Wild Life

Democratic Republic of Congo wildlife gallery

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 15:18:00 +0000

Images for congo Wild Life

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 15:08:00 +0000

Wildlife of the Congo

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 14:56:00 +0000

Congo arrests ranger over gorilla killings

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Congolese authorities have arrested a senior national park ranger on suspicion of arranging the killing of rare gorillas and burning protected trees for charcoal, conservationists and local media said on Wednesday.
Around 10 mountain gorillas were slaughtered last year in Democratic Republic of Congo's remote Virunga National Park, causing a stir even in a country where violence, hunger and disease kill 1,500 people a day in the aftermath of the 1998-2003 war.
The senior Congolese Nature Conservation Institute (ICCN) official was arrested on Tuesday at his home in the eastern town of Goma, United Nations-supported radio station Okapi reported.
Okapi said the official appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the deaths of the gorillas and illegal charcoal burningCharcoal production in Virunga has been linked to criminal activity in the area, where local officials told Reuters last year that some killings of the huge, endangered apes had been part of a power struggle surrounding charcoal burning.

"This threatened the gorilla habitat, so when the rangers tried to protect the forest, he allegedly orchestrated the gorilla massacres to discourage them," conservation group Wildlife Direct said on its website http://gorilla.wildlifedirect.org/ on Wednesday.

Fewer than 720 mountain gorillas survive in the wild, spread across the Virunga hills where the borders of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda meet.

Last month the three countries launched a joint 10-year plan to protect the gorillas from poaching and insecurity linked to militia violence that haunts the region nearly five years after the end of Congo's war.

Conservationists hope the gorillas can be the centre of a relaunched ecotourism industry devastated by years of violence in the heavily forested intersection of the borders of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.

Some wealthy visitors pay $500 a day for tracking permits to view the gorillas, which are famed for the grey shimmering hair on the backs of adult males, which gives them the name "silver-backs."

Images for australia wild life

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 09:14:00 +0000

434 Wild Animals Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:27:00 +0000

White tiger

,White tigers are very popular for their unique colors. They are usually larger in size than the orange tigers due to some special genetic conditions. Usually, the white breed are found among the subspecies of Bengal tiger and Siberian tiger. The dark-striped white tigers can always create a craze in the zoos

Relax of the king

.White tigers are specimens of ordinary tigers. Due to special genetic conditions, the white tigers do not get the yellow or orange pigment, but only the black stripes. ,

The jaguar

,Jaguar is one of the four “big cats” along with lion, tiger and leopard. Jaguar has a very close resemblance with leopard even though jaguar is larger in size and physical build. It is also the third largest feline after the tiger and the lion. Known for its opportunistic prey

Jaguar - the big cat

Jaguar is a carnivorous animal eating only the meat. These predators lead a solitary life and both male and female do the hunting. Largely solitaire in nature, Jaguar in a stalk-and-ambush predator. Very opportunistic while selecting their prey, Jaguar play an pivotal role stabilizing ecosystems and regulating the populations of prey species.

Animals lion

Lions, the second largest living cats after the tiger, are the king of the forest. Currently exist in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, Lions are now the endangered species in India. The lions in India are known as Asiatic lions and they are mainly conserved in various reserve forests like Gir reserve forest in Gujarat.,,

Wild animals live Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:19:00 +0000

Snake charming

Sunbath of the Gharial

Crocodile couple

P //8979--south african wild life Pics

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 15:30:00 +0000

P // 32342---south african wild life Pics

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 15:18:00 +0000

P // 222--south african wild life Pics

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 15:11:00 +0000

south african wild life Pics

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 15:05:00 +0000

The Kruger National Park in South Africa, place of breathtaking African wildlife encounters.

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:57:00 +0000

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King Lion is watching you
Kruger National Park South Africa, Kruger Park Map
General information,...

As one of South Africa’s top attractions and a paradise for the wildlife enthusiast, the Kruger Park offers the visitor exciting opportunities to experience breathtaking encounters with Elephants, Lions, Buffalos, Rhinos and Leopards.

Almost as large as a small country like the Netherlands, Israel or Wales, the Park consists of 20,000 sq km of unspoiled pristine indigenous bushveld, sub-tropical lowveld vegetation, fertile valleys and terraced hills.

Landscape in the Kruger Park
copyright © Chris Eason - Kruger National Game Reserve, Kruger Park Map
With an average width of 60km it stretches north for almost 400km from its southern boundary the Crocodile river, all along the Lebombo mountains which form the national border with Mozambique in the east, to its northern boundary, the Limpopo river, which is South Africa’s national border with Zimbabwe.

”Nice to meet you ??”
copyright © South African tourism - Kruger National Park South Africa, Kruger Park Map
Plans are well under way to combine the Kruger Park with the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique and the Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and Malipati Safari Area in Zimbabwe, creating the world's biggest wildlife reserve, the giant 35,000 sq km across borders “Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park”.

Herd of running Giraffes in the Kruger Park
copyright © South African tourism - Kruger National Game Reserve, Kruger Park Map
The Kruger National Game Reserve has a number of rest camps providing accommodation to visitors. These are the only places in the park where visitors are allowed to leave the safety of their vehicle.

The type of accommodation offered is in the form of Chalets, Cottages, Bungalows, Tents, Camping sites, Bushveld camps, Bush lodges and Safari lodges, varying in price and style from rustic to luxurious.

Letaba, one of the main camps in the Kruger Park
copyright © South African tourism - Kruger National Park South Africa, Kruger Park Map
Next to accommodation, the major rest camps also offer facilities such as a Supermarket, Cafeteria and/or Restaurant, Petrol station, ATM banking, Public telephones, Laundry service, designated Picnic area, Communal kitchen, Ablution facilities, a Swimming pool and Pharmaceutical and Medical services.

Malelane gate, one of the entrances to the Kruger Park
copyright © Tony Faria - Kruger National Game Reserve, Kruger Park Map ,,

African Wildlife Photography Boot Camp

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:50:00 +0000

African Wildlife Photography Boot Camp

Please see our Safaris and Workshops section for more workshop and safari dates.

