Factual Friday on a Sunday....

Ok I know I am late again. I swear I am going to get this done on time again. I hope that you are enjoying the animal facts. I find them really interesting. I just wish that I had more time in the day to devote to them. This weeks animals that I did were Zebra's and Sea Lions. 1.) At first glance zebras in a herd might all look alike, but their stripe patterns are as distinctive as fingerprints are in man. Scientists can identify individual zebras by comparing patterns, stripe widths, color and scars.

2.) Zebra's live in family groups made up of a stallion, several mares and their offspring.

3.) Zebra's have excellent hearing and eyesight. They can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.

4.) A zebra's eyesight at night is thought to be about as good as that of a cat or an owl.

5.) Zebras take dust or mud baths to get clean. They shake the dirt off to get rid of loose hair and flaky skin. What's left protects them from sun, wind, and insects.

6.) Zebras have their own “smile”—a bared-teeth grimace that is a greeting and helps prevent aggression.

7.) Zebras are attracted to black-and-white stripes. Even if stripes are painted on a wall, a zebra will tend to go stand next to it!

8.) They communicate using the position of their ears and tail.

9.) Their shiny coats can dissipate three quarters of incoming heat.

10.) Ancient Romans kept zebras in their circuses and called them "Horse-Tigers" because of their strips. In Europe Zebras would sometimes pull the carriages of royalty and the wealthy.

1.) There is only two differences between a Seal and a Sea Lion. The Sea lion has ears and a seal does not. Also a Sea lion can move it hind flippers to walk on land and a seal can not.

2.) Sea Lions do not need to drink water because they get all of their water from the food they eat.

3.) A group of Sea lions in the water is called a raft. On land or floating ice they are called a colony.

4.) Sea Lions can swim up to 25 miles per hour for short bursts.

5.) Sea Lion pups are born on land called rookery.

6.) A sea lion dives up to 600 feet in search of food. They can stay under water for 40 minutes.

7.) Stellar Sea Lions are the largest of the sea lions. They have thick, hairy necks that look like lions mane.

8.) California sea lions are among the most vocal mammals, Their vocalizations include barks, roars, growls, and grunts.

9.) Male Steller sea lions don’t eat during the breeding season. They care more about protecting their territory and making sure their females don’t run off with another male!

10.) Each long whisker, called a vibrissa, is loosely attached to the sea lion’s upper lip. Like a straw in a soda bottle, each whisker can rotate around with the underwater currents, letting the sea lion "feel" any food swimming nearby.

Ok so I should be back on friday with another list, hopefully. LOL.