#march mammal madness 2019

[a-dinosaur-a-day]

Noticed that none of the widely known Dino’s aren’t in the competetion…..which is honestly good cause the trex would have absolutely swept

So actually this is our 6th dinosaur march madness! (5th, technically, anyway). We've been doing this for ages, ever since I got inspired by a similar thing on twitter (mammals, not dinosaurs)!

Year one was way back in 2016 - we used to use google polls to run the competition! We had people narrow down their fave dinosaurs by general group (ie ones closely related to each other) and then duked it out. Believe it or not, T. rex didn't make it into the first year! That'll remain wild for me, but Yutyrannus was the tyrannosaur. Ultimately, the Common Raven won, which makes a significant amount of sense for tumblr

Year two (2017) we only allowed in contestants that hadn't made the bracket the year before - this was a weird year, because Maiasaura won, and I s2g, I don't think it should have, I think people just voted for it because it's my (Meig, the main ADAD guy) favorite dinosaur. What can ya do...

Year three (2018) we only allowed in things that hadn't been in EITHER bracket EITHER year - this allowed for a lot of weirdos to show up, and the ultimate winner was Halszkaraptor, the first known goose-raptor-thing (like Natovenator this year)!

Year four (2019) - DMM Allstars! It was a bunch of competitors that had made it into the bracket the other three years, but didn't win outright. Amargasaurus won that year! It's a close cousin of Bajadasaurus in this year's bracket

Year five (2020 - note all the prep happens BEFORE March...) we switched it up and did Triassic March Madness - not technically dinosaurs, just a bunch of really weird critters from one of the weirdest times in Earth's history - Postosuchus won though, even though its not that weird, because the art made it look like a puppy. What can ya do.

Then we took a break because I was starting grad school again, moving across the country, bunch of the rest of the team also doing literally the same two things to whatever extent it applied to them, and also that whole pandemic thing

And now we have DMM: Rising Stars, where we take the opportunity to highlight dinosaurs that had come out since the last competition new ones would have showed up in (2018) - hence its a bunch of dinosaurs y'all haven't heard of! What a great opportunity to share new science and make DMM even more interesting!

Plus it gave me and @albertonykus more opportunities to brag about the birds (Anachronornis and Asteriornis respectively) we've named during that same time period XD

We want to do Permian Madness eventually like we did Triassic, because the Permian is also super weird. Another year we might do Fossil Birds, because often the birds that got voted in those first four years were living species and a lot of fossil birds haven't had their time in the spotlight in my very biased fossil-bird-researcher opinion. We have a lot of ideas, and frankly the excitement that is not having to use a third party (google) with the addition of tumblr polls means prehistory-march-madness will continue for a while!

[brookston]

Holidays 3.12

Holidays

Alfred Hitchcock Day

Arbor Day (China, Taiwan)

Aztec New Year

Coca Cola Bottle Day

Day of the Seven Billion

Detransition Awareness Day

Employee Day

Fireside Chat Day

Flag Day (Saudi Arabia; Sweden)

Girl Scout's Day

Grækarismessa (Traditionally, the Oystercatcher, the Faroe Islands' national bird returns this day)

Gregoru Diena (Ancient Latvian groundhog day)

International Day of Tweeters

International Yes Day

IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) Awareness Day

Mammal Big Day

Martyrdom of Hypatia of Alexandria

Mourning for Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare Day (Papua New Guinea)

National Alfred Hitchcock Day

National Arts Advocacy Day

National Christian Day

National Map Day

National Ruth Day

National Shield Day (Argentina)

National Working Moms Day

Plant a Flower Day

312 Day

Tree Day (Republic of Macedonia)

World Agnihotra Day

World Day Against Cyber Censorship (UN)

World Glaucoma Day

Youth Day (Zambia)

Z Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Eskimo Pie Day

National Baked Scallops Day

National Milky Way Day

2nd Sunday in March

Charter Day (Observed; Pennsylvania) [2nd Sunday]

Daylight Savings Day [2nd Sunday; DST Day] (a.k.a. ... 

Check Your Batteries Day

Check Your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Day

Fill Our Staplers Day

Napping Season begins

Summer Time

Festival of Incompetence Day [2nd Sunday]

Holmenkellen Day (Winter Festival; Norway) [2nd Sunday]

International Day of Planetariums [2nd Sunday]

National Dry Shampoo Day [2nd Sunday]

National I Am Day [2nd Sunday]

Selection Sunday [Sunday before March Madness; NCAA]

Sunshine Week begins [Sunday before 16th]

World Folk Tales and Fables Week begins [2nd Sunday]

World Glaucoma Week begins [2nd Sunday]

Independence Days

Mauritius (from UK, 1968)

Woodlandia (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Alphege (Christian; Saint)

Aristippus (Positivist; Saint)

Bernard of Carinola (or of Capua; Christian; Saint)

Blot to Odhinn All-Father (Pagan)

Cuddle an Accountant Day (Pastafarian)

Cuddle a Policeman Day (Pastafarian)

End of the World by Sekhmet (Egyptian Warrior Goddess)

Feast of Marduk (Mesopotamian)

Fiesta de las Fallas begins (Spain)

Fina (Christian; Saint)

The Genie (Muppetism)

Gorgonius, Peter Cubicularius and Dorotheus of Nicomedia (Christian; Saints)

Gregor the Great (Christian; Saint)

Houdini Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

John Singer Sargent Day (Artology; Saint)

Maha Shivaratri (Festival of Shiva; Hindu)

Maximilian of Tebessa (a.k.a. of Numidia; Christian; Saint)

Mura (a.k.a. McFeredach; Christian; Saint)

Paul Aurelian (a.k.a. Paul of Cornwall; Christian; Saint)

Pope Gregory I (Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Catholic Church, and Anglican Communion)

Seraphina (Christian; Saint)

Theophanes the Confessor (Christian; Saint)

Third Sunday in Lent (Western Christianity) (a.k.a. ... 

