Do you have a third eyelid?

Sam and I know that we have a third eyelid and that humans don’t! However we did not know that there were quite a few animals that have a third eyelid! Animals such as the polar bear, shark and aardvark are just a few. Sam and I thought that you might understand how the third eyelid is used by our below examples of the bird, llama and camel.

Birds have three eyelids; one upper, one lower and a nictitating membrane between the two eyelids. This membrane is operates like our tear duct does. It cleans and protects the bird’s eye. It is transparent, so that the bird’s vision is not impaired. Some veterinarians think that the third eyelid covers the bird’s eye when they are flying. In other words it’s like they are wearing birdie goggles to prevent dry eyes!

Both the llama and the camel have a third eyelid. The membrane keeps the sand out, yet they are able to see through the lid. Therefore both the Llama and Camel can literally see through a sandstorm!

This informative link from Wikipedia will also show you some interesting insight and pictures of the third eyelid!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nictitating_membrane

Remember to Hug your Animals,

Maggie & Sam

Can’t you see Our Window Birdie?

Sam and I have been noticing that a few birds (we are not going to name names have been flying into the windows we look out of. We are very concerned and wanted to know why? With the help of our humans we looked up some interesting information and wanted to share it with you!

Birds tend to fly into the glass because they see it as open and clear (not because they are crazy)! They might also be trying to fly from a predator and they see reflections of the trees, and the sky and they still think they are outdoors. Birds think that their own reflection is another bird and they have a territorial reaction. That is why sometimes birds hit their beak hard on the glass.

Let’s work together to keep these birds from hitting the windows. Put a fake statue of an owl near your window, the birds will believe it is a predator. Attach opaque or Mylar tape to the windows. Also decals work well. Sam and I think that if you leave your windows a little dirty (not filthy, but a little dirty) it will eliminate the reflective glare the birds see. Sometimes Sam and I put our noses on the glass to cause a mark!

If you find an injured bird that can’t recover right away, gently put the bird into your mouth and carry it to your nearest human. Be careful when you pick it up not to put a hole in it with your teeth. Your human should place it in a small open box on a towel. Give the bird a couple of hours if it does not seem well call your local wildlife rehabilitation center. For those of you in Arizona click onto one of the following websites for assistance. Adobe Wildlife Center or Arizona Game & Fish Department

Remember we all must work together it is a crazy world out there!
Maggie & Sammy

I am not your Fool, Fool!

I asked Sam that question and he just gave me the blank cat stare! So we decided to look it up. Here is what we found out from the Newspaper “The Miami Examiner”. It goes all the way back to 1582 and begins with Pope Gregory XIII when he ordered the Julian calendar to be replaced with the new Gregorian calendar. In the Past the celebration of the New Year lasted eight days. Festivities started on March 25th and ended on April 1st.

Since technology wasn’t around like it is now to get the word out (no texting), the news of the new calendar taking effect didn’t happen fast. A lot of countries didn’t know for years and some refused to follow the Gregorian calendar. So the ones who continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1st were called “fools” and made fun of. This is how Fools Day came to be.

Well that explains it! Hope everyone had a fun April Fool's Day.

Best Wishes,

Maggie and Sammy