam alone. Although sometimes, bilbies are also seen in groups with at the most four members.
• Given that there is sufficient rainfall and food is available to them, bilbies can breed throughout the year. Let’s discover some interesting science facts that will amaze you.
• Having the smallest gestation period of all the mammals, greater bilbies breed one to three young bilbies in a litter.
• Infant bilbies remain in the pouch of their mother for nearly 80 days. It takes further 2 weeks till they become independent.
• Bilbies are the omnivorous creatures. Their food ranges from seeds, fruits, fungi to spiders, bulbs, small animals, insects and their larvae.
• A greater bilby consumes significant amount of mud along with its food.
• Bilbies do not drink water; rather, their food provides them with the requisite level of water to survive.
• Previously, they were hunted by Australians for food and fur. Other than humans, today they are preyed by foxes and feral cats.
• Before the European settlement, nearly 70% of the Australian Mainland had bilbies.
• At present, they are mostly seen in the south-west Queenslandand secluded parts of Western Australiaand the Northern Territory.
• The isolations of each of their colonies make them even more susceptible to diseases and inbreeding.

Are you bored? Let’s have a quick look at our funny images that are bound to bring smile on your face.

How to react to cats bite and scratche and other random facts about cats right here

1

React calmly. Never hit, shout, chase, or lose your temper with a cat. You will simply terrify the cat and cause it to become nervous and confused.

Never call a cat to you and then punish it. The cat hasn't got a clue why you're responding negatively to him. In fact, the cat probably expects a pleasant response if you call it.

2

Remove yourself from the situation. The first thing to do is stop touching the cat and then hold your hands well out of striking range. If he doesn't calm down within a few seconds, stand up slowly so you can remove him from your lap. Walk away and do not return until he has calmed down.

Avoid soothing your cat after biting or scratching. Instead, signal your displeasure to the cat. After you've disciplined it, do not begin cuddling and petting him. This will confuse your cat and give him mixed signals. It may even begin biting you in order to get a cuddle.

3

Give the cat a way out. If you are trying to get from one room to another and a hissing, snarling cat blocks the way, look at the situation from his viewpoint. The cat believes he is trapped and you are walking towards him, which he perceives as a threat. He wants to run but there is no escape route so he must defend himself by attacking. The simple solution is to step aside, let the cat pass (which he will do at speed) and then go about your way.

Don't feed your cat for 20 minutes following a biting or scratching incident, as this might be wrongly taken as a reward.

Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand

Each fall in Lopburi, a city located in southern Thailand, thousands of macaques are invited to an impressive culinary feast.

The monkeys are treated to an amazing feast of fruits, vegetables and soft drinks at the city's annual Monkey Buffet Festival at Prang Sam Yot, an ancient temple where the macaques like to hang out, reports the Los Angeles Times.

In addition to being a massive special meal for the macaques, the festival is quite the draw for tourists who flock to Lopburi to watch the monkeys gorge on soda and produce.

Pushkar Camel Fair, India

The Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan, India was originally created as a place for local people to sell and trade livestock, and now it becomes a very popular event that attracts more than 11,000 camels, horses and cattle, as well as about 400,000 people who go to witness the colorful spectacle. Some groups of animals, herders and traders need to travel for 3 weeks to get to the fair. 

funny images on weird festival

Together with camel and horse sales and trades, there are also camel races, camel cart rides and camel competitions. Non-camel events are turban and mustache contests, as well as concerts and cultural events. Souvenirs include camel dung paper and notebooks, camel wool shawls and camel cheeses, cakes and cheesecakes, all made with camel milk.

Alaska Bald Eagle Festival, Alaska, the U.S.

Each year about mid-November, several thousand bald eagles descend on Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in Haines, Alaska, to feed on late-running salmon. The American Bald Eagle Foundation holds an annual festival that attracts people from all around the world to the 48,000-acre preserve to see the majestic birds.

In addition to eagle-viewing opportunities, the Alaska Bald Eagle Festival also has presentations on eagle behavior, birding tours and photography workshops, as well as a craft bazaar and Alaskan wildlife and artisan workshops.

