Nature
What is the largest animal in the world?
Sunday, June 29th, 2008The largest animal in the world is the Blue Whale. These mammals measure in at around 110 feet in length and estimates of weight have been made at around a staggering 200 tons. Compare this to the largest dinosaur which is estimated to have weighed about 100 tons and we have the distinct pleasure of […]
What is the largest hummingbird in the world?
Friday, June 27th, 2008 The largest hummingbird in the world is the South American Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas). As mentioned in What is the smallest bird in the world, the Bee Hummingbird, at .06 ounces, is dwarfed by the Giant Hummingbird which weighs in at an astounding 20 ounces.
Giant Hummingbirds have relatively dull plumage compared to many other varieties […]
What do hummingbirds eat?
Monday, June 23rd, 2008Our previous post - What is the smallest bird in the world - prompted this question. Most people think that hummingbirds eat nectar from sweet flowers. They’re right. But they do not gain nutrition from the nectar. If all a humming bird ate was nectar, it would starve and die!
Nectar - or the sugary water […]
What is the smallest bird in the world?
Sunday, June 15th, 2008 The smallest bird in the world is a hummingbird. In particular, the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), which weighs in at about .06 ounces (1.8 grams). That’s less than a US penny! The Bee Hummingbird is only found in Cuba and the Isle of Pines off New Caledonia in the Coral Sea.
The Bee Hummingbird consumes nectar […]
Do Dolphins and Whales Sleep?
Sunday, April 20th, 2008Yep! Dolphins and whales are mammals and all mammals sleep. Aside from living in water, one of the things that distinguishes us from our aquatic cousins is how we breathe. Humans don’t have to think about breathing. You can, if you choose, hold your breath or elect to inhale or exhale. But if you stop […]
Do Fish Sleep?
Saturday, April 19th, 2008Yes they do… sort of! How, when and where depend on the fish and what you define as sleep. First, fish lack eyelids so they don’t shut their eyes and doze off like we do. Second, what humans define as sleep involves a significant change in brain wave activity which doesn’t seem to occur in […]
What is the Biggest Insect?
Thursday, April 17th, 2008This question was submitted by Kathleen of Virginia. Thanks, Kathleen!
Much like the tallest building, determining the biggest insect question is challenging in that it really all depends on how you define biggest. Do you want to know what the longest insect is, what the heaviest insect is or what the bulkiest insect is? Biggest bug, […]
What is the Fastest Fish in the World?
Monday, April 14th, 2008
Most folks place the Indo-Pacific Sailfish at the top of the swift-swimmers list but with the caveat that 2/3rds of our planet is water and we’ve hardly explored any of it. Who knows what zippy-critter might lurk in the depths? Also keep in mind that it’s pretty tough to speed-rate a fish. But, of […]
What is the Fastest LAND Animal in the World?
Saturday, April 12th, 2008Here’s where you get your Cheetah. This graceful cat is perfectly designed to do two things exceptionally well; sneak and run. It has been clocked at speeds upwards of 70-75 mph! More remarkably, this animal can hit 0-68 in around 3 seconds, leaving a sports car in its dust. It has an aerodynamically small head […]
What is the Fastest Animal in the World?
Friday, April 11th, 2008Ask this question of most folks and they immediately think of the cheetah. Not even close. The fastest animal is actually a bird, the Peregrine Falcon! While its cruising speed of 40-70 mph is impressive enough, the raptor’s diving (stooping) speed reaches a staggering 99 to 273 mph!
Modern city residents may be even more familiar […]