For over a century‚ humans have been searching for alien civilizations somewhere out there in the universe. Though we obviously have found nothing so far‚ we have become rather good at finding planets‚ confirming over 5‚000 of them in the Milky Way since our first discovery in the 1990s.Analyzing the spectrum of light from those planets‚ we';ve even identified some intriguing possible hints of life‚ including dimethyl sulfide on exoplanet K2-18b‚ a gas that‚ on Earth‚ is produced only by life. But were we to find a planet with life‚ or advanced civilizations‚ should we initiate contact?Not everybody thinks that is a good idea‚ and among them was physicist Stephen Hawking. In 2015‚ while launching a project to listen out for alien civilizations‚ Hawking explained why it';s probably best not to say hello back.";We don';t know much about aliens‚ but we know about humans‚"; Hawking said at the event‚ per Space.com. ";If you look at history‚ contact between humans and less intelligent organisms have often been disastrous from their point of view‚ and encounters between civilizations with advanced versus primitive technologies have gone badly for the less advanced. A civilization reading one of our messages could be billions of years ahead of us. If so‚ they will be vastly more powerful‚ and may not see us as any more valuable than we see bacteria.";This is similar to the Dark Forest Theory‚ outlined in Liu Cixin';s sci-fi novel The Dark Forest.In the book‚ one character argues that given the uncertainty about the motivations of alien civilizations‚ it makes sense to stay quiet. If even one civilization is hostile‚ or hell-bent on destroying all other possible threats to their own civilization‚ we should take care not to advertise our existence too loudly.Despite having trepidations about contacting aliens‚ Hawking was very much in favor of continuing to look.";We believe that life arose spontaneously on Earth‚ so in an infinite universe‚ there must be other occurrences of life‚"; Hawking added. ";Somewhere in the cosmos‚ perhaps intelligent life might be watching these lights of ours‚ aware of what they mean. Or do our lights wander a lifeless cosmos‚ unseen beacons announcing that‚ here on one rock‚ the universe discovered its existence? Either way‚ there is no better question. It';s time to commit to finding the answer‚ to search for life beyond Earth. The Breakthrough initiatives are making that commitment. We are alive. We are intelligent. We must know.";Of course‚ the decision on whether to alert alien civilizations to our presence could be out of our hands. It';s possible that aliens could find us in similar ways to how we are finding them (only they may have had thousands of years to look‚ not hundreds)‚ or could even pick up on the signals we are leaking from our planet. It may already be too late to lie low and pretend nobody is home.

There have been many names given to the region of the Atlantic coast that stretches between the Kunene and Swakop rivers in Namibia‚ and none of them are reassuring. To the local San people‚ its known as the land God made in anger; to the Portuguese sailors who briefly stopped there in 1486‚ it was the Gates of Hell.But to most people today‚ its known as the Skeleton Coast. And theres a good reason why.Bones in the sandThe Skeleton Coast is named for what it is: a huge animal graveyard‚ CNN travel writer and journalist Karen Bowerman recalled in 2013‚ describing seal skulls jumbled with turtles rib cages and the colossal‚ bleached vertebrae of whales.While you might be tempted to think these were the victims of the lions and hyenas you will likely see wandering the sands‚ most of them died at the hands of a much more deadly species: humans‚ employed in the once-booming whaling industry. Dont feel too bad‚ though the coast has taken its revenge‚ in the form of hundreds of shipwrecks that dot the 500 kilometers (311 miles) of shoreline.Some of them are found behind dunes‚ far onshore from the sea‚ Jan Friede‚ a former ranger at Skeleton Coast National Park who photographed and documented 112 wrecks during his six-year tenure there‚ told CNN in 2018.Even if you survived the wreck you were probably doomed‚ Friede said. You struggle ashore‚ overjoyed that youve been saved‚ and then realize that you landed in a desert and probably should have gone down with the ship.The Eduard Bohlen‚ a ship that was wrecked on the Skeleton Coast on September 5‚ 1909.Image credit: WiPhi267 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Some of these ship carcasses date from hundreds of years ago; some are barely more than a decade old. But of all of the nearly 1‚000 wrecks that have run aground over the centuries‚ few are as infamous as the tale of the Dunedin Star a British cargo liner that fell foul of the coast back in 1942‚ and whose rescue has gone down as one of the most notable examples of Murphys law in history.Built in Birkenhead‚ England‚ [the Dunedin Star] had an illustrious career in the Second World War‚ surviving multiple Italian aerial attacks as part of a convoy relieving the siege of Malta. The Skeleton Coast was to be its undoing‚ wrote renowned travel author Oliver Smith in his Atlas of Abandoned Places.Carrying munitions to Egypt in 1942‚ it hit a reef close to the present-day border with Angola‚ he explained. Rapidly taking on water‚ 63 on board were evacuated to the beach‚ as rescue ships rallied from afar. In the ensuing drama‚ one rescue ship itself ran aground‚ and a plane that had hoped to land nearby crash-landed in a salt flat.Thanks to air-dropped supplies‚ almost everyone survived. Other shipwrecks were far less lucky. [One] unknown vessel washed up in 1860‚ author and journalist Tahir Shah wrote in a 2011 BBC Travel article. The 12 headless skeletons were found 70 years ago‚ along with a slate buried in the sand. It read: I am proceeding to a river 60 miles north‚ and should anyone find this and follow me‚ God will help him. The writers remains have never been found.Life finds a wayDespite all this desolation‚ the Skeleton Coast is teeming with life. Visitors to the shore can‚ if theyre lucky‚ see some of the Namib deserts unique variations on iconic African wildlife: desert lions in high-tech collars‚ who prowl the beach looking for a tasty seafood snack; ostrich and springbok; even populations of elephants‚ adapted over generations to life in the harsh Namib desert.Seeing the elusive desert lions is a rare and unique experience‚ Wessel Landman‚ from the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp‚ told CNN in 2018. And while seeing them can never be guaranteed‚ they have been known to visit the waterhole near the camp‚ and have even been seen relaxing on our walkways.The opportunity to see them‚ whether in the vicinity of the camp‚ or further afield in the dunes or on the beach‚ is an extraordinary privilege‚ he added.[Lion voice] yum yum.Image credit: LouieLea/Shutterstock.comThe seas‚ too‚ are flourishing. Whales‚ once hunted to near-extinction‚ are fast becoming a mainstay of the Namibian coast; the Cape Cross Seal Reserve‚ meanwhile‚ is home to over 200‚000 foul-smelling fur seals‚ wrote documentarian Genna Martin in the New York Times in 2022. The coast is reputedly one of the best places in the world for fishing and surprisingly popular for enthusiasts of a rather different sport‚ too.Its kind of a surfers dream‚ pro surfer Max Elkington said of the waters off the Skeleton Coast in 2023.