Siberian White Tiger
Red Pandas are well known for being adorable and they do not disappoint. Red Pandas have red-orange fur on their torso, tail and face. There are white sections of fur on their faces, particularly above their eyes, on their snout and on their cheeks. Their tails are striped alternating from their normal red-orange to a brighter, more orange shade of red. Because of their coat pattern some people call Red Pandas “Firefoxes” Red Pandas have a head and body length of about 56 to 63 cm (22 to 25 in), and their tails are about 37 to 47 cm (15 to 19 in). Red Pandas are not actually pandas. Some people may know that Red Pandas were classified into two families Procyonidae (raccoons) and Ursidae (bears). Contrary to popular belief Red Pandas have recently been classified into their own family; Ailuridae. Within the Red Panda species there are two subspecies; Ailurus fulgens fulgens and Ailurus fulgens styani. Ailurus fulgens fulgens resides in part of China, Bhutan, Nepal and northeastern India (West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh). Ailurus fulgens styani is only found in northern Myanmar and China, specifically in the Hengduan Mountains in Sichuan and the East Nujiang River of Yunnan Province. Red Pandas only live in the temperate forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. The temperature is normally cool in these areas. Firefoxes are nocturnal and they are mostly solitary with a few small exceptions. Red Pandas tend to grow slowly and will maintain a relationship with their mother for about a year before leaving to live out the rest of their lives alone. During the mating seasons Firefoxes will have short lasting relationships with a mate until the seasons are up. Despite living in almost complete solitude, Red Pandas do trade information by used visual cues, scent glands, and variety of calls. Beside these interactions Red Pandas live in complete solitude. Even though one Ailurus’s home range may overlap anothers, they never interact. Their breeding season takes place during January to April. Similarly to the Giant Pandas, female Red Pandas are only fertile for one or two days a year This ensures that the offspring will be born during the summer when they have their best chance at survival.The Red Panda gestation period lasts about 135 days (a little more than 4.4 months), which is surprisingly long considering that they only weigh eleven pounds at maturity. The females create nests in branch forks, tree holes, tree roots or bamboo thickets and line it with leaves, moss and other soft plant material. A litter usually consists of about two cubs and they are born sometime between May and July. Newborns weigh between 110 to 130 g (3.9 and 4.6 ounces). They are already completely furred to protect them from the cold environment. Red Pandas become adults at twelve months and reach sexual maturity at eighteen months. They can live up to 22 years, though females stop breeding at age twelve. Firefoxes have a slow reproduction rate and suffer great amounts from population declines. Females’ habitats are usually about one square mile and males’ are about two square miles. Males tend to breed with females that have overlapping living ranges with them. Despite have a mile or two as their home to roam, Red Pandas need to conserve a lot of their energy so they only travel around 650-1,000 feet in their range per day. They only cover about 25% of their living ranges per month. Red Panda’s have a couple ways of marking their territory, including scents from glands on the pads of their feet and urine, similarly to dogs. Just like Cats, Firefoxes bathe by licking the front of their paws and cleaning the fur all over their body. Red Pandas have strange diet. They eat bamboo year round and eat insects and fruits in warm enough weather. Unlike Giant Pandas, Red Pandas don’t eat every part of the bamboo plant. They will only eat the most soft and tender shoots. Also Giant Pandas don’t chew their food much, while Red Pandas chew their bamboo assiduously. Although bamboo may seem like a very abundant food source, Red Panda’s search for the more tender and soft bamboo shoots reduces their food’s availability. These soft shoots grow in patches. While these patches may be found randomly throughout their habitats, it’s more than likely that two or more Red Pandas will find the same patches of tender bamboo. So a few Firefoxes might have to share some food sources. Bamboo grows quickly and it’s almost always growing somewhere. Unfortunately it has many indigestible fibers, making it very hard for Red Pandas to survive solely on it because they can’t extract all the nutrients they need from bamboo. In fact bamboo is only accountable for one quarter of Red Panda’s nutrient intake. During the winter when Firefoxes can’t eat their preferred food, (insects and fruit), they lose about 15% body weight. To avoid losing too much weight during the winter Red Pandas have a very low metabolism, nearly as slow as sloths, and they can slow down their metabolism even more. They will also spend up to thirteen hours searching for