There are over 20,000 species out there waiting to be discovered. The reproductive product of fungi, mushrooms are comparable to the fruit of a plant.

The mushroom kingdom exists in its own realm, separate from animals and plants, and represents a cycle of regrowth and regeneration as they absorb nutrients from decomposed organisms to begin new growth.

How do mushrooms spread across a forest, and how much can we learn from the incredible fungal network that exists beneath our feet?

Zillions of Spores

The key to spreadability is in the spores. All fungi release zillions of tiny spores into the atmosphere. These spores can attract insects, spreading their genes around and allowing mushrooms to flourish and crop up in all kinds of places.    

As they spread, mushrooms break down many kinds of matter. In fact, anything hydrocarbon based, such as oil, can be absorbed by a fungal network, which can remove toxins and bring contaminated soil back to life.

Fantastic Fungi

Mycophiles are people fascinated by mushrooms. The Netflix documentary, Fantastic Fungi, explores the growing fascination and science behind the most common living species on Earth.

In the documentary, experts explain how mushrooms form in an underground network of threads, called the mycelium network. The mycelium can join with roots from trees and plant life, allowing communication through these pathways. This process is called mycorrhiza and offers benefits to both partners.

Paul Stamets, a mycologist from Ohio, believes in the collaborative power of mushrooms. “What a beautiful inspirational model for how human beings might live. In a shared economy based not on greed but on nurturing relationships and mutual cooperation,” he says in the film.  

Mushrooms Make Their Own Wind

Biologists Emilie Dressaire (Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut) and Marcus Roper (UCLA) say mushrooms may spread by making their own wind. “Funghi are ingenious engineers” Dressaire notes.

Their latest studies explore how mushrooms can spread their genes in still air. They create their own wind by releasing water vapor. Their moisture evaporates, creating a flow of air that carries the spores around. These air movements allow the spores to land in new locations and begin a new growth cycle.

Mushroom Self-Defense

Mushrooms can be nutritious and delicious. They contain low amounts of fat and sodium, and provide high amounts of beneficial vitamin D.

However, some mushrooms are poisonous. These mushrooms intentionally produce poison so they will not be eaten and can reproduce. It is difficult to tell whether a mushroom in the forest is poisonous or not from its appearance, so it’s always safest to leave it alone in the wild, unless you’re an expert in mushroom foraging or are with an expert in mushroom foraging.

Healing Mushrooms

Fungi have been used in Eastern medicine practices for hundreds of years, and fungi were also used in the early production of penicillin. Some experts claim they have many health benefits, and some studies show they can decrease the risk of cancer.

Small doses of psilocybin, the component commonly found in “magic mushrooms,” has also been studied closely in association with helping people who have mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.

So, what can the wonderful world of mushrooms teach us? A lot. The fungal network can help us understand that everything in the natural world is interconnected, and it demonstrates how some of Earth’s oldest organisms have survived the test of time.

The post How Do Mushrooms Spread Across the Forest? appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

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The report comes from Bounce, a luggage and travel organization, to figure out the most beautiful places to watch the sun go down. The research used a combination of science, like light pollution and public opinion, through recommendations and Instagram posts. 

Here’s a look at the results.

10. Key West, Florida

The bright lights of Key West and nearby South Florida make the night sky not entirely dark for this destination. However, this is a great spot if you’re a fan of Instagram sunsets. In all, the company found 62,103 posts about sunrises and sunsets. With an easy flight to Miami, this destination is easy to check off for Americans.

9. Boracay, Philippines

To avoid light pollution, you can head far out from any mainland. That’s where you’ll find Boracay. The small island is known for its resorts and water sports like diving in coral reefs and shipwrecks. As you can imagine, it’s nice to watch the sunset there.

8. Serengeti, Tanzania 

Stepping away from the tropical islands means destinations like Serengeti, Tanzania. The area may be best known for its national park and diverse African wildlife. The Serengeti is home to the Great Migration, where millions of animals, including wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes, are on the move. The area has the least amount of light pollution on the list.

7. Bali, Indonesia

The well-known vacation destination is also the king of Instagram. Out of all the places ranked Bali had the most sunsets and sunrises recorded on the app at 211,966. Besides beautiful beaches, visitors can also visit thousands of different temples in the area.