Oculi Sunday

Scrutiny Sunday

Septuagesima Sunday

Veneration of the Cross

Wenchang Wang Day (God of Literature; China)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Prime Number Day: 71 [20 of 72]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [19 of 57]

Premieres

Bad Hair Day, by Weird Al Yankovic (Album; 1996)

Bend It Like Beckham (Film; 2003)

The Cat in the Hat, by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Book; 1955)

East of Eden, by John Steinbeck (Novel; 1953)

Fanfare for the Common Man, by Aaron Copland (Fanfare; 1943)

Glass Houses, by Billy Joel (Album; 1980)

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (Film; 2010)

It’s Like That, by Run-DMC (Song; 1983)

La Sylphide, by Jean-Madeleine Schneitzhoeffer and Adolphe Nourrit (Ballet; 1832)

Live at the Sunset Strip, by Richard Pryor (Stand-Up Comedy Show; 1982)

Longitude, by Dava Sobel (Book; 1996)

Nothing Like It In the World, by Stephen E. Ambrose (Book; 2001)

Resident Evil (Film; 2002)

She’s Out of My League (Film; 2010)

The Shield (TV Series; 2002)

The Velvet Underground and Nico, by The Velvet Underground (Album; 1967)

Where Eagles Dare (Film; 1969)

Wonderfalls (TV Series; 2004)

Today’s Name Days

Almut, Beatrix, Serafina (Austria)

Bernard, Budislav, Fina (Croatia)

Řehoř (Czech Republic)

Gregorius (Denmark)

Rego, Reio (Estonia)

Reijo, Reko (Finland)

Justine, Pol (France)

Almut, Beatrix, Serafina (Germany)

Theofania, Theofanis (Greece)

Gergely (Hungary)

Massimiliano, Simplicio, Zeno, Zenona (Italy)

Aija, Aiva, Aivis, Ausmins, Gregors (Latvia)

Darmantė, Galvirdas, Grigalius (Lithuania)

Gregor, Gro (Norway)

Bernard, Blizbor, Grzegorz, Józefina, Wasyl (Poland)

Simeon, Teofan (Romania)

Kira, Marina (Russia)

Gregor (Slovakia)

Inocencio (Spain)

Victoria, Viktoria (Sweden)

Maryna (Ukrainę)

Graig, Grayson, Greg, Gregoria, Gregorio, Gregory, Orion (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 71 of 2023; 294 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 10 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Nuin (Ash) [Day 22 of 28]

Chinese: Month 2 (Yi-Mao), Day 21 (Ji-Si)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 19 Adar 5783

Islamic: 19 Sha’ban 1444

J Cal: 10 Ver; Threesday [10 of 30]

Julian: 27 February 2023

Moon: 74%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 15 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Aristippus]

Runic Half Month: Beore (Birch Tree) [Day 2 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 82 of 90)

Zodiac: Pisces (Day 21 of 29)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 3.12

Holidays

Alfred Hitchcock Day

Arbor Day (China, Taiwan)

Aztec New Year

Coca Cola Bottle Day

Day of the Seven Billion

Detransition Awareness Day

Employee Day

Fireside Chat Day

Flag Day (Saudi Arabia; Sweden)

Girl Scout's Day

Grækarismessa (Traditionally, the Oystercatcher, the Faroe Islands' national bird returns this day)

Gregoru Diena (Ancient Latvian groundhog day)

International Day of Tweeters

International Yes Day

IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) Awareness Day

Mammal Big Day

Martyrdom of Hypatia of Alexandria

Mourning for Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare Day (Papua New Guinea)

National Alfred Hitchcock Day

National Arts Advocacy Day

National Christian Day

National Map Day

National Ruth Day

National Shield Day (Argentina)

National Working Moms Day

Plant a Flower Day

312 Day

Tree Day (Republic of Macedonia)

World Agnihotra Day

World Day Against Cyber Censorship (UN)

World Glaucoma Day

Youth Day (Zambia)

Z Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Eskimo Pie Day

National Baked Scallops Day

National Milky Way Day

2nd Sunday in March

Charter Day (Observed; Pennsylvania) [2nd Sunday]

Daylight Savings Day [2nd Sunday; DST Day] (a.k.a. ... 

Check Your Batteries Day

Check Your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Day

Fill Our Staplers Day

Napping Season begins

Summer Time

Festival of Incompetence Day [2nd Sunday]

Holmenkellen Day (Winter Festival; Norway) [2nd Sunday]

International Day of Planetariums [2nd Sunday]

National Dry Shampoo Day [2nd Sunday]

National I Am Day [2nd Sunday]

Selection Sunday [Sunday before March Madness; NCAA]

Sunshine Week begins [Sunday before 16th]

World Folk Tales and Fables Week begins [2nd Sunday]

World Glaucoma Week begins [2nd Sunday]

Independence Days

Mauritius (from UK, 1968)

Woodlandia (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Alphege (Christian; Saint)

Aristippus (Positivist; Saint)

Bernard of Carinola (or of Capua; Christian; Saint)

Blot to Odhinn All-Father (Pagan)

Cuddle an Accountant Day (Pastafarian)

Cuddle a Policeman Day (Pastafarian)

End of the World by Sekhmet (Egyptian Warrior Goddess)

Feast of Marduk (Mesopotamian)

Fiesta de las Fallas begins (Spain)

Fina (Christian; Saint)

The Genie (Muppetism)

Gorgonius, Peter Cubicularius and Dorotheus of Nicomedia (Christian; Saints)

Gregor the Great (Christian; Saint)

Houdini Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

John Singer Sargent Day (Artology; Saint)

Maha Shivaratri (Festival of Shiva; Hindu)

Maximilian of Tebessa (a.k.a. of Numidia; Christian; Saint)

Mura (a.k.a. McFeredach; Christian; Saint)

Paul Aurelian (a.k.a. Paul of Cornwall; Christian; Saint)

Pope Gregory I (Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Catholic Church, and Anglican Communion)

Seraphina (Christian; Saint)

Theophanes the Confessor (Christian; Saint)

Third Sunday in Lent (Western Christianity) (a.k.a. ... 

Oculi Sunday

Scrutiny Sunday

Septuagesima Sunday

Veneration of the Cross

Wenchang Wang Day (God of Literature; China)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Prime Number Day: 71 [20 of 72]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [19 of 57]

Premieres

Bad Hair Day, by Weird Al Yankovic (Album; 1996)

Bend It Like Beckham (Film; 2003)

The Cat in the Hat, by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Book; 1955)

East of Eden, by John Steinbeck (Novel; 1953)

Fanfare for the Common Man, by Aaron Copland (Fanfare; 1943)

Glass Houses, by Billy Joel (Album; 1980)

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (Film; 2010)

It’s Like That, by Run-DMC (Song; 1983)

La Sylphide, by Jean-Madeleine Schneitzhoeffer and Adolphe Nourrit (Ballet; 1832)

Live at the Sunset Strip, by Richard Pryor (Stand-Up Comedy Show; 1982)

Longitude, by Dava Sobel (Book; 1996)

Nothing Like It In the World, by Stephen E. Ambrose (Book; 2001)

Resident Evil (Film; 2002)

She’s Out of My League (Film; 2010)

The Shield (TV Series; 2002)

The Velvet Underground and Nico, by The Velvet Underground (Album; 1967)

Where Eagles Dare (Film; 1969)

Wonderfalls (TV Series; 2004)

Today’s Name Days

Almut, Beatrix, Serafina (Austria)

Bernard, Budislav, Fina (Croatia)

Řehoř (Czech Republic)

Gregorius (Denmark)

Rego, Reio (Estonia)

Reijo, Reko (Finland)

Justine, Pol (France)

Almut, Beatrix, Serafina (Germany)

Theofania, Theofanis (Greece)

