The ocean covers more than 70 percent of our planet—yet there’s so much about it that we don’t yet know. Experts, in fact, believe we’ve only explored about five percent of the ocean so far—meaning that most of it remains completely unseen and undiscovered.
What we do know, however, is that the ocean is truly wise. Not only does it sustain all human and animal life on the planet, the creatures under the sea continue to give scientists insight that can transform human lives as well (just read about the amazing axolotl below to see what we mean).
A happy ocean makes for happy, healthy human beings (not to mention a healthy planet)—so this summer we’re helping our friends at Ocean Wise spread the word that no action is too small—holding a cleanup on a local shoreline, for instance. Learning about our ocean and all its wonders is another step anyone can take for conservation, so buckle in and prepare for a tidal wave of info that will blow your mind.
1. Playing music—specifically, recordings of healthy reef soundscapes—can help grow coral reef populations.
live coralsPhoto by QUI NGUYEN on UnsplashHealthy coral reef populations are filled with diverse sounds, thanks to the fish, snapping shrimp, and other marine life that live there. Scientists have found that playing recorded sounds of healthy reefs actually attract coral larvae, since the sounds indicate a healthy, vibrant habitat. Using this knowledge, scientists have taken recorded reef sounds, played them near degraded reefs, and in doing so, have increased the settlement rates of coral larvae, helping the coral reefs regenerate.
2. Dolphins like to party with pufferfish.
Photo by Talia Cohen on UnsplashHow’s this for a good time? Dolphins, particularly younger ones, have been known to seek out pufferfish to play games with them, chewing on them and passing them back and forth between each other like a hacky sack. Not only is this entertainment for the dolphins, scientists theorize that they may intentionally be trying to get the pufferfish to give off a neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin (TTX)–which is a chemical they release when threatened. This chemical is highly toxic in large doses–but in small quantities, experts think that it might induce a mild, pleasurable effect in the dolphins, similar to a narcotic. Party on.
3. Male humpback whales are total crooners.
A male humpback whale breaches the water.
Photo by Thomas Kelley on UnsplashAll humpback whales can vocalize, but male humpback whales actually sing.
During mating season, scientists have observed male humpback whales making sounds that are distinctly different from other humpback calls. Unlike other sounds, these songs have a clear structure, and use small, repetitive “phrases” organized in a specific sequence—in the same way humans sing different verses during a song. Even more amazing? Male humpbacks all sing the same song together in “choruses,” in sessions that last from five minutes to several hours.
4. Axolotls have superpowers (and scientists think it could benefit humans one day).
a couple of animals that are in some waterPhoto by T K on UnsplashAmong biologists, axolotls are known for their ability to regrow lost or damaged tissue. When an adult axolotl loses a limb, they can actually grow it back in just a few months time, thanks to a substance they produce called retinoic acid, which plays a large role in regenerating skin cells. (If the name sounds familiar, it’s because retinoic acid is a derivative of Vitamin A, and it’s commonly found in skin creams.) While we already know that retinoic can make our skin look fabulous, scientists are currently studying whether it could someday help human limbs regrow, similar to the axolotl’s.
5. A healthy ocean can help reverse climate change
green algae underwater photographyPhoto by Brian Yurasits on UnsplashThe ocean generates half of the oxygen we breathe and absorbs nearly a third of the world’s carbon emissions. Phytoplankton, the microscopic algae that float near the ocean’s surface, are a big part of the reason why. But there’s another unsung hero—kelp. Unlike phytoplankton, kelp are large seaweeds that grow in dense underwater forests along coastlines, absorbing CO2 and supporting ecosystems. Ocean Wise is helping bring back these powerful carbon sinks one kelp forest at a time.
Help us #BeOceanWise by doing one small thing for ocean conservation in your community (because just one thing can start a huge wave of positive change). Visit ocean.orgfor tips and tricks to keep our oceans healthy because no action is too small.
Frugal people open up about how they save money.
Saving money is never a bad thing. And for those looking for economical solutions for how to cut back on spending, a smart place to start is taking an inventory of your spending habits and what you buy.
