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By Daily Mail Reporter


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Calm before the storm: The baby is all smiles at the start of the video, but little does she know what's in store


Given the recent popularity of a YouTube video, it seems that people do think it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

A video of a baby girl being punched by her family's pet cat has turned into an internet sensation, and since she appears to be fine at the end, it's still all fun and games.

The clip shows a little girl, who appears to be between the ages of one and two years old, sitting in her high chair petting the cat who sits on the tray in front of her.

Gentle petting: The baby lights up when stroking the cat's head and the cat seems to welcome the attention

The girl gets excited and starts to wave her hands up and down, and the cat does the same with his paw- but with a bit more strength.

The cat then lifts its left paw and strikes the girl. At first, it's a timid push on her arm and then its several repeated whacks towards her face.

The man filming the incident then starts laughing and shoos the cat before it jumps off the baby's chair.

Rising up: The cat gets startled as the baby starts to get rambunctious and waves her right arm up and down

Brush off: The cat tries to push the baby away with a little shove to stop her from flapping her arm

As a description of the video, YouTube user ccparker18 writes: 'The cat takes exception to the playful baby, and sucker punches her half a dozen times. She was a little stunned, but survived.'

Though it only lasts 14 seconds, over 89,000 people have watched the video.

Bob and weave: The baby takes cover as the cat starts striking


Shock and awe: As the cat jumps off the tray, the baby is left aghast

The clip was first uploaded in November 2009, but really only went viral in the past few months.

Presumably hoping to have the same success with his first video, the same YouTube user uploaded a second video yesterday of a group of children dressed up and performing like the Blues Brothers, a group made popular in the early Eighties, well before the children in question were born.

WATCH VIDEO HERE:




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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


A mother's senses of hearing and smell are heightened by the maternal instinct to recognise distress calls from her children, research shows.

Scientists looked at how changes to the brain that occur during pregnancy help develop the maternal instinct, a female’s urge to protect her offspring that is found in humans and animals.

They found that the senses of hearing and smell were both changed in the brain, which they believe is nature’s way of ensuring the mother can care for her offspring.


Maternal: Scientists examined the reaction of female mice to pup odours before monitoring the response of their brains to the sounds of their pups.

The team, from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, studied normal mice, mice that had interacted with their pups and mice who had recently given birth and were still lactating.

They examined the reaction of female mice to pup odours before monitoring the response of their brains to the sounds of their pups.

Study author Dr Adi Mizrahi claims the findings ‘suggest that motherhood is associated with a previously undescribed form of multisensory processing in part of the brain called the auditory cortex.'

He said: 'We know that distinct brain changes are linked with motherhood, but the impact of these changes on sensory processing and the emergence of maternal behaviours are largely unknown.

'In mice, olfactory and auditory cues play a major role in the communication between a mother and her pups.

'Therefore, we hypothesized that there may be some interaction between olfactory and auditory processing so that pup odours might modulate the way pup calls are processed in the mother’s brain.'

He added: 'We have shown that motherhood is associated with a rapid and robust appearance of olfactory-auditory integration in the primary auditory cortex occurring along with stimulus-specific adaptation to pup distress calls.

'These processes help to explain how changes in neocortical networks facilitate efficient detection of pups by their caring mothers.'

The results of the study were published in the journal Neuron.


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-Trio born in August after father flown in especially from Germany
-There are only 400 Sumatran tigers left in the world

By Oliver Pickup


Scroll down for a video of the triplets at Taronga Zoo

Scaredy cat: One of the two-month-old cubs hides in the foliage, away from the flashes of cameras at Taronga Zoo

If you went Down Under to this Australian zoo today, you would have been in for a triple surprise.

Because three extremely rare Sumatran tiger cubs were wowing both young and old visitors on their debut appearance at Taronga Zoo, in Sydney.

Two of the cute triplets were curious at all the human eyes tracked on them as they happily played beside their mother.

But one big scaredy cat was so timid it had to hide behind some foliage, away from the many camera flashes and excited children looking in to the enclosure.

With wide eyes the two-month-old cub wonders who on earth all the people taking photos are

Mummy's favourite: Two of the more curious cubs perch by their mother, under the gaze of the many viewers

The mother, Jumilah, took the attention in her stride, and perhaps her two-month-old cubs have been keeping her busy as at one point she produced a yawn which showed her huge mouth.

She gave birth to the two male and one female cubs on August 20, after mating with father Satu.

