The AnswerBank Articles

Insurers 'can help find lost pets'

Its common knowledge that the UK is a nation of pet-lovers, but no one likes to think about the worst happening to their furry companions. As everyone who owns a pet knows, it can be hard to keep them from escaping from time to time. Whether they sneak out through the back gate, dig a hole under the fence or wrestle t...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Pet Insurance Can Cover More Than Vet Bills

Many of us have the joy of owning one or more pets. They can be integral to family life and almost become like another child. So when something goes wrong and the beloved animal is ill or involved in an accident then it can be devastating.  No-one wants to envisage their canine companion or feline friend needing m...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Horse Insurance - Jump Right In and Find Yourself A Thoroughbred Insurance Policy

With many of us wanting to change our lifestyle to escape the rat-race, a more traditional rural life can be attractive. What is more traditional and rural than owning a stable full of horses However, many people do not realise that owning a horse can be a far bigger task than a cat or dog, so insurance may be importa...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

On the reasons birds migrate

andrewlee asks: Birds migrate to sunnier climes with more plentiful food supplies, such as north Africa. So why do they bother to come back In a nutshell - for the same reason that all us Brits00:00 Tue 17th Dec 2002

How many animals are facing extinction

According to the latest edition of the Red List Of Threatened Species, compiled by the World Conservation Union, a total of 5,453 animal species are in danger of being wiped out forever, and 5,71400:00 Wed 09th Oct 2002

How long does the commmon garden spider live

Chris Baylis asked: "How long does the common garden spider live " Most British spiders live for a year or so - if they don't get eaten - though money spiders live much shorter, and other, more00:00 Wed 18th Sep 2002

The strange case of the lyrebird

The lyrebird is the show-off of the animal kingdom. In human terms, it's the uncle who insists on dancing at a wedding and the friend who hogs the microphone at a karaoke evening. But now it is00:00 Mon 17th Jun 2002

Why is Uranus blue, is it made of water

A. No, in fact, Uranus doesn't have a liquid or solid surface that anything could land on. Its atmosphere is made of gas, mainly hydrogen, helium and methane. The methane absorbs the sun's red00:00 Mon 22nd Apr 2002

What is bleached coral

A. Although the resultant colour leaves the coral looking devoid of colour, no bleach is actually involved. Nor is it, directly, the result of the suns rays. Bleached coral occurs when the algae00:00 Mon 22nd Apr 2002

Are horseshoes necessary

A. Yes, horseshoes are necessary but only because modern day horses walk and run on terrain that their feet didn't evolve to deal with. Q. What type of ground is ideal for an unshod horse A. 00:00 Mon 22nd Apr 2002

Are meercats really cats

A. No, they belong to the mongoose family, and to further press the point, the correct spelling is 'meerkat', not 'meercat'. Q. What does meerkat mean A. Meerkat is a South African Dutch word00:00 Mon 15th Apr 2002

How do octopi change colour

A. Many octopuses, along with other cephalopods like squid and cuttlefish, can change colour. They do so by virtue of special pigment cells called chromatophores that can change size, varying the00:00 Mon 15th Apr 2002

What s the difference between a turtle and a tortoise

Pussing wants to know, thanks to incitatus for his answer. A. As far as the scientists are concerned they're all they same thing: turtles. Turtles belong to the order Testudines, tortoises are just00:00 Mon 15th Apr 2002

My grandmother wants to visit Britain and bring her dog with her, does the dog have to be put in quarantine and if so, for how long

A. For nearly one hundred years pet owners entering the UK had to put their animal in quarantine for six months. Q. What’s the situation now A. This all changed recently with the00:00 Mon 08th Apr 2002

Now that spring is here, what should I be looking out for in the countryside

Q. Is it too early to see any insects A. No both the Orange-tip butterfly and oil beetle are busy at this time of year. The Orange-tip butterfly hatches in April, after its long winter. Look out00:00 Mon 08th Apr 2002

Is it possible to tell frogspawn from toad spawn

A. Yes, it's quite obvious once you know how. Frogspawn is laid in clumps whereas toad spawn is laid in strings. Q. Why are the eggs surrounded by jelly A. This clear jelly substance, which00:00 Mon 08th Apr 2002

Given that the Arctic ice sheet is melting why aren t we seeing a corresponding rise in sea levels

A. Although the Arctic ice sheet is melting and breaking up the majority of the ice is still frozen at the moment. But more importantly as the Arctic ice sheet is already in the sea it is displacing00:00 Mon 01st Apr 2002

Which breeds of dog are used for dog sled racing

A. Many northern breeds have been used as sled dogs, notably Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies. Also Eskimo Dogs, Greenlands, Samoyeds, Norrbottenspets, and Hokkaidokens are all used as sled00:00 Mon 01st Apr 2002

Do birds only sing in spring and summer

A. Although bird song is mainly heard in spring and summer birds actually sing all year round. They use a range of specific notes and calls as a means of contacting other birds, giving a warning and00:00 Mon 01st Apr 2002

Are lichen animal, mineral or vegetable

A. They are actually living creatures drawn from up to three different 'kingdoms'. Q. Kingdoms A. Yes, the natural world, at the broadest level, can be divided into five different groups or00:00 Mon 25th Mar 2002