Clever Magazine, Vol IV, #7 " Did you know? " (www.clevermag.com)

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Wildlife Whispers...

Did you know?

by Dee Walmsley,
Clever's Nature Writer

I never knew that!

The garden snail has 14,174 teeth--105 rows, 135 teeth in each row.

An ant's sense of smell is as good as a dog's. Want to get rid of ants? Try a mixture of sugar and borax. Spread near ant hill.

The average robin lives about 12 years.

The life expectancy of the flea is 2-1/2 years.

The grasshopper's body contains 100 more muscles than that of a human.

The average life expectancy of an outdoor cat is two to five years. Indoor cats may survive beyond their 17^th birthday.

Birds rarely survive cat attacks due to infection from the cat’s claws and teeth. Cats wearing bells continue to KILL. Birds do not associate bell ringing with CATS!

If you bake birdseed at 140 degrees for eight to ten minutes that it won’t germinate under your feeders. Spread seed on a cookie sheet, bake and store in plastic bag in fridge for up to one month or freezer for six months.

Here are a few home remedies for bite prevention from residents of Winnipeg Manitoba, Mosquito Capital of Canada:

Mix 1 tsp Detol with bottle of baby-oil apply liberally.

Rub exposed skin and clothing with fabric softener sheets.

Take vitamin B6 capsules by mouth.

Mix 2 tablespoons White vinegar with 1 tablespoon Aloe Gel – rub on exposed areas.

Itching from Poison Ivy? Try rubbing the inside of a banana peel on infected area, or snap a plantain leaf and rub it on the rash.

Want to save gas? Avoid excessive idling. Today’s cars are designed to warm up fast. It takes less fuel to start your car then it does to let it idle for more than one minute.

Reducing your speed lowers emission and saves you money! A vehicle uses about 20% more fuel at 110 km/hr. then at 90km/hr.

Got some feedback for Dee? Email her at deew74@shaw.ca