Why do cats eyes shines at night?

Cat's Eyes

Most of us have seen a cat’s eyes glowing beside the road at night.  The glow is simply a reflection of a car’s headlight.  The back of a cat’s eye is lined with a special mirror-like material called “tapetum.”  

This shiny layer helps the cat to see in dim light by catching even the faintest gleam of light and concentrating it on the retina.  It also reflects the light of a car’s headlights and causes the cat’s eyes to glow brightly.  

The cat’s special kind of eyesight allows it to do most of its hunting at night.  A cat cannot see in complete darkness any more than we are.  – Dick Rogers

Why do snakes stick out their tongues?

The old belief that a snake stings with its tongue isn’t true.  The flickering tongue is actually a delicate sense organ that helps the snake to smell.  A snake’s tongue is long and forked at the end.  It darts through a small hole in the front of the snake’s mouth.  

As the snake moves along the ground, its flickering tongue senses odors in the air.  The tongue relays the information to special organs in the mouth which are linked to the snake’s sense of smell.  By picking up the odors, the tongue helps the snake to locate food and sense the presence of enemies. – Dick Rogers

What Is A Killer Whale?

Killer whale is the name of a large porpoise.  It gets its name from the popular belief that it is a blood-thirsty killer.  It has a glossy black back and a white underside.  These creatures often measure 30 feet in length and can weigh 10 tons.

Killer Whale

Killer whales get their name from the widely held belief that they will attack any creature in the sea – and, like man, are some of the few animals that kill for sport.  Though they have the reputation as killers, killer whales have not been known to attack swimming men or boats.  

Killer whales often hunt in packs, and will attack other whales many times their own size.  Their mouths and throats are big enough to swallow seals, penguins, and young walruses whole.  Only the tusked adult walrus holds the killer at bay.

When killer whales see a seal on a floating chunk of ice, they rush up under the ice and crash into it, knocking the victim into the water.  Killer whales also feed on fish and even sea birds.  Killer whales are found in all the oceans of the world, but prefer to live in the cold arctic and Antarctic waters.-Dick Rogers

How do gecko lizards walk on ceilings?

Gecko Lizard

Gecko has the ability to walk on walls and ceilings due to special adhesive pads on their feet.  These small lizards live in warm climates.  They have wide-spreading toes.  Each toe ends in a pad and hidden claw.  

These toe pads, made up of thousands of tiny suction cups, enable the gecko to cling to any smooth surface—even glass.  The claws can be moved out like those of a can, and are used on rough surfaces.  

The gecko’s grip is so good that it can scamper easily over walls, ceilings, and windowpanes while watching for insects and other prey.–Dick Rogers

Does an ostrich hide its head when it is frightened?

Ostrich

No, an ostrich doesn’t hide its head when it is frightened.  According to this old belief, the ostrich hides its head in the sand to escape danger, because it feels it is safely hidden.

What this tall bird actually does when it sights possible danger is lie flat on the ground with its long neck stretched out, thus producing a low profile.  And enemy may not be able to see the ostrich when it is in this position.  

If danger comes too near, the ostrich runs off at top speed.  Although an ostrich cannot fly, it can run as fast as 40 miles an hour, and can easily outrun most of its enemies.–Dick Rogers

How Do Snakes Move?

Snake

Despite the fact that they have no legs, snakes are able to move and get along very well indeed.  Most snakes slither along in a serpentine motion—pushing against the ground and weaving forward in  a series of graceful, S-shaped curves.  

Many large, heavy snakes crawl straight ahead like a caterpillar, pushing with their belly scales and humping along.  Snakes called “sidewinders” live in the desert where the sand is too loose to push against.  

This kind of snake moves in a series of sideways loops.  Snakes climb well, too.  And, oddly enough, they all can swim. – Dick Rogers

What are tails for?

Tails

The tails of animals are good for many things.  Jumping animals, such as cats and kangaroos, use their tails for balance.  Many monkeys use their long tails to help them climb trees.  

Horses and cows swish away pesky insects with their tails. A fish swims with its tail, of course, and so do many other water creatures.  A bird without a tail would have a hard time taking of and landing. 

Dogs give special messages to other dogs by wagging their tails.  One kind of wag means, “I’m happy to see you.”  Another means, “I’m the boss around here.”–Dick Rogers