The Subway Dogs of Moscow
All creatures want to survive, and the constant change of our world is matched by our ability to adjust to new conditions, which are often less than ideal. This is exactly what the homeless dogs of Moscow have done, improved on their survival skills to match a cold, urban enviornment.
According to Russian scientists, the stray dogs of the Russian capital have become much more sophisticated than their pet counterparts and have been demonstrating extraordinary skills for years now, like taking the subway every day and getting food in very original ways.
Russian scientists estimate that these dogs had to get used to riding on the metro due to big changes occuring in the city during the 90s. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, all the factories were removed from the center of the city and and relocated to the skirts of Moscow, where dogs rarely go and cannot find food. The dogs used to sleep in the factories, and many were 'adopted' by the workers.
After the change, dogs had to move and they learned that the best place for them is to travel with the humans and come back in the evening.
"Sometimes the dogs get the wrong line but they are learning", explains a local researcher. "It's amazing how they manage to get off on the right station. They even pick the first car of the train, apparently because they're usually less crowded." Biologists say dogs have very nice sense of time which helps them not to miss their destination.
Another skill they have is to cross the road on the green traffic light. They only cross the road when there's a green light, "not because they see the color, but because they recognize the shape of the walking man."
When it comes to food, Moscow's commercial revolution has made the trash cans (usually the first place stray dogs look at for food), less relevant and so their methods of getting food have become more creative, like convincing travellers to buy them a hot dog or a schawarma.
Their method is usually the same, and works most of the time - A customer buys food for him/herself, the dog creeps up behind them and gives a loud bark, which
causes the person to drop the food, which the oppurtunistic dog immediately grabs. 10 minutes later, they'll try their urban hunting technique on someone else.
"The dogs seem to have a great psychological understanding of who will be scared enough to drop their food and who won't."
But there are more traditional ways, as we all know. And as a young girl sits on a bench to eay a hot dog, a cute dog will appear and put its head on her knee and whine, until she can't help but offer him a piece.
It’s funny but the ecologists studying Moscow stray dogs also tell the dogs don’t miss a chance to get some play while on their travel in the subway. They are fond of jumping in the train just seconds before the doors shut closed risking their tails be jammed. “They do it for fun, just they have enough food”, they conclude.
|
Dogs and Snow: An Adorable Love Story!
Many animals enjoy the snow, but few love it more than your average dog. These dogs have literally made the snow their playground!
This Pair Will Melt Your Heart!
Cuddly footage of Mogwai the kitten and Django the Great Dane. They are the best of friends and a great example how much love animals can feel for those not their own. It's so much fun watching these two great friends
Rescued from the Fighting Pits - Sam`s Story
The true soul of a dog is kind, no matter what they go through in life. Sam is a testament to that.
Dog Therapy Works, and Here's Proof.
Once again, the presence of animals in our lives brings benefit and comfort, and this video is a testament to exactly that.
I've Never Seen Such Fascinating & Moving Photos Before!
Get ready to have a look at some of the most touching and fascinating sights you've ever seen!
These Cute Bat Photos Will Change Your Perception of Them!
These adorable photos of bats will change your perception of them forever!
14 Plants in the Most Artful, Unique, and Quirky Pots
These perfectly-paired pots and plants will light up any garden.
The Most Incredible Animal Friendships!
in reality, animals can sometimes remind us of childhood stories and tv programs - sometimes the unlikely friendships are indeed made by animals, and here's the proof:
Starlings Are Master Sound Imitators - Fascinating!
Did you know that the European starling is capable of mimicking practically any sound it hears with uncanny precision? That includes human voices.
These 24 Gems and Minerals Will Take Your Breath Away
Nature is such an incredible thing, and this applies just as strongly to the gems and minerals it forges. Here are 24 of the most beautiful gems and minerals.
These Siberian Cats Are Truly Stunning!
Alla Lebedeva has turned her homestead into a "Catland" and she has now gone viral thanks to some incredible photographs of her glorious Siberian cats.
Are These the Coolest 70 Year Olds Ever?
These women have made their livelihoods by hunting sea snakes on the coast of their island.
This Bird is a Masterful Trickster When It Comes To Feeding
The Drongo bird is one of nature's greatest tricksters. Watch this video to find out how it tricks meerkats into bringing food to it.
These Tiny Creatures Made Me Smile All Day Long
Animals come in many shapes and sizes. But they all start at one size - small! One can hardly look at a baby animal without feeling a sense of kinship, a desire to protect, and uncontorllable urge to say: "awwww".
Adorable: These Birds Woke up on the Wrong Side of the Bed
Ossi Saarinen's bird photos always make everyone go "awww." Check them out for yourself!
