How to Bath a Cat

Today you will learn how to bath a cat! Bathing a cat is a tedious process that must be done with care. Cats are strange creatures, and very delicate. You want to be as gentle as possible while you give you feisty feline a bath. How to bath a cat properly is not as easy as it sounds.

First you have to understand that cats hate - hate water. So keep that in mind as you bathe them. You want to make sure that your cat actually needs a bath. You don't want to torture your feline with that dreadful water if the cat doesn't need the bath.

If you have decided that your cat needs to be bathed, next step is to figure out what water temperature you need to have to give your cat a nice bath. You don't want to get the water too cold because just like everyone else no moggy likes a cold bath. You also want to make sure that the water is not too hot. This is very important as a cold bath can make it uncomfortable for the cat but a hot bath can hurt the cat and burn it.

Now that you have figured out the right temperature you want to fill the bathtub with about 4-5 inches of water. You want to fill the tub before you bring the cat in as the running water will only frighten the cat. Bring the cat in and gently lower the cat into the tub. Make sure not to drop the cat in too fast as this too will scare the cat. Ease the cat down to the water letting it know that the water is safe.

Once you have the cat in you want to get a cloth and dampen it by the water in the tub. You want to make sure you have the right shampoo for your cat. You can get these at any pet store and will give your cat a clean feeling! DO NOT use normal shampoo - it will dry the skin out.

Make sure to rub thoroughly but not too hard. You want to make sure the shampoo gets down to the skin to clean any dirt the cat may have. Rinse cat of all shampoo and grab a towel. Gently dry off the cat. Make sure not to leave fur wet. You now have a clean and happy cat!

5 Interesting Facts on the Zebra

The zebra is a creature that draws the interest of people because of its unusual coat of black and white stripes. Other than their physical appearance, most people do not know much about the zebra. A fact that tends to surprise people is that there is not just one zebra; there are actually three different main kinds. The three sorts of zebras are the Grevy’s zebra, which lives mainly in Kenya, the second (the kind that is most often seen), the Burchell’s, and the third kind is a mountain zebra typically found in Africa, called the Equus. The Burchell’s zebra actually has two sub-types of its own, the Grant’s zebra and the Chapman’s.

A second interesting fact regarding zebras is just how important their family group is to them. With the birth of a new foal, the mother keeps it with her only for about three days just to let it become used to her smell, sight and voice before meeting any other members of the family. When attacked, all zebras will face down the predator in a half-circle rather than leaving any member who may be lagging behind for the predator. Instead, should one of them be attacked, all of the zebras will stand around that one in order to protect it from the predator.

That is not all, either. There are other facts about zebras that are very interesting, regarding their stripes. The stripes of a zebra are not all the same, even though they may appear that way from a distance. Actually, the truth is that the pattern of a zebras stripes are extremely distinguishing, they could be compared to people’s fingerprints because they are so distinct from zebra to zebra, right down to the patterns and widths of the stripes.

While they may not look like it, mountain zebras have the ability to climb quite well. Since they live in mountains areas, they are made for navigating the mountain slopes that they live in. Their hooves are perfect for mountains, hard and pointed, and allow them to climb up to two thousand miles above sea level.

A fifth and final interesting fact about zebras is that even though they are animals that live in the wild and are not generally kept as pets or in captivity outside of zoos, the zebra is part of the same family as both horses and donkeys, a fact that tends to surprise most people due to how different they look.

Famous Funny T-Shirts That Made a Splash

Fashion has a way of defining an era, many are able to pinpoint the decade of an old music video simply by the clothes that the band is wearing. When a trend becomes incredibly popular and catches the attention of everybody, this is when fashion goes mainstream and becomes an attachment of the era; a defining, iconic quality that represents the general mood and feeling of the time.

