The Rare "Corpse Flower"

Rafflesia Arnolidii, is a rare plant nicknamed the corpse flower, because it emits a putrid odor that brings to mind things like rotting meat and decomposing flesh. This plant produces the largest blossom known to mankind, with a diameter of around a meter, and weighing up to 9kg. But the blood-red flower is only visible for a few days and can take months to develop. Other than the blossom, there is no visible evidence of the Rafflesia Arnolidii, because it lives off a plant called the Tetrastigma Vine in a parasite-like manner. This combined with the fact that it grows solely in Southeast Asia makes sighting the flower an incredibly rare event. It also means it is endangered by deforestation, though its diffucult to tell to what extent, due to it only being visible for a short time. The Rafflesia Arnolidii is a unique example of plant life that is jeopardized by human activities, and one that you can help save by doing simple things like recyling.

How well can a dog see in the dark?

Ever wondered how well fido can see at night? Turns out, dogs can see really well in the dark. Their pupils are larger and let in more light, and they have more light-sensitive rods which work better in dim light than color-detecting cones. The retina responds better to less light, and the lens is located closer to the retina, which makes the image on the retina brighter.  But, the canines biggest advantege is the tapetum, a mirror-like structure to the rear of the eye that reflects light, giving the retina another chance to register light that has entered the eye.  However, this causes dogs vision to be somewhat blurry. This is also what makes a dogs eyes glow in the dark. So dogs need five or six times less light to see than a human does! However your pooch still cant see in total darkness. So there is no reason to leave the light on for your best doggy friend, because he can see just fine.

Shetland Sheepdog, the Miniature Collie?

Love Lassie, but dont want a big dog? Meet the Shetland Sheepdog, otherwise known as the Sheltie. The Sheltie looks almost exactly like a collie in the miniature, and they share a few similar traits. However, the Sheltie is actually a completely seperate breed. Originating in  Scandinavia, they were brought to the Shetland Isles in the 1700's. The Sheltie is a herding dog, much like the collie. So, when they were brought to the U.S. they were breed with several other herding breeds, including the Border Collie, Rough Collie, Australian Shepherd, and the Old English Sheepdog.  The Shetland Sheepdog is a wonderful breed, that measures at 13 to 15 inches, the perfect size for cuddling. They are also one of the most intelligent breeds, coming in six on a list of dogs ranked by intelligence. This combined with their eagerness to please, makes them an easy pet to train. You might think that with their thick, beatiful, coats they require constant grooming, however you really only need to groom them once a week. They also have a somewhat shy personality, but that makes them great watchdogs. So, now your probably thinking, "Wow! This is the perfect dog!" But they have their flaws, mainly, they bark. Then they bark some more, and then some more. But dont let this discourage you from adopting your own mini Lassie, with a little effort they can be trained to bark only when neccesary, and even then to only bark a few times. You also have to make sure your Sheltie gets plenty of exercise, as this is an active breed. Other than that the Shetland Sheepdog makes an excellent pet!