Egrets are members of the heron family. They stand motionless in the water waiting for their prey to come near, then they strike quickly and swallow their prey whole. Today egrets are known as one of the great conservation success stories. During the late 1800s, their population was nearly wiped out due to plume huntingContinueContinue reading “The Great Egret”
Tag Archives: Animal facts
Do you know this animal??
A Short-beaked echidna. Echidnas are truly UNIQUE creatures; they have spines, pouches, beaks, electroreceptors, no teeth, a long sticky tongue, and are monotremes; egg-laying mammals. The platypus is the only other egg-laying mammal. Fun facts: Echidnas can swim.Echidnas have the slowest metabolism of any mammal and can live up to 45 years in the wild.ContinueContinue reading “Do you know this animal??”
Elk
Elk in Estes Park, Colorado. Elk also know by their Shawnee name Wapiti, meaning “white rump” are one of the largest members of the deer family. Although they weigh in at around 700 lbs, Elk are surprisingly fast. They can run up to 45 mph and have a vertical jump of 8 ft.
The Massive Martial Eagle
The martial eagle is the largest and most powerful eagle in Africa. It has a wingspan of 6 ft 4 in (2.6 meters). It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. They are shot on sight and poisoned by farmers because they are seen as a threat to livestock. Although the eagles doContinueContinue reading “The Massive Martial Eagle”
The Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana
A black spiny-tailed iguana basking in the mexican sun. These are the world’s fastest lizards, with a max speed of 34.6 km/h or 21.7mph. As more of their natural habitat is destroyed, the iguana populations continue to decline. Although black spiny-tailed iguanas are not considered endangered, there are several other iguana species that are endangered. Such asContinueContinue reading “The Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana”
The Great Gerenuk
Gerenuks are considered near threatened by the IUCN. Meaning that their population is decreasing. Their biggest threat is the loss and fragmentation of their habitat. Gerenuks are also known as giraffe gazelles. In order to reach certain foods gerenuks stand on their hind legs and stretch out their necks.
Great Horned Owl
A family of great horned owls nesting in a dead tree. They are monogamous birds that share in parenting duties. They are very protective of their young and have been known to attack humans that come too close to their nest. Owls can turn their heads up to 260 degrees in either direction to compensateContinueContinue reading “Great Horned Owl”
….Squirrel…
A cheeky red squirrel munching on a black walnut. What red squirrels lack in size they make up for in personality. These feisty creatures relentlessly defend their territories. They are very vocal, making a variety of calls, rattles, growls, buzzes and chirps.
The Secretary Bird
The secretary bird is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list. Their biggest threat is habitat loss. These birds live across sub-Saharan Africa. They can fly but they prefer to walk. Secretary birds have the longest legs of any bird of prey. They prey on snakes, lizards, amphibians, and small mammals. They use theirContinueContinue reading “The Secretary Bird”
Snakes with eyelashes….
The eyelash viper is a species of venomous pit viper. They are native to Central and South America. Eyelash vipers are ambush predators that hunt mainly at night. They have a pair of special pits on the sides of their faces called pit organs that can detect infrared radiation from body heat, similar to infraredContinueContinue reading “Snakes with eyelashes….”
Eye of the Wild Photography 