Friday, August 31, 2012

Flight Of A Lifetime: The Bald Eagle's Lifespan


The Bald Eagle's Lifespan

Being the national bird of America, the eagle has become the global symbol of freedom and bravery. It can be easily identified in photos as an eagle with a white head and a golden beak. But being a bird of prey that eats other animals for food, not many people name it as their favorite bird. A lot of information about this bird is not very known to the public; details like actual diet, habitat, and the lifespan.

The Eagle's Diet

All animals, including bald eagle, live in habitats in which there is a rich source of food. Even though it is a predatory bird, the common misconception is that it eats roosters and little mammals,although it actually eats carrion (dead or dying fish); particularly salmon. The eagle is more of a scavenger than a real predator. They are rarely observed to prey on hen and other livestock, but they do take advantage of the most available food source around them.

The North American Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is the only bird which is recognized to be uniquely found in North America. Their boundaries stretch from down south to Mexico and way up north to Alaska and Canada. Their natural habitats are near their food sources; near waters rich with salmon, making the western half of North America it's ideal home.

The Bald Eagle Lifespan

All living creatures' lifespan depends on lots of elements; their diet, habitat, food source, their place in the food chain etc. Bald eagles can live up to the age of forty, but most eagles living in the wild have a lifespan averaging between fifteen to twenty years. The oldest identified of this species lived up to the age of forty-eight. In the past, their lifespan was much shorter due to hunting. However, since hunting them is prohibited and considered a serious crime, bald eagles can now live up to their full age potential.

The Hoax About The Eagle's Rebirth

Some stories tell the rebirth of the eagle, allowing it to live for yet another thirty years making the eagle the longest living bird. The story talks about a time in an eagle's life when the eagle will lose its beak, talons and feathers providing way for new ones to grow; thus it is reborn to live an additional life. Although this story revolved around the internet raising questions from bald eagle lovers about the reality in it, professionals announced that the story is an absolute hoax. Professionals say that the story lacks scientific and logical proof on the possibility of the eagle's survival without its beaks. It could have died of starvation way before the new beak could have sprouted. The story is no more than an allegory about life starting at the age of forty and moving on as authorities suggests, and not to be taken seriously.

The Symbol

According to experts, parrots and other birds can live longer than the bald eagle. It is not the longest living bird around, unlike the tale of its rebirth suggests. This bird may not be the all time crowd favorite; however, it will remain as the trademark of the USA and a symbol of freedom and bravery.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Common Patterns - Nuclear Proliferation and The Flow of Invasive Species


The other day, I listened to an interesting University level lecture from a very famous Harvard graduated invasive species scientist, Mark Hoddle. He showed a very revealing chart of the increase in the invasive species problem globally. In looking at these charts, he also explained that it was the first world nations with the wealth which were doing the most trading and had the most tourists going to and from that ended up with the most invasive species problems. In many regards that makes sense because there is more travel, trade, and interaction. This is no surprise.


What I also found interesting was that when I looked at the old RAND Corporation charts and graphs of nuclear proliferation, they were strikingly familiar. Why is this? Was it due to the domino effect during the Cold War? Was it due to the increase in US trading partners? Why did the charts and graphs look so similar? It seems to me that there is a mathematical component that has to do with the sharing of information, the proliferation of weaponry, and traveling and trade. Since many of these components are very similar to the challenges of how invasive species are brought to and from, it should be no surprise that the charts look so close.

Now then, one could ask if the strategies we use to prevent nuclear proliferation might also be used to prevent the transportation of invasive species whether by accident, or purposefully. Some might say we are already doing this, as we have people at the airports checking to make sure that anyone carrying fruits or vegetables discharges those items before jumping on an airplane, ship, train, or bus - or even a car traveling from one nation to another at a border checkpoint. Even in the United States we have border crossings between states, where they looked to check for invasive species that might be accidentally transported.

Such checkpoints are also used, along with intelligence gathering to ensure that nuclear proliferation also doesn't make it into the wrong hands. In many regards we also use intelligence gathering to know what type of things we don't want in our country in the way of invasive species, and we look closely to prevent the moving of various species. There are rules and regulations about importing exotic reptiles for instance. Still, it's a very small invasive species, or an arms dealer that always seems to slip through the cracks. Species of weeds and plants often are tracked in on hiking boot from tourists.

