Posts

A Brief Historical Overview of Guatemala Guatemala had a lengthy history of authoritarian governance and military governments until it was placed under democratic control in 1985, after obtaining its independence from Spain in the 1820s. The civil war in Guatemala began in 1954 and lasted for 36 years until peace agreements were reached in 1996 as a result of the government’s struggle against fierce revolutionary opposition. When Rigoberta Mench, a supporter of indigenous people all across Latin America, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992, the hardships of Guatemala’s Indians during the war years came into the open....

A flag is not just a piece of cloth hanging in the air, but a symbol of patriotism for a country. Officials carefully settle on a design and colors for their flag. In fact, a flag can take a long time to design, especially when various views are considered. Each color, pattern, and symbol used has a meaning, with some representing a particular country’s culture, heritage, sports, navy, economy, or origin....

Keep reading to learn about the jaguar spirit animal, its meaning, and its symbolism. What Is the Meaning of the Jaguar Spirit Animal? If you have a jaguar spirit animal, you are strategic, hard-working, and fun to hang out with. Friends would also say you have a lot of courage. Those with jaguar energy also tend to be present, aware, and ready to take advantage of an opportunity. They strongly connect to their intuition and use it to guide them through life....

Comparing a Komodo Dragon and a Boa Constrictor What Are the Key Factors in a Fight Between a Komodo Dragon and a Boa Constrictor? It would be a rare sight to watch these two large reptiles get into a fight primarily because of their difference in habitat. However, to accurately determine which of them might win a fight, if there is one, there needs to be a critical evaluation of certain key factors that could influence the fight....

Comparison of Kumquat and Calamansi Kumquat vs. Calamansi: Nomenclature The word kumquat derives from the Cantonese word kamkwat, which means golden mandarin orange. Kumquat is often mistaken for quince. However, quince fruit is larger, pear-shaped, and pale green in color. A common alternate spelling of the fruit is cumquat. Calamansi fruit is called many different names around the globe. It is also known as the Philippine lime or Philippine lemon, lemonsito, and musk orange....

Leopard gecko morphs come in infinite possibilities regarding shape and color mutations. Many pet owners are familiar with the common colors such as yellow with black spots. However, it’s not as well known among pet owners that leopard gecko morphs can come in so many different color variations. Although it would be nearly impossible to list them all here, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of over 60 morphs, from the most popular to the super-rare....

Smilosuchus, the 20-foot Triassic crocodile Smilosuchus is a 20-foot reptile that evolved during the Triassic Period million of years ago. Although they look extremely similar to crocodiles, they aren’t technically related. Smilosuchus was a long, semi-aquatic reptile that often grew more than 20 feet, making it an apex predator. It had the body shape of a crocodile, an elongated head and jaws, and a powerful tail used for swimming. They look so similar to crocodiles that the average person likely wouldn’t be able to differentiate the two if they saw them next to one another....

1. Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge The Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge already has a thriving population of ducks and geese. However, thousands of birds on a southward migration journey join the native birds of this reserve, adding to the list of exciting attractions for visitors. The 22,300-acre reserve is an important part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. Shorebirds are the main highlight of this reserve. You may find up to 20,000 of them in this location in some seasons of the year....

Do you want to learn more about this species that so many of us have unfairly judged? You’ll be surprised by the facts you find out, including just how long the opossum lifespan actually is! The Rundown On Opposums In North America, the terms “opossum” and “possum” relate to the same mammal. However, in Australia, “possum” refers to an altogether different animal. Opossums are classified as marsupials, which are mammals that carry and nurse their young in pouches....

Comparing Pee Gee and Limelight Hydrangeas Key Differences Between Pee Gee and Limelight Hydrangeas The main differences between the pee gee and limelight hydrangeas are their origin, size (height) at maturity, and the color of their flowers. Let’s review these differences in greater detail now. Pee Gee vs. Limelight Hydrangea: Origin One of the major differences between pee gee and limelight hydrangeas begins with the origin of the two varieties. Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’, or pee gee (sometimes spelled “PeeGee”), is a species native to Asia, particularly China, Japan, and Korea, as well as parts of Russia....

