What are some interesting facts about jaguars?

Did you know that the jaguar is the third-largest cat species in the world after the tiger and the lion? Read on to know fascinating facts about the big cat species.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

*A jaguar has an attractive, tawny coat with black rosettes. The jaguar rosettes have a spot in the middle and they are irregularly shaped.

* A jaguar is stockier and more heavily muscled, with a larger head and wider shoulders.

*It has the shortest tail among the big cats from 45 to 75 cm in length.

 *From tip to tail, it measures 1.5 m to 2.5 m and weighs between 68 and 136 kg.

*The legs are short, but thick and powerful with broad paws.

Found in the Amazon basin

The only big cat species in the New World, jaguars are today found mostly in the Amazon basin of South and Central America and southern Mexico, though they once ranged as far north as southern USA. They are the third-largest cat species in the world after the tiger and the lion.

To the indigenous Americans, particularly the Maya, the Aztec and the Olmec, the jaguar was a god of both night and light, and was revered and feared in equal measure for his strength, fertility, agility and beauty. The native chiefs sat on jaguar thrones and wore jaguar pelts. A Mayan tribe named itself Jaguar’s Paw.

Jaguars vs. leopards

Like leopards, which belong to the Old World and whom they most resemble, jaguars have an attractive tawny or orange coat with black rosettes. However, jaguar rosettes have a spot in the middle and they are irregularly shaped. Leopard rosettes are complete and the spots are absent.

Though both live in similar habitats and have similar habits, the physical resemblance ends there. A jaguar is stockier and more heavily muscled, with a larger head and wider shoulders. It has the shortest tail among the big cats from 45 to 75 cm in length. From tip to tail, it measures 1.5 m to 2.5 m and weighs between 68 and 136 kilos. The legs are short, but thick and powerful with broad paws.

Lethal bite

Jaguars are most at home in the tropical rainforest, though they are adaptable to grasslands, woodlands and even deserts. Their build and coloration are ideal for stalking prey stealthily on the ground or ambushing them from the top of trees, and for swimming. The jaguar is the only big cat that grasps the prey's head in its powerful jaws and kills with a lethal bite by piercing the prey's skull with its sharp teeth, rather than by breaking its neck. It is very comfortable eating the spectacled caiman (a kind of small alligator) and hard-shelled turtles and tortoises. It also devours capybaras, the world's biggest rodents. It goes fishing too, slapping the water with its tail, and spearing the fish thus lured with its sharp claws!

Solitary and nocturnal

These elusive cats are nocturnal, solitary and extremely territorial, coming together only to mate. A male jaguar’s roar is more like a loud bark that ends in a deep growl. The female makes a coughing sound.

The female raises her one to four cubs alone, and is so protective she will bristle with rage even if the father approaches! The cubs stay with the mother till they are two years old.

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What are ice circles?

A rare natural phenomenon, ice circles are observed mainly in Scandinavia and North America.

Ice circles are thin, perfectly round discs of ice which float on slow flowing water. It is a rare natural phenomenon that is observed mainly in Scandinavia and North America. Ice circles were first mentioned in 1895 in Scientific American, a popular magazine.

Scientists are not yet clear as to how ice circles are formed. It is thought that they are formed on the outer bends in a river. The slow moving river currents create rotating eddies which grind a free piece of ice against the ice that is connected to shore. Due to the water's swirling motion, the chunk of ice becomes perfectly circular in shape.

In May 2009, astronauts aboard the International Space Station noticed the formation of two ice circles in Lake Baikal, Russia.

UFO enthusiasts, however, like to think that like crop circles, they are the creations of visiting aliens!

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What are cloud forests?

Cloud forests are usually found in tropical rainforests of South America, Southeast Asia and Africa.

A cloud forest is constantly enveloped by dense clouds that penetrate right through the ground. This creates some unique conditions- very moist and misty environment, thick vegetation with a lot of moss growth, boggy forest floors, constant sounds of water dripping (from fog that condenses and falls off the leaves) and very low visibility.

Cloud forests are usually found in tropical rainforests of South America, Southeast Asia and Africa. These forests are also referred to as fog forests, or moss forests. Cloud forests attract researchers who like to study the abundant species of water-loving plants, animals and birds that are found there. They are a source of pure fresh water.