Various insects might make their way into another region on firewood being transported as they are just hitching a ride. This is why we have to be very careful to watch the patterns to prevent nuclear proliferation and the flow of invasive species. It's a rather overwhelming task, but one we must face; and conquer. Please consider all this and think on it.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

What Does Being a Zoo Keeper Involve?


To be keeper for a day is a truly memorable experience. If you are a zoo keeper you can get up close to big zoo animals like lions and tigers as a big cat keeper, or meet and feed herbivores such as White Rhinos, Giraffes and Lowland Tapirs.


As a zoo keeper you will be comfortable with all types of animals including large animals like zebras and small animals like meerkats and snakes. To apply for a job keeper ideally you will have had some experience of working with animals in a practical environment, such as at a vet or a farm. This experience will stand you in good stead, especially when it comes to dealing calmly with unforseen problems.

Being a zoo keeper is a potentially dangerous but incredibly rewarding experience.

You will perform a number of tasks such as:

• Helping with cleaning out and daily maintenance of the enclosure. 
• Preparing meals and feeding the animals 
• Enrichment activities for the animals such as scent trails for the big cats. 
• Environmental enrichment.

Zoo keepers require a number of skills to be successful. For instance they must work well both on their own and as part of a team. Having good communication skills is a must and in this translates to both communicating with the animals and communicating with your fellow staff. In terms of qualifications you will need good maths and English GCSEs, with science preferred and preferably a national vocational qualification in animal care and husbandry.

When you are a keeper there is a lot of training you need to go through to conform to Health and Safety regulations, and to act safely and responsibly, both for you and the animals.

It is also necessary to be able to think laterally and solve problems. For instance if the animals are not behaving in a way which is good for them or other zoo animals, you may need to come up with creative ways to get them to change their behaviour. This is one of the most fun and rewarding aspects, as well as one of the most challenging.

If you think that being a zoo keeper might be for you then there are a number of zoos which run one off day experiences where you can try what it is really like to do the job. Consider doing one of these experiences and then you will have a better idea of whether the role is for you.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Humic Acid Definition and Benefits


There are a number of chemicals that exist. One of the most interesting chemicals around is humic acid. This chemical is one of the basic elements of organic things such as coal, streams, lakes and ocean water. This substance is produce by dead organic matter so it is in a way a recycled element as well. One thing to note is that this substance is not a single acid but rather a combination of multiple acids. These acids include carboxyl, phenolate, dibasic acid and also tribasic acid. With humic acid you will have the means to supplement soil in agriculture and also use it as a supplement for nutrition as well. As a result this substance has many beneficial uses.


When it comes to humic acid one of the most common uses for this chemical is for agriculture. This acid is a supplement for soil and therefore helps provide many benefits. When you supplement soil you will make it softer and also healthier. As a result it will have more of the proper nutrients and therefore make growing foods and plants easier. If someone is a farmer then using this acid product will greatly help them produce crops of food more easily and efficiently. By using this substance those in agriculture will have one thing they can use which will allow them to accomplish their tasks and be more productive.

Another good thing about this acid is that it can be used as a nutritional supplement. Since eating a healthy diet is essential to being healthy, it is always helpful to have supplements so that you can have optimal nutrition at all times. By using this acid you will have the means to get more of the nutrients you need to stay healthy, increase energy and also help build muscle. Using this acid is great for all people especially bodybuilders and athletes. The acid will help these people improve their performance along with giving them the means to more easily boost their energy levels, increase muscle mass and endurance. This will also give them the ability to be healthier as they will be sure to get proper vitamins and other things they need.

Fortunately for consumers, you can get this acid product with ease. You can go to various retail stores that sell these products or you can go online. If you are looking to get this product at retail stores you will want to find out and make sure that the product you are looking for has this particular acid. If you go to a website you will want to look for the same thing. During the process of looking for this acid product you will want to one's that are either for gardening or nutritional supplements. Once you find the product you are looking for, then all you need to do is order it online and then wait for this product to be shipped to your home or office.

Chuangxin Humic Acid Technology Co., Ltd is the leading humic acid series products manufacturer from China, main products are humic acid, humate, fulvate and fulvic acid in agriculture and other organic humic acid fertilizer used for foliar spray and drip irrigation.