[It] is such an unbelievable place. You kind of have to go there to understand what the wave is like‚ you know‚ he said. Its just so long‚ and youre surrounded by nothing. Youre in the middle of nowhere‚ desert‚ sand dunes‚ jackals‚ just so wild up there.Diamonds in the desertToday‚ the Skeleton Coast is virtually uninhabited; accessible only by the most hardy vehicles and guarded by a skull and crossbones. And yet‚ it wasnt so long ago that it was home not just to larger settlements‚ but to veritable boom towns.Just like the ships that washed up on the beach‚ you can still see the wrecks of the houses‚ restaurants‚ casinos‚ and hospitals that once populated places like Kolmanskop‚ a German colony established a century ago and eventually abandoned in the 1950s. And why? Because‚ Shah explained‚ Namibia is a land of diamonds like no other.Kolmanskop was a mining town‚ but it barely needed to be: diamonds on the Skeleton Coast quite literally get washed up by the sea like seashells. Its the final step in a story that began hundreds of millions of years ago. As far as geologists can determine‚ beginning sometime during the Jurassic Age‚ the diamonds that wash up in Namibia were pushed to the surface by Kimberlite Pipes about 800 kilometers [497 miles] to the east‚ along whats now the Orange River‚ explained Peter Fuhrman in a 2016 Fortune article.The biggest‚ heaviest diamonds were gradually pulled down the river by currents and then eventually far out into the sea in Namibian coastal waters‚ he continued. The tides are now slowly but surely pushing them back on land.We weren';t kidding about the skulls and crossbones.Image credit: Jens Khnel via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Diamonds can still be found on the Namibian shorelines but these days‚ the Skeleton Coast isnt where you should look. Unfortunately‚ the place to go about 750 kilometers (466 miles) southeast‚ on the countrys border with South Africa is known as the Sperrgebiet‚ or Forbidden Area. Guarded not by government forces‚ or even by the forces of nature itself‚ but by the De Beers Diamond Consortium‚ entering without permission is akin to breaking into a maximum-security prison‚ Fuhrman recalled.Luckily‚ theres enough natural treasure in the Skeleton Coast for us mere mortals and if you want diamonds‚ all you have to do is look up.Light pollution is almost non-existent on the Skeleton Coast‚ noted a 2016 CNN article on the region. The area is a stargazers paradise.The Milky Way is able to put on a majestic display against the black backdrop‚ and the galaxy bursts bright and brilliant in the night sky‚ it reported. If youve got a telescope‚ pack it you might even be able to see the Tarantula Nebula‚ a spidery cloud of dust and gas‚ and one of the Milky Ways biggest star factories.

A total solar eclipse happened across North America yesterday‚ in case you';re the one person who missed it and wondered why it was briefly nighttime during the day.OK‚ there';s not much chance you missed it‚ given the amount of coverage everywhere. There were countless articles online and so many TV items during the news letting you know how to view it safely‚ you can';t have missed all of them.But nevertheless‚ it looks like the message didn';t sink in. Judging by spikes of certain Google search terms‚ it looks like a lot of people may have done what you should never do during the eclipse‚ and stared right at the Sun.For example‚ the search term ";my eyes hurt"; suddenly spiked during the eclipse.Google trends for the search term ";my eyes hurt"; over the last 7 days (top) and on April 8 (bottom).Image credit: Google Trends (top and bottom)Perhaps more alarmingly‚ when Google breaks down the data by state‚ it tracks a little too well with the path of totality.Interest in the search term ";my eyes hurt"; by state.Image credit: Google TrendsIf you';re thinking it could just be an unrelated spike in eye pain‚ similar related (but less ambiguous) terms searched in higher-than-normal volume included: ";eyes hurt after looking at eclipse";; ";my eyes hurt after looking at the eclipse";; and ";why do my eyes hurt after looking at the eclipse";.So what should you do if you were one of the people who couldn';t resist taking a little glance at our star?IFLScience is not responsible for content shared from external sites.Well‚ that depends. If you looked whilst wearing proper safety glasses‚ it could be that your eyes just hurt from adjusting to the unusual light you saw through the shades‚ like when you wear any new glasses and it takes time for your eyes to adjust.If you looked directly at the Sun without glasses‚ however‚ it can potentially burn your retina‚ known as solar retinopathy. According to the Eyecare Trust‚ symptoms include:Watery and sore eyesDifficulty seeing shape and detail of objectsDiscomfort with bright lightA blind spot in your central visionObjects may appear to be unusually colored or distorted in shapeIf you are experiencing any of these symptoms and you looked directly at the Sun‚ you should see your physician or optometrist ASAP.The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice‚ diagnosis‚ or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.[H/T: Reddit]

The alligator penis doesnt have an off setting. Unable to inflate with blood or lymphatic fluid‚ it instead maintains erection by being constantly rigid due to a dense network of collagen fibers inside the penile shaft. This means that rather than being flaccid and rising to the task of copulation‚ its permanently ready to pop out for a quick bit of fertilization‚ before being retracted out of sight again.Alligator Penis In ActionDiscovering the unique function of the alligator penis came as something of a jump-scare for a group of researchers‚ as you can witness in the below video which we really really dont recommend you watch if youre currently in the office. It shows Brandon Moore of Louisiana Tech University dissecting a freshly dead male alligator just as his scalpel makes contact with the pelvis nerve‚ releasing the alligator penis like a cursed Jack-In-The-Box.Making sense of the alligator penis fell to Diane Kelly at the University of Massachusetts‚ who published a paper on her findings. Kelly had exposed the anatomical secrets of several penises within the animal kingdom‚ and solving the puzzle of the alligator penis involved working with deceased specimens at the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana.Alligator Penis DissectionsHer work revealed that the alligator penis doesnt need to inflate‚ unlike those of mammals‚ birds‚ and other reptiles. Instead‚ it maintains a permanent erection by being built up of dense layers of collagen‚ the main structural protein in our connective tissues.If you dont know what an alligator penis looks like‚ its with good reason. They dont permanently brandish them on the outside of their body like other animals‚ but instead tuck the 10-centimeter (3.9-inch)‚ ghostly-white appendage behind something called a cloaca.The all-in-one orifice gets its name from the Latin for sewer‚ and its the exit route for urine‚ feces‚ and anything that comes out of the reproductive organs. That includes the alligator penis‚ so how does it go surface-side when the time comes to make some baby gators?How Does The Alligator Penis Work?Weirdly‚ Kelly found the alligator penis has no musculature‚ being a rigid structure that sits on the levator cloacae without actually being attached to it. By manipulating the levator cloacae in dead animals‚ Kelly was able to recreate the explosive action of the alligator penis we saw in Brandon Moores video.This indicated that it was this muscle that enabled the permanently erect penis to fling out with aplomb by squeezing the cloaca‚ forcing the dense-collagen penis out. When the muscle relaxes‚ the ligaments pull the alligator penis back in.So there‚ thats something you know now.