6. Grand Canyon, Arizona

The second of three U.S. destinations to make the list is the Grand Canyon. The area is the second most popular national park in the National Park Service. The desert landscape is excellent for escaping light pollution, with sweeping views from the rims during the day, providing a perfect setting for a sunset.

5. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat is known as the largest religious structure in the world. The massive complex covers more than 400 football fields. A moat also surrounds the giant Buddhist temple.

4. Santorini, Greece

The only European destination to make the list is Santorini. The destination is an island off the coast of Greece in the Aegean Sea. The island is known for its towering cliffs and beautiful beaches. Much of its landscape formed due to a volcanic eruption in the 1500s. Some unique homes and hotels stand high above the sea for great views.

3. Haleakalā, Hawaii

It shouldn’t be surprising that the highest-ranking U.S. sunset destination is also one of the furthest west. Haleakalā is a massive dormant volcano that makes up most of the island of Maui. There’s also a national park in its name. A popular hike will take you to the volcano’s summit for stunning views.

2. Maldives

There’s definitely a correlation between beautiful destinations and incredible sunsets. The Maldives is part of South Asia and sits in the Indiana Ocean. The area has low light pollution, and with white sand beaches and turquoise water, you know it’s popular on social media.

1. Uluru, Australia

Finally, number one is Uluru, Australia. Uluru is a massive rock in the country’s interior. It’s considered a sacred place to indigenous Australians. Like many of these destinations, the area sits inside a national park called Uluru-Kata Tjuta. Getting there isn’t easy, with the largest town almost 300 miles away in Alice Springs. The town’s population is only 25,000. Either way, Uluru is as good at avoiding light pollution as it is providing Instagram posts.

Take a look at the top travel destinations for adventure.

The post Plan Your 2024 Vacations with These 10 Best Sunset Destinations appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

From domesticated animals to wild animals, behavioral changes—including a rise in anxiety levels—have been observed. You may have even noticed a change in your own pets’ behavior during past eclipses. Changes to the ionosphere and plants have also been studied. 

While the effects of an eclipse vary by species, here are some of the documented ways both animals and plants are transformed during these astronomical events. 

And, don’t forget, there’s an annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023.

Nocturnal Animals Become Active 

Nocturnal animals are often tricked by the sudden darkness during an eclipse. Light is the main factor that dictates whether they are in a period of sleep or activity.  

Bats are an example of an animal that may get confused when the sun is covered by the moon. These nocturnal mammals have been known to wake up and move around, even sometimes leaving their roost, only to return to sleep when the eclipse ends. 

Insects and animals that are commonly vocal at night may come alive during the eclipse. Crickets, frogs, and toads might sing their nightly songs. Birds are also known to call during the period of darkness. Cicadas may suddenly get noisy before the eclipse only to become silent once the moon covers the sun. Wolves and coyotes have anecdotally been said to communicate by howling during an eclipse. 

Birds that are considered nocturnal, like nighthawks and owls, may leave their nests or begin activity while the sun is obscured. Other nocturnal animals, including mice and foxes, might also be tricked into leaving their dens to search for food. 

Diurnal Animals Return Home

Animals and insects that are active during the day may be fooled during an eclipse. Sleep patterns for these animals are dictated by light. Animals like bees and ants have been known to return to their homes and/or begin nighttime routines during an eclipse. Butterflies seek leaves or other shelter. 

Birds seem especially baffled by the phenomenon. Chatters and chirps become abundant before the eclipse and die down to silence when the sky begins to darken. Song patterns and flying-formation patterns are also changed by this astronomical event. Pigeons and hawks have been seen returning to their shelters when the sky begins to darken.

Lizards and bull snakes basking in the sun may return to a rock or other shelter when the temperature drops while the sun is covered. Ground and Albert’s squirrels, pikas, and marmots similarly head to their resting places. 

Party Time for Crepuscular Animals 

On typical days, crepuscular animals are most active at dawn or dusk, as they search for food and hide from predators. Crepuscular comes from the Latin word for “twilight.” Some examples include mountain lions, elk, moose, deer, rabbits, and opossums.

Crepuscular animals tend to think the darkness during a solar eclipse is a party. During an eclipse, these animals, which typically lay low during the daytime, may come out and begin their twilight routines. Examples of species reported to be affected are pygmy owls and mosquitos, which may wake from slumber to try to feed. 

