http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/human-ancestors-were-nearly-all-vegetarians/
Despite common beliefs humans were primarily vegetarians,as animal meats were difficult to get/hunt. Here's an article that might interest you and adorable animals that are also vegetarian like our ancestors.
The Panda bear
Panda facts:
The giant panda is native to China.
It has a black and white coat that features large black patches around its eyes.
Pandas are an endangered species. Population estimates vary but there may be around 2000 left living in the wild.
A giant panda cub weighs only around 150 grams (5 oz) at birth.
Adult males can weigh up to 150 kg (330 lb).
Giant panda have a lifespan of around 20 years in the wild.
Female pandas raise cubs on their own (the male leaves after mating).
The diet of a panda is made up almost entirely of bamboo.
Giant pandas eat as much as 10 kg (22 lb) of bamboo a day.
Giant pandas are good climbers.
The scientific name for the giant panda is 'ailuropoda melanoleuca'.
An animated movie from 2008 named ‘Kung Fu Panda’ features a giant panda called ‘Po’.
Go to this website for more about pandas:http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/giantpanda.html
The Giraffe
Giraffe facts:
The giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world, with even new-born babies being taller than most humans.
Baby Giraffes can stand within half an hour and after only 10 hours can actually run alongside their family.
Giraffes spend most of their lives standing up; they even sleep and give birth standing up.
Giraffes only spend between 10 minutes and two hours asleep per day. They have one of the shortest sleep requirements of any mammal.
Young giraffes hang out in nursery groups until they are around 5 months old, resting and playing together while their mothers forage in the distance.Giraffes are sociable, peaceful animals which rarely fight.
Males do perform a behaviour called 'necking' where they will hit necks; however these encounters rarely last more than a couple of minutes and seldom result in injury.Just like snowflakes and human fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same spot pattern.Even giraffes tongues are huge.
They are up to 45cm long and are specially adapted to allow giraffes to forage on trees that other animals would avoid, such as acacias which are very thorny.
In New Age religion the giraffe is a symbol for intuition and flexibility.
The name Giraffe Camelopardalis means ‘one who walks quickly, a camel marked like a leopard’.
Go to this website for more fun giraffe facts: http://www.onekind.org/education/animals_a_z/giraffe
Most Monkeys
Monkey Facts:
There are currently 264 known monkey species.
Monkeys can be divided into two groups, Old World monkeys that live in Africa and Asia, and New World monkeys that live in South America.
A baboon is an example of an Old World monkey, while a marmoset is an example of a New World monkey.
Apes are not monkeys.
Some monkeys live on the ground, while others live in trees.
Different monkey species eat a variety of foods, such as fruit, insects, flowers, leaves and reptiles.
Most monkeys have tails.
Groups of monkeys are known as a 'tribe', ‘troop’ or ‘mission’.
The Pygmy Marmoset is the smallest type of monkey, with adults weighing between 120 and 140 grams.
The Mandrill is the largest type of monkey, with adult males weighing up to 35 kg.
Capuchin monkeys are believed to be one of the smartest New World monkey species. They have the ability to use tools, learn new skills and show various signs of self-awareness.
Spider monkeys get their name because of their long arms, legs and tail.
The monkey is the 9th animal that appears on the Chinese zodiac, appearing as the zodiac sign in 2016.
Go to this website for more: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/monkey.html
Guinea Pigs
Here are some facts about Guinea Pigs:
The guinea pig or 'cavy' is a species of rodent in the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia.
Despite being called 'guinea pigs' they are not in the pig family or from Guinea.
Guinea pigs originated in the Andes mountains of South America. They do not exist naturally in the wild, instead are domesticated descendants of a closely related species the Cavia aperea.
The guinea pig is an important creature for many indigenous South American people, especially as a food source. But also for customary medicine or religious ceremonies.
The guinea pig has been a popular household pet in Western societies since they were first bought back by European traders as long ago as the 16th century.
They are still very popular as pets today due to their quiet nature, their openness to humans through handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them.
Guinea pigs purr when they are happy, often, like a cat it is when they are being held or petted. They make a whistle noise when they are excited, usually on seeing their owner or when its feeding time.
Grass is the guinea pig's main diet of food, they also need to eat fresh fruit and vegetables.
Guinea pigs on average weigh 0.70 to 1.2 kg (1.5 - 2.5 lbs), and are 20 to 25 cm (8 - 10 inches) long.
Guinea pigs live on average for 4 - 5 years but sometimes as long as 8 years.
In the early 20th century the guinea pig was used in scientific experimentation, they have now mainly been replaced in laboratories by mice and rats. Although the term 'guinea pig' is still commonly used in English as a metaphor for something being experimented on.
The guinea pig is a popular traditional food dish in many South American countries most notably Peru and Bolivia and areas of Ecuador and Colombia.
Take a look at this website for more:http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/guineapig.html
The hippotamus
Fun facts about the hippo:
Hippopotamuses are found in Africa.
The name hippopotamus means 'river horse' and is often shortened to hippo.
The hippopotamus is generally considered the third largest land mammal (after the White rhinoceros and elephant).
Hippopotamuses spend a large amount of time in water such as rivers, lakes and swamps.
Resting in water helps keep hippopotamuses temperature down.
Hippopotamuses give birth in water.
Hippopotamuses have short legs, a huge mouth and a body shaped like a barrel.
The closest relations of the hippopotamus are surprisingly cetaceans such as whales and dolphins.
Scientists believe this family of animals diverged in evolution around 55 million years ago.
Although hippos might look a little chubby, they can easily outrun a human.
Hippos can be extremely aggressive, especially if they feel threatened.
They are regarded as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.
Hippos are threatened by habitat loss and poachers who hunt them for their meat and teeth.
A male hippopotamus is called a ‘bull’.
A female hippopotamus is called a ‘cow’.
A baby hippo is called a ‘calf’.
A group of hippos in known as a ‘herd’, ‘pod’, ‘dale’ or ‘bloat’.
Hippos typically live for around 45 years.
Hippos eat mostly grass.
Go to this website to see the rest: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/hippopotamus.html
