In the U.S. over 13 million people were killed by bears

Many people like to enjoy nature closely, by hiking in backcountry and mountainsides. But when you are in bear country, you should be careful and prepared.

Last year in the U.S. over 13 million people were killed by bears. They were not all escaped from the zoo. Some of them were from the wild.
Wild bears live in a very diverse biosphere. Some bears live in the woods in Alaska.

Some bears live under sinks and between the aluminum siding and the wood on homes.
Some bears even live in glove compartmets.
What all these bears have in common is that they want human flesh. Lots of human flesh.

If you see a bear, stay calm and give it plenty of room. Do not startle it; detour slowly, keeping upwind if you can, so it will get your scent and know you are there. If you can't detour wait until it moves away from your route before proceeding.

When a bear first detects you, it may stand upright and use all of its senses to determine what and where you are. Once it identifies you it may ignore you, move slowly away, run, or it may charge. A wild bear rarely attacks unless it feels threatened or provoked.
On four legs, a bear may show agitation by swaying its head from side to side, making huffing noises and clacking its teeth.
A charge or retreat may follow. Flattened ears and raised hair on the back of the neck indicate aggressive intent. If a bear runs with a stiff, bouncing gait, it may be a false charge.

Harlequin great dane the tallest dog from the Guiness Book Records

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Certified by the Guiness Book of World Records, the tallest dog living is Gibson, a Harlequin Great Dane , who measured 107 cm (42.2 in) tall on August 31 2004 and is owned by Sandy Hall of Grass Valley, California, USA. When he stands on his hind legs, the 170-pound Dane is more than 7 feet tall, taller than most NBA basketball players. The image to the left shows Gibson standing with his Veterinarian - one of many pictures he takes standing over his subject.
As big as he is, Gibson is just a friendly puppy in a big dogs body, and is active in therapy work, a close knit family life (which includes hording toys from his sisters), and his new found celebrity schedule. Gibson has been featured in several national newspapers and magazines, he's been featured on Larry King Live and has also worked with some of the players from the Sacramento Kings.

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The Irish Wolfhound was resurrected from near extinction as a dog breed in the 1800’s when they were used to hunt wolves. Today they make excellent companion dogs. Like a lot of larger breeds they are known for their good nature. As a breed they are good with children, and known to be calm, sweet, and loving. Due to its large size and fast growth the Irish Wolfhound tends to be clumsy as a puppy but grows into its large size well.
Now, while Gibson may be the world’s tallest dog, he’s not the world’s biggest dog. The title of biggest dog currently goes to Hercules, an English. Unlike Gibson, English Mastiffs usually win the title of World’s biggest dog, as they tend to weigh more than 200 pounds. Hercules weighs about 282 pounds, and is said to have paws the size of softballs. While his parents aren’t breeders they are very proud of their “gentle giant,” who is said to be a very loving dog.
English Mastiffs were originally used as military dogs in Great Britain. Today, due to their protective and loving nature, they are prized as family guard dogs. English Mastiffs are very gently and loving with their family and, like most large breeds, excellent with children, they are also very possessive of their family. Due to this tendency it is often recommended that these big fellows be socialized early, as they may be aggressive towards other animals.
Large dog breeds, which include the Great Dane, Newfoundland, and Saint Bernard as well as the Mastiff and Irish Wolfhound breeds, are often known for their loyalty and great demeanor with children. These large dogs can make great family pets, provided you have ample space indoors and out for them to stretch and run. The large dog breeds also are known to have issues with hip and elbow dysplasia as well as heart problems, and can require a lot of veterinary care.

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The world most dangerous birds - Cassowary

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the Cassowaries are the world’s most dangerous birds, capable of dealing fatal blows. They are very unpredictable, aggressive creatures, especially if wounded or cornered. The Cassowary lives in the rain forests of Australia and New Guinea and are actually pretty shy animals if undisturbed, but if you get to close and it thinks you’re a threat you could receive a bone-breaking kick or get sliced by its dagger-like sharp claws. During WWII, soldiers stationed in New Guinea were warned to stay away from these birds, but some of them still became victims.

Amazing dog

The biggest dog in the world born in 2002, Gibson took the title of the world's tallest dog from 'Harvey', who measured 41 inches, in 2004. Standing at 42.6 inches tall from paw to shoulder, Gibson, the giant Harlequin Great Dane passed away in August near Sacramento, Los Angeles.

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A Blue Great Dane called George that stands at nearly 43 inches tall and weighs a staggering 245 pounds, could become the tallest dog after an application to the Guiness Books of Records.
The four year-old dog’s owners, David and Christine Nasser, have written to the Guinness World Records asking if their pet has become the biggest in the world.

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The couple, from Tuscon, Arizona, hope he will take the crown from the former record holder, Gibson, a harlequin Great Dane who passed away from cancer last August.

