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The Wonders Of Carnivorous Plants
Cape Sundew |
Of the more than 250,000 flowering plant species found all around the world, 630 of them are known carnivores. Generally found in warm, acidic bogs where there is constant moisture along with plenty of sunlight, carnivorous plants thrive in these low-nutrient soils and have little competition for growing space from other species. Although these wet, sunny bogs are their preferred habitats, a number of carnivorous plants are also found along desert outskirts and on limestone cliffs.
The Mammalian Mother
Elephant Calf With Mum |
However, these milk-producing glands can often mean that the offspring of mammals are much more vulnerable at birth than those of other animal groups, as they rely more heavily on the care and protection of their mother. Some baby mammals are in fact so underdeveloped at birth, that they are born hairless and blind and are often dependent on their parents (mainly mum) for a significant amount of time.
The Giant Of The Forest
Fog in the Forest |
Coast Redwoods occur along the North American Pacific coastline, mainly in northern California and in the coastal region of south-west Oregon. Coast Redwoods need environments with lots of rain and are subjected to up to 100 inches a year in some parts of their natural range. Although having once thought to have occupied an area of more than 2 million acres, the Coast Redwoods are today confined to a small 470 mile long strip of the Pacific coast.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Industrial Pollution |
Despite having had this layer of greenhouse gases for thousands of years, temperatures here have remained fairly constant at an average of -15 degrees Centigrade. Today however, with higher levels of greenhouse gases adding to this layer, more heat from the sun is trapped within it, with the average temperature in the UK now having risen to around 15 degrees Centigrade.
What Is The IUCN?
Rare Amur Leopard |
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is the world's largest global environmental network, established in 1948 to help to provide practical solutions to the bigger environmental challenges that we are facing. It was founded by governments, foundations and large corporations and has become a leading authority on the environment and sustainable development today.
Attracting Butterflies To Your Garden
Large White Butterfly |
These Insects are known as pollinators as they inadvertently spread the pollen from one plant to another whilst feeding on the sweet nectar, allowing these plants to reproduce. In fact, many plants produce beautifully scented and colourful flowers just to attract these useful Insects to them.
The Volcanic Seven Summits
Volcanic 7 Summits |
The largest volcanoes on each of the continents are known as the Volcanic Seven Summits, and although there has been some dispute over the years as to which countries they lie in, they are a popular challenge for climbers. Disagreements have also come about over the classification of what you would call a true volcano, so here are the highest:
Hope For The Tigers Of India
Ranthambore Tiger |
Today however, better technologies make these challenges easier to overcome as 70 Tigers were recorded inhabiting the Sundarbans in the latest count. When the Tiger census was conducted in 2007, 1,411 Tigers were recorded, a figure which has risen to 1,706 today. Although this is obviously an incredibly positive step, there are great concerns about their constantly shrinking habitats as half of the world's Tigers are found in India.
A Tall Tail Of A Tiny Giraffe!
A Young Male |
Giraffes are well-known to be the world's tallest animals but this latest discovery has put a spanner in the works. The elusive Pygmy Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis pygmaea) was snapped by a ranger surveying the region earlier in the week. A herd of nine individuals was spotted grazing beneath a young acacia tree, including males, females and two young calves. The tallest of the males measured just 156 cm tall.