One of the most popular forms of this mainstream fashion quirk is the t-shirt. Most everybody wears t-shirts and for this reason it can be considered extremely accessible to all people. Novelty shirts first become extremely popular in the 1980's and arguably have never returned to that level of popularity. However, there have been iconic t-shirt designs that have endured through the decades and modern designs that have captured the attention of many.

A classic example of a memorable, funny t-shirt is the 'Frankie Says Relax' t-shirt from the 1980s. The shirt's origins are lyrics from a famous Frankie Goes To Hollywood single, but the shirt was made even more famous by George Michael and his band Wham! The t-shirt was worn by many teenagers and young adults throughout the 80s and is considered to be the landmark of novelty, funny t-shirts.

Another slogan t-shirt was “where's the beef?” which originates from a 1984 Wendy's commercial. This catchphrase took on a life of its own and became an oft-used phrase by many during the 80s. The slogan took on a somewhat ironic, knowing meaning as it was used in a variety of ways. The exact meaning is ambiguous, but it became something of an in-joke to many and the mustard-yellow t-shirt that it was printed on became an iconic item of apparel during this time.

Towards the latter half of the 1980s, The Simpsons came onto the scene and captured the hearts and minds of kids and adults alike. During the early seasons, Bart could be heart to say “don't have a cow, man” and this quickly become a national catchphrase. Of course, it didn't take long for this phrase to make it onto a t-shirt and it was extremely common to see children wearing this shirt.

The novelty shirt has never gone away, but since the 1980s it could be argued that it has not received the same level of national exposure. However, this does not mean that iconic t-shirts in general are not still popular. For President Obama's election campaign in 2008 he used the incredibly famous 'change' design on t-shirts (among other things) and these shirts received worldwide exposure on a level that had not been seen for many years.

The appeal of the novelty shirt will always be around and while its general popularity will hit peaks and lows, there is undying appeal to a funny t-shirt.

How to Communicate with Your Cat

Many people do not enjoy living their life without a beloved pet by their side, as nothing can replace the inner warmth that an animal can provide for its owner. Although sometimes having pets around can cause a lot of extra stress, many find that being without them can cause even more.

While owning a small dog seems to be the popular choice for pet owners these days, some still find that having a cat is the way to go, and the more emotionally rewarding animal to call your own. Establishing a good relationship with your cat is very beneficial to not only the cat, but to you as well. The best way to do so is being able to communicate with your cat and let it know that you understand its needs.

However, this must be a two-way street, as you must allow the cat to understand you as well. Having this two-way street of communication will go a long way in creating a warm and loving relationship between you and your pet.

There are several ways to communicate with your cat, both verbally and non-verbally. Using a specific tone of voice with your cat is crucial, as you must establish a different tone of voice to address various acts. For example, when it is time to eat, you want to use a nice high pitched voice to show the pet that it is time for a rewarding experience. However, when the cat does something bad, you want to use a low pitched mean sounding voice, so then the cat will begin to understand when it is doing something that is not acceptable. The way you use your voice is key and will go a long way in developing a solid foundation of communication.

Furthermore, it is also a good idea to form a pattern with your cat, as they often will be much more comfortable with their surroundings if they know what to expect on a daily bases. Be sure to listen to your cat very closely as well, as a long drawled out meow noise, normally means they are angry or possibly in some type of trouble. Short quick meows usually means that it is hungry, or thirsty. Learning to understand the pet’s noises will allow you to be more responsive and better equipped to properly communicate with your cat. Using these tips will allow you and your beloved moggy to have a cross-species relationship like you never thought possible!

The Camouflaged Tigers of Thailand

One of nature's most ferocious animal are the tigers of Thailand. They are practically on top of the food chain. Tigers are very powerful cats and can move swiftly and stealthy to capture their prey. They are intelligent hunters that scout their prey and wait until the most opportune moments to pounce on it.

