A “Sugar Glider” is a small marsupial in the same general family as a Kangaroo or Koala Bear.
They are originally from the rain forests of Australia and Indonesia, and have been domestically bred as household pets in the United States for the last 12-15 years.
They got the name “Sugar Gliders” because they:
They like to eat almost anything that is sweet, especially fresh fruit & vegetables, and they have a gliding membrane (similar to a flying squirrel) that stretches from their wrist to their ankles, allowing them to glide – not fly – from tree to tree.
In the wild they primarily live in trees in “colonies” of 10-15 other Gliders. Their “scientific” name: Petaurus Breviceps, and their specific Taxonomic Classification is:
The Ayam Cemani is one of the most exotic and mysterious breeds of chickens in the world. It is Is 100% black – including it’s bones, blood, and beak
Now and again, mesmerizing and rare species of the animal kingdom present themselves. And, we’ll bet this is the first time you’ve ever beheld a completely black chicken. The unique bird, known as the Ayam Cemani, is one of the most exotic and mysterious breeds in the world, reportsCemaniFarms. From the chicken’s silky feathers to her internal organs, she is completely black.
Reportedly, the effect is caused by a condition called fibromelanosis, which is a harmless genetic mutation. When the bird is in embryo, extra melanin seeps into the creature’s tissues, resulting in incredibly rare Cemani chicks.
The Cemani is from Indonesia and has inspired Javanese folklore since the 12th century. Some believe the bird’s blood is a delicacy of spirits that bring power and wealth, and even serves as a good luck charm.
One thing’s for sure, the rare chicken is a creature to marvel at!
“I think she just knows that there’s a lot of different friends in the world.”
Moonpie is an incredibly special miniature rescue cow who was once destined to become ground beef. Fortunately for her, she was spotted at a livestock auction and was purchased by a friend of Janice Wolf, the founder of the Rocky Ridge Refuge Sanctuary.
“These auctions are huge — millions and millions of animals are auctioned off everyday,” commented Wolf. “I stay away from them because they kind of make me crazy. Many of the animals aren’t being treated that well.”
Because Moonpie is tiny, she was allowed to stay indoors with Janice’s 12 dogs due to poor weather upon arrival. In no matter of time, the canines befriended her and the story goes that she now believes she’s part of the pack. In an interview withThe Dodo, Janice said:
“She accepts them as her buddies. Babies like that — they don’t know a whole lot about what it’s supposed to be, so they kind of just accept things.”
The dogs serve as her surrogate moms, said Janice. “They clean her face, the way her mother would have. They love to do that… They were all thrilled to see her.”
One of Moonpie’s favorite friends is a deaf bull terrier named Spackle.
“The picture with the white bull terrier — that was Moonpie’s first day here,” Wolf said. “Spackle loves babies, and immediately became her protector and buddy. She wouldn’t leave that calf’s side. They instantly bonded.”
“My dogs have a lot of experience with various critters I rescue or otherwise end up with! A calf is just another friend to love,” Wolf told Bored Panda.
Moonpie even learned how to “use the bathroom,” according to Wolf. Like the dogs, she holds the urge to defecate or urinate until she is outside.
“She does what the dogs show her, so she learned how to do that,” Wolf said.
Now that the weather is nice and Moonpie is beginning to venture outdoors more. However, there’s still a lot more growing to do before she can be introduced to the other rescue animals, including a water buffalo, a zebra, capybaras, pigs, dogs, goats, an emu, other cows, and chickens. Fortunately, she has a large family of canines to keep her company.
French photographer Xavier Hubert-Brierre and his wife traveled to Gabon, located on the west coast of Africa, to set up mirrors in several locations and see how wild animals react to their reflections. What they got on tape is stunning, completely hilarious, and sometimes a little bit scary.
There can be no better or worse sight than your own reflection, but these vain animals seemed very keen to admire themselves.
Innovative French photographer Xavier Hubert-Brierre travelled to Gabon with his wife and set up a mirror in several locations in order to capture animals walking by.
The results are stunning, with one of the more amusing reactions being from two leopards.
One of them takes several looks at the mirror before it is attacked by a second leopard, who calls off the ambush when he too spots Xavier’s mirror.