And the cubs will only be on show for short periods of time, as they tire very quickly for the moment, but as they age, they will spend more time on view in their enclosure.

Sumatran tigers can only be found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra - the only remaining stronghold for tigers in the country.

Experts estimate that there are just 400 such tigers left in the wild - and only 7 per cent of their original habitat remains, which is why these triplets are so important.

Sumatran tiger Jumilah enjoys a big yawn and shows all her teeth - her little ones are obviously tiring her out

Jumilah is seen playing with one of her cubs on display at Taronga Zoo


Here's licking at you, kid: Mother Jumilah is seen pruning one of the tiny cubs

Louise Ginman, carnivore supervisor at Taronga Zoo, said she was purring with delight that all three tigers are healthy and strong, after Satu had been flowing in from Europe to breed with Jumilah.

'Satu was brought to Taronga from Germany as part of the international zoo breeding program for Sumatran tigers to mate with our Taronga-born female Jumilah and introduce new genetics to our region,' she told Manly Daily.

'The female cub is really cheeky, with a lot of attitude and is the first one to check out new things.

'The boys are more cautious, but they’re growing in confidence and body size each day, now tipping the scales over 6kg each.'

Ms Ginman continued: 'There are only about 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, so to see them here at Taronga and know that they are part of a safety-net in case wild populations go extinct is pretty remarkable.'





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-'Hide and seek is a favourite game of theirs - they think it's hilarious ... You just can't get angry at them'
-'No matter how comfortable they are there it's still not enough. Each night they insist on a kiss and a cuddle before bedtime'
-Pensioner, 64, shares three-bedroom bungalow with the foxes

By Jessica Satherley


A hug and a kiss: Jane Sheppard pictured at her home with one of her foxes. 'They are very affectionate - Chico loves to cover my face with kisses. They are actually a lot like cats rather than dogs'


You'd have thought those living in the country would prefer to hunt foxes rather than invite them into their home and let them watch TV.

But that's just what Jane Shepherd, 64, has done and whether it's going about her household chores such as laundry and washing up or spending time in the garden there is always a fox or three nearby.

For the pensioner from Whittlebury in Northamptonshire has opened the doors of her three-bedroom bungalow to three bushy-tailed friends now calls family.

'At the moment I live with Minette, Chico and Billy,' explains Jane.

Shall we watch Countryfile? Jane relaxes on her sofa to watch TV with one of the foxes beside her

'They are very affectionate - Chico loves to cover my face with kisses. They are actually a lot like cats rather than dogs.

'Foxes are very independent, wilful and curious creatures. They are very quiet and great at sneaking up on you when you're not looking.

'Hide and seek is a favourite game of theirs - they think it's hilarious. Foxes can be naughty animals to live with but they are so delightful at the same time. You just can't get angry at them.'

Jane lives with the two females, Billy and Minette, and one male fox, Chico.

Minette and Chico, six-years-old, were both young pups abandoned by their mother when they were found by local people.

Happy family: Jane lives with the two females, Billy and Minette and one male fox, Chico (pictured in the den she created for them)

In the garden: Jane gives one of the foxes a treat as they explore her back yard

Billy was rescued as an adult after a car accident when Jane took her in, so her age remains a mystery.

"Foxes usually revert quickly to their natural behaviour after they've been in contact with humans," said Jane.

"But despite best efforts, because of their friendly personalities, some foxes just want to stay close to people.

"This means it’s not appropriate for them to be returned to the wild. They would approach people and possibly make a nuisance of themselves.

Helping out with the chores: One of the foxes keeps Jane company as she does her washing


Billy was rescued and taken in as an adult after being injured by a car

'Chico is happier indoors than outdoors and it's better for everyone if they live here at home with me.'

Since moving in with her, Jane has even created a three-story living quarters for her beloved fox family.

She can’t help spoiling her foxes with household treats either. 'I feed Billy cooked chicken, dog food but most of all she loves flapjacks," said Jane.

'And the little rascals love stealing from me as well. They live in a special den I've had built for them in my garage.

'No matter how comfortable they are there it's still not enough. Each night they insist on a kiss and a cuddle before bedtime.'


source:dailymail

By Lucy Buckland


Do you like my new look? The unlucky in love stag lets out a loud cry to let the ladies know he had a new hairstyle


It moss be love for this stag, who after donning a wig made up of the green stuff, suddenly found himself surrounded by the ladies.

And this is the hilarious moment the luckless stag decided to try on a brand new hairdo to attract a frisky female, and ended up leaving with two.