Gergely (Hungary)

Massimiliano, Simplicio, Zeno, Zenona (Italy)

Aija, Aiva, Aivis, Ausmins, Gregors (Latvia)

Darmantė, Galvirdas, Grigalius (Lithuania)

Gregor, Gro (Norway)

Bernard, Blizbor, Grzegorz, Józefina, Wasyl (Poland)

Simeon, Teofan (Romania)

Kira, Marina (Russia)

Gregor (Slovakia)

Inocencio (Spain)

Victoria, Viktoria (Sweden)

Maryna (Ukrainę)

Graig, Grayson, Greg, Gregoria, Gregorio, Gregory, Orion (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 71 of 2023; 294 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 10 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Nuin (Ash) [Day 22 of 28]

Chinese: Month 2 (Yi-Mao), Day 21 (Ji-Si)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 19 Adar 5783

Islamic: 19 Sha’ban 1444

J Cal: 10 Ver; Threesday [10 of 30]

Julian: 27 February 2023

Moon: 74%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 15 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Aristippus]

Runic Half Month: Beore (Birch Tree) [Day 2 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 82 of 90)

Zodiac: Pisces (Day 21 of 29)

[opellisms]

More March Mammal Madness art that I’m now allowed to share. These are from the “cat-egory” division. None of them are actually cats.

Fisher (sometimes called a fisher cat; actually a big weasel)

European catsnake

Binturong (also called a bearcat) 

Panther chameleon

California sea lion

“False saber-toothed cat” known as a Nimravid (specifically Hoplophoneus mentalis)

[diariesof-kg]

Friday the 13th.

2019 September 19.

“Be blessed they said, as you have made it to another day.”

It’s been awhile since I have blogged. I have over 50 blogs about my ex still in draft waiting to be seen by prying eyes. It’s been over three years and the healing is still current. I wrote them to track each day about what occurred secretly behind the closed doors. She was mad and attempted to make me feel guilty for “exposing” the hidden truth, the hidden truth behind the tears of my pain. My question I pose to her. Why be mad at the truth? Did you not do all those things. I even provided evidence of screenshots to support my thoughts. The only person she should be upset with is herself. And anyone who acts recklessly and becomes upset for me blogging. I DO NOT care. I don’t care as much as she didn’t care when the verbal and mental abuse was going on for years.

They say the truth sets you free. It begins the healing process of all things within. This entry will be short, as in the next few weeks while I am almost bedridden, I will begin to tell another experience that occurred just last year. My question I pose to this person is, “Why act an ass?, Why be disrespectful to someone who gave you everything?,” Humans are the most dysfunctional mammals on this planet. They lack consciousness. They lack human emotion and from a philosophers view can never fully enjoy the human experience. It doesn’t excuse the behavior at all, nor does it allow alternative explanations. Karmic energy is real. Most don’t fear it enough, although majority of the humans have yet to conquer “fear.” These subjects will be integrated as I explain what the last year has been like.

I have obtained a lawyer and I am going to process the claim Monday morning. Everything I do is in retrospect to the term “principle.” Everything I do is from the kindness of my heart. I believe in blessings and have been able to extend my blessings to those who my hearts desires. Here is a snippet of what occurred last year; further entries will contain full details and my thoughts on it. Its the full truth and nothing but the truth with my right hand up as they do in the courts. I wonder what your parents will say once they find out that at the age of twenty four, you out here playing with grown women and using them.

Snippet This was all prompted from a person who decided to act an ass when I asked a question. Furthermore, I have not spoken to this person in over a month. Last we spoke I let them know I’m no longer tolerating it. Next day they apologized, so I am confused why they have such a nasty attitude when ALL of this is their fault? That’s why I never accepted the apology, it was too quick and not thoroughly thought out. I started dating this person March of 2018 till February 2019. The whole entire time I couldn’t understand why plans were always cancelled and why I had to always drive to Riverside, which is two hours from me, in a car that was on its last lifeline. I understood the whole “busy” schedule, but are we not all busy being adults. I asked them to be my girlfriend and they declined, later it was stated it was too early, but it wasn’t too early for me doing sexual acts on them. Months go by, I patiently waited for the “make an official” to come up but it never did. Silly of me. As time goes on, I started to draw back, especially after New Years. I realized along with visually seeing it through the universe and knowing my intuition, that it wasn’t going to work. Waiting for someone to finish schooling is one thing, but me doing the most to try to make it work, is another. I ended it after Valentine’s Day, and they started being really disrespectful and basically I called it bullying. Although I mentioned and I have evidence to support it, that I would still be in their life, just not going to be doing the most. In relations I was told, “if you knew this was going to happen why stay?” My rebuttal is you should of been honest and I would have NEVER shared my life with you, period. Don’t victim shame!

I rode with them till the last flake occurred. People will take advantage of you as long as you let them. I guess it made them upset, because I am falling back due to their lack in partnership. The interesting thing is, they knew the reasoning to why I had to step away but proceeded to play the victim. It doesn’t make sense. The fact that I paid for every time we ate out. Or putting gas in my truck to come see them. Or sending you flowers and buying them things. Even giving them things I wanted and ordered for myself, because I THOUGHT they’d be an appreciative person. Energy vampires. Users come to mind quickly. I got used. At the end, the truth is we were just f-ck buddies or friends with benefits, except they were reaping all the benefits out of me. Lying is one hell of a drug. No one wants the cure of honesty. Could have been honest, and said you didn’t want a relationship and allowed me to have a CHOICE on whether I wanted to date you. I had others that honestly would have created a relationship with me, but I wanted you based on what I was told which was lies. “Very mature for my age.” The worse lie of them all. At the end of all this they decided to be a complete ass. Now everyone will know the truth. They can sit right next to my abusive ex, because the two of them could conquer the world. 

Never bitter or upset or doing things out of spite. I am a human with emotions. But I am a writer at heart. Eventually I will sell this story either to BET, Netflix to producer a movie. It’s important that we share hidden stories within the LGBTQ community that we all can relate to.

[xtruss]

‘March Mammal Madness’ Brings Simulated Animal Fights to Huge Audiences

The annual science education event describes imaginary encounters to teach ecology

— By David Shiffman | February 22, 2021 | Scientific American

What mammal might defeat a pygmy hippo in a one-on-one battle? Credit: Alamy

Ever idly wondered if a capybara could somehow take down an elephant in a beachfront brawl? That’s the kind of thinking behind March Mammal Madness (MMM), an annual social media event based on the March Madness NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament. Like its namesake, this educational project encourages viewers to fill out brackets predicting which teams would triumph in a hypothetical head-to-head showdown—with the “teams” in this version being specific mammals. The virtual fights, each set in a randomly chosen arena, unfold as Twitter threads posted by participating scientists—with each move backed up by very real research, planning and pedagogy. As an approach to science education, the project is paying off: A new paper put together by the nearly 40 co-organizers suggests that hundreds of thousands of students, in addition to younger and older participants, have participated in MMM since its creation.

