Vote in both categories in USA TODAY’s 10Best 2026 Awards Poll 

CINCINNATI (February 19, 2026) – Since 2019, voters in USA TODAY’s 10Best Awards have placed Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in the top five in the Best Zoo category every year and have ranked it #1 three times.  In 2024, the Zoo’s botanical garden took the top spot in the Best Botanical Garden category.  The Zoo is asking the Cincinnati community help put us at the top by voting daily for the next 17 days. 

Photos | Video 

 “Our friends and followers have been so supportive over the years.  They are the reason that we’ve been recognized as a great Zoo AND a great Botanical Garden,” said Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden vice president of business operations Chad Yelton. “We are known around the world for being home to Fiona the hippo and other charismatic animals, and we’re so happy that our botanical garden is also starting to get the attention it deserves.” 

See for yourself why Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the best and be sure to vote to help the Zoo and Botanical Garden win the top spots this year!  The Zoo opens daily at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.  For more information visit www.cincinnatizoo.org.  

Bringing home a new leopard gecko is exciting, but that first trip to the pet store can feel overwhelming. What do you actually need? This guide is your simple, stress-free shopping list of leopard gecko necessities to get it right the first time.

Unlike many reptiles, leopard geckos digest their food using belly heat. Think of an under-tank heat mat as their personal stove—it’s essential for their health, while overhead lamps are not.

The floor of the tank, called the substrate, also matters more than you might think. While sand looks natural, most vets agree it can cause serious health problems if eaten. For a beginner, simple paper towels are the perfect first floor: they’re safe and make it easy to monitor your new pet’s health.

These are the five non-negotiable items you need for a functional and safe environment from day one:

1. A 10–20 gallon tank
2. An under-tank heat mat (with a thermostat to control the temperature)
3. At least one hiding spot (a “hide”)
4. A shallow water dish
5. Paper towel substrate

What Do Leopard Geckos Actually Eat?

Your new pet’s diet is simple: leopard geckos are insectivores, meaning they only eat bugs. Your leopard gecko food list will consist of a few “staple” insects that can form their main meals. For beginners, the best and most available feeder insects for leopard geckos are mealworms, dubia roaches, and crickets, which you can find at nearly any pet store that sells reptiles.

Since their bodies are built only for insects, you should never offer them fruits or vegetables. The answer to “can leopard geckos eat vegetables?” is a definite no—they simply can’t digest plant matter, and it will make them sick. Keeping their diet focused on quality insects is key to their health.

It’s also critical to only use insects from a pet store. Wild-caught bugs from your backyard often carry parasites or have been exposed to pesticides that can be fatal to your gecko. Sticking to store-bought feeders is the only safe choice. But even these healthy insects need one more step to become a perfect meal.

How to Use Calcium Powder: Your Gecko’s Most Important Supplement

Even the healthiest store-bought insects are missing one vital nutrient: calcium. Without a proper leopard gecko calcium supplement, your pet can develop Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), a serious illness that makes their bones soft and weak. Think of calcium powder as a required daily vitamin that keeps your gecko’s skeleton strong and healthy.

Getting this vital nutrient to your pet is done through a simple method called “dusting.” Before each feeding, just place a few insects in a plastic bag or deep cup with a pinch of calcium powder. Give it a gentle shake to lightly coat the bugs, and then offer them to your gecko.

When you shop for a supplement, you’ll notice options with and without Vitamin D3. For a beginner, the choice is simple: the best calcium supplement for leopard geckos is one that includes D3. This vitamin is crucial for helping your gecko’s body actually use the calcium, and it’s the safest, most direct way to ensure their health without complex lighting setups.

Exactly how often to dust feeder insects will change as your gecko grows from a baby to an adult.

A Simple Leopard Gecko Feeding Schedule by Age

As a simple rule for portion size, offer as many insects as your gecko will actively eat within a 15-minute window. While the amount they eat in one sitting might vary, the frequency of these meals is what changes as your pet grows.

Your leopard gecko feeding frequency depends entirely on their age. Younger geckos need a constant supply of energy to grow, while adults require less. Here’s a basic leopard gecko feeding schedule for babies and beyond:

• Baby Geckos (0-6 months): Offer 5-7 small insects, DAILY.
• Juvenile Geckos (6-12 months): Offer 6-8 medium insects, EVERY OTHER DAY.
• Adult Geckos (1+ year): Offer 6-8 large insects, 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK.