The feline will crouch, pretty much hug the ground, and slowly move towards the target. Inexperienced targets, like young mammals, are common victims because they do not notice the tiger's presence. This unfortunate prey is an easy target for the feline. However, if the prey does notice a disturbance in its immediate surrounding it will run away, obviously. That is not a missed opportunity for the tiger because it is capable of chasing its prey. Tigers are unbelievably fast, considering they have a huge body. The mixture of speed and power already makes tigers dangerous, but the biggest asset a tiger has over its prey is its surroundings.

The environment really gives the tigers a huge advantage over their prey. They have an orange-brownish fur with vertical stripes. The tiger's fur patterns help it blend in the background of orange wheat and grass. Just having a quick glance at a field in Thailand could miss a hiding tiger. The tiger uses its surrounding really well to camouflage itself. About half of the t-shirts people wear regarding tigers pay homage to the tiger's use of its background. T-shirts like the “Tiger Surprise”, “Tiger Face”, and “Power and Grace Tiger Shirt” have a base color of brownish-orange. From these shirts, one can clearly see how dangerous tigers are in their environment. Imagine yourself in a crowd of people that are wearing darkish colors. You will blend right in just because of the base color of your shirt. Once you get close to another person, though, the shirt design will stick out.

Tigers being represented in t-shirts should reflect the feline's ability to blend in with its surroundings. This means that images of tigers should be printed on neutral colors that do not stick out. This would mean that darkish colors, a mixture of brown and orange for example is fantastic, and could be the base color of the shirt. In addition, the image of a tiger makes you feel like you were as powerful and swift as the tiger itself – a great appeal of this breed of cat for many animal lovers.

5 Incredible Domestic Cat Facts

Felis silvestris catus, better known as the domestic cat, is an eternally popular choice for pet owners. There are hundreds if not thousands of cat breeds that are able to survive almost anywhere that humans are able to live. They are, without fail, the most popular pets in the world. They are valued for their independence, their cleanliness, and their propensity to hunt vermin that live within their environment. Usually we see cats and do not give them a second thought. However, there are some things you may not know about these animals! Here are five things you didn't know about domestic cats.

It seems that, with millions of cats across the world, they would have to be descended from many different cats. Actually, a study in 2007 showed that all cats have the same lineage: five or more of the members of the subspecies Felis silvestris lybica, or the African wildcat.

It is commonly known that the Egyptians believed that cats were sacred; as such, it makes sense to think that cats were first domesticated in Ancient Egypt, right? Wrong! Cats may have been domesticated as early as the Neolithic Era, which is part of the so-called Stone Age. This was over 12000 years ago!

Cats of all types, including domesticated cats, are some of the best hunters in the animal kingdom. They have the ability to retrace their steps in order to minimize visible tracks - they will step with their forepaws, and then place their hind paws in the same exactly spot. Due to the padding on their paws, they are also exceptionally quiet when walking. Their sharp claws and teeth are ideal for hunting - after all, think of the term "cat and mouse"!

Many domesticated animals quickly become used to their new surroundings, rendering them incapable of surviving outside of the home. This is especially true for dogs, who quickly become accustomed to these comforts. Cats do not suffer from domestication in quite the same way. They retain many of the skills that allowed them to thrive in the wild, such as their sharp claws and teeth, and their taste for meat. A cat in good condition can run up to 31 miles per hour. Because of these features, even the most well-trained and domesticated house cat can survive in the wild, in unfamiliar conditions.

The sound that humans most associate with cats is their meow. However, cats can produce over 200 unique sounds from growls and hisses to purrs. They retain their meow for humans only. Cats are also the only animals who naturally purr as a form of communication.

Cats are unique and wonderful creatures that have been near and dear to human's hearts for thousands of years. Perhaps their mysterious nature is justified - after all, there are many things we don't really know about them!