African Wildlife Photography Boot Camp
Welcome to the African Wildlife Photography Boot Camp, intended for those who would like to learn about or improve their African wildlife photography skills. This unique safari will take place in the southern African countries of Botswana and South Africa, and will emphasize maximizing great photography and learning opportunities.
This safari will be a combination of morning and afternoon game drives, mid-day lectures, evening slide shows and critiques. We will repeat the schedule each day, working one on one with all participants to foster a better understanding of wildlife photography. We will have discussion and assistance on specialized topics such as long lens technique, projection flash usage, action shooting, wildlife observation, field craft and African animal behavior. Advanced techniques will be constantly discussed, demonstrated and put into practice. The end goal is for all participants to end up with new skills to help elevate their African wildlife photography, as well as coming home with excellent photographs.
This workshop is about shooting. Lots of shooting. We will be taking over the use of two lodges, which means we will have a completely private safari where we will relax, learn, photograph by ourselves and enjoy our surroundings. We also have secured private charter aircraft for this safari, with virtually unlimited weight allowances per person, allowing us to bring all of our camera gear.
Because of the unique location of this workshop and the luxury accommodations, this workshop adventure is open to 12 photographers as well as 4 spouses. Non-photographers will find the locales visited and the wildlife viewing opportunities to be thrilling.
Safari Highlights
* We have private vehicles throughout the entire safari, with only 1 person per row of seating (except for the sharing spouses / partners - see details below).
* A very liberal amount of weight per person of up to 100 pounds. Bring as much gear as you can! Standard weight allowance is typically only 44 pounds by comparison, but we have secured extra seats on the inter-camp charters.
* This safari offers superb game viewing and photographic opportunities in some of the best areas in Southern Africa.
* This itinerary focuses on a real wildlife experience from the surroundings of your premier accommodations.
* The reserves you will visit offer an insight to the fantastic wildlife in in both of the prime areas we will visit.
* Game viewing is done in open 4x4 vehicles and you will be led by some of the leading guides in Botswana and South Africa.

IS THIS SAFARI FOR YOU?
Here are some key points to help you decide:
1. We welcome photographers of ALL levels. This safari will be conducive to learning from one another and include instruction that will suit everyone’s photographic needs. No question is off limits, no inquiry too basic.
2. We are BIG on photographing in the field. We spend most our time and effort on safari activity and making images. We do meet daily to review images, discuss technique, and have informal lectures on many topics related to African wildlife photography. This safari is intended for those who wish to increase the quality of their photography, and will have more instruction than our standard digital safaris.
3. Non-photographer or videographer spouses / travel companions will love these safaris. We have specialist guides leading all safari activities and optional activities (boating, walks, etc.) are also available at any time.

The Schedule

August 3 to August 4 (1 night) Metcourt Laurel Hotel - Emperor's Palace, Johannesburg, South Africa
Stay near the airport at the Metcourt Laurel Hotel. On your arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met by our local representative, who will assist you across the terminal and to check in at the hotel.
Emperors Palace is a sensational hotel, casino and convention resort that combines timeless classical elegance and sheer excitement, conveniently situated alongside Johannesburg International Airport. This 80-key, three-star select-services Metcourt Laurel hotel offers you cozy, comfortable and affordable accommodation and delightful service. All Metcourt guests enjoy breakfast at the charming Primavera Restaurant and access to all Emperors Palace’s magnificent variety of facilities.
The group will transfer back to O.R. Tambo airport the next morning, where we will be met by a representative from Swift Flite off their inbound flight, assisted with our luggage and escorted to our private charter plane for the 1-hour flight to Mashatu Game Reserve in southern Botswana.
August 4 - 8 (4 Nights) Mashatu Main Camp - Mashatu Game Reserve, Tuli Block, Botswana
Mashatu Game Reserve, an area of history and legend, offers some of the most exciting game viewing in Africa. It is a place of exceptional beauty where one can explore the rugged, unspoiled African landscapes either in the comfort of open 4-wheel drive vehicles, on a walking safaris, on mountain bicycles, or horse back, guided by expert rangers and experienced trackers. In addition to the game experience, Mashatu offers a view of Africa, unchanged since the days of early visitors such as Kipling, Selous and artist/explorer Sir Thomas Baines. Historic and archaeological sites abound; notable are the Motloutse Ruins and the Pitsani Koppie sites.
The excitement of Mashatu has not changed over time. It is still home to large herds of elephant, prides of lion and cheetah. Along the river courses, huge Mashatu trees provide shade for eland, impala, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra, while at night, the bat-eared fox, African Wildcat and the magnificent leopard search for prey. Some 366 species of birds may be seen. Mashatu Game Reserve proudly provides a refuge for the largest, single population of elephant on privately owned land in Africa. Known as the relic herds of Shashe, these elephants are the last living testament to the great herds that once populated the meandering Limpopo valley. Today, the population on Mashatu Game Reserve alone, is estimated to number in excess of 500.
Mashatu Main Camp is the larger and more luxurious of Mashatu's camps and our group is taking sole use of the entire camp for our 4-day stay.
Completely refurbished during 2002/3, the camp offers 14 tastefully and authentically decorated suites. Each suite is furnished with two three-quarter beds, a day bed, expansive en-suite bathroom with shower, bath, his and hers basins, and a second W.C.
Lions at MashatuA private lounge area overlooks the unfenced surrounding bush and 24-hour temperature control completes the comfort of each suite. Mashatu Main Camp is elevated around a waterhole and offers excellent game viewing opportunities from within the camp itself. The dining area, stunning day lounge and "Gin Trap" bar provide diverse lookouts from which to enjoy and appreciate the environment. Facilities within the camp include a swimming pool, an air-conditioned lounge and dining room and a lala-palm enclosed African boma, in which sumptuous dinners are savored under the magnificent African night sky and around a blazing fire. A well appointed curio shop complements the facilities.
The "pièce de résistance" at Main Camp is the Discovery Room: a base for the scientific research conducted at Mashatu and a magnifying glass though which the animals and history of Mashatu can be examined. A fascinating insight into the world that is Mashatu - the Land of the Giants.
Mashatu Main Camp offers a fully air-conditioned conference room (which we will make good use of), with seating for up to 48 delegates “Boardroom Style” and includes: VCR and TV monitors, overhead projectors, slide projectors, screens, flip charts and white boards. No additional charge is levied for the use of the conference room.
Our group will take over the entire camp and all five safari vehicles and guides will be at our disposal, as well as the entire Main Camp staff.
August 8 - 12 (4 Nights) Rattray's on Mala Mala - Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
At nearly 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares) MalaMala Game Reserve is by far the largest piece of land within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve - the oldest conservancy of private game reserves in South Africa. Situated in the fabled Lowveld of Mpumalanga Province, MalaMala Game Reserve became the first of the tracts of privately owned game land to make the transition from hunting to photographic safaris.
But it is not just the sheer size of land that makes MalaMala so impressive. The 20 miles (32 kilometres) of open boundary, which MalaMala shares with the Kruger National Park, provides unimpeded access to animals from this world famous wildlife sanctuary. This essentially places MalaMala as part of a soon-to-be 12 or more million acres of pristine wilderness conservation area. Of constant appeal to the wildlife from the Kruger National Park is the vast array of habitat types within MalaMala - ranging from open savannahs to dense riparian zones and granite koppies. Perhaps the greatest attraction of all is the perennial Sand River – of which, approximately 36 kilometers soaks its’ way through MalaMala Game Reserve. The diversity of these habitats is the key factor behind the incredible complexity of fauna and flora for which MalaMala has become so famous, and is proven statistically by its game viewing – where it has become the exception rather than the rule for all members of the “Big 5” not to be seen on a single day on the property.
The Rattray’s camp experience is exclusive, with each of the eight comfortable suites occupying its own elevated site overlooking the Sand River. Filtered plunge pools complete each of the secluded verandahs and an outdoor dining area provides the ideal vantage point from which to enjoy bush cuisine in complete privacy. Each guest has the choice of remaining connected to the outside world from the sanctuary of their room via continuous internet connectivity (512k wireless link via sattelite connection) and satellite television.
Rattray's has a maximum capacity of 16 guests, utilizing 8 luxury suites called "khayas". Eack khaya has wooden floors with under-floor heating in the winter months and wooden ceilings. All khaya include separate his and hers luxury en-suite bathrooms and King-sized beds.
As at Mashatu, our group will take over the entire camp and all four safari vehicles and guides will be at our disposal, as well as the entire Rattray's Camp staff.
August 12
Following the early morning game drive, guests will be transferred to the MalaMala airstrip yo connect with our private charter flight to Johannesburg. The estimated time of departure depends on the guests outbound flight details from O.R. Tambo International Airport. A representative from Swift Flite will meet us at the MalaMala airstrip for the 50-minute flight to O.R. Tambo International Airport.
NOTE: Customized extensions to this safari, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Victoria Falls and other destinations may be arranged as desired. Ask us for further information.