Dated April 9‚ 1885‚ within the pages of The New York Times‚ the article titled Missouris Buried City: A Strange Discovery in a Coal Mine near Moberly unfolds a narrative that is as enigmatic as it is enthralling. Moberly‚ then the largest city in Randolph County‚ with a population of 6‚108 during the 1880s‚ serves as the backdrop for this remarkable account.The story harkens back to an era when journalism valued sales over accuracy and truth was often sacrificed for commercial success. But the story is about an underground city and giants in the Midwest‚ so its worth telling again.Newspaper clipCoal miners‚ sinking a shaft 360 feet deep‚ broke into a cavern revealing a wonderful buried city‚ the article claimed. Lava arches stretched across the roof of the cavern‚ looming over the streets of an ancient city which are regularly laid out and enclosed by walls of stone‚ which is cut and dressed in a fairly good‚ although rude style of masonry.Workers‚ along with Moberly city recorder David Coates and Moberly city marshal George Keating‚ inspected the site‚ found a 30-by-100-feet hall in the cavern filled with stone benches and hand tools.Further search disclosed statues and images made of a composition closely resembling bronze‚ lacking luster‚ the article read.Explorers discovered a stone fountain in a wide court‚ still pouring perfectly pure water into its basin. But it was what lay beside the fountain that interested the people exploring the site.Lying beside the foundation (of the fountain) were portions of the skeleton of a human being‚ according to the article. The bones of the leg measured‚ the femur four and one-half feet‚ the tibia four feet and three inches‚ showing that when alive the figure was three times the size of an ordinary man‚ and possessed of a wonderful muscular power and quickness.Its skull‚ the story reported‚ was shattered; bronze tools‚ granite hammers‚ metallic saws and flint knives were scattered all around. They are not so highly polished‚ nor so accurately made as those now finished by our best mechanics‚ but they show skill and an evidence of an advanced civilization that are very wonderful‚ according to the article.Explorers spent 12 hours in the buried city and resurfaced only after the oil in their lamps burned low.No end to the wonders of the discovery was reached‚ the article stated. A further extended search will be made in a day or two.No record of the extended search could be found.Dr. Tom Spencer‚ a professor in the department of History‚ Humanities‚ Philosophy and Political Science at Northwest Missouri State University‚ said thats because after printing the story‚ the newspapers tried to forget it.A lot of the time I think these stories were written based entirely off hearsay and little or no direct on-site reporting‚ he said. As the story grew‚ the details got more and more outrageous.He equates it to a childhood game where children sit in a circle and one child whispers a story into anothers ear and by the time the story completes the circle‚ it was completely different.The point of this exercise was to try to see what would happen when the story had made it all the way around the circle‚ he said. If you recall‚ sometimes the finished story bore little resemblance to the original story. My guess is one element of this story is factual like the strange shaft formation or a long femur was found and it became more and more embellished as it went around the journalistic circle at the time.So what happened to the fabulous buried city under Moberly‚ Mo.?There were stories like this periodically at the time and they usually disappear quietly because someone goes to investigate and theres nothing to it‚ Spencer said. In order to avoid the embarrassment the newspapers just dont say anything else about it.The post Missouris buried city a strange discovery in a coal mine near Moberly appeared first on Anomalien.com.

