![\"Monkey-faced](\"https://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Flowers-That-Look-Like-Other-Beings.jpg?w=1130\")
James Atamian of Morning Brew went inside Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield, Ohio, the largest family-owned grocery store in the United States. He toured the massive 280,000-square-foot store, which features thousands of food products from more than 70 countries.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJungle Jim’s International Market is a 50 year old, family owned grocery store in Fairfield, Ohio. 280,000 square feet. About 82,000 shoppers a week. With over 180,000 SKUs from more than 70 countries. Hundreds of millions in annual revenue, with $0 in outside funding ever raised.
\n
He also spoke with Jim Bonaminio, the owner, who said he is not too fond of computers but evidently has an eye for unique grocery items.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIt’s run by an eccentric guy with a flip phone who has filled the place with things you won’t find in any other grocery store. Grocery is a brutal business and margins are razor thin. Every other indie grocer has been swallowed. So how does this place still exist?
\n\n\n\n\n
Atamian was very impressed with the store.
\n\n\n\n\n\nOverall, I think the secret sauce for Jungle Jim’s is that, on the surface, your eye is probably drawn to all the weird quirkiness in the store, naturally, but beneath all that is an incredibly well-run grocery store with very talented and passionate people at the head of every department.
\n
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Inside Jungle Jim’s International Market, The Largest Family-Owned Grocery Store in the United States was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-12T17:42:40.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/jungle-jims-international-market/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028565", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028565 }, { "title": "Flowering Plants That Look Like People and Animals", "description": "Michael LaPointe of Pointe of View explained why certain flowering plants from around the world take on uncanny human and animal forms.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn this video we look at ten flowering plants that evolution apparently designed by accident, or possibly as a dare. … None of this is exaggerated. All of it is real. The planet has been doing this for four hundred million years and it kept arriving at us.
\n
The anthropomorphic forms include skull-like snapdragon seed pods, naked men, red lips, giant disembodied hands, and tiny infants. Animal resemblances include startled primates and flying ducks. Several of the plants’ scientific names reflect these features.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFeaturing: Antirrhinum majus, Impatiens bequaertii, Dracula simia, Orchis italica, Psychotria elata, Anguloa uniflora, Ophrys apifera, Calceolaria uniflora, Caleana major, and Chiranthodendron pentadactylon.
\n
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Flowering Plants That Look Like People and Animals was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-12T16:33:46.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/flowers-look-like-people-animals/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028719", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028719 }, { "title": "Calico Cat Keeps Wearing a Cone as a Permanent Part of Her Daily Wardrobe for 13 Years", "description": "An adorable calico cat named Taylor, who was fitted with a safety cone after being spayed as a kitten 13 years ago, decided to keep it as a permanent part of her wardrobe. According to her human, Taylor considers the cone a special treat.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShe doesn’t wear it all day. It’s more like a special little treat that she gives herself on her own terms.
\n
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Calico Cat Keeps Wearing a Cone as a Permanent Part of Her Daily Wardrobe for 13 Years was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-12T15:10:57.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/calico-cat-wears-cone/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028713", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028713 }, { "title": "Why Domestic Goldfish Can Grow to the Size of a Small Dog When Released Into the Wild", "description": "Taylor Shouldice of Animalogic explored why domestic goldfish become feral and can grow to the size of a small dog when released into the wild.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThere are a couple of reasons why goldfish get so big when they go feral. The first is the unrestricted access to food that they enjoy in the wild. They can gobble up food all day long, no longer stunted by the measly offering of a few flakes a day. Goldfish are also genetically predisposed to get large. When presented with the right cocktail of protein and fat, they are able to balloon to the size of a skunk.
\n
Shouldice consulted with experts to examine the ecological damage caused by these giant feral fish, the challenges of managing their rapid reproduction, and the importance of responsible pet guardianship in protecting native aquatic ecosystems from this environmental problem.
\n\n\n\n\n\nReleasing goldfish into the wild is considered Unauthorized Stocking and is also illegal in many places! They can grow very large. They can outcompete native fish for resources and habitat. … If you find yourself no longer able to care for your goldfish, consider, instead, giving it away, or even better, don’t buy a fish that can become invasive in our ecosystems. And we need to keep our invasive, not native fish in our tanks and not release them.
