Close your eyes. Remember the heart thumping music from the movie Jaws that was speeding up as the famous Great White shark proceeded to attack his next victim? What about the three genetically engineered Mako sharks of Deep Blue Sea, which became not only bigger and meaner but also smarter, thanks to science and technology? Finally, did you ever considered the possibility of being forgotten in shark infested waters during the diving experience of a lifetime? These movies all have something in common. They all depicted sharks as cold blooded killers feeding on humans as their favorite targets. Does it reflect reality or are these movies mostly based on Hollywood's favorite shark tales? Let's see...

First of all, if you watch these movies, the first thing that you will notice is the fact that humans are these sharks' favorite targets. Well, facts tell us a different story. You see, while many shark species tend to attack their preys from underneath or from behind, most human victims are wearing wet suits, which confuse them as they make them look like seals and sea lions. These preys are leading their menu list as they are full of tasty blubber, which is more attractive to sharks than bony humans.

Second, not all sharks are considered dangerous to humans. In fact, 80% of the 350 known shark species represent no danger to humans. They are either too small, live in deep waters, their natural habitat will make it unlikely to come in contact with humans or simply that plankton is their main food source.

Third, most sharks that are likely to attack humans, on purpose are either fighting for the same prey such as it is the case with spear fishing divers, they protect their territory or they are simply defending themselves.

Fourth, most shark attack victims will do something to attract sharks such as swimming with an open wound, a woman will swim while having her period, they will wear jewelry, wear lively colors, feed sharks some chum or live baits, etc.

Fifth, most human victims of shark attacks are usually injured or dead as sharks prefer easy preys during events such as shipwrecks. A good example of such shark attacks are the days that followed the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in July 1945. There were about two dozens of shark attack victims, of which most were dead, injured or isolated.

Sixth, the size and strength of the Great White shark in Jaws and of the Mako sharks in Deep Blue Sea were representing the exceptions to the rule, not the average type of these species. In fact, the hosts of the show Myth Busters, which is on Discovery Channel, have proven that such strength and speed is not only unlikely but also nearly impossible to achieve, even according to the size of these specimens.

Seventh, size does not mean that the bigger sharks are, the most dangerous they are to humans. In fact, the two largest shark species that swim in our oceans are plankton eaters, which mean that humans are not even close to make their menu list. This is why; divers and scientists sometimes go for a swim in their company. These two shark species are known as the Whale shark and the Basking shark.

Eight, small sharks such as the lantern shark, are just simply too small to be of any threat to humans. These predators have other food sources to focus on. The type that is small enough for them to ingest.

Ninth, while the bull shark and the tiger shark are amongst the top three sharks species that are mostly involved in unprovoked shark attacks on humans, none of them prefer humans to seals of fish. In fact, the type of shark attacks they usually tend to perform are called: "Hit and Run" as they tend to confuse them with their favorite preys.

Tenth, sharks usually attack for a reason. They are either: hungry, defending themselves or their territory. They may be cold blooded, but they do not kill for revenge or for pleasure. Only humans do that and call it a sporting event.

As you can see, I do not say that sharks are not responsible for unprovoked shark attacks on humans. I simply provide you with some factual information, giving you the opportunity to realize what part of Hollywood movies are actually based on reality rather than shark tales.

My name is Sylvie Leochko. I love sharks and respect them very much. I enjoy sharing with others my knowledge about these natural predators. If you wish to learn more about sharks, I invite you to visit the following site: http://sharks.findoutnow.org

¶ 8:53 PM 0 comments

This science project is literally cool as it uses cold water or room temperature H20 and some balloons to complete the experiment. In this demonstration you will use a balloon and expose it to the heat of a candle flame.

This project was done by a group of girls and they loved the activity, however, it can be done by a 7th grade student or as an 8th grade science experiment. You can call it a middle school demonstration since both grades should achieve success with this project.

Before you do this you will need the supervision of a parent or adult and they may actually want to hold the balloon over the flame and light the matches and candles for you. Please use caution when using matches and candles.

The materials needed for the demonstration:

2 balloons

Water

Matches

A tapered candle in a holder

Here are the Instructions for the experiment:

Light the candle with the match.

Blow up the first balloon and tie the end. Hold the balloon over the candle flame. You may want to cover your eyes with protective goggles. This balloon will pop and does so very quickly. Relight the candle with another match. Fill up the other balloon with water. It does not matter what temperature the water is. Tie the end of this water filled balloon.

Hold this over the candle flame. What is happening? You will notice the balloon does not pop like the other balloon. The flame is not hurting the balloon skin. Why does the balloon not pop? The water is absorbing the heat and doing so very quickly that it avoids damaging the balloon or melting it in any way. You will notice some black debris on the outside of the balloon. This is just carbon emitted from the candle flame burning. It can easily be wiped off with a damp paper towel.

Here is an explanation of why the water keeps the second balloon from popping. It is protecting the balloon and keeping it cool enough to not allow it to break. Do a little research before you demonstrate this to your audience about the actual heat coming from the flame and why and how the water can absorb the heat even though the balloon is the actual material touching the surface of the candle flame.

This is another cool science project idea for your next fair experiment.