and eating bamboo. Red Pandas have a thick fur that covers their entire body, including the soles of their paws, this keeps them warm throughout the cold months Red Pandas have likely existed for millions of years! There were some fossils found in Eastern Europe and North America that looked similar to the Red Pandas of today. These fossils dated back to the Pliocene (5 to 2 million years ago) and Miocene (25 to 5 million years ago) periods! Some scientists believe that Red Pandas and bamboo were historically found in many places around the world. It’s possible that Red Pandas predate Humans. The exact number of wild Red Pandas in Asia is unknown at the moment but some scientists estimate that there are about 2,500 left. But many zoos have taken up the responsibility of trying to help preserve this species. More than 80 zoos have Red Pandas and most of them participate in a management program to ensure the survival of a viable zoo population. To protect Red Pandas we must protect the ecosystem in which they inhabit. Deforestation has caused a number of problems with the Red Panda habitat. The forests where Red Pandas live rely on slow water runoff from the nearby mountains. Recently deforestation has caused soil to run down the mountains instead. Many people rely on Red Pandas and their habitat. Sources: "About the Red Panda." Red Panda Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 July 2017. "Red Panda." San Diego Zoo Global Animals and Plants. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 July 2017. "Red Panda." Smithsonian's National Zoo. N.p., 31 May 2017. Web. 07 July 2017. "Red Panda." WWF. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 07 July 2017.
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The Saola or Pseudoryx nghetinhensis is a very interesting animal. The Saola is also known as the Asian Unicorn because of its two parallel pointed horns. Since its discovery in May 1992 there hasn’t been much new information about the Asian Unicorn. Pseudoryx nghetinhensis is the largest mammal discovered in the past 50 years! Because of the animals rarity and that there are no Saola in captivity it is very difficult for Zoologists to study these creatures. In fact the Saola is so rare that there have only been four encounters documented. The Asian Unicorn was first discovered because of a strange skull found in a hunter’s home in Vietnam. The elongated skull sported two oddly long and straight, parallel horns. Further research lead to the discovery of one of the most interesting new mammals of recent years! Saola are recognizable by their twin 20 inch horns,which are found on both males and females. Despite their similarities to the antelope, the asian unicorn in related to cows. Pseudoryx nghetinhensis has are known for the white markings that decorate their face. As well as their large maxillary gland on their muzzle that helps them to attract mates or mark their territory. They are approximately 88.9 cm (35 in) at the shoulder and they weigh about 79.8322571-99.7903214 km (176-220 lb) Located in the Annamite Mountains of Vietnam and Laos, Saola prefer the edges of forests. The forests they inhabit tend to be described as evergreen and deciduous woodlands. During the wet season the Pseudoryx nghetinhensis is thought to stay in the mountainous regions. Although, during the winter the Saola moves down to the lowlands. This interesting animal feeds on a simple herbivorous diet of fig leaves, leafy plants, and stems along rivers. Although Saola are normally solitary, they may sometimes travel in pairs. The Saola give birth during April-June. These creatures is estimated to have an eight month gestation period. Saola lifespan is unknown, all attempted captivity has lead to the animal’s quick death. Their population is not known or documented but many zoologists believe that their numbers could range from approximately a few hundred to a few dozen, specifically 70 to 750. The forests Soala inhabit get increasing smaller each day as people make room for plantations, agriculture and infrastructure. This pushes all of the Saola into small areas and depletes their food supply. Pseudoryx nghetinhensis also get caught in snares meant for wild boar and other animals. Their small population has led conservationists to worry about genetic diversity in the Asian Unicorns in the future. Experts believe this species has a chance if we act fast to save it. It would be terrible to lose not only a interesting new discovery but also such a cute creature. Sources: Bove, Jennifer. "This Endangered 'Asian Unicorn' Has Rarely Been Seen in the Wild." ThoughtCo. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 June 2017 "Saola – Pseudoryx Nghetinhensis - Critically Endangered Species." It's Nature - News, Videos & Pictures From the Natural World. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 June 2017. "Saola." WWF. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 18 June 2017. There are three species of spotted owl, The Mexican spotted owl, or Strix occidentalis lucida, is one of the three spotted owl species. The average length of the Mexican Spotted Owl is 41-48 cm (16-19 inches). Their average wingspan is 107-114 cm (42-45 inches). They usually weigh approximately 547-647 grams (19.5-23 ounces). The female owls are larger, and weigh about 100 more grams, than the male owls in this representation reversed sexual dimorphism. Of the 19 owl species in America, the Mexican Spotted Owl ranks fifth largest. Mexican Spotted Owls have brown plumage dotted with white and dark brown spots. These particular birds have bigger white spots than other spotted owls, making them appear to have lighter plumage. Despite the classic light yellow eyes usually found in most owls, Mexican Spotted Owls have rare darker eyes. Very few owl species have dark eyes like this species. These owls tend to choose forests with many full grown trees. These trees create a safe canopies ideal for nesting. Mexican Spotted Owls tend to stay in one place and do not to change their habitat often. They will only move if they are forced by extreme and severe weather. Mexican Spotted Owls tend to stick to restricted forests that don’t allow logging or destruction of the environment. These beautiful birds have the largest range of the spotted owl subspecies. In the United States, these owls tend to spotted in all of the colored states on the map to the right. Mexican Spotted Owl’s population in America is approximately 2,106 individuals. Although the American numbers are low, numbers in Mexico are even more dangerously low. These animals, as with all owls, are nocturnal. Spotted Owls have are carnivores, their diet consists of woodrats, mice, voles, rabbits, gophers, bats, birds, reptiles and arthropods. When it comes to hunting technique, these owls are “perch and pounce” predators. This means they will wait on a branch, particularly a higher branch, and wait for prey to come into sight. It will then drop down from it’s perch and watch it’s prey for a few seconds. Then the bird will pounce forward and grab the prey between its talons and it will fly away. Mexican Spotted Owls a solitary animals, they tend to stick to themselves when it isn’t mating season. These particular owls mate during February and March. These spotted owls do not mate every year. They tend to reach sexual maturity two to three years after hatching. After Mexican Spotted Owls mate the female will incubate the eggs while the male finds food for her and the hatchlings. These particular owls form long-term bonds with their mate. After the two month gestation period the female lays from two to four eggs. She usually will lay these eggs in secluded areas, such as natural tree cavities or small caves. Sometimes she will even re-use another birds empty nest. After about 32 to 36 days pass, the young will leave the nest to perch on nearby branches. The begin to fly short distances between 40 to 45 days old. Juveniles completely leave their birthplace the following September after they hatch. Mexican Spotted Owls are endangered partly because of deforestation. The number of nesting areas of habitats for these oor birds decreases by the minute. These beautiful birds have a bad reproductive success rate, not to mention they have a low juvenile success rate. Once a Mexican Spotted Owl reaches maturity it can survive up to 16 years. The problem is the low production rates of two to four eggs every few years. Unfortunately of 20% of the young survive to adulthood. Most of the young dies from starvation or they are hunted and killed by predators such as the Northern Goshawk or Great Horned Owls. Not to mention the lack of proper nesting area also caused many Mexican Spotted Owls to perish before reaching adulthood. Climate change has huge impact on this species, as it does many others. For these particular birds, their nesting technique relies of precipitation. Global warming has been decreasing the rain rates rapidly. Dry climates ruin the owl’s nesting sites and contribute to the low survival rate of their young. Not to mention the west Nile virus, which spreads considerably faster in humid climates. The blood-borne disease is spread through mosquito bites. The heat also causes droughts which concentrate the owls in area with water, where mosquitoes lay their eggs and hatch, making these poor birds easy prey. These magnificent owls may no longer exist if people don’t start to act. There are many ways you can easily help these birds. Of the many thing you can do, one example is don’t litter. Littering contributes to the speed global warming the more we can slow it down. The more time we have to help the endangered species affected and to discover new ways to get closer to demolishing global warming. You can also sign petitions on change.org to help push the Senate to make and enforce laws protecting Mexican Spotted Owls and other endangered species. Sources: "Basic Facts About Mexican Spotted Owls." Defenders of Wildlife. N.p., 19 Sept. 2016. Web. 23 May 2017. "Northern Spotted Owl." Encyclopedia of Environment and Society (1998): 1-3. Colorado Plateau, 1998. Web. 23 May 2017. Palumbo, Jean, and Matt Johnson. "Mexican Spotted Owl (U.S. National Park Service)." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 2010. Web. 23 May 2017. Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife. "Mexican Spotted Owl - Ecological Services, Southwest Region Fish and Wildlife Service." Official Web Page of the U S Fish and Wildlife Service. N.p., 2009. Web. 23 May 2017. The Great White shark has many names including the white pointer, white shark, and the melodramatic “white death.” They are also known by their scientific name Carcharodon carcharias. These beautiful sharks have slate-grey dorsal region, (upper bodies), to blend in with the rocks cluttering the coastal sea floor. The magnificent creatures received their name “The Great White Shark” from their signature white ventral region (underbellies). They are very sleek in the water. Their torpedo-shaped bodies and powerful tails allow these speedy swimmers to speed through the water at up to 24 kilometers (15 miles) per hour. They have the ability to completely leave the water, similarly to whales, when attacking their prey from beneath the surface. Great White Sharks can grow to an average of 4.6 meters (15 feet) in length, though there have been sharks exceeding 6 meters (20 feet) and weighing up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) recorded during testing and/or tagging. Great Whites are highly adapted predators with their mouths containing over 300 triangular, serrated teeth. When any of their many teeth fall out it is quickly replaces as the row behind it move forward to take it’s place. They mainly prey on seals, sea lions, small toothed whales, carrion, and even sea turtles. Great Whites hunt from beneath the surface, once they spot some prey they use their force and speed to push the prey out of the water whilst biting them. There are over 100 shark attacks recorded each year, 33% to 50% of those attacks are committed by Great White sharks. However most, if not, all of these attacks are not fatal. The naturally curious creatures tend to “sample bite” the victims before letting them go and continuing their search for their natural food sources. Yearly, approximately ten humans die at the fins of sharks, let alone Great Whites. Mosquitos, snakes, and even elephants and dogs, at cause of rabies, kill more humans each year. Lightning strikes kill more than all sharks combined. The threat of these creatures are truly overrated. Great Whites do sometimes hunt in groups, despite their lone reputation, they then share their earnings with each other somewhat equally. Scientists often compliment White Sharks on their quick adaptation and learning skills. Great Whites are considered extremely intelligent and highly inquisitive by a number of scientists. Each shark has different reactions to certain situations, such as either assertively body-slamming each other to open-mouthed gaping at one another when in a gathering of White Sharks. Seals and Dolphins are considered very intelligent and clever creatures. White Sharks have been able to outsmart these clever sea-dwellers for hundreds of years. Proving them to be very intelligent animals, compared to some other fish especially. When it come to water temperature, with the exceptions of short trips to northern colder waters, Great Whites tend to stick to more mild temperatures. Instead of staying in the dark, murky depths of the vast ocean, Great Whites prefer staying close to the shore and near the surface, where a plethora of food presents itself and is easy to catch. Great Whites migrate very far distances during their lifetimes. One shark swam from South Africa to Australia made the longest migration of any fish ever recorded. Great Whites are a part of the exclusive group of fish that give birth rather than lay eggs. Great Whites eggs, unlike most fish, are internally fertilized rather than externally fertilized. The pups hatch and develop inside of the female for an estimated eleven months before being born in litters of two to ten pups. There is not much information about the “private life” of White Sharks. After birth, the pups are 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length. Great white males mature sooner than females with the males taking nine to ten years to mature, while females take 14-16 years to mature. There is a theory that the female sharks give birth once every few years. Preparing for adulthood, younger Great Whites eat fish and ray before advancing to sea lions and seas. Is there anything older than dinosaurs that is larger than a pinhead? Many people may answer no, but that would be incorrect. Among the many organisms that “came before” the dinosaurs, sharks predate dinosaurs by over 170 million years. Sharks supposedly existed over 400 million years ago during the Ordovician period. Have you ever dreamed of having a sixth sense? Sharks actually have one, despite their amazing sense of smell, and their other enhanced senses, Great Whites actually have organs that sense the tiny electromagnetic fields animals generate. Great Whites are considered one of the many endangered species. Being one of the best predators of