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Apart from animals, plants are the only organisms which have vascular tissues. This only applies to vascular plants, since non-vascular plants have a more simple structure. In biology, tissues are a collection of cells which work together to perform a particular function, but which are less complicated...
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Known for their long necks, giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) also possess an equally amazing adaptation: their tongues. At 53 cm (20.8 inches) long and distinctively two-toned, these specialized organs are crucial for survival in the African savanna. Millions of years of evolutionary refinement are reflected...
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Known scientifically as meteors, shooting stars are an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when small particles of dust and rock from interplanetary space enter the Earth's atmosphere. These particles burn up due to friction with the air as they fall at high speed, creating a bright trail of light in the sky...
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Have you ever stopped to wonder why the Earth is round? It's a fundamental fact we learn early in life, but the science behind this seemingly simple observation is quite fascinating. Our planet isn't a perfect sphere, but it's close, and the forces that shaped it into this form are powerful and universal....
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World Snow Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of January every year. In 2025, it will be celebrated on 19th January. This day was created with the aim of bringing people closer to winter sports and other recreational activities enjoyed in a snowy terrain. It is also designed to raise awareness of...
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Saturn, recognized for its prominent ring system, has held human interest for centuries. Early astronomers observed it with rudimentary telescopes, while modern missions like Cassini have provided detailed data, deepening our understanding of this gas giant. Today, Saturn remains a cornerstone of planetary...
The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is one of four extant lynx species from the genus Lynx. Native to the Iberian Peninsula of Spain and Portugal, the Iberian lynx is one of the few apex predators left in the region. While numbers have been decimated over the years for various reasons, there in an encouraging...
When you think of sharks, the image of a fearsome predator with rows of razor-sharp teeth might spring to mind. But these apex predators have dominated the oceans for over 400 million years, long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. And the truth is, sharks are far more than Hollywood villains. In fact,...
We have already explained the different levels of Earth's atmosphere at thedailyECO, but the expanse which divides our planet from the rest of our solar system is vast. This means that smaller sub-layers are often required to better understand some of the liminal areas of the atmosphere. Each layer...
Bonobos (Pan paniscus) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are part of the same genus, Pan, and share 98.7% of their DNA. They also share over 98% of their DNA with humans. Although they split from a common ancestor about 1.7 million years ago, they have developed clear differences in their appearance,...
Knowing exactly how many rings the planet Saturn has is practically impossible. We know that Saturn has 7 main rings, but these are actually groups of smaller rings which make up each larger main ring. There are about 30 individual rings within these ring groups, but these are also made of thousands...
Dark matter and dark energy make up 95% of our universe, yet they remain among science's biggest mysteries. Though they share the word "dark" in their names, these cosmic forces work in completely opposite ways and play very different roles in shaping our universe. Let's explore what makes each one unique...
A seismograph is an instrument used to detect, measure and record ground movements caused by seismic phenomena. Such seismic phenomena include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and even those induced by human activity such as those caused by explosions. Incorporating elements such as a seismometer and seismogram,...
Humans once believed the Sun orbited Earth. While this seems logical, we feel still while the Sun appears to move across the sky, the truth is exactly opposite. Earth moves around the Sun, a fact that completely changed our understanding of our place in space. Today, we know the Earth never sits still....
Gravity is the force of attraction exerted by bodies with mass. The planet Earth on which we live has considerable mass and the gravity it generates is responsible for keeping objects on its surface. As one of the fundamental interactions, it also influences a wide variety of natural and dynamic phenomena. Earth's...
Solar wind shapes our space environment in many different ways. This continuous stream of charged particles flowing from the Sun's outer atmosphere travels millions of miles through space before encountering Earth's magnetic shield. While much of this cosmic wind goes unnoticed in our daily lives, its effects...
The Mercalli Intensity Scale measures earthquake effects through observable damage and human experience, using 12 levels from barely noticeable tremors to total destruction. Created in 1902 and modified in 1931, this scale helps emergency responders assess damage patterns and engineers design seismic-resistant...