March Mammal Madness combines biological facts with a running narrative of fictional action that encourages those following along at home to hit “reload” as the Twitter thread updates. “All of that drama, those emotions—this is what makes MMM a shared experience that facilitates long-term retention of information,” says the paper’s lead author Katie Hinde, the event’s creator and an associate professor at Arizona State University’s Center for Evolution and Medicine. “For example, in 2019 moose was battling tiger in the Elite Trait [the round featuring the final eight competitors], and we waited until that battle to remind everyone that moose drop their antlers in the fall. Moose fans were shook,” she explains, as they realized that their chosen fighter would lose one of its key advantages against its feline foe. Then her team reminded them of the fact that a moose would never have used antlers against a tiger in the first place, because it employs its headgear in competition against other males, not as a defense against predators. “This is part of the roller-coaster ride of a battle narration,” Hinde says. Other past confrontations have involved pygmy hippo versus coyote, manatee against tapir, and one epic bout between short-faced bear and honey badger.

The project’s efforts at engaging narratives are based on educational theory. “Humans are psychologically and cognitively adapted for fireside storytelling, shared experiences, artistic imagery and jokey-joke-joke-jokes,” Hinde says. She believes that adding drama to science communication helps lessons stick. “Too many scientists ignore the evidence and continue to talk facts and probabilities in a vacuum,” she says. “Folks remember the science that ended their pick’s hunt for the MMM championship. There are people who can now tell you that platypus venom is seasonal, who would never pick up Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series B to read ‘Grant & Temple–Smith 1998.’”

Though MMM players might not read the scientific literature, the co-organizers do—and they take in a lot of it, citing over 1,000 scholarly works that justify the behavior and biology on display in their virtual fights. “It’s evident that the folks writing the battles put their heart and soul into this project,” says Sarah McAnulty, the executive director of a virtual science education nonprofit called Skype a Scientist, who is not involved with MMM but follows the event. “I’ve learned about all kinds of animals and adaptations, and the process of researching the animals to pick who you think will win is a great and fun way for kids to dig into the science. It’s a super engaging way to learn animal facts.”

Many teachers agree, and have encouraged their students to join in. The new paper estimates that about 1 percent of all high school students in the U.S. participate—a relatively large audience for a science communication initiative. “Even though it’s simulated, I love that it takes all of these biology concepts we’re learning and makes them real and cohesive and applicable,” says Linda Correll, the science supervisor for Fauquier County, Va., public schools. “All of a sudden understanding biomes, symbiotic relationships, and adaptations gives you an edge in trying to answer the question of who is going to win.” In addition to creating the contest, the MMM team provides free educational resources to help students with their research. “The narratives are exciting and educational, and I love when my students get upset that [an] unstoppable apex predator loses to something they find helpless or weak,” Correll says. “These are great teachable moments.”

March Mammal Madness has formal partnerships with science teachers around the country—and also reaches adults who have outgrown traditional science classes. “To see so much engagement with the content we create is really exciting,” says Eduardo Amorim of the University of Lausanne, a co-organizer and co-author. “Families play together at home. Adults, teenagers and kids, scientists and nonscientists—I never imagined this would be something that reached so many people.”

Hinde is thrilled by how much March Mammal Madness has grown since she started it on her own in 2013. (Although the event is not directly affiliated with Arizona State University, and the current co-organizers come from a variety of institutions, ASU’s digital library still hosts MMM’s educational resources.) “I love this community brought together by our shared delight in the natural world,” she says. “Also, I love the trash talk. But really, the community, even in pandemic times, has been a refuge from despair.”

— Editor’s Note: The writer works part-time at a remote ASU-administered research center that has no relationship with the MMM program.

— The March Mammal Madness bracket will be released on February 26. Anyone wishing to participate can predict a winner for each listed match, then wait for the action to unfold on Twitter at preannounced times.

— David Shiffman is a marine conservation biologist, scientific consultant and science writer based in Washington, D.C.

[ianfaulkner1-blog]

​By Roxanne Reid Which are the best n holidays? If you’re mad about wildlife and , chances are that these 7 parks everyone should visit are on your wish list. They span 7 countries in southern and East . I’ll tell you what to expect, the best time to visit, other things you can do there, and some of the ins and outs to be aware of when planning your .

It’s impossible to compare one park, reserve or wildlife area to another so I haven’t ranked them, but presented them in a logical order from south to north. Just because Kruger is listed first doesn’t mean it offers a better experience than the Mara, which is listed last. Each of the 7 offers something a little different and each deserves a visit on its own terms. Kruger National Park, South A Kruger National Park  is a must. This is South ’s most well known park, about 500-600km from Johannesburg, depending on whether you enter from the south or the north (or a 50min flight away). It’s high on anyone’s list of the best place for in because of its astonishing diversity – 147 mammal species, 507 bird, 336 tree, 49 fish, 34 amphibian and 114 reptile species. Apart from the Big Five, which account for much of Kruger’s popularity, other animals to look for include hippo, crocodile, cheetah, hyena, wild dog and sable antelope. Stop near a waterhole and be patient – you’ll be amazed by how much you can experience. You may see all of the Big Five on a single morning’s game drive, but don’t forget to appreciate the smaller creatures too, to look among the brush for mongoose and into trees for an elusive owl having a snooze. ​

Elephants drinking in northern Kruger

​Best time to visit Kruger National Park The dry season (May to October) is the best time to visit Kruger. May to August is cooler, but October can reach more than 30 degrees Celsius. Birders will enjoy September and October because that’s when the migrants return. I personally avoid December to March, which are very hot and can be wet, with flooding washing roads and bridges away from time to time. Things to do at Kruger

There’s a wealth of things to do in Kruger, from self drives to guided game drives and night drives which are a great way to improve your chances of spotting nocturnal species like leopard, hyena, serval and porcupine.

Guided bush walks, backpacking trails and three-day wilderness hikes are perfect for immersing yourself in nature and experiencing it with all your senses. They’re usually more about tracks, small creatures and plants than big game, but you may get to watch big game like elephants and rhino at close quarters too.

For something different, sign up for a self-drive 4x4 trail or go the full hog with a multi-day camping-out eco-trail through the bush with a guide.

If you’re a keen cyclist you’ll love the guided mountain biking at Olifants.

There’s a number of rock art and cultural heritage sites you can visit too, like Masorini and Thulamela.​

Spotted hyena cubs in the early morning light

Ins and outs

Kruger can get very crowded, with many vehicles swarming a sighting. Visit the south and central Kruger to see the Big Five but expect a crush of vehicles that can result in gridlock; go north for a sense of wilderness and the joy of not having to share your sighting with too many other vehicles.

