Ladybug Facts for Kids – An Overview

There are almost 5,000 species of ladybugs all over the world. These are very much loved by many because they are pleasant to the eyes. These critters may come in various patterns and colors. These are familiarly seen in North America. As a matter of fact, this is dubbed as the seven-spotted ladybug. This occurred because of its red-and-black, shiny body. There are still many ladybug facts for kids. Aside from all of these, there are cultures that look at ladybugs as some sort of good luck.

Learning more about Ladybugs

People are smitten by ladybugs because they are considered graceful, pretty and harmless. Humans will not be put into danger if they are to go near the said insect. Even farmers have a found fondness in them since they always eat aphids. They also do this with other sort of pests which eat plant all the time. For every lady bug, almost 5,000 insects may be eaten. This may occur throughout its lifetime. These ladybugs have dome-shaped, oval bodies. They also have six short legs. This is based on the bug. It may be possible for them not to have any markings at all. Seven-spotted ladybugs may go in two colors. These are orange and red. They also have three spots. These are seen on every side. There is also one on its middle. Their heads are colored in black. There are also white patches which are usually seen on their side. They can also have stripes and spots.

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These ladybugs are not just colorful. There is a reason for their appearance. Their markings are responsible for telling predators to go away. They are like an implication that they are terrible. Whenever they feel threatened, these bugs have the innate ability to secrete oil. There is also this fluid which is just foul-tasting in nature. It comes from the joints of their legs. What is even surprising is that they have the ability to play dead all the time. The main predators of these ladybugs are birds. There are instances though when they also become the victim of spiders, wasps, frogs and even dragonflies. Regardless, these ladybugs would always lay their eggs in cluster manner. They may also do it in row. It is often seen under a leaf. This is where the aphids gather. On the other hand, Larvae, which may be of different color and shape is solely based on species. They are expected to emerge just after a couple of days.

Seven-spotted ladybugs have always been spiky, long and black. They also have yellow or orange spots. There are those who believe that they are synonymous to tiny alligators. Its larvae has the ability to grow really quick. It may even shed skin for a couple of times. As they get to reach their potential, they will be attached to a leaf. This occurs through their tail. Just within a couple of weeks, the pupa would then turn into a ladybug.

Facts about Sloths – What kids should know

Sloths have always been perceived as medium-sized mammal. They come in two types. There are those two-toed, while there are also three-toed. There are six various species falling in the mentioned. Each and every sloth comes with three toes. However, there are those with only two fingers. The mentioned are the two-toed sloth. Indeed, there are still various facts about Sloths to be learned. Most kids will surely enjoy this information.

Learning more about Sloths

There is a great relation to armadillos and anteaters. These are all part of the Pilosa order. Ever since, sloths are considered tree-dwelling animals. These are located in most jungles in the South America. They may also be found in the central part of the said country. The measurement of the body of sloth is from 50 to 60 cm. Their skeletons are perceived to be extinct. They may suggest various which are utilized by big animals like elephants. When it comes to its diet, sloths are known for eating new shoots, tree buds, fruit and even leaves. They are not limited to plants though because they may also munch on birds, small reptiles and even insects. Their stomach have four parts. These are known for slowly digesting tough leaves whenever they eat. There are also times when their digestion would take a month to even be completed. This only goes to show that sloths only have very little energy in them. They utilize this in moving around. This is one of the reasons why they are perceived as one of the slowest animals there is in the world.

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When they are on the ground, they can move at around 2m per every minute. Whenever they are seen on trees, they are a bit quicker for they can reach 3m. This is different when they are seen on the ground. Even if they are like this, the said quality makes them unique. It makes them easily recognizable. As a matter of fact, their unique thick fur, and as well as slow movement become a habitat for other members of the ecosystem including creatures such as algae, beetles, fungi, cockroaches and moths. The algae can be useful to them because they can provide camouflage which may later on protect sloths from other kinds of predators there are.