The Giraffe – a “High Blood Pressured” Mammal

Giraffe derives from the Arabis work “Xirapha”, meaning “one who walks swiftly”. While they are unable to maintain high speeds for long periods of time, they can run up to 35 miles an hour. This is useful to quickly move away from lions and other predators. On average giraffes can live from 20-28 years in captivity, and 10-15 years in the wild. There are 9 known subspecies living in various African regions of the family Giraffidae. The Angolan, Baringo, Kordofan, Masai, Nigerian, Nubian, Reticulated, Southern, and Thornicroft are all types of giraffes, and have different color patterns.

Giraffes begin their lives by falling 6 feet to the ground, and are roughly 6 feet tall at birth. The animal will continue to grow; most females average 14 feet tall and the males average 20 feet, making the giraffe the tallest land mammal in the world. Giraffes have just as many vertebrae in their neck as humans; however, each of the seven vertebrae is about 5 inches long giving them a neck roughly 6 feet long. These large animals will weigh anywhere from 3,000-4,000 (males), and 1,500-2,500 (females) pounds.

In order to get to that weight and size giraffes will consume roughly 77 pounds of food on average each day. Giraffes are herbivores, and seem to prefer twigs and leaves from the acacia tree which contain a great deal of water in the leaves. Luckily giraffes are able to go for days without water; this reduces their chance of being attacked by predators at a watering hole. However, when they do drink, an average adult giraffe will consume 12 gallons of water in one sitting. This is a challenging and dangerous task for a giraffe. In order to reach a watering hole they must sprawl their front legs to lower their neck and upper body. Once in this position, giraffes loose the advantage of being able to see predators approaching and are unable to quickly maneuver upright to sprint off if the need arises.

A giraffe’s tongue is close to 2 feet long, and they can use it clean their own ears. In addition, their heart is also almost 2 feet long, and will weigh in around 20-25 pounds. Do to their large size giraffes have one of the highest blood pressures of all mammals. Their heart must pump around 20 gallons of blood per minute, and their blood pressure is 2-3 times that of an average healthy human adult male.

Do Snakes Make Good Pets?

People of an older generation may very well recall a time when the family pet was a cat, a dog, or in some cases, a tortoise in a box. These pets have remained a strong staple of the modern family, but exotic pets have become so common and widely loved that it could be argued that they are no longer exotic at all. Pets such as lizards and rare birds can be found in chain pet stores and are extremely affordable both in terms of upfront cost and weekly care. However, this does mean that the term 'exotic' is relative, and those wishing to have the most interesting pets will seek stranger, rarer and in some cases, ethically unsound, pets to buy and care for.

However, there is one pet that has remained both exotic and common, in part to the inherent taboo that surrounds its very nature. The pet in question is a snake. Pet snakes can range from simple grass snakes to huge yellow pythons - although some states will not permit creatures of this size! Some people dislike snakes because they have a reputation of being "slippery" both in texture and character. While it may be true that a snake will never be a snuggly pet, not all pet owners need their pets to be snuggly, and a snake is the perfect companion for them. Snakes make good pets for those that simply wish to observe the wonder of nature. Watching a snake live, shed its skin, and consume live animals may be gruesome to some, but to others it represents the full beauty of life and can be very fascinating.

Of course, simply choosing a snake based on how disgusted one may or may not be is not the only consideration. A snake may be a good pet if the owner is not around much, as snakes do not need human companionship - they simply need maintenance time, which varies from snake to snake. There is also a financial consideration - some snakes require large tanks and lots of light and heating equipment to keep them content. This is not only expensive, but can be quite time consuming during when the owner needs to repair/replace the equipment. However, these things are all relative pending the financial stability of the owner, and the amount of free time that they have.

It's very important that when buying a pet the proper research is conducted and serious consideration is gone into the long term consequences of taking on a new life. Some may just see it as a snake, but that snake will be dependent upon its owner for food, heat, medical attention, and just about anything else.

The Eagle – Relentless Predator of the Sky

The eagle is one of the most ferocious predators in the world. Considered to hold a place at the top of the food chain, this fearsome creature is known for its ability to scavenge food from all over the land, sea and sky in order to survive.