the ocean, the only real threat to the Great White sharks’ survival as a species is humanity. Most “accidental” deaths are caused by careless fishermen who catch sharks in their longlines or trawlers. Though many people catch Great Whites to sell their fins for shark fin pills or shark fin soup and other terrible “delicacies” requiring shark meat. A few beaches use shark nets to keep sharks away from their popular shores for business purposes. These nets do not simple keep the sharks out, they kill almost any shark that comes into contact with it. There have been a few protests against shark nets but only a few, barely enough. Some people just hunt Great White’s for sport, collecting their teeth and jaws as trophies. And, of course, pollution; heavy metals and toxins that build up on the shark’s body, eventually causing its death. Great White shark’s population have subsided a substantial amount of over 70% in the last 15 years. An easy and simple way to help White Sharks is to not purchase their jaws or teeth as collectibles or items made from their fins. You could also learn more about the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy is an organization in which the main goal is to raise awareness of the endangerment of, help save, educate, and research Great White Sharks. They have plenty of opportunities to learn more about these magnificent hunters and their researchers who dedicate most of their time to learning more about White Sharks. You can also learn about and join the gills club, an opportunity for girls to engage in many projects aiming to make a significant impact on the way most people perceive Great White Sharks. Go to their website to learn more about what they are doing and how you can help them help the world of Great White Sharks. Sources: "Great White Shark Facts." Animal Fact Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2017. "Home." Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2017. Institution, Smithsonian. "Great White Shark." Ocean Portal | Smithsonian. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, 31 Aug. 2016. Web. 05 May 2017. News, CBS. "Bill Gates Reveals the Deadliest Animal around." CBS News. CBS Interactive, 29 Apr. 2014. Web. 05 May 2017. Society, National Geographic. "Great White Sharks - Shark Pictures - Great White Facts." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2017. Many people know about butterflies and their elegance and beauty. As many people know, they are many species of butterfly. Despite the increasing number of insects throughout the world and having 40% of the world’s species fall under their class and 83% under their phylum there are still some endangered insects. Furthermore there are endangered butterflies, on of which is the Karner Blue Butterfly. Between the span of the early 1980s and 1995 the population numbers decreased from 3,000-5,000 to 50 wild Karner Blue Butterflies. They were federally listed as endangered in 1992. Karner Blues are small butterflies with a wingspan of approximately an inch. The upper surface of all four wings is a deep violet-blue fringed with white, in male Karner Blue Butterflies. In the female, the upper surface is a dusky brownish blue with orange spots on the edge of the hindwing. Near the edge of the female’s hind wings are a pale silver with white-ringed black spots and rows of bright orange and blue marking, the males do not share these markings. The half an inch Karner Blue Caterpillar’s coloration matches the green that pigments most vegetation and covered with fine hairs. The Karner Blue Butterfly happens to be the state butterfly of New Hampshire, it would be devastating if New Hampshire were to loose it’s beautiful butterfly mascot. There are two generations per year for Karner Blues. The first generation of the year takes place in May-mid June. The Females of this generation lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves and stems of the Blue Lupine plant. The adults of the second generation of the year emerge around mid July-early August. The cycle repeats as the females of this generation lay eggs that will hatch in next years May. Karner Blue caterpillars feed only on wild blue lupine plant leaves, greatly limiting their number of possibly habitats. The limited habitats have been further reduced due to lack of natural disturbance, such as large grazing animals and wildfires, and land development. Disturbances such as wildfire help maintain the butterfly's habitat by setting back invading forests. Encouraging the growth of lupine plants. The butterfly tend to inhabit areas of dry open woods with sandy areas and clearings supporting wild blue lupine. This type of habitat is usually associated with pitch pine/scrub oak or oak savanna communities that are maintained by fire at an early stage of plant succession. Despite their lack of habitat making them rare, the Karner Blue butterfly are very beautiful. These qualities make them extremely valuable to butterfly collectors. As small as a couple of butterfly collectors catching a few Karner Blues can cause serious damage to the species at this point. Sources: Foundation, World Wildlife. "Priority Butterflies." Endangered Butterflies | Critically Endangered Butterfly Species. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2017. "Karner Blue Butterfly Fact Sheet." Karner Blue Butterfly Fact Sheet - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2017. "Saving the Karner Blue Butterfly | Wildlife Journal Junior." Wildlife Journal Junior. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2017. Amur Leopard Author, John Stengel Scientific Name: Panthera Pardus Orientalis Habitat: Forest/Mountains Status: Critically Endangered How many left: Only about 60 in the wild! What is the Amur Leopard? The Amur Leopard is often mistaken for its more common counterpart the African Leopard. However the Amur Leopard is a more evolved version of its African cousin. As this leopard migrated into Far East Russia and parts of China it adapted to fit its climate. The fur of the Amur Leopard grew thicker in response to the colder climates. Amur Leopards have several similar features to African Leopards. They have been known to run as fast as 35 miles per hour and have wonderful leg muscles. However this species’ legs are slightly longer allowing them to propel themselves up to 19 feet horizontally and 10 feet vertically! These long appendages also permit the animal to swim and scale rough terrain. Amur Leopards hunt alone and hide their dead prey until they are ready to return for it. The Amur Leopard stalks Ungulates (an animal with hooves). They are sometimes gone for hours at a time while hunting. Unfortunately this increases the chance of predators discovering the mother leopards’ nest. A pregnant Amur Leopard can have from 1-4 cubs and the cubs are born helpless without their mother. To decrease the chance of a predator stumbling upon its cubs, a mother will move the location of her den to throw other creatures off their scent. From birth, the average lifespan of an Amur Leopard is 10-15 years. Why Are Amur Leopards Endangered? Dwindling habitats and food sources have been slowly reducing the amount of Amur Leopards in the wild. Logging and road-building have slowly eaten away at the forests that are home to these animals. Hunting has greatly reduced the number of Amur Leopards in the wild as well. These leopards are hunted for their coats and bones which can be made into various medicines. Illegal hunting and selling of the furs have boosted the popularity of Amur Leopard skins. Due to all of these debilitating factors have led to a very small amount of these magnificent animals remaining. The Oregon Zoo has an Amur Leopard in captivity in hopes to keep the species alive. “An estimated 50-60 individuals remain in Land of the Leopard National Park (a reserve for wild leopards located in China) and approximately 10-12 individuals have been counted in adjacent areas of China” says a source from the Oregon Zoo. What Are We Doing To Help? Many zoos across North America and Asia have realized the predicament that the Amur Leopards are in. Several Leopards have been placed in captivity in a hopes to save the species. Since then about 10 Amur Leopards have been rescued and live in various zoos across the globe. However there are more leopards that need help. What Can I Do To Help? The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) take donations that help to cover the costs of helping these animals and keeping them safe. Donating to them can help to rescue more wild leopards and keep them comfortable and happy. You can also check the wood products you buy to see if they are forest friendly and have been approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC regulates logging and helps to prevent illegal logging. These animals can really benefit from our efforts to help. Sources: "Amur Leopard." WWF. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2017. "Amur Leopard." Oregon Zoo. Oregon Zoo, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2017. Bonobos, or scientifically Pan paniscus, are a part of the Hominidae which is in the Primates order in the Mammalia class of the Chordata Phylum. Bonobos have also been called Pygmy Chimpanzee, Gracile Chimpanzee, Dwarf Chimpanzee. Bonobos and chimpanzees look and are very similar, which means they are similar to humans. In fact both Chimps and Bonobos share 98.7% of their DNA with humans. Making these two species our closest relatives, causing their endangerment is like causing your cousins endangerment. These two species are so similar that until 1929 Bonobos were not considered a separate species from the chimpanzee by Congo’s Demographic republic. Bonobos are usually smaller and darker than chimpanzees. Unlike their better known cousins, the Bonobo groups are very peaceful and are led by the females, most disputes are resolved through sex. Despite their usually kind and friendly nature, if a two groups collide they will engage in serious conflicts. Being the most recently scientifically discovered great ape, much still remains unknown about the bonobo. Bonobos have suffered serious illegal hunting, habitat degradation and