Comparing a Praying Mantis and a Hummingbird The Key Factors in a Fight Between a Praying Mantis and a Hummingbird Hummingbirds are not equipped with fighting skills and a praying mantis will typically win a fight with this bird. A fight between a praying mantis and hummingbird would depend on many factors including physical size and fighting capabilities. Many fights in the animal kingdom are decided by size and strength alone, with even the most cunning animals capable of losing to a larger opponent....

It’s not often that researchers discover new creatures in the fossil record, but one team recently discovered one of the coolest reptiles seen in a long time. Serpentisuchops was a massive marine reptile that lived during the time of the dinosaurs, roughly 70 million years ago, but its name is what’s drawing so much attention! Serpentisuchops sounds like a good name, but like most scientific names, it translates to something that literally describes it....

Fawns are born after an eight-month gestation period. They weigh four to eight pounds at birth and stand about 14 inches tall. Their spotted coats provide camouflage in the woods, but they will lose these spots by their first birthday. They also lose their spots in patches over several years after reaching adulthood. What to Do if You Find a Baby Fawn A baby fawn is a beautiful thing to find....

Some even cause large numbers of human fatalities when touched. As a result, researchers suggest never touching or interacting with unknown wildlife as it may cost you your life. But most of these dangerous animals prefer living peacefully and would generally never hurt a human unless provoked. However, for peace of mind, get familiar with these 11 tiny animals that pack a deadly punch. The Tiny and Deadly Cone Snail When you think about deadly marine animals, a great white shark or killer whale immediately comes to mind....

The video opens with a herd of antelope running across a field. However, the focus of the video quickly shifts as a large buffalo rumbles into the frame, galloping along a river bank. Suddenly, the massive mammal changes directions. In the background, a lion trails the buffalo, keeping its distance and waiting to strike. The buffalo sees the threat and decides to run into the river where it has a better chance of outrunning the threat....

Let’s compare the species of spinach vs. lettuce (the genus), and discuss their plant classification, physical characteristics, native ranges and ideal growing conditions, and culinary uses. Spinach vs. Lettuce: A Quick Look: Plant Classification While spinach is its own species, Spinacia oleracea, lettuce, Lactuca, is a genus of plants with over 50 species. In comparison, Spinacia only contains three species. Regarding their botanical families, spinach belongs to the Amaranthaceae family while the Lactuca genus belongs to the daisy, or Asteraceae, family....

Beetles are one of the most diverse kinds of insects, in part thanks to their resilience and the fact that they almost never go extinct. Amazingly, the largest known subgroup of beetles, Polyphaga, has never had a single family of species succumb to extinction over the course of its entire evolutionary history! Let’s explore the world’s top 10 largest species of beetles, their many unique characteristics, and where they live....

Let’s look at the 10 prettiest state parks in the United States. Found across the country, the state parks on this list are sure to showcase the area’s beauty. 1. Hot Springs State Park, Wyoming The Hot Springs State Park is found in Thermopolis, Wyoming. Water flows over the colorful mineral terrace 24/7, staying at a constant 128°F (53°C). A bathhouse located in the park is free and open to the public year-round except on Christmas and Thanksgiving....

BirdNote The people at BirdNote offer three separate podcasts. The first, and most notable, features daily two-minute episodes about the amazing lives of birds. This podcast does an excellent job of immersing you in rich sounds, letting you escape the daily grind. Their other two programs, “Bring Birds Back” and “Threatened,” discuss the joy birds bring and how you can do your part to save them. American Birding Podcast Brought to you by the American Birding Association, the “American Birding Podcast” features 30-minute episodes every Thursday about all things birds, birding, and travel....

What is a Vietnamese Centipede (Scolopendra)? Vietnamese centipedes are large centipedes that can get to be 8 inches long. Most are 4-10 inches and about an inch wide. Centipedes have a flat body, not tubular like a worm. Their bodies are segmented with each segment having a set of legs on either side. Although the term “centipede” refers to 100 legs, the range can be from 15-177 pairs of legs (that is 30-354 legs total)....