Swiss cow parades, Switzerland

Each fall in various towns throughout Switzerland, cows are dressed with flowers, ribbons, flags and other fancy regalia as they are herded down from their mountain pastures and paraded back to their homes in a show of respect for their work.

Lions are the king of the plains. Tigers rule the jungle. But face to face, what would happen if a Lion fought a Tiger? Which would win? For more: tiger facts                        

Asiatic lions (smaller than African lions) and tigers both occur in India. Although their ranges no longer overlap, they did once and therefore this was a very real scenario a long time ago.

I am going to specifically answer this in terms of one male tiger going up against one male lion. 

Although female lions hunt as prides, male lions spend most of their lives alone. They are forced out of the pride when they reach around two years. 

If they manage to take over a pride of their own they will usually only manage to keep it for a couple of years. During the time they have a pride they will spend most of their time fighting off potential usurpers. 

When they do not have a pride they frequently fight with other solitary males that they bump into and of course pride males in their attempts to take control of a pride.

So, a male lion spends his life fighting. In fact they spend so much time fighting and not eating properly and stressed out that they only live to about ten years old while females usually live to about fifteen.

The reason a male lion has a mane is for defense in fighting. They fight like wrestlers, facing off, gripping each other and trying to overpower each other. I have watched them fighting many times and have come across two dead males over the years. Both had been bitten through the spine. From what I have read, this is pretty much the norm. 

So, the mane is a pretty effective defense in a cat-fight. To get round it requires some serious dominance in the fight as it means out wrestling the opponent to the point of being able to bite them through the spine. Tigers do not have this defense. They do not have it because they rarely fight.

Tigers are solitary animals and although heavier than lions, they are shorter than lions at the shoulder. The weight difference is about 15% which is significant but not enough I believe to mean an overwhelming advantage for tiger, especially since they have a height disadvantage.

In terms of behaviour, male tigers usually solve their disputes via display and intimidation, preferring to avoid each other. One of them will usually roll onto its back and expose its belly in submission. Now in terms of fighting, this lack of experience when going up against a pro IS an overwhelming disadvantage.

This is like putting a heavy inexperienced amateur fighter in ring with a taller, leaner professional with a mean history of fights under his belt.

A no-brainer. A wild lion would win hands down because the wild lion has a lifetime experience of fighting other male lions. Size really isn't everything.. 

However, a tiger in a zoo will more likely kill a lion because if the tiger doesn't back down the inexperienced captive-bred lion is quite outclassed.. Still, although a lion is more likely to die in a fight it is also very likely that male tigers would submit if it got serious and the tiger realised it was dealing with a maniac who was willing to die to win..

Lions didn't get the title "King of the Jungle" for nothing.

This is the only case on record of a wild tiger meeting and fighting a wild lion. The lion won.

You might be like to see animals facts

Here is some information about Giraffes - Tallest land animal in the world. Reading to know more about them, about their giraffe baby

Giraffes tower over Africa's plains. These tall animals are identified by their long necks, equally long and spindly legs, and spotted coats. Most giraffes have a tan, white or yellow coat that is spotted with brown, square shapes. 

Tallest animal

Giraffes are the tallest living animals in the world, according to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. A giraffe's neck alone is 6 feet (1.8 meters) long and weighs about 600 lbs. (272 kilograms). The animal's legs are also 6 feet long.

Learn more: tiger facts                     

In full, females grow up to 14 feet (4.3 m) tall and weigh up to 1,500 lbs. (680 kg), while males grow up to 18 feet (5.5 m) tall and weigh up to 3,000 lbs. (1,360 kg). 

With such a massive body, it makes sense that the giraffes' organs and other body parts are equally huge. Their tongues are a substantial 21 inches (53 centimeters) long, and their feet are 12 inches (30.5 cm) across. According to the San Diego Zoo, a giraffe's heart is 2 feet (0.6 m) long and weighs about 25 lbs. (11 kg). Their lungs can hold 12 gallons (55 liters) of air. In comparison, the average total lung capacity for a human is 1.59 gallons (6 liters). 

