Family dynamics in the animal kingdom are as different as the animals themselves. In the animal world, there are advantages to be gained from being part of an extended family.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are the world’s largest living primates. These creatures are peace-loving and may live together for a lifetime. The dominant male has many wives who may stay with him for most of their lives, which can cause everyday conflicts. It is the male who settles the conflicts by a warning stare or hitting the back of the offenders’ heads.

Elephants

Females stick together in the elephant world, living in herds under a stateswoman. The experience and knowledge of this elder one, who may be 60-years-old, are of great benefit. She will remember, for example,the location of water holes and seasonal food supplies. In times of danger, the group bunches around the young and it is the stateswoman who decides whether to flee or confront the threat.

Lions

Lions are the only cats to live in a large family group, guarded by a pair of powerful males. Family life is relatively harmonious and baby lions may be fed by any mother with milk, so orphaned babies do not starve. Males live in the wilderness for some years before seeking their own pride by challenging resident males in a bloody battle. The male lion protects his pride from other males and enemies.

Ostriches (鸵鸟)

Ostriches travel in bands of 10-50 individuals, the most remarkable birds being the eight-foot-tall males. The largest birds in the world, ostriches cannot fly, but run fast. The wives of the male ostrich all put their eggs in the same nest. A primary female will then join the male to hatch (孵化) the eggs and she will push away other eggs on the outside to ensure her own are in the middle.

Fruit fly fix

It is breakfast time. You have been looking forward to eating a nice ripe banana ever since you woke up. 【小题1】 you see something that makes you much less hungry: a large group of fruit flies!

Fruit flies are tiny insects that are attracted to ripe or bad fruits and vegetables. The flies not only cat the fruit, they also lay their eggs there. 【小题2】. Within eight days, the fruit flies that hatch from these eggs are full adults that can then lay their own eggs.

Because fruit flies are so annoying, most people want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Some people use pesticide sprays (杀虫剂). 【小题3】 it will also spread harmful poison all over your kitchen. Luckily, there is also a completely safe way to get rid of fruit flies in your house.

The first step is for you to remove all fruits or vegetables from your counter. 【小题4】. Clean up any bits of food that might be on the floor. Take out the garbage and empty the garbage can. Doing all of these things will stop new fruit flies from finding food or places to lay their eggs.

Next, make a trap to catch all of the remaining fruit flies in your house. First, fill a small bowl with some vinegar (醋). 【小题5】. Cover the bowl very tightly with a sheet of plastic wrap and make a few very small holes in the wrap with a fork. If all goes according to plan, the flies will enter the trap through the holes but will be unable to fly back out. This trap will catch all of the remaining fruit flies.

Fifteen years ago, Erin Merryn met Bailey, a kitten who needed a home when she was a college student. He jumped into her arms and refused to let her go. “I was attached immediately and decided that I would take a risk and try hiding the kitten in my college dorm where pets are obviously not allowed,” Erin recalled. A week later she was caught and given 48 hours to remove the cat. After several phone calls, Erin managed to convince her parents to let her keep him.

Six years ago, Erin had Abby, her beautiful daughter. She didn’t know what Bailey would think about the new addition when she brought her home from the hospital. “But it was love at first sight.” Erin said. Bailey stayed by Abby’s side, guarding and showering her with love and purrs. As Abby grew, he became her protective brother, watching over her every step of the way. Abby picked up a book one day and tried to read it with Bailey by her side. He became her perfect audience, and the sweet boy was completely attracted by Abby as she told him stories of wonder.

A video showing Abby reading to Bailey went viral online in 2018. Numerous people followed Erin on social media platforms.

Unfortunately, on December 8, 2018, just months after becoming famous, the 14-year-old cat passed away from kidney failure. A full month after Bailey’s passing, Erin still got cards and gifts from caring individuals. It is this love that Erin hopes Bailey’s fans hold on to. She hopes people will be inspired to treat the world with love.