The Adorable Babies of 10 of the Most Feared Predators
Although we'd prefer not to come close to predatory beasts, their babies are so cute and hard to resist!
Here Are 12 of the Strangest Lakes on the Planet
We present to you 12 of the strangest lakes on our planet.
Time Lapse Extreme: Over 800 Days in 8 Minutes
The satisfaction of sowing a seed and watching it grows is amplified when you see it at high speeds. Enjoy.
These X-ray Photos of Pregnant Animals Will Intrigue You
A collection of X-rays taken of pregnant animals.
Woman Captures Stunning Photos of Birds in Her Back Yard!
Although the weather and seasons in Germany and Michigan are quite similar, one woman realized that the birds are different. She took some great photos to prove this.
Photographer Captures Myriad Moods of Stunning Big Cats
Observing big cats from up close is rare. Here are some brilliant big cat portraits that take you real close to these magnificent animals.
Life in the Treetops: A Look at Tree-Dwelling Animals!
Let’s take a deep dive into the secret lives of arboreal animals and the challenges they face in their natural habitat.
These 40 Beautiful Birds Were Perfectly Photographed
40 great bird photographs taken in Taiwan by the well-known Taiwanese photographers John and Fish
Have You Ever Seen a More Beautiful Garden Than This?
Kayoichou Park is situated in Kasuya Town on the edge of Fukuoka City on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Take a look at the stunning rose garden there.
You Won't Believe How Long These Animals Can Live For!
What do you think the longest-living life-form on Earth is? This video has all the answers!
The Animal Kingdom Now Has the Photographer it Deserves
Sergey Polyushko could be one of the world's finest animal photographers in history. Just look at these 17 fantastic snaps.
Far, Far Away, There's a Land Where Pandas Roam Free...
Giant pandas are highly endangered, however there's a beautiful sanctuary in China devoted to ensuring that population numbers are boosted. See the photos.
A Most Beautiful Exploration of the Ocean Floor
Dive far below the ocean, all the way to its bottom below the great frozen continent of Antarctica.
Explore the Secret World Of The Jellyfish With This Video
This full documentary will help you get a better understanding of the world that jellyfish inhabit.
Discover the World of Beautiful Wild Cats
These cats may make you want to pet them, but be advised - these are all rare and highly feral breeds. Maybe it's best to enjoy these 10 wild cats from afar...
The Top 10 Animal World Record Holders Are Totally Awesome
From a bird doing slam dunks to a dog freely skateboarding through a human tunnel, here are the top ten animal Guinness World Record holders!
20 Jaw-Dropping Natural Landscapes That Grip Your Soul
It's impossible to put words to these glorious pictures. We just can't.
Learn the True Art Behind the Bonsai Tree
Ryan Neil is an expert in the art of shaping Bonsai Trees, and will take you on a journey into yourself through nature!
These Siamese Fighting Fish Look Like Rainbows
If you thought you knew all about fish, this colorful Siamese Fighting Fish will make you think twice, and look admiringly. I'm in love with these beauties!
15 Flowers that Smell So Good, Your Garden Must Have Them
Your ultimate guide to selecting flowers, plants and herbs for an aromatic outdoor space.
I Can't Believe a Dull Fish Can Make Such Beautiful Art!
You've heard that birds exhibit magnificent courting rituals, but none of them compare to what the puffer fish gets up to. What an artist!
The Reddest Reds In Nature Are Incredibly Beautiful
Red is arguably the most vibrant color of all, but have you ever spared a thought about the reddest reds in nature? Here are the top 10!
Hilarious! Someone's Gonna Get Fired for This...
I've never seen so many pictures that seem too perfect to be real as here!
Animal Kingdom: Meet the World’s Grumpiest Cat
Pallas’s cats are perhaps the most unusual wild cats of our planet.
See Colorful Butterflies in Gorgeous Detail
We present you with our most beautiful photo galleries of butterflies and moths all in in one page.
Visiting the Tallest Moutain in NZ: Mount Cook Adventure!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to witness the splendor of this unique destination.
16 Fascinating Plants You Have to See to Believe!
How many of these interesting plants have you seen before?
9 Heartwarming Instances of Wild Animals Saving Humans
Animals are more intelligent and kind than we give them credit for, and these 9 touching stories prove that
16 Perfect Examples of How Beautiful Earth Is
16 beautiful examples of why Earth is such a wonderful and gorgeous place to live.
These Creatures Are So Scary You'll Be Happy They're Extinct
Once you read more about these extinct animals - you'll be happy you won't have to see them in real life.