Unfortunately, this ability does come with certain downfalls. Many animals carry certain diseases that are passed to them from other animals either above or below them in the food chain. Because the eagle is at, or near, the top, the eagle often contracts many toxic diseases through the prey that it eats.

However, eagles are able to live on in large quantities through their fierce ability to hunt successfully in a range of environments and survive in some of the world’s most brutal environments. Eagles are particularly opportunistic in this sense, and one perfect example of this is something that one can sometimes see on nature shows: the fish swoop. This is when the eagle will hover over a sea, river or lake and, at the right moment, swoop down and capture a fish swimming by and fly off with it. This level of opportunism also extends to certain scavenging traits whereby they feast upon the remains left behind by other creatures. Naturally, an eagle is not going to win a fight with an antelope, but wherever there is an antelope corpse, an eagle will surely be there to prey upon the remains.

The eagle is also able to hunt in the sky; taking on other birds is something that eagles do well and will typically time an attack to their advantage. They will calculate the best odds of winning a tasty prize in the air, and then go in for the kill. This form of attack is somewhat more strenuous than the scavenging that the eagle is known for, but it is a somewhat more productive way of being fed.

Eagles are known to attack dozens of times a day, and not all of these attacks result in a successful feeding. This is not to say that the eagle is not a fearsome predator, but more that it is a relentless predator. Despite this seemingly constant rate of attack, the eagle does find time to rest and recharge, and in fact 80% of its time is spent quietly resting away from the eye of other predators, offering its prey a brief chance to catch its breath.

How to Create a Stencil Graphic T-shirt Design

If you are looking for an affordable and simple way by which you can create a stencil graphic t-shirt design, then this is the information that you have been looking for. If you want a small number of t-shirts at an affordable cost, then outsourcing screen printed t-shirts to a professional is not an option. Learning this technique can help you create a small batch of custom designed t-shirts in no time at all.

This method may sound out-dated but has some definite advantages; apart from the low cost, the process is also quick and easy making it ideal for youngsters who want to wear fashionable stuff to college without spending big bucks. The products that you will need for making a stencil graphic t-shirt design are plain t-shirts of any color, spray paint, spray mount and a sharp scalpel.

It is best to create a stencil using digital methods but if you are good at drawing, you can make a cut out by hand too. The advantage of a digital print is the definite edges and also sharp clarity of the drawing. So pick out a design of your choice and make a digital print using your favorite application. An important thing to keep in mind is to plan the design ahead especially about areas that need to be cut out, split and also about negative spaces to be connected. Once the print of the desired size is ready, print it out onto a card.

The next step is to place this card inside the plain t-shirt so that it falls directly behind the chest area. Next, reverse and fold the material and stick the card into position using a tape. This is done to avoid the spray paint splattering on other regions of the shirt and will also stop paint from seeping through the front to the back of the t-shirt. The next task is to cut out the stencil very carefully using a scalpel. Take your time and do this job to ensure that you cut it out neatly. Apply a coat of spray mount to the rear area which will enable the stencil to stick down to the t-shirt and thus prevent over-spray.

After positioning the stencil, use tape and newspaper to cordon off the remaining area or else you could end up over-spraying. Thoroughly shake the spray-paint can so that the propellant gets activated and mixes well with the paint. Do a couple of test-sprays on a piece of paper before spraying the t-shirt. Slowly, build up the paint on the t-shirt by spraying a couple of times carefully. The next is the drying stage; make sure that the paint has dried completely and thoroughly before peeling the stencil away to prevent smearing. Remove the tape and newspaper and open out your t-shirt to see the beautiful graphic t-shirt design that you have created. You can experiment as much as you like with the designs and also with colors which adds to the fashion and fun element.

