1

Tiger salamander

Image: Anastasia Pirri

Meet the tiger salamander—one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in North America. While its size is certainly impressive, the tiger salamander also has other traits that make it stand out. Take its appearance, for example: its dark brown body with bright yellow blotches resembles tiger stripes, which is why it has such a peculiar name. But there's more! Unlike many other salamanders, this one spends much of its time underground, using its large, powerful limbs to dig.

Fun fact: Some states, like Colorado and Kansas, have named it their official state amphibian!

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Eastern Hellbender

Image: laura adai

Although the tiger salamander is impressively large, another salamander stands out for its huge size: the Eastern Hellbender.

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis is its scientific name (quite a mouthful, right?). It holds the title of the largest salamander in North America. In fact, it's sometimes nicknamed "snot otter" due to its large body and the slippery texture of its skin.

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Amphiuma

Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann

When you first see this creature, you might mistake it for a snake or an eel. But it's actually an amphibian—more specifically, an aquatic salamander known as the amphiuma. Its appearance, let’s just say, isn’t exactly what most would call "cute."

This unusual amphibian can grow up to 3 feet long! And while not immediately noticeable, it has tiny legs with only one, two, or three toes, depending on the species. Its limbs aren't very useful, but they do make the amphiuma look just a bit creepier.

4

Colorado River Toad

Image: Crystal McClernon

The Colorado River Toad may not be the cutest or most dazzling creature out there, but it's certainly one of the most fascinating. Native to the southwestern United States, this amphibian is one of the largest toads in North America, but what sets it apart isn't its size. So, while it may look slow and harmless, this toad is capable of releasing a dangerous, highly psychoactive toxin that acts as a defense mechanism and can be fatal to many species, including dogs.

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Common Mudpuppy

Image: Tommy Bond

Now, it's time for an amphibian whose cuteness is one of its most distinctive features; even its name reflects that! We're talking about the Common Mudpuppy, an aquatic salamander that inhabits streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. It's also one of the few salamanders that remain fully aquatic throughout their entire life. And that’s precisely why it sports a pair of large, red external gills on the sides of its head, giving it an almost 16th-century European look!

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Gray Tree Frog

Image: Aurora K

The small Gray Tree Frog inhabits the forests and woodlands of the eastern United States. And while it's true you might find it on trees and plants, its nickname isn't entirely accurate when it comes to color. Yes, it can be gray, but this amphibian has the ability to change its color to blend in with its surroundings! It also has another superpower: the ability to survive freezing temperatures. By producing a natural antifreeze, it protects its organs during cold conditions that most of us couldn’t begin to handle.

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Spotted Salamander

Image: Kristina Kutleša

As its name suggests, what distinguishes the Spotted Salamander is its shocking look. But beware, its mottled appearance isn't just for show. It also acts as a warning to ward off predators! If you've ever seen one in the wild, consider yourself lucky because although it’s fairly widespread, this salamander spends most of its time underground.

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Pacific Giant Salamander

Image: wallace Henry

If you venture into the mountainous regions of the Pacific Northwest, you might come face-to-face with the Pacific Giant Salamander, one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in North America.

Reaching up to 14 inches in length, this amphibian is striking to see—but it’s even more surprising when you hear it. That’s right: unlike most of its kind, the Pacific giant salamander can make audible barking sounds!

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Barking Tree Frog

Image: José M. Alarcón

We have a contestant that could go head-to-head with the Pacific Giant Salamander in a barking contest: the aptly named Barking Tree Frog.

Let’s just say the frog’s striking features are perfectly summed up by its name. In states like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, you can find this little amphibian calling from the treetops or near freshwater shores.

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Dusky Gopher Frog

Image: Geraldine Dukes

Finally, we have the most mysterious and elusive of all: the Dusky Gopher Frog. As one of the rarest frog species in the U.S., the Dusky Gopher Frog is incredibly elusive and critically endangered, with fewer than 200 individuals left in the wild. The dusky frog spends most of its life hidden underground and only comes out during the mating season.

1

The Government impersonator

Image: Harold Mendoza

One of the most common scams targeting senior citizens involves fraudsters posing as a member of a government agency such as the FTC, Social Security Administration, IRS, or Medicare. The basic pitch is similar to many others: the caller claims that if the target does not pay a fee or provide personal information, they will face serious consequences.

Government agencies will never call, email, text, or message you on social media to request money or personal information . Only scammers engage in such tactics.

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Fake Prize, Sweepstakes, and Lottery

Image: dylan nolte

Another common scam involves a call, email, or letter informing the recipient that they have won a sweepstakes, lottery, prize, or even a new car. The next part of their message is the key to uncovering the racket: the scammer will request money or personal account information to "claim" the prize . No serious company will ask for such things by telephone or email to award a prize.

3

Tech Support

Image: Simon Abrams

Technology can be intimidating to anyone who is not familiar with it, and tech support scammers know this. These individuals will attempt to convince their targets that their computer or phone has a serious issue, such as a virus.

