We are pushing our closest cousins towards extinction. Chimpanzees share 98.7% of their genes with us. But humans and chimps do not mix. There has been an increase in human-chimp conflicts. This is largely due to deforestation. And the encroaching human population. Other threats to the species include disease, the illegal pet trade, and being poachedContinueContinue reading “Humans are killing their closest living relative!”
Tag Archives: Endangered Species
Frogs that make their own sunscreen
The waxy-monkey tree frog is unlike most frogs. It is able to tolerate higher temperatures and direct sunlight due to their special skin glands that produce a waxy substance. The frogs rub the secretions all over themselves as protection from the sun aka sunscreen. The waxy substance also traps in moisture so the frogs don’tContinueContinue reading “Frogs that make their own sunscreen”
RAWR
ENDANGERED. The Siberian tiger (also known as the Amur tiger) is the largest cat in the world! Males can be up to 11ft long and weigh 660lbs. Deforestation is the biggest reason for the population decline. These tigers are also poached for their fur and body parts (used in traditional medicine). They live mostly inContinueContinue reading “RAWR”
Have you ever seen a fox in a tree?
Gray foxes are the only fox species that can climb trees. They climb up to 50 ft and jump from branch to branch. Like all foxes they are omnivores, they eat just about everything. They play an important role in the environment by controlling rodent populations. Although they are not considered endangered, gray foxes’ habitatsContinueContinue reading “Have you ever seen a fox in a tree?”
Monkeys with caps
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”
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 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.
Eye of the Wild Photography 