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.
Tag Archives: Animals
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….”
Leaping Lemurs
Ringtail lemurs are listed as endangered by the IUCN. Their population has decreased 95% since 2000. The lemurs biggest threat is habitat loss and degradation. Followed by being hunted for bushmeat and the illegal pet trade. Ringtail lemurs live in Madagascar, an island of the east coast of Africa. It is home to over 200,000ContinueContinue reading “Leaping Lemurs”
African Elephants
African elephants are listed as vulnerable. Poaching is still a big threat to elephants, even though CITES banned the global trade of ivory in 1989. Habitat loss and human conflict are also threats to the survival of the species. Elephants are the world’s largest land mammal. They are intelligent, beautiful, unique creatures that I personallyContinueContinue reading “African Elephants”
Queen of the Beast
African Lions are listed as vulnerable. Their population has decreased by 43% in the last 20 years and is still decreasing. Humans continue to destroy and move into lions’ natural habitat increasing the number of human-animal conflicts, where the lions end up getting shot. Lions are also threatened by tick-borne illnesses like distemper and babesia.ContinueContinue reading “Queen of the Beast”
Hippos!!
The hippopotamus is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Their population is decreasing. Hippos are poached and killed for the meat and ivory teeth. Habitat destruction and human-conflict are other threats that hippos face. Fun Fact: Hippos can’t swim. They push off the bottom or rocks underwater to propel themselves. They can also hold theirContinueContinue reading “Hippos!!”
Super Snake Jaws
Most people know that snakes can open their mouths extremely wide, but how do they do it? It is a common misconception that snakes can dislocate or detached their jaws. This is not true. Snakes have a special split lower jaw that is attached by a stretchy ligament. This allows the lower jaws to stretchContinueContinue reading “Super Snake Jaws”
Reticulated Giraffe
The Reticulated Giraffe is now listed as endangered by the IUCN. Habitat loss is their biggest threat, followed by poaching. Giraffe body parts, like their bones, tails, and hides are in high demand in the illegal market. Although giraffes are common at zoos and game parks, the director of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), warnsContinueContinue reading “Reticulated Giraffe”
…The Cheetah…
Cheetahs are the world’s fastest land animals, with the ability to go from 0 to 60mph in just 3 seconds. But they can only maintain that speed for a minute or less. Cheetahs are listed as vulnerable on IUCN Red list. Under the United States Endangered Species Act they are listed as endangered. Their populationContinueContinue reading “…The Cheetah…”
Eye of the Wild Photography 