On Monday‚ the Vatican clarified its stance on surrogacy‚ gender surgery and gender theory indicating that all three are violations of human dignity. The Vaticans doctrine office released a 20-page declaration titled Infinite Dignity that was approved by Pope Francis on March 25 and announced Monday.The document contains the Vaticans official stances on a number of issues and brings in biblical as well as just moral principle reasoning.In addressing some of the many grave violations of human dignity today‚ we can draw upon the teachings of the Second Vatican Council‚ which emphasized that all offenses against life itself‚ such as murder‚ genocide‚ abortion‚ euthanasia‚ and willful suicide must be recognized as contrary to human dignity.Furthermore‚ the Council affirmed that all violations of the integrity of the human person‚ such as mutilation‚ physical and mental torture‚ undue psychological pressures‚ also infringe upon our dignity.Specifically‚ regarding surrogacy‚ The Church insists that it takes a stand against the practice of surrogacy.First and foremost‚ the practice of surrogacy violates the dignity of the child. Indeed‚ every child possesses an intangible dignity that is clearly expressedalbeit in a unique and differentiated wayat every stage of his or her life: from the moment of conception‚ at birth‚ growing up as a boy or girl‚ and becoming an adult. Because of this unalienable dignity‚ the child has the right to have a fully human (and not artificially induced) origin and to receive the gift of a life that manifests both the dignity of the giver and that of the receiver. Moreover‚ acknowledging the dignity of the human person also entails recognizing every dimension of the dignity of the conjugal union and of human procreation. Considering this‚ the legitimate desire to have a child cannot be transformed into a right to a child that fails to respect the dignity of that child as the recipient of the gift of life.The document claims that surrogacy also violates the dignity of the woman who is carrying someone else';s child as she becomes detached from the child growing inside her and is merely the vessel to help others reach gain or desire.Oddly enough‚ the document didnt mention the Bible‚ Christ or God in its reasoning against surrogacy - when surrogacy‚ in and of itself‚ is an attempt to play God and artificially create life.When it came to gender theory‚ the Church insisted that biological sex and the socio-cultural role of sex (gender) can be distinguished but not separated and therefore hedged against any attempts to be something other than what you actually are.This principle carried into the next section regarding sex change where the document insisted that any sex change‚ or attempts to do so‚ risks threatening the unique dignity the person has received from the moment of conception.These positions arent new for the church‚ but the rise in the popularity of these issues is however‚ hence the official statement. Lets hope this redirects and keeps people on the track of sanity!

Click to Skip Ahead Average LifespanCare GuideLife StagesHow to Tell Your Bombay Cats Age The Bombay cat is a lively feline that looks like a mini panther with its sleek jet-black coat and bright yellow eyes. Aside from their exotic appearance‚ the Bombay cat is known for their intelligence and playful temperament which makes them a good companion animal. They have a similar life expectancy and care needs as any other domesticated cat.Bombay Cat Average LifespanThe average lifespan of a Bombay cat is between 9 to 15 years. Some Bombay cats have been known to exceed that age and live up to 20 years old with proper care‚ access to medical treatment‚ and good genetics.How to Care For Your Bombay Cat for a Long Lifespan?Proper care is essential if you want your Bombay cat to be healthy enough to live their full lifespan.Feeding &;amp; DietThe Bombay cat is an obligate carnivore that needs to eat a diet primarily consisting of animal-based protein. Your Bombay cat must be eating a nutritionally balanced diet that is appropriate for their species.Bombay cats can be fed either wet‚ dry‚ or raw foods if they are complete and contain all the vitamins and minerals they need for survival. The main ingredient in your Bombay cats food should be high-quality and digestible meat like poultry. You can offer your Bombay cat food according to their life stages (kitten‚ adult‚ senior)‚ or as advised by your veterinarian.Image Credit: Viktor Sergeevich‚ ShutterstockEnvironmentBombay cats should always be kept in a safe environment where they are not put in danger. You can either keep them as an indoor or outdoor cat but indoors are the safest place your Bombay cat can be. There is countless supporting evidence that cats live longer and healthier lives indoors.1If you choose to allow your Bombay cat to free roam outdoors‚ you might be putting them at more risk than you have been led to believe. Outdoor Bombay cats are at risk of getting injured or killed by predators‚ vehicles‚ toxins‚ and contracting infectious diseases that may shorten their lives.Furthermore‚ outdoor cats can contribute to feral cat populations and interfere with the local wildlife. If you want to allow your Bombay access outdoors‚ it is best to invest in a catio or keep the yard secure to prevent it from escaping.CareWhen you decide to take on a Bombay cat as a pet‚ you are committing to caring for them for the next 9 to 20 years of their life. While caring for a Bombay cat can seem as simple as feeding and petting them‚ there are more responsibilities involved.Caring for a Bombay cat involves:Adopting or purchasing your Bombay responsibly.Ensuring you have the finances to use for your Bombay food‚ toys‚ grooming‚ and medical treatment.Feeding your Bombay cat a healthy and balanced diet containing quality ingredients.Keeping their environment safe for them to explore.Dedicating time out of your day to give your Bombay cat attention and toys.CleaningBombay cats will need a sanitary litterbox where they can do their bathroom business. Their litterbox will need to be regularly cleaned so it is odor-free when your Bombay cat goes to use it. Most cat owners clean the litterbox daily or every second day. The frequency of cleaning can be more depending on how many cats are using it. Aside from cleaning the litterbox‚ you will need to clean their food and water bowl daily.Image Credit: Pani Kavetska‚ ShutterstockPairing/BreedingIt is not advisable to breed your Bombay cat‚ as it is expensive‚ time-consuming‚ and complicated. The average person likely does not have the funds or knowledge on breeding cats‚ nor the time and money to spend on genetic testing. It is best to get your Bombay cat spayed or neutered by a veterinarian or speak with them about reducing your cats risk of producing offspring.HealthcareBombay cats require access to medical treatment when necessary. You will need to take your Bombay cat to a veterinarian and spend money on their checkups‚ treatments‚ and certain procedures. Most Bombay cats are relatively healthy‚ but that still means that certain health issues can affect their lifespan. According to PetMD‚ no