Things Get Weird for Spiders and Fish

As the sky turns dark during an eclipse, spider species have been observed breaking down webs they built in the morning hours to catch prey. Orb weavers are one type of spider known to take down a web, symbolizing the end of the day, and begin to build a new web once the solar eclipse has passed. 

Some fish species, including largemouth bass and brown trout, tend to enjoy feeding in low light. Some anglers believe that fish tend to be more active the hour before and the hour after a solar eclipse. Scientists and nature journals explain that the behavior may be caused by fish thinking it’s dusk. 

Photosynthesis Slows Down

Plants are also influenced by the stoppage of the sun’s rays during solar eclipses. Because of the interruption of light, plants that are in the path of an eclipse have a loss of photosynthesis by an estimated 10-20%. 

Some other changes observed, include:

• Drooping leaves
• Closing or opening of buds
• Less release of water
• Changes to sap flow 

More Weird Stuff in the Atmosphere

According to NASA, solar eclipses transform the upper atmosphere of Earth known as the ionosphere. Here are some atmospheric variations that occur:

• Propagation of radio waves, including satellite communications and shortwave communication, are broken up during solar eclipses. Refraction, signal fading and absorption have all been observed. 
• Anomalies created by the disruption of sunlight have caused a disruption in GPS and radio signals over areas in the path of a solar eclipse. 
• Changes in temperature can lead to the upper atmosphere cooling. This may cause changes in altitude and density in the ionosphere as well as:
  • Temperature changes on Earth’s surface 
  • Wind speed changes
  • Increase in relative humidity 
• Ozone levels on the surface of Earth are at a minimum during the peak of the eclipse 

If you notice any changes in plants or animals before, during, or after an eclipse, be a citizen scientist and record your observations using an app like iNaturalist. 

The post Ask Outdoors: How Do Eclipses Affect Plants and Animals? appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

In the video, you’ll see action figures, bike helmets, skis, shoes and toothbrushes. All of it, just floating along in the Pacific Ocean.

In the post, the organization wrote, “There are always a few odd gems among our plastic catch that don’t fail to surprise.”

The Ocean Project is focused on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive pile of floating trash brought together by ocean currents. The patch is twice the size of Texas.

The organization uses a massive net system to remove some of the debris. You can see another cleanup video here.

The post ‘There’s Always a Few Odd Gems’: See All the Wild Trash and Plastic Found Floating in the Ocean appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

While both involve the alignment of celestial bodies, there are distinct differences between these two types of eclipses. 

With a highly anticipated ‘Ring of Fire’ solar eclipse coming up this weekend, let’s explore the dissimilarities and shed light on the unique characteristics of solar and lunar eclipses.

Definitions: Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse

Solar Eclipse: A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on a portion of the Earth’s surface. It happens during the new moon phase.

Lunar Eclipse: A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Moon to fall into the Earth’s shadow. This event occurs during the full moon phase.

Visibility

Solar Eclipse: A solar eclipse is visible only from specific regions on Earth where the shadow of the Moon falls. The area experiencing a total solar eclipse, known as the path of totality, is relatively small compared to the entire planet.

Lunar Eclipse: A lunar eclipse, on the other hand, is visible from any location on Earth where the Moon is above the horizon during the event. It can be observed by anyone on the night side of the planet.

Duration

Solar Eclipse: The duration of a solar eclipse is relatively short, typically ranging from a few minutes to a couple of hours. When the Sun is completely obscured, the total phase lasts only a few minutes.
Lunar Eclipse: A lunar eclipse lasts longer. Total lunar eclipses can extend for several hours, with the entire event, from partial to total eclipse and back to partial, lasting a few hours.

Visual Intensity

Solar Eclipse: During a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely covers the Sun, the sky darkens significantly, and the corona— the Sun’s outer atmosphere—becomes visible. This creates a mesmerizing celestial spectacle, with the Sun’s wispy tendrils surrounding the Moon.
Lunar Eclipse: In a total lunar eclipse, the Moon takes on a reddish hue, often referred to as a “blood moon.” This occurs because sunlight passing through the Earth’s atmosphere gets refracted and bent toward the Moon, giving it a reddish glow.

