backyardcreature's Journal

-List of Species I have Observed-

This is a list of all the observations I have encountered (over the years). This list will be edited if new species are sighted. All of this information was from my field guide notebook.
This list was created in April of 2019

Birds (Class Aves)
American Crow (Corvus branchyrhynchos)- Some have been sighted/heard early this year (2019). L:17"/43cm WS: 38"/97cm
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)- Only a few sighted in early spring of 2019. L: 10"/25cm WS:17"/43cm.
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)- Seen in winter and early spring. L: 4-5"/13cm WS: 8"/20cm.
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)- Sightings are rare. L: 11"/28cm WS: 16"/41cm
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)- Seen mostly in the summer. L: 30-48"/76-122cm WS: 50-61"
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)- Seen with a large group. L: 12"/32cm WS: 17"/43cm.
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)- Mostly heard at night, but has been sighted late afternoon during early spring. L: 22"/56cm WS: 44"/1.1m
Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhychos)- A "couple" (male and female) Mallard ducks have lived in the same area every year. Note: of 2019, the first hearing was in late March of a male Mallard. Sightings were seen a week after (both male and female). L: 23"/58cm WS: 35"/89cm
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)- A female and male have lived in our area each summer. Their callings are heard early in the morning. In 2019, the first sighting was on April 7th. L: 12"/30cm WS: 18"/46cm.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)- Most sightings were seen from February to March (when putting bird feed out). More than six male cardinals and over 5 females were sighted at one time (late March). Sightings decreased after March 28th till present time. L: 8"/22cm WS:12"/30cm.
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)- Sighting only in late summer. L: 17"/43cm WS: 29"/74cm.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)- Sightings were seen along with Cardinals during early spring. Most common woodpecker seen here. L: 9"/23cm WS: 16"/41cm.
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)- L: 8"/22cm WS: 14"/36cm.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)- L: 3"/10cm WS: 4"/11cm

Mammals (Class Mammalia)
Common Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)- Seen in Minocqua in mid-summer. L: 16-28 in. Mass: 1.3- 4.4lbs.
Coyote (Canis latrans)- Has been sighted, but rare. L: 2.5-2.8 ft. Ht: 1.9-2.2 ft. Mass: 15-46lbs.
Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)- Two chipmunks have become used to us and both have been feed by hand (unsalted shelled peanuts) and have also become used to our dog. This has happened 2 years in a row (2017-2019). One is noticeable by a "chip" of the ear off. That one is the shier of the two. 11 inches and weighs as much as 4.4oz.
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridarus)- Rare sightings in April, but common to see in the summer. L: 15 in. Mass: 2.5lbs
Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)- First sighting early spring. More cautious than the chipmunks here. L: 9.1-12 in. Mass: 0.88-1.3lbs
Groundhog (Marmot monax)- over 3 years ago there was a family of groundhogs (also called Woodchucks). The last groundhog sighted was only one large one about 2 years ago. L: 16 in. Mass: 8.6lbs.
Northern Raccoon (Procyon lotor)- L: 16-28 in. Ht: 9.1-12 in. Mass: 7.7-20lbs
Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonius)- Sightings were first seen in spring. Very territorial and are not afraid of Gray squirrels (which are bigger). L: 8.4 in. Mass: 12 oz.
Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)- Common. One night we had seen a mother with 2-3 offspring. Two Opossums were fighting with large hissing/scratching sounds after two medium sized opossums walked away with blood on their bellies. L: 14-37 in. Mass: M: 1.8-14 lbs. F: 0.66-8.2lbs.

Dunkleosteus is a well-known prehistoric fish. Its name "(David) Dunkle" + osteus (οστεος, Greek for bone); meaning "Dunkle's Bone." Named after David Dunkle. David and Jay Terrell (former Museum Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology) discovered the first fossils in 1867. Living during the Late Devonian period, 380-360 million years ago. It weighed about 3.6 tonnes (4.0 short tons) and was up to 10 meters (33 feet) and was also carnivore/piscivore (hypercarnivorous apex predator (meaning its diet was made up 70% of meat, but also ate non-animal foods, such as fruits, fungi, and other plant materials.) and may have been the first apex predator. Its bony plates were up to 5cm thick, although it's pectoral fins were not armored for easier movement.

Dunkleosteus is in order of Arthrodire (Arthrodira), this order of extinct armored jawed fishes (class Placodermi) and was placed in the family Dinichthys. It was the largest of the known species and had the strongest bite of 11,000 pounds (due to the strong jaw muscles) after the C. megalodon, after studying a biomechanical model and scientists at the Field Museum of Natural History and the University of Chicago. The head and thorax had heavy armor, the rest of the body was "naked" without any armor. There is a lack of fear fossils, and mostly it's armored head are found. Because of the armor paleontologists likely say that it was slow, but had powerful muscles to swim.

