Animal Encyclopedia

-----------------------------------Macaw For A Pet---------------------------------------

2010-11-14T05:43:00.000-08:00

What Is A Macaw?

Macaw's are small to large, colorful new world parrots native to Mexico, Central America and South America. Most species are connected to rain-forests, while others prefer woodlands or Savannah like habitats.
A Macaw is a very beautiful bird with amazingly colored features. It is found in very big to various small shaped species and like parrots and Toucans have their 1st and 4th toes pointing backwards.
Some of the species are known for their impressive sizes. Hyacinth Macaw is the largest parrot in length and wingspan.
They feed on fruits, nuts, insects and snails. Some species eat damp clay soil called clay licks which neutralize chemicals produced by their fruity diet and also provide them with Sodium. These birds have large powerful beaks that easily crack nuts and seeds. Their dry scaly tongues have a bone for tapping into fruits. Macaws are intelligent, social birds that often gather in flocks of 10 to 30 individuals. Macaws vocalize to communicate within the flock, mark territory, and identify one another. Some species can even mimic human speech.
Majority of Macaw's are now endangered in the wild. Six species are already extinct. The greatest problem threatening the Macaw population is rapid deforestation and illegal trapping of birds for trade. International trade of all Macaw species is regulated by Convention On International Trade In Endangered Species [CITES]

Which Macaw Should I Buy? How Do They Behave?
There are 2 types of Macaw's on the basis of size. Either Large Macaws or Mini Macaws. Sizes of large Macaws range from 20-42 inches and include various common species like Hyacinth Macaw [largest], Blue and Gold Macaw, Military Macaw, Scarlet Macaw, Spix's Macau etc. Mini Macaw's are more easily managed at 10-20 inches but are more uncommon. Mini Macaw's include Severe Macaw, Hahn's Macaw [Noble Macaw], Yellow Collared Macaw etc.
Macaw's have a good life span of about 30-50 years. A healthy large Macaw is expected to easily live out half a century while Mini macaw live near 30 years. If I were to buy this wonderful bird, then i would have gone for a brightly colored one irrespective of its size. Most common choices of these birds are Hyacinth, Scarlet and Blue n Gold Macaw. Glaucous and Military Macaws are also good options. If u wanna go for something unique for collection then you can go for a hybrid.
Macaws are playful and active birds and have an exuberant personality to go with their size. They are smart and inquisitive as well as being playful and lively. They are very affectionate and in turn require a good deal of time and attention from their owners to be happy [Toys Too]. Macaws are also very noisy and their screeches are usually very loud. They also do mimic sounds but not as clearly as other parrots. They are very challenging pets but adapt easily to captivity, they are tamed quickly and create a bond with their owners.
What Do They Require?
Macaws need a large, strong cage so be prepared to make a significant investment. Mini macaws can be kept in cage sized for Amazons (24x36x48). However, larger macaws need a cage at least 36x48x60 and the cage should be strong enough to withstand their significant beak strength of macaws. A stainless steel cage is a good investment.
A wide variety of wooden toys or plain untreated chunks of wood to chew on should be provided. Toys meant to be taken apart to get at a treat are also a good choice, as are hanging toys and toys to climb on as as they are safe
The diet required for a macaw starts with pelleted food which is supplemented with a wide range of healthy fresh foods (grains, vegetables, fruits). Pellets can make upto 25-50% of the diet, But seeds should not be provided more than 10% in the diet as they are too high in fat. Nuts are also a good treat in moderation.

Products Needed.

I only Don't brag about being an animal lover ................. I am 1 tooo .......
I am the one on left .........................
Place : Tamanburung Bird Park , KL , Malaysia

Emperor Penguin

2010-06-14T05:19:00.000-07:00

Introduction

Emperor's are the largest and tallest o

f all penguins. An avg. bird is about 45 inches tall. They live in the frigid Antarctic region and the surrounding water. These flightless birds live in a region where the wind chills can reach up to -60°C! They are carnivores and feed on fish, squid, and krill. At sea these penguins can dive to 1,850 feet, deeper than any other bird and stay underwater for

more than 20 minutes. They are distinguished from other penguins by having bright yellow patches around the neck (in adults). Their wings are stiffened and flattened into flippers and their bodies are streamlined helping them to swim efficiently. They huddle together in colonies to escape wind and conserve warmth. Individuals take turns moving

to the group's protected and relatively toasty interior. Once a penguin has warmed a bit it

will move to the perimeter of the group so that others can enjoy the protection from the icy elements.