Give the Horse its Due

Just how intelligent are horses anyway? Well, they are not as intelligent as humans which are blessed with a complex frontal cortex that allow them to worry about such things as how the tax rate on the rich will affect their future employment opportunities. Horses, on the other hand, don't have such worries. Indeed, horses don't think about much more than the here and now, as their lack of a developed frontal cortex makes them incapable of planning ahead or cheating on their taxes. This is not to say, however, that horses are not without intelligence.

People often compare the intelligence of horses unfavorably to that of cats and dogs. This is an unfair comparison. Cats and dogs are predatory animals that have instincts developed to find, attack, and eat prey. They are aggressive by nature. Horses are prey animals, react or be eaten has been their evolutionary path – there is no fight or flight conundrum – just run. This instinctive characteristic, however, does not preclude the horse from having cognitive capabilities, as research is showing in spades.

Historically, mankind has viewed the horse as a dumb animal. Recent research, however, has shed new light on equine intelligence. It is clear that horses are capable of not only dealing with daily tasks but mental ones as well. In the wild, horses must learn the challenges brought upon by predators, or that of a changing environment. They must learn and contend with new surroundings.

Indeed, domestication has likely led to even greater mental challenges for horses, as the demands of stable living are counter to the instincts developed over the 4 million years the horse with which mankind is familiar has been around. Horses exhibit habituation, the ability to become accustomed to stimulation such as daily interactions in the stable and to “block it out” as necessary (no mean feat for a flight first response animal). Also they exhibit Pavlovian responses (yes, just like the dogs) to stimuli that indicate the arrival of food or other positive outcomes. Finally, they are capable of operant conditioning - that is behavioral learning through consequence training – which is the means that humans learn to do such things as pay taxes.

So, although Secretariat did not understand the implications of winning the Triple Crown, he knew enough to adapt, learn and selectively apply his instincts to his environment to provide a comfortable long life at stud. Smart indeed.

Is the Giraffe an Endangered Species?

With so much information on endangered animals, people often wonder if the giraffe is an endangered species as well. With the title of the ‘tallest’ animal in the world, the giraffe has always been an animal that holds a special fascination for most people. With its graceful long neck and beautiful spotted fur, the giraffe is an animal that many around the world hope to keep safe from extinction.

The natural habitat for the giraffe is in Africa. There are many different species of giraffes in the continent. As of right now, two types of giraffe species are endangered in Africa. The West African and Nigerian giraffes are experiencing a rapid population decline and are currently labeled as endangered. The other species of giraffes are not yet classified as being endangered.

One of the reasons for the endangerment of the West African and Nigerian giraffe is poaching. Giraffe tails are known as good luck charms in certain parts of Africa. The meat of the giraffe is also very desirable, and is even considered a delicacy in certain parts of Africa. The fur of the giraffe is highly prized and is used for a variety of products such as clothing, rugs, purses, and even jewelry.

Although giraffes are frequently hunted by lions, humans that hunt giraffes for sport has significantly contributed to the population decline. In some countries, hunting a giraffe is considered fun for the entire family. Some families pay tens of thousands of dollars for the privilege of hunting a giraffe. The giraffe is a very beautiful animal and considered a valuable prize in trophy hunting. Laws against hunting giraffes vary greatly across African countries, and even when illegal, there is little or nothing done to deter the hunters.

To ensure that the giraffe does not become another animal that has become extinct, action must be immediately taken. There need to be clear laws in place against the hunting of giraffes for sport. Many are conflicted because some families in need only hunt the giraffe for survival. Even still, guidelines for the amount of giraffe hunted need to be put in place immediately. Of course these laws will not be effective if they are not strictly enforced.

The countries in Africa should make it a priority to join together in conservation efforts to protect the West African and Nigerian giraffe, although this is something which is rarely top of the political agenda.

What is the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles?

People often wonder what the difference is between an alligator and a crocodile. First, alligators are only found in the southern parts of the United States and are also found in China. In contrast, crocodiles can be found almost anywhere in the entire world. The animal’s locales are one of the biggest differences between the two species.

In addition, another obvious difference between alligators and crocodiles lies in the teeth and jaws. Alligators have teeth that disappear when the mouth is closed. Crocodile’s sharp teeth are constantly visible, whether the mouth is closed or not. Crocodiles have a lighter brown color and alligators tend to be a darker grayish black color. There are many small differences in appearance between the two reptiles. The snout of the alligator is on the broader side and the crocodile has a much thinner snout.

Alligators are not necessarily the violent predators of humans that most assume them to be. If encountered by a human in its natural habitat, the alligator is more likely to run away than to pursue and harm the human. In contrast, crocodiles are widely known to kill humans who approach them. The crocodile is easily the more aggressive of the two animals.

Although the alligator and the crocodile both live and hunt primarily in water; the alligator prefers a fresh water habitat. Crocodiles prefer salt water environments due their functioning lingual salt glands. Alligators lay eggs in plants and vegetation near the water. The crocodile likes to reproduce in mud and even in the sand.

There are probably much more similarities between crocodiles and alligators than there are differences. For instance, crocodiles and alligators both reptiles are from the Crocodilian family. All Crocodilians share several common characteristics. Alligators and crocodiles both live in water, can hold their breath for extremely long periods of time, are superior hunters, and can eat almost anything that crosses their path.

The alligator and the crocodile are both fascinating animals and despite their differences are very similar. If encountering a crocodile or an alligator, one would not stay around long enough to decipher their subtle differences. Perhaps this is what causes so much confusion. Nevertheless, the alligator and crocodile are some of the largest reptiles in the entire world, and it is understandable that they are sometimes referred to interchangeably.

Lovers of these fantastic animals and other reptiles can find very high quality t-shirts of animals at http://www.mytshirtdesigns.com.

5 Unbelievable Bear Facts

In the whole world there are only eight species of bear. While you may know a little about bears you probably didn't know these 5 unbelievable bear facts.

- Bears’ eyesight is on par with ours and they are one of the very few mammals that can actually see in color, but did you know that a bear's sense of smell is upwards of one hundred times greater than that of humans? A polar bear can track a smell from as far as twenty miles away and pick up a smell through as much as three feet of solid ice.
- Not all bears hibernate. The bears that live in colder climates such as the Brown Bear, The North American Black Bear and the Asiatic Black bear need to hibernate due to the shortage of food during the colder months. The Sloth Bear on the other hand lives in a very warm climate with abundant food and has no need to hibernate. Did you know that hibernating bears don't go to the bathroom? They recycle their waste into protein to feed the body during hibernation and while scientists have proven the process happens, they still don't understand how it works.
- Bear claws are different for each species of bear. The North American Black Bear has curved claws to help tear off tree bark and climb trees while the Brown Bear has straight claws good for digging in the ground. Did you know that Panda Bears have an additional thumb? Well, it looks like an extra thumb but it's actually an extra large wrist bone which serves to help them grasp onto bamboo better which is their primary source of food; they eat over 45 pounds of bamboo a day.
- Many people believe that all bears are carnivores (i.e they only eat meat ) but in fact only the Polar Bear is a true carnivore whereas all the other species of bear are omnivores and eat meat as well as vegetables. Did you know that the Sloth Bears favorite food is termites? Not only are termites their favorite food - it's their primary food source. The Sloth Bear doesn't have front teeth, which makes it easy for them to stick their snout into termite mounds and suck out the termites.
- Bears are very adept swimmers. While all bears can swim the Polar Bear is the best swimmer of them all. Did you know that a Polar Bear can swim up to 6 miles an hour? Not only can the Polar Bear swim up to 6 miles an hour but it can swim a distance of up to one hundred miles at this speed.

These 5 unbelievable bear facts are just a small sample of incredible facts about this amazing species. Here is one last thing you may not have known. Koala Bears aren't bears at all, they are a marsupial. Koala Bears are native to Australia - which is one of the very few places on the planet that there are no native bears at all.