\n
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Why Domestic Goldfish Can Grow to the Size of a Small Dog When Released Into the Wild was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-12T12:51:27.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/why-goldfish-can-grow-so-large/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028639", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028639 }, { "title": "Doggie Diner ‘Head Trip’ Documentary Online Premiere", "description": "Laughing Squid partner John Law has announced the online premiere of the 2008 documentary Head Trip. Check out John Law’s announcement for more info on the movie.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe long-awaited ONLINE unveiling of our feature movie Head Trip from 2008 is finally here. Our “road movie” about the cross-country trip from San Francisco to New York City with the Doggie Diner Dogheads in tow is finally available on your computer, teevee or phone for free!
\n
This film originally premiered at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco as part of the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival in 2008, played several other festivals, and also has been shown several times at the Roxie and other venues over the last 17 or so years.
Facilitated by Laughing Squid, supported by my ex-wife, and wrangled and transported by San Francisco’s very own Cyclecide Bike Rodeo, the Dogs premiered in New York City at infamous punk club CBGB’s right in the middle of the beginning of the second Iraqi war. Another Cyclecide and DD appearance took place with a massive street performance on the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn.
This goodwill trip of joy and uncompromised sharing culminated at Washington Square Park, New York City, at a seemingly random and, unbeknownst to us, annual dachshund festival.
Our cross-country trip encountered so much good luck and goodwill (as you will see in the movie) that participant Ed Holmes, better known as Bishop Joey of the First Church of the Last Laugh’s annual St Stupid’s Day Parade, coined the term SERENTYPICAL (serendipitous, get it?) Good times!
![\"\"](\"https://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Doggie-Diner-Tom-Tomorrow.jpeg?w=750\")
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Doggie Diner ‘Head Trip’ Documentary Online Premiere was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-11T22:07:17.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/doggie-diner-head-movie-online/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028676", "author": "Scott Beale", "wpPostId": 1028676 }, { "title": "An Incredibly Detailed Miniature Model of Springfield From ‘The Simpsons’", "description": "Model maker Marc Hagan-Guirey (Paper Dandy) built a wonderful miniature model of Springfield from The Simpsons. This massive Springfield build took three years to complete and features 75 locations from the show.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI made this miniature Springfield model by hand over the course of three years. This was the final assembly on a massive 2.5m by 2.5m table.
\n
via The Awesomer
\nsubscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post An Incredibly Detailed Miniature Model of Springfield From ‘The Simpsons’ was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-11T21:08:36.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/simpsons-springfield-model/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028614", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028614 }, { "title": "Strongman Carries Car Through McDonald’s Drive-Thru", "description": "While training for a strongman competition, Jaden Laing carried a stripped-down, 375 kg (827 lb) car through a McDonald’s drive-thru. The feat tested Laing’s strength and endurance, with a cheeseburger as his reward. The stunt went smoothly, and the employee at the window was happy to play along.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI Carried a 375KG Car Through the Drive-Thru
\n
via The Awesomer
\nsubscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Strongman Carries Car Through McDonald’s Drive-Thru was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-11T17:37:30.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/strongman-carries-car-drive-thru/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028619", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028619 }, { "title": "Rescued Cat Provides Purring Comfort to Anxious Veterinary Patients and Their Humans", "description": "A gentle cat named Rico who resides at the Cabinet Vétérinaire Imrani in Casablanca, Morocco, provides purring comfort to patients who come in for various ailments, as well as their anxious humans.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvery morning, Rico walks through the halls, sensing who needs comfort the most. Frightened animals calm down when he sits beside them and starts to purr. Anxious owners feel better when he quietly stays close.
\n
Rico cares for orphaned kittens who come to the clinic, snuggling them close to let them know that they are not alone.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen orphaned kittens arrive at the clinic, weak and scared, Rico lies next to them during exams and procedures.
\n
Dr. Meryem Imrani, who rescued Rico when he was critically ill as a street kitten, considers him an important part of her practice.
\n\n\n\nvia Miss Cellania
\nsubscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Rescued Cat Provides Purring Comfort to Anxious Veterinary Patients and Their Humans was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-11T15:53:51.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/cat-comforts-veterinary-patients/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028599", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028599 }, { "title": "Two Rare Magnapinna Squid Sightings Deep in Micronesian Waters", "description": "While exploring the waters of the Federated States of Micronesia, the ROV Little Hercules and deep-water tow sled Atalanta captured two separate sightings of magnapinna squid, one at 2,478 meters (8,129 feet) and another at 2,700 meters (8,858 feet).
\n\n\n\nThe footage of these rare cephalopods was a welcome surprise to the crew of the E/V Nautilus, who documented their fascinating behavior in the ocean’s midnight zone, including one squid sink-fishing for food.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOur NA180 Corps of Exploration spotted not one but TWO more of these iconic cephalopods while exploring the waters of the Federated States of Micronesia with ROVs Little Hercules and Atalanta. Bigfin squid (genus Magnapinna) have been spotted in the wild fewer than 100 times, and thankfully, both of these individuals showed off for our deep-sea cameras.
\n
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Two Rare Magnapinna Squid Sightings Deep in Micronesian Waters was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-11T14:52:58.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/magnapinna-squid-micronesia/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028591", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028591 }, { "title": "Adam Savage Meets the Original ‘Frank the Rabbit’ Costume From ‘Donnie Darko’", "description": "Adam Savage visited Maegen Hensley at Propstore, where he met the original on-screen Frank the Rabbit costume and the screen-matched book “The Philosophy of Time Travel” from the 2001 cult film Donnie Darko. Throughout his tour, Savage and Hensley discussed the construction, unique materials, and intricate details that brought these iconic props to life before they were offered at auction.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAdam checks out the original Frank the Bunny mask and costume from the cult classic 2001 film Donnie Darko! The design of Frank has etched itself into the minds of film fans for a generation, and still stands as one of the great surreal horror designs. Plus, how the prop department of Donnie Darko created its mysterious book, “The Philosophy of Time Travel”.
\n
Frank is widely regarded as one of the most memorable rabbits in film history.
\n\n\n\nsubscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Adam Savage Meets the Original ‘Frank the Rabbit’ Costume From ‘Donnie Darko’ was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-10T20:57:55.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/frank-rabbit-costume-donnie-darko/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028559", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028559 }, { "title": "Man Makes Pottery From Instant Ramen Noodles", "description": "Connor of Connor Creates tested whether cheap instant ramen noodles could serve as a viable sculpting material by crafting a coffee mug, a vase, and a lamp.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI was honestly pretty shocked that I was able to make legit pottery using cheap ramen noodles!
\n
Connor’s process involved pulverizing the noodles and mixing them with glue and water to make a moldable clay-like material. He also used the noodles whole, applying various finishing techniques to complete each unique piece.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAt the beginning of this, I was a bit skeptical that it would even work, but now here we are with a beautiful coffee mug. Oh, and it comes with a nice ramen coaster too. And here’s the vase made of probably like 13, maybe 15 ramen packs. And we can’t forget the lamp, which is absolutely glorious. And I really love how it turned out. Pottery from Cheap Ramen is possible, folks.
\n
![\"Coffee](\"https://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Ramen-Noodle-Pottery.jpg?w=1130\")
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Man Makes Pottery From Instant Ramen Noodles was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-10T18:14:31.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/ramen-noodle-pottery/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028530", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028530 }, { "title": "A Compilation of ‘Dumb’ Clips Set to ‘Seven Nation Army’", "description": "Dustin Ballard of There I Ruined It created a wonderfully relevant compilation of clips of songs and characters singing or saying the word “dumb”, then set them all to The White Stripes song “Seven Nation Army”.
\n\n\n\n\n\nDumb
\n
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post A Compilation of ‘Dumb’ Clips Set to ‘Seven Nation Army’ was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-10T17:37:00.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/dumb-seven-nation-army-compilation/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028549", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028549 }, { "title": "Physicist Connects His Hamster’s Exercise Wheel to Strava", "description": "Dutch MRI physicist Thijs de Buck rigged his hamster’s exercise wheel to capture speed and distance data and automatically upload the data to the fitness-tracking platform Strava. The hamster, named Mollie, is unknowingly logging nightly runs on a dedicated Strava account.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI built a speed/distance tracker for my hamster wheel, which automatically records the data and uploads it to our hamster’s own Strava account
\n
De Buck also shared the technology behind this project.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe main parts are an ESP32 attached to a hall sensor, which I positioned close to the wheel. Using a magnet attached to the back of the wheel, this tells the ESP32 when a full rotation has completed. It gives a timestamp (and total distance) to each magnet-pass, which is stored on the network. A python script (on my laptop) then retrieves this data in the morning, turns it into a .FIT file, and uploads it to Strava through the Strava API.
\n
In an interview with Runner’s World, de Buck explained that he was inspired to do this from his own experience as a runner.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDe Buck is a runner himself, which helps explain why the project ended up with this level of data. He said he loves “tracking every possible stat” during marathon training, so wanting more information about Mollie’s nightly mileage felt natural.
\n
via Runner’s World
\nsubscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Physicist Connects His Hamster’s Exercise Wheel to Strava was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-10T14:34:27.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/hamster-wheel-strava/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028522", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028522 }, { "title": "How Brent Spiner Played Three Roles in the ‘Brothers’ Episode of ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’", "description": "Filmmaker Andrew Muir of The Art of Storytelling explored the powerful story arc and the technical ingenuity behind the iconic Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Brothers”. Muir praised Brent Spiner for his ability to portray multiple roles within the same scene, specifically Data, his “brother” Lore, and their father, Dr. Noonien Soong.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHow is it that all three characters in this episode are played by Brent Spiner? … So, Spiner actually spent three full days on set with director Rob Bowman and visual effects coordinator Robert Legato, blocking out every scene and taping off marks so that when it came time to actually shoot, there would be less downtime for the crew. Then they shot all of Data and Lore’s shots in one day, and all of Soong’s on another. Both days required a lot of makeup, but Soong’s took four hours.
\n
Muir further explores how the narrative structure and character dynamics shape Data’s pivotal arc as he confronts his sibling rivalry with Lore, says goodbye to the father he has just met, and considers what it means to become more human.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn the previous Lore episode, he had told Data that the colonists envied Lore, and so Data was created as a less perfect alternative. That turns out to have been a lie. …And this is a big moment for Data, who suddenly realizes that he’s not inferior to his brother. In fact, he is the chosen son, as Soong reveals that his reason for calling Data home is that he has perfected the emotion chip.
\n
![\"Close-up](\"https://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Data-Three-Roles-Brothers-TNG.jpg?w=1130\")
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post How Brent Spiner Played Three Roles in the ‘Brothers’ Episode of ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-09T18:31:09.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/brent-spiner-three-roles-tng-brothers/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1027962", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1027962 }, { "title": "The Overlooked Intelligence of Bird Brains", "description": "The Thought Vortex examined just how clever birds are and why the “bird brain” insult betrays their impressive intelligence. The narrator further shared examples of intelligence among birds such as crows, ravens, jays, and parrots, including making tools to solve problems, remembering locations, vocalizing their needs, building things, and planning for future events.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFrom traffic-smart crows to tool-making New Caledonian crows and memory-rich scrub jays, this video reveals why bird intelligence is one of evolution’s most surprising achievements.
\n
The narrator also explains that just because a bird’s brain is different from a human’s doesn’t mean it is any less intelligent; it’s just that the priorities are different.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe interesting question is what intelligence looks like when it evolves along another path entirely. What does a mind look like with no hands, no cortex, and no reason to invent mathematics, but every reason to master the problems of a bird’s life? …That is why the phrase bird brain aged so badly. It assumes intelligence must either resemble ours or barely count at all.
\n
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post The Overlooked Intelligence of Bird Brains was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-09T14:40:33.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/bird-brain-intelligence/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028421", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028421 }, { "title": "The Most Mathematically Efficient Way to Board a Plane", "description": "In an orderly TED-Ed lesson by educator Rachel Yang, directed by Avi Ofer and narrated by Addison Anderson, Anderson explains how mathematicians have been studying and devising faster ways to board a plane for years, addressing the two biggest boarding bottlenecks.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThese models are designed to consider the two biggest plane loading bottlenecks. The first is “seat interference” when someone in a seat closer to the window is blocked by people already in their row. And the second is aisle interference when passengers seated in the back of the plane are stalled by folks in earlier rows stowing their bags and settling in.