Get more great science project ideas and kids science projects at http://scienceprojects.fetching.us

Lesa Bolt is the contributor to science projects

¶ 2:32 PM 0 comments

In today's Elementary Science Fair Project we are going to make our own "Litmus" paper and then we are going to use it. Do you know what "Litmus" paper is and what it is used for? Yes, it is the paper used in chemical laboratories to test for acid or alkali, it changes color and that is how you can see whether a substance is acid or alkali. The litmus paper turns red-pink in acid and green in alkali. This is an easy and fun Elementary Science Fair Project. Because there is some boiling involved, this experiment should be done under adult supervision.

This is what you need to make your "Litmus" paper:

• Some grated fresh red cabbage


• Water, enough to fill your jar


• Paper towels, 2" strips


• A wide-mouthed jar


• Other fruits, flowers and vegetables

How to do it:

1. Boil the cabbage in the water for about 10 minutes.


2. Let it cool down.


3. Strain it into a wide-mouthed jar.


4. Take your 2" strips of paper towels and soak it in the juice for a minute.


5. Let the strips of paper dry.


6. You now have your "Litmus" paper that you can use.


7. Now make paper in the same way with different substance such as fruits, flowers and vegetables. When we start testing, you will see that the color changes are different and because of what you see with the cabbage "litmus" paper, you'll be able to determine what color of your alternative "litmus" paper shows acid and what color shows you an alkali.

Now we are going to experiment with our different "litmus" papers

What you will need for this elementary science fair project:

• Your "litmus" paper


• A little bit of leman juice in a small bottle


• A little bit of grapefruit juice in a small bottle


• A little bit of pineapple juice in a small bottle


• Some vinegar in a small bottle


• A little bit of dissolved baking soda in a small bottle


• Some milk in a small bottle


• A little rubbing alcohol in a small bottle


• Some soap in a small bottle


• Oil in a small bottle


• A small medicine dropper


• Sticker labels


• A black felt tipped pen

This is what you have to do:

1. Start with your "cabbage litmus" paper and drop a little bit of each onto your paper.


2. Remember to wash your dropper after each one.


3. You will see that the ones that are acid will turn pink.


4. The ones that turn the litmus paper green are call "bases" and are alkaline.


5. With your stickers, mark each one clearly as either acid or alkaline.


6. Now you place a little drop of all your juices onto your other "litmus" papers and record the color changes.


7. Now you know what color each of the alternative "litmus" papers turn for acid and for alkaline substances.

This is a fun elementary science project and very easy to do. To find out how the results of this experiment can show you why poison control centers used to recommend vinegar or lemon juice for some kinds of poisons visit Elementary Science Fair Projects

Magriet has a site dedicated to easy science fair projects see it at http://www.learnerscience.com and for another fun "eggy" science fair projects go to http://www.our-crazy-world.com/documents/sciencefairprojects.html

¶ 8:09 AM 0 comments

When I first started my interest in reptiles I was only young. At that stage of my life I had little or no skills and did not understand the requirements of the wonderful creatures so I did not keep them effectively. We just kept the local lizards, so the cage temperature was not an issue.

I rekindled my desire later in life but I also had mortgages, the cost of raising a family and the daily costs of living to contend with. A reptile was expensive enough, without adding the costs of retail cages and accessories. So I built my own. It saved me a lot of money.

You do need some basic tools but the money you save by making it yourself will allow you to purchase some of those tools that help make the cage. The remainder can go into accessories so that for the cost of a basic cage with nothing else you can make a cage, get some tools and the cage accessories and still have money left over. Thats a big difference.

Many people have materials about the house. If you are going to make your own cages you can save even more money by using bits and pieces or timber you may already have, screws, old glass, hinges, light battens etc. that you already have in the basement or garage.

When upgrading one of my cages recently, I was able to reuse some of the materials and the fittings for use on the new cage. This saved me having to purchase new accessories and materials.

Another benefit is the ability to maintain your own cages. Many of the plastic or moulded cages cannot be fixed once they are broken. With a cage you made yourself you can usually fix broken locks or replace doors (I havent had to do any of these yet as they are very sturdy).

When you build your own cages you decide how strong it will be and what quality of fitting, glues and materials you will be using. The higher the quality of materials and accessories you use, the better the final cage product. You are not at the mercy of manufacturers saving money by using inferior materials and poor quality fittings.

Another benefit is the ability to customise you cages to suit your purpose. One of my earliest cages was built as a normal cage but by placing a removable divider in the middle it allowed me to re-use the cage when I shipped one of the snakes out. This divider was fitted over the middle of a heat mat, allowing for two reptiles to be housed in the cage. It also had two doors. The cage is now used for another purpose but will soon be empty. The divider can still be placed back in the cage for another small snake and then simply removed as the snake gets larger. Tis snake will finally be moved into an arboreal cage. To purchase a plastic cage with divider that will only be a transient cage before the snake goes into a final cage is an expensive exercise.

If you do need to upgrade again, you have the time to build the final cage as the snake grows.

Making your own cages allows you to build and maintain your reptile cages in a cost effective manner while keeping them comfortable and healthy. You can also expand your collection in an affordable way, making more money available for the reptiles while still getting quality cages.

Mark Chapple is the Author of "How to build enclosures for reptiles." Find out how anyone can build reptile cages. Full color pictures, detailed diagrams and easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. http://www.reptile-cage-plans.com

¶ 1:48 AM 0 comments