Free Republic

The diabolical ironclad beetle, in addition to having one of the coolest names in the animal kingdom, boasts one of the toughest natural exoskeletons. A team of scientists has finally figured out the secret behind this extra durable armor and how these insects can survive getting run over by a car. ...the diabolical ironclad beetle (Phloeodes diabolicus) More practically, this shell protects their internal organs when, say, they’re getting pecked at by birds. If we were to compare this to humans (not a great example, given the vastly different scales involved, but fun nonetheless), that would require a 200-pound person...

The diabolical ironclad beetle (Phloeodes diabolicus) of North America doesn't have the visual pizzazz of some of its more shiny beetle cousins, looking more like a small piece of gnarly bark or stone. But what it lacks in dazzle, it makes up for in durability: its exoskeleton is one of the toughest materials in the natural world. Now scientists might have finally figured out its secrets - and are starting to apply them to new materials. Not only is it incredibly difficult for predators to attack, the diabolical ironclad beetle has been known to survive not just human stompings, but...

Mom is elderly and has no desire for a replacement pet, but grief is grief. No matter if the deceased family member is human or canine, she's still grieving. Any suggestions for her?

Australian researchers recently found that over 90 species of endangered fish are caught legally by industrial fisheries globally. In the wake of the study, scientists have again suggested eating more jellyfish as a sustainable option. Why? Marine biologist Lisa-ann Gershwin says there are a few reasons. VIDEO AT LINK.......................

More adventures of Soni the Munchkin kitten (as he grows up) and adoptive "mom" Yuni. Video, 4 minutes & 10 seconds

Archeologists have found a 2,000-year-old feline figure carved into a hillside in southern Peru, the country's Ministry of Culture announced last week. The geoglyph of the cat measures 121 feet long and is part of the U.N. World Heritage site Nazca Lines, located almost 250 miles from Lima. The discovery was made during remodeling work being done in the popular tourist spot.

The image, stretching for 40 yards on a hillside in Peru, shows a creature with pointy ears, orb-like eyes and a long striped tail. It appears to be a cat lounging, as cats often do. Archaeologists stumbled across the faded etching while remodeling a section of a UNESCO heritage site known as the Nazca Lines, Peru’s Ministry of Culture announced last week.

No cats tonight, but a hilarious bird not letting its owner use Facebook. Video, 4 minutes & 6 seconds

To photograph one of rarest creatures on Earth you have to be incredibly skilled and remarkably lucky. But Sergey Gorshkov is clearly both - as demonstrated by his stunning picture of a Siberian, or Amur, tiger deep in the forests of Russia's Far East. The image has just won him the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year. The female tiger is seen embracing a tree, rubbing herself against the bark to leave her scent and mark territory in Land of the Leopard National Park. "The lighting, the colours, the texture - it's like an oil painting," says WPY chair...

Witnesses captured a man on video throwing eels into Prospect Park Lake in Brooklyn. The man got away, but wildlife experts are hoping many take away an important message from the illegal activity. “Yo, you’re not supposed to be dumping eels here, dude,” Dominick Pabon said as he approached the man on Sunday night. He said alerted the man that his actions were against the law. “That’s not legal,” Pabon says on a video he shot on his cellphone. “I save life,” the man responds. “No, you’re not. You’re killing other life in here,” Pabon responds. Pabon fishes often, as...

Two pugs have proved that they can round up cattle and goats just as well as their border collie cousins. Pooches Paisley, three, and Tuff, one, work as herding dogs at the Silvies Valley Ranch in Seneca, Oregon. Astonishing footage recorded on October 8 showing the two pugs running after cows at the ranch has received nearly one million views.

Sarah was in the fertilized egg business. She had several hundred young pullets and ten roosters to fertilize the eggs. She kept records and any rooster not performing went into the soup pot and was replaced. This took a lot of time, so she bought some tiny bells and attached them to her roosters. Each bell had a different tone, so she could tell from a distance which rooster was performing. Now, she could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report by just listening to the bells. Sarah's favorite rooster, old Butch, was a very fine specimen...

More fun with Noel and his Korean Scottish Fold family of cats. Video, 4 minutes & 36 seconds

Like you need another reason to play with your pet…but here is a fun challenge that is taking social media by storm. It is surpassing the “what the fluff” challenge. The “snoot challenge” is simple but so much fun. Videos of pet owners worldwide are popping up with adorable pets putting their noses through the shapes their owners make with their hands. A little trick is to teach your pet the “touch” command or bribe them with a treat.

Cute video at link. What a smart dog!

More cuteness with Soni, the Munchkin kitten. Video, 4 minutes & 58 seconds

Legendary Punk Rocker John Lydon, who goes by “Johnny Rotten” and fronts the iconic band “The Sex Pistols” has made it clear he’s voting for Trump. Rotten told BBC’s NewsDay he is “definitely” voting for Trump last month. Lydon is born in London but because a U.S. Citizen in 2013. Explaining his reason, the lead singer said “He’s an individual thinker, I’ll give him that for a start. He’s not the most lovable fellow on God’s earth, but I cannot see the opposition as offering me anything by way of a solution.” “Yes, of course I’m voting for Trump,” Lydon...

Soni, the Munchkin kitten, taking on adoptive mama cat Yuni. Video, 3 minutes & 44 seconds

SALT LAKE CITY, UT—Antifa communists are celebrating a major win after one of their distinguished members, Buzzy the Fly, landed on Mike Pence's head and distracted debate viewers for a few minutes. Investigators determined that Buzzy is the latest member of Salt Lake City Antifa. "Buzzy is one of our most dedicated anti-fascist resistance fighters," said Vandex Craxavague, chairperson of the local Antifa chapter. "Not only is ze our smartest and best-looking member, but ze dedicated the majority of zir 28-day lifespan to infiltrating the debate hall and planning zir attack."

If you're young and hungry, the place to go is New York City - even if you weigh 25 tons and have a blowhole. Whale watch captains and scientists around America's most populous city say recent years have seen a tremendous surge in the number of whales observed in the waters around the Big Apple. Many of the whales are juvenile humpbacks, and scientists say they're drawn to New York by an abundance of the small fish they love to eat. There are numerous theories about why whales are suddenly flocking to the city, but one of the most widely...