The Cost

The cost of this all-inclusive safari is $12,995 per person (inclusive of all airfare as described in the itinerary above). The same rate applies for each participant regardless of whether they are doing photography and participating in the workshop, or not. This fee includes all intra-Africa ground and air transportation, as well as hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and all meals (meals in Johannesburg not included).
We also offer a 50% discount for a second spot if you would like to bring a guest who is willing to share a row on game drives with you or a safari tracker. This offer is limited to 4 slots only. The non refundable deposit for this trip 30% of the trip total.
Please note: We will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. We reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participant.
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Images for south african wild life

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:48:00 +0000

South African Wildlife // 123

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:36:00 +0000

South African Wildlife

SOUTH AFRICAN WILDLIFE

Kalahari Lion, Northern Cape

©South African Tourism

Very few people visit South Africa and don't spend at least some time in a game reserve or national park. There is a huge variety of game to be seen, and different areas offer different experiences but many tourists seem to have caught Big Five fever and are determined to be able to go home and claim to have seen them all. The Big Five - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard - is just a clever marketing ploy inherited from trophy hunters. These five animals are not the five biggest, or the five prettiest, or the five rarest, or even the five most interesting. They are merely the five that take the greatest umbrage at being shot and are most likely to retaliate with tooth, claw, horn or great big stomping foot.

Kruger buffalo, Mpumalanga

©South African Tourism

For this reason, in the days when it was considered manly to hunt, bagging the Big Five was absolute proof of being in possession of large genitals so an inordinate number of these rather lovely animals ended up on the walls of mouldy old houses in various parts of the world. So it's a bit of an anachronism that 21st Century tourists feel they have to tick these very same animals off on their list in order to prove to their friends back home that they had a good time. Elephants and rhinos are absolutely fascinating, buffalos are kind of cute in a daisy-the-cow-on-steroids-and-valium kind of way, lions are truly magnificent, even though you usually see them fast asleep, and leopards are phenomenally beautiful and difficult to spot.

KwaZulu-Natal giraffe and zebra

©South African Tourism

But there are other animals that are even more worthwhile. The beautiful African wild dog is rare and endangered, the porcupine is rather striking, the enigmatic aardvark is fascinating and seldom seen, the tiny, nocturnal bush baby is utterly beautiful and difficult to spot, and both zebras and giraffes, which are quite easily seen, are every bit as photogenic as leopards. Even the ubiquitous impala is prettier than any lion. So, by all means, keep an eye out for the big five - they're well worth looking at and photographing - but don't become obsessed by them. There are three basic variations on the safari theme. The most economical is to visit a national or provincial park on your own, staying in comfortable self-catering accommodation and doing game drives in your own (or rental) car. Most national parks also offer escorted game walks and drives. But if you want a bit of pampering with your game, opt for a luxury game lodge, either in a private game reserve or in a concession area of one of the national parks.

Cheetah grooming session

©South African Tourism

The standard game lodge experience consists of an early morning wake up call, followed by a quick cup of coffee or tea. Once everyone has assembled, you head out on the morning game drive. This is an excellent time to see game as the nocturnal animals are returning to their lairs and the diurnal ones are just beginning to stir. At sunrise you usually stop for a leisurely cup of coffee and a munch on a muffin or a rusk (a typical South African delicacy that is similar to biscotti). By the time the sun is high, you've watched most of the animals waking up, and it's time to return to camp for a slap-up brunch. After that you can snooze, read, lounge by the pool or, at many lodges, opt for a gentle massage, facial or manicure in beautiful surroundings. Everyone meets again in the late afternoon for tea, accompanied by yummy snacks, and then it's off on the evening game drive. Sunset usually finds you at a beautiful spot for drinks and yet more snacks. The drive continues into the night so you can spot the nocturnal animals, like lions and leopards, at their best. You return to the camp late and, after a very quick opportunity to freshen up, meet for a long, leisurely supper, usually at the fireside.

White Rhino and calf, KwaZulu Natal

©South African Tourism

The third option is to join a mobile safari. These range from relatively inexpensive participatory trips, in which you put up your own tent and help with cooking, to full-on luxury expeditions. And, naturally a few good options in between. If you choose this option, make sure you find out exactly what you can expect, and exactly what is included in the basic price. Some safaris appear to be very reasonably priced until you find out, for example, that they don't include park entrance fees. Do your homework. The premier safari and game viewing destinations are the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, in the north east of the country. Here you will find the Kruger National Park as well as a number of smaller national parks and lots of private game reserves and luxury lodges, many of which border on Kruger. This area consists mostly of broad-leaved woodland that creates the archetypical African scenery - long grass interspersed with big trees. Much of this area is malarial so you need to take all the relevant precautions.
An interesting, rather anomalous, game viewing area of Limpopo Province is the high lying Waterberg, which is only about three hour's drive from Johannesburg. The Waterberg has some great private game reserves catering to a range of budgets and is most popular for its malaria-free status.

African Elephant, Addo Elephant Park, Eastern Cape

©Safarinow.com

The North West Province has two fabulous game reserves, namely Pilanesberg, near Sun City, and Madikwe right up against the Botswana border. The North West Parks are relatively close to Johannesburg and Pretoria and are malaria-free. KwaZulu-Natal also has some classic game viewing opportunities, most notably in the provincially administered Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve.
Although the game is less concentrated, the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park offers a wider range of animals and scenery than Hluhluwe-Umfolozi. The malaria risk in the KZN parks is low to medium. Generally speaking, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape do not offer the same intensity of game viewing as KZN, Limpopo or Mpumalanga, as the carrying capacity of the land is not nearly as high. However, there are some fabulous untouched areas in the Karoo, Kalahari and Cederberg that nurture game reserves and make for a good safari experience. You just need to change your expectations and appreciate the fabulous scenery and the less frequent, but sometimes more interesting, animal sightings. These areas have the added advantage of being completely malaria-free.

