Universal Pantheist Society
  • Home
  • What is Pantheism?
  • Key Ideas
    • The Pantheist World View
    • Against Speculation
    • God and Belief - The Pantheist Alternative
    • Earthkeeping
    • Rejecting Anthropocentrism
  • Pantheist Vision Journal
  • Publications
    • The Practice of Pantheist Mindfulness
    • Devotion to Truth
    • Pantheism and Panentheism
    • Chronological Syllabus
    • Anthopocentrism by John Seed
    • Inner Source of Pantheism
    • More Publications
  • About Us
  • Join Us!
    • Membership Application Form
    • Member Renewal
  • Blog
  • On-Line Communities
    • Follow us on Facebook
    • Universal Pantheists Discussion Group
  • Reading List
  • Contact Us

The Woodlouse, a Crustacean of many names.

3/25/2023

Comments

 
Picture
Photo: Brendon Crook         (Borderlands Southern Texas)

​A Woodlouse is a Crustacean that gets their name from being found in old wood. They have many names the world over and you may know the creature in the photo by an entirely different name as I do. In fact I've only ever known them as Slaters from where I'm from and while I've heard of Woodlice I never knew this was one before reading about them for this article!!!

Woodlice fossils date back to around 100000 years ago and have endured many changes to the earth in that time. 
Some species live in arid deserts while others have returned to aquatic environments. 

They eat fungi and rotting plants. They will also eat seedlings and soft fruits although they are considered beneficial in the garden as they turn and aerate the soil and they add compost.

The female Woodlouse will keep fertilized eggs in what is called a marsupium on the underside of her body. A female Woodlouse is also capable of reproducing asexually.

Although they do turn up in human houses they are usually there as they like damp places so you likely have a dampness problem which is Natures way of letting you know so you can repair it. 

Please don't kill or harm them.

​Below are some ideas on removing them from areas you don't wish them to be.
By the way a group of Woodlice are called a Quabble. 

Rather than see them as a pest we should embrace them and see them as fellow Earthlings and amazing little creatures in so very many ways. 

​The text underlined below is from a UK company that has many non-lethal ways to remove unwanted insects/rodents and keep them out. 
The link to them is www.fantasticpestcontrol.co.uk/blog/humane-methods-for-handling-common-household-pests/#
​


"Since woodlice play an essential role in decomposition, it’s better to remove them from your home rather than kill them. They usually live in damp places, such as piles of leaves, woodpiles, and under rocks, and may occasionally be found indoors. 
A woodlice infestation can be the first sign of a damp problem in your home, which is why finding the source and fixing it is crucial. If you see no other evidence of dampness, you should close up any holes, clean your gutters, and remove any rotting plant material from outside your home. Cinnamon, peppermint, citrus, and oregano essential oils are particularly effective in preventing woodlice infestations".



www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/bizarre-world-of-woodlice-164708

​KIDS CORNER

www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Armadillidium_vulgare/

factanimal.com/woodlouse/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVkZwv1T3kE



By Brendon Crook
Comments

World Sparrow Day

3/20/2023

Comments

 
Picture
Photo: Male House Sparrow    (Rhododendrites - Wikipedia Creative commons license)

Today is world Sparrow day.

I guess Sparrows need little introduction however there are some interesting facts about them especially as we lump them all into one species as these sweet little birds seem to be never far away.

Old World Sparrows are considered true Sparrows and are a distinct species from the New World Sparrows which are more closely associated with Buntings.  
The House sparrow and the Eurasian Tree Sparrow are probably the most familiar to us. 

Sparrows mostly eat seeds and small insects although they are opportunistic in cities or where ever humans have been and will eat what has been dropped or discarded us.

Sparrows have a rather sparse fossil record up until 10000-20000 years ago. Once agriculture began to spread Sparrows moved with it and evolved to the climate they found themselves in. 

Below are some interesting links to the Sparrow. 

​​www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/house-sparrow
​

www.thespruce.com/pictures-of-sparrows-4121969

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh1_u9wJPyQ

KIDS CORNER

​
www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Spizella_arborea/

By Brendon Crook


Comments

Buzzard Day

3/15/2023

Comments

 
Picture
Photo: Charles J Sharp - Etosha National Park, Namibia (Creative Commons license)

Today is Buzzard Day.

Buzzards are large birds of which there are 26 species. The term Buzzard is often applied to many birds who aren't in fact true Buzzards. 
​
​Buzzards are a type of medium to large Hawk of which there are 26 species. 

True Buzzards can be distinguished by their large tails, broad wings and their slow heavy wing beats in flight.

The Common Buzzard ranges all over Europe and up into Scandinavia. Other Buzzards are found in Eurasia, northern Africa and North America. 

Vultures are often called Buzzards even though they are not the same bird. Buzzards are more likely to hunt live prey then eat carrion although they will eat already dead animals. 

For more interesting facts on Buzzards and their differences to other birds often called Buzzards there are some links below.

​www.thespruce.com/buzzards-vs-vultures-4171318

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw-IGYyae6c


By Brendon Crook

​

Comments

    Blog

    Our new blog provides insights and news for Pantheists. ​

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    February 2022
    September 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019

    Categories

    All
    Animals
    Art
    Autumn
    Birds
    Books
    Jane Goodall
    Nature
    Pantheist Holidays
    Pantheist Quotes
    Pantheist Vision
    Peace
    Photography
    Poetry
    Science
    Sky Watch
    Spring
    Thanksgiving
    UPS
    Wetlands
    Wildlife
    Winter

    RSS Feed

"We seek a renewed reverence for the Earth and a vision of Nature as the ultimate context for human existence..."

©  Copyright 1998-2023 Universal Pantheist Society


About Us |  Contact Us   |  Join