Scammers often pressure victims into paying for unnecessary services that are not really needed or offer to do the repairs remotely if the recipient grants them access. They may use pop-up error messages, phone calls, or text messages to carry out their scheme. To protect yourself, always keep your antivirus software up to date.

4

'Grandparent' Scams

Image: Nikoline Arns

Exploiting emotional connections is a basic on any scammer’s manual and grandparents are frequent targets. Fraudsters may call and impersonate a grandchild or another close relative in distress , urgently requesting financial assistance .

If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and contact the family member directly to verify their well-being before taking any action.

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Robocalls

Image: Jenna Anderson

Robocalls use automated phone technology to dial large numbers of households. One common scam is the "Can you hear me?" call. When the recipient responds "yes," the scammer records their voice and quickly hangs up. This recorded response can then be used as a voice signature to authorize fraudulent charges on stolen credit cards or other accounts.

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Romance Scams

Image: Mayur Gala

Online dating and loneliness may seem like a natural match, but scammers have long exploited this opportunity. Romance scammers create elaborate fake profiles, often on social media, to take advantage of senior adults' loneliness and manipulate them for money.

They may request money for visas, medical emergencies, or travel expenses to visit the US. Since they tend to last for a long time, these types of scams can rob an older person of substantial amounts of money before realizing they’ve been deceived.

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Business Imposter

Image: Constantin Wenning

This type of scam can take a serious financial toll on senior adults. This type of ruse involves the illegal or alleged sale of financial instruments promising low risk and guaranteed returns. The use of cryptocurrency is common in these scams, as it can be difficult to trace.

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Pigeon Drop

Image: Alexander Mils

A pigeon drop scam occurs when a scammer offers the victim a large sum of money in exchange for a smaller upfront payment . While this should immediately raise suspicion, many people still fall for it. These scams are often carried out in person at tourist spots but can also happen frequently over the phone .

A classic example is an email claiming that the sender has inherited money from a distant relative but needs a small payment from you to transfer the funds.

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Counterfeit Cashier's Checks

Image: Gadini

Cashier’s checks have been around for a long time and have been the subject of counterfeiters ever since. While forgeries can be highly convincing, a common red flag is being asked to deposit a check under suspicious circumstances and then return a portion of the funds to a stranger —chances are, it is a scam.

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Travel Packages

Image: Marten Bjork

A tourist hoping for a dream vacation instead found cramped rooms and terrible accommodations that fell far short of expectations —this is not a new story.

To avoid such disappointments, travelers should always request information directly from the hotel in question and confirm which features are included in their selected package. Additionally, they should never provide credit card information unless they initiate the call or email.

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Home Repair

Image: Jimmy Nilsson Masth

Another common scam involves criminals who appear in person and charge homeowners in advance for home improvement services they never provide . These scammers often pose as employees of utility companies.

If someone receives an unexpected visit like this, they should always call the company to verify the person's identity before allowing them inside.

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Caregivers

Image: Ani Kolleshi

This one strikes particularly hard since caregivers are supposed to help people when they are most vulnerable. Unfortunately, sometimes, unscrupulous individuals can take advantage of the senior adults they are supposed to care for and steal their money .

Always make sure to screen anybody who will be in charge of, or around, a senior adult that requires assistance.

1

The first stuffed animals

Image: ariesa66

In 1879, German seamstress Margarete Steiff made an elephant-shaped pincushion from a pattern she found in a fashion magazine. She soon realized that local children were playing with it, and thus the first stuffed animals of the modern era were born. Within six years, she sold more than 5,000 items, and by the 1890s, her company was producing a wide variety of stuffed animals, including dogs, cats, and pigs.

In the early 20th century, Margarete's nephew, Richard Steiff, designed the first bear with jointed limbs. In 1903, he presented his prototype at the Leipzig Toy Fair, where it was discovered by an American merchant who bought 3,000 units that were exported to the United States. Today, many of the stuffed animals created by the Steiff company over the past 140 years are on display in a museum in Giengen an der Brenz, Germany.

2

Theodore Roosevelt and the Birth of the Teddy Bear

Image: Pach Brothers (Firm), photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Almost at the same time as Steiff's stuffed animals, Teddy bears were born in the United States. In 1902, a Russian-born businessman and inventor named Morris Michtom was inspired by a cartoon published in The Washington Post to create what would become the most beloved toy in America. The cartoon depicted President Theodore Roosevelt showing compassion for a bear on a hunting trip in Mississippi.

Michtom made a small plush bear cub, sent it to Roosevelt, and asked for permission to use his nickname, Teddy. After the president's blessing, Michtom placed the doll in the window of his Brooklyn store with the caption "Teddy's bear." The success was so great that he began mass-producing them, and within a few years, he founded the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company, which would become the largest doll-making firm in the United States.

3

The smallest teddy bear

Image: Myshanah

Stuffed animals come in all sizes, but do you know how tiny the world's smallest teddy bear is? Here's a hint: it can only be seen using a magnifying glass ! In March 2003, a woman from Gauteng, South Africa, named Cheryl Moss entered the Guinness World Records Hall of Fame for creating the smallest handmade teddy bear.