A large percentage of the biodiversity contained within these forests is yet to be catalogued. Species thought to be extinct have been discovered in these forests.

Some of the cloud forests have become popular travel destinations. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is referred to as one of the "seven wonders of Costa Rica" and it attracts about 70,000 tourists annually. It is known to contain the largest number of orchids in the world. Cloud forests are now a concern for conservationists and The Cloud Forest Agenda Report of the UNEP and UNESCO seeks to initiate action to preserve cloud forests.

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Have you heard about a tree that looks like a painting?

Have you heard about a tree that looks like a painting? Legend even has it that Robin Hood took shelter in a tree. Here we bring you some of the unique trees in the world.

AFRICAN BAOBAB - AFRICA

These ancient trees have been around even before humans walked the earth. They date back thousands of years and are endemic to the African savannah. These baobabs grow into colossal sizes and are life-sustaining trees. This tree species is referred to as the Tree of Life for the shelter, food and water it provides during inclement weather conditions.

THE MAJOR OAK TREE- THE UK

This is Robin Hood's tree. Remember the legend of Robin Hood and how he took shelter in a tree and hid from the Sheriff of Nottingham? Well, this Oak tree, which is the largest in the U.K., is the infamous tree that provided shelter. The tree is hollow inside and has a hole in its trunk. Nuzzled in the Sherwood Forest Country Park, this 1,000-year-old hollow oak tree gets many visitors. Seen here is the Robin Hood's Larder tree from an 1880 postcard.

LONE CYPRESS TREE - THE U.S.

Lone Cypress is perhaps the most photographed tree in the world. As the name suggests, this tree stands all alone, standing sentinel on the Californian coast. The tree is believed to be over 250 years old and is perched on the rocky ledge along the 17 Mile Drive on Pebble Beach in Monterey County.

RAINBOW EUCALYPTUS

Northern Hemisphere Picture this. A tree cloaked in a rainbow. The tree looks like a painting with a multitude of colours splashed right across it. Christened the rainbow eucalyptus, these rare eucalyptus trees are indigenous to the northern hemisphere. When the bark of the tree peels off during each season, out pops the coloured bark which ages as it with the elements producing the brilliant hues. Commonly called Rainbow Eucalyptus, the species goes by the name Eucalyptus deglupta. The tree is commonly found in Philippines, New Guinea, and Indonesia.

WANAKA TREE - NEW ZEALAND

 Hundreds flock to this place every year to get a picture of the Wanaka Tree that seems to rise out of the placid waters of lake Wanaka, New Zealand. Evenings are the best time to visit the place as it always offers postcard-perfect views. The tree is often called That Wanaka Tree'. This loner of a willow tree set against a panoramic vista of the mountains of the Southern Alps makes for a resplendent sight.

THE BOAB 'PRISON' TREE-AUSTRALIA

This is a huge Boab tree with a large hollow. The tree is believed to be more than a thousand years old and is found in Derby, Kimberley, Western Australia. Known for decades as the Boab Prison Tree, the tree gets its name after the legend that it was used as a lockup for Aboriginal prisoners. But researchers have maintained that there is no evidence for this and have been pushing for appropriately naming the tree.

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What are some of the characteristics of weeds?

Weeds are fast growers, sturdy and hard to get rid of Although some are known to be toxic, they have multiple uses. Let's look at a few of them this week.

Unwanted nuisance

A weed is a plant which is generally considered to be an unwanted nuisance, particularly in farms, gardens, etc. Weeds grow and spread very fast are very hardy and difficult to get rid of, and can survive in the most adverse conditions.

There are many commonly known weeds, such as the dandelion, goldenrod, ragweed, bulrush, arrowhead, milkweed, Indian goose grass, dodder, amaranth, etc. Many of these are well known by other Indian names in history, folklore and literature.

Since weeds are very fast growers and sturdy survivors, they draw nutrition away from crop plants. Further, seeds of weeds have the ability to remain dormant in the soil for very long, growing back with the next crop or the rains. Dodder or 'amarbel' as known in India, for example, is a vicious weed: it spreads relentlessly, showing an uncanny ability to attach itself onto the crop plant towards which it grows. What is more, dodder has an eerie sense of preference for certain plants over others. It prefers tomatoes, for example, over wheat, and propels itself towards such plants.

