Animal of the day

Neotropical River Otter

2008-09-30T15:31:00+02:00

Mass: 5 to 15 kg (11 to 33 lbs)
Length: 36 to 66 cm (14.17 to 25.98 in)

The Neotropical River Otter (Lontra longicaudis) resides in swamps, streams, lagoons and lakes in Mexico and parts of South America (especially Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay). It is the most widespread of the Lontra genus.

If you have seen a North American river otter, then you could easily imagine a Neotropical River Otter, for they are quite alike in appearance. However, the Neotropical River Otter is shorter, around the mouth, the areas are white, its body is long and circular. Neotropical River Otters possess a soft wool-like undercoat that is layered with guard hairs, the latter maintains dryness to the undercoat when it is wet. Unlike seals, the Neotropical River Otter does not have an insulating layer of fats, but instead they depend on this fur for dryness and warmth.

Its head is both round and flat, ears placed low, the muzzle is just short and whisker-filled. The neck is also short, it has eyes which are widely-spaced. The best description for the nose of a Neotropical River Otter would be trapezoid-like.

The back legs are longer than the front ones, allowing them to swim adequately. If an otter is relaxed and swimming slowly, it could be seen paddling using all 4 paws, but if it is engaged in fast swimming (for example, being pursued, or chasing a prey), short paws are maintained close to its sides, the tail acts as a propeller. Its nostrils/ears could be closed when one is submerged.

Their diet mainly consists of mollusks and fish, but they are what we call opportunistic eaters, they can also eat birds, small reptiles or mammals.

This otter has no set breeding period, and just like its relative otters, a delayed implantation prior to breeding might occur. A newborn is born fully furred, but the eyes are shut, and these would open after approximately 44 days.

Interesting fact: One marks by scent via the leaving of feces on places like bridges or logs, and you know why? Experts believe this is an advertisement of one's gender.

Picture of the Neotropical River Otter © 2006 Carla Antonini, licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5

Sable

2008-09-24T23:20:00+02:00

Body length 35-36 cm (14 to 22 inches)
Mass 1,25 kg (44 oz)

The Sable (Martes zibellina) can be found all over north Asia, and also in Siberia. They inhabit flatlands, taiga forests and mountainous grounds. They stay away from the very barren mountaintops. The Sable's winter fur is longer than in the the summer. Their fur ranges from light brown to a deep shade of the same hue. They also have a patch of fur at the throat areas, and these can be yellow or white.

Breeding period of the Sable is from June up to August, and the number of newborns on average is 2 to 3. Specifically though, it could be anything from 1 to 7. Gestation time is from 200 to 300 days, while the weaning period would be around seven weeks. Reproductive maturity would be attained in 2 or 3 years' time. It has been observed that the male Sables do ruts, or in other words, grooves on the snow. These ruts would be around 1 meter long. At places where their numbers are few, courting may involve jumping, running but in places where a lot of males are present, violent fights could occur.

In the wild, the longest recorded lifespan was 8 years, while that in captivity was 18. The Sable is diurnal, and it utilizes the senses of hearing and smell to find prey. The Sable takes refuge during bad weather especially in cases of snowstorms, or when they know they are being targeted by man. They may be dangerous in the wild, but records exist asserting that if taken away from the parent at a very tender age, they could be tamed.

Categorically, they are carnivorous, and their diet consists of chipmunks, mice, birds, fish and even squirrels. However, they are also able to subsist on cedar nuts and berries if the animal-preys can not be found. On the other side of the coin, they have their predators too, and for these, nature equipped them with claws and pointed teeth.

Interesting fact: Around 66% of the whole population of the Sable is made up of members below 2 years old.

Jaguarundi - resembles an otter

2008-09-19T02:01:00+02:00

A Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yaguarondi) may not look like a cat in the traditional sense, and some people may say that it resembles an otter more than any cat. They can be found in Central America, states of South America all the way south to Argentina and very rarely, they could be seen in Texas and also New Mexico. The Jaguarundi's color goes from dark brown to a chestnut hue. Jaguarundis have short legs, small heads and weasel-like ears. Upon being born, a Jaguarundi is spotted, but would lose these marks when they reach 4 months.

They are genetically closer to the bigger felids, their chromosome number is 38, just like the jaguar, while small felids only hold 36 chromosomes. A Jaguarundi is usually seen in lowland territories with a dense cover, like forests and scrub areas. They are more often than not found near water (running water) and it is no wonder that they are excellent hunters of fish. They catch them with their front paws, but they eat other prey too.

