Animals

Photographers Capture 18 Amazing Moth and Butterfly Transformations

By Jackson Chung October 27, 2014

You’ve all probably seen the life cycles of moths and butterflies either in school or online, but rarely is this process captured by professional photographers. Above, we have the Brahmin Moth. These images will show you just how beautiful the transformation can be. The adult, also called the imago, emerges from its pupal cuticle with a swollen abdomen and shriveled wings. For the first few hours of its adult life, the butterfly or moth will pump hemolymph into the veins in its wings to expand them. Continue reading for more.

20 Strangely-Colored Animals That Have Not Been Photoshopped

By Jackson Chung October 26, 2014

The chicken you see above has not been Photoshopped, it’s just the extremely rare Ayam Cemani Chicken of Indonesia, also known as the “Lamborghini of Poultry,” and rightfully so. If you happen to be in the area, and there is one available, expect to shell out $2,500USD. Unlike other black chickens, everything about the Ayem Cemani is black – its feathers, organs, even the bones. The coloring is due to a genetic trait known as fibromelanosis. Continue reading for more.

Wolf Spider Captured Hauling Hundreds of Babies on Its Back, Becomes Internet Hit

By Jackson Chung October 25, 2014

Bobby Brown, a former student from Northwest Missouri State University, recently captured a gigantic wolf spider on camera, which he says measures around four inches (10cm) in diameter when its legs were fully extended. Unlike other spiders, female wolf spiders carry their eggs by attaching a spherical silk egg sac to their spinnerets at the end of their abdomens, to allow them to carry their unborn young with them. They are great mothers because immediately after the spiderlings emerge from the egg sac, a mother will allow them to clamber up her legs and live on her abdomen where they are safely camouflaged from predators for the best chance of survival. Continue reading for the video – not safe for work language.

10 Breathtaking Images from the 50th Annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest

By Jackson Chung October 23, 2014

Earlier this week, the top awards for the 50th Wildlife Photographer of the Year were announced at a ceremony held in London’s Natural History Museum. This wasn’t any ordinary contest, as the winners received their awards from the Museum Patron, The Duchess of Cambridge, Sir David Attenborough, wildlife presenter Liz Bonnin and renowned wildlife photographer Frans Lanting. Michael Nichols’ photograph came out on top amongst 42,000 entries from 96 countries to take home the grand title award. To capture the shot you’re about to see, he followed lions resting with their cubs in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Parkpride for nearly 6-months and then photographed them in infrared, which “transforms the light and turns the moment into something primal, biblical almost.” Continue reading to see more.

Photographer Captures Intimate Portraits of 16 Extremely Old Dogs

By Jackson Chung October 23, 2014

Photo credit: Pete Thorne Photo

While capturing puppies underwater sounds cooler, Toronto-based photographer Pete Thorn decided to go the intimate route for his latest series, titled “Old Faithful”. As you might’ve already guessed, this gallery features lots of dogs at the end of their lifespan, with each face telling “the story of a life filled with ups and downs.” There is currently a line of owners wanting portraits of their old dog to be taken, believe it or not. Continue reading for more images.

14 Animals Whose Lives Were Changed with Prosthetic Limbs

By Jackson Chung October 22, 2014

While small dogs and cats can survive comfortably with three legs, larger dogs, horses, and farm animals require the limb to support their weight. Surgery has also been done on birds that are used for breeding purposes. Each prosthetic limb is custom-made to fit the individual needs of the specific animal. Dudley (above) lost a leg as a wee duckling when attacked by aggressive chickens. While he could still swim, Dudley had trouble getting around on land. So, mechanical engineer Terence Loring partnered with 3-D printing company Proto3000 to help fabricate an artificial leg. Continue reading for more.

14 Creative Gadgets and Accessories Every Geeky Dog Owner Should Have

By Jackson Chung October 22, 2014

Most dog beds are designed purely for function rather than form, but this one aims to combine it with some luxury. This particular creation was modeled after a bed you’d find in IKEA, complete with miniature pillow, blanket, night stands, and cups. However, when dogs aren’t sleeping, they tend to keep their owner(s) very busy, and that’s why we’ve rounded up some creative gadgets, along with accessories, that every geek should have for their pets. Continue reading for more.

This is Not an Alien, Just a Gigantic Bigfin Squid Discovered Deep in the Ocean

By Jackson Chung October 21, 2014

No, you’re not looking at an extraterrestrial being, just a bigfin squid, which are a group of rarely seen cephalopods with a distinctive morphology. Although the family is known only from larval, paralarval, and juvenile specimens, some authorities believe the adult creature has also been seen; several videos have been taken of animals nicknamed the “long-arm squid”, which appear to have a similar morphology. Since none of the adult specimens have ever been captured or sampled, it remains uncertain if they are the same genus, or only distant relatives. The Shell Oil Company released the video above from 2007 captured by one of its unmanned underwater rovers in the Gulf of Mexico. Click here to view the first image in today’s viral picture gallery. Continue reading for a viral video of a crazy bike race through the streets of Portugal.

When Wild Animals Get Into Autumn Mode, These 24 Majestic Scenes Ensue

By Jackson Chung October 21, 2014

Many living things respond to the light changes that come with autumn, including trees shedding their leaves and animals preparing for hibernation. When autumn hits, the black-capped chickadee goes crazy collecting seeds and hiding them in hundreds of different spots in trees and on the ground. The tiny bird’s hippocampus balloons by 30 percent simultaneously as new nerve cells pop up in this part of the brain, which is responsible for spatial organization and memory. Continue reading for more.

Bailey the Golden Retriever Has No Idea What She’s Doing, Becomes Internet Sensation

By Jackson Chung October 20, 2014

Photo credit: Golden Retriever Bailey via My Modern Met

Animal photos are nothing new, but Bailey the Golden Retriever gained internet fame for her “I have no idea what I’m doing” meme. Recently, her owner posted a new batch of photos that show the dog dressed in human clothes while performing people things, such as using the computer, drinking wine, and even play a game of poker with friends. Click here to view the first image in this week’s funny work pictures gallery. Continue reading for a viral video showing how to draw a perfect circle freehand.