When it comes to their tongues, they may extend theirs for around 10 to 12 inches when outside their mouths. Their claws are sharp, long and strong. These are just useful though because they can hold branches easily. In fighting predators off, these claws serve as their own natural defense. Once a week, the sloths are most likely to leave the trees. This is one of the reasons why there is a big possibility for them to be attacked by other predators including snakes, eagle and jaguars. This has been observed.

There are two-toed sloths which are nocturnal in nature. Meaning, they are very much active during night time. Do not get this wrong though because there are three-toed sloths which are diurnal on the other hand.

Tree Kangaroo Facts – Why are they declining?

 Tree kangaroos are very much common on the lowlands. They are also found on the mountainous rainforests which are always situated in Papua New Guinea. They can also be seen around Indonesia. There are instances when they are also found on the north part of Queensland, which is in Australia. Needless to say, these live up in the foliage all the time. There is a tenfold of Tree kangaroo facts all over the place. These should be studied upon because as of now, the specie is declining and it is alarming.

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The aforementioned animal need help. This is a call that has to be answered. They are starting to lose their habitat because of deforestation. This is the least among their needs. Since the activity is pretty much apparent these days, the Tree kangaroos are being pushed to the maximum brink of extinction. This is starting to bother a ton of organizations – most especially those meant to take care of the welfare of these kangaroos.

Additional Facts about Tree Kangaroo Facts

Known for being too cute, Tree Kangaroos will always be distinct. As the name of it suggests, it is only small. It normally lives in trees. According to studies undertaken, there are 14 subspecies of them. These have been identified accordingly. There are instances when they vary. This may depend upon their size. This can be based on their food sources and location. The same is also true with the subspecies they are in. The list goes on and on.

The size of these Tree Kangaroos may start from 16 up to 30 inches. The latter is the maximum length.  There is a different measurement for their tail though. It may be from 15 to 34 inches. These usually weigh around 30 pounds. The females can be lighter than that of the males. This is one of their natures.

A quite number of shades may be seen in the Tree Kangaroo. They can even be thick. They have this light feet and there are areas of their tail which are quite light too. Their snout can be pretty long. Their ears are short. This is also the case with their teeth. This is one of the reasons why they have the capacity to tear down whatever leaf they see and they can do this without a hard time at all. Just like the typical kangaroos, they also have pouch on them. The mentioned is seen on the front part of their body. It is used so that they can carry their young.

They can be found there. The whole life of Tree kangaroos are most likely to be spent in their trees. There are times when they may be in the ground too. However, it would ask for a good deal of energy from them in order to do so. Aside from this, they can be so clumsy whenever they are on lands. This is why predators may just victimized them. They can be vulnerable this way.

Fun Facts about Uranus – The seventh planet

Being the seventh planet from the Sun, Uranus will not be visible to the naked eye anymore. As a matter of fact, it was the very first planet that has been discovered with the aid of a telescope. Needless to say, Uranus has been tipped over its side. It measures 98 degrees axial tilt. This is described as rolling around the side with its side because literally, it is. There are just tons of fun facts about Uranus that have to be discovered. This is for certain.

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It was Sir William Herschel who discovered the aforementioned planet. This happened around the year 1781. Ancients were not able to see Saturn because it was too dim during those times. At first, Herschel thought it was only a comet. However, after several years, he came to the confirmation that what he saw was actually a planet. This discovery was initially named Georgian Sidus. This was done after the late King George III. All the while, the term Uranus was came up with. This was originally suggested by Johann Bode who was an astronomer. The name originated from Ouranos – a deity of the ancient Greek.

Discovering Uranus More

Uranus will always turn on its axis every 17 hours and 14 minutes. This will have its retrograde direction which is always the opposite of Earth. This may also be in contrast with the way other planets do their turning. Uranus only gets to complete its full sun rotation after 84 years on Earth. There are points of it which may point straight on the Sun though. This would be the time when 42 years of sunlight may be realized too. The rest of the time, they will just experience darkness and nothing else.

It is not surprising that Uranus is dubbed as the ice planet. This may be synonymous to other gas giants available out there. It also goes with hydrogen. This is its upper layer. This is a mixed of helium. There is an icy mantle below it too. This is surrounded by ice core and rock. As for its upper atmosphere, it is composed of ammonia, water and as well as methane ice crystals. These are all responsible in giving the planet the bluer color it is well known for.