evidence suggests Bombay cats have genetic health issues that could affect their lifespan. Although senior Bombay cats may develop pancreas or kidney issues‚ similar to most senior cats.The Life Stages of a Bombay CatKitten (0 to 1 year)Image Credit: Andrey Kuzmichev‚ ShutterstockBombay kittens are playful and explorative‚ this a good age to start introducing them to other pets in the household and working on their training and sociability. They should get their necessary vaccinations from a veterinarian and be spayed or neutered to prevent pregnancy.Young adult (1 to 5 years)Young adult Bombay cats still have some of the liveliness and playfulness they did as kittens. However‚ they will now be fully grown at around 13 to 20 inches and weigh up to 15 pounds. Your Bombay cat can start eating an adult diet at around 1 year old.Mature Adult (6 to 9 years)Image Credit: Ton van de Blaak‚ PixabayA mature adult Bombay cat will start slowing down and gradually lose the energy that it once had as a kitten and young adult. Bombay cats between 6 to 9 years of age may need a slight dietary adjustment to manage their weight and help prevent obesity. You might need to take them for more frequent veterinary health checkups.Senior (10+ years)A Bombay cat is considered old or a senior over 10 years of age. They will start slowing down significantly and may require slight lifestyle changes to accommodate their old age. Senior Bombay cats should get regularly checked by a veterinarian to monitor any senior-related health conditions.How to Tell Your Bombay Cats AgeWhile there is no true way to determine the exact age of a Bombay cat‚ there are ways to find which life stage they could be at. If they are still small under 13 inches in size and show undeniably kitten-like behaviors‚ they are probably under 1 year of age. If they are fully grown but are quite active‚ agile‚ and playful‚ then they are likely between 6 to 9 years old. A senior Bombay cat over 10 years old may show signs of aging like reduced mobility and age-related health problems.Image Credit: Anna Krivitskaya‚ ShutterstockConclusionThe Bombay cats lengthy lifespan of 9 to 15 years makes them a long commitment. Before you get a Bombay cat‚ you need to ensure that you have the time and finances to care for them for the next one to two decades of your life. Bombay cats require veterinary care‚ a proper diet‚ a safe environment‚ and plenty of attention as pets. By properly caring for your Bombay cat‚ you are ensuring that they can meet or exceed their average lifespan in your care.Also see:Do Bombay Cats Like Water? Facts‚ Care Tips &;amp; FAQ SourcesBombay Cat Breed Health and Care | PetMDFrontiers | Life expectancy tables for dogs and cats derived from clinical data (frontiersin.org)Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats American Humane American HumaneBombay | VCA Animal Hospitals (vcahospitals.com)Indoors or Outdoors? An International Exploration of Owner Demographics and Decision Making Associated with Lifestyle of Pet Cats PMC (nih.gov) Featured Image Credit: Viktor Sergeevich‚ ShutterstockThe post How Long Do Bombay Cats Live? Average Lifespan‚ Data &;amp; Care Guide appeared first on Pet Keen.

Cats are curious animals that enjoy running‚ jumping‚ and pouncing. While they mostly come out unscathed‚ sometimes all that play can lead to injuries with a telltale limp.While limping is a sign of pain or discomfort and should never be ignored‚ the possible causes can vary significantly. Here are the 12 reasons your cat may be limping‚ and signs you need to call a vet.The 12 Reasons Your Cat Might Be Limping1. Broken BoneA cat limping on one leg can indicate a broken bone in the leg‚ wrist‚ or paw. Severe fractures may have obvious signs‚ like a bone protruding through the skin or a deformity‚ but not always. It can be difficult to distinguish between a broken bone and another type of injury.A broken bone may have the following signs: Hissing or biting Unable to put weight on the leg Crying Bruising or swelling Refusing to groom Decreased appetite Visible deformity or open woundIf you notice any of these signs‚ contact your vet or visit your local emergency clinic as soon as possible. Dont give your cat any human pain medication‚ as most are toxic for cats.Image Credit: Ermolaev Alexander‚ Shutterstock2. Dislocated JointJoints are held together by tendons and ligaments that can become damaged‚ leading to dislocation. Cats are prone to dislocations of the hip and kneecap‚ as well as the elbows and tail. Typically‚ this occurs with trauma and warrants an urgent vet visit. The common causes of joint dislocation include falling from a height‚ getting hit by a car‚ or congenital disorders.Some of the signs of a dislocation include: Pain Holding or dragging a limb Limited or abnormal movement Limping Tenderness Swelling Deformed joint Bent limb No sensation in the toes3. Embedded Foreign BodyWalking around inside or outside can cause foreign bodies to become embedded in your cats paw or leg‚ including grass seeds‚ thorns‚ splinters‚ or shards of glass. In some cases‚ the foreign body may be visible‚ but other signs include limping‚ redness and inflammation‚ or excessive licking or chewing of the paws. This warrants a vet visit in most cases‚ as your cat may need pain medication‚ antibiotics‚ or surgical removal.Image Credit: isumi1‚ Shutterstock4. Injured ToenailThough it may seem small‚ an injured toenail can be a source of excruciating pain for your cat. Even a tiny tear in the nail on one toe can be intense enough to cause a limp and inactivity. This can be caused by many things‚ including catching the nail on something or landing wrong on a jump. Aside from obvious signs like the nail itself and bleeding‚ your cat may limp‚ and they might chew‚ lick‚ or bite at the affected paw.5. WoundThe pads on your cats pawsand the space between themare their connection to the ground. Theyre thick and cushioned for traction‚ shock absorption‚ comfort‚ and weather protection‚ but they can be torn‚ punctured‚ or burned‚ leading to wounds. Because cats walk on their paws all the time‚ wounds can take longer to heal and can become infected.If your cat has a wound on their paw‚ you can apply first aid at home and contact your vet. Serious wounds that are large or bleed excessively may require an emergency clinic for treatment.Image Credit: Phatara‚ Shutterstock6. Insect Bite or StingCats are nosy and prone to bites and stings from bees‚ wasps‚ scorpions‚ or other insects. Depending on the insect‚ cats may have anything from mild irritation to life-threatening shock that requires a vet.Insect stings and bites may have the following signs: Chewing on the foot or leg Limping Swelling Visible stinger (usually difficult to see)If you notice serious signs like severe swelling‚ hives‚ difficulty breathing or wheezing‚ excessive drooling‚ agitation‚ vomiting or diarrhea‚ dizziness or disorientation‚ or seizures‚ contact an emergency vet immediately.7. Muscle or Nerve InjuryCats can experience muscle strain or tears from trauma or injury‚ such as overstretching or getting hit by a car. Muscle injuries can result in limping‚ and your cat might