It had two pairs of sharp-like bony plates, instead of teeth. It could open its mouth in one-fiftieth of a second. Many fish do the same kind of technique. Discovery of unhealed armor bite marks strongly suggested that they cannibalized each other, only when the opportunity was available. Fossils of Dunkleosteus are found with boluses (in the digestion and is a mixture of food and saliva) of other fish and half-digested eaten remains of other fish, because the fossil record shows that it might have had a routine of regurgitated prey bones (instead of digesting them).
When morphological studies were done on the inferognathals (jaw bone) of a juvenile, the adult Dunkleosteus suggest that it went through a change in the jaw morphology and the diet as it aged. The adults aging had more flexible jaws (better to hold struggling prey) and to protect from breakage or injury from other armored prey or enemies. Juveniles had rigid jaws like Coccosteus ("seed bone" and was an extinct genus of arthrodire placoderm).

There are three to four species of Dunkleosteus known so far.
D. raveria, D. amblyodoratus, D. terralli, and D. marsaisi. D. terralli is the largest known species, although Titanichthys was equally as large (8-10 meters).

Kingdom: Animalia - Phylum: Chordata - Class: Synapsida - Order: Therapsida - Suborder: Gorgonospia.
Over 29 species and 3 subfamily species known. - 25 Genera and 41 species.

Once known as "mammal-like reptiles" with little record. They are a suborder of theriodonts (major group that included ancestors of mammals. In the same period of time (Mid Permian) also lived another reptile-like therapsid. Gorgonopsians were small (no bigger than a large dog). They became apex predators due to the extinction of dinocephalians. Almost a complete fossil of Rubidgea (that had very large canines) was found in South Africa. Gorgonopsians are along with two other theriodonts (therocephalians and cynodonts). Theriodonts are related to Anomodontia (herbivorous) and Gorgonopsia include three subfamilies: Inostrancevillnae, Rubbifeinae, Gorgonopsinae.

The mammalian specializations are seen in their temporal fenestra (opening in the skull and obit), different tooth shape (heterodont), vaulted palate (situated at the back of nasal fossae; which some say is how they breathed when holding prey in their mouth, unlike reptiles). They also had incipiently developed ear bones. The lower jaws in reptiles have multiple bones, but in were diminished and became one full jaw bone. they had cheek-like bones. Their ribs also changed as well. The lumbar ribs have reduced. Ribcages that continue from the front to the back legs (this lost effectively divides the trunk and allows for a diaphragm (allows animals to breathe more effectively). Unlike reptiles, which have three eyes, the third "eye" was capable of seeing light and dark but is used to regulate body temperature. Cynodonts lost this third eye, due to being warm-blooded. Because endothermic animals have such a higher metabolism than reptiles, it needs more energy. Thus, they need to consume more food. Not thought to have full pelage (origin of fur and feather selective factors), but scales or bristles are unknown. They might have had both, like some mammals today still have. Petrified feces found that some Cynodonts had started to grow hair. suggested to been terrestrial and had morphology and bone microanatomy. Their legs were still splayed out (like reptiles) but not as sprawling as reptiles and plantigrade (meaning they walked on their "whole" foot). The legs could hold up the body better and higher than reptiles and also had forward orientation of the feet let them walk more like a mammal than reptiles. The Smilodon (Americas in the Pleistocene epoch (2.5 million years ago), Thylacosmilus (South America, Late Miocene-Pliocene epochs) and other prehistoric (and mammals even today, exp: Water deer (Hydropotes inermis) have long canine teeth (also known as saber), are the later ones to have this, but cynodonts (dog teeth) (clade Cynodontia) which are therapsids were the first to have these (260mya) and were the ancestor to modern mammals. Thus, teeth forms (canine, incisors, premolars, molars) these were found by cynodonts.

- Two Gorgonops -
- Dinogorgon (Dy-noe-go-gon) (Terrible gorgon) classification: Chordata, Synapsida, Therapsida, Gorgonopsia, was about 6.6 ft (1.8m) in length, skulls were 32 cm or 12 in. and 2m long (depending on species. D. quinquemolaris is the largest known species beyond 2 meters, D. pricei was around under 2 meters). Smaller than the largest gorgonopsids, Inostrancevia. It lived 259.9-252.17 million years ago (Wuchiapingian-Changhsingian). It was an extinct genus of Rubifgenine gorgonopsians and was in the Rubidgeini tribe. Relative to Lycaenops.living in the Late Permian of South Africa and Tanzania. It preyed on small therapsids and reptiles. It was named by Robert Broom, 1936.

• Inostrancevia (In-oh-stran-ve-ah) could reach about 11.5 ft (3.5m) in length, skull was narrow and long about 24in (60cm), it had 4.7in (12cm) saber-like teeth (adapting to being carnivores). Species: I. latifrons, I. uralensis, and I. alexandri (Type, and was named after Aleksandr Inostrantsev, who Vladimir P. Amitsky -1992, named). The largest known of gorgonopsid and lived in the Wuchiapingian of the Permian (256-259mya) and found in Russia.

