Animal of the day

Four-toed Hedgehog

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:22:00 +0200

The Four-toed Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) lives in the forests and deserts of Africa. It has a long, pointed snout, round eyes and oval ears. This species of hedgehog gets its name from its back feet. They have just 4 toes each, while its front feet have five toes each (talk about a fascinating anatomy).

The four-toed hedgehog's eyesight is adequate, but they primarily depend on their strong sense of smell and exceptional hearing. Four-toed hedgehogs vocalize by hissing, growling and chirping. These sounds get louder when the animal gets agitated. Their Life span, in captivity, is from 8 to 10 years. Their life span is just 2 to 3 years in the wild, where they are preyed upon by lions and birds. Four-toed hedgehogs eat frogs, snails, eggs, carrion and birds. They also eat peanuts, seeds, roots and even fungi.

The male four-toed hedgehog will court a female by snorting and growling while it moves in circles. After mating, the female will gestate for thirty to forty days. The litter sizes range between 2 and 10 newborns. The newborns are born with their eyes closed. They remain closed for eight to 18 days.

Interesting facts: When threatened a hedgehog will form itself into a ball, hiding its most sensitive body parts, its head, feet and belly. Also, These hedgehogs are very tolerant to snake venom. They are around forty times as immune to venom as the similarly sized guinea pig.

Picture of the four-toed hedgehog by Jkasvi, licensed under GFDL

White-eared opossum

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:31:00 +0200

The White-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) is a non-endangered species that lives in much of South America, and can be found in Venezuela, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Argentina, and more. It is a normally ground dwelling species that can be found in trees, as it goes between them and is an apt climber. The White-eared Opossum is about 1-3 lbs in weight (about a kilogram). The White-eared Opossum is a small marsupial mammal that is covered in black fur, with white guard hairs covering the face and whiskers on the ends of the animal’s narrow snout. Additional white can be found on both sides of its face leading to its ears that are also covered in white fur. Their tails are long and taper off while being covered in dark fur that ends halfway, with the rest of the tail appearing leathery and long.

The White-eared Opossum is a part of the genus Didelphis which has five other species of opossum. Didelphis belongs to the subfamily Didelphinae which has fifteen other genus of opossums, and the subfamily Didelphinae belongs to the family Didelphidae which has one other subfamily of opossum. Finally the family belongs to what is called the “Common Opossums” or Didelphimorphia, an order in the Marsupialia infraclass.

The White-eared Opossum is highly adaptable and can be found in many different climates and among humans. Having been a species, similar to how the coyote adapted in the U.S., to find success alongside humans they are sometimes seen as a pest. The White-eared Opossum is an omnivore and will eat animal matter, plant matter, and insects too. It prefers insects, small mammals and lizards, along with fruits and edible foliage. Because of its adaptability the White-eared Opossum can survive climate changes, such as influx or decrease in the supply of water, temperature irregularities, and various degrees of humidity and overall landscape. Because of its climbing skills it can stay in trees and be arboreal, or if challenged with a different terrain type it can stay on the ground in the brush. The locations they live range from valleys to mountains to fields and urban areas - but the most populous place you will find them is in a semi-deciduous forest with many places to climb and hide.

The White-eared Opossum does have a set breeding period from September to May, with the variant being mostly the rainfall pattern. Like all marsupials, the offspring are born very small and must climb to the mother’s pouch after just a short time in gestation (pregnancy). Within 46 days after climbing into the pouch they will be ready to venture for short times outside of it. The usual litter size is around four to six opossums, however some have had larger, and some have had smaller, as is the case with any animal species. They quickly mature and can mate at nine months of age.

Interesting Facts about the White-eared Opossum:

The digestion cycle allows for seeds to remain viable after excretion, making the opossum responsible for dispersal of seeds which helps to further the fauna of an area

The White-eared Opossum has been shown to carry Sarcocystis, a possible but small threat to humans - usually found only in undercooked meat. It is a protist like malaria, so when contracted can be very harmful.

If it is scared it can play dead, and in so doing will be involuntarily catatonic for up to four hours, and will also excrete a smell from a gland that will normally ward off a predator.