Apart from interfering with the crop, many weeds are also seen to be harmful or poisonous. The giant milkweed or 'arka' as it is known in India, with faint white or purple flowers, is known to be toxic to the eyes.

'Datura' with the elongated white flowers is known to be toxic, and has been used across cultures as a poison.

'Parthenium' is a plant with thin stems and small white button-like flowers, of the Asteraceae family (like the flower aster). Parthenium is known to be toxic to both humans and animals.

They are useful too!

Many of these weeds have a multitude of uses across various cultures, including India.

A weed can be used as a prickly border to crop fields (the abundant shrub Lantana camara makes excellent fencing material), or as ropes to tie up bundles, make baskets, etc.

Any weed, when cut and left in the field, makes excellent compost or manure. Dandelion with the little yellow flowers, for example, helps crops grow better by breaking up the hard layer of soil known as 'hardpan' that forms in fields after too much cultivation.

Yet other weeds are useful as pest repellants. Ocimumcanum for example, is collected and added to grains during storage to reduce pests. Others such as Calotropis gigantea and Argemone mexicana are used to make antifeedant sprays just like neem leaves.

A number of weeds are also famous as 'holy' plants. The flowers of globe amaranth, the bluebell, or thumba with the little white flowers and others are offered to Gods. 'Arka' is used to make garlands for Lord Ganesha.

Many weeds also make excellent livestock feed. In Ayurveda, weeds are often used as medicine and food supplements. In olden times, the poor who could not afford nutritious food or milk would soak grass or 'durva' overnight in water, and give the water to their children the next day as a nutrition supplement. Cats and dogs are often seen munching on blades of grass on lawns when they have an upset stomach. Ganaki sopu of the tomato family is fodder to the cow and medicine for the humans.

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How do migratory birds find direction?

Humans became aware of bird migration - the journey of birds between their breeding and wintering grounds - long ago. However, there's still so much we do not know about this riveting phenomenon. But thanks to science, technology, and research, we also constantly gain newer insights. Here's a look at a recent discovery.

Just like us humans who have an internal system that guides our body on when to sleep, wake up. etc., birds too have a system in place that lets them know when it is time to migrate. Apparently, they also "inherit' from their parents the direction in which they   must fly to reach their destination. Apart from this, they have "at least three different compasses at their disposal: one allows them to extract information from the position of the sun in the sky, another uses the patterns of the stars at night, and the third is based on Earth's ever present magnetic field". And it is this last aspect that the recent discovery throws fresh light on.

While research revealed decades ago that birds possessed magnetoreception - the ability to detect the Earth's magnetic field - it was not clear so far how exactly it worked. This mystery was solved when scientists recently discovered that the levels of a certain protein - named Cry4 - present in the eyes of migratory birds spike up suddenly during the migratory season. When this protein comes in contact with blue light (which is scattered in Earth's atmosphere), it leads to a chemical reaction that helps the birds sense the Earth's magnetic field.

Did you know?

During the first migration, the route gets registered in the birds' brain - apparently, this helps them navigate their subsequent journeys "with an ultimate precision of centimeters over thousands of kilometers". It means they gain an additional resource they can dip into - a mental map, as it were. But, since this absent during the first trip, even a small mistake such as veering off course could be fatal for the young birds.

The levels of a certain protein- named Cry4-present in the eyes of birds spike up suddenly during the migratory season. When this protein comes in contact with blue light (which is scattered in Earth's atmosphere), it leads to a chemical reaction that helps the birds sense the Earth's magnetic field.

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What are the most wonderful waterfalls in the world ?

Waterfalls are nature's magnificent creations. Nothing warms the cockles of your heart as watching the waters surging and leaping across mountains. From the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall to the chocolate-coloured waterfall, we bring you the most dazzling sights from across the world.

GRAND FALLS- ARIZONA

Grand falls is a waterfall right in the midst of a desert. The Grand Falls in Arizona are taller than the Niagra Falls. The water falling in many tiers across the cliff is a delight to watch. Its muddy cascade has earned it the name Chocolate Falls.