  - Subfamily -

• Clelandia (Cle-lan-de-nah) was the smallest (3.2 in (1m) body length 7.4in (19cm) long and skull was 8.2in (21cm)). Of the subfamily Rubidgeinae (which was the last of subfamilies and the end of the family Gorgonopsidae. They still had saber-like teeth but were reduced in size and conical, replacement was quick with relative to basal thorocephalians. Rubidegeines can be eminent by the blade-like parasphenoid bone an reduced the preparietal bone (the jugal bone, was expanded in rubidgeins. Unlike other gorgonopsians, in which the bone is narrow) and Rubidgeini (subfamily). Its bite force was strong, with a wider skull, which made room for larger jaw muscles. It lived in the Late Permian of Africa. It has a small sclerotic ring (only rubidgenine with preserved sclerotic ring), meaning it was diurnal (animal/plant behavior which is actvity in the day, with periods of sleep. Species: C. mahora, C. maximus, C. scheepersi, and C. rubidgei (type?) named by Robert Broom -1948. There is little known of this species.

Species and all:
Order Therapsida
SUBORDER GORGONOPSIA: Family Gorgonopsidae:Aelurosaurus, Aloposaurus, Arctognathus, Arctops, Broomisaurus, Cerdorhinus, Cyonosaurus, Eriphostoma, Kamagorgon, Lycaenops, "Njalila", Nochnitsa, Paragalerhinus, Smilesaurus, Suchogorgon, Viatkogorgon, "Gorgonops" dixeyi. Subfamily Gorgonopsinae: Gorgonops, Sauroctonus, Scylacops. Subfamily Inostranceviinae: Inostrancevia, Pravoslavlevia. Subfamily Rubidgeinae: Aelurognathus,Ruhuhucerberus,Sycosaurus, Tribe, Rubidgeini, Clelandina, Dinogorgon, Leontosaurus,Rubidgea.

These animals are mostly overlooked in the public eye, but they play a large part in the history of mammals. They were strong and powerful creatures, with strong necks and muscles. Because there are so many of them, it would take hours to read every species and differences, but all of them have early signs of mammals. These animals weren't "true" mammals or "true" reptiles, they were in between, like Hynes (not a dog, but not a cat, but in between).

The chemical element Nitrogen (N symbol in the periodic table) was discovered in 1772, by Daniel Rutherford, a Scottish physician. The origin of the name "nitrogène" was from a suggestion from a French chemist named Jean Antoine Claude Chaptal in 1790, this was due to the fact that it was present both in nitric acid and nitrates. Another chemist named Antoine Lavoisier suggested "azote" from Greek ἀζωτικός meaning "no life" because it is an asphyxiant gas. It can also be called "pnictogens" in the periodic table of elements and comes from the Greek πνίγειν meaning "to choke."

Nitrogen's atomic number is 7 and is in group 15 in the periodic table. It is also the lightest member of that group. When at standard temperature and pressure, two atoms bind to form "dinitrogen" (formula N2) which is an odorless and colorless diatomic gas that forms 78% of earth's atmosphere and is said to be the most abundant uncombined element. It also has one of the highest electronegativities among the elements (Pauling scale of 3.04).

Nitrogen can be found in all organisms (3% of nitrogen is contained in the human body) and can be found also in nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), amino acids, and energy transfer molecule adenosine triphosphate. Plants nor animals can absorb nitrogen directly, it must go through a process to become converted into compounds, this is called the Nitrogen Cycle.

There are about 4 steps in this cycle:
Step 1 is called Nitrogen Fixation. This is when special bacteria convert into nitrogen gas ( N2 ) and into (NH3) ammonia. Nitrogen Fixation discovered by Beijerinck in 1901.
Step 2 is Nitrification and is a process which converts ammonia into nitrite ions (plants also can use this to take as nutrients).
Step 3 is Ammonification, this happens once organisms have used all the nitrogen and then decomposing bacteria converts the nitrogen waste compounds into simpler compounds.
And lastly, step 4 is Denitrification, this is when other bacteria convert simple nitrogen compounds back as nitrogen gas ( N2 ) , and then the process begins once again.

Plants need nitrogen for plant growth and also produced and is a critical component of many aquatic, as well as the terrestrial ecosystem. An article in Nature Education Knowledge had shown their results of growing plants with and without Bradyrhizobia (Gram-negative soil bacteria) showing that plants without the bacteria were lighter in color. The study was done to see the effects of nitrogen 's role (in fertilizers).

The atoms of nitrogen have seven electrons. Their configuration in the ground state is 1s2
2s2
2p1
x2p1
y2p1
z. Meaning it has 5 valences electrons within the 2s and 2p orbitals (3 of them are pre-electrons and are unpaired). It also has two stable isotopes (14N and 15N.) 14N is more common, which makes up 99.634% of natural nitrogen, with only 15N having 0.366% and which is also slightly heavier than 14N. Both conclude to an atomic weight of 14.007 u.

Nitrides can be used in different oxidations from +1 to +5 to for oxide compounds. Oxides are acidic and can become attached to protons and most forms are of gasses and can exist at 25°C. Although they play a major part in living organisms, it can also be dangerous.
Hydrides of nitrogen include that of ammonia (NH3) and hyrdrazine (N2H4). H yrdrazine is used mostly as rocket fuel, and ammonium ions have special amphiprotic properties.
Ammonia was developed between 1909 to 1913 by Fritz Haber. His mixture was of N2 and H2 gas at 200 to 300 atm and 400 to 600oC is passed over a catalyst of finely divided iron.