The thermosphere is one of the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere, located between the mesosphere and the exosphere. It begins approximately 50 mi (80 km) above sea level and extends to around 435 mi (700 km). It has some key functions which allow human life on Earth to continue, such as protection against...
Earthquakes are geological hazards which occur due to the movement of tectonic plates in the Earth's crust. Their study requires specific tools and scales to measure their magnitude, intensity and effects. The Richter scale is a method that measures the energy released at the epicenter of an earthquake...
Permafrost refers to ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years. Found primarily in polar regions and high-altitude areas, it plays a critical role in shaping ecosystems and influencing global climate. Permafrost consists of soil, rock, and organic material locked in ice. As temperatures...
The exosphere is the outermost layer of the a planet's atmosphere. On our planet, it is begins 500 310 miles from the surface of the Earth and extends gradually until it blends with outer space. Characterized by its low density and particle dispersion, this region acts as a transition zone between the...
The cryosphere refers to all areas on Earth where water exists in its frozen form, including glaciers, ice sheets, snow, sea ice, and permafrost. This frozen world plays a critical role in shaping the global climate, as it influences Earth’s temperature, sea levels, and water cycles. However, climate change...
For most of us, the concept of fruit vs. vegetable is mainly a culinary distinction. Generally speaking, we go to vegetables when we want something savory and fruit when we want something sweet. However, this distinction is not accurate when it comes to categorizing fruits and vegetables. To really know the...
Stars are distant objects that shine brightly in the night sky. Their light has traveled many light-years to reach us.Stars generate light through nuclear fusion in their cores. Inside these giant balls of gas, temperatures reach 15 million degrees Celsius, forcing hydrogen atoms to combine into helium. This...
Both terrestrial mammals with similar markings, raccoons and badgers have certain differences with which we can easily distinguish them. These differences can be seen in their physical appearance, but also in factors such as habitat and behavior. For example, raccoons have black markings around their eyes,...
The ferret and the possum are different species, but they share similarities which mean some of us may confuse one for the other. They are both mammals that have slender bodies and narrowed faces. Their markings will depend on species, but they can both have dark and light patches on different parts of...
Uranus is the seventh planet away from the Sun and the closest it an ever be to our own planet Earth is 1.6 billion miles. Despite such a long distance away, you might be surprised how much astronomers are able to know about this ice giant of a planet. The information we have is not only vast, but it is...
Myrmecophagous animals are those which eat ants or termites, especially if these insects constitute the majority of their diet. This can be used to contrast with insectivores which eat different kinds of insects in a more generalized way. Some insectivores may carry out myrmecophagy opportunistically,...
World Animal Day is celebrated on the 4th October every year. It is an event in honor of both the wild animals which are so essential to our global ecosystems, as well as the companion and working animals with which we share our lives. Not only is it designed to celebrate the beauty of these animals,...
A turtle is known for its shell, from which its body emerges. Despite this hard carapace which it used for shelter and protection, the turtle anatomy include the body parts we expect from most reptiles. These include a head, legs and a tail. While all turtles will have the same basic body parts, some...
Camels and dromedaries are often confused for one another, but these two animals, while closely related, have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Both are well-adapted to harsh desert environments, yet their physical differences, habitats, and uses throughout history are unique. Understanding...
Have you ever imagined a tree towering as high as a 35-story building? These natural giants do exist, although their canopies often reach above the clouds, hidden in remote and hard-to-reach places. While many trees grow to impressive heights, one stands above the rest as the tallest living being on Earth....
Waterfalls and cascades are very similar natural phenomena that are the result of water falling from a certain height. They are a result of uneven ground disrupting the water course. This uneven ground can be due to many processes which affect the geography of ecosystems such as erosion or even tectonic...
