Weird Animal Report

The Internet is going wild over this video of a coyote and badger playing and hunting together. Plenty of animals have symbiotic relationships, but this is inter-species cooperation and even companionship at a weird and wonderful level. Experts have known about this relationship for a long time, as the species are known to hunt together, but it's caught a lot of us by surprise.

It almost gives you hope that humans could all get along, too. Stories like these make me wonder A. just how well we know animals in the first place and B. what kinds of evolutionary changes are occuring as we speak. The reporter mentioned that it sounded like a Disney movie, and now I'm wondering if these relationships do influence Disney.

What other odd animal pairs have you seen or read about recently? Share them in the chat.

Who could use some stories about interesting, strange and especially sweet animals this week? I know I always can!

This story about a man who plays piano to comfort blind elephants will touch your heart. The elephants are largely injured due to their old working conditions and retire to the sanctuary where he shares his classical music with them.

Did you see that otters wrap themselves up in kelp to keep safe? You may have heard that they also hold hands to stay together in the open water. 

At Otis and Clementine's Books and Coffee store, there are kittens roaming around that you can adopt! I love this idea so much, and what bookworm wouldn't want a kitteh? My favorite greenhouse has cats roaming around, as do the many feed supply stores we shop at, and I love to have cats around me pretty much at all times, even if I am sensitive to new dander.

Any awesome animals in your neck of the woods? Share them in the chat.

Any new dinosaur discovery is exciting, but it's super exciting when something special, like a mummified dino or new species is found. This week, take a look at this perfectly preserved fossil that is so well defined we can even see its color.

This fossil of Borealopelta is not only the oldest one found in Alberta, but one of the best preserved fossils ever found. Researchers say that the fossil was so well-preserved that it was like staring into the face of an actual dinosaur. You can see pictures and watch the documentary The Nature of Things to see it for yourself.

What do you think of this fossil? Have you seen any other really well-preserved ones, especially in person? Tell us about it in the chat!

Some might argue that all dogs are in Hufflepuff and all cats are in Slytherin. I have both and I'd say that's a fair assessment! But hey, this idea of sorting shelter dogs into Harry Potter Hogwarts Houses to encourage adoption is fantastic so I'll go with it.

The best part? The organizers wanted people to focus not on dog breeds, but on personalities! I love this idea so much because how many pitties do you know that get typecast as brutes when they're SO much milder and gentler than ankle biters? Every pitt I've known has been a big baby at heart.

What do you think of this idea? What's the most creative way you've seen people try to get animals adopted? Share your favorites in the chat!