They hunt during the day, but evidence exists that they also do hunt during the twilight periods. They climb well, but hunt mainly on the ground.

Although it is not hunted that much for their fur, their numbers are on the way down. This is principally caused by deforestation and habitat loss, which are the major reasons why so many animals become endangered (not just the cats).

Interesting fact: It is believed that they are likely to be the descendants of the Puma (ancestral), which originates from Asia.

Bushy-tailed Woodrat

2008-09-05T16:49:00+02:00

A Bushy-tailed Woodrat (Neotoma cinerea) can be found in North America, ranging from arctic Canada down to northern Arizona and New Mexico, and as far east as the western portions of Nebraska and the Dakotas. The Woodrats can be recognized by their big ears and its bushy tail. Its back is pale gray with a mix of brown, with white underneath.

They are also called packrats and are known to be capable of building stick homes within caves and crevices. If you are wondering where the word "packrat" comes from, a Bushy-tailed Woodrat's house holds items brought in from the outside, such as glass, pine cones, cardboards, plastic odds and ends, wire...you name it.

The territory of the woodrats is small, and a long time back, it was thought by experts that they would not go away farther than 60m from their nests. However, recent studies assert that the female can go as far as 500m. Basically, a typical woodrat is solitary, nocturnal and strongly protective of its own territories. Most facets of its behavior is thought to be a by-product of predation, and they have a lot to escape from. Weasels, black bears, bobcats, hawks and so many others, of course...that includes man.

Their diet consists of a variety of ingredients. In dry locations, they can survive on succulents, but in woody habitats, they consume a lot of woody vegetation. A Bushy-tailed Woodrat gets all of the water it needs from the foods it consumes. As prey, they are the main food source for Spotted Owls, an endangered species.

Interesting fact: These woodrats get enticed by shiny things, they often get them from camps or other establishments. So, if you are camping in one of their territories, watch out!

Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo

2008-09-01T12:05:00+02:00

The Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is an endangered species. True wild populations still live in Bhutan, India, Nepal and Thailand, while their domesticated counterparts are very widespread. They are large animals, standing 1.5 to 1.9 meters in height at the shoulder. Wild male water buffaloes can become 3 meters in length and weigh up to 1200 kilos, while their domesticated counterparts can weigh 250 to 550 kilograms. They can become 25 years of age in the wild.

The Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo is a social animal, with groups of 10 to 20 individuals, but also groups of 100 individuals have been observed.

Their diet mainly consists of grasses, herbs, aquatic plants, leaves and agricultural crops, The only predator in the wild is the tiger, but their main threats are habitat destruction and genetic pollution (breeding with their domesticated counterparts).

Interesting fact: Wild bulls are known to invade a domesticated herd, kill the domesticated bull (which is a lot smaller), and breed with the receptive females. The resulting offspring are less docile and too large to fit a farmer's equipment. Occasionally, the wild bull not only kills the domesticated bull, but also take over and drive off the owners, keeping the herd for themselves.

Picture by yathin, licensed under Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 license.

Funniest animal videos

2008-09-01T12:08:00+02:00

This is one of the funniest animal videos featuring funny cats and dog videos, Tyson the skateboarding dog, penguins and even a polar bear. I really like the funny cats in the beginning, I am curious what you think? Half of the clip is of Tyson the skateboarding dog, so if you get tired of him, you can stop watching... Have fun!

Spectacled bear

2008-08-27T05:02:00+02:00

The Spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) lives in South America from Venezuela to Peru and is relatively small in comparison to other bears. It has a distinctive marking across its face. They do not hibernate and are most active during the night and in the twilight. They are the second most threatened species of bear in the world, after the giant panda. Their diet includes cacti, tree shrubs, berries, honey, sugarcane, and even tree bark. The Spectacled Bear is the largest carnivore of South America and is believed to descent from the prehistoric Bulldog Bear.

Photo made by Lars Haefner, licensed under GFDL

Common pipistrelle

2008-08-19T15:59:00+02:00

The Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) is a species of small bat found over most of Europe, North Africa and southwestern Asia, and especially the British Isles. It is 1.75-2.5inches (33-48mm) long and has a wingspan of up to 8-10 inches (19-25cm), the forearms being 1-1.5 inches (28-35mm long). It generally has dark to chestnut brown fur, with it ventral fur being paler. The ears are short and triangular with a rounded tip, and the wing membranes tend to be opaque. The average weight of the Pipistrelle is 4-8g. It is most commonly found in woods are farmland, but also inhabits towns, often in lofts and buildings and can be seen in the evening sky when the sun just starts to set or has set.