NIAGARA FALLS- USA/CANADA

Surging forth with a thunderous force, these falls make for a resplendent sight. The name means 'thunder of waters', denoting the loud, roaring sound the waters make as they dive A part of the falls is located in Canada, while another is located in the United States. The former is called the 'Horseshoe Falls' courtesy of its curved shape and the latter 'American Falls'.

ANGEL FALLS- VENEZUELA

Dropping from a height of 3,212 feet, the Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest waterfall in the world. Pouring out from a flat-topped plateau Auyantepui, the falls are located in Canaima National Park. The falls are about 16 times the height of Niagara Falls. Set against the dense jungle and the green surrounds, the waterfalls are one of the major attractions in Venezuela. Angel Falls is named after Jimmy Angel, an American bush pilot, who crash-landed his four-seater airplane at the Auyantepui.

NOHKALIKAI FALLS, MEGHALAYA, INDIA

Plummeting from a height of 340 m. the Nohkalikai Falls is India's tallest plunge waterfall. Located at Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, India, the waterfall is all about drama and grandeur. There is also a tragic legend that backs the name of the falls. The waterfalls are apparently named after Likai, a Khasi woman. When translated from the local Khasi language. Nohkalikai means Jump of Ka Likai'.

VICTORIA FALLS - ZIMBABWE

This curtain of waterfalls dropping from a height of 108m into the gorge below makes one of Earth's greatest spectacles. Explorer David Livingstone named the falls after the reigning British monarch Victoria. The local name of the waterfall is 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' meaning 'smoke that thunders. It is called so because the sound of the falls can be heard from a long distance.

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What plants purify the air we breathe in at our homes?

With concerns about air pollution on the rise, what can we do to purify the air we breathe in at our homes? Let's learn about some indoor plants that can clean up the air considerably.

Air pollution is not merely an outdoor menace. The air we breathe in at home also contains high levels of pollutants. Besides biological pollutants like dust, fungi and allergens, solvents and chemicals in perfumes, hair sprays, air fresheners and furniture polish are also potential hazards. They release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxides in the air lead to allergies, headache, dizziness and other health disorders. Here are some indoor plants that can clean up the air considerably.

Aloe vera

It is a succulent and perennial plant which belongs to the lily family though it looks like a cactus, with its thick fleshy leaves and thorns.

This common plant which people often hang outside their doors to ward off evil has the ability to filter benzene and formaldehyde. It requires ample sunlight but it is easy to grow and there are hundreds of varieties to choose from. Besides cleaning up the air, it has immense medicinal properties. The aloevera gel helps treat sunburn and tanning, and is good for treating pimples, too. It heals burns and several skin diseases like psoriasis, scabies, rashes and itches. Extracts from the juice are mixed with other herbs to make a drink that helps deal with gas and other stomach ailments.

Snake plant

It is so called because certain varieties have geometrically patterned scales like snakes. This indoor plant has sharp and pointed tongue-like leaves and so it is also called Mother-in-law's tongue! It removes toxins like formaldehyde, benzene and nitrogen dioxide from the air. An ideal bedroom plant, it requires little sunlight and water and is easy to maintain. There are more than 50 species of this evergreen plant.

Bamboo palm

This slow-growing plant which originated in Central and South America helps to eliminate carbon monoxide, xylene, benzene and formaldehyde.

It needs to be kept in a shaded area which gets indirect or filtered sunlight. It does not need much water. It is enough if the soil is kept moist. It produces small yellow flowers which have a nice aroma. It is not only beneficial but can also serve as an ornate plant with its attractive upright stalks and elegant fronds.

Money plant

This long-wandering plant is an effective air purifier, removing VOCS. Native to Asia and Australia, it is so called as it symbolises wealth and prosperity in the Chinese system of Feng Shui. This creeper grows well indoors, is durable and adapts to any condition.

Rubber plant, Peace Lily and Dracena are also suitable to fight pollution.

Spider plant

It cleans up the air of benzene, carbon monoxide and xylene. This tough plant has arching grass-like leaves. It has tiny white flowers and it is so called because baby plantlets dangle from the mother plant resembling spiders on the web.

It is a no-fuss plant and adapts to any environment.

Chrysanthemum

This seasonal plant has countless varieties. It brightens up the place with its colourful flowers. Chrysanthemums remove benzene and contain a natural insecticide called pyrethrum. The flower heads are harvested and ground into a powder for use as insecticide.

