Endangered Species

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2012-12-08T16:55:00.004-08:00

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Crocodiles

2012-11-11T15:57:00.002-08:00

Crocodiles and Alligators fall under the "threatened" category. They belong to a group of reptiles called crocodilians, which are the largest of the living reptiles. Of the 23 different species of crocodilians in the world, 2 species are native to the United States, and south Florida is the only place where both of these species coexist. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) ranges throughout the southeastern United States, and Everglades alligators exist at the southern extreme of their range. American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus), on the other hand, inhabit coastal areas of south Florida where they are at the northern extreme of their range. American crocodiles also can be found on the islands of Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola, as well as along both coasts of southern Mexico and Central America, south to Ecuador on the Pacific coast of South America, and Venezuela on the Atlantic coast.

At first glance crocodiles can be difficult to distinguish from alligators, but closer inspection reveals several important differences. The American crocodile is lizard-shaped with a long, muscular tail and four short legs that have five toes on the front feet and four on the back feet. Adults have grayish-green backs and tails and white to yellowish undersides. Their narrow snout is triangular in shape, and the fourth tooth on both sides of the lower jaw is visible when the mouth is closed. The ear drums are protected by moveable flaps of skin at the top of the head behind the eyes, and the nostrils are at the end of the elongated snout. Because of the location of the eyes, ears, and nostrils, a crocodile can be submerged with only the top of its head exposed and still be able to see, hear, and breathe. Male crocodiles are larger than females and can reach about 20 feet in length but rarely exceed 14 feet in the wild. Breeding females are about 8 to 12 feet in length.

Everglades National Park: Home to Many Endangered Species

2012-11-11T15:52:00.003-08:00

Since its dedication in 1947, Everglades National Park has been touted as one of the great biological wonders of the world. Taking center stage is the diverse array of animals that call this place home.

Thriving amidst a verdant, expansive wetland, the wildlife of the Everglades encompasses the tiniest grass frog to the largest American crocodile. Here life from the Caribbean tropics coexists with more familiar species from temperate North America.

Environmental Factors

The Everglades comprise a vast, interconnected mosaic of distinct ecosystems. These diverse habitats are in a state of constant change, subject to the influences of a full suite of environmental processes.

Geology, water quality, fire, and weather are but a few of the many natural factors that help shape the development of the Everglades landscape. Still, the actions of humans also have a strong influence. The introduction of non-native species, disruptive water management actions, and the disturbance of natural processes have all worked to undermine the integrity of the historic ecosystem.

Natural Features & Ecosystems

With the dedication of Everglades National Park in 1947, a new precedent was set in the growing conservation movement. For the first time in American history, a large tract of wilderness was permanently protected not for its scenic value, but for the benefit of the unique diversity of life it sustained.

The mosaic of habitats found within the Greater Everglades Ecosystem supports an assemblage of plant and animal species not found elsewhere on the planet. While nine distinct habitats have been identified, the landscape remains dynamic. Ecosystems remain in a constant state of flux, subject to the elements of south Florida.

Conservation

2012-10-06T07:24:00.001-07:00

Best Wildlife Organizations

Our biosphere determines our lives. Cleaner, fresher and well-balanced Eco-systems can stabilize the flow of life on earth. Increasing population and pollution have resulted in cutting down of forests and damaging the habitats of many other living beings. Such an imbalance has major effects on the life forms and eventually lead to damage. Therefore, many wildlife organizations work towards wildlife management by planning and implementing projects. Brush through this article to know about institutions that work towards wildlife conservation.

World Wildlife Fund
This is among the most well-known wildlife organizations that have been working towards protecting biodiversity. The World Wildlife Fund was founded in the year 1961, aimed towards the betterment of nature. This organization protects natural habitats and even lays down projects to save animals. WWF works with both the local communities and government networks in order to minimize the pollution and efficiently use the natural resources.

Natural Resources Defense Council
Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) is among the conservation organization that works towards preserving wild lands, using energy efficiently, protecting ocean habitats and making a greener and cleaner environment to live. This organization was found in the year 1970 and in a year's time it also won the Clean Air Act, which can be used today to sue the polluters. There are around 350 lawyers and scientists that work for NRDC, which also hold a membership of 1.3 million people.

Oceana
Oceana focuses mainly on conservation of oceans. For years their main focus has been on balancing the marine Eco-system and also avoid the various hazards. The organization has been successful in their attempts to alleviate shark finning, netting and longline fishing. Oceana has taken many campaigns and usually works on one campaign at a time to obtain optimum results. This conservation organization was established in 2001 and within no time it has been successful in preserving the oceans of the world. They have also worked hard at preserving many endangered marine species. Other than these campaigns, Oceana has also brought about an awareness on keeping the oceans clean.

Conservation International
Conservation International is focused on maintaining Eco-systems with sustainable human use. It was founded in 1987 and works keenly on minimizing pollution and protecting fresh water and even looking after people. Conservation International is an organization that values nature and is always implementing projects that will benefit the planet in the long run.