Game viewing river cruise, Eastern Cape

©Amakhala Game Reserve

The Eastern Cape has a number of excellent private game reserves and the fabulous Greater Addo Elephant National Park, which is home to - not just the Big Five - but the Big Seven. This is also just marketing hype, but Addo is a great place, and the fact that it includes parts of Algoa Bay and offshore islands means it's also home to the great white shark and the southern right whale, but you're not going to spot one grazing outside your chalet.
The Mountain Zebra National Park, near Cradock, is a lovely park, where you can see these beautiful animals - they're much prettier than their more common plains cousins - and also admire some wonderful Karoo scenery. The Karoo is not classic game viewing terrain but it is beautiful and makes for easy animal spotting as the plants are mostly low growing.
The Karoo National Park, near Beaufort West in the Western Cape, is a great place to see black rhino, and is a convenient stopover if travelling the N1 between Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Kalahari Gemsbok, Northern Cape

©South African Tourism

The Northern Cape has some fabulous game viewing, most notably in the Kgalagadi Trans-frontier Park, which straddles the border with Botswana. While you may see many of the same animals here that you'd see, for example, in Kruger, there are a number of differences. The ubiquitous impala, which you see all over Kruger, is missing here with its biological niche being filled by the iconic springbok.
The magnificent gemsbok, or oryx, is not seen in the eastern half of the country, and even the lions are bigger in the Kalahari. Actually, they just seem more macho, as many of them have black manes - in the same way that Mediterranean men do better designer stubble than Nordic blonds.
The Augrabies National Park, while primarily a scenic park also has some interesting wildlife.

South African Wildlife//

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:29:00 +0000

South Africa Information

South African Wildlife

Our South African wildlife gallery represents a small sample of the hundreds of species of wildlife found in South Africa. (The term 'wildlife' refers to mammals, birds, fish and reptiles that can be found in the wild). There are 299 mammal species in South Africa, of which 2 are critically endangered, 11 are endangered, 15 are vulnerable, and 13 are near-threatened (conservation status as assessed by the IUCN).

To learn more about the individual wildlife species that can be enjoyed whilst visiting South Africa and enjoy the wildlife photos in the galleries please use the drop down list in the menu on the right or browse through the information provided below.

South Africa Wildlife

The Lion {Panthera Leo}

The Lion

Lions are the second largest members of the feline family in the world. Lion are tan in colour and have a slightly white under-body, with a tuft of black hair at the end of their tails.

Most cat species live a fundamentally solitary existence, but the lion is an exception. It has developed a social system based on teamwork and a division of labour within the pride, and an extended but closed family unit centres around a group of related females. The average pride consists of about 15 individuals, including five to 10 females with their young and two or three territorial males that are usually brothers or pride mates.

Quick Facts

Size: Lion stand 48 inches high at the shoulder.
Adult male lion weigh about 416 pounds.
Female lions weigh 277 pounds.

Male Lions: Male lions are typically 4 feet in height with a large mane of hair that begins to develop around age two that surrounds the neck. The mane can vary in colour from tawny/tan to black.

Females: Females are 44 inches in height, and have no mane around their neck. Cubs are born with a slightly spotted coat, that changes to their parents tawny coloration around three months of age. Female lions live longer than males, and Serengeti female lions can live up to age 18, whereas males typically live to age 12.

Habitat: Lions are found in savannahs, grasslands, dense bush and woodlands.

Diet: Carnivore
Diet Description: Lions are opportunists when it comes to feeding. They will scavenge from other predators that have killed an animal, or will hunt animals ranging in size from the large African buffalo to a small hare.

The Lion

Socialisation: Lions are the only 'social' cats, whereby related female lions live together and form groups called 'prides'. Lion prides are family groups with all of the females related, mothers and daughters, sisters and cousins, etc.

A pride can range from three to 30 individuals, but tend to average about fifteen members, which include male and female lions plus a number of cubs. The number of lions in a pride will vary significantly based on the number of prey animals that live or migrate through the pride's territory.

Reproduction: Cubs are born after a gestation period of 110 days, with female lions giving birth in a den site, typically located in a rock outcrop or in dense vegetation. A female will on average give birth to three cubs that are between 2 to 4 pounds in weight.

South Africa Wildlife

Leopard {Panthera Pardus}

The Leopard

The most secretive and elusive of the large carnivores, the leopard is also the shrewdest. Pound for pound, it is the strongest climber of the larger cats and is capable of killing prey far larger than itself.

The coloring of the leopard varies from white to bright golden brown, spotted with black spots and rosettes. The rosettes consist of groups of 5 to 6 spots arranged in a tight ring.

The tail is longer than half the body length measured from head to tail. This fierce animal has small round ears and long whiskers growing from dark spots on the upper lip. The size of the leopard varies considerably. The leopard differs from the cheetah in having shorter legs, and rosette-like spots and is without the cheetah’s black "tear" marks from eye to mouth.

Quick Facts

Name: Panthera Pardus
Size: The leopard ranges in size from 1 to almost 2 metres long, and weighs between 30 - 70 kg. Females are typically around two-thirds the size of males.

Diet: Carnivorous; Small animals and medium size antelope.
Habitat: Bush and riverine forests. Usually in or near thickets on mountain sides or along streams and rivers. Leopards are mainly nocturnal animals but are also seen during the day, especially in the early mornings and late afternoons. They usually forage alone except in the mating season.

The Leopard

Leopards are shy, cunning and very dangerous, especially when wounded. Leopards are very good tree climbers and can pull large prey up a tree to protect it from other predators or scavengers in the vicinity. They return later to feed again. Leopards still occur outside conservation areas.

Socialisation: Leopards are basically solitary and go out of their way to avoid one another. Each animal has a home range that overlaps with its neighbors; the male's range is much larger and generally overlaps with those of several females. A leopard usually does not tolerate intrusion into its own range except to mate. Unexpected encounters between leopards can lead to fights.

Reproduction: Leopard breed throughout the year.
Gestation: The gestation period is 3 months. Number of young is 2 to 3 although more have been recorded.

Life Expectancy: 20 years,,,

south african wild life //7678

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:27:00 +0000

South Africa Information

South African Wildlife

South Africa Wildlife

The Elephant {Loxodonta Africana}

The African Elephant

The African Elephant is the largest living land mammal, one of the most impressive animals on earth. The Elephant's muscular trunk serves as a nose, hand, extra foot, signaling device and a tool for gathering food, siphoning water, dusting, digging and a variety of other functions. The long trunk permits the elephant to reach as high as 23 feet. It is capable of powerful twisting and coiling movements used for tearing down trees or fighting.

The trunk of the African elephant has two finger-like structures at its tip. The tusks, another remarkable feature, are greatly elongated incisors (elephants have no canine teeth). Tusks grow for most of an elephant's lifetime and are an indicator of age. They are "right or left tusked" using the favoured tusk as a tool, shortening it from constant wear.

Quick Facts

Size: Up to 11 feet; Weight: 3½ - 6½ tons
Diet: Herbivorous
Diet Description: Elephant graze and browse and eat up to 600 pounds of food a day. They can be extremely destructive in their feeding habits by pushing over trees, pulling them up by their roots or breaking off branches.

