Researchers have discovered a new species of lizard in a strange place. The brightly colored, water-loving lizards live in the Andes Mountains in southern Peru — an odd place to find them, scientists say, because of the chilly conditions.

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Brookfield Zoo announced the arrival of the first aardvark born at the suburban Chicago facility in a decade Wednesday.  According to the zoo, the baby aardvark was born on Jan. 12 at 4.5 pounds, and was already 13 pounds on Wednesday. Its mother, Jessi, and its father, Hoover, were part of a breeding program and on loan from other zoos.

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A recent escape at the Kansas City Zoo may have shocked some visitors, but they were never in harm’s way. Half-brothers Mbundi and Ntondo — two western lowland gorillas who each way over 400 pounds –escaped from their enclosure Sunday, prompting zookeepers to lock down parts of the zoo for about three hours, reported The Kansas City Star.

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Although the phrase a “Man’s Best Friend” only dates back to the 19th century, dogs have long played a key role in the lives of humans says animal rights advocate Igor Purlantov.  It is believed that modern day dogs were domesticated from gray wolves around 15,000 years ago.  Since that time, dogs have become best friends with both men and women and have gained increasingly popularity throughout the years according to Igor Purlantov.

Adding to the increased popularity of dogs is the fact that many people enjoy their companionship.  Along with providing companionship, there are numerous health benefits of having a dog in your household says Igor Purlantov.  Here is a list of some of those health benefits that may surprise even the greatest dog lover:

Improved Social Interactions

Dogs are a great natural conversation starter and provide an easy way for people to socially interact with others.  Dogs are also great for making love connections between people especially for those that may otherwise be socially shy.

Great for Mind and Soul

It has been shown that people with a serious illness such as cancer are far less likely to suffer from depression when they have a dog.  The health benefits are particularly good when the person has a strong attachment to their dog.

Good for Blood Pressure

People with dogs are believed to have lower blood pressure than those without.  One study showed that stockbrokers with high blood pressure who adopted a dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than those without a dog.

Increased Serotonin and Dopamine

Studies have shown that playing with a dog can raise levels of serotonin and dopamine, usually achieved with drug use, and thus providing an all natural way to increase feelings of pleasure and calm.

Asthma and Allergy Prevention in Children

Studies have shown that early and regular contact with dogs can help children avoid developing a number of respiratory problems including asthma.  There is also evidence that living with a dog can also help prevent allergies in children.

Improved Immune System

Having a dog has been shown to boost your immune system and also improve how it functions.  It is believed that dogs often have a very good sense of when a person is ill and are great at providing comfort to help a person feel better.

Improved Mood and Reduced Depression

Simply interacting with a dog can improve your mood and help make you feel better in general.   Also, having a dog can help relieve depression since playing with a dog helps take your mind off your issues and allows you to focus on something else.

Reduced Loneliness

Having a dog has been shown to help people that are feeling lonely, especially those who are single or widowed.  Having a dog also provides a connection and allows for someone feeling lonely to be able to spend time with another living being.

Good for the Heart

It has been shown in several studies that heart attack patients who have a dog survived longer than those without. Also, males who have a dog have less sign of heart disease including lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than other males that do not.

Helping with Age

Walking a dog has been shown to provide both exercise and companionship for the elderly.  Studies have shown that Alzheimer’s patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is a dog in the home.  Some insurance companies even ask their clients over age 75 if they have a dog as part of their medical screening as it is often seen as a good sign.

With all of these heath benefits, it is no surprise that a dog can be both a man and woman’s best friend says Igor Purlantov.  Along with providing companionship, having a dog provides numerous health benefits including helping you age so why not go to your local animal shelter and find a new best friend to age gracefully together with as you enjoy each other’s company.

www.igor-purlantov.info

With most late night shows following a pretty strict unwritten formula, things can seem fairly predictable most times. That’s why it’s always a lot of fun when animals get introduced into the mix. They simply will not follow expected protocols, and that very unpredictability makes for some brilliant spontaneous television, as with Jack Hanna’s latest trip to “Late Show”.

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Here’s one way to teach your baby how to use a teething ring — just wait for the dog to show him! This 5-month-old has a rather elaborate toy to practice with, complete with all the colors and textures that babies love. And, now he has the right teething mentor too.

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A massive snakelike creature was captured on video this week by an amateur cameraman slithering through the icy waters of Lake Lagarfljot in Iceland. Resembling a cross between a monster worm from hell and a loch ness monster, locals and the world alike are befuddled by what is dwelling just beneath the surface. 

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According to YouTube user NRucker5, a recent trip to a cafe inside the Memphis Zoo turned into a surprise encounter with one very jealous, very acrobatically talented monkey. ”The manager of the cafe told me that the alpha male monkey noticed me the second I walked in the door and started going crazy, because, as the alpha male, he feels threatened by tall males,” NRucker5 wrote in the video’s description. “So she told me to go stand by the window and turn my back on him and that he would ‘attack’ me. Or, at least attempt to.

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What happened in Atlantic City’s past should stay in Atlantic City’s past– especially if it involves high-diving horses. That was the decision made by Anthony Catanoso, owner of the Steel Pier amusement park, who scrapped plans for a comeback of the legendary Jersey Shore high-diving horses attraction in response to the cries of outraged animal rights advocates.

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