Uranus will always be the coldest planet in the solar system. Neptune does not have the ability to get close to the way Uranus gets it cold temperature. Most of the time, the upper atmosphere of the planet is enveloped with methane. This is a haze that takes charge in hiding the storms which usually happen in most cloud decks.

There are two sets of rings linked to Uranus. These are of thin set and there are those with dark color. These particles are just small. These may range from a dust-sized particle to a really small boulder. There are also inner rings which are eleven, and then outer rings which are two. These would form the moons of Uranus. These are just recently discovered with the aid of Hubble Space Telescope.

Causes of ADHD: Study Links Lead Exposure and Mother Smoking to ADHD

What causes ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)? Contrary to popular thinking, it is not watching television. Recent studies reveal several possible causes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: maternal smoking during pregnancy and exposure to lead.

For many years, the March of Dimes and other groups have warned against the effects of smoking on unborn children. Low birth weight, premature birth, and a list of birth defects that are identifiable at birth are listed as possible occurrences.

Studies within the last few years now site ADHD, which cannot be identified at birth, as also linked to pregnant women smoking.

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Another possible cause of ADHD is exposure to lead. Lead may be found in older painted surfaces, some toys from outside of the United States, contaminated soil, and water. If parents are unsure about whether or not lead is present in the soil or certain painted surfaces, they may wish to purchase a lead testing kit as sold in many discount and hardware stores.

Exposure to lead is a known health hazard, especially in the very young with developing neurological systems. Why do some children develop ADHD and other do not? As with many health disorders scientists are working to untangle the contributing factors. Current research suggests one of those factors may be DRD4-7. If dopamine receptor (DRD4-7) has a variation and a child is exposed to lead, that child may be more prone to ADHD.

How do you know if your child has ADHD? Certainly not all children with energy (who are more interested in what is happening around them than a school lesson) have ADHD.

Emmi-dent 6 100% Ultrasonic Toothbrush Review

Emmi-dent 6 Ultrasonic ToothbrushDental hygiene is incredibly important for anyone that wants to be healthy. The mouth is an access point to the rest of your body, and that’s not just limited to the stomach. Your mouth shares the same pipe with your nose, so brushing and flossing constantly holds a lot more benefits than you think. At the same time, neglecting your teeth, gums, and tongue will produce bacteria that cause adverse effects in the long run. Of course, with all the PSAs and dental hygiene commercials on television, you already know that; what matters is finding the right product that will help you clean your mouth.

So, will the Emmi-dent Triumph 9900 help you in that aim, or will you just get stuck with an expensive electronic toothbrush?

How it Performs

Electric toothbrushes aren’t a new product, but during the early iterations of these devices, they didn’t have as many features as they do today. This toothbrush boasts of some unique ideas and features that are all aimed at improving your smile. The most important feature in most brushes, both electric and manual, is that they are supposed to get into the tight spaces in between the teeth. This is supposed to remove bacteria, and the Emmi-dent does its job admirably. The bristles are soft enough to penetrate in between the teeth so that you won’t need to floss too many times in a day. At the same time, the softness of the bristles allows you to protect your teeth from too much force. This is a large bonus for those that don’t want to damage the enamel and their gums. They also claim that using this brush can freshen your breath for up to twelve hours, however, that is actually totally up to the toothpaste you use.

The toothbrush also features Nano-bubbles and ultrasound abilities, which are supposed to whiten your teeth with not adverse effects. However, after a couple of days of constant use, there was no visible change. This doesn’t invalidate the products power though, as it does its job well. The internal motor runs at around 30,000 revolutions, making it a relatively fast toothbrush. The tip of the brush is easily detached and fits into the dock that comes with the set. It also comes with a small pack of Nano-bubble toothpaste from Emmi-dent, and it tastes and feels like most other toothpastes.

