How many tentacles does it take an octopus to solve a Rubik's cube?

That's the question researchers wanted to answer - so they gave 25 octopuses a Rubik's cube each and watched them go!

Full story here.

Maybe a Rubik's cube will keep Otto out of trouble!

Koala Bare

First, we had a penguin who was afraid of water, but now what really takes the bucket is a koala who prefers water to trees!!! The baby koala in question has become an internet sensation due to the circulation of the sensational topless photo pictured above - featuring said koala chillaxing in a bucket-bath. Australian website new.com.au takes up the story:

Wildlife officers have come to the rescue of an abandoned baby koala who found internet stardom by being the bear in a bucket...

"The mum had become distressed and disorientated by the heat so she left the baby on its own without realising," [said] Tracey Young... "They’re normally up in the tree together, in a pair, and we see them all the time."

Ms Young’s nephew first spotted the distressed animal on the family property in Maude, between Melbourne and Geelong. "I had to scoop water up in my hand to get it to drink and at first it wasn’t very unresponsive... Eventually it realised the water was in the bowl and it just climbed in itself."

A viral email showing the koala taking its refreshing dip generated media interest in the marsupial.

It has been quite a day for Australian animal news!

Hat tip: Perez

No Kentucky rain for aquaphobic penguin

From The Sun (which has a video):

While his feathered friends dive happily through the icy depths, poor Kentucky the penguin perches hopelessly on his favourite rock.

Why? Because he’s afraid of WATER.

The petrified penguin, described as a ’runt’ by his keepers, is terrified by the cold H20. He refuses to take the plunge with his other 23 penguin pals at Blackbrook Zoological Park, in Leek, Staffs. Staff at the zoo have seen 11-year-old Kentucky become a surprise hit with visitors at the park due to his unusual phobia. The hapless Humbolt penguin was born smaller than his Arctic brothers and sisters and has had malting problems since birth which make the water ’a bit too cold for him’, staff say.

Looks like we won't see Kentucky water-skiiing any time soon...

Snout for trout

From the wires:

A pig in China has started to catch fish from a pond for its supper.

Han, the pig's owner, created a small pond for breeding tropical fish, at her home in Dahangou village, Zhenping. She gave up on the venture when the market price for the fish dropped - but found she still had one eager customer.

"I was amazed to see that the pig I raised is helping himself to fish from the pond," she told the Eastern Asia Trade and Economic News. "It steps into the shallow water, catches fish in its mouth and happily eats them on the spot."

Han said she was happy for the pig to help itself to the fish rather than let them go to waste. "Maybe it just decided it wanted a bit more protein in its diet," she added.

Anything A Monkey Can Do, Squirrels Can Do Too!

Not to be out done by those Japanese Monkeys reported about below, a daredevil squirrel has stepped up to the plate and donned a pair of water skis himself! Amazing Animal News wonders where will these animal watersports end?

Say NO to monkey water skiing!

Sorry folks another shocking case of monkey abuse has been brought to our attention.

Those Japs are at it again now forcing the poor little primates into a life of Water skiing!! Sure it looks fun but we don't see their life jackets, it's sure to end in tears. SAY NO MONKEY ABUSE!!

The mystery of the disappearing water

Unknown source:

"Jennifer and Jim kept getting huge water bills. They knew beyond a doubt that the bills weren't representative of their actual usage, and no matter how they tried to conserve, the high bills continue. Although they could see nothing wrong, they had everything checked for leaks or problems; first the water meter, then outdoor pipes, indoor pipes, underground pipes, faucets, toilets, washer, ice maker, etc, all to no avail.

"One day Jim was sick and stayed home in bed, but kept hearing water running downstairs. He finally tore himself from his sick bed & went to investigate, and stumbled onto the cause of such high water bills.

"Apparently this was happening all day long when they were not at home. Knowing that few would believe him, he taped a segment of the 'problem' for posterity!"



Hats off: Sabine

Hedgehog update

Two hedgehog news nuggets:

A hedgehog has lived to see another day after accidentally undergoing a 40 degrees spin cycle in a washing machine. The aptly named 'Lucky' is now recovering from her ordeal before being returned to the wild. On the upside, Lucky has never been cleaner!



Fellow hedgehog George is probably the fattest hedgehog in the country - weighing in at a whopping 2.2 kg! In fact, George is so overweight that he has now been placed on the Atkins diet. High protein, low carbs - that's the way to do it George!

Give this octopus an asbo!

• juggling hermit crabs
• trying to smash open his aquarium with a rock
• feng shui against the wishes of tankmates
• causing blackouts with well aimed water jets...

...all in a day's anti-social behaviour for Otto the Octopus.

Lets go swimming with tigers!

Dolphins have shared their disappointment at the latest news that they are so last year. The latest fashion in the world of animal swimming is to take to the water with your feline friend.

Read more here

Flat Spat

Flatworms, the asbo magnets of the Platyzoa superphylum, have been caught on camera penis duelling.

Drunken Pony

Meet Fat Boy.  He's a drunken pony.  He likes fermenting apples and falling into swimming pools.  

AmazingAnimalNews Rating: 8/10.