destruction. Due to their now dilapidated habitat and subsiding numbers, the Dwarf Chimpanzees’ population has significantly diminished in the last 15–20 years and it is thought that this depletion could continue for the next 60 years. At the moment the greatest threat to the Pan paniscus’ survival is poaching for the commercial wild meat trade. Scientists estimate approximately nine tons of wild meat are extracted daily from a conservation landscape covering 50,000-km² land within the Bonobo’s range. Their generation time is estimated to be about 25 years, in the middle of the human generation time of about 22-32 years. Bonobos develop at a similar rate as humans. Similar to humans, the Gracile Chimpanzees do not repopulate quickly. These two factors combined creates a serious dilemma, which is one of the main causes of the endangerment the Pan paniscus. The constant deforestation and poaching and the slow repopulation process is wreaking havoc upon the Bonobo species. The population decline over 75 years (three-generation periods) from 2003 to 2078 is likely to exceed 50%. If you would like to learn more information in further detail you should head to http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/15932/0. Don’t forget to check out the Bonobo Conservation Initiative on https://www.bonobo.org/ if you would like see what you can do to help the Bonobos. Sources: “Bonobo." WWF. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2017. "Latest News." Bonobo Conservation Initiative. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2017. "Pan Paniscus ." Pan Paniscus (Bonobo, Dwarf Chimpazee, Gracile Chimpanzee, Pygmy Chimpanzee). N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2017. Pangolins, or Manis, are solitary nocturnal animals, covered from head to tail in an armor of keratin scales. Keratin is also what makes up human's fingernails, as well as some other species’ claws. The Pangolin’s scales are believed to have medicinal benefits, although this has been proved to be an urban legend, similar to the shark fin pills stopping cancer rumors. A spooked pangolin will enclose its head with its front legs, displaying its scales to any potential predator. If grabbed or touched it will roll up completely into a ball, while the sharp scales on the tail can be used to lash out. Their insectivorous diet gives them their nickname; “scaly anteaters.” Despite this misleading nickname recent genetic evidence proves that they are actually more closely related to hyenas, cats, bears and seals than they are to anteaters, armadillos, and sloths. These armored creatures are found in Africa and Asia. Of the eight species of Manis, they are separated evenly among the two countries, with four residing in Africa, and four in Asia. The four african species are the Black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla), White-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), Temminck's Ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) and Giant Ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea). The four Asian species are the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis), and the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica). Manis are the most trafficked mammal in the world. The scaly anteaters are hunted for their meat and scales, mainly in Asia, but the “trend” has begun to spread throughout Africa as well. “The illegal trade of pangolins hit a new milestone this month when Shanghai customs officials seized more than 3 tons of pangolin scales.” As previously mentioned, these scales are considered to have medicinal benefits, raising their demand to a devastating level for the Pangolins. All of the species are under protected by international and national laws. Two of the species have been listed as critically endangered by IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Though illegal poachers and traffickers do not care, and continue to conduct their black market businesses. If the trafficking continues Pangolins will have an estimated 25 years at most before they go extinct. Sources: Blau, Max. "Chinese Officials Seize Record Number of Pangolin Scales." CNN. Cable News Network, 29 Dec. 2016. Web. 16 Mar. 2017. "Pangolin." WWF. World Wildlife Fund, 2017. Web. 16 Mar. 2017. The Elephant, or Elephantidae, is the largest land mammal roaming the planet, Earth. The African Elephant can weigh up to 8 tons. If you aren’t already aware of what Elephants look like, they are mostly differentiated from other animals by their massive bodies, and large ears. As well as their powerful trunk that poses as many different useful tools, such as a hand to pick items up, or a warning trumpet. Baby elephants also use their trunks to grasp their mother's tail while traveling. Elephants are known for being a symbol of sagacity, and they, themselves, are considered quite sagacious. This belief is usually caused by the life-span of Elephants, 60-70 years, for the African Elephant. Studies have also proven them to be very intelligent creatures. Elephant communities are normally made up of the females and the calves, with