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George, who looks more like a miniature horse than a dog, measures almost the same, at 7 ft 3 inches from nose to tail and 42.625 inches at the shoulder.He consumes 110 pounds of food every month and sleeps alone in his own Queen Size Bed.

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Mr Nasser said they were awaiting confirmation from Guinness World Records to see if he has achieved the new record.
Dr. William Wallace of the Buena Pet Clinic in Tucson, who witnessed the documentation necessary for the Guinness record, said: “In my 45 years of experience working with giant breed dogs, without question, George is the tallest dog I have ever seen.”

Amazing Hawaii whale

Hawaii whale-watching is truly a memorable experience. In this article, we will focus on whale-watching off the island of Maui. Whale-watching season starts as early as November, but the largest number of whales travel through Hawaii waters from mid-December to mid-April. Each year during this time, approximately 1,500 to 2,000 humpback whales migrate south from their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic. Scientists estimate that this 3,000 mile swimming trip takes them from 80 to 100 days.

 Amazing Hawaii whale

The whales seem to favor the calmer bays and wide bank areas between the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. With their bulky heads and two blow-holes, they can often be seen cavorting in the warm waters, breaching and slapping the surface of the water. Here they mate, or bear their "calves" conceived the previous winter.
A mature humpback whale is about 45 feet in lenth and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Their calves weigh around 3,000 pounds at birth and feed off their mother's high-fat milk for six to eight months, consuming 100 to 130 gallons per day. 

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Strangely enough, the adult whales do not eat while in Hawaii, since they are "seasonal" feeders. However, when they return to their Arctic habitat an average humpback whale will consume 4,500 to 5,000 pounds of plankton, krill (small, shrimp-like creatures), and fish per day!
On Maui, the opportunities for whale-watching from land are extensive. A good vantage point for seeing whales from land is basically anywhere you get a pretty a wide ocean view. McGregor Point, at mile marker 9, as you head from Maalaea, toward Lahaina, is a well-known whale watching place. Continuing toward Lahaina, whales can also be seen off the Olowalu Reef--between McGregor Point and the town of Olowalu.

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When you head south on the Wailea coast, the Outrigger Wailea Resort provides another excellent viewing spot, with a telescope installed by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. South from Wailea, Puu Olai overlooking Makeena Beach is considered Maui's best spot for whale-watching.
Whale watching requires patience. Scan the horizon for a cloud of spewing water that rises from 10 to 20 feet above the ocean's surface. Watch for a good half-hour or so; whales need to breath every 7 to 20 minutes, and their spray is simply water vapor that they exhale from their blow hole. So once you locate that tell-tale spray of water, focus your eyes on the area for another one. Here binoculars are especially helpful.
But the best way to see humpback whales is out in their domain--and you can book a whale-watching cruise for that. Maui is the home of the Pacific Whale Foundation. A non-profit whale research organization, it supports its research by offering whale-watching tours.

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In addition, almost every snorkel and dive-boat in the area becomes a whale-watching vessel in winter. Maui whale-watching tours leave Lahaina and Maalaea harbors daily during the winter months. In addition to humpbacks, sperm whales, pilot whales, pygmy killer whales, beaked whales, melon-headed whales and "false" killer whales can often be seen there. You can also view the whales on a rafting expedition. These excursions also leave daily from Lahaina harbor.
The whale may play a little game with you -- he will poke his head just above the water's surface to "scope out the scene." That kind of behavior is actually called a "spy hop," meaning it's his way of showing off (if he feels so inclined). He'll then leap completely out of the water. If he's only in the mood to exchange nods, he'll slap his tail or wave his side fins at you -- that's the humpback whale's way of saying "Hi!"

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Whales communicate underwater through mysterious "songs," forming a perplexing series of sounds. Most whale-watching charters on Maui have a hydrophone on board, which will enable you to hear and enjoy the complex sounds of these majestic creatures.Remember that humpback whales are protected by the Marine Mammals Protection Act, and you may come no closer than 100 yards. Even at that distance you will sense the power and beauty of these creatures, and you will come away with memories of a lifetime.

Amazing snake five head

A five headed snake found in Infosys Campus, Mangalore, Karnataka.

Amazing crocodiles

When you holiday in the Northern Territory, it is wise to check with Parks and Wildlife centres to find out where it is safe to get into the water. There are water leisure centres and tours to keep you safe from the saltwater croc. Visit a crocodile park or farm; they allow you to hold a baby croc. They are very soft and cold to the touch. Help feed the small and large crocodiles. Get some great photos. Read the following to find out what you may not know about the 'salty'.
Their teeth are sharp-pointed, inter-locking and are perpetually replaced. A single croc might grow up to 3,000 teeth in its lifetime. How amazing is that? A small bird hops right info the prehistoric estuarine Crocodile's mouth and cleans its teeth.
It is believed the purpose of this is to give them ballast when diving, and are often ingested to aid digestion - crushing food by a grinding action within the gizzard of the stomach. 'Kill two birds with one stone!'

