Wild Insides
#Animals
The Songbird That Skewers Its Prey On Thorns
The shrike looks like a harmless little grey songbird, but its feet are too weak to hold prey.
Short. Strange. True.The real science
dog leg kick · scratch reflex · why do dogs kick · dog belly scratch · spinal reflex · dog facts
The real science
Scratch the right spot and your dog's back leg starts pedalling. Your dog isn't doing it on purpose. Nerves in the skin send a signal to the spinal cord, and the spinal cord fires the kick back without waiting for the brain. It's a reflex built to swat away bugs, and vets test reflexes like this to check a dog's nerves.
Don’t try anything shown in this video. This is general science, not medical advice — if you’re worried, contact a professional.
Follow the facts
- Hill's Pet: Dog Scratch Reflex: Why Dogs Kick Their Legs During Belly Rubs
- PetMD: Are Dogs Ticklish?
- Wikipedia: Scratch reflex
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#Animals
The Parasite That Replaces A Fish's Tongue
The tongue-eating louse is a tiny ocean parasite that slips into a fish through its gills and clamps onto the tongue.
Short. Strange. True.The real science
#45Animals
Why Your Cat Ignores Your Cake
Cats can't taste sweetness.
Short. Strange. True.The real science