Fe N2(g)+3 H2(g)---->2 NH3(g)

Another development was that of the use of hypochlorite (OCl-) ion to oxidize ammonia to produce hydrazine, N2H4.
NH3(aq) +OCl-(aq)---->N2H4(aq)+Cl-(aq)+H2O(l)
Nothing of OCI- ion is of two electron oxidizing agent. Loss of electrons and a pair of H+ ions next to NH3 molecules would build a pair of reactive N2 molecules.

mechanism
Above is the hydrazine molecule. It is a colorless liquid with a hint of ammonia odor.

• Medical
  Nitrogen in most cases of use is for the preservation of tissue samples, blood (and blood components), body fluids, and other cells. Liquid nitrogen can also be used for tissue, warts, and also small cancer removal.
  Depending on the use, Nitrogen can be in the form of dry ice or liquid. Dry ice is a chemical formula is the same as carbon dioxide (CO2 ). When the gas is frozen it is then called dry ice.
  Liquid nitrogen needs to be cooled extensively, around -346°F. Below this temperature, it can form into a solid. Above -320.44°F, it becomes gas again. Liquid nitrogen is colder than dry ice and can be dangerous.

There are about 2,277 species in the order Rodentia (33 families, 481 genera), (Latin Rodere, "to gnaw"), making up 40% of the class Mammalia. They can be found on every continent, except Antarctica. Depending on the species, they can be classified either in semiaquatic, arboreal, or fossorial. Both Rodentia and the order Lagomorpha, which includes hares, rabbits are sister groups and are both under the clade Glires.

Fossil records have found that rodents were first sighted in the late Paleocene and early Eocene (54 million years ago and was known to have high carbon dioxide levels). Now extinct species like Castor californicus (giant beaver), S. florensis (cave rat), N. pinckneyi (prehistoric capybara), P. pattersoni (Very large), J. monesi (biggest known rodent), so forth, were much larger rodents than what we commonly see. Only the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest living rodent.
Although most rodents are herbivores, some species like mice, rats, Chinchillas, are omnivores. This helps them especially in environments of humans.
Depending on species, the size range of sexes can be different. Female bias sexual dimorphism can be sighted in chipmunks and Male sexual dimorphism can be seen in mole rats, ground squirrels, and other species. It is believed that in male chipmunks that seeing larger females is a sign of good reproductive outcome.

One of the most noticeable Characteristics of the rodent is their constantly growing incisors of both upper and lower jaw (normal number range of teeth on a rodent is 22, and does not contain anterior premolars or canines), and that is how they also got their order name from. Unless they keep gnawing, their incisors could grow either to their throat or into their skull. If you look at their skulls, most rodents have a "gap" in between their incisors and cheek teeth, this is also called a diastema.
The molars on rodents are able to grind food up, they are large and can be ridged or angular.
Their jaws are well structured for chewing, but groups can vary in muscles of the jaw.
Squrriels, chipmunks, and other rodents with a "cheek pouch" is a feature that is used for storing food.

For the most part, rodents have a good sense of smell, hearing, and sight. Those of nocturnal species have eyes and in some cases, susceptible to ultraviolet light. Only rats and mice have limited eyesight.

Their digestive system can absorb about 80% of ingested energy. If they were to eat food containing cellulose, It will be softened and go through the cecum (the bacteria will decrease the food into carbohydrates), after this the rodent will eat its own feces. The nutrients will then be absorbed.

Most squirrels (except for ground squirrels) and chipmunks stay solitary, but mice, rats, prairie dogs are social creatures, living in groups. This can sometimes lead to rat or mouse infestation. It is all due to the high reproduction rate of these species. A common house mouse can start breeding about 5 weeks after being born and the outcome can be up to 50 offspring in a year. The young may be born either altricial(blind, hairless and relatively underdeveloped) or precocial (mostly furred, eyes open and fairly developed) depending on the species.

List:

Suborder Anomaluromorpha
Family Anomaluridae: scaly-tailed squirrels
Family Pedetidae: springhares
Suborder Castorimorpha
Superfamily Castoroidea
Family Castoridae: beavers
Superfamily Geomyoidea
Family Geomyidae: pocket gophers (true gophers)
Family Heteromyidae: kangaroo rats, kangaroo mice
Suborder Hystricomorpha
Infraorder Ctenodactylomorphi
Family Ctenodactylidae: gundis
Infraorder Hystricognathi
Family Bathyergidae: African mole rats
Family Hystricidae: Old World porcupines
Family Petromuridae: dassie rat
Family Thryonomyidae: cane rats
Parvorder Caviomorpha
Family †Heptaxodontidae: giant hutias
Family Abrocomidae: chinchilla rats
Family Capromyidae: hutias
Family Caviidae: cavies, including Guinea pigs and the capybara
Family Chinchillidae: chinchillas, viscachas
Family Ctenomyidae: tuco-tucos
Family Dasyproctidae: agoutis
Family Cuniculidae: pacas
Family Dinomyidae: pacaranas
Family Echimyidae: spiny rats
Family Erethizontidae: New World porcupines
Family Myocastoridae: coypu (nutria)
Family Octodontidae: octodonts
Infraorder Incertae sedis
Family Diatomyidae: Laotian rock rat
Suborder Myomorpha
Superfamily Dipodoidea
Family Dipodidae: jerboas and jumping mice
Superfamily Muroidea
Family Calomyscidae: mouse-like hamsters
Family Cricetidae: hamsters, New World rats and mice, muskrats, voles, lemmings
Family Muridae: true mice and rats, gerbils, spiny mice, crested rat
Family Nesomyidae: climbing mice, rock mice, white-tailed rat, Malagasy rats and mice
Family Platacanthomyidae: spiny dormice
Family Spalacidae: mole rats, bamboo rats, zokors
Suborder Sciuromorpha
Family Aplodontiidae: mountain beaver
Family Gliridae (also Myoxidae, Muscardinidae): dormice
Family Sciuridae: squirrels, including chipmunks, prairie dogs, marmots

