Thursday, September 22, 2011

What the FRACK?!

[This was written by Fran Siebrits and published online by Hy-Se-Sy-Se www.hy-se-sy-se.com/what-the-frack, 2011]

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a method of extracting natural gas and oil from the layers of rock underneath our feet. A phenomenal amount of water, mixed with a shocking variety of chemicals with unpronounceable names, is forced down a pipe that has to first be drilled into the earth. The pressure of this action forces the liquid concoction into cracks in the shale layers of the rock, dislodging and releasing pockets of trapped natural gas and oil wells.

Killer Guides


[This was written by Fran Siebrits and published online by Wild Magazine http://www.wildcard.co.za/, 2011]
 

It's not all milk and honey when it comes to sharing a nest with a honeyguide, especially if you happen to be the foster sibling. These brood parasites have a deadly way of dealing with any eggs left in the nest.

Pigeons Will Remember You

[This was written by Fran Siebrits and published online by Wild Magazine http://www.wildcard.co.za/, 2011]


How many of us would change our behaviour if we knew certain animals could remember every mean thing done to them by specific individuals? For all we know they may be holding a grudge and are going to act in revenge one of these days.

Beautiful Damage Control


[This was written by Fran Siebrits and published online by Wild Magazine http://www.wildcard.co.za/, 2011]

Orb-weaving spiders do not construct silky patterns only to catch their prey, but also as a means of reacting to web damage.

Flap, Run, Fly

[This was written by Fran Siebrits and published online by Wild Magazine http://www.wildcard.co.za/, 2011]


Why do birds sometimes run and flap their wings up a steep hill rather than fly over it?

Migration Decreases Disease


[This was written by Fran Siebrits and published online by Wild Magazine http://www.wildcard.co.za/, 2011]

 It has previously been assumed that migratory animals spread diseases from one area to another. But a recent study has suggested the opposite.