The sorry stag had been spotted wandering through Richmond Park on his own for days before getting fed up and trying a new technique.


So after a quick dip in the lake he threw an enormous grassy wig onto his antlers and let out a huge call to find a female.

And his new do appeared to work because after dramatically fighting off another powerful stag he proudly paraded away into the bracken with two deer.

The extraordinary scenes were captured by keen photographer Robert Piper, 55, who couldn't believe his eyes as the bizarre moment unfolded.

He said: 'Sometimes the stags adorn themselves with bracken to impress the females - and it must somehow strike a chord.


Seeing is believing: The sorry stag had been spotted wandering through Richmond Park on his own for days before getting fed up and trying a new technique

'But the head gear can also attract other stags and on occasions will end up with a fight exactly like what happened here.

'This stag did find a female but keeping her was another matter because other stags became jealous and tried to fight him.

'But he fought them off and eventually had two deer following him around. People looking on found the display quite amusing especially as he had been on his own for days.'


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By Daily Mail Reporter


Sweet: 'Squirtle' the baby turtle perches on top of a strawberry at Gowinta Farms, near Brisbane, Australia

This baby turtle clearly has a sweet tooth - and eyes bigger than his stomach!

The tiny creature is captured perching on top of a strawberry at Gowinta Farms, near Brisbane, Australia.


I have to eat all of this? Just days old, the little turtle peeks out from his shell on top of the fruit

Just a few days old, 'Squirtle' and sister 'Myrtle' are surrounded by luscious fruit at their home.

The pair, along with other turtles, live in a pond at the farm site - the largest strawberry farm on Australia's Sunshine Coast.

Double act: Siblings 'Squirtle' and 'Myrtle' sidle up to the strawberry - perhaps they both have a sweet tooth?


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By Chris Slack


Colourful: This spectacular close up of a kingfisher was one of the images submitted by Sam Kaye to the Royal Photographic Society. They later awarded the 12-year-old a distinction

They are a stunning collection of images that appear to have been taken by a veteran wildlife photographer.

Yet this spectacular portfolio of photos captured in South Africa was actually taken by a schoolboy.

Now 12-year-old Sam Kaye's efforts have been rewarded, after he has become the youngest ever member of the Royal Photographic Society to gain a distinction.

Take that! Sam captured this clash between a lion and lioness during a family holiday to South Africa. All the images submitted were taken in the country

Making a splash: A hippo stretches its jaws in a South African lake. Judges of the photos were stunned when they found out Sam's age

Fellows of the world's oldest photographic society were shocked to discover Sam's age after they judged his work anonymously and awarded him the honour.


Sam, from Radlett, Hertfordshire, started taking photos when he was six and beat hundreds of photographers from all over the world to become a licentiate of the esteemed society.

He can now write the letters LRPS - Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society - after his name.

Sam, who particularly enjoys taking photos of animals and nature, built up his portfolio while on holiday in South Africa.

His images include a close-up of a fox in the grass, a hippo enjoying a cool bath and a bright blue kingfisher.

Others show a lion and lioness fighting, an elephant with a twisty truck, an owl perched in a tree and a water vole peeking out of the stream
Speaking about the award, Sam said: 'I was really surprised to win the award from the RPS, but very pleased.

'I feel really inspired taking photos and my dream job would be to travel around the world doing wildlife photos.'

He added he would like to become a professional photographer when he is older.

The youngster has already caught the attention of photography world after getting to the semi-finals in the wildlife photographer of the year competition earlier this year.

He also won the Royal Horticultural Society young photographer of the year award in 2010 for his amazing close-up of a hoverfly.

Mother Su said: 'I'm extremely proud of him. He's had a camera since he was six and he's just got better and better.

'We took a trip to South Africa last year and he got some great shots that I wish I'd taken.'

Ready to pounce: With its eyes intently focuses and jaws at the ready, this fox prepares to attack its prey

This elephant photo was one of the images Sam submitted for judging. Candidates must enter ten pictures which are judged anonymously with one third of those who enter failing

The Royal Photographic Society's Stuart Blake added: 'It is an excellent achievement for someone so young.

'We have people who are much older apply for the title and do not come anywhere near the standard required.

'The level of competence needed has increased considerably over the years, so he has done remarkably well.'

The RPS was founded in 1853 and has more than 10,500 members worldwide.