Out of 4,600 species of the order Blattodea (cockroaches and now termites), 30 of them are associated with humans (only 4 have been linked as pests). Many people see cockroaches as unclean, disease-causing insects. Although cockroaches do cause diseases (13 diseases have been found), the hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) is very clean and cleans itself after being handled by humans (because humans are in fact dirtier than hissing cockroaches are). They eat mostly green leafy vegetables, apples, and carrots. The cockroaches that we mostly think of as pests are German cockroach (Blattella germanica) and American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) which are actually native to Africa. They are also known to harbor fungi, bacteria, protozoa, and helminth, causing harmful pathogens.

Built for survival
The American cockroach (the largest species of cockroaches) can "hold its breath" for 40 minutes and can run up to 3 miles an hour. They can also live with their heads off for a week (due to the open circulatory system, therefore can breathe through little holes in each of the body segments), but can only go a week without water (they can survive without food for a month).

They have the largest genomes of any insect studied, which might explain the reason why they can survive so well. They have tons of genes called "Cytochrome P450." that helps with poisonous chemicals, code for detoxification enzymes. They have a very strong immune system and kills harmful microbes and fungi. They have 154 olfactory receptors for smell, which is the reason why can smell better than other insects. They also have 544 for tasting, the largest of any insect. German cockroaches can carry up to 50 eggs in the ootheca (egg case). Because most pests can produce offspring in large numbers (or how many times a female can reproduce in a short-term time).

Research at the University of Nottingham have found that roaches and locusts have brains with a powerful antibiotic enzyme, 9 different antibiotic molecules (called Peptides which are short-chain amino acids that make-up protein) within the nervous system. They are specific in their brains. Tests have found that these are effective with some bacteria (e. Coli) and can 90% kill MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and cause no harmful effects on the human cells. This research may help find more powerful antibiotics that humans can use.

Cockroaches have also become resistant to most pesticides. Before cockroaches would taste pesticides as sweet tasting. They developed over generations, to instead taste the sweetness into bitterness. These resistants are seen in many insects in different ways.

Because of their strong immune system and the ability to kill unsafe bacteria/enzymes, they can eat almost anything: human food, feces, cardboard, decaying matter, other cockroaches, and the list goes on.

Cockroaches are social insects and they like to tell others where the best places to find food is. They do this by emitting pheromones that leave chemical odors on their body and also in their feces. They're most active at night, hunting or finding a mate. This may be the reason why people don't realize their house might be infested until some cockroaches crawl in the day. The American cockroach lives only for a year, but because of such active mating, there will be more to replace the one dead.

Phylum: Arthropoda
Higher Class: Parasitiformes
Name: Lxodida

(note: this will be a shorter post, due to time limit. I try to write the most important areas.)

It started in the 2000s, the rise of Lyme disease (borreliosis). Most cases are found in the east coast and east north central states. The reason may be because of the habitat of these states. Let's take a look at the insect that causes Lyme disease.

There are over 850 different species of ticks, 90 of them are in the United States. The female will look for a host using her senses to sense carbon dioxide that humans and animals give off. She needs to get enough blood to reproduce eggs (remember only females feed on blood, like other insects. This may be due to the rich iron. For a better understanding, female humans also need rich iron). The female tick causes disease, and not males, for they do not feed on hosts. When a female is ready to lay her eggs, she will drop off the host and lay thousands. At larval stage is called the seed tick (they have six legs at this time).
Females live three years, but only eat three meals
Ticks need moisture place to live like forests. They will climb on tall grass (only 18-24 inches high). They also live in the gardens. They cannot jump, so they wait until a host (animal or human) come by.
Not all ticks have the disease. When they feed on mice or other mammals that have been infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, they will have it in their system.

Lyme disease is not the only disease that ticks carry. Tickborne diseases include Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain, Spotted fever, Tularemia, to name most of them.

Deer ticks won't survive 24 hours if unfed. Ticks on moist clothing can survive 2-3 days. Ticks that have fed on a blood meal can survive longer. Most only live up to 3 years.
When sucking blood, they will ingest the pathogen with the blood.

How do I protect myself and my pets against ticks?

