The Rainbow

spirit animal

The Rainbow is a symbol of good luck.

The 7 colours of the Rainbow are:

red / orange / yellow / green / blue / indigo / violet.

Rainbows are caused by reflection, refraction and dispertion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It takes the form of a multicoloured circular arc. Rainbows caused by sunlight always appear in the section of sky directly opposite the sun.

Rainbows can be fully circles. We normally see only see an arc formed by illuminated droplets above the ground, and centred on a line from the sun to the observer's eye.

Rainbows can be caused by many forms of airborne water. These include not only rain, but also mist, spray and airborne dew.

The Rainbow effect is also commonly seen near waterfalls or fountains.

 LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

THE BUTTERFLY

spirit animal

In the UK, there are about 60 species of Butterflies.

These are the most obvious and beautiful and colourful insects to visit our gardens.

Butterflies have 4 different life stages.

METAMORPHOSIS.

1) egg 2) caterpillar 3) chrysalis 4) Butterfly

Butterflies need warmth to be active and fly. They need to drink nectar for energy.

PEACOCK BUTTERFLY = markings are big, blue 'eyes' just like a peacock's tail feathers. It can be seen feeding on flowers all year round during warm spells, and overwinters as an adult.

LARGE WHITE BUTTERFLY = has brilliant white wings, tipped with black.

GREEN HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY = is the UK's only green butterfly. Look out for the vibrant, metallic sheen of the undersides of its wings on grassland and moorland, and along woodland rides.

ORANGE-TIP BUTTERFLY = this distinctive butterfly is on the wing from April to July.

JUST 4 OF THE BEAUTIFUL SPECIES.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

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 !