Owl Refuses to Reveal Tootsie Roll Pop Secrets

It is one of the most closely guarded secrets in the candy industry: how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll pop?

Though the company’s official stance is that the number varies and “the world may never know,” the secret of the actual number of licks was entrusted to a great horned owl in 1970. Now just a few days away from retirement, many in the candy world hope that he might finally reveal the number.

“Nope, I’m sure that information is going with him to the grave,” said Tootsie Roll historian, Reginald Fairchild. “Even in retirement, I wouldn’t place bets that he’ll ever reveal that secret.”

Still, candy industry watchers think there is a good chance that the owl will decide to write a memoir, which could at least hint at the actual number of licks it takes to reach the chocolatey Tootsie Roll center.

Via Greg Lilly Photos.

PHOTO OP: Duckling Fieldtrip

Via Scott Kinmartin.

Watch These Adorable Baby Owls Grow Up in Real Time

If there’s one thing Democrats and Republicans can agree on, it’s that owl chicks are adorable. If you need a break from making spreadsheets or talking to your family, we suggest tuning in to this live feed of a long-eared owl family from Missoula, MT.

This mama owl is very protective of her chicks, who are always up to some sort of feathery mischief. It’s like a sitcom, but with owls.

There are plenty more webcams to enjoy at Explore.org.

PHOTO OP: Penguin Family Photo

Via Tambako the Jaguar.

PHOTO OP: Duckling Swagger

Via annmarie_w.

REPORT: Baby Crane Masters Hokey Pokey

For months Rupert, a baby Sandhill Crane, has been trying to get the hang of the ‘Hokey Pokey.’ Finally today, say sources close to the situation, he put it all together and successfully completed a verse.

“You know the lyrics, right? ‘You put your right foot in. You put your right foot out. You put your right foot in and you shake it all about.’ It was the shaking part that had him all confused,” said dance instructor Jane Levy. “He would do more of a flail than a shake.”

Rupert has been practicing daily since November.

Via Dan Irizarry.

PHOTO OP: Is Spring Here Yet?

Via Dublin Zoo.

Area Bird Claims He Is ‘Not Angry’

A local birds’ rights group is up in arms (wings?) this evening because the hit video game Angry Birds was recently brought to their attention. The group, Friends of a Feather, was notified of the game’s existence when one of its members complained that he was being unfairly characterized by co-workers as ‘angry’ just because he bore some resemblance to the birds in the game.

“We were shocked to learn about the existence of Angry Birds. It perpetuates complete falsehoods about the nature of these majestic and loving creatures,” said FoF spokesperson Anna Kulpauer, adding that Frank, the bird who complained to the group, is “not an angry bird.”

It seems unfathomable that the organization is only just now hearing about a game that is 3 years old and has had over 1.7 billion downloads. Nevertheless, FoF plans to mount a full media campaign later this year to fight what it says are nasty bird stereotypes.

Via laughingbird.

Curious Emus Startle Photographer

A pack of emus at a farm in Washington state made one local photographer nearly drop his camera in fright yesterday.

“I wasn’t so much scared of the emus — I think they were just curious — as I was startled,” said photographer Charlie Whitmore. “The whole flock just sort of ran up to my lens without warning and started squawking.”

When asked if this was normal behavior for emus, noted emuologist and apparent jerk, would only say: “Actually, a group of emus is called a ‘mob.’”

Via Reza Ahmeds.