Animal-assisted therapy (treatment by animals) was introduced by New York physician Boris Levinson.
Of course, the best “doctors” among animals are dolphins. It has long been recognized that communication with dolphins helps even children with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.
Aquarium fish certainly have healing abilities. Smooth movements of colorful fish in clear water reduce stress. In addition, watching fish helps in the treatment of certain skin diseases – it has been observed that the aquarium distracts the patient and prevents him from scratching sores. And even the presence of the aquarium itself serves as the prevention of colds and asthma: evaporating water makes the air moist and healthy, while the dry atmosphere increases susceptibility to infections.
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Firebird is one of the most famous characters in Russian fairy tales. Its feathers are very bright and shiny. In the fairy tales men are looking for the Firebird and the one who will have at least one of the feathers will be happy. The firebird lives in the far end of the kingdom, in a beautiful garden, where golden apples grow. One of the Firebird’s feathers costs more than a whole kingdom, and the Firebird itself does not have a price at all.
In mythology, Firebird is often compared to medieval, very popular in the Russian and Western literature, Phoenix, which is able to rise from the ashes. The Firebird eats golden apples, giving youth, beauty and immortality; when it sings, pearls pour out of her beak. The singing heals the sick and restores sight to the blind people. These apples can be compared with the fruits of a pomegranate tree, the favorite delicacy of the Phoenix.
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Eels are fishes that look like snakes and live in dark, murky water. There are hundreds of different species of eel. Many species of eel live in warm, salty seas and oceans. Morays and congers are two well-known types of marine eel. Freshwater eels live in rivers, lakes, and ponds on almost every continent.
An eel has a pointed head with a wide mouth and sharp teeth. Deep-sea eels are often black or gray and those who live in tropical reefs may have bright colors.
Electric eels live in South American waters.
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Dragonflies are flying insects with two pairs of see-through wings, huge eyes, and long bodies. They live near lakes, streams, and ponds throughout most of the world. There are about 2,500 species of dragonfly. Dragonflies are ancient insects, dating back before the beginning of the reign of the dinosaurs some 225 million years ago. Present–day dragonflies do not differ very much from their ancestors.
Dragonflies feed mostly on other insects. They are very fast and their large eyes allow them to spot prey above, below, in front, behind, and on both sides of them. They can fly at the speed of up to 57 km / h. Dragonflies are considered the most dangerous predators.
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Penguins are flightless sea birds. Its torpedo–shaped body allows the bird to travel swiftly in water. They use their short flat wings like flippers. Penguins are the only birds that can swim but cannot fly. There are 18 types of penguins. They live in Antarctica, Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and South America. Penguins have a thick layer of fat that helps to protect them from the cold. A penguin typically has a black back and a white belly. Short, glossy feathers cover its body are waterproof and helps keep the bird warm.
Penguins live in nesting colonies, that can be enormous. In large groups they are safer from predators, such as skuas, sharks, killer whales, and especially leopard seals.
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Birds of prey are found all over the world. They are predators that catch and eat other animals. Some common birds of prey include eagles, falcons, hawks, ospreys, owls, buzzards, and vultures.
They are usually large and strong. Most have hooked beaks and sharp claws and are excellent hunters. Birds of prey eat a great variety of animals: other birds, insects, fish, rodents, snakes, frogs, or small mammals.
Many birds of prey keep the same mate for their whole lives. They build nests in trees, on cliffs, or on the ground.
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The kiwi is New Zealand’s feathered favorite. It is a strange little bird found only in the forests of New Zealand. New Zealanders are sometimes called Kiwis. It is a nocturnal bird. During the day it sleeps in its burrow, and at night it looks for food. Kiwis eat worms, insects, larvae, spiders, and berries. These birds have a strong sense of smell. Their bills are long and narrow and kiwis are the only birds whose nostrils are on the very tip of the bill. Kiwis cannot fly, but they run very fast.
Kiwis are monogamous and mate for life. The kiwi’s egg is about 20 percent of the mother’s weight. It fills almost her entire body right before it’s laid. The male takes care of an egg for almost 3 months. It takes chick 3 days to hatch. These birds live up to 60 years.
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