The Bermuda Triangle is a real geographical place, located in the Atlantic Ocean. It is an area surrounding certain delineated points which extend from the island nation of Bermuda to the USA and Puerto Rico. When asking whether the Bermuda Triangle is real, it is most likely due to the mysterious stories...
At first glance, damselflies and dragonflies seem to be very similar insects. While both are part of the order Odonata, they have some key differences. Such differences between dragonflies and damselflies can be seen in their wings, flight ability, body type and behaviors. While it may be difficult to distinguish...
The Moon, Earth's only natural satellite, is a fascinating world of its own. Composed of a crust, mantle, and core, it lacks an atmosphere and remains the sole celestial body where humans have set foot. Not only that, but the Moon's influence on Earth is significant and far-reaching, affecting everything...
The carbon cycle is a crucial natural process that regulates the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. It involves the movement of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms. Understanding the carbon cycle is essential for comprehending climate change and the interconnectedness...
Dolphins are carnivorous marine mammals. While they mainly feed on cephalopods and fish, some are known to kill other mammals. They can sometimes even kill large animals such as porpoises or even other dolphins, despite not feeding upon them. Many tours offer experiences where you can swim with certain species...
Cicadas make noise primarily for communication between males and females. During mating season, cicada need to alert each other that they are ready for reproduction. They may make this noise by contracting and relaxing muscles in a very rapid manner. While it sounds like clicking or chirruping, this distinctive...
The Earth's atmosphere is the thinnest and outermost layer surrounding our planet. It consists of a blend of gases in varying amounts, essential for sustaining life. In addition to these gases, the atmosphere contains suspended liquid and solid particles, which can come from natural sources or human activities.
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Among the differences between the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and the bison (Bison sp.), greatly different geographic populations and habitat preferences stand out as some of the most significant. Other differences include the length of horn, density of fur and many others. thedailyECO provides a guide...
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in our Solar System and is often referred to as the "Red Planet" due to its reddish appearance, which is caused by iron oxide, or rust, on its surface. It's about half the size of Earth and has a thin atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide. As our understanding...
Volcanic calderas are complex geological structures that form after massive volcanic eruptions, leaving an indelible mark on the Earth's landscape. Named after the Spanish word for ‘cauldron’ or ‘boiler’, they are large depressions which can vary greatly in size and other characteristics. They are formed as...
Water is an indispensable part of our lives, from our homes and workplaces to industries and agriculture. Its quality is crucial for both society and the environment. The collective body of water on Earth is known as the hydrosphere, which exists in three states: solid, liquid, and gas.
This article by thedailyECO...
Seawater is salty because of the high concentration of different dissolved salts it contains. Historically, there have been various theories as to the high salinity of water, such as that posed by Edmund Halley in the 18th century. While he was correct that dissolved minerals and salts run off through...
Volcanic winters occur when powerful volcanic eruptions release massive amounts of ash and gases, primarily sulfur dioxide, into the atmosphere. These particles reflect sunlight, causing global cooling. This temporary climate disruption can last for months or even years, affecting weather patterns, agriculture,...
Snake anatomy is unique among reptiles. Most notably, they have a complete lack of limbs and a very elongated body which can be many feet in length. They also have specialized sensory organs, lidless eyes and other features, some of which are not common to all snakes. For example, some snake species...
Crabs are invertebrate animals. Despite having a shell which acts as an exoskeleton, they do not have the definitive spinal columns which determine whether an animal is vertebrate or invertebrate. A lack of backbone is common to all crustacean species, not only crabs. While muscles are attached to bones in...
The Earth is a planet of extremes, with temperatures ranging from the icy poles to scorching deserts. While many of us seek relief from the heat, there are places on our planet where the mercury consistently climbs to unimaginable heights. Whether it's the record-breaking surface temperatures of the...
An octopus is a type of mollusk, a category of animals that also includes snails and clams. Despite being taxonomically very similar, they share certain key differences. For example, octopuses don't have shells and snails don't have eight arms. The anatomy of an octopus is very particular. Their head makes...