Kruger offers a huge range of accommodation options, from exclusive but expensive luxury lodges to mid-range self-catering camps and budget camping stays. There are restaurants in many of the larger tourist camps for lazy days when you don’t want to cook.

Given its excellent road network, Kruger is one of the easiest parks to self-drive, even without a 4x4; just get a good map and GPS with accurate software.

There are pleasant picnic spots dotted around the park where you may get out of your vehicle to stretch your legs, go to the loo or have a prepacked meal. You can even hire a gas cooker to cook your eggs and bacon.

Daily conservation fees per person in 2019 are ZAR93 (for locals), ZAR186 (±US$13) for SADC visitors and ZAR372 (±US$26) for international visitors, according to the exchange rate. Depending on how long you plan to stay, it may be worth getting a Wild Card, which means you don’t have to pay entry/conservation fees.

Remember that Kruger is a high-risk malaria area. Even though the risk is lower in the dry season, consult your doctor or travel clinic before your visit.

Etosha National Park, Namibia Etosha National Park, about 500km north of Namibia’s capital of Windhoek, is one of the best places to see wildlife in Southern . Although you won’t find hippo, buffalo, crocodile or wild dog, expect good sightings of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, cheetah, hyena, giraffe, zebra and antelope from eland to the tiny dik-dik. The landscape is very open so you can see a long way and don’t have to struggle to photograph animals through thick bush. In the dry season, animals come regularly to a small army of waterholes, which are good places to sit and be patient. Olifantsrus (campers only), Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni camps each have their own waterhole too, so your game viewing doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down and camp gates close.

A clutter of different species at Nebrownii waterhole in Etosha

Best time to visit Etosha The dry season (June to September) is the best time for an Etosha National Park . Summers (October to February) are very hot, with average temperatures well over 30 degrees C. Winter days (May to July) are sunny and warm in northern Namibia, though it may get cold overnight. July and August are very busy in Etosha, with many European tourists choosing to visit during these months. Things to do at Etosha

The best things to do in Etosha are game drives and waiting at waterholes, but spend some time at the in-camp waterholes too, especially at Okaukuejo and Halali’s Moringa waterhole.

The park offers guided drives. My choice would be a sunset drive, which includes some time out in the park after dark for a chance to see nocturnal species. This is special because you’re not allowed to self-drive in the park before sunrise or after sunset.

For something completely different, visit Etosha Safari Camp to experience the shebeen with its energetic township vibe. You’ll find it 10km south of Anderson Gate near Okaukuejo. You can camp or stay in chalets there too if you want to avoid the very busy Okaukuejo camp.

Watching elephants at Moringa waterhole at Halali camp

Ins and outs

The rest camps and campsite ablutions were refurbished in 2007 for Etosha’s centenary and haven’t had much attention beyond basic maintenance since then, so they’re a little tired.

Don’t expect wonderful food or service in the restaurants, even though they’re pricey; the better option is to self-cater if you can. You can restock with basics at the shops in the main camps of Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni.

Daily conservation fees per person in 2019 are N$30 for locals, N$60 (±US$4) for SADC visitors and N$80 (±US$5.50) for international visitors, plus N$10 per vehicle.

Etosha’s fairly simple road network means it’s one of the easiest parks to self-drive; you don’t even need a 4x4 in the dry season. Some of the road markers are a bit faded so make sure you have a proper map as well. You can buy these at the shops in the main camps.

There are a few places where you may get out of your vehicle to stretch your legs, go to the loo or have your sandwiches, although they’re not very well maintained. I prefer to eat in the car at a waterhole, when you still have a chance to see wildlife.

Although the risk of malaria is lower in the dry season, consult your doctor or travel clinic before your visit.

Okavango Delta, Botswana The Okavango Delta in landlocked Botswana offers one of the most diverse s in . Covering between 6 000 and 15 000 square kilometres, this montage of islands, water channels, floodplains, swamps and game tracks owes its existence to the Okavango (Kavango) River that flows from the highlands of Angola. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of few inland deltas in the world. The variety and quantity of wildlife here is a draw card. You have a chance to see some 160 mammals – from elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, cheetah, hyena, buffalo, hippo, croc, giraffe and zebra to antelope specials like sable, roan, sitatunga and red lechwe. Birding is also excellent with some 500 species, including n fish-eagle, Pel’s fishing-owl and numerous bee-eaters and kingfishers.

Elephants in the Delta as seen from the air as you fly in to one of the private camps

Best time to visit Okavango Delta The best time for wildlife sightings on a Okavango Delta Botswana is from July till October, when temperatures are moderate and the Delta is flooded. April, May and June are a little less busy with visitors though sightings are still good. December to February are hot, wet months. Things to do in the Okavango

Depending on water levels and camp location, you may be able to game drive here, or your activities might be mainly boat-based. Either way, don’t miss poling along the waterways in a mokoro (dug-out canoe) to slink quietly up to birds, frogs and other animals.

Bush walking with a guide is a wonderful way to connect with nature and see small things up close. Note that walking isn’t allowed in a national park like Moremi, but is allowed on private concessions in the Delta, though it may be seasonal depending on water levels and the length of the grass.

For the ultimate close-to-nature indulgence, book a night at a camp that offers a romantic sleep-out on a star bed platform. Wilderness Safaris has a few of them.

Whatever you do, don't miss spending time on the waterways in a mokoro

Ins and outs

Botswana’s high-value, low-impact tourism model is both good and bad for visitors; it keeps a lid on the number of tourists but it also means that the Delta is an expensive destination, filled largely with luxury private concessions that offer exclusive s, with the added cost of flying in over the Delta on a charter plane.

You can enjoy a budget in Moremi Game Reserve in the Delta, where you can self-drive and camp if you have a 4x4 and strong skills in driving in deep sand in the dry season and mud in the wet season.

Daily conservation fees at Moremi in 2019 are BWP120 per person and BWP50 per vehicle (±US$11 and US$4.60 respectively). If you’re staying at a private luxury camp in the Delta, your park fees will often be included in the price of your accommodation.

Malaria occurs in the Okavango, although the risk is lower from June to September. Consult your doctor or travel clinic before your visit. ​

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe A good choice for a Zimbabwe is Hwange National Park. It’s the country’s largest park at some 14 650 square kilometres, or half the size of Belgium. It’s best known for its high density of elephants. Its mix of different veld types makes for game viewing all year round. There are more than 100 species of mammals including the Big Five (though rhino numbers are small and they’re less easy to see because they prefer thick vegetation). There are also hippo, hyena, cheetah, wild dog, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and antelope like sable, eland and kudu. Birders will enjoy nearly 400 bird species, especially raptors. Wildlife relies on pumped waterholes, which are superb places to see game, especially elephant and buffalo. Originally run by diesel generator pumps, they became known as the heart-beat of Hwange. In recent years many have been converted to solar pumps.

