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: Environmental Conservation
Eagle Snacks
A bald eagle ripping apart and devouring a dead fish in Northern Michigan. Bald eagles live across the United States. They have been the national emblem of the USA since 1782. Despite this, the bald eagle was on the verge of extinction in the 1950s. Illegal hunting, habitat loss and the pesticide DDT were theContinueContinue reading “Eagle Snacks”
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”
Open Wide!
Although river otters are adorable they are carnivores. Their favorite food – fish. They use those sharp canines to stab and catch fish. Built to swim, river otters can hold their breath for 8 minutes and dive up to 60 ft deep. Pollution and habitat destruction are major threats to their conservation.
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”
Eye of the Wild Photography 