….Huge teeth A horse’s teeth take up more space in their head than their brain does. Horses have the largest eyes of any land mammal. Having eyes on the sides of their head allows them to see almost 360 degrees. The only wild horse species left is the Przewalski’s horse, and they are endangered. OnceContinueContinue reading “Why the long face?..”
Tag Archives: Conservation
A Global Conservation Story
The Kihansi Spray Toad is the first extinct in the wild amphibian to be reintroduced to its natural habitat, the Kihansi Falls in the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania, Africa. This toad lives only in the spray zone of the falls, where there is plenty of mist. In 2000 the water flow was diverted to powerContinueContinue reading “A Global Conservation Story”
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??”
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”
Black-and-White ruffed Lemurs
The black-and-white ruffed lemur is Critically endangered! Deforestation/habitat destruction for agricultural use is their primary threat. They are also hunted for bushmeat. Like all lemurs the black and white ruffed lemur is native in Madagascar. Madagascar has lost more than 90% of its original forest. Forest loss is primarily due to the increase in theContinueContinue reading “Black-and-White ruffed Lemurs”
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”
Great White Sharks
A Great White Shark breaching the water and showing off rows of razor-sharp teeth. These beautiful creatures are highly misunderstood and get a bad rap in the media and movies. Millions of sharks are killed by humans every year. Although their exact population is unknown scientists believe that the population is decreasing at an alarmingContinueContinue reading “Great White Sharks”
Dragons
The largest living lizard! ……The fearsome Komodo dragon! Komodo dragons are only found on several small islands in Indonesia. They are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. The Komodo National Park was established in 1980 to help preserve and protect Komodo dragons. Deforestation for agricultural use and poaching of deer, the dragons’ main prey, are theContinueContinue reading “Dragons”
Green Sea Turtles
Green sea turtles are one of seven species of Sea turtles. They are listed as endangered according to the IUNC. Despite being protected national and international laws their population continues to decline. Like most endangered species their biggest threat is human activity. In some countries they are harvested for meat. Sea turtles also get tangledContinueContinue reading “Green Sea Turtles”