the males living individually. Every 4-5 years a female will have a single calf after a 22 month gestation period. The Elephant gestation period is the longest of any earth dwelling mammal. These calf stay with their mothers for years. All of the females in the group help protect all of the young. Asian and African Elephants are the two main types of Elephantidae. They are very different, the Asian elephant lacking considerably in size compared to their African kin. Whilst the African Elephant has the signature large fan-shaped ears, the Asian Elephant’s ears are straight at the bottom. Not all Asian Elephants, even males, have tusks, while all African Elephants, including females, have tusks. Asian Elephants have five on the forefoot and four toes on the hind foot, while the African Elephant has five on the forefoot and three on the hind foot. Like humans are left or right-handed, Elephants are either left or right-tusked. By looking at an Elephant you can tell which side they prefer by the size of the tusks, the preferred tusk is usually smaller due to the wear and tear of usage. All species of Elephantidae require extensive land, water, and food to survive. Their need for so many resources has caused some conflict with the human race. Elephants biggest threat to their survival is illegal poaching of ivory and habitat loss. Climate change will cause Elephants habitats to grow hotter and drier as the years progress. Therefore resulting in poorer foraging conditions, and calf survival chances to decrease. Elephants help maintain savanna and forest ecosystems for other species, and are integrally tied to rich biodiversity. Therefore they are very important, and we, as humans, with such privileges, should do our best to help. "Basic Facts About Elephants." Defenders of Wildlife. N.p., 19 Sept. 2016. Web. 01 Mar. 2017. "Elephant." WWF. World Wildlife Fund, nod Web. 01 Mar. 2017. Society, National Geographic. "Elephants Information, Facts, Photos, Videos, News." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2017. "The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee." The Elephant Sanctuary. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2017. The Spix’s Macaw, or Cyanopsitta spixii, is native to Northern Brazil. The Spix’s Macaw is also known as the “Little Blue Macaw” by some. These lively birds have striking deep blue tails and wings, as well as the variety of blue shades that cover the rest of their bodies, differing from bird to bird. The elegant parrots are considered quite beautiful by many. The Spix’s Macaw is presumed extinct despite around 50 known to be existing in captivity, there have been no Cyanopsitta spixii found in the wild since 2000. Although many zoologists still consider them as “critically endangered” rather than “extinct,” there is a high probability that there are no more of these birds in the wild. In 1990 a male Macaw was discovered and paired with a female Macaw in captivity. Unfortunately only a few weeks after her release, the female struck a power line and died. The Little Blue Macaw’s deterioration in numbers is due to hunting and trapping, and habitat destruction. As well as the introduction of Africanized bees, or "killer bees." The Spix’s Macaw also depends upon the Caribbean trumpet tree for perching and nesting. The Caribbean trumpet tree is unfortunately only found in a unique habitat in Brazil that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. The bird is also subject to illegal trapping for trade. These problems have had major effects on the Spix’s survival in the wild, leading them to their current condition. There are many breeding programs doing their best to help. Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, (AWWP), is currently holding some of these birds as they attempt to restore this poor species. Despite their efforts, Cyanopsitta spixii are still critically endangered. It is very likely that they will stay this way until they go extinct. Unless people donate to the breeding programs making their best efforts, therefore allowing them the ability expand their horizons and work harder towards widening the chance of this beautiful birds revival. If you would like to help, check out the AWWP for more information about this great organization. "Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation." Read General Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2017. "BBC Nature - Spix's Macaw Videos, News and Facts." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2017. Kooistra, Michelle. "Spix’s Macaw." Spix's Macaw | World Parrot Trust. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2017. Moss, Laura. "10 Animals Presumed Extinct in the Last Decade." MNN - Mother Nature Network. Mother Nature Network, 08 Feb. 2017. Web. 23 Feb. 2017. -Spix's Macaw Babies |
AuthorI've always liked Wildlife and deeply pity the endangered. I hope my writing will help educate and raise awareness for these species on a more personal level as I delve into each animal and they're unique situations. Categories
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