Picture of the white-eared opossum by Abinoam Praxedes Marques Jr., licensed under GFDL

Common pipistrelle

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:49:00 +0200

The Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) is a species of small bat found over most of Europe, North Africa and southwestern Asia, and especially the British Isles. It is 1.75-2.5inches (33-48mm) long and has a wingspan of up to 8-10 inches (19-25cm), the forearms being 1-1.5 inches (28-35mm long). It generally has dark to chestnut brown fur, with it ventral fur being paler. The ears are short and triangular with a rounded tip, and the wing membranes tend to be opaque. The average weight of the Pipistrelle is 4-8g. It is most commonly found in woods are farmland, but also inhabits towns, often in lofts and buildings and can be seen in the evening sky when the sun just starts to set or has set.

The Common Pipistrelle’s species name is Pipistrellus pipistrellus, and it belongs to the genus Pipistrellus. Within the genus Pipistrellus there are 33 other known living species, making it a very heavily populated genus. Pipistrellus belongs to the family Vespertilionidae (known as evening bats or Vesper Bats). Vespertilionidae is the largest family of bats, and one of the best known. Almost all are universally insect eaters with only a few exceptions that take a liking to fish. The family Vespertilionidae belongs to the suborder Microchiroptera (known as the Microbats) in which all non fruit bat species are a member. Microchiroptera belongs to the order Chiroptera which contains all living and extinct bat species known to date.

Their summer roosts tend to be in the cracks and crevices of old buildings, behind paneling, even in shutters and eaves. The most common building for them to roost is an old barn or abandoned structure since it is quieter and offers peace. During the winter they are most commonly found in trees and buildings, rarely dwelling underground in caves. They emerge around 20 minutes after sunset, earlier on warmer nights and have been know to fly in daylight, although their senses are not as acute for daylight travel and they are vulnerable to predators. Their flight is erratic but agile, generally 15-30 feet (5-10m) off the ground. Males occupy the same territories all year round and fiercely defend them during the mating season, when the species smells strongly of musk and emits unique social mating calls to entice the female bats.

When foraging over water the Common Pipistrelle prefers areas of smooth water with trees on both banks, areas known to be abundant with the flying insects that make up their diet. Individuals will follow the same light routes every night, though the foraging becomes intermittent throughout the night and is very dependent on temperature (greater than 8 degrees Celsius), and their reproductive state. Their prey is consumed during flight and the Pipistrelle has been known to forage up to 5km from its roost in search of insects.

Interesting Facts about the Common Pipistrelle:

There are en estimated 2 million Common Pipistrelle throughout the British Isles

The population has declined over recent years, mainly due to farming chemicals in the intensification of agriculture.

Cats also pose a severe threat to urban populations of Common Pipistrelle.

The Pipistrelle emits a frequency of between 45-76 kHz, maintaining a medium of 47 kHz with each call lasting maybe 5.6ms.

Picture of the common pipistrelle by Barracuda1983, licensed under GFDL

Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:26:00 +0200

The Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is an endangered species. True wild populations still live in Bhutan, India, Nepal and Thailand, while their domesticated counterparts are very widespread. They are large animals, standing 1.5 to 1.9 meters in height at the shoulder. Wild male water buffaloes can become 3 meters in length and weigh up to 1200 kilos, while their domesticated counterparts can weigh 250 to 550 kilograms. They can become 25 years of age in the wild.

The Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo is a social animal, with groups of 10 to 20 individuals, but also groups of 100 individuals have been observed.

Their diet mainly consists of grasses, herbs, aquatic plants, leaves and agricultural crops, The only predator in the wild is the tiger, but their main threats are habitat destruction and genetic pollution (breeding with their domesticated counterparts).

Interesting fact: Wild bulls are known to invade a domesticated herd, kill the domesticated bull (which is a lot smaller), and breed with the receptive females. The resulting offspring are less docile and too large to fit a farmer's equipment. Occasionally, the wild bull not only kills the domesticated bull, but also take over and drive off the owners, keeping the herd for himself.

Picture by yathin, licensed under Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 license.