Diet

The Emperor Penguin's diet consists mainly of fish, crustaceans [the family of crabs, lobsters, krill, crayfish, shrimp, barnacles etc.] and cephalopods [ The family of squids, octopuses etc. ] Fish are usually the most important food source, and the antartic silverfish makes up the bulk of the bird's diet. Other prey include the glacial squid, the hooked squid and the Antarctic Krill. The Emperor Penguin searches for prey in the open water of the southern ocean, in either ice-free areas of open water or tidal cracks in pack ice.One of its feeding strategies is to dive to around 50 m , where it can easily spot sub-ice fish like the bald notothen swimming against the bottom surface of the se

a-ice; it swims up to the bottom of the ice and catches the fish. It then dives aga

in and repeats the sequence about half a dozen times before surfacing to breathe.

Predators

The Emperor Penguin's predators include birds and aquatic mammals; the southern giant petrel is the main avian predator, responsible for up to 34% of chick deaths in many colonies. The south polar skua mainly scavenges for dead chicks, as the live chicks are too large to be attacked by the time of its arrival in the colony. The primary aquatic predators are both mammals: the Leopard Seal, which takes some adult birds, as well as juveniles soon after they enter the water and the Orca, which takes adult birds.

If one of a breeding pair dies or is killed during the breeding season, the surviving parent must abandon its egg or young and go back to the sea to feed. ................................:(

Adaptation to cold

The Emperor Penguin breeds in the coldest environment of any bird species; air temperatures may reach −40 °C, and wind speeds may reach 144 km/h . Water temperature is a frigid −1.8 °C , which is much lower than the Emperor Penguin's average body temperature of 39 °C . The species has adapted in several ways to counteract heat loss. Feathers provide 80–90% of its insulation, and it has a layer of sub-dermal fat which may be up to 3 cm thick before breeding. This resultant blubber layer impedes the mobility of the Emperor on land compared to its less well fat-insulated cousin, the Magellanic Penguin. Its stiff feathers are short, spear-shaped, and densely packed over the entire skin surface. With around 100 feathers covering one square inch, it has the highest feather density of any bird species. An extra layer of insulation is formed by separate shafts of downy filaments between feathers and skin. Muscles allow the feathers to be held erect on land, reducing heat loss by trapping a layer of air next to the skin. Conversely, the plumage is flattened in water, thus waterproofing the skin and the downy underlayer. Preening is vital in facilitating insulation and in keeping the plumage oily and water-repellent.

Conservation

Emperor Penguin is listed as a species of "least concern" by the IUCN. Along with nine other species of penguin, it is currently under consideration for inclusion under the US Endangered Species Act. The primary reasons for this are declining food availability due to the effects of climate change and industrial fisheries on the crustacean (krill, shrimp etc.) and fish populations. Other reasons for their potential placement on this list include disease, habitat destruction, and disturbance at breeding colonies by humans. Of particular concern is the impact of tourism.THIS IS THE LIMIT ............. every animal i search about gives me evidences dat they r happily feeded on........................... even penguins ....................WTF!!!!!

Breeding

Emperor penguins spend the long winter on the open ice—and even breed during this harsh season. Females lay a single egg and then promptly leave it behind.Male emperors keep the newly laid eggs warm, but they do not sit on them, as many other birds do. Males stand and protect their eggs from the cold by balancing them on their feet and covering t

hem with feathered skin known as a brood pouch. During this two-month period of babysitting the males eat nothing and are at the mercy of the Antarctic.

When female penguins return to the breeding site, they bring a belly full of food which they regurgitate for the newly hatched chicks. Meanwhile, their duty done, male emperors take to the sea in search of food for themselves.Mothers care for their young chicks and protect them with the warmth of their own brood pouches. Outside of this warm cocoon, a chick could die in just a few minutes. In December, Antarctic summer, the pack ice begins to break up and open water appears near the breeding site, just as young emperor penguins are ready to swim and fish on their own.

Fast Facts

Type:
Bird
Biological Name : Aptenodytes forsteri
Diet:
Carnivore
Average life span in the wild:
15 to 20 years
Size:
45 in (115 cm)
Weight:
Up to 88 lbs (40 kg)
Group name:
Colony

Oil Spill in Mexico .......Life In Danger !!!