Ecological balance

Different plants thrive in different seasons. For instance, while one species flowers in May, another could come into bloom as late as September. Scientists say that this time lag is crucial. This is because a huge variety of plant species are all competing for the same resources like air, sunlight and soil. The fact that plants bloom at different times ensures that each plant gets adequate resources to grow well.

However, ecologists point out that pollution is changing world climate and could disrupt this fine ecological balance in the future. For instance, increased levels of carbon dioxide could stimulate grasses and wildflowers to flower at the same time although currently they flower at different times. Tests indicate that in the presence of higher levels of carbon dioxide, grasses flower later while wildflowers flower earlier, resulting in an overlap!

This means animals that munch on grass may have to wait longer for grazing while this sudden profusion of flowering plants could well deplete natural resources, perhaps even leading to the extinction of certain plant species that aren't tough enough to survive.

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What are natural dyes?

As the name indicates, natural dyes are those obtained from naturally available sources. Though plants are among the most common sources of natural dyes, insects, fungi and minerals contribute too. As for plant sources, the options are plenty from leaves, seeds, and bark to flowers fruits, vegetables, and roots. And if you think the number of colours could be limited since they are of natural origin, here's a little surprise for you- the variety is almost endless. Different shades of red, green, blue, purple, and brown can all be obtained naturally!

A few common sources

Cochineal and lac insects are a source for shades of red. While the former is used largely in textile, the latter is used in ornaments and for wood finish. Shellfish plays an important role as a natural source for shades of purple. The use of all three goes back at least a few centuries.

One of the oldest and most widely used, indigo comes from a variety of flowering plants of the genus indigofera, and it's believed to have been in use since prehistoric times. Pomegranate rind, turmeric, onion skin, tamarind seed, myrobalan fruit, marigold, bluebellvine flower, annatto seed, teak leaf, and madder root are some of the sources of natural dyes. These dyes have a wide variety of application.

Where are natural dyes used?

Many Indian textile traditions originally used only natural colours-while some may embrace synthetic colours now, some continue the tradition. Such traditions include ajrakh and kalamkari. In addition, several everyday products, including soaps, bags, and baskets, lend themselves to natural dyes.

Since synthetic colours have been proven to cause skin and health concerns, natural dyes offer a much safer alternative for use in food, cosmetics, and medicine.

Just like textile traditions, several of our toy and art traditions have used natural dyes. These include Etikoppaka and Channapatna (toys), and Patachitra, Gond, Patua, and Warli (painting traditions). Many floor and wall art traditions across our country, practised and popularised exclusively by women, have traditionally used natural sources of colours such as rice flour, clay, red soil, cow dung, etc. These traditions include kolam, mandana, and aripana.

Why natural dyes?

Kinder to Earth: Since they are natural, the dyes are biodegradable, and disposing them of may not cause pollution. In the case of a plant source other parts of that plant may have their uses too, leading to waste reduction. Many of the sources are said to use less water when compared to synthetic dyes.

Gentle on humans: Many synthetic colours are said to contain chemicals that can harm our skin (through textiles, cosmetics, or toys) or internal organs (when consumed as food), both during the production stage and when used. Such chemicals are almost absent in natural dyes.

Tradition meets innovation: The traditional process of preparing, testing, and using natural dyes is labour-intensive, and the people involved are artisans in their own right. Add to this contemporary experiments, and what we have is a unique result that beautifully straddles the old and the new.

Did you know

  • Synthetic dyes have their origins invariably in non-renewable petrochemical compounds, and are available in many forms such as liquid powder, pastes, or granule. So, they cost less and are more widely used than natural dyes. But they are not environment-friendly in the long run. Their effluents may cause harm to marine creatures
  • Synthetic or artificial dyes were invented less than 200 years ago, becoming particularly popular around the time of the Industrial Revolution. And for thousands of years before that, our ancestors had used colours obtained only from natural and local sources.
  • Our country has evidence of madder-dyed textiles found at Mohenjo-daro nearly 5,000 years ago, a clear indication of our ancient knowledge of dyeing fabric.

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WHICH IS THE LARGEST NATURAL FLOWER GARDEN IN THE WORLD?