Called Tiny Ted, this fully articulated toy with a movable head, arms, and legs measures just 0.17 inches . To give you an idea, it’s smaller than a coin and about the same size as the nail of your index finger. Can you imagine? This miracle of creativity and ingenuity can be visited at the Teddy Bear Museum on Jeju Island, South Korea.

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The largest teddy bear

Image: SONIC

If we are talking about extremes, you might be interested to know that there is also such a thing as the world's largest teddy bear. In 2019, the municipality of Xonacatlán in Mexico broke the Guinness World Record, taking the title that had been occupied since 2008 by a 55-foot bear from Kansas City.

Xonita, nearly 64 feet in length , was displayed in a soccer stadium to promote Children's Day. The name Xonita is a portmanteau of the words Xonacatlán, the bear’s birthplace, and bonita , which means "pretty" in Spanish.

The hands of 60 artisans created the giant doll over a period of three months. About 2,030 feet of fabric and more than 2,000 pounds of stuffing were used to make it. She was dressed in a red blouse and a beautiful pink tutu. The nose and eyes were specially made with acrylic and fiberglass.

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The most expensive teddy bear

Image: Bru-nO

Teddy bears may be an affordable toy for almost any child, but their popularity and the fanbase they have acquired over the years have also made them a coveted collector's item, even for adults. That's why the renowned fashion brand Louis Vuitton and the world's most famous stuffed animal company, Steiff, teamed up to create a luxury teddy bear.

Dressed in a raincoat and hat printed with the brand's iconic logo, this 17-inch teddy bear was auctioned at Christie's in Monaco in 2000. It was purchased for a total of €213,720, about 182,000 American dollars , by Korean Jessie Kim, breaking the record for the world's most expensive teddy bear. It is currently on display alongside Tiny Ted at the Teddy Bear Museum in South Korea.

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To infinity and beyond

Image: Oxana Lyashenko

Teddy bears offer emotional comfort to both children and adults. These toys have a special ability to help relieve stress and cope with loneliness, not only on Earth but also in space, where astronauts must spend long periods away from their loved ones. That's why, throughout history, many teddy bears have traveled into space . Not only for sentimental reasons, but they also play crucial roles in education.

Magellan T. Bear was the first official teddy bear in space. In 1995, this stuffed animal, created by NASA and students of Elk Creek Elementary School in Pine, Colorado, boarded the Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-63. Magellan’s journey not only served as a source of inspiration for the children but was also part of an educational project that taught students about geography, social studies, and science.

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Teddy bears in popular culture

Image: Billy Joachim

As one of the most universal toys in history, it's no wonder that teddy bears have been portrayed in popular culture since they first appeared on the market in the early 20th century. Since then, they have been featured in children's stories, movies, books, comic strips, songs, and more.

For example, characters such as Winnie the Pooh, Paddington, and Corduroy have touched generations of children around the world. The song "Teddy Bears' Picnic" was a hit at the time and has been recorded by numerous artists, including Bing Crosby. In the 1980s, the Care Bears were introduced as characters in a series of greeting cards, and the success was so great that they soon became a franchise that included toys, movies, and television series. Finally, the movie Ted , created by comedian Seth MacFarlane in 2012, offers a more modern and edgier take on the world's most famous toy.

8

Hop on the rollercoaster

Image: Alexavier Rylee Cimafranca

Like many tourist attractions, the Giant Dipper rollercoaster at Belmont Park in San Diego was closed to the public in mid-March when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world. However, to keep the 95-year-old historic roller coaster from rusting, it had to be operated several times a day. Instead of letting the cars slide down the tracks with empty seats, the operators decided to include some curious passengers immune to the coronavirus.

Every day, a dozen giant stuffed animals were placed in the attraction's 24 seats and secured with grab bars. From noon to 6 p.m., twice an hour, the teddy bears happily rode the rollercoaster . While the toys played no vital role in maintaining the machinery, they certainly served to cheer us up for the duration of the confinement.

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National Teddy Bear Day

Image: Sung Jin Cho

Did you know there is a special day to celebrate our loyal stuffed companions? Every September 9th in the United States, we commemorate National Teddy Bear Day, a perfect time to dust off our first imaginary friends and pay tribute to one of our favorite childhood toys.

It is also a good opportunity to share with the children in the family, telling them about our youth and reminiscing about the past. They will surely have fascinating stories to tell, too!

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Teddy Bears provide therapeutic benefits

Image: Oleksandr Skochko

Teddy bears are known to be loyal and comforting companions for kids. But did you know they can provide mental and physical benefits for adults too? According to several scientific studies, in childhood, teddy bears serve as transitional objects, aid in developing and maintaining sleep habits, and help children overcome stressful and traumatic situations.

As we grow older, teddy bears have similar effects, which is why many people treasure their beloved teddy bears even years after they have become responsible adults. Stuffed animals create a sense of shielding and protection and can help people who have lost a loved one or have experienced serious illness and trauma cope better. So now you know: don’t feel self-conscious if you still keep that ragged teddy bear from your childhood!