In an online forum of frugal people, member TS1664 posed the question to fellow savvy financial members: "What’s something you stopped buying completely and don’t miss at all?"
They continued, "For me it’s paper towels. Switched to rags and microfiber cloths a year ago and haven’t looked back. I used to go through a roll a week without thinking, now I just toss the cloths in with regular laundry. Saves money and space."
And they ended the post with some more insight. "It made me realize how many things I was buying out of habit, not need. What things others have cut out completely that turned out to be no big deal or even better without. Could use some inspiration!"
The callout garnered some excellent real-life advice from frugal people. These are 30 things that thrifty people shared they stopped buying completely that helped save them money.
Make It Rain Money GIF by A Little Late With Lilly SinghGiphy
"Dryer sheets." Super-Examination594
"Starbucks - bought an espresso machine, took some time to learn how to dial it in and pull a proper shot. It’s been 4+ Years and don’t miss it one bit." Fox_137
"Makeup! Used to wear it every day and buy tons of it to try new products and such. Now I only wear it for special occasions. It works great — even just a little bit of makeup really pops when you hardly ever wear any." VerschwendeMeineZeit
"Soda. Too expensive now. Pre-pandemic, sometimes Kroger would have a sale (4) 12-packs for $10." NotJimIrsay
"Cigarettes 😊." rickety_picket
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"Bottled water." WorriedPermission872
"Most fast food but especially McDonald's and bk. When I paid $20 for two adults' meals, it stopped making sense, and I'll cook better burgers and better sides fries at home for less." diegothengineer
"Cable tv subscription." nombreusuario
"Pizza delivery service. Frozen meals are just as unhealthy, but much cheaper." The_Keri2
"We started our pizza making journey by buying dough (under $2) at trader joe's. it really lowered the barrier to entry. once we kind of perfected the bake etc, we started playing with dough recipes until we found one we loved. it sounds painful but it was a good learning experience and fun to do together." suddenlymary
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"I stopped buying scented candles. I used to grab them all the time on impulse, but they’re expensive, don’t last that long, and honestly gave me headaches half the time. Now I just open a window or boil some citrus peels with cloves if I want the place to smell nice." HollisWhitten
"Cigarettes and nicotine pouches! Been smoke free since august 2021 and pouch free since July 2024 :)." HueLord3000
"Amazon Prime. We stopped paying for the privilege of shopping and making money for Bozo. Now, we just put stuff in the cart until there is enough for free shipping. I don’t miss Prime, I never found anything on Prime video I wanted to watch once that wasn’t a rental. We live in a rural village, so online is cheaper than driving 25 to 50 miles to a store." cwsjr2323
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"Lottery tickets." evissamnoisis
"Hair color. I’ve embraced the gray!" phishinfordory
"I’ll add sandwich bread. I started making my own. It costs just over $1 for me to make a small loaf that’s just enough for the 2 of us for a week. Plus no additives or preservatives." BeerWench13TheOrig
"Books. I go to the library." Significant-Emu1855
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"Broth. Have an ongoing 'broth bag' going in the freezer. Once I run out of frozen broth cubes, I make another round." Colorfulplaid123
"New clothes from shops! I'm now a charity shop and Vinted gal, my clothes are so much better quality and I spend less." CorinaPhoto
"Bidet toilet seat is cheap, easy to install, much easier and faster to use, and most importantly will keep you far cleaner while not wasting any toilet paper." hopopo
"Menstrual products. Bought a menstrual cup back in 2016 and have not looked back." simply-misc
"Chip clips. I buy cheap old wooden clothespins! Works great and if they break, no biggie. It’s $2 for 24. I also use clear shower caps for dishes I have no lids for or it’s something that can’t have a lid, like deviled eggs. I use the shower caps. Much cheaper than those bowl covers they sell 8-12 in a pack for $1.25. Those bowl covers are kind of pricey and you get 1 large and 2 mediums and a bunch of tiny ones!!" Florida1974
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"Alcohol." Fit_Artichoke_523
"Baked beans in the can, I literally keep everything on hand to make it so it was an excess purchase. Instant rice packs, I make regular rice, 20 minutes is not that long 😆 We keep getting gifted napkins but we don’t purchase them." Miss_Pouncealot
"Soap in a pump bottle. Switched to bars (Costco). So much value, less trash and plastic, and a better experience. Why did we invent pump bottle soap??" thebiglebowskiisfine
Man sees neighbor's fence falling down so he builds a new one
It's not unheard of for people to do nice things for their neighbors. This might be borrowing a bag of rice to finish dinner or collecting the neighbor's mail while they're on vacation. All of these scenarios are within the realm of normalcy of kind, neighborly interactions but, while some neighbors may come over to assist with a weekend project, most don't take on huge projects without prompting.