The Dubai Miracle Garden, occupying over 780,000 sq feet, is the world's largest natural flower garden with over 150 million flowers and plants. The flowers are maintained with treated wastewater through a drip irrigation method, with an average of 757,082 litres of water used per day. The Dubai municipality re treats the grey water of the city and sends it directly to the Garden, where it is re-filtered and converted into high-quality water for watering. The Garden holds three Guinness World Records - world's largest vertical garden, world's biggest flower structure (Airbus A380 flower structure) and world's tallest topiary-supported sculpture (59 foot Mickey Mouse topiary). Other floral works of art include the Floating Lady, Floral Clock, Sunflower Field, Smurfs Village, Floral Castle, among others. It is also home to the Dubai Butterfly Garden, the world's largest and the region's first indoor butterfly garden and sanctuary for over 15,000 butterflies from 26 species.

The concept of the first miracle garden project was formed under an agreement between Dubailand and the Dubai Properties Group destination. The project development was done under an agreement with Akar Landscaping and Agriculture Company,led by Jordanian businessman Abdel Naser Rahhal. The cost of the project was estimated at AED 40 million (US$11 million).

The Dubai Miracle garden has achieved three Guinness World Records. In 2013, it was declared as the world's largest vertical garden. Currently an Airbus A380 flower structure in the garden is listed by Guinness World Records as the biggest flower structure in the world. The 18 metres (59 ft) topiary of Mickey Mouse, which weighs almost 35 tonnes, is the tallest topiary supported sculpture in the world.

Credit : Wikipedia 

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HOW TO CREATE A SMALL BUTTERFLY PARK AT HOME?

Creating a little butterfly patch in the garden at home will help you understand butterflies better and their importance to the ecosystem

Do you love butterflies? Have you ever observed them closely? Flitting from one flower to another, these fascinating creatures add beauty, colour and drama to the natural world. But they also serve an important purpose. Extremely sensitive to changes in the environment, butterflies act as indicators of a healthy ecosystem. If you watch them keenly, they can tell you a lot about the biodiversity in your region.

The world is home to over 20,000 different species of butterflies and India has over 1,500. But many of these are under threat of extinction due to habitat loss, environmental pollution and climate change. Some of these pretty creatures have disappeared from our cities altogether. The IUCN has classified 43 butterfly species in India as endangered.

By planting and protecting indigenous native plants and trees, we can bring back the butterflies, experts say.

If you have a wild patch in your garden or backyard. this could be the ideal place for a butterfly park. All you need to do is, ensure the area has a water body, a sunlit area, a shady area and host and nectar plants. Host plants

These act as lifelines for the butterflies. They lay eggs on the host plant and the caterpillars feed on the leaves. These plants provide nutrition to the hungry caterpillars. Without host plants, butterflies would not visit your garden. One of the common and easy-to-find host plants is the curry leaf. which attracts the beautiful common mormon butterfly.

If you can plant lemon or any plant belonging to the citrus variety, you can attract a number of butterflies in the  swallowtail family.

 Nectar plants

If host plants nourish caterpillars, nectar plants provide food for adult butterflies. Butterflies have a sharp sense of smell and they can spot colours from afar, so they are attracted to fragrant and colourful flowers, which are also a good source of nectar for them. From marigolds to ixora, most flowering plants can attract butterflies. If you don't plan to buy them from a nursery. even a common red hibiscus will do: as it attracts the brightly-coloured danaid egafly butterfly. Even the common milkweed and lantana are excellent sources of nectar for butterflies.

Puddling

If your garden does not include a natural waterbody. you could create a muddy. wet patch by watering an area frequently. Or, you could place a plastic sheet under this muddy spot to manage moisture level.Spread sand along the sides of the muddy place along with leaf litter from time to time. Butterflies, especially males, visit such damp areas to get their daily dose of water, minerals and essential chemicals. This is known as 'mud-puddling.’

Avoid pesticides

 Do not spray pesticide in your garden. This will keep away all the butterflies.

Allow weeds

Do not pluck out grass and small herbs and weeds in your garden as these attract a large number of small butterflies. Maintain a wild patch as it is. You could also reach out to the nearest Butterfly Park in your city to learn more about the native plants in your region and the butterflies they can attract.

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How many watts is a lightning strike?