Distribution: They are widely distributed throughout central, western and eastern Africa, south of the Sahara, with the forest elephant inhabiting the rainforests of the Congo basin. There are isolated populations in the southern African sub-region.

Habitat: Dense forests to open plains - Clean drinking water and a plentiful supply of food are an elephant's only habitat requirements. They graze and browse and eat up to 600 pounds of food a day. They can be extremely destructive in their feeding habits by pushing over trees, pulling them up by their roots or breaking off branches.

African Elephant

Socialisation: Elephants are generally gregarious and form small family groups consisting of an older matriarch and three or four offspring, along with their young. It was once thought that family groups were led by old bull elephants, but these males are most often solitary.

The female family groups are often visited by mature males checking for females in estrus. Several interrelated family groups may inhabit an area and know each other well. When they meet at watering holes and feeding places, they greet each other affectionately.

Reproduction: Single young born any time of the year. Gestation 22 months.
Life span: 60 to 70 years

Interesting Facts: The elephant is distinguished by its high level of intelligence, interesting behavior, methods of communication and complex social structure. Elephants seem to be fascinated with the tusks and bones of dead elephants, fondling and examining them. The myth that they carry them to secret "elephant burial grounds," however, has no factual base.

South Africa Wildlife

The Rhinoceros

The rhinoceros is a large, primitive looking mammal that in fact dates from the Miocene era millions of years ago. In recent decades rhinos have been relentlessly hunted to the point of near extinction. Since 1970 the world rhino population has declined by 90 percent, with five species remaining in the world today, all of which are endangered.

The white or square-lipped rhino is one of two rhino species in Africa. It in turn occurs as two subspecies, the southern and the northern. The southern dwindled almost to extinction in the early 20th century, but was protected on farms and reserves, enabling it to increase enough to be reintroduced. The northern white rhino has recovered in Democratic Republic of Congo from about 15 in 1984 to about 30 in the late 1990s. This population has been threatened by political conflict and instability.

Quick Facts

Name: Black Rhinoceros - Diceros bicornis
Name: White Rhinoceros - Ceratotherium simum

The White Rhino: The white rhino's name derives from the Dutch "weit," meaning wide, a reference to its wide, square muzzle adapted for grazing. The white rhino, which is actually grey, has a pronounced hump on the neck and a long face.

The Black Rhino: The black, or hooked-lipped rhino, along with all other rhino species, is an odd-toed ungulate (three toes on each foot). It has a thick, hairless, grey hide. Both the black and white rhino have two horns, the longer of which sits at the front of the nose.

Size: The rhinoceros stands about 60 inches at the shoulder.
Weight: Black Rhino: 1 to 1½ tons. White Rhino: over 2 tons.

Habitat: Grassland and open savannahs. Black rhinos have various habitats, but mainly areas with dense, woody vegetation. White rhinos live in savannahs with water holes, mud wallows and shade trees.

Diet: Vegetarian. Black Rhino - browser. White Rhino - grazer.
Diet Description: The black rhino is a browser, with a triangular-shaped upper lip ending in a mobile grasping point. It eats a large variety of vegetation, including leaves, buds and shoots of plants, bushes and trees. The white rhino is a grazer feeding on grasses.

The Rhinoceros

Socialisation: Rhinos live in home ranges that sometimes overlap with each other. Feeding grounds, water holes and wallows may be shared. The black rhino is usually solitary. The white rhino tends to be much more gregarious. Rhinos are also rather ill-tempered and have become more so in areas where they have been constantly disturbed. While their eyesight is poor, which is why they will often charge without apparent reason, their sense of smell and hearing are very good.

They have an extended "vocabulary" of growls, grunts, squeaks, snorts and bellows. When attacking, the rhino lowers its head, snorts, breaks into a gallop reaching speeds of 30 miles an hour, and gores or strikes powerful blows with its horns. Still, for all its bulk, the rhino is very agile and can quickly turn in a small space.

The rhino has a symbiotic relationship with oxpeckers, also called tick birds. In Swahili the tick bird is named "askari wa kifaru," meaning "the rhino's guard." The bird eats ticks it finds on the rhino and noisily warns of danger. Although the birds also eat blood from sores on the rhino's skin and thus obstruct healing, they are still tolerated

Lifespan: 35 to 40 years.
Reproduction: Young are born after a gestation period of 16 months.

Predators: Humans. Man is the cause of the demise of the rhino. In the wild, the adult black or white rhino has no true natural predators and, despite its size and antagonistic reputation, it is extremely easy for man to kill. A creature of habit that lives in a well-defined home range, it usually goes to water holes daily, where it is easily ambushed. The dramatic decline in rhino is unfortunate in an era of increasing conservation but efforts are underway to save the rhino from extinction.

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wild life wallpapers // 23423

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 19:31:00 +0000

Lion Pictures Pg 1

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:32:00 +0000

It's always exciting seeing lions in the wild. If you're lucky, they'll sometimes be close enough to photograph. Whenever I return from a trip to the bush with one or two reasonable lion pictures, I count myself lucky as these magnificent predators are often spotted only in the distance.
Even when you do see them at close range, there's a good chance they'll be fast asleep!
This selection of photographs was taken in South Africa's Kruger National Park, and also in the Chobe and Moremi areas of Botswana.

Read more: http://www.wildlife-pictures-online.com/lionpictures1.html#ixzz0hTPncayy

Capturing Lion Pictures
The picture of the battle-scarred male lion with an injured eye (Row 4, pic 1), plus the one of the lion relaxing under a tree after a good feed (Row 5, pic 1) were both taken with an Olympus C2100 UZ digital camera. Although this is only a 2.1 megapixel camera, it has an amazing image-stabilised 10x zoom lens, giving you the equivalent of a 38mm to 380mm lens on a 35mm camera. When you add the Olympus B300 1.7 converter, you are armed with the equivalent of a 640mm lens.
That's what allowed me to get a full-frame picture of the lion with the bad eye.
However, I do still use film for much of my photography and the other lion photos were all taken on slide film using Canon EOS bodies, fitted with either a Canon 80-200 2.8 lens or Canon 300mm F4.
Note: Since writing the above, I have acquired a Canon 100-400 image-stabilized zoom lens. Combined with my Canon SLR digital body, this provides an amazing zoom range - equal to a 160-640mm lens on a film camera.
It's a great lens when on safari in Africa, particularly if you're restricted to photographing wildlife from a vehicle, as is normally the case in the national parks of South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania.
Even at the luxury private safari lodges in these countries, there are rules that you do not leave your game-drive vehicle - which makes perfect sense if you don't want to be some large animal's next meal!
More About Lions
If you'd like to find out more about lions, their behavior and habits, have a look at the Lion Information page or try the search box on the left.