2010-06-12T05:21:00.000-07:00

The ripple effects of last week's offshore drilling rig explosion widened as crude oil continued to spill in the Gulf of Mexico at a rate of about a thousand barrels a day and oil company officials said it would take at least two to four weeks to get it under control.

The Deepwater Horizon, owned by Transocean and leased to BP, caught fire April 20 after an explosion and sank. Eleven oil rig workers are missing and presumed dead. The rig, with a platform bigger than a football field and insured for $560 million, was one of the most modern and was drilling in 5,000 feet of water.

But other environmentalists warned of damage. "Oil spills are extremely harmful to marine life when they occur and often for years or even decades later," said Jacqueline Savitz, a marine scientist and climate campaign director at Oceana, an environmental group. She said spills could coat sea birds and limit their flying ability and damage fisheries by injuring marine organism's systems

related to respiration, vision and reproduction.

Savitz said that the Gulf of Mexico is host to four species of endangered sea turtles and bluefin tuna, snapper and grouper. "Each of these can be affected," she said. "Turtles have to come to the surface to breathe and can be coated with oil or may swallow it." And, she added, the Gulf is one of only two nurseries for bluefin tuna, more than 90 percent of which return to their place of birth to spawn.

The oil slick could become the nation's worst environmental disaster in decades, threatening hundreds of species of fish, birds and other wildlife along the Gulf Coast, one of the world's richest seafood grounds, teeming with shrimp, oysters and other marine life. Thicker oil was in waters south and east of the Mississippi delta about five miles offshore.

Project Tiger

2010-01-09T01:58:00.000-08:00

OBJECTIVE
The main objective of Project Tiger is to ensure a viable population of tiger in India for scientific , economic , aesthetic , cultural and ecological values and to preserve for all time, areas of biological importance as anatural heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people. Main objectives under the scheme include wildlife management, protection measures and site specific eco-development to reduce the dependency of local communities on tiger reserve resources .

PAST

Project Tiger was launched in 1973-74 is on of the most successful conservation ventures of all time. The project aims at the conservation of tigers in specially constructed 'tiger reserves'. These represent the bio-geographical area falling in our country. An estimate of the tiger population at the turn of the century was around 40,000. Whereas when the 1st survey was done in 1972, the population came out to be only 1827. To prevent this shrinkage, a national ban on tiger hunting was imposed in 1970 whereas the Wildlife Protection Act came into being in 1972.

the principles on which the tiger reserves were made :-

1. Elimination of all forms of human exploitation and biotic disturbance from the core area and rationalization of activities in the buffer zone.
2. Restricting the habitat management only to repair the damages done to the eco-system by human and other interferences, so as to facilitate recovery of the eco-system to its natural state.
3. Monitoring the faunal and floral changes over time and carrying out research about wildlife.

Initially 9 tiger reserves were established which covered which covered an area 13,017 sq.km. Various reserves are Manas [Assam], Palamau [Bihar], Similipal [Orissa], Corbett [UP], Kanha [MP], Melghat [maharashtra], Bandipur [karnataka], Ranthambore [Rajasthan], Sunderbans [west bengal]. The project is a 'centrally sponsored' scheme were the expenditure is shared equally between the Central and State government. WWF gave an assistance of 1 million $ in the form of equipment, literature and expertise.

PRESENT

Wireless communication system and outstation patrol camps have been developed within the tiger reserves, due to which poaching has declined considerably. Fire protection is effectively done by suitable preventive and control measure Voluntory Village relocation has been done in many reserves, especially from the core, area. In Kanha, Bandipur and Ranthambhore, all the villages have been shifted from the core, and after relocation, the villagers have been provided with alternate agricultural lands and other community benefits.

This has resulted in the improvement of the carrying capacity of the habitat. Live stock grazing has been controlled to a great extent in the tiger reserves. Various compensatory developmental works have improved the water regime and the ground and field level vegetations, thereby increasing the animal density. Research data pertaining to vegetational changes are also available from many reserves. In general, the 'restorative management' and 'intense protection' under 'Project Tiger' have saved many of our eco-typical areas from destruction. The area around the buffer is now contemplated as a zone of multiple use, to bring compatibility between the reserves and the neighbouring communities.