hide itself away. Though some muscle injuries will heal in time without significant intervention‚ you should contact your vet for an exam‚ pain control‚ or other therapies.If your cat sustains damage to the nerve supply to the front leg‚ this can result in a mild to severe lameness to one or both limbs. In severe cases‚ they can be completely paralyzed in the affected limb/s.Image Credit: New Africa‚ Shutterstock8. InfectionCats can get infections in the skin‚ muscle‚ or bone‚ causing different degrees of pain. This may be caused by trauma‚ penetration by a foreign object‚ cuts and more. One of the most common sources of infection is from fighting with another cat. Depending on the type of infection and what it affects‚ the treatment can range from antibiotics to hospitalization.An infection in cats may have the following signs: Inappetence Limping High temperature Pain Redness and swelling Discharge (blood or pus)9. ArthritisArthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and deterioration of one or more joints. This is more likely in senior cats‚ though it can affect younger cats. The causes include age‚ obesity‚ abnormal joint development‚ body conformation‚ past injuries‚ and poor nutrition.The signs of arthritis may include: Difficulty getting up or down Stiffness Reluctance to jump or climb Reluctance to play Limping in one or more legs Tenderness in some parts of the body Swollen or sore joints Unexpected aggression Hiding House soiling Poor coat condition from inadequate self-groomingDepending on the extent of arthritis and its cause‚ the treatment can range from prescription diets‚ pain medication‚ even surgery. One of the hallmarks of arthritis is that it is usually worst after resting‚ and improves as they start moving.Image Credit: Eliza Berry‚ Shutterstock9. DeformityA limb deformity can be developmental (during growth) or congenital (present from birth). This often occurs in the front legs and may take the shape of crooked or irregular limbs. Some cats can live with deformities just fine‚ while others may limp and struggle with pain and limited mobility. Limb deformities may be obvious or subtle‚ which may come up during a routine exam. Depending on the severity of the deformity‚ your vet may recommend pain control‚ surgery‚ treatment for an underlying condition‚ or changes to your cats environment to make them safer and more comfortable.11. CancerCats can have cancer of the bone‚ soft tissue‚ or joints that can cause a limp. Osteosarcoma‚ a malignant cancer of the bone that often affects the leg‚ can cause severe pain and limping‚ especially as it progresses. There are other types of cancer that can cause a limp‚ however‚ so its important to make an appointment with your vet for an exam.Image Credit: Motortion-Films‚ Shutterstock12. DiseaseSeveral diseases can cause a limp in cats‚ including cardiovascular diseases like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This disease thickens the heart muscle and results in blood clots forming which can affect the blood supply to the limbs‚ leading to lameness and pain. The foot of the affected limb is often cold to touch. Neurological conditions can also cause a limp. If your cat is limping without any injuries‚ your vet can consider possible disease causes.When Should I Call a Vet for My Cats Limp?There are many reasons a cat may limp‚ some of which may improve on their own. If your cat just started limping‚ or it comes and goes‚ you can probably take a wait and see approach. This is also true if your cat can bear weight on the leg and doesnt have any other signs of distress or pain.If your cats limp doesnt improve after a few days‚ however‚ make an appointment with your vet.Here are some signs that you need to contact your vet for an appointment: Weakness‚ lethargy or inappetence Aggression‚ howling or vocalizing Refusing or unable to move Unable to put any weight on the limb Any obvious swelling or limb deformity Cold foot or limb Bleeding/wounds Scuffed nails (a common sign of being hit by a car) Known trauma (eg. hit by car‚ attacked by an animal) History of heart diseaseIn any event‚ if your cat is limping and you are in any doubt of what to do‚ call your vet for advice.ConclusionIf your cat is limping‚ there could be numerous causes‚ the majority of which should be addressed by your veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your cats limp‚ or see other signs of distress‚ make sure to schedule an appointment or visit an emergency clinic as soon as possible. Sourceshttps://www.petmd.com/cat/symptoms/why-my-cat-limpinghttps://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hip-dislocation-and-post-op-care-in-catshttps://www.petcarerx.com/article/limb-deformities-in-cats/5331https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/osteosarcoma-in-cats Featured Image Credit: Oleg Elkov‚ ShutterstockThe post Why is My Cat Limping on Their Front Paw? 12 Vet-Reviewed Reasons appeared first on Pet Keen.

Nature can still compete with the metaverse. At least that';s what the spectacle of thousands of Americans glancing up from their screens for a look at yesterday';s total eclipse of the sun would seem to suggest.Many even left their homes‚ traveling hundreds if not thousands of miles to be in the path of totality. It';s nice to know the urge to see something with our own eyes remains‚ even in this era of 4K.William Beebe and Otis Barton had a similar need to see‚ although their vision was trained on the depths of the sea rather than the vast firmament above us.Beebe was a zoologist and explorer made famous by his books detailing his adventures. Barton was a young Harvard-trained engineer living off a sizeable inheritance. What these two men accomplished when they joined forces is a tribute to the amateur spirit of invention that still survives in America‚ despite various forces working against it.Although Barton';s money was enough to complete construction of the cramped iron sphere they dubbed the Bathysphere‚ the men realized they needed more financing to carry out their dives. To this end they shrewdly won the backing of National Geographic.They also gained attention for their project by broadcasting one of their descents over the radio. Their flair for publicity did not detract from their courage‚ however. A small leak in the Bathysphere would have sent highly pressurized drops of water tearing through them like bullets.On August 15‚ 1934‚ Beebe and Baxter descended to a depth of half a mile‚ setting a record that stood until Baxter himself broke it in a new vessel in 1949. Some scientists scoffed at their showmanship as unseemly and accused them of exaggerating.Yet their detractors could only mock from the surface. Unlike them‚ Beebe and Baxter experienced this previously unknown world firsthand‚ under a pressure which‚ if loosened‚ in a fraction of a second would make amorphous tissue of our bodies‚ breathing our own homemade atmosphere‚ sending a few comforting words chasing up and down a string of hose privileged to peer out and actually see the creatures which had evolved in the blackness of a blue midnight which‚ since the ocean was born‚ had known no following day.