A man that goes by the name Uncle Jhonn on social media has made it his mission to go above and beyond for his neighbors. That's why when he was driving through his neighborhood and noticed a neighbor's fence lying on the ground, he decided to get out of his truck and help. But he did more than just a quick repair. Jhonn took the entire fence down, cut it up, and built a new one that wouldn't require replacing for many years to come.
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"So, today I was riding down the street and that's when I noticed my neighbor's fence laying on the ground, so I decided to replace it completely for free. Just because I' retired y'all and I ain't got nothing better to do. Plus I'm sure if they could afford to get it done, it would've been did by now," the friendly neighbor says in the video he uploaded to social media.
Jhonn quickly clarifies, "Now, I didn't just jump out of my truck with a saw and start cutting these people's fence up. I actually knocked on their door to see if this was something they actually wanted me to do and they was more than excited to tell me yeah when I told them I was going to do it for free."
The woman who owns the home is a single mom who lives with her own mother who was recently involved in a car accident that left the car totaled. While the family's been having a rough patch, they have been attempting to get the fence replaced for several years but the cost is just too much. The removal and installation of a new six foot privacy fence can run anywhere from $4,000 to well over $10,000 depending on the size of the yard, type of gates, and style of privacy fence being installed.
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Jhonn explains that the family had been quoted over $6,000 by multiple contractors in order for the fence to be replaced, "and we all know with the state the world in right now, $6,000? You might as well say that's a million dollars."
It took the man just under three hours to complete the new fence and cost him a total of $2,173.89. He explains that he has big plans for his neighborhood by doing his part to make it look more desirable. Jhonn uses the money he makes off of TikTok to purchase materials for the free projects he does. The handy neighbor also has a website that has free blueprints of DIY projects like raised garden beds, sheds, mailboxes, and more.
@unclejhonn Level 2025: Rebuilding the Community… #unclejhonn #diy #diyfence Fence App: @realityfence
People can't stop praising Jhonn's action and dedication to his neighborhood with one person writing, "This is what we need more of neighbors helping neighbors!
"That fence looks amazing!!! You can tell that you didn’t take shortcuts either. Built it like it was for yourself!!! Good on ya," another writes.
"As a single mom thank you I know that family are so grateful and appreciate you," someone else shares.
"You are such a good human. My mom was a single parent for many years and an older gentleman rebuilt our front and back porch because he was worried my Nana would get hurt. My mom was so grateful," one person reminisces.
This article originally appeared in February.
If kids say the darndest things, it's safe to say that pets do the darndest things. One of the great joys of having a cat, dog, or other small animal to call your own is the endlessly entertainment they bring you. The way we communicate, and miscommunicate, with our pets is magical and hilarious. When you're lucky enough to capture some of that magic on film, you get the memory of a lifetime.
Taking photos are also an expression of love. It's no secret that pet owners are obsessed with snapping candid photos of sleeping dogs, yawning cats, and anything that looks cute, cuddly, or hilarious.
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are a fun-filled competition created by Tom Sullam and Paul Joynson-Hicks to promote positive awareness of animal welfare issues. Past winners include a well-timed shot of a monkey who appears to have hurt the family jewels on a suspension wire. (Don't worry folks, no monkeys were harmed for the awards.) The competition has been so successful, the duo decided to branch out and create the Comedy Pet Photo Awards, where photographers can submit pictures of their furry friends for a £2,000 ($2650) prize.