How it Feels

The Emmi-dent brush is comfy to hold in your hand. It’s small, and you can get a firm grip on it quite easily. It does not boast any fancy grips, and while it isn’t designed with ergonomics in mind, the bulky exterior will not get in the way. The motions that the brush takes feel a lot good as you pass them through your gums. However, the battery does need to be charged often, but if you only use this product around 2-3 times a day, this won’t be much of a problem. Overall, it’s a comfortable brush, which is easy to handle and maintain.

The Verdict

The Emmi-dent 6 100% ultrasonic toothbrush is a great tool to keep your teeth, gums, and tongue very clean. It comes as a starter set with two different brush-heads, a charger, and a basic tube of that nano-bubble toothpaste. Being priced at around $190 makes this product an affordable alternative to the other, better known brands. However, while it is a strong contender in the market, there are other brushes, which do a lot more for those with special dental needs. Pick it up if you’re looking for a basic electric toothbrush with a decent price.

Philips Sonicare Elite e9800 Professional Sonic Toothbrush Review

Philips Sonicare Elite e9800 Professional Sonic ToothbrushAre you looking for a great brush to really catch-up with your oral hygiene? Well, if you are, there are a lot of brushes on the market, and while the Phillips Sonicare is pretty good, sometimes you just have to know what you’re buying into before you actually get the product. You see, it’s nice to think that every electric brush is the same, but as with manual brushes, you really have to find the one that will suit all your needs, and cater to any problems you may have with your gums. If you do pick the wrong one, you might end up damaging your teeth or it might not be as effective as getting another brand.

These are all important factors when it comes to dental health, so is the Sonicare really the right choice for you?

The Package

At first glance, this brush seems like a starter set, but in truth, it is simply old. The base package includes 2 brush-heads. The first of which is a standard head, while the second is compact and is designed for more sensitive areas in the mouth. It also comes with 2 hygienic caps for after dark in the bathroom, a charger base, a brush head holder and a case for those emergency journeys. That’s about it for the package, and from here, you can tell that this is truly a simple brush with not too many bells and whistles. It also makes the toothbrush an excellent starting point for those that want to ease into the world of electric toothbrushes.

How it Performs

The beauty of simple products is that they can often be very focused on one purpose. This brush is very precise in cleaning, but it is a little older than most models so don’t expect it to breach the 30,000 rpm mark. It has been proven that the brush can reduce the risk of gingivitis, but initially, it might seem that the brush won’t be able to do that. In terms of cleaning, the soft bristles do a great job of sweeping away the plaque in your mouth and getting in between the gaps in your teeth. There aren’t many different types of brush-heads though, so don’t go looking for a deeply varied set of heads if that’s what you want out of this toothbrush. The simple grip is also designed to have a non-slip surface, and holding it in your hand feels very comfortable.

Aside from the feel of the toothbrush, it also comes with some neat, but basic features. It has an internal timer, which clocks at the standard 2-minute time limit that doctors usually recommend. It has a 30 second interval times for each quadrant of your teeth, allowing you to move around your mouth with ease. The unfortunate thing is that it only comes with two solid settings. ‘Gentle’ is for the gums, but can be used for those that have sensitive teeth as well. The standard setting is exactly what it is. These two modes are assigned to two different buttons, and it’s simple enough so that anyone can use it. Cleaning can be a bit of a hassle though, and some models tend to die out in a year or so, giving it a shorter lifespan than most other brushes.

The Verdict

There’s no doubt that this electric toothbrush lacks a lot of the features found in newer models. It doesn’t have any fancy bells and whistles, and it surely doesn’t have a very high-speed motor. However, that is the beauty of the machine because it doesn’t get weighed down by too many options. It also does a very efficient job of cleaning your teeth, and is very easy to pick up and use. The brush-heads, however, are nearly impossible to find so the suggested course of action is to order a couple of extra heads along with the toothbrush. Since it is priced at around $89.00, and a three pack of brush-heads cost $25, you’re probably going to save more money than when you buy a new model.