Lion Picture Captions Row 1:
1.Pair of lion males, Kruger Park, South Africa
2.Male lion, Kruger Park, South Africa
3.Lioness and cub, Mashatu GR, Botswana

Row 2:
1.Well-fed lion male, Kruger Park, South Africa
2.Lioness close-up, Mashatu GR, Botswana
3.Lion yawning, Chobe, Botswana

Row 3:
1.Lion male resting in shade, Moremi, Botswana
2.Lion drinking, Chobe, Botswana
3.Young lion side view, Mashatu GR, Botswana

Row 4:
1.Lion male with injured eye, Kruger Park, South Africa
2.Male lion standing, Kruger Park, South Africa
3.Lioness portrait, Tuli Block, Botswana

Lions (Löwen; Leones; Leeuwen)
Picture of pair of male lions, Kruger Park, South Africa.

Caption: Pair of male lions (Panthera leo) in long winter grass, their manes blowing in the wind, Kruger National Park, South Africa. Photo: © Scotch Macaskill. Additional Info: This pair of male lions - possibly brothers - were part of a pride that had earlier killed and fed on a buffalo in South Africa's Kruger National Park. It was a cloudy day with a strong breeze blowing, as can be seen by the lions' windswept manes.
Kruger Park, South Africa's premier wildlife and nature reserve, covers nearly 2 million hectares and is is home to an impressive diversity of flora and fauna, including 507 different birds and 147 types of mammal. As such it offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa.
Camera: The photograph was taken with a Canon EOS Elan film camera and Canon EOS 300mm F4 lens, using slide film scanned on a Nikon Coolscan V scanner

Lion (Löwe; León; Leeuw)
Picture of male lion, Kruger Park, South Africa.

Caption: Male lion (Panthera leo) with full belly lying in winter grass, the remains of a buffalo kill between his front paws, Kruger National Park, South Africa. Photo: © Scotch Macaskill. Additional Info: This handsome male lion was part of a pride that had earlier killed a buffalo. Although he'd eaten till his belly was full, he refused to give up a few remains of the buffalo lying between his front paws. Other pride members, including another large male, who approached were quickly warned off with a growl and a snarl.
Camera Equipment: The photograph was taken with a Canon EOS Elan film camera and Canon EOS 80-200mm F2.8 lens, using slide film scanned on a Nikon Coolscan V scanner.

Caption: Male lion (Panthera leo) with full stomach after feeding on a buffalo, Kruger National Park, South Africa. Photo: © Scotch Macaskill. Location: The Kruger National Park is South Africa's flagship wildlife reserve and offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa.
Established in 1898, the park covers nearly 2 million hectares. As such, it is home to an impressive diversity of flora and fauna, including 507 different birds and 147 types of mammal. In addition to the "Big Five" - elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino - there are also large numbers of giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, antelope, and hyena. Less common but also seen by visitors on safari are cheetah and wild do

Lion (Löwe; León; Leeuw)
Picture of male lion lying under tree, Botswana.

Caption: Male lion (Panthera leo) resting in the shade under a tree, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana.
Photo: © Scotch Macaskill. Location: Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve, which covers more than 4,000 km2, combines mopane woodland and acacia forests, floodplains and lagoons. But it is the floodplains of the Okavango Delta, one of the world’s largest inland water systems, that have made this reserve world-renowned.
A safari to Moremi should ideally include an exploration of the Delta's intricate waterways in a mokoro or dug-out canoe with a knowledgeable local guide.
Moremi is best visited in the dry season and game viewing is at its peak from July to October, when seasonal pans dry up and the wildlife concentrates on the permanent water. It is then that the wide variety of wildlife - elephants, buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, hyena, jackal and a full range of antelope - is most accessible to visitors.
Camera Equipment: The photograph was taken with a Canon EOS Elan film camera and Canon EOS 80-200mm F2.8 lens, using slide film scanned on a Nikon Coolscan V scanner.
Permitted Uses: This photograph is copyright-protected and may only be downloaded for personal, educational and other strictly non-commercial use. If you're needing free stock pictures for commercial purposes, please check out our Free Wildlife Pictures pages. There are also Wildlife Photo Packs available at only $10 each, or see the Stock Photos section for higher resolution stock images.

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BBC wildlife // 665667

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:22:00 +0000

Lions vs Spitting Cobra - BBC wildlife

Leopard Cub Vs King Cobra

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Lion vs hippo - BBC wildlife

Lion attack Hippo Krugerpark

Lions Killing Warthog

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BBC wildlife // 657

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:53:00 +0000

Leopards vs zebra - BBC wildlife

Leopard hunts for cubs - BBC wildlife

King lions establish new pride - BBC wildlife

King lion under attack - BBC wildlife

Cheetah vs lion - BBC wildlife

Cheetah uses film crew car as vantage point! BBC wildlife

wild life wallpapers //988

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:03:00 +0000

Big Cats

Revered for their beauty and vitality, the five species of big cats include tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, and snow leopards. Despite the cats’ reputation for ferocity, these majestic predators face more danger than they pose: All are endangered, due mainly to habitat loss, poaching, and dwindling populations of their prey. WCS conservationists with the Great Cats program are working on the ground to protect the big cats and safeguard their habitats from the Himalayas to the Horn of Africa

Featured Species

Amur Leopard

Leopards are highly adaptable cats, and all nine subspecies of leopard were once common throughout most of Africa and Asia. Today, however, the Amur leopard is considered the world’s rarest cat. Also known as the Far Eastern leopard, this cat’s range originally extended across northeastern China, the Korean peninsula, and the southern portion of Primorsky Krai, Russia. Now just 25 to 40 Amur leopards remain, occupying a sliver of habitat in Russia along its border with China. A few of these individuals sometimes wander into China.
Amur leopards have longer legs than other leopards, allowing them to walk in snow with greater ease. Males weigh between 110 and 120 pounds, and females between 65 and 75 pounds. Their body length extends about 5 feet. The spots, or rosettes, of Amur leopards are more widely spaced and have thicker black borders, making it a very beautiful cat. Their fur color changes from reddish yellow in summer to light yellow during winter. To help the cats stay warm, the length of their fur can also vary between one and three inches, depending on the time of year.
Female Amur leopards maintain home ranges that range in size from 15 to 38 square miles, while males can have territories as large as 155 square miles. They hunt mainly roe and sika deer, hares, badgers, mice, and other small animals.

Jaguar

Historically found as far north as the southwestern United States and as far south as southern Argentina, the jaguar is the largest land carnivore in most of its range. This powerful yet somewhat furtive animal has captured the human imagination for ages. In some cultures, it was believed that shamans could transform into jaguars. The ancient Mayans believed the big cat’s spotted coat represented the night sky and the people of the Amazon saw in the jaguar’s shiny, reflective eyes proof of its connection to the spiritual world.
The jaguar is smaller than the lion and tiger, and is characterized by a powerful, compact body that exudes strength, and is built more for stealth and sudden capture than running. Jaguar diets vary across its range but the animal’s natural prey includes peccaries, large rodents (paca, agouti, capybara), armadillos, and deer. The jaguar’s massive head and muscular jaw provide its extraordinary biting power. Where the jaguar co-exists with domestic livestock, such as cattle and pigs, these animals sometimes become prey. This creates conflicts with humans and the endangered jaguars, which are targeted for retaliatory killing.
Jaguars need cover for hunting, adequate natural prey, and security from direct conflict with humans. These cats occupy a variety of habitats, from short dry forests, through mosaics of savanna and forest, to deep primary and secondary rainforest. At present, there are pockets of apparently stable jaguar populations scattered between Northern Mexico and Northern Argentina, with the largest single contiguous range for the iconic big cat centered around the Amazon Basin. Because human-jaguar co-existence, though possible, is challenging, the guarantee of long-term large wild areas is critical to ensure the species’ survival.

