ANIMALS

Meet The Akhal-teke, The Horse With A Shimmering Coat That Looks Like It Was Dipped In Liquid Gold

Excitedly spreading through the online world is the claim that he is the most remarkable horse in the world, supported by a photo of a breathtaking Akhal-Teke with a shimmering coat of gold. The praise on social media reached an unprecedented frenzy, culminating in the horse winning the title of the world’s most beautiful horse through a global vote in a contest that raised some doubts.

Even though the contest turned out to be fake, there’s no denying that the horse itself is authentic and truly an incredible sight. Horse Nation explains that the horse’s astonishing and almost magical glow is due to its unique hair structure, which has the ability to bend light.

Image source: Facebook/Pascal Mouawad

The story of this legendary horse begins with a passionate admirer’s post on social media, which spread rapidly and gained admiration from people all around the world. As a result, the notion arose that the horse had won a beauty contest, and not just any contest, but the highly coveted title of the world’s most beautiful horse. Although the breed has a long-standing lineage dating back to ancient times, it gained global recognition relatively recently, following Turkmenistan’s incorporation into Russia in the late 19th century.

Image source: Facebook/Pascal Mouawad

The stunning coat of this remarkable creature serves a purpose beyond aesthetics. Experts explain that its fur has a distinctive structure that enhances and reflects light, resulting in a striking radiance. It is believed that the Akhal-Teke is naturally born with this golden coat as a means of camouflage in desert environments, where its metallic shimmer can help it blend seamlessly with the sandy landscape and rocky terrain.

Image source: Burak CALISKAN

Encountering an Akhal-Teke horse, let alone owning one, is highly unlikely nowadays, as their global population is estimated to be only around 1,250. If the allure of a golden horse has captivated your imagination, there are other equally magnificent options available in the same hue. While horses come in a wide variety of stunning colors, owning a horse with a golden coat doesn’t have to be an impossible dream, although it’s worth noting that horse ownership can still be expensive.

Image source: Facebook/Pascal Mouawad

There is an undeniable sense of grandeur associated with a golden horse, possibly influenced by Queen Isabella of Spain, who once prohibited commoners from owning them, solidifying their connection with royalty. Alternatively, this fascination might originate from fairy tales depicting princesses surrounded by gold or heroes riding majestic white horses. A simpler explanation could be the appeal of projecting affluence, influence, and prestige by associating oneself with the color gold.

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According to a popular tale, Queen Isabella of Spain held a deep affection for golden horses and is said to have possessed an astounding collection of 100 of them. In the early 1500s, she made a significant move by sending a prized palomino stallion and five mares to Mexico, with the aim of introducing the beauty of golden horses to the New World. This endeavor turned out to be fruitful, as palominos have since gained immense popularity in America, celebrated for their adaptability in various equestrian pursuits.

The Palomino Horse Association acknowledges the widespread appeal of palomino horses, highlighting their involvement in a wide range of activities. According to their website, these versatile horses are utilized in various domains such as ranching, racing, rodeos, leisure riding, parades, shows, fiestas, jumping, trail rides, and more.

The days of Queen Isabella’s prohibition on commoners owning golden horses are long gone. If she were alive today, she might be surprised to learn that these once-exclusive animals are now readily available to a broader group of enthusiasts.

ANIMALS

Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons

The Schmidt Ocean Institute recently explored the Ningaloo Canyons on the western coast of Australia using a robotic underwater vehicle called the ROV Sebastian. Check out the amazing video of what they discovered in the deep parts of the Indian Ocean.

More info: Youtube

ANIMALS

These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects

Flying insects move so quickly that they are hard to follow, but new technology and some smart ideas have helped Spanish photographer Xavi Bou do just that. After spending 10 years focusing on birds in flight for his Ornithographies project, he turned his attention to insects.

For Entomographies, he uses high-speed video footage taken by Adrian Smith, an insect expert at North Carolina State University, to study and record how insects move. Bou then picks multiple frames and combines them into single images that show the fast movements of one or more insects through space and time.

With Smith’s help, Bou has captured the aerial tricks of wasps, the jumps of leafhoppers, and the fluttering of butterflies in amazing detail. He hopes that by doing this, he can make people more aware of the decline in important insect populations around the world.

1. Zebra longwing

This butterfly, which is common in many areas of the Americas, really fits its name. It can fly very high with just a few flaps of its large wings.