Ever
wondered why dolphins jump out of the water, why cats knead or why bats
sleep upside down? Well look no further as we have tackled some of the
most common and slightly obscure questions about your favourite animal
species to give you the answers you have been looking for!
Why do giraffes have black tongues?
A
giraffes tongue (which is up to 21 inches in length) is thought to be
black in colour to protect it from sunburn. Giraffes spend a large part
of their day feeding in the hot African sun and it is thought that
without the dark colouration, their tongues would be easily burnt!
Why do fish have scales?
The
scales of fish are bony in structure and overlap one another to cover
the whole body. These scales provide much needed protection for their
soft bodies whilst also allowing them to move freely through the water!
Amazingly, the rings on the scales of fish also actually indicate their
age!
Why do monkeys groom each other?
At first glance
you would easily think that monkeys groom one another in order to remove
dirt and parasites from their skin and fur, however, despite this being
an important part of grooming, it actually strengthens the relationship
between individuals as it allows them to bond closely with one another.
Why do ants live in colonies?
Unlike
some animal species who live only for themselves, ants live together in
large groups where each member has a very specific job that contributes
to the success of the group as a whole. Depending on the species, ant
colonies can contain millions of ants all with their own role that helps
to strengthen and ensure the stability of the group.
Why do cats knead?
When
cats are young kittens, kneading is an important part of stimulating
the milk flow from their mother. As they grow older, cats knead when
they are happy and content as it is thought to be very comforting for
them. It is also thought that it could be important in marking territory
as they have scent glands on their paws.
Why do hippos have pink sweat?
Although
hippos don't actually have sweat glands, they are known to secrete a
red-coloured substance from special glands in their skin. Unlike other
mammals who sweat primarily to cool the skin down, the fluid secreted on
the skin of hippos acts more as a moisturiser as well as protecting
them from prolonged exposure to water and being an antibiotic to protect
them from infection.
Why do raccoons wash their food?
Raccoons
don't actually wash their food as a matter of hygiene but instead
repeatedly roll and dip items into water (when close to it) before
consuming it. This is thought to be because their hands are so
sensitive, their sense is greatly heightened when stimulated by water
therefore allowing them to take in more information about what they are
about to eat.
Why do snakes have forked tongues?
Reptiles
smell using their tongues, and snakes are no different. When they flick
their tongue out, the two prongs spread as far as they can collecting
chemicals and pheromones from the surrounding air. These are then
processed after the tongue flicks back into their mouths allowing them
to sense what is going on around them.
Why do dolphins jump?
Well
it seems for multiple reasons including: Jumping through the air
consumes less energy than swimming; It provides entertainment and
ensures that their senses remain sharp; Any parasites that have been
collected on their bodies in the water are dispersed, and, it allows
them to communicate with members of their own pod and those from others.
Why do bats sleep upside down?
Besides
the fact that they are very well protected from predators when hanging
aloft, bats are actually unable to take off in flight from a still
up-right position as their wings simply cannot generate sufficient lift.
Therefore by hanging upside down they are in the optimum position to
take off in flight.