FUTURE
a) Use of Information and Communication technology in Wildlife Protection and Crime Risk Management in Tiger reserves.
b) GIS based digitized database and MIS development/networking in Tiger Reserves:
c) Tiger Habitat & Population Evaluation System for the Indian Sub Continent
A 'Tiger Atlas of India' and a 'Tiger Habitat & Population Evaluation System for the country is being developed using the state- of - the - art technology.
This involves:
Satellite data is being used and classified into vegetation and land use maps on a 1:50,000 scale, with digitized data relating to contour , villages, roads , drainage , administrative boundaries and soil . The spatial layers would be attached with attribute data , viz. human population , livestock population , meteorological data, agricultural information and field data pertaining to wildlife, habitat for evolving regional protocols to monitor tiger and its habitat.

Update News From National Geographic......

2010-01-09T00:51:00.000-08:00

Oldest Land-Walker tracks found
The first vertebrates to walk the Earth emerged from the sea 18 million years before than thought, say scientists who have discovered footprints from an 8-foot long prehistoric creature. Dozens of 395 million year old fossil footprints have been rezcently discovered in a former lagoon in South-eastern Poland. The prints were made by Tetrapods [animals with backbones and 4 limbs] and could rewrite the history of when, where, and why fish evolved limbs and first walked onto land, the study says.
The tracks were made by species which had digits or toes on each foot. The footprints vary in size, some being as wide as 10 inches. Track size indicate flat bodied, lizard like creatures 8.2 feet long and with stout legs. These were discovered in an abandoned mountain quarry.

Pet of the Month Guinea Pig

2009-12-29T03:27:00.000-08:00

A domestic rodent also known as Cavy which is certainly not a pig and hasn't come from Guinea. They originated in the Andes but don't exist in the wild anymore. Guinea Pigs have gained widespread popularity as a household pet, but for ages has been us

ed as a food source and in folk medicine in the groups of South America. Biological experiments on guinea pigs has been carried out since 17th century. The animals are frequently used as a model organism, resulting as 'guinea pig' being a test subject, but have been largely replaced by other rodents such as mice and rats.Its binomial name is Cavia Porcellus. They are a bit large for rodents, weighing between 700-1200g, and measuring 20-25cm

in length. On avg. they live for 4-5 yrs, but may live for as long as 8yrs. According to Guineas book of world records the longest living guinea pig lived for 14 yrs and 10.5 months.

They live generally in cages, solid or wire mesh are used, though wire mesh cause injuriesand can cause an infection called Bumble-foot. Cubes & Coroplast cages are common nowadays. Cages are lined with shavings of softwood like Red Cedar & Pine but safer beddings can hardwoods [like aspen]. paper products, corn corb materials. They are often messy with their cages and male guinea pigs urinate to mark their territory

. When I had them. this annoyed me a lot......but they were too cute and friiendly to be annoyed with. they were simply awesome...........

Guinea pig sight is not as good as a human, but they have a wider range of vision (about 340°) and see in partial color. They have well-developed senses of hearing, smell, and touch. Vocalization is the primary means of communication between members of the species. Some sounds are:
Wheek: It is a loud noise, also ,produced at general excitement.
Purring: Produced when enjoying time, Eg: In new place, grooming.
Rumbling:Scared, angry, Dominated
Whining: When playing and pursued
Chattering:By gnashing teeth, used to warn
Squeeling: High pitched, sound of discontent, in danger, scared
Health
Grass is its natural diet. Their molars are suited for grinding which grow throughout life. They benefit from eating fresh grass hay [like Timothy hay]. Alfalfa is a good choice as they are happy to eat lots of it at a time. But scientists say that Alfalfa taken in large amounts may cause obesity, as well as bladder stones. Though Alfalfa is a good source of protein, amino acid and fiber. There diet includes Alfalfa, Beetroot & its leaves, Capsicum, Coriander, Lettuce, Rock melon, Broccoli, Asparagus etc. A number of plants are poisonous to guinea pigs, including Bracken, barony, buttercup,Charlock, deadly nightshade, foxglove, hellebore, hemlock, Lily of the Valley, mayweed, monkshood, privet, ragwort, rubhurb, speedwell, toadflax, wild celery. Additionally, any plant which grows from a bulb (e.g., tulip and onion ) is normally considered poisonous.
Guinea Pigs gestation period is on avg. 63-68 days. Because of the large size of the pups ad the long gestation periods the pregnaant sow may become of an eggplant shape. Newborn pups are well developed with hair, teeth, claws and partial eyesight. Sows generally give birth to 1-6 pups, the maximum record being 17.
Male and female don't differ except from general size.Males reach sexual maturity at 3–5 weeks; females can be fertile as early as four weeks and can carry litters before they are adults.Females can become pregnant 6-48 hours after giving birth, but its not hralthy for them to be pregnant constantly.
There are many breeds of the cavy. The common ones are the short haired, Abyssinian, Peruvian, Rex, Silkie, Teddy and Texel. While the rare or upcoming breeds include Alpaca, crested, Coronet, English Merino, Hairless, Ridgeback, Abbyruvian etc.