The Common Pipistrelle’s species name is Pipistrellus pipistrellus, and it belongs to the genus Pipistrellus. Within the genus Pipistrellus there are 33 other known living species, making it a very heavily populated genus. Pipistrellus belongs to the family Vespertilionidae (known as evening bats or Vesper Bats). Vespertilionidae is the largest family of bats, and one of the best known. Almost all are universally insect eaters with only a few exceptions that take a liking to fish. The family Vespertilionidae belongs to the suborder Microchiroptera (known as the Microbats) in which all non fruit bat species are a member. Microchiroptera belongs to the order Chiroptera which contains all living and extinct bat species known to date.

Their summer roosts tend to be in the cracks and crevices of old buildings, behind paneling, even in shutters and eaves. The most common building for them to roost is an old barn or abandoned structure since it is quieter and offers peace. During the winter they are most commonly found in trees and buildings, rarely dwelling underground in caves. They emerge around 20 minutes after sunset, earlier on warmer nights and have been know to fly in daylight, although their senses are not as acute for daylight travel and they are vulnerable to predators. Their flight is erratic but agile, generally 15-30 feet (5-10m) off the ground. Males occupy the same territories all year round and fiercely defend them during the mating season, when the species smells strongly of musk and emits unique social mating calls to entice the female bats.

When foraging over water the Common Pipistrelle prefers areas of smooth water with trees on both banks, areas known to be abundant with the flying insects that make up their diet. Individuals will follow the same light routes every night, though the foraging becomes intermittent throughout the night and is very dependent on temperature (greater than 8 degrees Celsius), and their reproductive state. Their prey is consumed during flight and the Pipistrelle has been known to forage up to 5km from its roost in search of insects.

Interesting Facts about the Common Pipistrelle:

There are en estimated 2 million Common Pipistrelle throughout the British Isles

The population has declined over recent years, mainly due to farming chemicals in the intensification of agriculture.

Cats also pose a severe threat to urban populations of Common Pipistrelle.

The Pipistrelle emits a frequency of between 45-76 kHz, maintaining a medium of 47 kHz with each call lasting maybe 5.6ms.

Picture of the common pipistrelle by Barracuda1983, licensed under GFDL

Bush hyrax

2008-08-08T00:21:00+02:00

The Bush Hyrax (Heterohyrax brucei), otherwise known as the Yellow-spotted (Bush or Rock) Hyrax is a small mammal that is around 12-15 inches long (30-38 centimeters) and can weigh between 5 and 9 pounds (2.2-4 Kilograms) and has a distinctive coat of fur that is mottled with browns, yellows, and grays. It has short limbs, a black nose, short but alert ears, and large eyes. Their fur is made up of a short haired layer which protects them, and slightly longer coats which add to their colored looks. Their tail is nothing more than a small stump which is barely visible, and for a good size comparison think of an overweight bunny. The Bush Hyrax and its many subspecies are found throughout Africa, from Egypt to South Africa, and they prefer rocky terrains and mountainous areas, preferring elevations starting at sea level all the way to 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).

The Bush Hyrax’s species name is Heterohyrax brucei, and it belongs to the Genus Heterohyrax. It is the only species in this genus – however the species itself has 25 known sub-species that have been identified. The Heterohyrax belongs to the family Procaviidae, which has two other genere other than Heterohyrax – Procavia (the Cape Hyrax) and Dendrohyrax (The Tree Hyrax). The family Procaviidae belongs to the order Hyracoidea, in which there are no other families of living mammals. This order belongs to the superorder Afrotheria, which in turn belongs to the Infraclass Eutheria (placental mammals).

The Bush Hyrax, like all other Hyraxes have a very primitive self temperature regulation system that seems almost reptilian. They must bask in the sun to gain heat and then huddle together at night to retain heat. It is thought that the Hyrax has evolved very little from its origins. The Bush Hyrax lives mostly in arid areas, and can survive on very little water. The breeding season is uniformly in tune with the rainy season, and gestation (pregnancy) lasts up to eight months. The young mature quickly, and between one to five months of age they are weaned from their mothers.

They eat many types of vegetation and usually prefer bitter yams, which in the past have been used by humans to create poisoned arrowheads. When thicker meatier vegetation is scarce they will turn to grasses and other lesser vegetation to feed on. Because of their highly efficient kidneys they can subsist on very little water. Due to their smaller size, they are themselves the target of many predators, such as rock pythons, leopards, birds, and even some mongoose have been so brave. However they are vicious when threatened and will counter-attack savagely, biting anything and everything on the predator to save itself from being a meal.