Every giraffe has two hair-covered horns called ossicones. Male giraffes use their horns to playfully fight with one another. They also spar by swinging their heads at one another and entwining their necks, which is called "necking."

Read more animal fun facts

Let's discover the largest wild cats in the world - tigers facts here by this article:

The tiger is the largest member of the felid (cat) family. They sport long, thick reddish coats with white bellies and white and black tails. Their heads, bodies, tails and limbs have narrow black, brown or gray stripes. There were once nine subspecies of tigers: Bengal, Siberian, Indochinese, South Chinese, Sumatran, Malayan, Caspian, Javan and Bali. Of these, the last three are extinct, one is extinct in the wild, and the rest are endangered.

1) Tigers are the largest wild cats in the world. Adults can weigh up to 363kg - that's about the same as ten ten year olds! - and measure up to 3.3m!

2) Tigers are carnivores, eating only meat. They mainly feed on large mammals such as deer, wild pigs, antelope and buffalo. 

3) Tigers are solitary hunters, and generally search for food alone at night. They quietly stalk their prey until they are close enough to pounce - then they kill their victim with a bite to the neck or back of the head. Ouch!

Also see elephant facts

4) Unlike most members of the cat family, tigers like water. They are good swimmers and often cool off in pools or streams. 

5) When a tiger wants to be heard, you'll know about it, gang - because their roar can be heard as far as three kilometres away.

6) They may be big and heavy, but tigers are by no means slow movers. In fact, at full speed they can reach up to 65km/h!

7) These fierce felines have walked the earth for a long time. Fossil remains of tigers found in parts of China are believed to be 2 million years old. Yikes!

8) Every tiger in the world is unique - no two tigers have the same pattern of stripes.

9) Today, there are five subspecies of tiger: Bengal, South China, Indochinese, Sumatran and Siberian. Sadly, three subspecies of tiger have become extinct - Caspian, Bali and Javan.

10) Less than 100 years ago, tigers could be found throughout Asia. Sadly, hunting and habitat loss have put populations at risk, and today their range has been reduced to around 7% of its former size.

See more amazing animal facts

Did you wonder an interesting animal facts question: Whether or not cockroaches can fly? Let’s see how

Most species of cockroach can fly if they actually want to (at least those that still have wings, some like the Madagascar hissing cockroach they always made people eat on Fear Factor have lost their wings and are flightless). 

The reason most of them don't fly is that they actually kind of suck at it. 

Cockroaches have made a very successful niche for themselves as cryptic little insects that run very quickly for cover when they are threatened. Their first instinct for escape is now to scurry, rather than take flight and fly away. 

Flying cockroaches are pretty large, slow moving, and not terrifically maneuverable. When cockroaches first evolved, this was probably sufficient to make them and the other early insects like stoneflies, mayflies and crickets masters of the air, but once aerial predators like birds started evolving, they became pretty easy pickings. 

A cockroach flying through the air now would be the target of every bird that saw it. A big, juicy meal flapping furiously to bumble its body along. 

Those cockroaches that are relatively strong fliers (like the Asian cockroach, or the Cuban cockroach) usually only fly at night, when there are fewer predators to see them. Even then, they're probably easy pickings for any bat that might be about.

For more facts of life

Penguin facts: Here is the most giant penguin in the world with about 4ft 5ins:

A huge penguin that roamed the earth millions of years ago would have dwarfed goal ace Peter Crouch, according to scientists.

The lanky £10million Stoke City striker, 33, stretches the tape at a neck-craning 6ft 7ins, making the 42-cap hitman the tallest player to have ever wore the Three Lions of England.

But fossil boffins at the La Plata Museum in Argentina say an ancient bird dubbed the "colossus penguin” would have had the edge over crazy-legs Crouchie when it comes to reaching for the skies.

The scientists say bones unearthed in the Antarctic – the most complete fossil ever found in the region – prove the giant bird from 37 million years ago could have topped 7ft, firmly putting Abbey Clancy's robot-dancing squeeze in the shade.