Understand, the more your pet is outside (near woods), the higher the chance it will get ticks. Outside cats are at the highest point, due to walking in tall grass and different areas. Your pet can also get ticks from walking in the woody areas (as my dog did). Try to look around your pet after they go out or walks. Ticks like the neck area the best.
Giving your pet medicine for fleas and ticks. There are topical medicines that you put on to neck all down to the tail, this can last to 30 days. Shampoo and powders are less effective, but can be used with treatments.

The most effective is the pill form. It can start its effect within 4-5 hours after taking it. They are more expensive and most are vet needed.

If your pet is out a lot, Flea and Tick collars are very effective, just look for the word "kill" with the word "prevent"

Humans aren't common for ticks to attach themselves on, but it does happen. Bacteria: Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia mayonii, Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii bacteria. The four species of bacteria that causes Lyme disease, the tick must bite you to actually get the bacteria. Ticks can be attached to you for 36 hours to a few days (until they get the most blood they need). So what are ways to prevent it?

Unfortunately, there are no medicines (like for pets) for people to use. There are sprays though (there are sprays for pets as well).
The best tick repellent is called "Nantucket Spider Tick Repelling" spray. It's natural, and many people reported that it works the best. It is also the first and top choice by Pest Strategies. You can use other sprays that help prevent/kill ticks.

Cover up yourself, wearing long clothes, semi-thick should help prevent ticks from hooking up on your skin. Although they might hook up on your clothes, you can easily shake them off.
Always check yourself after going outside (especially if you near the woods). You won't feel the tick, because they have secrete novel pain killers, called kininases, in their saliva which help them go unnoticed. This also is seen in some mosquitos (female).
A red mark that are itchy is seen after being bitten.

Read up about the species of ticks that are common in your area. Read up on different state's insects and most common insect diseases of that state (and what year and season was the highest).

What happens if you don't get help?

Lymes disease is nothing to mess with, and especially when it doesn't get treated. Lymes disease is a bacterial infection, so all bacteria can become worse. Untreated Lymes can cause the bacteria to go to your brain, heart, and joints.

Stage 2 can cause: Numbness or pain in the nerve area, Paralysis or weakness in the muscles of the face, Heart problems, such as skipped heartbeats (palpitations), chest pain, or shortness of breath
Symptoms of late disseminated stage 3 can occur months or years after the infection, and can cause: Abnormal muscle movement, Joint swelling, Muscle weakness. Numbness and tingling, Speech problems, Thinking (cognitive) problems

Stage 3 (late disseminated) can cause long-term joint inflammation (Lyme arthritis), heart rhythm problems, Brain and nervous system problems. These can include: Decreased concentration, memory disorders, nerve damage, paralysis of the face muscles, sleeping disorders and sometimes sight problems

Lymes can cause serious heart (cardiac) issues, and most people die of the heart effect of Lymes disease. People with weak immune systems or long-term heart issues are at a higher risk.

There are some people that don't see Lymes disease as a serious issue, due mostly because of the symptoms were flu-like. That shouldn't stop people. The Flu (influenza) can kill and has killed over 49,000 people and 700,000 people in the hospital. The flu actually affected healthy young men. It came out of nowhere, and children were more likely to get over it. This made doctors and scientists very confused. No one should be afraid to go in for a Lymes test, even though they might not have it, it's a good sign. Remember tuberculosis (which I had when I was younger) starts off as a cough, over time it gets worse and to the point of death. Not feeling well is always a sign from your body that something is not normal and it's hard for the body to fight and needs help.

The nectar from flowers (which is a sugar produced by glands of the plant called nectaries) is collected by honey bees. The nectar goes into the bee's "special" stomach (called a honey stomach),
The stomach can weigh as much as the bee itself, when full. In the stomach, the digestive enzymes work on the nectar. When the worker comes back to the hive, she will vomit into another worker's mouth (this goes on and on). This is also the process of making honey. More enzymes are added as the "honey" goes to mouth to mouth of different workers. Helping complex sugars convert into simple sugars (monosaccharides). Because of all this, the bees need to make it less liquid-like. They will vomit into a honeycomb and will beat their wings (%H2O = <20%). They will use beeswax to cover it up.

Bacteria

Bacteria are microscopic single-celled organisms that diverse. They can live about anywhere, from the soil to the human body. There are different types of bacteria. Some can be seen in creating yogurt and helping our digestive system (Known as good bacteria). For the most part, we hear about the "bad" bacteria, which causes diseases like Tuberculosis, salmonellosis, pneumonia and other bacteria causing sickness. Bacteria are prokaryotes (single cell with simple internal structures). Bacterial DNA can float freely inside the twisted thread-like mass (nucleoid).
Bacteria contain separate (circular parts of DNA named plasmids). The outside cells are surrounded by two protective layers (the outer cell and inner cell membrane) Some can have three layers (called capsule). Although some bacteria like mycoplasmas do not have any cell walls.
The human gut is a great place for bacteria (good and bad).

Bacteria are well-known to become resistant to antibiotics, once resistant, always resistant. In most cases. This seems to happen when bacteria changes in some way that affects the efficiency of the antibiotic. Some bacterial cells may not be affected by the drug, and those can carry when reproducing.

All Bacteria need energy. Water dissolves food and lets food get inside the cell, making energy for the bacteria cells to grow.
This is the reason why when humans are sick, they don't drink as much. The host's body knows that bacteria inside can't survive without water. There is much more to bacteria than what I present in this post, but this is a simple overview of bacteria.