Wondering if you’re feeding the right amount? Just look at your gecko’s tail. It’s their personal fat-storage unit, like a camel’s hump. A healthy, well-fed leopard gecko will have a plump, rounded tail that is at least as wide as the space between their shoulders. If it looks thin and stick-like, they need more food. This simple visual check is the best way to ensure your feeding schedule is on track.

Why Your Gecko Might Not Be Eating (And How to Fix It)

It’s worrying when your new gecko suddenly refuses a meal, but don’t panic. A temporary hunger strike is extremely common and rarely points to a major issue. Often, one of three simple things is the cause, and finding one of the right leopard gecko not eating solutions is usually straightforward.

The most common reasons are stress from a new environment or an upcoming shed. When shedding, your gecko’s skin will look dull and ashy. They feel uncomfortable during this process and usually won’t eat until their old skin is completely gone, which is perfectly normal behavior.

Temperature is also critical. Your gecko needs belly heat from a heat mat to digest food. If their warm hide is too cool, their appetite simply shuts down because they physically can’t process a meal. This is the first thing to check if you want to know how to get a picky gecko to eat.

So how long can a leopard gecko go without eating? A healthy adult with a plump tail can safely go a week or two. You only need to worry if this continues longer and you see significant weight loss (a skinny tail) or unusually sluggish behavior.

Your Happy Gecko Checklist: Key Takeaways for Success

You’ve got this. Just remember the three keys to success: a warm belly for digestion, nutritious insects dusted with calcium, and a clean, simple setup with fresh water. These are the cornerstones of responsible leopard gecko care.

By focusing on these fundamentals, you can shift from worry to wonder. The best enrichment for a leopard gecko is an owner who can confidently care for them. Welcome to the rewarding journey of pet ownership—you’re ready.

February 19, 2026
Andrea Powell

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are underway in Milan and Cortina, Italy. People from around the world are watching with bated breath and cheering for their teams as they cross the finish line.

Viewers of the women’s cross-country team sprint witnessed something surprising at the finish line that had them cheering for a late entry. 

An unexpected four-legged competitor leaped into the qualifying race on Wednesday during the final stretch sprinting alongside two skiers and crossed the finish line. 

The furry athlete is a two-year-old Czechoslovakian wolfdog named “Nazgul”. He stole the show at the race as all eyes were on him. While he didn’t win any medals, he definitely won the hearts of everyone watching. 

Broadcasters couldn’t resist commenting on the moment. “We have a visitor. Maybe not a streaker, but we certainly have somebody who wants to be part of the Olympic action,” said one broadcaster. “The biggest cheer of the day is not for any of the skiers so far.”

They even showed a replay in slow motion of the “photo finish”. 

Nazgul was captured by race officials and reunited with his owners who are staying at a nearby bed-and-breakfast. They told NPR Nazgul escaped after they left but the “stubborn, but very sweet” boy “always looks for people.”

Check out the viral moment below and don’t forget to share. 

Andrea Powell

Andrea Powell is an animal enthusiast who resides in West Michigan. When not writing, she is exploring the great outdoors with her dogs and horses.

Read more articles by Andrea Powell.

If you have been curious about the growing market for compact handheld cameras, vivo’s latest move is worth noting. 

According to a report by Jieaman News, vivo confirmed on February 4 that it has developed an internal vlog camera at the end of 2025, with its design benchmarked against the DJI Pocket series. 

While the product does not yet have an official name, it is expected to be released sometime in 2026. This development signals that vivo is exploring new ways to enter the consumer imaging market, catering to vloggers and content creators who prefer small, portable devices.

Design and Market Positioning

Details about the upcoming camera are limited, but benchmarking it against the DJI Pocket series suggests that vivo is aiming for a handheld, gimbal-stabilized design. 

The DJI Pocket 2, for example, combines a small form factor with a three-axis gimbal that produces smooth footage even when walking or moving quickly. 

Another competitor, the GoPro Hero11 Black, focuses on compactness and stabilization with its HyperSmooth technology. By drawing inspiration from these established devices, vivo appears to be targeting users who want high-quality video capture in a device that is easy to carry and use.

The confirmation from vivo highlights the company’s interest in expanding beyond smartphones and entering the dedicated camera space. With more creators producing short-form video content for platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, compact cameras with gimbal stabilization are increasingly relevant. 