Cheetah

The cheetah is the fastest land mammal on Earth, capable of running 64 miles per hour. However, this cat cannot sustain high speeds for long. Cheetahs typically run in short bursts covering distances of up to 500 yards. Most chases last less than one minute, so the cheetah must quickly catch its prey before it escapes.
Cheetahs are designed for speed. Their large nostrils allow for increased intake of oxygen, and their oversized heart and lungs help power their bodies. The sleek cat uses the weight of its tail to balance its body through sharp turns, and its spine acts as a spring for the powerful hind legs.
While other big cats hunt at night, the cheetah often hunts in the early morning and at dusk, suffocating its prey with a bite to the neck or the nose. Cheetahs are vulnerable to larger predators, such as spotted hyenas and lions, which can kill their cubs and steal their prey. Because of its small size, the cheetah usually avoids fighting, and if confronted (even by just a single hyena), it will often surrender a kill immediately rather than risk injury.
Cheetahs form unique social groups. Males belong to permanent groups of two or three individuals, known as coalitions. Females live alone, except when raising cubs. Male cheetahs stays together for life, and try to gain access to small territories that they defend from other males. Females, by contrast, can range across immense areas that encompass many male territories and overlap with those of other females

Lion

The most social of all the big cats, lions live in groups of up to 15 members called "prides". A number of related lionesses (mothers, sisters, cousins) form a pride with their cubs and a few unrelated males that have successfully fought for access. The females are the primary hunters; the adult males defend the pride’s territory from other males. Of the roughly 30,000 lions in Africa, only a small number live outside of designated national parks or hunting areas. Asiatic lions were once found throughout Asia, and as far West as Greece, but they are now on the verge of extinction, with only about 300 living in the dry teak Gir Forest in northwestern India.
Lions are carnivores that thrive in habitats that are rich in prey, including wildebeest and other antelopes, giraffe, buffalo, wild hogs, and zebra. They also eat carrion stolen from hyenas, cheetahs, and wild dogs. Lions require wide expanses to roam and huge hunting territories to support their hearty appetites. These cats breed year-round, and lionesses give birth to litters of three or four cubs about every two years. Cubs weigh around 2.5 pounds, and it takes them about two years to learn how to survive on their own

Snow Leopard

A camera trap set up in the Sast Valley of Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor captured a snow leopard striking a curious pose. WCS researchers hope to help create a protected area in this remote region.; ©WCS
Snow Leopard Photo: The snow leopard is a mountain specialist, able to pursue and catch fleet-footed sheep, goats, and other prey down cliff faces and across rocky outcrops.; Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS

The snow leopard is well adapted to the harsh, mountainous habitats where it makes its home. This beautiful, elusive mammal has the thickest coat of any big cat, and its padded feet function like insulated boots. Snow leopards live a solitary existence and make their dens in rocky caverns or sheltered crevices. These carnivores prowl over steep terrain of cliffs, gullies, and rocky outcrops in search of their preferred prey: mountain goats and sheep, deer, marmots, and small mammals.
Snow leopards have large home ranges, spanning from 50 to more than 2,000 square miles in some areas. They live high on Asian mountain ranges extending from Russia to India. Despite the remoteness of its habitat, this spotted cat, weighing between 55 and 165 pounds, is increasingly susceptible to human-made threats. Only an estimated few thousand snow leopards remain in the wild.

Tiger

Tigers are in trouble, but Dr. Ullas Karanth and his team in India are finding smart ways to save them.

©WCS

Tiger Photo

Once ranging from the Caspian Sea to the Russian Far North, the world’s largest cat species now exists in only 7 percent of their historical range.

©John Goodrich

Wildlife Crimes Unit Slideshow

Tigers are fast disappearing in the wild, due in large part to increasing illegal wildlife trade across Asia. Our Wildlife Crimes Unit is working to support the arrest and prosecution of poachers and wildlife traders so that we can ensure a future for these cats in some of their last strongholds. Take a look at what WCS conservationists working throughout tiger territory have come across in their surveys and patrols.

©WCS

Tiger Rescue Operations Photo: Police display confiscated tiger skin with other seized animal skins and body parts in Indonesia. The country is Southeast Asia’s largest exporter of wildlife, both legal and illegal.; ©WCS

Tiger Rescue Operations Photo: Many of the wildlife pelts and other items that are poached in Indonesia are part of complex trade chains, which often terminate in illegal markets in China.; ©WCS

Tiger Rescue Operations Photo: The Wildlife Crimes Unit provides technical assistance to Indonesian police conducting anti-poaching raids.; ©WCS Indonesia

Tiger Rescue Operations Photo: This tiger was caught in a snare in northern Sumatra, a hotspot for the big cats in Indonesia, and therefore a draw for poachers.; ©WCS Indonesia

Tiger Rescue Operations Photo: In addition to tigers, tons of turtles are also exported from Indonesia on a weekly basis, and about 1.5 million wild-caught birds are sold in a market every year in Java.; ©WCS Indonesia

Tiger Rescue Operations Photo: Tiger bones in Sumatra are sold as souvenirs and talismans, and ground up or boiled down for use as ingredients in traditional medicines.; ©WCS Indonesia

Tiger Rescue Operations Photo: Tiger pelts are considered a status symbol by some and many wealthy people consume tiger products for purported medicinal qualities.; ©WCS

Tiger Rescue Operations Photo: WCS conservationists in India calculate tiger numbers by setting up remote camera traps that photograph the big cats in the wild.; ©Eleanor Briggs

Tiger Rescue Operations Photo: The camera trap technique is also used in the Russian Far East, where this Siberian tiger was photographed.; ©WCS

Tiger Rescue Operations Photo: Tiger scat contains a unique DNA signature that gives researchers another way to accurately identify and count individual animals.; ©S. Gopinth

Tiger Rescue Operations Photo: In the protected areas of India’s Western Ghats region, where WCS has worked for over 20 years, tiger populations are holding steady.; ©Ullas Karanth

Tiger Rescue Operations Photo: Help the Wildlife Conservation Society save tigers in the wild by making a donation.; Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS

Solitary and beautiful, the tiger prowls alone and marks its territory carefully, patrolling each corner of its domain methodically every few weeks. Expert hunters who kill their prey with a bite to the throat or back of the neck, tigers are carnivores that eat large mammals like deer, pigs and buffalo. In order to satisfy their large appetites—and their offspring—these big cats must have access to wide swaths of land and large populations of prey.
Historically, hundreds of thousands of tigers roamed across Asia, but their numbers have plummeted dramatically. Today, tigers occupy only 7 percent of their historical range. The largest tiger population is now in India, but there are wild populations in numerous Asian countries. WCS is working throughout the continent to protect this astounding mammal, which can survive in diverse habitats that include tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, grasslands, evergreen forests, and snowy, rocky terrain.,,,,,

mages for snakes // 765

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:31:00 +0000

Redbelly Snake - Storeria occipitomaculata
Status
PROTECTED. It is illegal to kill or collect this species by law in Iowa. Redbelly snakes are common but secretive in Iowa.