Wildlife Conservation Society
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a zoological society that was founded in the year 1895. Since then, they have supported zoos and aquariums on a global scale. Also, promoting environmental education is one of their main motives, to bring about a positive change in their mission. This organization is known to work on selected endangered species such as elephants, big cats, bears, great apes and other carnivores. They function in regions of Africa, America and Asia.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
The Royal Society focuses on preserving bird habitats and recovering certain species from extinction. The organization was started in the 1889, with the intention of stopping the use of feathers and plumes. For years the organization has been of great support in conserving the various bird species. They have been successful in reintroducing certain species of birds and hindered the decline in wild birds.

The Nature Conservancy
Found in 1951, Nature Conservancy works on protecting natural areas. Their main supporters are non-governmental organizations, corporate partners and other international organizations which focus at acquiring threatened natural lands.

Human beings are dependent on animals and plants for food and shelter. With increasing population and raising demands, many animal and plant species have been pushed to extinction. It is through efforts of such organizations that these living species stand a chance to survive.

Enadangered Amphibians

2012-09-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

Endangered and Cold-Blooded

Amphibians are special four-legged vertebrates that can survive on land as well as in water. They are cold blooded and take on the temperature of environment. Born with gills, these creatures develop lungs on maturity, and the most amazing part is that they can breathe through their thin skin. However, the number of amphibians have reduced considerably over the past few years. The extinction of amphibians in certain local areas is of great concern because this directly affects global biodiversity. Their extinction can directly or indirectly affect the lives of other animal species as well. The exact reason for amphibian extinction is not known.
However, the factors that have spearheaded their extinction are brought about by humans. Destruction and modification of their habitats (rapid urbanization), depletion of the ozone layer, increasing levels of environment pollution, change in global temperature, etc., brought about by man has caused the amphibian number to decline. Besides man-made reasons, certain natural reasons such as diseases and introduction of new species to their environment has also contributed to the depletion of these amphibians. Today, one third of the approximately 6000 amphibian species comes under the endangered animals category and are on the verge of facing extinction. Some of the different endangered amphibians are as follows: Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum) This salamander species was placed on the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species in 1997 It is a very rare species residing in the environs of Barton Springs in Austin, Texas. This salamander is adapted to the warm waters of the Barton Springs.
However, since scores of people use the Barton Springs for swimming, the natural environment of the salamanders is degrading. Urbanization has caused the Barton Springs to become polluted, and at the rate it is continuing soon there won't be any Barton Springs Salamanders left. Blanchard's cricket frog (Acris crepitans blanchardi) This tiny, non-climbing member of the tree frog family were found commonly dwelling in the ponds of southwestern Wisconsin prior to 1970. However, during the 1980s their population rates reduced rapidly and scientists were shocked to find that cricket frogs had disappeared completely from certain areas where they were found abundantly. According to a survey conducted a decade later (1991), it was found that out of 40 cricket frog resident places, only 19 housed cricket frogs. It is believed that these cricket frogs cannot survive in polluted water which is the main reason for their decline. They were put on the Wisconsin Endangered Species List in 1982 .
Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis) Houston Toad, discovered in the late 1940s lives exclusively in the pine or oak forests. These toads are found mostly in Bastrop County, Texas after they were completely eradicated from the Houston area in the 1960s. This toad was federally listed as an endangered species in 1970, and the most immediate reason for its decline is habitat loss, however, factors such as pesticides, automobiles, predators and drought are also some of the other reasons. Bastrop State Park, the only public land that supports large number of Houston Toads reveals that their numbers are declining very rapidly. However, the Environmental Defense has enrolled three land owners in Bastrop to restore and protect the Houston Toad's habitat. California Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma californiense) California Tiger Salamander, a native of Northern California is a large and secretive amphibian.
Historically, this species ranges from Sonoma County (near Santa Rosa) to Santa Barbara County (near Lompoc). They depend on vernal pools for reproduction and dwell mostly in large fish-less vernal pools or water bodies. The population of these salamanders is known to have reduced by 50% of its historic range. In 2004, the California Tiger Salamander was listed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened. However, they were returned to the endangered category in 2005. Habitat destruction by human interaction and interference has resulted in the depletion of this salamander species. Sierra Nevada Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana muscosa) Natives of Sierra Nevada Mountains, these frogs love mountain creeks and lakes, especially isolated pools, sunny river banks, streams and lake borders.
Once upon a time these frogs were very abundant in the Sierra Alpine Lake, with scores of them running all over the place. However, today 93% of this frog population has disappeared. One reason is the introduction of non-native trout by the California Department of Fish and Game to the high Sierra lakes. Since these frogs were adapted to high elevation habitats in the absence of aquatic predators, they were not adapted to fight predators. The trout feed on these tadpoles and juvenile frogs, and if this continues, soon these mountain yellow frogs will disappear forever. Though this species is nearing extinction, the US Fish and Wildlife Service is refusing to place this species under the endangered species list and protect it. The Center for Biological Diversity is continuously trying to get the US Fish and Wildlife Service to place this species under the endangered category. Several ecologists believe that their decline may have severe implications on the world's environment. Since amphibians possess highly permeable skin, and because they spend their lives both in water and on land, they are highly sensitive to environmental changes. Their health indirectly indicates the health of the ecosystem.
As their numbers decline, ecologists are wondering which other animal species will follow them to extinction. Amphibian population is declining rapidly and if we don't do anything about it, they will soon disappear from our planet altogether.

