(^90) AnimalTales
Dogs with “squished” faces, like pugs,
are called brachycephalic dogs, and
centuries of breeding have flattened
their heads and widened the roofs
of their mouths. Scientists recently
discovered that these dogs developed
a genetic mutation (a permanent
change in their DNA) that suppresses
the gene that’s important for proper
facial development. Even with their
flat faces, we think pugs are totally
adorable — but unfortunately, the
shape of their head does make it
harder for them to breathe.
Why do pugs
have flat faces?
— STARR, 11, AZ
Wondering about the
wild and wonderful
animal kingdom?
You’ve come to the
right place!
What is the
difference
between a parrot
and a macaw?
— KILEY, 10, VT
From far away, macaws and
parrots may look a lot alike, but
they actually have many differ
ences in their appearance.
For one, a parrot’s entire head is covered with feathers, whereas
macaws have bare skin on their faces that reaches down to the
base of their beaks. Macaws also have distinctly longer tails,
larger bodies and feathers in brighter colors. Aside from looks,
macaws have a more diverse diet than parrots — full of seeds,
nuts, fruits and insects, as well as flowers, leaves, stems and
sometimes even clay — and are found only in topical regions.
Parrots have a wider geographical range.
Why are sea lions called
“lions” if they’re not
part of the cat family?
— LEENA, 12, GA
Sea lions’ special name distinguishes them
from their “second cousins,” the seals. Sea
lions are characterized by their coats of coarse
fur, manes of hair around their faces, their
ability to walk on land using their large flippers
and their loud barks or roars. Sounds a lot like
lions, right? Hence, the name sea lion!
RKITEKJEPOY/SHUTTERSTOCK; SHUTTERSTOCK (2); GABRIELA BERES/SHUTTERSTOCK; TREETOPS INTERACTIVE/SHUTTERSTOCK; ALFMALER/SHUTTERSTOCK; GRMARC/SHUTTERSTOCK; APPLE; ANTOINE BEYELER/SHUTTERSTOCK; KONSTANTIN TRONIN/SHUTTERSTOCK; SUSAN M. SNYDER/SHUTTERSTOCK
parrot macaw