Daily Animal Facts

On July 22, 1951 (a date that has erroneously been reported as July 20 in some accounts), the Soviet Union launched the R-1 IIIA-1 rocket carrying the dogs Dezik and Tsygan on a suborbital flight. They became the first living mammals to successfully return to Earth after reaching space (defined by the Kármán line at 100 km/62.1 miles). Their flight lasted only about 15 minutes and reached an altitude of approximately 110 km (68.4 miles). After their pioneering flight, Dezik went on a second flight and perished, but Tsygan was adopted by Soviet physicist Anatoli Blagonravov and lived a happy life as a pet.

On July 19, 2014, the Smithsonian National Zoo celebrated the first birthday of Bao Bao, a female giant panda cub. Bao Bao's survival to one year was a significant milestone, representing a huge success for the Zoo's panda breeding program. Giant pandas are highly endangered, and infant mortality is high. At her first birthday, Bao Bao weighed approximately 45 pounds (20.4 kg). In her first 365 days, she grew from a tiny newborn to a robust cub, showing a weight gain of over 1.8 ounces (51 grams) per day! This growth showed her health and the dedication of her keepers. Bao Bao later returned to China in 2017, continuing her role in panda conservation.

On July 18, 1962, Marguerite Henry's beloved pony, Misty of Chincoteague, was officially retired to a permanent home at the Misty of Chincoteague Foundation's Beebe Ranch on Chincoteague Island. Misty had charmed readers for 15 years (5,475 days!) since the publication of the book inspired by her. She spent her days grazing and greeting fans, embodying the free spirit and wild beauty of the island's ponies.

On July 17, 2003, Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa celebrated an unprecedented surge in elephant births. Park rangers reported a record number of new calves born that year, contributing significantly to the park's growing elephant population. This demonstrated the success of conservation efforts to create a safe and thriving environment for these majestic creatures.

On July 16th, 2017, Shuan Shuan, the oldest giant panda living in captivity in Mexico, celebrated her 29th birthday. Marking this milestone, she reached approximately 10,585 days old, a testament to the dedicated care and conservation efforts contributing to her longevity.

On July 15, 2013, Lun Lun, a giant panda at Zoo Atlanta, gave birth to twins. While one cub sadly didn't survive, the other, later named Mei Lan, thrived and represented a significant success for the giant panda breeding program. As of July 15, 2024, Mei Lan is 4017 days old. Each day of his life is a testament to conservation efforts surrounding this vulnerable species!

On July 14, 1901, the elusive okapi (Okapia johnstoni) was officially recognized as a distinct species by the scientific community. Although rumored to exist by locals for years, Sir Harry Johnston, Governor of Uganda, obtained pieces of striped skin and two skulls from the Semliki Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. From these fragments, zoologist Philip Lutley Sclater confirmed the okapi was not a type of zebra as first thought, but a relative of the giraffe. Today, these 'forest giraffes' continue to fascinate, with the average lifespan of an okapi being 30 years in captivity. That translates to a joyful 10,950 days (or 262,800 hours) of wonder!