Photo by Wilderness Safaris, which has three private camps in Hwange

Best time to visit Hwange The dry season (July to October) is the best time to visit Hwange. This is generally when wildlife congregates in larger quantities around the artificial waterholes to drink. Low season is January to May, when accommodation is cheaper but some of the camps close. Birders will want to visit from October to March when the summer migrants swell the number of species they can spot (like southern carmine bee-eater, for instance). For photographers, the months December to March provide contrasts between dark cloudy skies and lush green vegetation. Just be aware that in these months humidity and day-time temperatures are high. Things to do at Hwange

As with all parks and reserves on this list, game driving will be the hallmark of your experience. But spend time at some of the raised viewing platforms or sunken hides at waterholes for a change of pace.

If you stay at a camp on a private concession on the edge of the park, you will be able to do night drives to spot elusive nocturnal species.

You can also do early morning bush walks on private concessions, a chance to see, hear and smell things you’d miss in a vehicle and to learn from excellent Zimbabwean guides how to interpret tracks and signs.

The Elephant Express, a converted railcar operated by Imvelo Safari Lodges, is a different way to see wildlife on the open plains and in forest woodlands.

Horseback s have become popular, with two operators now working in and around the park.

If you have an interest in culture, arrange to visit a local village to learn about the community.

Since Hwange is about 190km from Victoria Falls, it makes sense to combine your with a trip to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sunset in Hwange - photo by Wilderness Safaris

Ins and outs

Daily conservation fees in 2019 are US$5 per person per day for locals, US$8 for SADC visitors and US$20 for foreigners.

There’s Hwange accommodation for all budgets, from camping and basic huts provided by Zimparks to luxury camps on private concessions. Although the latter are expensive (but with low-season discounts), they make for a wonderful personal with excellent guides and delicious food, and often come with a hide and a waterhole at the camp.

You can self-drive and self-cater in Hwange but be aware that Zimparks facilities at Main Camp, Robins Camp and Sinamatella are run down and very basic. Bring everything you need with you, including drinking water. To be safe, I’d recommend a 4x4 for self-driving here, especially in the wet season.

Guided drives are in open vehicles.

There are a few places in the national park where you may get out of your vehicle to stretch your legs or enjoy some coffee from your thermos or a packed meal.

Hwange is a high-risk malaria area, especially from October to May. Consult your doctor or travel clinic before your visit.

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South Luangwa National Park, Zambia The particular appeal of the 9059 square kilometre South Luangwa National Park is its unhurried, uncrowded wilderness atmosphere with a high concentration of game. On this Zambia you can expect dry woodland, mopaneveld, and lush riverine vegetation along the Luangwa River with its oxbow lakes. There are 60 mammal species in the park, including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion and wild dog. You’ll also see hippo, croc, puku and waterbuck along the river, and there are a few special endemic species to watch out for, like Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay’s zebra. Birding is good, with over 400 species, including nearly 40 raptor species and lots of water birds like n fish-eagle, openbill and saddlebill storks, and kingfishers.

You have an excellent chance of spotting leopard at South Luangwa National Park

Best time to visit South Luangwa The best time for a South Luangwa is the dry season from June to October. The best time for birding is from September/October, when summer migrants start to swell the numbers. November, April and May are shoulder season, when you’ll still have good sightings but can snatch some good bargains on your accommodation, although some remote bush camps close. December to March is low season, when temperatures are high, some roads are inaccessible, most of the rain falls and many camps close. Plusses of this period are good birding, lower accommodation prices, fewer visitors and lots of newborn animals. However, sightings aren’t as good as in the dry season because the rains make the bush quick thick and animals don’t have to come to the river to drink. If you hate heat and humidity, you might prefer to avoid October to April. Things to do in South Luangwa

You may spend some of your time game driving, but South Luangwa also offers some of the best walking s in with operators like Robin Pope Safaris and Norman Carr Safaris.

Even if you’re self-driving in the park, budget for at least one guided drive to learn about some of the seasonal roads and good spots for finding game. A sunset/night drive is a good choice because self-drivers aren’t allowed in the park at night and this gives you a chance to see nocturnal species. Guided drives are in open vehicles.

Visit Tribal Textiles at Mfuwe village just outside the park to watch local artists make hand-painted textiles combining traditional n art with contemporary design.

A few kilometres from Mfuwe is Kawaza village, where you can learn about the culture of the local Kunda people. 

Hippos lazing in the Luangwa River

Ins and outs

Daily entrance/conservation fees in 2019 are US$20 for SADC visitors and US$30 for international visitors.

Some camps close in the wet season.

There are a number of private lodges in the park, with prices from the mid range to super luxury. They offer twice daily game drives with excellent Zambian guides who know the area well.

If you’re looking for a budget camping , book at one of the campsites in the Game Management Area (GMA) bordering the park; they’re obviously cheaper than staying in lodges inside the park but there are no fences between the park and the GMA so you’re not cut off from the wildlife.

If you’re self-driving, you need to be fairly adventurous in a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle because many roads in the park are little more than jeep tracks; they get remade each year after flooding. Make sure you have good GPS software because you’re unlikely to get a map of the park when you enter at the gate.

I can’t remember seeing any places inside the park where you can stop to stretch your legs or enjoy a packed lunch.

South Luangwa is a high-risk malaria area, especially from October to May. Consult your doctor or travel clinic before you visit.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania The Serengeti – 14 750 square kilometres of savanna, grassland, riverine forest and woodland in northern Tanzania – is one of East ’s classic destinations. Here you’ll find the Big Five, over 500 bird species and of course the Great Migration, when around two million wildebeest and zebra migrate north from southern Tanzania to Kenya and back again. Big cat sightings are common (especially lions because of their high population density here), as are elephant and buffalo. Don’t despair if you’d rather avoid the crowds that descend on the park during crossing season for the Migration; Serengeti has plenty of resident wildlife that makes for good sightings all year round. Remember to stop to admire the landscapes of plains, umbrellas trees and giant rock outcrops.

Elephants and umbrella trees in the Serengeti National Park

Best time to visit Serengeti There’s good game viewing all year round, but the best time for a Serengeti is probably June to October. Calving season is the end of January to the end of March, when the southern plains are the place to be. Rutting season is June and July, when the herds are in the western Serengeti. Crossing season, when most of the river crossings happen, is from the end of July to October, when the herds cross from Serengeti into Kenya’s Maasai Mara (see below). April and May see the long rains, with the short rains from November to January; these wet, green season months can deliver hefty discounts for visitors compared to the crossing season. Remember that you can have great big cat sightings at any time of year in the Serengeti. Things to do in Serengeti

Apart from your game drives, one of the best things to do here is to visit a Maasai village to learn about their culture and customs.

If you have the budget, don’t miss a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti plains. It’s an experience of a lifetime to look down on the herds as you float by following the direction of the wind.

Go on a walking with a guide to really absorb yourself in nature and its wonders. Just check before you book because not all camps offer bush walks.

