Scientific name : Tapirus indicus Family : Tapiridae Native to : Asia Interesting fact : They have powerful jaws and bite when threatened. Conservation status : Endangered It is similar in shape to a pig. Their coats are short and range in colour from reddish-brown to grey to nearly black. Their size varies between types, […]
Cinnamon and Pepper Throwing is a custom meant for singletons in Denmark. Do you know: This custom somehow evolved out of Danish word for bachelor, which is Pebersvend, or ‘pepper man’–a term used for unmarried spice traders in the 16th century. It is customary in Denmark to remind 25-year-old singletons that they do not have
Fingerhakeln is a game played in the Alpine regions of Austria and Germany. Do you know: There is also a championship held annually for this game. Fingerhakeln is played between two players, who sit in traditional Alpine dresses and place their middle fingers in a strap. The winner is required to pull his opponent over
Common name : Japanese raccoon dog Scientific name : Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus Family : Canidae Native to : Japan Interesting fact : It is immortalized in Japanese folklore tradition. Conservation status : Least Concern It measures 45-71 cm and has a 12-18 cm long tail, and weighs about 3 kg in spring and 6.5-7.0 kg
The Queen’s Birthday is celebrated twice a year in Australia. Do you know: The custom of celebrating the actual Queen’s Birthday is on April 21st. Following the practice of King George-II, the Queen too has her actual birthday and an ‘official birthday’ to celebrate in June. All over Australia excepting in Western Australia, the Queen’s
Jaanipäev is the most important holiday in Estonia with many customs and rituals observed on that day. Do you know:Jaanipäev is also known as Midsummer Day or Saint John’s Day, and follows the longest day of the year–the Summer Solstice. Jaanipäev was celebrated a long time before Christianity reached Estonia. Hence, many of the customs
Common name : Sunda flying lemur, Malayan flying lemur or Malayan colugo Scientific name : Galeopterus variegatus Family : Cynocephalidae Native to : South-East Asia Interesting fact : It is unable to function on the ground. Conservation status : Least Concern It glides as it leaps among trees, but is not a lemur and does
Sit Down Before any Trip is an extremely common custom in Russia. Do you know: The Russians believe that saying ‘goodbye’ over a threshold of a house is bad luck. According to the Russian customs and traditions, a person leaving for a long journey must always say his goodbye inside the house, sit for a
Saluting the Lone Magpie is a custom in the United Kingdom. Do you know: People not only in the UK, but also everywhere in the world consider a lone magpie an omen of bad luck or death. It is believed that since magpies mate for life, a lone magpie without his mate is a sad
Common name : Honey bear Scientific name : Helarctos malayanus Family : Ursidae Native to : South-East Asia Interesting fact : It has avoracious appetite for honey and honeycombs. Conservation status : Vulnerable Usually, the sun bear’s fur is jet-black, short and sleek with some under-wool and some individual sun bears are reddish or grey.
The Haka Dance is a popular Maori tradition, which is indigenous to New Zealand. Do you know: The native Haka Dance became extremely popular when the New Zealand Rugby team performs it. Both men and women perform the Haka Dance. There are even simpler versions of the dance that can be performed by children. The
Punctuality is an overrated custom in South America. Do you know: If you arrived on time or early for a meeting or party in South America, it is considered rude and you would be deemed ‘too eager’. It is customary for people in most parts of South America to show up a minimum of 10
Common name : Rope dancer Scientific name : Petaurus breviceps Family : Petauridae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : Its preferred diet is sugary nectarous foods, and it is able to glide through the air. Conservation status : Least Concern It is an omnivorous marsupial. A sugar glider has a thick, soft fur usually
Common name : Madagascar sucker-footed bat or Old world sucker-footed bat Scientific name : Myzopoda aurita Family : Myzopodidae Native to : Madagascar Interesting fact : Uses wet adhesive-like secretion to stick to surfaces, not suction. Conservation status : Least Concern There are peculiar cup-like features on its wrists and ankles. The sucker-footed bat can
Common name : Sumatra short-eared rabbit or Sumatran rabbit Scientific name : Nesolagus netscheri Family : Leporidae Native to : Sumatra, Indonesia Interesting fact : Locals have no name for it, because they don’t even know that it exists! Conservation status : Vulnerable It is usually about 40 cm (1 foot 4 inches) long, with