Bush hyrax

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:09:00 +0200

The Bush Hyrax (Heterohyrax brucei), otherwise known as the Yellow-spotted (Bush or Rock) Hyrax is a small mammal that is around 12-15 inches long (30-38 centimeters) and can weigh between 5 and 9 pounds (2.2-4 Kilograms) and has a distinctive coat of fur that is mottled with browns, yellows, and grays. It has short limbs, a black nose, short but alert ears, and large eyes. Their fur is made up of a short haired layer which protects them, and slightly longer coats which add to their colored looks. Their tail is nothing more than a small stump which is barely visible, and for a good size comparison think of an overweight bunny. The Bush Hyrax and its many subspecies are found throughout Africa, from Egypt to South Africa, and they prefer rocky terrains and mountainous areas, preferring elevations starting at sea level all the way to 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).

The Bush Hyrax’s species name is Heterohyrax brucei, and it belongs to the Genus Heterohyrax. It is the only species in this genus – however the species itself has 25 known sub-species that have been identified. The Heterohyrax belongs to the family Procaviidae, which has two other genere other than Heterohyrax – Procavia (the Cape Hyrax) and Dendrohyrax (The Tree Hyrax). The family Procaviidae belongs to the order Hyracoidea, in which there are no other families of living mammals. This order belongs to the superorder Afrotheria, which in turn belongs to the Infraclass Eutheria (placental mammals).

The Bush Hyrax, like all other Hyraxes have a very primitive self temperature regulation system that seems almost reptilian. They must bask in the sun to gain heat and then huddle together at night to retain heat. It is thought that the Hyrax has evolved very little from its origins. The Bush Hyrax lives mostly in arid areas, and can survive on very little water. The breeding season is uniformly in tune with the rainy season, and gestation (pregnancy) lasts up to eight months. The young mature quickly, and between one to five months of age they are weaned from their mothers.

They eat many types of vegetation and usually prefer bitter yams, which in the past have been used by humans to create poisoned arrowheads. When thicker meatier vegetation is scarce they will turn to grasses and other lesser vegetation to feed on. Because of their highly efficient kidneys they can subsist on very little water. Due to their smaller size, they are themselves the target of many predators, such as rock pythons, leopards, birds, and even some mongoose have been so brave. However they are vicious when threatened and will counter-attack savagely, biting anything and everything on the predator to save itself from being a meal.

The Bush Hyrax behavior is to have small family groups that huddle at night, and the groups are maintained by one dominant male, whose job includes territorial defense and maintenance. Often times, if the area is large enough, the male will have several small groups of females that he will control, in different but close areas. The remaining males who survive to leave and create their own groups usually live alone until this happens. Many may live solitarily their whole lives.

Interesting Facts about the Bush Hyrax:

The Bush Hyrax has been found in over 21 countries – and even one subspecies lives in Israel.

In times of famine the Bush Hyrax has been a food source for humans.

Currently the Bush Hyrax species is listed as a least-concern status by the IUCN

Within hours after being born, a baby Bush Hyrax can already move and follow its mother.

Picture of the bush hyrax by Buecherfresser, licensed under GFDL

Addax

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:52:00 +0200

The Addax (Addax nasomaculatus) is a severely endangered species, and is listed as critically endangered with just 500 in the wild, and 800 in captivity, some of which are bred for trophy hunts. The Addax stands about a meter tall at the shoulder (three feet) and weighs about 60-100 kilograms (132-220 lbs), and has two twisted horns that can grow to 120 centimeters in length (47 inches). The Addax is usually white and sports a brownish fur on its chest, neck and head are brown - however in winter the coat changes color to brown. The tip of the nose is white and the nostrils are red. Finally they have a beard, or goatee, that is brownish in appearance, but varies from individual to individual. Their legs are strong and study, and their hoofed feet also sport a strong dewclaw that helps with walking through deep sands and soft ground.

The Addax belongs to the genus Addax - no surprises there - and the genus belongs to the subfamily Hippotraginae which contain the Oryx (for example the gemsbok) and the Antelope (for example an impala). The Hippotraginae subfamily belongs to the Bovidae family that contains bison and cows, along with many others. Finally Bovidae is in the order Artiodactyla, which all even toed ungulates belong to, like pigs and camels. However with recent advancements in molecular studies, cetaceans may also be related to the even toed ungulates, having evolved to go back to the sea.