The Bush Hyrax behavior is to have small family groups that huddle at night, and the groups are maintained by one dominant male, whose job includes territorial defense and maintenance. Often times, if the area is large enough, the male will have several small groups of females that he will control, in different but close areas. The remaining males who survive to leave and create their own groups usually live alone until this happens. Many may live solitarily their whole lives.

Interesting Facts about the Bush Hyrax:

The Bush Hyrax has been found in over 21 countries – and even one subspecies lives in Israel.

In times of famine the Bush Hyrax has been a food source for humans.

Currently the Bush Hyrax species is listed as a least-concern status by the IUCN

Within hours after being born, a baby Bush Hyrax can already move and follow its mother.

Picture of the bush hyrax by Buecherfresser, licensed under GFDL

Addax

2008-08-08T00:13:00+02:00

The Addax (Addax nasomaculatus) is a severely endangered species, and is listed as critically endangered with just 500 in the wild, and 800 in captivity, some of which are bred for trophy hunts. The Addax stands about a meter tall at the shoulder (three feet) and weighs about 60-100 kilograms (132-220 lbs), and has two twisted horns that can grow to 120 centimeters in length (47 inches). The Addax is usually white and sports a brownish fur on its chest, neck and head are brown - however in winter the coat changes color to brown. The tip of the nose is white and the nostrils are red. Finally they have a beard, or goatee, that is brownish in appearance, but varies from individual to individual. Their legs are strong and study, and their hoofed feet also sport a strong dewclaw that helps with walking through deep sands and soft ground.

The Addax belongs to the genus Addax - no surprises there - and the genus belongs to the subfamily Hippotraginae which contain the Oryx (for example the gemsbok) and the Antelope (for example an impala). The Hippotraginae subfamily belongs to the Bovidae family that contains bison and cows, along with many others. Finally Bovidae is in the order Artiodactyla, which all even toed ungulates belong to, like pigs and camels. However with recent advancements in molecular studies, cetaceans may also be related to the even toed ungulates, having evolved to go back to the sea.

The Addax lives in mostly arid desert terrain that supports many of their natural food sources such leaves from low trees, grasses, and whole bushes when available. Usually during the day the Addax will dig a shallow hole and lay in it until night. As a nocturnal species their eyesight is very well adapted, as is their hearing and smell. They will usually live in herds from two to twenty two or more. However, due to their population’s decline, they do not have the numbers to support the herds that once may have numbered in the hundreds. Their feeding habits have them wander far and wide to graze, and they will usually cover an extensive area each night in search of food, as they get all their water from their food.

The social structure of most herds was and still is based on age in the larger ones. The dominant oldest male will usually be found as the leader, and its experience in finding more places to graze and also better terrain are beneficial to the herds. They are usually found with both males and females in a given herd, and both have the same horn makeup - giving females an equal advantage in self defense. Currently efforts are under way to rehabilitate the populations of the Addox in Zoo based programs, with the hope of having the same success as the European Bison, which at one time was down to twelve individuals. With the Addax still numbering over a thousand it is hoped that there is enough genetic diversity to save the species and bring it back to its natural habitats to restore ecological order.

Interesting Addax Facts:

The biggest breeding program for the Addax exists at the Hanover Zoo in Germany.

Some from breeding programs have already been sent to Morocco and Tunisia.

Monkey pulls dog tail

2008-02-02T15:02:00+02:00

This is a funny video about a monkey pulling the tail of a dog. The dog doesn't know what hit him!

Click here to view the video

Lion hugs rescuer

2008-01-03T00:00:00+02:00

Absolutely amazing story and movieclip about a lion that was rescued. Seems the king of the jungle has a softer side after all! Click here to view the movie where the lion hugs his rescuer

Fattest cat in the world

2007-12-31T13:29:00+02:00

This movie is from the Guinness Book of World Records. It shows the fattest cat in the world... I must admit it is unbelievably fat, but this cat can walk around fine and seems to be happy.

Camouflaged octopus

2007-12-31T13:36:00+02:00

This video shows a very well camouflaged octopus, you'll be amazed! Did you spot it?

Do the moonwalk

2007-12-31T13:35:00+02:00

See the manakin dancing the moonwalk to impress his girl, nicely done video originally by Nature. Click here for the video