Members can apply for a distinction by submitting ten photos, which are then judged anonymously. Last year only two thirds of those who applied were successful.


source:dailymail

By David Wilkes


On the brink: Rare Sealyham terriers, which are described in Country Life magazine as 'cheerful companions'

They look so cute it is almost impossible to believe these dogs have had their day.

But the Sealyham terrier, once beloved of Hollywood stars and royalty, is now ‘rarer than a tiger’ and on the verge of extinction.

The staggering decline in the popularity of the little white dogs is highlighted in the latest edition of Country Life magazine as it sends an ‘SOS’ - that’s ‘Save our Sealyhams’ - message to its well-heeled readers.


There are only 49 of the puppies registered in the country last year

Describing the breed as ‘both cheerful companion and efficient pest controller’, the article urges: ‘If we can save the rhino or tiger, we can surely save this useful and charming breed of dog.’

The call to arms to rescue the British breed from oblivion comes as the Kennel Club revealed that just 49 Sealyham puppies were registered with it in the UK last year.

Almost incredibly, that is actually a very slight improvement on three years ago.

In 2008, only 43 were registered - an all-time low which placed Sealyhams in the bottom three most endangered breeds on the Kennel Club’s Vulnerable Native Breeds list.

It is all a very long way the days when more thousands were registered a year and everyone who was anyone seemed to have a Sealyham.

Owners then included Princess Margaret, Humphrey Bogart and Elizabeth Taylor.

Sealyhams were originally bred to catch rats, rabbits and other vermin, but Country Life says: ‘People soon discovered that, although the Sealyham might have the wit and courage to hold a badger at bay, he was also a very charming fellow to have at dinner.

‘At the peak of their popularity, in the 1920s, the KC regularly registered more than 2,000 puppies each year, but this did nothing for the integrity of the breed. After the rise came the fall.’

The Kennel Club has blamed the decline of the Sealyham partly on the popularity of ‘designer’ continental dogs including Shih Tzus.

Another possible reason was the ban on tail docking in 2006.

The dogs' tails were traditionally docked to the strongest point so farmers could pull them out of rabbit holes.

Even a Sealyham winning Best in Show at Crufts for the first time in 2009 could not stem the rot as the competition was not televised that year due to the BBC withdrawing support after exposing cruelty in the pedigree-dog world.

‘So an opportunity for publicity fell on stony ground,’ writes Tessa Waugh in article for this week’s Country Life, which is out today.

Reasons listed by the magazine why you should have a Sealyham include: ‘They make adorable, loyal family dogs, which are eager to please and are quite trainable.’

It adds that they are ‘aren’t neurotic’, have a ‘non-shedding coat’.

The one hope seems to be how passionate Sealyham owners are about promoting the breed.

‘Sealyham obsessive’ Finny Muers-Raby who lives at Cothelstone Manor in Somerset, and owns one called Molesworth, told the magazine: ‘Everyone flies the flag for a tiger or a bear, but this poor little British dog is being ignored.

People need to know that they’re fun but gutsy little dogs with very gentle, sweet natures.’

Harry Parsons, founder of the Working Sealyham Terrier Club, who has 13 of them, which he uses as a pack to get rid of rats on farms.

He and his wife Gail also tour game fairs to raise awareness of the seldom seen dogs.

Yesterday Mr Parsons, 54, Brixham, Devon, told the Mail: ‘To sustain a breed you I think you need between 300 to 500 pups a year.

'My aim is to get them into good young people’s homes. They are intelligent and need to be part of a family.’

Last night a Kennel Club spokesman said: ‘Because the Sealyham terrier lacks the high profile that some breeds enjoy it has sadly fallen out of fashion.

‘We are concerned that too many people choose a breed purely because they have seen it flaunted by celebrities and fail to look beyond the obvious choices to the more obscure breeds which may perhaps be a better fit for their lifestyle.’

In a bid to improve lesser known breeds’ popularity, the Kennel Club is hosting the Discover Dogs event at Earls Court on November 12 and 13 where visitors can see more than 200 breeds of dog.


source:dailymail

By Daily Mail Reporter


The Komodo Dragon has a fearsome reputation for being an adept killing machine, able to take down animals as large as buffalo with little trouble.

But, according to a new study, the world's largest lizard has a bite less powerful than an average house cat.

So how on earth does it manage it?

Scroll down for video

The Komodo Dragon may have a weak bite but deploys poison, brute strength, razor-sharp teeth and a 'can-opener' bite technique when attacking prey

At more than nine feet long and weighing up to 100kg the Dragon relies on its hulk and brute strength when out hunting.