Honey
Honey has 82% of carbohydrates that are in monosaccharides.
Fructose: 38.2%
Glucose: 31%
Disaccharides: ~9%
Sucrose, maltose, isomaltose, maltose, turanose, kojibiose and other. Oligosaccharides (4.2%) include: erlose, theanderose, and panose. From incomplete breakdowns of higher saccharides in nectar and honeydew.
Enzymes like invertases, which converts sucrose to glucose and fructose. Amylase, which breaks starch down into smaller units. Glucose oxidase converts glucose to gluconolactone, turning into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Catalase breaks down peroxide by glucose oxidase to water and oxygen. Acid phosphorylase removes inorganic phosphate from organic phosphates.

Vitamins and minerals of honey
Riboflavin (B2)
Niacin (B3)
Folic acid (B2)
Pantothenic acid (B5)
Vitamin B6.
Vitamin C
Calcium (Ca)
Zinc (Zn)
Potassium (K)
Phosphorus (P)
Magnesium (Mg)
Selenium (Se)
Chrominum (Cr)
Manganese (Mn)

Antioxidants are flavonoids. Contains amino acids (from abundant proline). Pinocembrin can be found in darker honey.
Other compounds:

organic acids: acetic, butanoic, formic, citric, succinic, lactic, malic, pyroglutamic and gluconic.
Honey also contains hydroxymethylfurfural (is a product to break down simple sugars below pH5).
Honey is water soluble (may granulate 10° and 18° and is slightly acidic (pH 3.4-6.1)
Why honey is good as antibiotic
It is due to the high sugar and low level of water content. Methylglyoxal and the antimicrobial peptide is found to be the well-known antibacterial compounds in honey.

When putting honey on a wound, it can act as a dry sponge (it spares any water). It draws fluid away from the infection, helping kill bacteria. Because honey contains pH levels of 3-4 (as much as orange juice), bacteria is killed in acidic environments. Although, if there is more water or less honey, it can be diluted, bacteria can grow back again. The hydrogen peroxide in honey is from an enzyme (glucose oxidase) added to nectar from bees.

Hydrogen peroxide (3% USP) is used to clean cuts and can kill bacteria from destroying their protective layers.

Honey has been used as a natural medicine for centuries. The Egyptians used honey to cure skin and eye infections. The faster they used the honey, the less chance that bacteria would build up.

Feliformia:

(Some species names are from a list from Wikipedia under "List of species in order Carnivora" in order to make it easier on myself. Other writings are created by myself). If I have missed anything or got some info wrong, please tell me.

Twelve subfamilies, seven extant families, 114 species and 56 genera in the suborder Feliformia. 41 extant species of Felidae (Tigers, lions, domestic cats, etc). Many people think of lions, tigers, cheetahs, but Feliformia is a suborder and contains subfamilies in below order but above family. Subfamily Genus Pantherinae which can contain consists of lions (Panthera leo), tigers (Panthera tigris), Jaguars (Panthera onca), leopards (Panthera pardus), snow leopards (Panthera uncia), and Genus Neofelis consists of clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa), the Bornean clouded leopard (Neoflis diardi). Subfamily Felinae are small to medium-sized cats and consists of Genus Acinonyx: Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), Genus Caracal: Caracal (Caracal caracal) African golden cat (Caracal aurata), Genus Catopuma: Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii), Bay cat (Catopuma badia) Genus Felis: European wildcat (Felis silvestris), African wildcat (Felis lybica), Chinese mountain cat (Felis bieti), Domestic cat (Felis catus), Jungle cat (Felis chaus), Sand cat (Felis margarita), Black-footed cat (Felis nigripes), Genus Leopardus: Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi), Kodkod (Leopardus guigna), Andean mountain cat (Leopardus jacobitus), Pampas cat (Leopardus colocola), Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus), Southern tigrina (Leopardus guttulus), Margay (Leopardus wiedii), Genus Leptailurus: Serval (Leptailurus serval), Genus Lynx: Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), Bobcat (Lynx rufus),Genus Otocolobus: Pallas's cat (Otocolobus manul), Genus Pardofelis: Marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), Genus Prionailurus: Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), Sunda leopard cat (Prionailurus javanensis), Flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps), Rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus), Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) Genus Puma: Cougar (Puma concolor), and Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi).
In the suborder of Feliformia, Viverrids (Viverridae) are small mammals that are no surprise to be in this suborder. Here is a list of all known species.