I dont feel responsible for the sins of my father and grandfather. I feel responsible for what the situation is today for sins of my own generation‚ and Ill be damned if I feel responsible to pay for what happened 300 years ago. Senator Joe Biden‚ 1975Major political and social phenomena do not spring up fully armored and ready for battle‚ like Athena from Zeus head. They have powerful motivations that drive them and gestate for years before they can come into being‚ and they also have powerful interests that they serve. I believe that many of the fundamental trends in antiwhite politics and rhetoric serve a common ideological purpose. That purpose is to create an intellectual and cultural environment to justify the expropriation of land‚ property‚ and other wealth from whites while instituting a permanent regime of antiwhite employment and legal discrimination.According to the Census Bureau‚ by 2045 whites will be a minority in America‚ and that minority will be disproportionately older and less active in society.While this statement may seem alarmist‚ in fact‚ this expropriation is already under way. In many cases‚ it is still on the margins of our popular politics‚ but like so many other leftist political movements of the 20th and 21st centuries‚ what was marginal will soon become mainstream.This is not to suggest that direct expropriation is the conscious strategy of most participants in these movements. Like every good political strategy‚ antiwhiteness has both an exoteric and an esoteric meaning there is an inner party‚ a limited group of those who understand what the endgame is‚ even if at times they may not even express it to themselves‚ and a far larger‚ more diverse‚ and less sophisticated outer party of those who simply think that in attacking white privilege they are fighting for justice.Different antiwhite political actors are working in their own fields to obtain benefits and status at the expense of whites. These individuals and groups are not engaged in an active conspiracy there is no Protocols of the Elders of Antiwhiteness. But there is a conscious effort by those in the political system to delegitimize whites and to retell the American story in a way that makes whites the villains to justify expropriating the vast wealth and prosperity largely produced by whites over several centuries on behalf of the new American people.The social phenomenon of expropriation is‚ of course‚ not unique to American whites. The forced expropriations of the Chinese in Indonesia‚ Jews in Nazi Germany‚ Tutsis in Rwanda‚ and Indians in Uganda are just a few of the many recent historical examples where this has occurred. I do not suggest that violence on the scale that we witnessed in these countries is the likely outcome in the United States. For one thing‚ even in a white-minority America‚ white numbers will be much larger‚ and there will be no one dominant group to oppress them. On the other hand‚ for those who have eyes to see it‚ a great deal of interracial violence in which whites are disproportionately and increasingly victimized has an overt or scarcely hidden undertone of racial revenge.Sadly‚ there is a long tradition worldwide of financially and socially successful but politically less powerful groups being expropriated by politically more powerful but financially and socially less successful groups. Multiethnic democracies in which political power is determined by the number of people you can get out to vote‚ and in which most citizens are members of clearly definable groups‚ are particularly at risk. And this is not a remote long-term risk but a contemporary and immediate one.According to the Census Bureau‚ by 2045 whites will be a minority in America‚ and that minority will be disproportionately older and less active in society. Already‚ the median age for white Americans is 43.7‚ compared to 37.5 for Asian-Americans‚ 34.6 for African-Americans‚ 29.8 for Hispanics‚ and 20.9 for multiracial Americans.For now‚ appeals to expropriation are usually indirect. But over time‚ these appeals will become more direct and in need of less justification as the political power of white Americans continues to decline.The reparations canardWhile calls for reparations also sounded absurd when Ta-Nehisi Coates proposed them in 2014 in an article in the Atlantic‚ a decade later they are increasingly close to reality. It is not a coincidence that the initial push for reparations came not from former slave states (which have large black populations but are generally run by largely white GOP majorities) but from states and localities where whites have reduced political power or where those whites who are present are on the far Left. Evanston‚ Illinois (home of Northwestern University)‚ implemented one of the first reparations plans‚ followed by proposals from San Francisco and the state of California.Logic and a sense of perspective have nothing to do with reparations.This expropriation will continue over a matter of decades and will use the government and Americas public institutions‚ largely built and paid for by several generations of white Americans‚ as its engine.Universities‚ built over centuries with hundreds of billions of dollars in donations from white and often conservative donors‚ have already been captured and turned into engines of racial wealth and status redistribution and antiwhite ideology. The value of American university endowments alone is rapidly approaching $1 trillion. Many of these wealth transfers will be disguised as benefits for the poor and disadvantaged‚ though their racial component will be implicit and‚ at times‚ explicit.In the modern era‚ trillions of dollars of reparations have been paid in the name of welfare programs‚ set-asides‚ quotas‚ affirmative action‚ and other programs‚ much of which has gone to people (African immigrants‚ Latinos‚ etc.) who are not even distantly descended from those harmed.Black immigrants and their descendants now represent almost one-fifth (and rapidly rising) of the U.S. black population. Vice President Kamala Harris is one of these‚ descended from a Jamaican immigrant who was a professor of economics at Stanford. President Obama was descended from an African immigrant who repatriated to Kenya after earning a degree at Harvard. More than half of young adults in Africa want to emigrate‚ with the United States being the dream destination.Someone clearly forgot to tell all these immigrants and those who are desperate to cross the border every day that the United States is a hellhole of systemic racism that discriminates against them.Nonetheless‚ the reparations train moves on. Californias‚ and specifically San Franciscos‚ efforts are exemplars of how intellectually vacuous the arguments for reparations are. Keep in mind these are states and cities that never enslaved anyone. And that slavery ended more than 160 years ago‚ several lifetimes before anyone living today. There are no children of former American slaves living today. Even the last grandchildren of former slaves are passing from the scene. Ironically‚ before he passed‚ the last known living child of an American born into slavery spoke of his fathers love and appreciation for his country. We could never talk negatively about America in front of my father. He did not have much‚ but he really‚ really loved America. Isnt that funny? It is only funny if you lack the historical perspective that this wise gentleman clearly had.But‚ of course‚ logic and a sense of perspective have nothing to do with reparations. Never mind that African-Americans are the wealthiest African-descended people in the entire world by far‚ and they are infinitely wealthier and better off on average than the Africans whose ancestors were largely responsible for selling their ancestors into slavery. Black Californians should get $350‚000 each‚ said the reparations committee there‚ while San Francisco has suggested providing up to $5 million and a host of other benefits.The right loves to mock San Francisco‚ but pretending that what happens