Animal behaviorist Kevin Richardson says he relies on instinct to win the hearts and form an intimate bond with the big cats. He can spend the night curled up with them without the slightest fear of being attacked. His magic works not only work for lions but other animals such as cheetahs, leopards and even hyenas do not hold a threat against him.

Link: [The Daily Telegraph]

Ten-week old lion cub Koza played with his companion Italian mastiff puppy Cairo, a refugee from hurricane Katrina, as the two interacted in the Animal Care Center at the Wild Animal Park in Escondido, February 1, 2006. U-T photo/DAN TREVAN

There are always amazing stories of survival and new found friendships after natural disasters, and this is one of my favorite Hurricane Ike stories so far: sounds like Ike the Lion and his buddies not only survived the Ike flood waters by taking refuge in a church, but they had a pretty all right time of it as well. From AOL News:

The full-grown lion was from a local zoo, and the owner was trying to drive to safety with the animal when he saw cars and trucks stranded in the rising flood waters. He knew he and the lion were in trouble.

He headed for the church and was met by a group of residents who helped the lion wade inside, where they locked it in a sanctuary as the storm raged. The water crept up to their waists, and two-by-fours came floating through broken windows. But the lion was as calm as a kitten.

When daylight came, everyone was still alive.

. . .

“They worked pretty well together, actually,” said the lion’s owner, Michael Ray Kujawa. “When you have to swim, the lion doesn’t care about eating nobody.“

I love the fact that the picture depicts a “post-party” scene more than it does a “post-hurricane-survival” scene. I see DJ equipment, speakers, punch dispensers and scattered clothing. What do you see?

And that quote from the owner? Absolutely PAWESOME. Perhaps if we all just swam a little more often, we wouldn’t be so pre-occupied with eating each other… I love that guy.

Photo: [Tony Gutierrez, AP]

1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator? Stop and think about it before you scroll down…

The correct answer is: Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe, and close the door. This question tests whether you tend to do simple things in an overly complicated way.

2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?

Did you say: Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant, and close the refrigerator?

Correct answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, put in the elephant and close the door. This tests your ability to think through the repercussions of your previous actions.

Hee hee.

3. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference. All the animals attend …. except one. Which animal does not attend?

Correct answer: The elephant. The elephant is in the refrigerator. You just put him in there, remember? This tests your memory. Okay, even if you did not answer the first three questions correctly, you still have one more chance to show your true abilities.

Oh, geez. Now the pressure’s really on.

4. There is a river you must cross but it is used by crocodiles, and you do not have a boat. How do you manage it?

Correct answer: You jump into the river and swim across. Have you not been listening? All the crocodiles are attending the animal meeting. This tests whether you learn quickly from your mistakes.

Oh man. Turns out I don’t learn that quickly from my mistaykes … er, mistakes…

Mother Dog and Ducks

Mother Hen and Cats

Mother Cat and Chickens

Mother Cat and Skunks

Mother Rat and Cat

Mother Lion and Sheep

Mother Tiger and Pigs

Mother Monkey and Cat

Mother Cat and Rodent

Thanks to Dogwater for bringing this to our snuzztention!

That’s right. It’s the superfly music.

Link: [YouTube]