Donations generated by the competition go to Animal Support Angels, an animal welfare charity in the U.K. The 2024 winner features a dog shoving his head through a way-too-small cat door. In 2023, the champion was a kitten caught redheaded trying to sneak attack his brother.
But even several years later, the crop of winners from the 2021 contest remains one of the best ever. The overall champion was Zoe Ross for "Whizz Pop," a photo of her labrador puppy Pepper who appears to be tooting bubbles.
“We never ever thought that we would win but entered the competition because we loved the idea of helping a charity just by sending in a funny photo of Pepper," Ross said in a statement. "She is such a little monkey, and very proud of herself, bringing in items from the garden and parading past you until you notice her. She is the happiest puppy we’ve ever known and completely loved to pieces.”
Here are the rest of the winners of the 2021 Comedy Pet Photo Awards.
Overall Winner: Zoe Ross "Whizz Pop," Penkridge, U.K.
Overall Winner: Zoe Ross "Whizz Pop," Labrador puppy, Penkridge, UK © Zoe Ross /Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
Did this puppy swallow a bubble? Either he drank some bubble solution or this photographer just happened to have remarkable timing.
Best Dog Category: Carmen Cromer "Jurassic Bark," Pittsboro, North Carolina
Best Dog Category: Carmen Cromer "Jurassic Bark," Pittsboro, North Carolina © Carmen Cromer/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"My golden retriever, Clementine, loves to stick her face in front of the hose while I water the plants. Her expression in this photo made me think of a tyrannosaurus rex, hence the title, "Jurassic Bark." Duh nuh nuuuh nuhnuh, duh nuh nuuuh nuh nuh, dun duh duuuh nuh nuh nuh nUUUUUUhhhh." – Carmen Cromer
Best Cat Category: Kathrynn Trott "Photobomb," Ystradgynlais, U.K.
Best Cat Category: Kathrynn Trott "Photobomb," Ystradgynlais, U.K. © Kathrynn Trott/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
Jeff stealing the limelight from his brother Jaffa. What is it that cats love so much about photobombing?
Best Horse Category: Mary Ellis, "I Said 'Good Morning,'" Platte River State Park, Nebraska
Best Horse Category: Mary Ellis, "I Said 'Good Morning,'" Platte River State Park, Nebraska © Mary Ellis/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"I like to visit the stable horses before I begin my hike at the State Park. This is the reply I received when I said 'Good morning.'" – Mary Ellis
When they say you should never look a gift horse in the mouth, maybe this is what they had in mind.
All Other Creatures Category: Sophie Bonnefoi, "The Eureka Moment," Oxford, U.K.
All Other Creatures Category: Sophie Bonnefoi, "The Eureka Moment," Oxford, U.K. © Sophie Bonnefoi/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"Cutie and Speedy are two chicks hatched from eggs placed in an incubator at home in August 2020. They spent their first few weeks indoors. In the photo, they are just over two weeks old. They were curious about everything. This is the day they discovered their own shadow. It was hilarious to see them wondering and exploring that 'dark thing' that was moving with them!" – Sophie Bonnefoi
Junior Category: Suzi Lonergan, "Sit!" Pacific Palisades, California
Junior Category: Suzi Lonergan, "Sit!" Pacific Palisades, California © Suzi Lonergan/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"Our granddaughter gave the command to sit. Beau is very obedient." – Suzi Lonergan
Anyone who's ever owned an oversized dog has been here before. This snapshot absolutely reflects the hilarious reality of keeping a gentle giant in your home.
Pets Who Look Like Their Owners Category: Jakub Gojda, "That Was a Good One!" Czech Republic
Pets Who Look Like Their Owners Category: Jakub Gojda, "That Was a Good One!" Czech Republic © Jakub Gojda/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"This photo was taken by accident during the photography of my ex-girlfriend with her beloved mare. For this cheerful moment, I thank the fly that sat on the horse's nose and he instinctively shook his head." – Jakub Gojda.
The resemblance is uncanny!
Highly Commended: Chloe Beck, "Hugo the Photobomber," Walsall, U.K.