Lightning is a natural electrical discharge created by imbalances between a cumulonimbus cloud and the ground or within itself. Lightning is pure electricity involving small particles with positive and negative charges that pull toward each other like the north and south ends of magnets. Lightnings are scary and of course dangerous, but it is a subject of fascination for scientists. During thunderstorms, scientists  witness a lot of lightning.  On an average, scientists have mapped, there are about 100 lightnings per second worldwide.That's a whopping number. Imagine the amount of energy that's shooting up from the clouds. Each bolt can contain up to one billion volts of electricity. This means a single lightning flash has enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for three months!  So, How many homes could a lightning bolt power? Every lightning bolt on Earth in one year, captured perfectly with no loss of energy, would contain about 4*10^17 joules of energy. Thus, all the lightning in the entire world could only power 8% of US households. Human body can tolerate a maximum of between 20,000 and 50,000 volts, which might prove to be lethal. In most cases, a person's heart will stop after being struck by lightning, so the key to survival is having someone nearby who can administer CPR. Even if you survive, a lightning strike will have long-lasting effects on your body, including memory issues, muscle soreness and changes in mood.

People often confuse lightning with thunder. To put it simply, lightning is electricity; thunder is sound. In other words, lightning is the sudden flash of light spotted in the sky, while thunder is the roaring, cracking sound that is commonly heard during thunderstorms. And because light travels faster than sound, lightning is seen before thunder can be heard.

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When do glow worms glow?



The glow worm is not really a worm at all. It is a firefly in an early stage of development called the larval stage. Most adult fireflies never eat because they did all their eating when they were larvae. They hide during the daytime among the vegetation. After dark, the female climbs up plant stems and the top of her abdomen glows. The light from a larva’s glowing body attracts tiny flies and mosquitoes for the larva to eat.



The Waitomo Caves in New Zealand house a memorable type of glow worm. Tourists entering the Glowworm Grotto in small boats see thousands of lights on the cave ceiling. The glow worms look like stars in a night sky. If you cough or use a camera flash, the lights instantly go off. But wait quietly for a few minutes and they flicker back on, until the cave-ceiling ‘sky’ is again filled with ‘stars’.










Fact File:



Woodworm, the larvae of the furniture beetle, cause lots of damage to timber both in buildings and in the wild. The damage is evident from the holes they leave behind.




 



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When do bees make honey?



Bees constantly make honey because it serves them as food. So the whole process of making honey is a way of storing up food for the bee colony. The first thing a bee does is visit flowers and drinks the nectar. Then it carries the nectar home in the honey sac. This is a bag like enlargement of the digestive tract just in front of the bee’s stomach. There is a valve that separates this section from the stomach.



The first step in the making of the honey takes place while the nectar is in the bee’s honey sac. The sugars found in the nectar undergo a chemical change. The next step is to remove a large part of the water from the nectar. This is done by evaporation, which takes place because of the heat of the hive, and by ventilation. Honey stored in the honeycombs by honeybees has so much water removed from the original nectar that it will keep almost forever! The honey is put into honeycombs to ripen, and to serve as the future food supply for the colony. Honeys differ in taste and appearance, depending on the source of the nectar.










Fact File:



Honey is removed from the hive by various methods. It may be squeezed from the comb by presses, or it may be sold in the combs cut from the hive. Most honey, however, is removed from the combs by a machine known as ‘a honey extractor’.




 



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When do dragonflies eat?



Dragonflies are impressive insects with two pairs of powerful clear wings which enable them to catch insects on the wing. They have large eyes for spotting their prey. Dragonfly nymphs live in water and so the adults are usually seen near ponds, rivers and lakes. Some species have a feeding territory which they guard from other dragonflies – their clattering wings can sometimes be heard as they battle. When they mate, most species fly around in tandem before they lay their eggs in the water or among the waterside vegetation. Dragonfly nymphs are active carnivores. They feed on other insects, but can catch tadpoles or even small fish. On the underside of the head is a flap called the mask. This is armed with sharp jaws and fangs. At rest it is folded, but it can shoot out to catch its prey.










Fact File:



A dragonfly’s eyes are large and five it almost all-around vision. They are sensitive to the slightest movement around them. If you look closely you will be able to see the individual facets of the eye. Each one contains its own lens; together they help form the image seen.




 



Picture Credit : Google