Guess Which breed is Which & comment ????????????
Human Influence
Originally, he guinea pigs were domesticated by the indigenous Andean people of the Andean highlands for their meat. It was usually reserved for ceremonial meals. But since 1960's they are now common to all people. They make a major part of the diet in countries like Peru & Bolivia, and are still used in some parts of countries like Ecuador and Columbia for food. As they require very less space than livestock and reproduce apparently faster, they didn't take much time to become popular. Another advantage of rearing them than livestock was that they could even survive in the urban environment hence, both urban and rural could have them without difficulty. Guinea pig meat is high on protein and low on fats and cholesterol and is similar to that of a rabbit. They may be fried, broiled, roasted or can be served in the shape of a casserole.
Guinea pigs have been used as research material from as back as the 17th century. Can U imagine dat?????????????? humans just eat and use animals for whatever day want... they drug them, shock them, put them in boiling water and take them 2 death for their own good?????whichever topic i choose, there is always mention of use of that particular specie as meat......................So friends i Wanna raise awareness on these topics n stop cruelty on animals

Wild Animal Of The Month Dugong

2009-10-22T22:18:00.000-07:00

Dugong is a large marine mammal which has been for long hunted for its meat 'n' oil. Many of its population are near extinction. It is concerned Threatened and is Vulnerable. Also called Sea Cow, Sea pig etc., though its Binomial name is Dugong Dugon. I chose this particular threatened beauty to draw interest of u guys that u dont even know how many of the species are threatened due to our causes. This one fascinated me much........

It has a spindle like shaped body with no dorsal fin present, neither any hind limbs. Instead it has fore limbs shaped as paddles used by it for maneuvering itself.

Though being legally protected, the main causes of population decline are still human activities including hunting, habitat degradation, and fishing related fatalities. Slow rate of reproduction and long lives of around 70 make it vulnerable to such fatalities. They are also threatened by storms, parasites as well as

[ though being very big ] natural predators like sharks, killer whales and crocodiles

Location

The Dugong is heavenly dependent on sea-grasses for survival and is thus restricted to the coastal habitats where they grow. The largest Dugong concentrations occur in wide,shallow, protected areas such as bays, mangrove channels, and near inshore islands. Its snout is sharply down turned, which is an adaption for eating the grass. It is the only sirenian in the range, which spans the area of at least 37 countries throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Mainly the dugong is present in the waters of Australia, between the Shark and Moreton Bay.

Eating Habits
Referred as Sea Cows due to mainly feeding on sea grass the dugong is very particular about its diet. Their primary feeding mechanism is uprooting sea grass by digging furrows in the sea bed with the help of their snouts
However, dugongs in Moreton Bay, Australia are omnivorous and due to the decline of the availability of sea gass of their liking. They feed on invertebrates such as polychaetes. As per as waer is concerned, they can go to any fresh water source for drinking. But the problem here is that these are decling and therefore a sharp decline in Dugong population is expected.
Conservation
Dugongs are hunted for their meat and blubber throughout the wildlife range. The sea grass they feed on are in danger due to Eutrophication caused by Agriculture and Industrial run off. As they feed in shallow water, they are many a times hit by motorised vehicles. Due to there huge size they have only a few predators, namely sharks, killer whales and saltwater crocodiles.
The US and japanese govt. plan to set up a military base on a coral reef near Henoko, in Nago country, Okinawa. This faced much protest from the Okinawans as this would destroy the local and natural environment of the Dugong. Greenpeace stepped in when the work recommenced in 2007.
Around the waters of Papua New Guinea natives have been known to hunt Dugong and its predaors for ages.
Diet: Herbivore
Group Name : Herd
Weight: 510 to 1100 Lbs
Size: 8-10 Feet
Dugong' Size relative to a 6ft man: