By Jon Fern
Christmas is galloping towards us at a terrific speed, so let's take a look at some lesser-known facts about a few animals associated with the festive season.
European robin, Erithacus rubecula.
- Robins, and indeed all other birds, are dinosaurs. The scientific consensus is that birds are in fact avian dinosaurs.
- Despite their apparently friendly nature, male robins are territorially aggressive, and confrontations between adult birds are often fatal.
- Robins will nest almost anywhere, including kettles and hats (as long as they're not in use, obviously...)
- Robins can visually sense magnetic fields, possibly making use of quantum entanglement.
- Victorian postmen wore red jackets; the robins on Christmas cards were originally emblematic of the postal service that delivered said cards. (Not science, but interesting.)
- The polar bear is closely related to the extinct Irish brown bear, and may even be a direct descendant.
- Polar bears are almost invisible under infrared photography, thanks to super-efficient insulation.
- They overheat at only 10 °C (50 °F).
- Their hair is not actually white. It's transparent. Also, polar bears have black skin.
- The presence of polar bears is used as an indicator of ecosystem health. However, with polar habitats shrinking as a result of climate change, polar bears are among the most threatened species in the world, with a projected loss of two thirds of their current population by 2050.
- Reindeer can communicate social status by clicking their knees.
- Reindeer can see ultraviolet light. This ability is vital to their survival in the wild.
- Reindeer don't just eat leaves. They also eat lemmings. Fish and mushrooms also supplement their diet.
- Reindeer can run at up to 50 mph (80 km/h).
- Reindeer are an important prey item in the wild, with eagles, brown bears, polar bears, wolves and wolverines feeding on them.
Happy Holidays from NatureWire.
Picture credits: 1, 2, 3: Wikimedia Commons, 4: copyright SMG via Panoramio.
