FUN FASCINATING FACTS (PART 1)

            FUN FASCINATING FACTS!!

[1] THE HYDRANGEA!!

 

DON'T THINK WHAT A STRANGE NAME HYDRANGEA IS!

ITS A BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS WHICH GROWS BLU IN ACIDIC SOIL AND PINK OR RED IN BASIC SOIL

IT IS FOUND IN NORTHERN PARTS OF INDIA.

REMEMBER IT IS THE ONLY PLANT IN WHICH DIFFERENT FLOWERS GROWS IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOIL.

• Origin and habitat: Native to Asia and the Americas, with the greatest diversity in Eastern Asia (China, Korea, and Japan)
• Types: Over 70 accepted species, including popular varieties like bigleaf (Hydrangea macrophylla), panicle (Hydrangea paniculata), smooth (Hydrangea arborescens), oakleaf (Hydrangea quercifolia), climbing (Hydrangea anomala), and mountain (Hydrangea serrata).
• Appearance: Deciduous or evergreen shrubs, some small trees or climbing vines. They produce flowerheads in corymbs or panicles at the ends of stems, containing both small fertile flowers and larger, showy sterile flowers (sepals).
• Colors: Most species have white flowers. However, some, like Hydrangea macrophylla, display blue, red, or purple blooms, with color saturation ranging from pale to deep shades.
• Unique feature: The flower color of certain varieties, notably Hydrangea macrophylla, is affected by soil pH. Acidic soil (pH below 7) results in blue or purple flowers, while alkaline soil (pH above 7) produces pink or red blooms. White hydrangeas are not affected by soil pH.
• Toxicity: Hydrangeas are moderately toxic if ingested, containing cyanogenic glycosides. 

[2] THE 'FRUIT SALAD TREE'

OH I KNOW YOU WILL BE THINKING WHY THE SAME FRUITS ARE BEEN HANGING ON THE SAME TREE!!

BECAUSE IT IS fruit salad tree, also known as a multi-grafted tree, is a fascinating horticultural creation that allows you to harvest several different types of fruit from a single plant. This is achieved through the ancient art of grafting, a process where branches (scions) from different fruit varieties are joined onto a single root stock. 

How it works

• Rootstock selection: A hardy rootstock is chosen for its strong root system and ability to provide nourishment.
• Scion selection: Cuttings from desirable fruit varieties (the scions) are carefully chosen.
• Grafting: The scion is meticulously joined to the rootstock, ensuring their tissues align and eventually fuse together. This joining allows the different parts to grow as a single organism.
• Healing and Growth: The grafted area is protected with tape or wax during the healing process. With proper care, the grafted branches will begin to produce fruit within a season or two. 

SESSION 2 {ANIMALS}

{1} THE PACIFIC OCTOPUS

OH LET ME TELL YOU!-

• The Giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini), also known as the North Pacific giant octopus, reigns as the world's largest octopus species. Its impressive size is matched by its intelligence and remarkable abilities. 
  Here's a closer look at this incredible creature:
  Habitat and distribution
  • Found throughout the coastal North Pacific Ocean, from Baja California in Mexico up to Alaska and across to Japan.
  • Thrives in cooler, oxygen-rich waters, ranging from the intertidal zone down to depths of 2,000 meters (6,600 feet). 
  Size and characteristics
  • Typically weighs around 15 kg (33 lb) with an arm span reaching up to 4.3 meters (14 ft).
  • The largest recorded individual weighed 600 pounds (272 kilograms) and had an arm span of 30 feet (9 meters).
  • Has a soft, reddish-brown body with a delicate, vein-like pattern, fading to white on the underside of its arms.
  • Possesses eight arms, each covered in two rows of suction cups, providing a powerful grip and a keen sense of taste and smell.
  • Can squeeze its body through openings as small as its beak, which is the only hard part of its body and made of keratin. 
  Diet and hunting
  • A carnivorous predator that hunts primarily at night.
  • Diet includes shrimp, crabs, scallops, clams, fish, squid, and even other octopuses.
  • Captures prey using its powerful suckers and bites with its tough, parrot-like beak.
  • Has been observed preying on small sharks and even attacking seagulls. 
  Behavior and intelligence
  • Known for its exceptional intelligence, it can solve puzzles, open jars, and even recognize individual humans.
  • Displays remarkable camouflage abilities, changing both color and texture of its skin to blend seamlessly with its surroundings.
  • Uses jet propulsion to move through water rapidly, but prefers to crawl along the seafloor using its arms.
  • Spends most of its time hidden in dens, caves, or amongst kelp to avoid predators. 
  Lifespan and reproduction
  • Has a relatively long lifespan for an octopus, living about three to five years.
  • Female octopuses lay tens of thousands of eggs in protected dens and dedicate their remaining life to caring for them, often neglecting to eat and dying shortly after the eggs hatch.
  • Males typically die within a few months after mating. 
  Conservation status
• Currently not listed as endangered.
• Its populations are considered resilient due to its high reproductive rate, despite being fished commercially for food and bait.
• Vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including ocean acidification, oxygen limitation, and toxins.
• HAS THREE HEARTS AND BLUE COLOR BLOOD.

{1} THE 'QUOKKA'

Quokka: the happiest animal in the world

The quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is a small macropod, related to kangaroos and wallabies, native to Western Australia. It's about the size of a domestic cat, with a stocky build, short tail, rounded ears, and a broad head. They are known for their "smiling" expression, making them popular on social media and contributing to their reputation as the "world's happiest animal". 

Habitat and distribution

• Quokkas primarily inhabit Rottnest Island and Bald Island off the coast of Western Australia.
• Small, scattered populations also exist on the mainland, particularly in dense streamside vegetation, shrubland, and heath areas, especially around swamps.
• The largest population resides on Rottnest Island, likely due to abundant resources and a lack of natural predators like foxes. 

Diet and behavior

• Quokkas are herbivores and nocturnal, feeding primarily on grasses, leaves, stems, and the bark of various plants.
• They are known to climb small trees and shrubs (up to 1.5 meters) to reach food, unlike their larger relatives.
• They can store fat in their tails, which helps them survive periods of food scarcity.
• They can also survive long periods without water, obtaining most of their moisture from vegetation. 

Conservation status

• Quokkas are classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• Predation by introduced species like foxes and cats, along with habitat loss due to land clearing and altered fire regimes, are major threats, especially to mainland populations.
• Human activities like feeding them can also be detrimental to their health.
• Efforts to protect quokkas include monitoring populations, controlling introduced predators, and preserving their habitats. 

Interesting facts

• Their name comes from the Noongar word "gwaga".
• Baby quokkas are called joeys and are carried in the mother's pouch.
• Quokkas can practice embryonic diapause, delaying implantation of a fertilized egg until conditions are favorable.
• They have a relatively short lifespan of about 10 years.
• They are known for being docile and approachable, but it's important to observe them from a distance and avoid touching or feeding them to ensure their well-being.