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Professional Toothbrush Review

There are a lot of benefits in taking care of your teeth, and most of them are about your health. You see, while you can settle with brushing your teeth twice a day, you might still be lacking something. No matter how simple brushing may seem, doctors do not fool around when they mention the bacteria in between your teeth. There are a lot of nooks and crannies in there, and most people don’t even bother flossing nowadays. So, how can you get your teeth cleaned out through and through? Well, the manual brush is always a good solution when coupled with floss, but for those with special problems, you can opt to use the electric alternative. So how does the Philips DiamondClean stack up in a market saturated with specialty brushes?

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Professional Toothbrush

The Package

The Phillips Sonicare brush is unlike other electric toothbrushes in that it has a very different kind of package. First off, the case is intended for those who are always on the move and can’t live without their special electric brush. It is very mobile, weighing almost nothing and boasting of a very small size that accommodates the whole device. It also acts as the 1st charger of the device; it has a USB slot and the body of the brush fits nicely into it’s own port. However, the device does not use the mini USB port and instead opts for its larger cousin. The option of plugging into your laptop and charging is pretty awesome though. The second thing you might notice is that it comes with it’s own water glass which has a wire trailing from the base. This is the second charger, intended for home. The unique inductive puck at the bottom of the glass is what powers and charges your toothbrush. The whole package also comes with 2 generic brush-heads, but there might be more options online. At the same time, the generic brush-heads also boasts of the diamond bristles, which Phillips is famous for. These little features really come a long way in terms of how well the package performs.

How it Performs

Electronic toothbrushes often try to show off high speeds or oscillations to boast of how powerful their devices are. This device clocks in at around 31,000 brush strokes, which is a very respectable number for an electric toothbrush, but there’s a reason why it doesn’t grow past that. You see, this is a very precise tool in dental healthcare, and that becomes more evident with the settings. Each has a designated amount of time, and will only perform during that stretch. The ‘Clean’ option clocks in at around 2 minutes, which is the suggested amount of time for brushing. Gum care lasts the longest, running at around 3 minutes worth of cleaning. Using the ‘White’ option tacks on an extra 30 seconds, while as ‘Polish’ runs for only 1 minute. Sensitive simply slows down the brush so that you don’t harm your gums and teeth. The real problem with these modes is that you can only shift between each with the power button. More than often, you’ll find yourself turning the thing off by accident while switching between each option. This problem could have been easily avoided, but you’ll have to live with it if you want the brush.

How it Feels

For those who are new to electric brushes, the sturdy 31,000 brush-per-minute speed it runs at might jarring. Over time, it gets more comfortable to guide your it throughout you mouth, and the 30 second time helps you keep track of when to switch sides.

The Verdict

This is a great tool for those that travel a lot and have a lot of issues with their teeth. For some, the steep $219 price tag might be nothing, but for those that are buying on a budget, looking for a cheaper deal will be nearly impossible. This does not stop the Phillips DiamondClean from being one of the best brushes on the market though, so check it out if you want a professional, but mobile electric toothbrush.

Braun Triumph Professional Care 9900 Power Toothbrush Review

Braun Triumph Professional Care 9900 Power ToothbrushUsually when you look at electric toothbrushes, you might only see a bunch of automatic devices that can be easily replaced with the manual kind of brush. As of late, these devices are more specialty tools for those that take their oral hygiene seriously. However, there are so many different tools on the market that it makes it hard to pick one that will really work for you. The key here is finding the tool that will really help you out, and is designed for what you need. If you have sensitive gums, then you have to have a massage setting, and if you need to whiten your teeth you’ll need a polishing feature. So, how does the Braun 9900 stack up against the rest?

The Package

Like most new electronic toothbrushes, this brush comes with a variety of features that promotes healthy dental hygiene. First off, you might notice that when you buy the professional package, you get a little device with a screen that connects wirelessly, but directly to your toothbrush. Basically, it times how long you keep the brush on each side of your teeth. It also acts as an indicator for pressure, and goes off with a red light whenever you apply way too much of it. This little feature is nice, but at the same time, it really implies that this is a professional device. It can help you protect your gums from damage caused by the brush, but at the same time, it seems a little unnecessary. It also comes with three different brush-heads. The flossing head has soft bristles, which can get in between the gaps in your teeth, the second is the ProWhite brush which polishes and cleans your teeth very accurately. The third head acts more as a default head, but you can purchase more heads if you need a more accurate clean. It also comes with a full case and a charger, but that’s nothing special since all electric toothbrushes come with those by default.