in San Francisco stays in San Francisco is pure wishcasting. Despite dysfunction and emigration‚ the greater Bay Area has enormous cultural‚ financial‚ and technological clout in our current era. For decades now‚ San Francisco movements that once seemed marginal have been entering and then becoming mainstream. The first legal same-sex marriage was performed under the administration of then-San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2004. In 2015‚ the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges made it mandatory nationwide. It took just 11 years to go from crazy thing only people in San Francisco do to constitutionally mandated throughout the country.The broader philosophical claims of reparations are equally absurd. Collectively‚ the United States does not owe anyone anything just because they have a certain skin color or because of the experience of their ancestors. The experiences of Jews and Asian-Americans serve as illustrative examples both groups have experienced undeniable discrimination in the historical United States‚ yet both groups are among the most successful in America. Jews today make up approximately one-third of the 400 richest Americans despite being just 2% of the population. Asian-Americans have the highest income of any ethnic group. Are we going to hand reparations to Jewish billionaires and Asian technology executives?History is inherently messy‚ and the attempt to divide it between perpetrator groups and victim groups is intellectually incoherent and dishonest. Its also politically explosive. What Thomas Sowell calls the quest for cosmic justice invariably‚ as he notes‚ causes greater injustice.Reparations beyond black and whiteCalls for black reparations for slavery are just the edge of the antiwhite expropriation racket. Just as medical marijuana opened the door to mass decriminalization and legalization‚ black reparations will open the door to massive multitrillion-dollar payments to any group that can seize the holy grail of victimhood payments that will‚ implicitly or explicitly‚ come from the white perpetrator class.As my Claremont Institute colleague and longtime Californian Steve Hayward said in an interview‚ This is an invitation to open ethnic conflict in the country. But attempting to make sense of reparations in the context of logic and facts misses the point. The current quest for reparations is a pure racial shakedown.We arent going to win this fight by nibbling around the edges‚ by compromising‚ or by saying that groups deserve reparations for this but not that. We must pull up root and branch the entire concept of mass racial reparations. Otherwise‚ what will follow will be an attempt at racial extortion on an almost unimaginable scale‚ one far more likely to lead to interethnic violence and a collapse of American society.America needs to decide: Does it want mass interracial score-settling‚ or does it want something resembling a functioning multiethnic democracy? How we deal with demands for reparations will determine what future lies before us.Land acknowledgments and land expropriationIf white Americans are gullible enough‚ or politically weak enough‚ to fall for this‚ they can be sure every discernible minority or marginalized group from left-handed lesbians to transgender Native Americans will be next in line. Asian-Americans (the Chinese Exclusion Act‚ limitations on citizenship) will step up. Hispanics (Operation Wetback‚ the Mexican-American War) would have even more claims.The entire white population will become a lower caste with liabilities in the trillions. These are more likely to be taken from communal American assets than individual white people per se‚ because when acting through large government programs and policies‚ it is easier to hide what is really being done. But functionally the net result will be similar‚ with some trade-off in expropriation efficiency being an acceptable compromise to at least provide a fig leaf of respectability for what is going on. Some of this can be done through the tax code. Another likely method will be the return of stolen lands‚ whether to indigenous communities or to Mexican-Americans for whom the border crossed them.Land acknowledgment is an intellectual precursor to expropriation and needs to be treated as such.The ideological predispositions for this can be seen in the birth and growth of so-called land acknowledgments a practice that began among left-wing Canadians and has exploded in popularity within American universities and governments. It is customary in many spaces now to use a carefully crafted public statement to express a commitment to the past history‚ current reality and future relationship between the institution‚ Indigenous Peoples/Nations and the land.Such land acknowledgments quickly devolve into laughable intellectual incoherence. Multiple lands were claimed by multiple tribes in warfare over countless generations. Many tribes were exterminated entirely by groups claiming their land. But wed like to honor the Chippewa‚ who drove the Sioux out of their ancestral lands into new lands where they could massacre the Pawnee‚ Omaha‚ and Kiowa just doesnt sound as touchy-feely as antiwhite leftists would like it to be.Land acknowledgment is an intellectual precursor to expropriation and needs to be treated as such. Those angrily demanding land acknowledgments are sitting in their natural gas-heated homes‚ watching television and driving internal combustion cars over paved roads‚ all largely developed by white Americans or their European cousins. Such demands for redress merely need to serve the grubby ideological or financial interests of those making them.Others demand reparations for land allegedly stolen from ancestors‚ often based on highly contestable claims. A 2020 article describes Mexican-Americans as also seeking their stolen lands. This claim is based on their opinion that land agreements were not honored‚ largely because the terms of those agreements were not agreed to by the U.S. Senate‚ which ratifies treaties. We come from Spanish communities that came over‚ [and from] Native American communities as well‚ one interviewee said. So we really are sort of mestizo. Were mixed. Were a land-based people. Half of our soul was here before Columbus ever hit the sand.She seemed less eager to acknowledge that the Spanish land grants her family received were merely expropriating the natives. Losing their land in many cases simply means the families sold the land not because they were legally expropriated. They‚ like anyone who sells land‚ simply needed or wanted the money for other things. Yet legislation is being pushed in Congress to give a federal definition of traditional uses on federal lands for land grant communities access to fuelwood‚ for example‚ to heat your home. Access to pasture to graze livestock [a huge economic value]. And it would also require that the federal agencies work with land grant communities and consult with them.In other words‚ this is a shakedown for land they sold and dont own. Expect to see much more of this in the future.The final destination is a world in which whites have been stripped of political power and resources‚ which are then redistributed to nonwhites using both legal and democratic processes. Again‚ this is already under way‚ but its speed and scale will dramatically increase as white political power diminishes. That the expropriators may not succeed is only true to the extent that whites can politically organize themselves and sympathetic non-white allies to oppose the state-sanctioned theft of their wealth and assets.White Americans already pay billions each year to subsidize our cross-border invasion and cultural erasure. If we dont fight harder‚ we will soon be subsidizing our own expropriation.Editors note: A version of this article appeared originally at the American Mind. It is adapted from The Unprotected Class: How Antiwhite Racism Is Tearing America Apart‚ which is currently available for pre-order and will be published on April 23.