Category: Wild

This is the incredible moment when a photographer who was hunting for a great grey owl came across one that was perfectly camouflaged and blended into the bark of the tree.

45-year-old, Canada-based amateur photographer James S. Batuigas came upon the owl after traveling five hours to his favorite spot for wildlife photography in a British Columbia forest.

“I was planning to look for the great grey owl that day,” Batuigas tells the Daily Mail. “I was driving on a forest road searching for the great grey owls, scanning every tree hoping to find one during noontime, where they’re usually resting.

“Then suddenly in the corner of my eye I noticed something moving in the tree trunk, that’s when I realized it was the owl cunningly blended with the bark of the tree.”

The photographer claims that if the owl hadn’t turned its head to look at him, he would not have noticed it since its color and pattern blended in so perfectly with the tree it was perched on.

The great grey owl (Strix nebulosa), which may grow to a length of 33 inches, is the biggest owl species in the world (84cm).

The white collar (commonly referred to as its “bow tie”) under the owl’s face helps to identify the species, which is widespread across the Northern Hemisphere.

The Owl Research Institute states that an owl’s feathers’ hues “help it fit in with the natural environment and, of course, keep it warm.”

“The colors of an owl’s feathers help it blend in with the natural environment and, of course, keep it warm,” the Owl Research Institute writes.

“Feather colors are not the only things that help camouflage owls. They have other tricks to conceal themselves.

“Many stand tall and pull their feathers in tightly, making the owls skinnier and harder to see.”

“When trying to conceal themselves, owls raise the whitish feathers surrounding the bill.”

Zookepers at Guangzhou Zoo in China have denied giving a male lion ‘straight bangs’ after some photos of the eccentric hairdo went viral on China’s Weibo platform.

Image credit: Guangzhou Zoo/Weibo

Often dubbed the King of the Jungle, the lion owes a lot of its animal kingdom prowess to the sleek-looking manes of males. Apparently, similarly to us, these majestic animals also sometimes cut their own hair and then have to spend weeks growing out the results of their impulsive decision.

Meet Hang Hang, a male white lion, who has just probably been through something like that, judging by his truly puzzling hairdo and what zookepers had to say about it – they have denied having any part in what seems to be a kind of bowl-cut, with a bizarrely straight fringe.

Image credit: Guangzhou Zoo/Weibo

The denial came after people started accusing the zoo’s staff of giving Hang Hang the anomalous – alright, animalous – haircut, since it is presented with such precision. The zoo has refuted the allegations repeatedly though, suggesting in an official statement that hot temperatures and the high humidity in Guangzhou could have caused the animal’s mane to hang down like that. They added that the lion’s own grooming routine may also have been involved, which is perhaps the most amusing (and relatable) explanation.

In either way, Hang Hang doesn’t seem bothered by his new hairstyle at all.

Image credit: Guangzhou Zoo/Weibo

Hang Hang is part of the rare species of white lions known for the color of their fur, which can range from a pale blond to a striking white. Their distinctive hue is due to a recessive trait called ‘leucism’, a less-severe gene mutation than that of albinism.

Although these amazing animals were pronounced extinct in the wild between 1992 and 2004, thanks to the Global White Lion Protection Trust the species was reintroduced back into their natural habitat, and today there are three prides flourishing in the wild.

If you suffer from vertigo, look away now.

While some people would find it unbearable to go anywhere near the edge of a cliff, these Chinese workers are building a 3ft-wide road made of wooden planks on the face of one that’s thousands of feet high.

Once finished, it is hoped sightseers will flock to here to edge along and admire the views.

The ‘road’ – the width of a dinner table – they’re assembling is on Shifou Mountain in Hunan Province and stands vertical at 90 degrees without any slopes or alcoves.

What’s more, the from China’s eastern Jiangxi Province toil away on it with what appear to be few if any safety measures.

Don’t look down: Teetering on the edge this builder inspects his handiwork. When finished the road will stretch for 1.8 miles, making it China¿s longest sightseeing path

I can see for miles: This worker reaches out to tighten the scaffolding on the ‘road’ which is the width of a dinner table

The long drop: Once the path is built, the question is how many sightseers will actually want to walk along it?

The scene is a terrifying one for those from health and safety conscious nations such as ours. The planks look distinctly thin and rickety and a fall to certain death is just inches away – but this doesn’t appear to faze the workers who toil away fearlessly every day.

When finished the road will stretch for 1.8 miles, making it China’s longest sightseeing path.

The question that many people will be asking is: Who will be brave enough to walk around it once it’s finished?

Now here’s where things get weird, shoebill storks are not only know to be generally accepting of and friendly towards humans, but bowing to them is what they perceive as a deliberate sign of respect and friendliness and they will be quite happy to interact with you afterwards. This is a natural behavior.

Can’t believe i just knew this creature minutes ago from the video of shoebil with gunshot voice
What a majestic bird.

how the shoe bill is so calm and respectful, and whatever that chatter is with the beak is cute as heck. The shoe bill kind of reminds me of a guardian. Seems so intelligent, and smart. The bowing is so respectful, but i don’t quite understand what the headshaking means, but it is cute just the same.

If you encounter a wild cassowary you have to 1. Look him in the eyes 2. Back away and 3. Hold something in front of you.
Luckily for us the thing in our hand was a GoPro so when a wild cassowary charged over we caught it on film.

In 3 decades, we’ve met countless turtles and tortoises. So many that there’s no way to even guess at a number. Every once in a while an extra special one comes along but words can’t describe just how personable, charismatic and intelligent this turtle is. Meet “Otis”, the dog-like box turtle.

How you resisted giving him head scratches is beyond me. I would have had to talk to him too. Your approach was far more respectful, but I wouldn’t be able to help myself. He’s just too friggin adorable.

I work with a security firm and we train Rangers to protect mostly rhinos and elephants from poachers, but we also do “other” things. I’ve learned bowing your head toward wild giraffes (literally like they were royalty) calms and reassures them that you are no threat.

Barely the size of a walking boot, the Fennec Fox (Vulpes zerda) goes head-to-head with the Sahara. Against all odds, the smallest canine of all uses its unique abilities to survive and thrive in the hostile conditions under the scorching desert sun.

If you thought the Lyre Bird was a good mimic, you’re in for a treat. This clip will bring your heart to your mouth as you wonder at how close orangutan behaviour is to our own. From the BBC documentary series, Life of Mammals.

Sadly, Mimi (white & orange cat in the video) was laid to rest yesterday at the age of 9, he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in march this year. he put up a brave fight until the very end.

He was my bestie. Mimi loved his brother Tom (Black and White cat in the video) he always had his back. I’m grateful for all the incredible love and support you have sent our way. Mimi has gone But never forgotten (22nd Nov 2014 – 26th Dec 2023)

I love how they’re so confused by the stacking situation they need a good five seconds just to process what happened before they can attempt to extricate themselves.

In that second clip, they were so synchronized that they were literally trying to occupy the same space

They were so synchronized that they almost combined into one being… Truly magnificent