The Eastern Black Colobus Monkey. They can leap up to 25ft from tree to tree, using their long fur as a sort of parachute. The name “colobus” comes from the Greek word for mutilated, because their thumbs are just nubs. They are hunted for their fur which is used to make hats and capes. TheyContinueContinue reading “Monkeys with caps”
Tag Archives: animal photos
Ringtails
An adorable and curious ring-tailed cat in a barn in Arizona. Despite their name, ring-tailed cats are not related to cats. They are part of the racoon (procyonidae) family. Ringtails are the state mammal of Arizona.
The Great Egret
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”
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.