Redbelly Snakes, Storeria occipitomaculata, red phase and gray phase, from Butler County, Iowa

Description
This is Iowa's smallest species of snake measuring 7-10 inches long (Conant and Collins, 1991). It is non venomous. Generally speaking, there are two color phases of this snake and even these are subject to variation. One phase is dark brown to light tan dorsally with a single light mid dorsal stripe. The other phase is a shade of gray dorsally with four black or rust red stripes running lengthwise down the snake.

Redbelly Snake, Storeria occipitomaculata, venter, from Cherokee County, Iowa

The following characteristics are shared by both: the belly is usually bright red or pink with no markings. There may or may not be three pale spots on the nape. The scales are keeled and the anal plate is divided. The bright red belly with no markings and the presence of dorsal striping is sufficient to distinguish it from other small Iowa snakes.

Redbelly Snake, Storeria occipitomaculata, venter, from Bremer County, Iowa

Subspecies
There are three subspecies of the redbelly snake, two of which supposedly occur in Iowa. The northern redbelly snake, Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata, differs only by the presence of three light spots on the nape. The other, the Black Hills redbelly snake, Storeria occipitomaculata pahapsae, lacks these spots. These subspecies intergrade throughout their Iowa range. Furthermore, these subspecies are weakly defined and both forms are found in the same populations outside the intergrade zone.
Range
The redbelly snake snake seems to occur through out the northeastern half of Iowa.

County records for the redbelly snake in Iowa

Habitat
This snake is generally considered a woodland snake, but it is also found in dry sandy habitats. It is often found near marshes, lakes, or other water sources.
Habits
This small snake may be found under flat objects or crawling across woodland trails in the evening or at night. Sometimes they may be found in garages or while moving a woodpile. Great numbers of these snakes are seen in the fall as they migrate to their hibernaculums. They make no attempt to bite when handled, but they may release musk which is relatively mild compared to other species of snakes. The redbelly snake is secretive and their main defense from predators is hiding under rocks, logs or leaf litter. They hibernate underground in rock crevices, abandoned ant mounds, and in burrows dug by other animals. They breed in spring. Five to eight young are born alive in late summer and are very small, only 3 1/2 inches long.

Redbelly Snake, Storeria occipitomaculata, gray phase, from Bremer County, Iowa

Food
The redbelly snake eats slugs, earthworms, and insect larvae. It is usually very difficult to get these snakes to consume anything other than slugs without using scent-transfer techniques.

Redbelly Snake, Storeria occipitomaculata, brown phase, From Bremer County, Iowa

Redbelly Snake, Storeria occipitomaculata, brown phase, from Clayton County, Iowa

Images for snakes // m876

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:19:00 +0000

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texas snakes pictures

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:46:00 +0000

Diamondback Rattlesnake - Venomous

Blacknecked Garter - Non-Venomous

Texas Broadband Watersnake - Non-Venomous

Bullsnake - Non-Venomous

Mudsnake - Non-Venomous

Diamondback Water Snake - Non-Venomoous

Texas Rat Snake - Non-Venomous

Rough Green Snake - Non-Venomous

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mages for snakes

noreply@blogger.com (faiz) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:37:00 +0000

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AP Photo/Dev Khalsa

Blanket? What Blanket?
Snakes are known to act drastically when hungry. This 12-foot Burmese python swallowed an entire queen-size electric blanket, with the electrical cord and control box. The blanket must have gotten tangled up in the snake's rabbit dinner, its owner said. He said he kept the blanket in the 60-pound reptile's cage for warmth. The snake required surgery to survive

Texas Poisonous (Venomous) Snakes

.Snakes! Are they sneaky, slimy, scary?...or...skillful and simply sensational? People either love 'em or hate 'em, but either way, snakes play an important role in our world!

Snakes are reptiles. Reptiles are cold-blooded so they must warm themselves in the sun or on rocks. Snakes have skin covered with scales and most lay eggs. Some snakes hold their eggs inside until they hatch. Snakes have no legs and no ears.

Snakes are skilled predators. How would you catch prey without arms or legs? Venomous snakes have poison to inject in their prey. The venom keeps small prey still so the snake can grab it with its mouth and swallow it whole. This is a helpful adaptation for snakes. Snakes help the balance of nature by eating prey that reproduces frequently, everything from earthworms to rabbits. Snakes also eat eggs. Snakes are especially important in the control of mice and rats.

Venomous Snakes in Texas

There are four kinds of venomous snakes in Texas: coral snakes, copperheads, cottonmouths (water moccasins) and rattlesnakes.

Coral Snakes

Only one species of coral snake is native to Texas. The coral snake is shy and rarely seen. It has, in order, red, yellow and black colors. The coral snake has a small mouth, and is usually not aggressive. Its bites are dangerous, but very rare.

Other, harmless snakes have similar colors in a different order. The rhyme "red and yellow kill a fellow" can help you remember that the coral snake's red and yellow colors touch, but the harmless milk snake has red touching black.

What is a Pit Viper?

A pit viper is a type of venomous snake. Copperheads, cottonmouths and rattlesnakes are called pit-vipers because they have a pit near each nostril which is highly sensitive to heat. This pit helps the snake in locating warm-blooded prey.

Copperheads

Copperhead snakes have bands of gray and/or brown with a copper-colored heard. They blend in with leaf-covered forest floors and it's possible to stare right at a copperhead without seeing it! Copperheads bite rather than strike. Because they are so well camouflaged, most bites occur when a snake is accidentally picked up or sat or laid on. Always use care when picking up or flipping over logs, boards, old tin or other items where copperheads may be resting.

Cottonmouths

The cottonmouth, or water moccasin, rarely strays far from water. It can be found in marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes, ditches, and canals in East and Central Texas and along the Gulf coast. It is a stubby, muscular snake and can grow to nearly six feet. When threatened, it will open its mouth to show its fangs. The inside of its mouth is white and reminded people of cotton, hence the name cottonmouth. They eat frogs, fish an small animals. These snakes can be very defensive and sometimes aggressive. They can bite underwater. Swimmers, bathers and anglers on river banks should always keep an eye open for these snakes.

Rattlesnakes

The Western Massasauga lives in prairies from the Gulf Coast up to the Panhandle

The Timber Rattlesnake lives in East Texas.

Western Diamondback lives in North, Central, South and West Texas.

texas snakes pictures

You have to know your texas snakes pictures because these serpents are everywhere in that state.
There are four major ones that you really need to know and the rest are okay.
I have some photos for you to look at and study.
Attention all Cowboys and Cowgirls pay close attention to the coral snake. Remeber Red touch yellow - DEAD FELLOW.

Cotton Mouth - Venomous

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