Cruel Beautiful Nature

Our planet is really beautiful. It is a jewel in the huge cosmos. But as beautiful as it is, there is a lot of cruelty on it as well. That is to say; to us, many things seem cruel but let us not forget that it all serves a variety of purposes. The dog of our neighbors gave birth to 3 puppies a few weeks ago and lately, I saw the mom dragging one of the pups away. She came back and had no intention to replace the other two. Of course, I was a bit surprised but figured there must have been a reason for her. Yesterday I found out what reason she had. The puppy (brought back to the others by the owners) can hardly use its hind legs. If it was not for the owners, the pup would have died, being separated without food/milk. To us it seems very cruel but the mom did just what nature told her. Namely, this pup will never be able to survive. So stop putting your valued energy in it. Birds do exactly the same with their offspring. If a chick is too weak the mom or dad will simply throw it out of the nest. This way there will be no food spilled. Well, actually the abandoned chick will become food itself. That in itself happens more often. People who have an aquarium with viviparous fish can witness how these fish eat their own offspring. This seems senseless but in a way, it is a form of birth control. In the wild, most of the small fish would have better places to hide. And then get eaten later. That is what nature is all about. It is the reason fish gets tens or even hundreds of breeds. Family planning is something only humans think about, in nature it all works perfectly as it is. 

Another reason for killing has everything to do with genes. You probably know about lions. When a male beats another male he just takes over the female lions of the losing lion. If there are cubs the new male leader will kill them all. After all, they were the offspring of a loser. His genes should make stronger lions. It really is the survival of the fittest.

Not only cats play the mice they have caught. Killer whales do exactly the same with seals. True, true, it looks horrible but this too has a reason. Have you ever beaten your beef steak before preparing? It is a way of tenderizing the meat. And that now is exactly what the cats and killer whales do too. Well, according to a documentary I saw a while ago. I guess it makes sense. 

Many animals and plants (!) have a perfect defend system. Take alone the way they can camouflage themselves. What to think about the wraths on this toad’s back? When touched they release a sap that at least is itchy but maybe even deadly for smaller animals.

Big toad in Olongapo City

 It is not only the hedgehogs that have spikes. I remember, as a child how we went looking for blackberries. We had to bring plasters because we all got stung by the mean spikes those plants have. Our arms, hands and legs arms full of scratches we went home. But the wonderful, tasty blackberry jam was worth it!

This morning I took a picture of a plant that is growing small but beautiful flowers. Considering the conditions its seeds will never get a chance to sprout. Unless the wind blows them to the fertile soil.

 

as you can see there are much more flowers to come

Love the ones you’re with and be loved in return.