Subfamily Paradoxurinae: Genus Arctictis: Binturong (Arctictis binturong), Genus Arctogalidia: Small-toothed palm civet (Arctogalidia trivirgata), Genus Macrogalidia: Sulawesi palm civet (Macrogalidia musschenbroekii),Genus Paguma: Masked palm civet (Paguma larvata), Genus Paradoxurus: Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), Jerdon's palm civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni), Golden palm civet (Paradoxurus zeylonensis). Subfamily Hemigalina: Genus Chrotogale: Owston's palm civet (Chrotogale owstoni), Genus Cynogale: Otter civet (Cynogale bennettii), Genus Diplogale: Hose's palm civet (Diplogale hosei), Genus Hemigalus: Banded palm civet (Hemigalus derbyanus). Subfamily Prionodontinae: Genus Prionodon: Banded linsang (Prionodon linsang), Spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor). Subfamily Viverrinae: Genus Civettictis: African civet (Civettictis civetta), Genus Genetta: Abyssinian genet (Genetta abyssinica), Angolan genet (Genetta angolensis), Bourlon's genet (Genetta bourloni), Crested servaline genet (Genetta cristata), Common genet (Genetta genetta), Johnston's genet (Genetta johnstoni). Rusty-spotted genet (Genetta maculata), Pardine genet (Genetta pardina), Aquatic genet (Genetta piscivora), King genet (Genetta poensis), Servaline genet (Genetta servalina), Haussa genet (Genetta thierryi), Cape genet (Genetta tigrina), Giant forest genet (Genetta victoriae),
Genus Poiana: Leighton's linsang (Poiana leightoni), African linsang (Poiana richardsonii), Genus Viverra:Malabar large-spotted civet (Viverra civettina), Large-spotted civet (Viverra megaspila), Malayan civet (Viverra tangalunga), Large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha), Genus Viverricula: Small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), Family Eupleridae (Malagasy carnivores), Subfamily Euplerinae: Genus Cryptoprocta: Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), Genus Eupleres: Falanouc (Eupleres goudotii), Genus Fossa: Malagasy civet (Fossa fossana), Subfamily Galidiinae: Genus Galidia: Ring-tailed mongoose (Galidia elegans), Genus Galidictis: Broad-striped Malagasy mongoose (Galidictis fasciata), Grandidier's mongoose (Galidictis grandidieri), Genus Mungotictis: Narrow-striped mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata), Genus Salanoia: Brown-tailed mongoose (Salanoia concolor), Family Nandiniidae (African palm civet), Genus Nandinia African palm civet (Nandinia binotata), Family Herpestidae (mongooses), Genus Atilax: Marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus), Genus Bdeogale: Bushy-tailed mongoose (Bdeogale crassicaudata), Jackson's mongoose (Bdeogale jacksoni),Black-footed mongoose (Bdeogale nigripes), Genus Crossarchus: Alexander's kusimanse (Crossarchus alexandri), Angolan kusimanse (Crossarchus ansorgei), Common kusimanse (Crossarchus obscurus), Flat-headed kusimanse (Crossarchus platycephalus), Genus Cynictis: Yellow mongoose (Cynictis penicillata), Genus Dologale: Pousargues's mongoose (Dologale dybowskii), Genus Galerella: Angolan slender mongoose (Galerella flavescens) Somalian slender mongoose (Galerella ochracea), Cape gray mongoose (Galerella pulverulenta), Slender mongoose (Galerella sanguinea), Genus Helogale: Ethiopian dwarf mongoose (Helogale hirtula), Common dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula), Genus Herpestes: Short-tailed mongoose (Herpestes brachyurus), Indian gray mongoose (Herpestes edwardsi), Indian brown mongoose (Herpestes fuscus), Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon), Small Asian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus), Long-nosed mongoose (Herpestes naso), Collared mongoose (Herpestes semitorquatus), Ruddy mongoose (Herpestes smithii), Crab-eating mongoose (Herpestes urva), Stripe-necked mongoose (Herpestes vitticollis), Genus Ichneumia: White-tailed mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda), Genus Liberiictis: Liberian mongoose (Liberiictis kuhni), Genus Mungos: Gambian mongoose (Mungos gambianus), Banded mongoose (Mungos mungo), Genus Paracynictis: Selous' mongoose (Paracynictis selousi), Genus Rhynchogale: Meller's mongoose (Rhynchogale melleri), Genus Suricata: Meerkat (Suricata suricatta), Family Hyaenidae (hyenas), Genus Crocuta: Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), Genus Hyaena: Brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea), Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), Genus Proteles: Aardwolf (Proteles cristata).

Feliformia (feloidea) is within the order Carnivora. This suborder consists of "cat-like" mammals that are carnivores. Although there are different groupings of families and genera, molecular phylogenies propose that all feliforms are monophyletic (a group/clade that are organisms of a common ancestor) evolved.

All extant feliforms have a common characteristic, auditory bullae (bony capsules surrounded by the middle ear and inner ear) this is a double-chambered and under two bones joined by the septum, unlike the single-chambered auditory bullae in caniforms. This is a way of classifying species from either feliforms or caniforms. Although Nimravidae (an extinct family that contains smilodons (also known as "saber-tooth cat") do not have this feature, having ossified bullae and no septum.
Feliforms also have retractable (can also have semi-retractile) claws, many are semi-arboreal or arboreal. They tend to walk on their toes (digitigrade), unlike most caniforms that are non-retractile, and terrestrial and be plantigrade.
Most of the time feliforms have shorter rostrums, fewer teeth, and more designed carnassials than caniforms. Their behavior is also different from caniforms, meaning they are more ambush hunters. Most species are arboreal/semi-arboreal ambush hunters, and smaller feliforms hunt small mammals, insects, and invertebrates.