Cheetah in the early morning light

Ins and outs

From July to October the Serengeti can get very crowded, with more than 100 or 200 vehicles jostling for space at sightings.

Private concessions on the border of the park give a less crowded experience but it’s a privilege you pay for.

Daily conservation/entry fees in Serengeti are much higher than Southern n parks at US$60 per person per day for international visitors.

Unlike the open vehicles you see in southern , those in the Serengeti are often closed with a top hatch that opens, giving a less immersive experience. If you care about this, check before you book.

Malaria is a risk in the Serengeti, though higher in the rainy months of April, May and November to January. Consult your doctor or travel clinic before you visit.

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya Say the words Maasai Mara and you’ll immediately think of a classic East n , abundant wildlife and attractive tree-dotted plains. About a five-hour drive from Nairobi (or a quick 45-minute flight), this national reserve in southwest Kenya covers 1510 square kilometres – or 2500 if you include the surrounding conservancies. It forms the northern part of the Great Wildebeest Migration that stretches between Tanzania’s Serengeti (see above) and Kenya. There are 95 species of mammals here, and you’re likely to see a glut of lion, leopard and cheetah, hippos and crocs, giraffe, buffalo and heaps of plains game like zebra, wildebeest and topi. More than 570 species of birds have been recorded.

Stop for a picnic breakfast on a Masai Mara

Best time to go Although the Mara is a year-round destination for big cats and general game, peak season is July to October; you’re most likely to see the Great Migration and maybe some river crossings in August and September. November to May is low season, when you can get substantial discounts, but the long rains come in March and April, so these aren’t the most comfortable months for a Masai Mara . That said, photographers sometimes prefer the wetter months for the lush green grass and the dust-free air. Things to do in the Maasai Mara

Game drives are obviously an essential part of the Kenya experience, but depending where you stay you can also visit a Maasai village to learn about the culture and traditions of these local people.

Take to the skies in a hot air balloon at dawn to see the rolling plains and winding rivers of the Mara beneath you, spotting antelope, wildebeest, zebra and maybe even elephant and lion from the air. Finish with a slap-up breakfast before returning to camp.

Cheetah and cub in the Mara

In and outs

As in the Serengeti, if you travel in the Mara during the Migration your experience will be crowded, with loads of other vehicles all jockeying to see the same sightings.

Daily park fees are high, much higher than in most southern n parks. If you stay inside the park it’s US$70 per person per day for international visitors in 2019, or US$80 if you’re staying outside the park and coming in as a day visitor.

When you book, check what kind of vehicles your operator uses for their s. I much prefer open vehicles for a feeling of freedom and being close to nature, but some in Kenya use closed vehicles with a hatch in the roof.

If you want to splurge, staying in one of the luxury camps on a private concession adjoining the reserve can be a way to ensure a less crowded experience where you have a sighting to yourself and perhaps one or two other vehicles. These camps, like those run by Great Plains Conservation, are all-inclusive and come with a guide to drive you around and explain the ecosystem.

If you want to experience the Mara on a tight budget, it’s possible to self-drive. Just invest in a good map and GPS – and perhaps even hire a Maasai guide to come in your vehicle. You’d need a 4x4 because the roads can be rudimentary and especially difficult after showers. There are campsites in the reserve but they can be fairly basic so stock up in Nairobi and be self-sufficient.

Although malaria is rare in the Mara because of its high elevation, it does exist so consult your doctor or travel clinic before you visit, especially if you’re travelling outside the dry season.

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Rodent Recap - MMM 2019 - Jump Jump Round 1!!!

Rodent Recap – MMM 2019 – Jump Jump Round 1!!!

Are you ready to jump jump into March Mammal Madness? We recap the first round of the first division! There were some major upsets!

====== To follow along with the madness, check out

For more on March Mammal Madness in general, check out… source

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Dumbo flies again! Everything you need to know about blockbuster

The whimsical story of a flying baby elephant melted hearts when it hit the big screen in 1941, and has been a family favourite ever since.

Now, 78 years on, a whole new generation of children are set to fall in love with the tiny elephant with the big ears with Disney’s live-action remake of Dumbo. 

And thanks to an array of technical wizardry, the computer- animated junior jumbo looks just as real as his human co-stars.

So just what did it take to bring this £90 million epic to our screens?

From actors in purple suits covered in tennis balls to an RAF hangar and rumours of an on-set romance, Alison Boshoff reveals the secrets of how Dumbo took flight — and all without a single real elephant . . .

The live-action remake of Disney’s Dumbo, which stars Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, Nico Parker and Finley Hobbin, is set for release on March 29

Based on 1941 animated classic (pictured), the storyline faces some changes including Timothy Mouse, who originally hlps Dumbo, being dropped 

The British Boffins who made magic

Like Disney’s 2016 remake of The Jungle Book, the computer-generated animals in Dumbo are hyper-realistic, but have been given human expressions. With his large, liquid, blue-green eyes, the adorable Dumbo has reduced preview audiences to tears.

But bringing Dumbo to life took some doing, with British visual effects firm Moving Picture Company — who won an Oscar for The Jungle Book and are working on this year’s Lion King remake — adding in all the CGI elements after the scenes had been shot.

For the actual takes, the cast came face to face with a range of models and human stand-ins.

Bringing Dumbo to life took some doing, with the British visual effects firm Moving Picture Company behind Oscar-winner The Jungle Book adding in all the CGI elements after the scenes had been shot

Colin Farrell, who stars as former circus performer Holt Farrier, explained: ‘We have a couple of people in green suits, and a couple in aluminium outlines of how big an elephant would be with eyes represented by little tennis balls.

‘The baby was green and the mama was purple, and I guess when they draw it, that’s how they separate it.’

In one scene where the elephants are seen walking off a train, the ramps were pulled down by a hydraulic pump to make it look as if they were bending under the beasts’ weight.

Other special effects included making the straw from which Dumbo first emerges move as if a real elephant was wriggling out.

Danny DeVito, who plays circus owner Max Medici, said: ‘There’s a fake trunk coming out, and the special effects people have little filaments that move the hay. And that’s really cool to watch.’

There’s an animal rights agenda  

The original film was a simple fable about an elephant who could fly, if only he believed in himself.

In the new film, the human storylines have been vastly expanded. Set in 1919, just after World War I, much of it is about the men who run rival circuses.

The question of whether it is right to exploit animals is also answered in a way that will appeal to modern sensibilities.

Originally set as a fable about an elephant who can fly, the new version looks at animal rights abuses and whether it should be legal to exploit any animal

Farrell’s character is a war veteran who has lost an arm. ‘He was away for five years, and by the time he comes back, the two children have been raised by the circus and his wife has died,’ says Farrell. ‘So he is a single father ill-equipped to deal with parenthood or the changes in the circus.’

