October 4, 2016

Did you know that the tailless whip scorpion is pretty harmless? Although called a scorpion (and sometimes a spider), the tailless whip scorpion is actually an amblypigid. An amblypigid is still considered an arachnid, but it uses it's front two legs as feelers. In addition to those two front feelers, there are six long walking legs and thorny pedipalps that give the scorpion it's threatening appearance. But no worries, the scorpion produces no venom or toxins. It can bite but would prefer not to. Even if you did get bitten, it would be as if you got pricked by a thorn.

October 3, 2016

Did you know that the "Big Lick" walk, prized in horse show competitions, can be the result of soring? Some owners and trainers like to show off their horses' high kick trots. However to make the movement more exaggerated, some trainers resort to soring. This process involves exposing the sensitive tissue around the horse's feet to pressure and having them stand on platform shoes (stacks) embedded with nails for extra weight. Some trainers also rub diesel or kerosene around the ankles, and then tie weights around them. As a result, the horse kicks its feet up high when it walks.