The Addax lives in mostly arid desert terrain that supports many of their natural food sources such leaves from low trees, grasses, and whole bushes when available. Usually during the day the Addax will dig a shallow hole and lay in it until night. As a nocturnal species their eyesight is very well adapted, as is their hearing and smell. They will usually live in herds from two to twenty two or more. However, due to their population’s decline, they do not have the numbers to support the herds that once may have numbered in the hundreds. Their feeding habits have them wander far and wide to graze, and they will usually cover an extensive area each night in search of food, as they get all their water from their food.

The social structure of most herds was and still is based on age in the larger ones. The dominant oldest male will usually be found as the leader, and its experience in finding more places to graze and also better terrain are beneficial to the herds. They are usually found with both males and females in a given herd, and both have the same horn makeup - giving females an equal advantage in self defense. Currently efforts are under way to rehabilitate the populations of the Addox in Zoo based programs, with the hope of having the same success as the European Bison, which at one time was down to twelve individuals. With the Addax still numbering over a thousand it is hoped that there is enough genetic diversity to save the species and bring it back to its natural habitats to restore ecological order.

Interesting Addax Facts:

The biggest breeding program for the Addax exists at the Hanover Zoo in Germany.

Some from breeding programs have already been sent to Morocco and Tunisia.

Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:19:00 +0200

The Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus) is named after its unique golden-hued fur at the rump's area. Just like its relatives, the snout of Golden-rumped Elephant Shrews are flexible and pointed. A Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew's coat is rough but glossy. A thick skin exists under the rump, and is three times as thick as the skin on the back's middle, and this forms as a kind of shield for the Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew. Experts and researchers say that this is a shield against the biting of another shrew when they fight.

They are found in coastal areas, and they would most probably be found in moist forest areas and in semi-deciduous forests. Actually, these shrews are among the biggest of the elephant shrew world. They are endemic to Kenya, but a scattering could be found in areas of Mombasa and the Somali border territories.

They are basically monogamous, couples reside in ranges and they are territorial when it comes to these homes. Diurnal in nature, they could sleep during the night at a nest on the forest ground. The Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew's diet consists of worms, insects, millipedes and even spiders. They of course forage on the forest/jungle floor via their flexible noses. When they are not busy eating, they could be very busy running for their lives though. A Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew has its share of predators, such as eagles, cobras and the black mambas.

Interesting fact: If you would be lucky to see one in actual movement, you might be impressed. These shrews can go to speeds reaching 25 kilometers/hr if chased by a predator.

Funniest animal videos

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:01:00 +0200

This is one of the funniest animal videos featuring funny cats and dog videos, Tyson the skateboarding dog, penguins and even a polar bear. I really like the funny cats in the beginning, I am curious what you think? Half of the clip is of Tyson the skateboarding dog, so if you get tired of him, you can stop watching... Have fun!

Monkey pulls dog tail

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:31:00 +0200

This is a funny video about a monkey pulling the tail of a dog. The dog doesn't know what hit him!

Click here to view the video

Lion hugs rescuer

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Absolutely amazing story and movieclip about a lion that was rescued. Seems the king of the jungle has a softer side after all! Click here to view the movie where the lion hugs his rescuer

Fattest cat in the world

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 02:40:00 +0200

This movie is from the Guinness Book of World Records. It shows the fattest cat in the world... I must admit it is unbelievably fat, but this cat can walk around fine and seems to be happy.

Camouflaged octopus

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:14:00 +0200

This video shows a very well camouflaged octopus, you'll be amazed! Did you spot it?

Do the moonwalk

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:04:00 +0200

See the manakin dancing the moonwalk to impress his girl, nicely done video originally by Nature. Click here for the video

Shark meets Octopus

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:34:00 +0200

In an aquarium at the Seattle Aquarium they wonder why the sharks dissappear into thin air ?!... Until one of the zookeepers places a camera to capture this shocking footage. Watch the video here.

Blonde antelope

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:53:00 +0200

This 21 second video on Google Video proofs that blondes do actually exist in the animal kingdom. Watch the movie on the blonde antelope