A team of scientists recently observed an infestation of big-headed ants in East Africa. They learned that in areas with a large spread of these ants, lions are three times less likely to attack and kill zebras. And the reason is quite unusual.

When hunting zebras, lions use whistling-thorn trees for cover. The trees offer them protection from the sun while preventing zebras from seeing them until it’s too late. But the number of those trees is dwindling.

Elephants love snacking on whistling-thorn trees, but these trees usually have acacia ants protecting them. This species of ants bite and bothers elephants, who quickly give up and move on. However, big-headed ants are now taking over the territory of acacia ants but are not even remotely interested in protecting the trees, causing the elephants to tear them down.

“Because lions need cover to successfully stalk and ambush their prey, they are more exposed when there are fewer trees to hunker down behind, which seems to make it harder for them to successfully take down the zebra,” said Professor Todd Palmer of the University of Florida, who worked on the study.

Palmer adds that the spread of big-headed ants could have more consequences in the future. The whistling-thorn trees are also a source of food for other species, and their loss could significantly change the ecology of the area.

The post Ants Are Causing Lions to Hunt Zebras Less According to a Recent Study appeared first on Our Funny Little Site.

Fannie is into stuffed toys and balls and likes collecting things around the house. She also loves playing with her mom and only trusts her. For the last five years, Nikki wasn’t sprayed once.

@packmentality

##animals don’t forget your ##kindness ##skunk ##wildlifeconservation ##stinkybaby ##missfannie ##imsoproudofyou ##fyp

♬ im so proud of you – nira

“Skunks are misunderstood. People, you know, sometimes they think they are a nuisance, but they are really not. If they trust their human and they trust you, they won’t ever spray, and she never did,” she told The Dodo.

Although Nikki loved having Fannie around, she knew that she couldn’t keep her. The little skunk was released the following spring.

“I kind of had faith that if I let her go, she knew that she could come back to her little house and be safe. I probably see her three or four times a week,” Nikki added.

She usually has cheese puffs with her, which are Fannie’s favorite snack. Who would have thought skunks are amazing animals, right?

Have you ever encountered one? Did you get sprayed? Tell us in the comments below.

@packmentality

##fartcat ##baby ##skunk ##stinktok ##catsoftiktok ##wildliferehab ##cute ##stinky

♬ I Love My Kitty Cat – Parry Gripp

@packmentality

I mean, I’m a ##dogaccount but welcome to ##skunktok I guess? ##skunk ##fartsquirrel ##wildliferehabber ##skunklife ##stinky ##snootboop ##stinkysaturday

♬ stinky baby by natsingssongs – Natalie Burdick

@packmentality

##shepickedme ##goodmemories ##wildliferescue ##skunkhaven ##babyskunk and thank you @skunksden for all your help.

♬ Never Forget You – Noisettes

@packmentality

Look who’s here! ##missfannie always comes home for ##cheeseballs and ##loops ##5yearsold ##rehabrelease ##skunk ##wildandfree but still likey the chee

♬ original sound – Christi Steyn

The post A Little Skunk Followed a Woman Home And Got Adopted appeared first on Our Funny Little Site.

A team of scientists recently observed an infestation of big-headed ants in East Africa. They learned that in areas with a large spread of these ants, lions are three times less likely to attack and kill zebras. And the reason is quite unusual.

When hunting zebras, lions use whistling-thorn trees for cover. The trees offer them protection from the sun while preventing zebras from seeing them until it’s too late. But the number of those trees is dwindling.

Elephants love snacking on whistling-thorn trees, but these trees usually have acacia ants protecting them. This species of ants bite and bothers elephants, who quickly give up and move on. However, big-headed ants are now taking over the territory of acacia ants but are not even remotely interested in protecting the trees, causing the elephants to tear them down.

“Because lions need cover to successfully stalk and ambush their prey, they are more exposed when there are fewer trees to hunker down behind, which seems to make it harder for them to successfully take down the zebra,” said Professor Todd Palmer of the University of Florida, who worked on the study.

Palmer adds that the spread of big-headed ants could have more consequences in the future. The whistling-thorn trees are also a source of food for other species, and their loss could significantly change the ecology of the area.

The post Ants Are Causing Lions to Hunt Zebras Less According to a Recent Study appeared first on Our Funny Little Site.

Fannie is into stuffed toys and balls and likes collecting things around the house. She also loves playing with her mom and only trusts her. For the last five years, Nikki wasn’t sprayed once.

@packmentality

##animals don’t forget your ##kindness ##skunk ##wildlifeconservation ##stinkybaby ##missfannie ##imsoproudofyou ##fyp

♬ im so proud of you – nira

“Skunks are misunderstood. People, you know, sometimes they think they are a nuisance, but they are really not. If they trust their human and they trust you, they won’t ever spray, and she never did,” she told The Dodo.

Although Nikki loved having Fannie around, she knew that she couldn’t keep her. The little skunk was released the following spring.

“I kind of had faith that if I let her go, she knew that she could come back to her little house and be safe. I probably see her three or four times a week,” Nikki added.

She usually has cheese puffs with her, which are Fannie’s favorite snack. Who would have thought skunks are amazing animals, right?

Have you ever encountered one? Did you get sprayed? Tell us in the comments below.

@packmentality

##fartcat ##baby ##skunk ##stinktok ##catsoftiktok ##wildliferehab ##cute ##stinky

♬ I Love My Kitty Cat – Parry Gripp

@packmentality

I mean, I’m a ##dogaccount but welcome to ##skunktok I guess? ##skunk ##fartsquirrel ##wildliferehabber ##skunklife ##stinky ##snootboop ##stinkysaturday

♬ stinky baby by natsingssongs – Natalie Burdick

@packmentality

##shepickedme ##goodmemories ##wildliferescue ##skunkhaven ##babyskunk and thank you @skunksden for all your help.

♬ Never Forget You – Noisettes

@packmentality

Look who’s here! ##missfannie always comes home for ##cheeseballs and ##loops ##5yearsold ##rehabrelease ##skunk ##wildandfree but still likey the chee

♬ original sound – Christi Steyn

The post A Little Skunk Followed a Woman Home And Got Adopted appeared first on Our Funny Little Site.