Tag: animals

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Animals Nature Travel

These owls in a Tokyo cafe are named after musicians and bands

James Mollison of TOPIC ventured into one of Tokyo’s animal cafes where you can sip your coffee with your animal of choice (cats, dogs, and rabbits). But this coffee shop was a little different.

Tokyo’s Pakuchi Bar is apparently one of eight owl cafes in the big city. The owner, Tomo Nanaka, owns 30 of them which she allows in public on the weekends and on special holidays. Even more, she’s named them after musicians and bands.

Below are some of my favorite. From left to right: Kurt Cobain, The Chemical Brothers, Beck, and The Cure.

These owls in a Tokyo cafe are named after musicians and bands
Kurt Cobain, a northern white-faced owl
These owls in a Tokyo cafe are named after musicians and bands
The Chemical Brothers, a black-banded owl
These owls in a Tokyo cafe are named after musicians and bands
Beck, a snowy owl
These owls in a Tokyo cafe are named after musicians and bands
Cure, a western screech owl

There’s a video too.

(All images via James Mollison)

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Animals Nature

Valais Blacknose sheep from Switzerland

Strange-looking but cute — if you can even see their faces — the Valais Blacknose sheep is a type of mountain-breed sheep from the Valais region of Switzerland.

These fancy-looking lambs are called ‘luxury sheep.’

Although they’re used for their wool and meat in Switzerland, the sheep are growing in demand in the UK as pets with a value of up to £10,000 each for newborns.

Valais Blacknose sheep from Switzerland
Valais Blacknose sheep from Switzerland
Valais Blacknose sheep from Switzerland
Categories
Animals Nature

Meet the Dracula Parrot, the most metal birds on the planet

Dracula Parrot
via Twitter

Thinking of parrots usually conjures up images of the brightly colored blue, red, and green creatures.

But with the shape of a parrot and the dark beak of a vulture, Pesquet’s parrot, commonly known as the Dracula parrot, is one of the more unique-looking parrot species.

The vampiric looking bird from the mountains of New Guinea looks bloodthirsty but snacks on a diet of figs. It’s unusual goth-like appearance, a mishmash of black and red plumes, is also quite beautiful. Male Dracula parrots have an extra red dot behind the ears.

Unfortunately, the Dracula Parrot’s mesmerizing feathers make it attractive to poachers. The bird has been listed on the endangered species list by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

Meet the Dracula Parrot
via tw
Meet the Dracula Parrot
via tw
Categories
Animals Nature

Cute or Ugly? Meet the Vietnamese Mossy Tree Frog

Vietnamese Mossy Tree Frog

The Vietnamese Mossy Tree Frog is a species of frog that can be found in northern Vietnam, China, and Laos.

The tree frog looks like a crocodile smushed into a tiny 3” body. In addition to its “mossy” looking texture helps it blend in with its environment, the frog is known to curl up and play dead when frightened.

These frogs also have an adhesive disk at the end of each of toe which makes them crafty tree climbers.

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Animals Nature

Subway mice wins People’s Choice Wildlife Photographer of the Year award

Fighting mice in London tube

Photographer Sam Rowley’s image of two mice fighting over leftover food in the London Underground won People’s Choice Wildlife Photographer of the Year. The snap was selected by the public from more than 48,000 submissions to London’s Natural History Museum.

Entitled “Station Squabble,” the photo depicts how some wildlife have adapted to survive in urban environments.

Subway mice wins People's Choice Wildlife Photographer of the Year award

“I’m so pleased to win this award. It’s been a lifetime dream to succeed in this competition in this way, with such a relatable photo taken in such an everyday environment in my hometown,” says the 25-year-old photographer.

“I hope it shows people the unexpected drama found in the most familiar of urban environments.”

Rowley spent an entire week in the London Underground following the critters around and waiting for the perfect shot. Thankfully, he was rewarded for his patience.

Take a look at some of the other finalists.

Categories
Animals Nature Science

It’s ‘Raining’ Iguanas in South Florida

It’s ‘Raining’ Iguanas in South Florida
via tw

Iguanas in South Florida are falling out of trees due to freezing temperatures.

Weather in South Florida dropped into the 30s on Tuesday night, which immobilized the iguanas and turned their bodies dormant.

“Don’t be surprised if you see iguanas falling from the trees tonight,” the Miami National Weather Service office tweeted.

The good news is that the iguanas woke up when the heat turned back up on Wednesday morning, like this one. While Miami suffered its coldest temperatures in 9 years, it’s expected to be back to 80 on Friday.

It’s ‘Raining’ Iguanas in South Florida
via Twitter