The fossil find includes the longest recorded fused ankle-foot bone as well as parts of a wing bone.

Brainboxes say the mega make-up of the big-boned bird would have allowed the winged wonder to stay underwater for a lung-busting 40 minutes.

And from those bones, researchers estimate the extinct species would have stood at 7ft or more from toe to beak tip, and weighed as much as 19 stone.

Skinny striker Crouch weighs in at just 11st 8lbs while the average British man measures up at just 5ft 10ins.

The tallest living species of penguin, the emperor, is usually around the 4ft 5ins mark.

Read more: animal fun facts

         For more facts tigers facts

Tigers live in Asia, which is where their natural habitats are. They are most likely found in the swamps, grasslands and rain forests of Southeast Asia, China, Korea and Russia.

The ideal habitat needs to fulfil three main requirements for the animal. There needs to be 1) shelter, 2) food and 3) water. Tigers require shelter to remain concealed from potential prey as they stalk their victim and threats (which are, usually, from human sources), as well as for protection when the female has cubs. Food comes in the form of prey, for which the tiger spends much of its life hunting. When there is interference with the population numbers of the prey, the tigers’ lives are in serious danger. In terms of water, there needs to be enough to sustain the tigers themselves as well as their prey. They are also susceptible to high temperatures and enjoy cooling down in refreshing water. They are excellent swimmers and can pursue their prey into relatively deep water.

These requirements are fulfilled in various areas around the world. However, Asia is certainly the most abundant home of these endangered creatures. The most prolific areas in which to find the various subspecies of tigers are the whole of India, the lower parts of the Himalayan mountain range, the mangrove swamps of West Bengal and the dense vegetation of the various forests of the Far East.

In more general terms, tigers are most commonly found in China, Korea, Russia and Southeast Asia. Sumatra is the only island inhabited by tigers today. The wide variety of different habitats that tigers occupy is testimony to their adaptability to various conditions.

Related to amazing animal facts

Check out our range of fun animal facts. Learn what owls eat, how they hunt, what a group of owls is called and much more.

Check out tiger facts for kids right here. What do tigers eat? How fast do tigers run? Find out the answers to this and more animal facts!

Basic facts about tigers 

The tiger is the largest member of the felid (cat) family. They sport long, thick reddish coats with white bellies and white and black tails. Their heads, bodies, tails and limbs have narrow black, brown or gray stripes. There were once nine subspecies of tigers: Bengal, Siberian, Indochinese, South Chinese, Sumatran, Malayan, Caspian, Javan and Bali. Of these, the last three are extinct, one is extinct in the wild, and the rest are endangered.

Diet

Tigers mainly eat ambar deer, wild pigs, water buffalo and antelope. Tigers are also known to hunt sloth bears, dogs, leopards, crocodiles and pythons as well as monkeys and hares. Old and injured tigers have been known to attack humans and domestic cattle.

Population

In the early 1900s, there were around 100,000 tigers throughout their range. Today, an estimated total of around 3,000-4,500 exist in the wild. Below is a breakdown of tiger numbers by subspecies.

Bengal tiger: Less than 2,000

Indochinese tiger: 750-1,300

Siberian tiger: Around 450

Sumatran tiger: 400-500

Malayan tiger: 600-800

South Chinese tiger: Extinct in the wild

Caspian tiger: Extinct

Javan tiger: Extinct

Bali tiger: Extinct

Range

Historic tiger range ran from Turkey through South and Southeast Asia to the far eastern shores of the continent. Today, they are only found in South and Southeast Asia, China and the Russian Far East.

Behavior

Tigers occupy a variety of habitats from tropical forests, evergreen forests, woodlands and mangrove swamps to grasslands, savannah and rocky country. They are mostly nocturnal (more active at night) and are ambush predators that rely on the camouflage their stripes provide. Tigers use their body weight to knock prey to the ground and kills with a bite to the neck. They are also very good swimmers and have been known to kill prey while swimming.

Posted by awesomesciencefactsforkids