ANIMALS
Meet Wally the Alligator, Who Provides Comfort to Owner Facing Cancer and Depression
We usually consider small and cuddly animals like cats, dogs, and rabbits as our beloved pets. However, did you know that even wild and potentially risky animals like alligators can become dear friends and be just as affectionate as these more typical pets? In the upcoming story, you’ll find a touching tale that demonstrates exactly that.
A man caught attention recently when he shared his unexpected choice of an emotional support animal – an alligator named Wally, his constant companion. Despite the surprised looks and criticism, he’s committed to explaining what makes Wally special and the remarkably positive impact he has had on his life.
Image source: Joie Henney
Wally’s story started when he was found as a baby alligator in a pond at Disney World, Florida. Even though many people thought letting him go back into the wild was the best choice, it’s not legal in Florida. The only options were to keep him or put him down.
Fortunately, Joie Henney, an experienced rescuer of reptiles and alligator expert, chose to adopt Wally in 2015. In Pennsylvania, his home state, individuals can own alligators and other exotic animals as long as they have the proper permits and licenses.
Image source: Joie Henney
Usually, alligators tend to bite defensively, especially when someone gets too close or touches them. But Wally is different from the norm. According to Henney, Wally is not a threat and stands as a rare exception to the typical aggressive behavior of alligators. He has never tried to bite anyone, not even when Henney playfully puts his hand in Wally’s mouth to rub his tongue. This unusual behavior has experts puzzled, making Wally quite unique.
“He doesn’t show anger. He doesn’t show aggression. He hasn’t since the day he was caught. We never could understand why,” Henney said. “He’s just loveable. He sleeps with me, steals my pillows, steals my blankets. He’s just awesome.” However, Henney advises against expecting the same friendly behavior from most alligators.
Image source: Joie Henney
In 2019, Henney got a license officially recognizing Wally as an emotional support animal. Surprisingly, Wally has been really important in supporting Henney through his cancer radiation treatments and boosting his mood when he feels down. Although Henney had been prescribed anti-depressants, he chose to count on the comforting presence of Wally instead.
Image source: Joie Henney
Being an emotional support animal, Wally can go almost everywhere with Henney. However, certain restaurants have said no because of concerns about spreading salmonella. In a notable event in September 2023, they were not allowed into Citizens Bank Park, where the Philadelphia Phillies play.
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Wildlife experts and animal welfare groups suggest stronger laws to stop people from keeping wild animals, like alligators, as pets. This is because owners sometimes abandon them when they become too difficult to handle. However, Henney doesn’t promote alligators as good pets. Instead, he brings Wally to schools and senior centers for educational visits, emphasizing responsible ownership of exotic pets. He hopes that Wally’s story encourages kindness and brings smiles, which are much-needed positive aspects in today’s world.
Image source: Joie Henney
Ultimately, we can conclude that pets always play important roles in our lives, whether they provide emotional support or simply bring happiness through the memories we make together.
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.
Image source: nationalgeographic
2. Two-lined spittlebug
This insect, which comes from the eastern United States, is often seen as a pest because it likes to eat grass. Its springy back legs can make it jump into the air like a rocket.
Image source: nationalgeographic
3. Yellow-collared scape moth
Unlike most moths, this North American species flies during the day. Its shiny blue-black wings sparkle in the sunlight.
Image source: nationalgeographic
4. Ailanthus webworm moths
These tropical moths have spread farther north in the U.S. Because of their larval host, the invasive tree of heaven, they are now one of the most common backyard moths in the country.
Image source: nationalgeographic
5. Common stonefly
Mostly found in eastern North America, this insect starts its life as an underwater nymph in forested streams or rivers. Then it leaves the water, sheds its skin, and becomes an adult with wings.
Image source: nationalgeographic
6. Green lacewings
Eighty-seven species of this insect have been found in the U.S. and Canada. Since they eat a lot of unwanted plant pests like aphids and mites, they are often used to naturally control these pests.
Image source: nationalgeographic
7. Grapevine beetle
This insect, fittingly named, eats the leaves and fruit of grapevines, both wild and farmed, but it doesn’t do much damage to the plants. As a type of scarab beetle, it often flies in a curved path.
Image source: nationalgeographic
8. Oak treehopper and green treehopper
Treehoppers are known for their uniquely shaped pronotum, the part behind their head, which often looks like plant parts to hide from predators. They can jump well thanks to special muscles.
Image source: nationalgeographic
9. Banded orange
This brightly colored butterfly can be found from Mexico to Brazil. Before mating season, male butterflies look for mineral salts, sometimes even drinking salty fluids from the skin, eyes, and nostrils of other animals.
Image source: nationalgeographic
10. Sapho longwing
Longwings can live for 6 to 7 months, longer than most butterflies. This type, found from Mexico to Ecuador, has shiny blue wings, which is why it’s also called the Sapphire longwing.
Image source: nationalgeographic
ANIMALS
Eagle and Fox in an Epic Midair Battle Over a Rabbit, Were Captured by a Photographer
Wildlife photography often depends on the perfect combination of good timing and the right place.
That’s exactly what happened when Kevin Ebi, an experienced wildlife photographer, captured an incredible battle between a bald eagle and a red fox, both competing for a rabbit meal.
In a detailed blog post, Ebi shares the fascinating series of events that unfolded while he was photographing foxes in San Juan Island National Historical Park, located in Washington state.
Ebi noticed a lively group of eight fox kits as they began their hunting lessons. Suddenly, they spotted a rabbit, and a thrilling chase ensued. Eventually, one of the foxes emerged as the winner, proudly carrying the rabbit across the field.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Ebi shares what happened at that moment: “As I followed the fox with my camera, a sudden bald eagle cry caught my attention. It was swiftly approaching, clearly aiming for the rabbit. I quickly focused on the fox, anticipating a quick turnover of events.”
To Ebi’s astonishment, instead of a quick surrender, the situation turned into a intense fight in the air.
The eagle used its power to lift the fox and rabbit high up in the sky. Even while airborne, the fox attempted to break free by swinging back and forth.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
In the end, the eagle moved the rabbit to its other claw, causing the fox to let go. The intense battle came to an end in less than 10 seconds.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
For those worried about the fox’s well-being after the fight, Ebi reassures that it was not injured. The fox swiftly bounced back from the encounter and resumed its playful behavior with the other young foxes, showing no visible wounds from the aerial clash.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
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