How it Performs

Boasting around 40,000 pulsations a minute, this brush runs at a massive speed. This is a cut above most other devices of this ilk, and it’s also a very efficient means to clean your teeth. The interesting features to this device are the different settings, which add on to the effects of the different heads. The ‘clean’ feature is basically the default setting and does its job admirably. ‘Massage’ will help you clean up your gums without putting too much pressure or power on your mouth. Senstive and Polish do exactly what they are named for. Each head can attach and detach with relative ease, but at the same time, it’s also locks in very firmly. The brush also comes with a battery indicator, allowing you to see just when you should charge for your morning rush.

How it Feels

Brushing with the tool is comfortable to say the least, and the extra settings combined with the brush-heads allow you to make settings suited to your needs. However, the flossing head, much like other floss heads, doesn’t exactly do its job well. Holding it your hand feels great, and a lot of thought must have been placed into the grip.

The Verdict

Overall, this is a very professional device, which can probably be found in a lot of dental offices. The multiple settings allow you to really get that accurate clean, and the brush heads only enhance that effect. However, the professional package is pricey to say the least, usually coming in at $250 for the basic package. Just remember; this brush is almost fully customizable, and that lifts it up and above the other devices on the market.

Philips Sonicare Flexcare with UV Sanitizer HX6992 Review

Philips Sonicare Flexcare with UV Sanitizer HX6992The best accessory that you can wear is your smile. This is why you need to take care of your oral hygiene properly so you can show the world that beautiful smile. Most importantly, a good oral hygiene will also protect you from health problems that may arise due to poor personal hygiene. The right toothbrush can help maintain your oral health and prevent bacteria, as well as bad breath. Philips Sonicare Flexcare with UV Sanitizer HX6992 is one of the best choices around. This is an electric sonic toothbrush that can be recharged and comes with a UV Sanitizer.

Philips Sonicare Flexcare with UV Sanitizer HX6992 is for those who would like to improve their oral health and prevent oral diseases such as bad breath, gingivitis and tooth decay. Because of its vibration, it removes plagues better than a manual toothbrush. This is also a good option for those who have problems brushing their teeth properly like people suffering from arthritis. This is for kids and adults as it comes with two sizes of brush heads. One is the standard size and one is a smaller one, which is designed for hard to reach areas, though it can also be used by a child. Those who worry about bacteria building up on their toothbrush would be glad to have this because of its UV Sanitizer that also acts as a charger.

This electric toothbrush comes with five brushing modes, which you can choose from depending on your needs. They are clean, gum care, refresh, sensitive and massage. The clean mode is for whole mouth cleaning, the massage mode stimulates the gums, the sensitive mode is for those with sensitive gums and teeth, the refresh mode is to quickly freshen breath and gum care is for improving the gum’s health. Its UV Sanitizer can kill up to 99% of bacteria on the toothbrush head, which accumulates when brushing your teeth. Place your toothbrush heads on the sanitizer and within 10 minutes, it is already free from bacteria. Battery life can also last up to two weeks before recharging.

Product Summary

  • Five brushing modes
  • Standard and compact size brush heads
  • UV Sanitizer that kills 99% of bacteria
  • 2 weeks battery life
  • Timer
  • Led light indicator to know if it’s turned on
  • Battery lights when recharging
  • Bristles fade when they need to replaced

Product Advantages

  • It is lightweight making it convenient to carry around.
  • It has long battery life so you don’t have to charge that often.
  • It effectively removes plagues.
  • It comes with two brush head sizes to clean even those hard to reach areas.
  • Its UV Sanitizer ensures that your brush heads are free from bacteria.
  • The timer ensures that you are spending ample time cleaning all areas of the mouth.
  • It has different modes, which makes it a great choice even for those with sensitive gums and teeth.

Product Drawbacks

  • It comes with a hard plastic case instead of the soft ones that came with the other models.