It also injects a dose of poison into its victims before ripping them to pieces with razor-sharp teeth and a 'can-opener' bite technique.

Researchers from Rutgers University in the U.S. and the University of New South Wales in Australia, attached cuts of meat for the Dragon to 'attack' for their study, published in PLoS ONE.

They found the beast relies on its hefty, muscular body to bear down on its prey while tearing away large pieces of the flesh with its serrated teeth.


'Like a giant, scaly can-opener': The Komodo Dragon uses its serrated teeth to tear strips of flesh from its victims, this time a buffalo

'When considered together with our computer-modelling results these new data show that the Komodo Dragon operates like a giant scaly can opener,' said Dr Stephen Wroe, director of the Group.

'By using its body, the animal does away with the need to invest energy in heavy muscle and bone in its head - it's a very efficient system.'

Dr Wroe and colleagues previously found that the poison produced by a Komodo Dragon cause its victims to go into shock and bleed heavily.

'People think of Komodo Dragons as 'prehistoric' or 'primitive', but the picture emerging is one of a very effective killer,' Dr Wroe added.

'Altogether, it's a pretty sophisticated and lethal piece of kit.'

Now watch the Komodo Dragon in action (graphic content)




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By Associated Press


Injured: Rescuers believe someone intentionally hurt the red-tailed hawk earlier this month, and said it appeared to be in pain


A red-tailed hawk that rescuers said was shot in the head with a nail gun was recovering Sunday at a Northern California wildlife centre.

The hawk, captured in a San Francisco park by rescuers yesterday, was doing 'very well' while being cared for at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley in San Jose, said Rebecca Dmytryk, executive director of the Monterey-based group WildRescue.

'The nail dislodged and dropped out during transport with no sign of additional trauma and no bleeding,' Ms Dmytryk said.


The juvenile bird was trapped on Saturday evening at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens. It was immediately transported to the wildlife centre where specialists stayed late to receive it, Ms Dmytryk said.

WildRescue had been notified of the injured bird nearly a week ago and had tried to trap it several times last week without success.

Rescued: A wildlife rescue group captured the hawk at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Saturday

But observers got close enough to the bird to see the nail extending from its cheek through the front of its head. They said the hawk appeared to be in pain.

Ms Dmytryk's group had been using a trap called a bal-chatri, a trap made of wire mesh, to try to catch the injured hawk.

Rescuers believe someone intentionally hurt the hawk earlier this month. A reward of $10,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever harmed the bird.

She has said that wild birds like hawks are protected, and that it's a felony to try to capture the birds without a license.




source:dailymail

By Laurie Whitwell


Painful? A dog looks strained while posing as a pin cushion the 21st Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade

Even dogs can celebrate Halloween - and here's a show to prove it.

Canines of all breeds sent tongues and tails wagging as they took part in the 2011 Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade in New York on Saturday.

The field of around 500 very patient pooches was packed with inventive and hilarious costumes, including a stegosaurus, Don Draper from Mad Men and a bride.

Mad dog: Jack the dog as Don Draper from Mad Men - not to be confused with a banker

Jurassic bark: A non-too smiley dog dresses as a stegosaurus

The parade of masquerading dogs is the largest Halloween Dog Parade in the U.S.

A pup done up like Lady Gaga from the 2009 VMAs won a prize for being best dressed.

But the top dog gong of Best in Show went to a canine disguised as an M23 New York bus, fully equipped with its very own passenger, the owner's child.

The proceeds raised during the event go to the oldest dog run in New York City.

This corgi, dressed as an M23 New York bus, and his owner Ben, whose child was in on the costume, won 'Best in Show' at the event

This pooch went as Lady Gaga from the 2009 VMAs and won a prize for best-dressed

Small Apple: This dog went all out by dressing up as New York City

Open for business? This pomeranian went as a sightseeing bus


Oscar winner? This four-legged friend went as Natalie Portman's Black Swan

Jazz the 'Aircraft Carrier' and crew were in attendance

Tank the English Bullodog as the 'Runaway Bride'

The parade of masquerading dogs is the largest Halloween Dog Parade in the U.S.

Sarah Polgee and her pet Kiki go wacky


The proceeds raised during the event go to the oldest Dog Run in New York City

Some owners even joined in with the costumes, such as these four inspired by the Wizard of Oz


This boxer as a bride was one of the funnier costumes on show

The pooch entered as a New York subway, complete with customary rat


There was even room for a bulldog dressed, aptly, as a strongman


source:dailymail