SNAKES

spirit animal

Snakes are long and legless carnivorous reptiles of the suborder "Serpentes."

Snakes do not have eyelids and external ears. They are vertebrates covered in over-lapping scales, many with skulls that have several more joints than lizards, allowing them to swallow much larger prey than the size of their heads. As snakes have narrow bodies, their paired organs are lined up one in front of the other instead of side by side.

Snakes live on every continent except Antarctic.

There are about 3,400 known species of snakes. Species vary in size from the tiny thread snake (only 10 cm long) to the giant reticulated python (growing to over 20 feet long).

Most snakes are not venomous, those who are venomous use their venom primarily to kill and subdue prey, not for self-defense. Non-venomous snakes swallow their prey live or kill by constricting the prey.

Snakes are cold blooded, therefore they cannot regulate their body temperatures, they need sunlight to keep warm.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

WHALES

spirit animal

Whales range in size from the Blue Whale, the largest, to the Pygmy species such as the Pygmy Sperm Whale.

Whales live in all of the world's oceans and number into the millions.

The Blue Whale can reach lengths of more than 100 feet and weighs up to 200 tons (as much as 33 elephants).

Despite living in the waters of the oceans, whales breathe air. They are warm-blooded mammals who nurse their young. A thick layer of fat called 'blubber' insulates them from cold ocean waters.

There are = baleen whales / blue whales / right whales / bowhead whales / sei whales / grey whales = to name just a few.

Whales are at the top of the food chain and have an important role in the overall Health of the Marine environment.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

THE WOLF

spirit animal

The wolf (also known as the grey wolf) is a large Canine (member of the dog family).

The male is 40kg / the female 37kg. Wolves measure 105-160 cm in length and 80-85cm at shoulder height.

Height = 66-81 cm (adult, at shoulder)

Lifespan = 6-8 years (in the wild) 

Speed = 50-60km/h (running)

Their spine-tingling howl makes wolves legendary. This howl is their way of communicating. A lone wolf howls to attract the attention of his pack, while communal wolves may send territorial messages from one pack (group) to another.

LOOK AT THEIR SMILES !

Wolves live and hunt in packs of around 6 to 10 animals. \they are known to roam large distances, perhaps 12 miles in a single day. Wolves eat deer, elk and moose and can consume 20 pounds of meat at a sitting. Wolves also eat birds, fish, lizards, snakes and even fruit.

Wolf packs are established according to a strict hierarchy, with a dominant male at the top and his mate not far behind. All of the pack's adults help to care for young pups, bringing them food and watching over them.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

LIONS

spirit animal

Lions are large mammals of the Cat family.

Males have thick manes of brown or black hair encircling the head and neck. The mane darkens with age, and the thicker and darker the mane, the healthier the "Cat." Both male and female lions roar.

Lifespan = 10 to 18 years in the wild, up to 30 years in captivity

Gestation = about 109 days

Weight = 125 to 272 kg / 277 to 600 pounds

Habitat = grassy plains and open woodlands

Size = 48 inches at the shoulder and 7 to 11 feet in length

Lions are carnivorous (meat eaters)

Lions are exceptional among the Cat family.

They have developed a social system based on teamwork, division of labour and an extended family unit. The average "Pride" (group) consists of 5 to 10 females, their young and 2/3 territorial males.

There is affection within a pride, as lions enjoy good fellowship, lots of 'touching', head rubbing, licking and purring.

Lions eat antelope, zebra and wildebeasts. The females do 85-90% of the hunting.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

THE HORSE

spirit animal

There are 2 species of wild horse = the Tarpan and the Przewalski.

There are around 400 different breeds of domestic horse. Both wild and domestic horse are grazers.

Lifespan = 25-30 years

Speed = 88km/h

Height = 1.4-1.8m (adult, at the withers).

Before we had cars, the horse was widely used as a draft animal, and riding on horseback was one of the chief means of transportation.

The horse and the human have a unique relationship, the horse being a partner and friend. It has plowed the field, bringing in the harvest, hauled goods and conveyed passengers, followed game and tracked cattle. 

The Influence of the horse is expressed as Chivalry and Cavalier, which means honour, respect, good manners and straightforwardness.

The male is called a Stallion.

The female is called a Mare.

A male foal (baby) is called a Colt.

A female foal is called a Fillie.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

DOLPHINS

spirit animal

Dolphins are very Intelligent.

The Bottlenose dolphin is the most common and well known species of dolphin.

# dolphins live in 'schools' or 'pods' of up to 12

# the female is called a cow / the male is called a bull / the 'kid' is called a calf

# these marine mammals are carnivores (they eat meat)

# dolphins have a 'blowhole' on the top of their heads to breathe

# they have excellent eyesight and hearing and have the ability to use 'echolocation' for finding things. They are playful, often jumping out of the water, riding waves, play fighting and (occasionally) swim with humans

# dolphins communicate with each other by using clicks, whistles and other sounds.

Did you know ?--- The Killer Whale is a member of the dolphin family.

We know of 42 species of dolphin and 7 species of porpoise. There are 38 members of the oceanic dolphin family, 7 members of the porpoise family and 4 members of the river dolphin.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

Talk To Your Cat

cat talk

I LOVE CATS !

From a very early age, we have always had cats --- we are truly a real 'Cat Family.'

It is interesting how domesticated cats really are. "Cats have been domesticated to deal with us " --- can we truly "speak" to them ?

Humans are said to be the most intelligent species on Earth and yet, which other mammal can we really 'talk' to ?

cat talk

It is true that cats don't waste their words.

A cat will only 'make a noise' (meow) when he / she really needs to or needs something or even wants something. 

People who study lions for years still have a lot to learn about communication. A lion is a wild cat.

How much we still have to learn about our little lions --- our cats --- especially with regards to communication.

cat talk

It is interesting to read about the amount of research that has gone into "Cat Communication" or "language."

Researchers in Tokyo, Japan, found out this lesson through a careful scientific analysis:
"The Japanese researchers found that cats understand humans, not just by voice tone but also by identifying certain words including their names, the owner's name, various commands you've used, and many other stunning eavesdropping techniques that you had no idea bout ---"

cat talk

"THE CAT LANGUAGE BIBLE " (cat talk)

Is the go-to-guide for bonding with your cat through language communication.

Talk to a Cat ?

If you Love cats as much as I do --- you'll Understand !

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !