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Down in the moist and wet tropical forests of Central and South America, something isn’t moving in the dense canopy cover. It is quite still, rolled in a tight ball, its head tucked under its arms and its partially prehensile tail wrapped around the branch upon which it lightly sleeps.  This is the silky anteater – the smallest (and possibly the cutest – you be the judge) anteater species on the this, our ark in space.

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The species has the skill of a contortionist and seems able to wrap its body into all sorts of positions in the pursuit of a peaceful day’s sleep.   It is nocturnal, so in the day time it snoozes the hours away until the sun goes down and its time to feed again.  Yet even though it only goes out at night, it isn’t exactly the lean and hungry type. Sometimes, only around 700 ants will be slurped up by its saliva-covered tongue, onto which the hapless Formicidae stick before being eaten alive. 

It's true, most people wouldn’t mind having a little extra cash. Whether it’s to cover bills, save up for a trip or just have some more freedom, a side hustle can really help out. The great thing about this digital age is the fact that you don't have to leave the house to do this. Thanks to the Internet, there are loads of different ways for you to earn money from your phone or laptop and you don’t always need special skills to get going.

It's important that you pick a side hustle that works for you, your time management and honestly, interests you. There are so many options to pick from, below only a few are mentioned but it's up to you to find one that suits your needs. 

Try Your Luck With Online Casino Games

If you enjoy playing games and don’t mind a little risk, online casinos might be your thing. They’re not a guaranteed way to make money but they can be a fun option when approached responsibly.

There are thousands of online platforms where you can play for real cash. Most offer games like:

• Slots: These games are simple, fast-paced and have tons of variety.
• Blackjack and Roulette: Classic table games with a mix of strategy and luck that you can play anytime and anywhere.
• Poker: This is where you can compete against other players for real money.
• Live Dealer Games: Real-time games streamed with actual dealers.

There are a few things that you need to bear in mind when it comes to picking online casino games as your side hustle. You must choose a reputable and licensed online casino. It's paramount that you set a strict budget and stick to it. Try to take advantage of welcome bonuses and free spins, they're there, so you might as well use them. Also, remember that if you do make a winning, you want to receive that as quickly as possible, which is why a fast payout online casino might be a good option for you, as they're super speedy when it comes to that.

Freelance Your Skills (Or Learn New Ones)

Freelancing has become a major way people make money online. Whether you're a graphic designer, writer, video editor or even just good at data entry, there’s probably someone out there willing to pay you for your work.

Even if you don’t think you have any skills to sell right now, you can learn a lot online for free or cheap. Platforms like YouTube and Coursera are full of tutorials on everything from coding to writing resumes. Once you’re confident in something, start small and build your portfolio.

Popular freelance jobs include things like writing blog posts or product descriptions, managing social media accounts, designing logos or flyers, translating content or even editing videos or podcasts. The best part? You set your own hours and choose your clients, all you have to do is get the ball rolling. 

Start Selling Stuff Online

Selling things online is one of the fastest ways to earn some extra cash. You don’t need a fancy store or inventory to get going, either.

Here are a few options that you can think about:

• Flip items on eBay or Facebook Marketplace: Buy stuff cheap (from thrift stores or garage sales) and resell for a profit.
• Sell handmade goods: If you’re crafty, Etsy is the go-to for selling jewelry, art, home decor and more.
• Use print-on-demand services: There are certain sites that let you create designs for t-shirts, mugs, stickers and more. They handle the printing and shipping, you just make the art.
• Sell digital products: Got a great resume template or budget spreadsheet? Turn it into a downloadable product on Etsy.

Here's one pro tip that you can take with you: Keep your listings clean, use good photos and write honest descriptions. The better your listings look, the more likely they are to sell.

Teach or Tutor Online

If you're confident in a particular subject or skill, teaching or tutoring online can be a great way to earn extra cash. You don’t necessarily need to be a certified teacher to get started. Many platforms are looking for people who can help others learn, whether it’s academic subjects, languages or even hobbies. Most importantly, just try to have a passion for something and that will already get you in.

For example, tutoring English online is a popular option, especially for native speakers. If you’re more academically inclined, you can find opportunities on tutoring sites that focus on subjects like math, science and history. These usually let you set your own schedule and teach at your comfort level.

You could also offer private lessons through Zoom or Google Meet. Promote yourself on social media or local community boards and start working with students one-on-one. This can be especially effective if you specialize in a niche area or offer personalized help.

Give it a Go

There are tons of ways to earn extra cash online, whether you’re looking for something fast and easy or want to build a full-blown side business. From online casino games to freelancing, the key is to find something that fits your lifestyle and goals. Why not just give it a go? You don't have much to lose, other than a little bit of time. 

Just when you think it’s safe to go back in the garden, the natural world pulls another fast one on us. The picture above is a snail infected with a parasitic flatworm that goes under the (rather menacing) name the green-banded broodsac.  Found mostly in Central and Eastern Europe, its binomial scientific name is Leucochloridium paradoxum which translated means “strange little white-green creature”.  Isn’t that just the understatement of the decade?

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Some might be inclined to exchange paradoxum with nauseosum (nausea inducing) because although it looks strange in a photo, you should see this creature in… motion.  So, if you are even remotely squeamish by nature, don’t read on. And certainly, don’t play this video (definitely not narrated by David Attenborough). Don’t say you weren’t warned…

He searched online  and came across a website, leaving a message on the local "Swarm Hotline". The person who returned the call was Mandy, who quickly turned up and resolved the situation.  Maxwell captured some amazing footage so asked Mandy if, next swarm season, he could shoot a little documentary.  You don’t need to guess Mandy’s answer as this  charming short is the result.

I love the insight that this video gives swarm chasing, as Mandy calls it (and a great play on words it is too).  You will learn the things that need to be done to relocate a hive – and how it can get a little tricky depending on where the bees rock up.  If you have doubts about the importance of making sure that bees end up on the right place, then seven little words from Mandy should suffice: “Without the bees, there is no us.”

Watch the short documentary below.

Sploot? Splooting? Splooted? You may have come across the word in one or more of its forms while goggling at a picture of a very flat looking dog or squirrel. Although it’s quite probably self-explanatory, we thought a short diversionary interlude to look into the word, the action and its mammalian manifestation might allow for a little procrastinatory pleasure. So, put off the more important things you  must do today and delve with us into this fascinating phenomenon. Perhaps you could even attempt a languid sploot yourself as you read on…

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Or perhaps not (disclaimer #1). First, the action.  Merriam-Webster added "sploot" to its dictionary in 2022, defining it as a slang term for the pose in which an animal lies flat on its belly with its hind legs stretched out behind it.  That much is obvious, but why do animals sploot?  The rather silly looking pose is in fact a very sensible solution to the issue of overheating.