Amazing crocodiles

Swimming with the crocodile 

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Amazing crocodiles

Because Northern Australia has some small, inoffensive crocodiles restricted to brackish or fresh water, most people think all inland crocodiles are freshwater crocodiles. That is very misleading. It can and has lulled people taking great risks in what are now unsafe places as they know the freshwater crocodile to be usually harmless,unless provoked. The saltwater crocodile starts its life in brackish or fresh water, and only travels out to the ocean when it is almost fully grown to search for new territory.
They swim into freshwater tributaries, lagoons, swamps and rivers. Saltwater crocodiles have been known to live there for the rest of their lives. So, do not think that they are only in the ocean.
Their scales are the same substance that hooves and nails are made from; keratin. One of the main functions of crocodile scales is for their protection.

In the breeding season between September to May, the female builds a nest of a scratched up pile of rotting plant matter and mud or sand. She lays about 30 to 90 eggs and covers them with more of the same material. They are incubated for 3 months. The saltwater crocodile lays in the wet season and many nests are destroyed by floodwaters.
When she hears the babies chirping, she digs them out of the nest and carefully carries them to the water's edge in her mouth. She will watch over them until they can look after themselves.
Juvenile crocodiles are eaten by the territorial mature males. Even with the mother's care, only about 20% survive to maturity, as goannas, snakes, sharks, birds and turtles will eat them, also.
All the propulsion and steering comes from the paddling of the flattened tail.
Saltwater crocodiles are now, unfortunately, becoming a public menace as their numbers increase. They have increased in the Northern Territory from about 5,000 to 80,000 in 38 years, and they are moving closer to residential areas.Is it up to us to stay out of their way? After all, these animals held unchallenged dominion over equatorial wetlands and waterways for 65 million years after dinosaurs had gone.
It is the larger crocodile that breeds and it would be these big ones that the crocodile hunter would target. The Parks and Wildlife have taken many large dangerous saltwater crocodiles away from areas that humans also frequent. They have been known to return within a few weeks, unless they are taken to a crocodile farm. It has been said, by interested parties, that even if dozens of crocodiles were culled, how can it be guaranteed that just one crocodile will not come into a proclaimed safe area. It only takes one reptile to kill one person.

The World's Tallest Horse-Noddy

Luscombe Nodram  (Noddy)- The worlds Tallest horse

Luscombe Nodram (Noddy) is coming back home to QLD for a special appearance at the Clydesdale and Heavy Horse Field Days at Gatton on May 1 & 2. After being away for 6 years. Noddy will be coming back to QLD to take part in Australias largest and most prestigious heavy horse show. After leaving home as a 15 hand weanling, Noddy returns as a 20.2 hand horse. Come and see him and say hello.

Yahoo, big news Noddy is coming home. Noddy will be back in QLD for a little while when he is a special guest at the Gatton heavy Horse Field Days show in May. Noddy will return to his birthplace for this once in a lifetime appearance. After spending his time at the Royal Easter Show (for its duration), Noddy will make his way to QLD.

Luscombe Nodram started life just like all of our other foals. He was a normal height when he was born and a normal height as a weanling. That is where Noddy stops being normal. He just kept growing and growing. Now Nodram stands 20.2 hands. Nodram was bred and born at the Shires of Luscombe in Queenlsand. His sire is the grey Shire Stallion, Luscombe Whats Wanted “Ted” and his dam is the black Shire Mare, Cedars Annabella “Annabella”.  Both of these horses stand 18 hands.

Nodram’s Great Great Grandsire Ladbrook Invader, was also tall. In 1981 he was in the Guiness Book of World Records as the tallest living horse, standing 19.2 hands.

Nodram is the tallest horse in Australia , he is the tallest horse in the world. He is a purebred shire gelding and is now owned by Jane Greenman of Victoria . He is broken to saddle and harness.

Noddy will also be spending 14 days as a special guest at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney. He will be on display during show time and his owner Jane will be on hand to answer questions and tell you about this wonderful horse.

Nodram was the normal size of any foal born here at the Shires of Luscombe. He left home as a 6 month old weanling to go and live with Jane. He was 15 hands, the usual size for our weanlings. Jane however was not expecitng such a big 'foal', even though she wanted a Shire that was grey and that would grow to be a big horse. Little did she know she would end up with the Worlds Tallest Horse.

Nodram and his half brother Luscombe Grey Spark are the only two grey shire geldings in Australia . Nodram has been a special guest at Equitane in the past as well as making many other appearances in Victoria. He is already the star of TV shows, magazines and newspaper clippings.

Nodram enjoys spending his days with famous Thoroughbreds; he is acquainted with some of the top racing horses in Australia . Though one of his mates on the farm is another rare horse, a Suffolk Punch named Nash.