\n
These methods include back-to-front boarding, WMA (Window, Middle, Aisle), and the Steffen Method, which staggers passengers by row and seat position to allow more people to stow luggage and sit simultaneously. While these look great in theory, implementation is far more difficult.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBefore you cancel your tickets, it’s worth noting that there really isn’t much time to be saved. Even the most perfectly executed boarding strategy would likely only save us about 10 minutes. So perhaps the best solution is to take a breath, allow your fellow passengers some grace, and try to enjoy the ride.
\n
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post The Most Mathematically Efficient Way to Board a Plane was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-08T14:45:46.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/mathematically-efficient-plane-boarding/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028455", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028455 }, { "title": "Man Tastes Unfamiliar Foods With Labels He Can’t Read", "description": "Hossam Fazulla, aka Faz, hosts Food I Can’t Read, a series in which he chooses unfamiliar foods by their packaging and tastes them without being able to read their labels. The results aren’t always as pleasant as he hoped.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI ate Dark Matter! I don’t wanna feel like this ever again.
\n
via The Awesomer
\nsubscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Man Tastes Unfamiliar Foods With Labels He Can’t Read was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-07T16:20:47.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/food-i-cant-read/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028309", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028309 }, { "title": "Unboxing the PAC-MAN 45th Anniversary Otamatone Collection", "description": "Musician The Real Sully G unboxed five official PAC-MAN character Otamatone Melody models, along with a new Deluxe model in December 2025 during the game’s 45th anniversary year.
\n\n\n\nThis PAC-MAN Otamatone Melody collection, a collaboration between Hamee and Bandai Namco, features 11 built-in songs and unique base designs in the iconic shapes of PAC-MAN and Team Ghost members Blinky, Inky, Pinky, and Clyde.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin Gavan (@TheRealSullyG) as he unboxes the PAC-MAN Otamatone Melody collection featuring PAC-MAN and Team Ghost Blinky, Inky, Pinky & Clyde! Also check out the PAC-MAN Otamatone Deluxe.
\n
via The Awesomer
\nsubscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Unboxing the PAC-MAN 45th Anniversary Otamatone Collection was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-07T14:01:00.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/pac-man-otamatone-collection/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028406", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028406 }, { "title": "Closely Bonded Rescued Elephants Are Warmly Welcomed Into a New Herd", "description": "Nam Phueng and Thung Thong, a pair of bonded elephants at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, were introduced to a new herd and warmly welcomed into the fold by the other elephants.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTo help them settle into their new home, we gradually introduced them to the Thai Koon herd. The Thai Koon family warmly welcomed both elephants, creating a calm and trusting environment where new friendships could bloom.
\n
These two elephants had a rough go of it and had difficulty being separated, with Thung Thong calling out to Nam Phueng as her friend was taken away for rescue. Initially, the pair stayed very close together, keeping their distance from the other elephants, so it was heartening to see their joy as they joined a new herd.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNam Phueng and Thung Thong were rescued from Surin Province, Thailand. When they arrived at Elephant Nature Park, their deep and unbreakable bond became even more evident, staying close to each other through every step of their new journey at Elephant Nature Park.
\n
![\"Nam](\"https://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Rescued-Elephants-New-Herd.jpg?w=1130\")
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post Closely Bonded Rescued Elephants Are Warmly Welcomed Into a New Herd was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-07T13:02:52.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/bonded-rescued-elephants-new-herd/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028369", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028369 }, { "title": "How American Culture Is Influencing Daily British Life", "description": "The wonderfully candid Laurence Brown of Lost in the Pond explores how eight aspects of American culture, from Fourth of July celebrations and Black Friday shopping to air conditioning and Oreo cookies, are increasingly influencing daily life in the United Kingdom. Other examples include hot-and-cold mixer taps, “restroom” signs, country music, and Philly cheesesteaks.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince leaving Britain for a life in the United States in 2008, I’ve since discovered that several popular American things have kind of… swapped places with me.
\n
subscribe to the Laughing Squid Newsletter
\nThe post How American Culture Is Influencing Daily British Life was originally published on Laughing Squid.
", "pubDate": "2026-08-07T11:45:13.000Z", "link": "https://laughingsquid.com/american-culture-britain/", "guid": "https://laughingsquid.com/?p=1028376", "author": "Lori Dorn", "wpPostId": 1028376 } ] }