Holt’s friend Medici, in financial trouble, buys an elephant to try to bring in the crowds. Mrs Jumbo has baby Dumbo — and when it’s discovered he can fly, Medici thinks his troubles are over. However, the villainous V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), wants Dumbo for his amusement park, Dreamland.

Farrell adds: ‘It’s a new narrative . . .There’s the shyster type of circus leader with a heart of gold, that’s Danny. Then there’s the evil, megalomaniacal owner of the really big fantastical circus.’

…But Timothy Mouse is dropped  

After losing his mother in the original, Dumbo is helped by Timothy Mouse, who persuades him he can fly with the help of a ‘magic feather’. 

Yet Timothy doesn’t feature in this version. Instead it is Milly and Joe, the children of Holt Farrier, who discover that Dumbo can fly after he inhales a feather and, while sneezing it out of his trunk, becomes airborne.

Finley Hobbin and Nico Parker star as the children of Holt Farrier to replace Timothy Mouse. They realise that Dumbo can fly when he inhales a magical feather

Roles for Batman and the penguin  

Dumbo is directed by Tim Burton, who revamped Alice In Wonderland into a billion-pound blockbuster in 2010; critics say he is about to repeat the trick.

Though Burton has a reputation for the Gothic and phantasmagorical, many of his films have scenes that touch the tear ducts.

Who can forget the magical moment in 1990’s Edward Scissor-hands where Johnny Depp, as Edward, carves an ice sculpture and creates a blizzard under which Winona Ryder dances? 

Describing his attraction to the Dumbo project, Burton said: ‘It’s symbolic of things that don’t fit in, and trying to find your place in the world.

‘Also, circuses always seemed to have that kind of . . . you know, just weirdos from all over the world, and that was always appealing.’

Child star with a ‘lioness’ Mum  

Nico Parker, the 14-year-old daughter of British actress Thandie Newton and director Oliver Parker, makes her acting debut playing Milly Farrier. Finley Hobbins plays her brother, Joe.

‘At first it was nerve-racking remaking such a classic story,’ said Nico. ‘In the end, though, I got swept up in the magic of it all — the costumes, stunts, effects.’

As Nico was 12, a tutor provided her with lessons on set. But this wasn’t the only person watching over her. 

Nico Parker, the 14-year-old daughter of British actress Thandie Newton and director Oliver Parker, makes her acting debut playing Milly Farrier

Mum Thandie said: ‘Having a mother and father in the industry . . . she’s been on endless sets. It’s not that she takes it for granted, but it’s not a world she feels she’s not entitled to be in.

‘She has her mum right there like a lioness checking that everything is looked after.’

Romance on the flying trapeze 

Neither cares to confirm it, but director Burton, 60, appears to be enjoying a romance with 38-year-old French actress Eva Green — who is also his muse.

She appears in Dumbo as trapeze artist Colette Marchant.

They met when she starred in his 2012 film Dark Shadows and seem to have started dating in late 2015, about a year after he and actress Helena Bonham Carter announced their 13-year relationship was over.

Did Walt mock his striking staff?  

At only 64 minutes long, the 1941 original was the shortest Disney feature ever made. The new version is 130 minutes.

Walt Disney declined to write more for the first movie, saying: ‘You can stretch a story so far, and after that it won’t hold together.’ It was based on 1938 book Dumbo The Flying Elephant, by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl.

Following on from Pinocchio and Fantasia — both costly and relative flops — Walt instructed animators to keep the film inexpensive.

Veteran filmmaker Tim Burton (right) is in the director’s chair for the first time since 2016’s Alice Through the Looking Glass. Colin Farrell (left) stars as Holt Farrier

The characters are simpler and backgrounds less detailed, with the film costing just £715,000 (£12.2million today) to make — half what Snow White had in 1938.

Yet it became an instant hit and was the most successful Disney film of the 1940s, grossing £1.2 million (equivalent to £20.5 million) during its original release.

Time magazine even had plans to honour Dumbo as ‘Mammal of the Year’. But then the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and they opted for a more serious cover.

Dumbo’s beautiful animations took some time. A scene where the clowns decide to ‘hit the big boss for a raise’ seems to be Walt mocking the animators who went on a five-week strike during production.

Hankies out…the song is back  

One of the most poignant moments in the 1941 film is the lullaby Baby Mine, sung to Dumbo by his mother during a brief reunion. 

It has been re-worked by the band Arcade Fire for the new film, where it is sung by Glaswegian actress Sharon Rooney — made famous by E4 TV drama My Mad Fat Diary — who plays circus performer Miss Atlantis.

A behemoth in Bedfordshire  

The 2019 Dumbo was mostly shot in Shed 2 at Cardington, Bedfordshire — a behemoth originally built by the RAF during World War I to hold airships.

Movies shot there include Batman Begins, Inception and Fantastic Beasts. The total amount of floor space is 223,000 sq ft — or five acres — making it five times the size of the largest sound stage available in Hollywood.

The sheds fell out of service after an experimental hydrogen-filled airship, the R101, crashed during its maiden voyage in 1930, killing 48 of the 54 people on board.

Cardington became a storage station and the RAF ended its association with it in 2000. Warner Brothers started using it in 2005 and the hangars became available for renting by other film studios in 2012.

Sets created in Shed 2 for Dumbo included a full-size circus big top. Farrell said: ‘Cardington, the stage is like nothing I’ve ever seen.

‘I’ve been lucky enough in the past 20 years to be around some extraordinary sets. But I’ve never seen anything like the boulevard.’

Oscar winners’ artful outlook  

Production designer Rick Heinrichs, who won an Oscar for Burton’s Sleepy Hollow, is behind the look of the film.

He wanted it to look like a painting by American Depression-era master Edward Hopper. Period circus costumes are by Colleen Atwood, who has won four Oscars.

The sequel that never happened  

After the millennium, plans were made for a Dumbo II, with him and his circus friends stranded in the city. There were to be twin bears, Claude and Lolly, a zebra, an ostrich and a hippo.

Announced in 2001, it was cancelled in 2006 by the new chief creative officer of Disney Animation Studios, John Lasseter.

DUMBO arrives in cinemas on March 29.

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Princess Pricklepants Presents Stoats as a Measurement - Delightful Details

Princess Pricklepants Presents Stoats as a Measurement – Delightful Details

This comic was dedicated to a running joke from March Mammal Madness where Stoats as a Measurement has been ongoing in describing various mammals stats for many years now. If you search for the #StoatsAsAMeasurement on Twitter you’ll find a treasure trove of wonderful things.

(2019’s March Mammal Madnessis coming pretty soon, and should be excellent. Mammal battle brackets, science, education,…

[opellisms]

The rest of my round 3 artwork for March Mammal Madness. Coyotes and American badgers are both canceled due to having too much tipped and banded hair textures going on. That stuff’s extra tedious to draw.

Sea lions, however, are still a lot of fun to draw.

California sea lion and coyote & American badger tag-team.