Products like the Insta360 3 also demonstrate a growing market for tiny, stabilized cameras that allow quick, high-quality content creation on the go. Vivo’s upcoming camera could compete in this niche, offering an alternative to smartphone-only video recording.

Expected Features and Capabilities

While specific specifications have not been disclosed, the focus on vlogging suggests that the camera will prioritize video quality, stabilization, and portability. 

Devices in this segment commonly support 4K video capture and feature either mechanical or electronic stabilization. They often include touchscreens for framing shots and intuitive controls for beginners. 

Given vivo’s expertise in smartphone imaging, the company may also integrate AI-assisted video stabilization or software-based color optimization, similar to features found on the DJI Pocket 2 and GoPro Max.

Vivo’s move reflects a broader trend in the consumer electronics industry, where smartphone manufacturers are exploring dedicated imaging devices to complement mobile ecosystems. By entering the Vlog camera market, vivo could expand its brand presence and offer users an alternative to devices like the DJI Pocket 2, GoPro Hero11, or Insta360. 

This development may also increase competition in the compact camera segment, encouraging innovation and improvements across similar products.

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February 19, 2026
Guest Contributor

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog!

We ordered one of your blankets but had to tell you that the dog in your ad’s picture looks exactly like our rescue boxer/Plott hound mix.

Anthony Silvestro

Story submitted by Anthony Silvestro

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!

Guest Contributor

Photographers are always looking for ways to create visually pleasing images and one of the most effective tools is symmetry and patterns in photography. These elements help bring balance, structure, and rhythm to your compositions, guiding the viewer’s eye and evoking a strong emotional response. In this blog, we’ll explore how to use symmetry and patterns effectively to elevate your photography.

Why Symmetry and Patterns Matter in Photography

Humans are naturally drawn to order. Symmetrical arrangements and repeating patterns offer a sense of calm, beauty, and cohesion. When used intentionally in photography, they can:

• Add structure and clarity to an image
• Emphasize mood through repetition or mirroring
• Highlight differences by breaking the expected rhythm

Pro Tip: Use symmetry and patterns to ground your composition, then look for subtle variations or disruptions that add intrigue.

Exploring Types of Symmetry

To use symmetry well, it helps to understand the types most commonly found in photography:

Reflective (Mirror) Symmetry

This occurs when one side of the image mirrors the other, often seen in reflections on water or symmetrical architecture.

Rotational Symmetry

An image that retains its composition even when rotated (think spiral staircases or radial patterns in nature).

Translational Symmetry

Repetition of shapes or forms in a linear path like rows of windows, trees, or streetlights.

Including symmetry and patterns in photography allows your viewer to settle into the frame and appreciate the underlying structure.

 

Finding Patterns in Everyday Scenes

Patterns don’t have to be perfectly geometric. You can find them in:

• Textures (brick walls, leaves, tiles)
• Urban elements (fences, sidewalks, shadows)
• Natural forms (flower petals, waves, tree branches)

Use your lens to isolate, repeat, or break these patterns.

Pro Tip: Patterns can be powerful on their own, but breaking them deliberately like placing a red door in a row of white ones can be even more impactful.

Composing with Symmetry and Patterns

When working with symmetry and patterns in photography, composition is everything.

• Use central framing for perfect symmetry, especially with architecture or reflections.
• Try leading lines or diagonals to emphasize repeating elements.
• Frame wide to include more of the pattern or crop in tightly for graphic impact.

Symmetry doesn’t always have to be perfect; slight variations can feel more organic and still create a sense of harmony.

Editing for Emphasis

Post-processing can help you refine your use of symmetry and patterns:

• Straighten lines and crop for better alignment
• Boost contrast to make repeated elements stand out
• Use selective sharpening to draw attention to textures and forms

Pro Tip: Convert to black and white if color is distracting from the pattern, this helps the viewer focus purely on form and composition.

Let Repetition Guide Your Eye

Mastering symmetry and patterns in photography is about recognizing the rhythm in your environment and choosing how to highlight or disrupt it. These elements provide structure while allowing room for creativity and emotional depth. Whether you’re drawn to the precision of architecture or the chaos of organic forms, symmetry and patterns can turn the ordinary into the visually extraordinary.

Extended reading: Leading lines: Guiding the viewer’s eye