Highly Commended: Chloe Beck, "Hugo the Photobomber," Walsall, U.K. © Chloe Beck/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"This is my best friend Faith, her husband Alex, and their cheeky Sproodle, Hugo. Faith wanted a photograph to mark a special occasion—her first outing after shielding at home for 14 months. Hugo jumped into the frame at just the right moment!" – Chloe Beck
Highly Commended: Luke O'Brien, "Mumford and Chum," Coventry, U.K.
Highly Commended: Luke O'Brien, "Mumford and Chum," Coventry, U.K. © Luke O'Brien/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"Losing the opportunity to play with my human bandmates during lockdown, Flint, my rescue dog, soon taught me that we didn't just have sharp bones in common, but musical ones, too. He soon became the perfect substitute for a collaborative stomp up at home, so much so that we felt we deserved our own band name (Muttford and Chum). With my camera set up remotely during this shoot, I think it's fair to say that the image is proof that his conviction as a performer matches my own." – Luke O'Brien.
Luke and Flint could have been strong competitors in the lookalike contest, if you ask me.
Highly Commended: Kathryn Clark, "Wine Time," Cichester, U.K.
Highly Commended: Kathryn Clark, "Wine Time," Cichester, U.K. © Kathryn Clark/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"It's that time of day again! Little Blue enjoys it almost as much as me." – Kathryn Clark.
This cat just gets it.
Highly Commended: Diana Jill Mehner, "Crazy in Love With Fall," Paderborn, Germany
Highly Commended: Diana Jill Mehner, "Crazy in Love With Fall," Paderborn, Germany © Diana Jill Mehner/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"This is Leia. As you can see, she definitely loves playing with all the leaves in autumn. It was really tricky to take this picture because you never know what the dog is going to do next." – Diana Jill Mehner.
Highly Commended: Christine Johnson, "Boing," Crosby Beach, U.K.
Highly Commended: Christine Johnson, "Boing," Crosby Beach, U.K. © Christine Johnson/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"I was busy playing with my dog on the beach and this dog came to play. I liked the shapes he was making in the air." – Christine Johnson
Highly Commended: Manel Subirats Ferrer, "Ostrich Style," Platja del Prat de Llobregat, Spain
Highly Commended: Manel Subirats Ferrer, "Ostrich Style," Platja del Prat de Llobregat, Spain © Manel Subirats Ferrer/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
Nuka playing hide and seek at the beach. Hey, we've all buried our head in the sand at one point or another.
Highly Commended: Colin Doyle, "Nosey Neighbor," Bromsgrove, U.K.
Highly Commended: Colin Doyle, "Nosey Neighbor," Bromsgrove, U.K. © Colin Doyle/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"According to Ozzy, we need a new fence panel ASAP. He is fed up with Chester our nosy next door neighbor spying on him every time he has a meal." – Colin Doyle.
There's a lot going on in this one, but the hidden camera is what really makes it a winner.
Highly Commended: Corey Seeman, "A Warm Spot on a Cold Day," Michigan
Highly Commended: Corey Seeman, "A Warm Spot on a Cold Day," Michigan © Corey Seeman/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"Two of the morning regulars at the dog park are Gary (hound mix with the jacket) and Kona, one of the most chill dogs ever." – Corey Seeman.
Highly Commended: Lucy Slater, "So What?" San Diego, California
Highly Commended: Lucy Slater, "So What?" San Diego, California © Lucy Slater/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
"This is how I like to sit!" – Vincent the cat
Highly Commended: Mollie Cheary, "Photobomb," Poole, U.K.
Highly Commended: Mollie Cheary, "Photobomb," Poole, U.K. © Mollie Cheary/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
The photos are hilarious and adorable, but you might wonder: What's the point of all this?
The founders have actually given that quite a bit of thought. According to the website:
"Lots of people ask us why we do the competition and what we are trying to achieve. This is an epic question. So, we’ve had a really good think, (with tea and biccies obvs) and come up with this: 'Through the Comedy Pets, we want to promote positive awareness of animal welfare issues and celebrate the incredible and valuable contribution that pets can and do have on our lives.'"
So you're actually doing a lot of good by viewing, laughing at, and even sharing these photos. Great work!
This article originally appeared four years ago. It has been updated.,