Unexpectedly Funny Things to do with Hamsters When You're Bored

The Ark in Space veers off its usual scientific agenda today by showing us some things to do with hamsters when you're bored. It sounds quite possibly a little scary for the hamsters involved (the one above certainly has a slightly worried look on his face!) but is actually a rather amusing post about a very sweet looking creature.  Plus there are plenty of interesting facts about the little tykes too!

Image by kind permission of Flickr User pyza*

My Closest Relative was the Dodo

You might think that the Victoria Crowned Pigeon (above) is more alike to a turkey than a dodo but it is true - this is the nearest relative that unfortunate creature had on this planet.  It's a beauty too - and because of its cousin's untimely demise it is the largest pigeon in the world. The Ark in Space takes a look at this gorgeous, resplendent creature - with its usual stack of fantastic Creative Commons photographs. Another strange fact - this bird produces something which is the avian equivalent of milk. What? Read more here.


Image Credit Flickr Userdiverdewan15

India Explained in Three Minutes

India. It’s a big place, has thousands of years of history and a myriad of different cultures and languages. So, how do you sum it all up in three minutes? By cutting to the chase, as you can see here in this very cool animation by Kashyap Bhatia.

If you want to take on board a lot of interesting facts about India then this is a very good starting point. True you may have to reach for a history book (who am I kidding? I mean go to Wikipedia) to get more detail but for a starting point about where modern India is now plus a little information about where it came from, you could do far worse than this!

I think that Kashyap could have called it Everything you wanted to know about India but were too afraid to ask and still have gotten away with it!

The Meerkat - Sun Angel of Africa

Image Credit Flickr User rofanator

Over at the Ark in Space there is an interesting photo essay packed full of interesting facts about the meerkat. This uber cute African mammal goes under a number of names, the best of which by a mile is the sun angel.  Some African tribes believe that the meerkat will look after them and their animals if they get lost, hence the name. For more facts and a great selection of photographs which really do get 10 out of 10 on the aaaw scale, head over to the Ark in Space.

Bedbugs: The Baleful Biters are Booming

There is a growing epidemic of bedbugs and scientists now believe that it will probably turn in to a pandemic.  The reasons for this are a little unclear - most people though that serious bedbug problems were more or less a thing of the past.

However, over the last few years these charming little creatures have once again been inveigling their way in to our homes and our beds.

The Ark in Space has the low down, not to mention a number of pictures that may well have you itching while you drink your coffee and looking suspiciously at your bed when you retire for the night.  You were warned.