Frequency

Solar Eclipse: Solar eclipses are relatively rare events that occur a few times a year but are visible only from specific locations on Earth. The same region might not experience a total solar eclipse again for several years.
Lunar Eclipse: Lunar eclipses are more frequent than solar eclipses, with at least two to four occurring every year. Additionally, lunar eclipses are visible from a larger area on Earth, making them more accessible to observers.

Safety Precautions

Solar Eclipse: As a rule, don’t look. If you are going to anyway then know that viewing a solar eclipse requires special precautions to protect the eyes from the intense sunlight. Directly looking at the Sun without proper eye protection can cause severe eye damage. Special eclipse glasses or solar filters are necessary to safely observe a solar eclipse.
Lunar Eclipse: Lunar eclipses do not pose any risks to the eyes since they involve the Earth blocking the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon. Observing a lunar eclipse is safe without the need for protective eyewear during the totalitarity period.

Solar eclipses and lunar eclipses are intense and unique celestial phenomena that offer unique experiences to those fortunate enough to witness them. Whether it’s the awe-inspiring sight of the Sun’s corona or the enchanting appearance of a blood moon, both types of eclipses leave a lasting impression on observers worldwide. Understanding the differences between solar and lunar eclipses enhances our appreciation for the intricate dance of celestial bodies and the wonders of the universe.

The post What’s the Difference Between a Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

Researchers tested the theory by setting up trail cameras to observe iconic savanna mammals like elephants, zebras, and rhinos. They used attached speakers to play a mix of sounds, from humans talking to a roaring lion.

In most cases, the animals fled more quickly at the sound of a human.

In fact, wild animals were twice as likely to run and abandon a waterhole when they heard a human’s voice coming from the speakers. The animals that ran did so at a 40% faster rate than when they heard a lion’s roar from the speakers.

Of the animals they tested the sound on, 95% ran more from humans than lions. The species included giraffes, leopards, hyenas, zebras, kudu, and warthogs, among others.

“Our results greatly strengthen the growing experimental evidence that wildlife worldwide fear the human ‘super predator’ far more than other predators,” researchers wrote in the summary of their findings.

The study came about after recent global surveys showed that humans kill prey at a “much higher rate” than any other predator. Humans have become “super predators” mostly due to our technology.

The results are not only interesting but also possibly concerning, especially in Africa, where conservation efforts are funded heavily by tourism. Visitors expect to see these animals on safari, but if the animals flee at the mere sound of a person, if might make this more difficult.

On the flip side, a healthy fear of humans may keep some animals safer from illegal hunting.

The post New Study Proves That Animals Are More Afraid of Humans Than They Are of Lions appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

The Ring camera company shared the video from a homeowner identified as Angela in Henderson, Nevada. Angela says she was in the backyard when suddenly all of the objects in the yard lifted off and were thrown through the air.

The camera in the front of the house captured the chaos as an umbrella and trashcans went flying. Angela says, fortunately, no one was hurt, and there wasn’t too much damage from the brief gust.

“Dust devils are fairly common here in the desert, but they seem to be getting worse and worse. I guess that’s climate change for you,” Angela told Ring. “We seemed to have quite a few views and comments on the neighborhood page about it.”

According to the National Weather Service, dust devils are a common wind phenomenon often found in places like Nevada or Arizona. They are dust-filled vortices created by strong surface heat, creating a less intense and smaller version of a tornado. They typically only last a few minutes before dissipating.

Here are some tips for surviving in the desert.

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The Northern Lights can most easily be seen in the polar regions of Earth, including the North Pole, Iceland, Canada, and Sweden. However, the Northern Lights have been viewable as far south as Colorado and Minnesota as recently as the last few weeks.

The post The Northern Lights Are Forecasted to Be Strongest in 20 Years appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

The dog was being chased by a pack of “feral animals,” according to CBS News, and the dog jumped into the water and was instantly surrounded by crocodiles. Scientists writing in the Journal of Threatened Taxa were quoted as saying: “These muggers were well within striking range and could have easily devoured the dog,” but in photos and videos, it looked as if the crocodiles actually helped the dog to safety.

According to Live Science, these mugger crocodiles have been seen engaging in behaviors like hunting in packs and using sticks as bait. Scientists believe that this act of non-aggression could be a sign that they are more cognitively advanced than originally thought.

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