Endangered Wildlife

2012-09-18T19:05:00.002-07:00

We Will Protect Them

Facts About Endangered Animals While thousands of animals are considered endangered or critically endangered as of today, only 10 percent of these species - the tiger and the panda being the best examples of the same, are identified as threatened and given legal protection. Even though seriously threatened, several others don't even make it to the endangered animals list. More than 1,000 animal species are considered endangered at all levels all over the world. Approximately, 20 percent of the mammalian species on the planet are fighting for their very existence on the planet. More of such staggering endangered animals facts, which stress on statistical data, are given below. The tiger (Panthera tigris) population in the wild is estimated to be somewhere between 3,000-4,000 individuals. Further breakup reveals that there are less than 2,000 Bengal tigers (Pantera tigris tigris), around 1,200 to 1,800 Indochinese tigers (Pantera tigris corbetti), 600-800 Malayan tigers (Pantera tigris jacksoni), 400-800 Sumatran tigers (Pantera tigris sumatrae) and somewhere between 450-500 Siberian tigers (Pantera tigris alataica) in the wild. Yet another species, the South China tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) is believed to have become extinct in the wild with no recent sightings recorded. Even though leopard as an animal is enlisted as 'not threatened' in the IUCN Red List, some sub-species of leopards have become endangered as a result of loss of habitat and illegal hunting. Only 30-35 Amur leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis) are remaining in the wild in Siberia, and thus it has been enlisted as critically endangered. Similarly, somewhere between 3,500-6,000 Snow leopards (Panthera unica) are found in the high-altitude mountain ranges of Central Asia and South Asia as a result of which this sub-species is declared endangered.

While the African lion is enlisted as vulnerable by IUCN, its cousin in Asia - the Asian lion (Panthera leo persica) is battling for its survival with somewhere around 400 individuals left in the last of its natural habitat in the state of Gujarat in India. While efforts are being made to implement conservation measures at the ground level, legal tangles have made it difficult for the environmentalists to implement these measures. The Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) population has come down drastically due to loss of habitat as a result of human encroachment in their natural habitat. With the total number of individuals in the wild estimated to be somewhere between 1,000 to 2,000 individuals, the Giant panda happens to be one of the ten most endangered animals of the world. Of the five extant sub-species of the rhinoceros, three sub-species - the Black rhino (Diceros bicornis), Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) and the Javan rhino (Rhiniceros sondaica) have become critically endangered, while the Indian rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) is enlisted as vulnerable. Unabated poaching is the most prominent cause of extinction of this animal in the wilderness. Only 600 Bactrian camels aka the two-humped camel (Camelus ferus) are left in China, while their number in Mongolia happens to be approximately 350. In fact, the population of this species in Mongolia has come down by 50 percent over the last three decades as a result of large-scale hunting of this species for food. The species was declared critically endangered in 2002 as the estimated number of Bactrian camels in the wild had come down to 800 back then. Coming to North America, the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is fighting for its existence on the Earth with less than 200 individuals of this species remaining in the wild. After the IUCN enlisted the California Condor as a critically endangered species, captive breeding programs were initiated to ensure that this bird doesn't end up becoming extinct. The population of South Asian River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) has come down by a significant extent as a result of loss of habitat attributed to incessant water pollution and damming of rivers. There exist two sub-species of the South Asian River Dolphin - the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) and Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor minor), and both have been declared endangered by the IUCN with less than 1,000 individuals remaining in the wild. Even non-human primates are threatened by extinction with the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) being enlisted as critically endangered species with less than 7,000 animals in the wild, and the Borneo Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) being enlisted as endangered with somewhere around 40,000-50,000 individuals in the wild. Even though it is the largest animal in the world, the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) has not been able to escape human wrath. Large-scale whaling - which continued through the 90s, resulted in a serious decline in the number of blue whales in the wild. In 2002, the population of this species was estimated to be somewhere between 5,000 to 12,000, as a result of which it was declared endangered by the IUCN. Though whaling has been curbed by a significant extent, the number of blue whales in the world is far from desired mark as yet. There have also been a couple of instances of animals being declared extinct in the wild, bred in captivity and reintroduced in the wild. In the United States of America, the Red Wolf (Canis rufus) was declared extinct in the wild in 1980s when the last of the individuals were caught in the wild in Texas. After successful captive breeding resulted in rise in the Red wolf population in captivity, the animal was re-introduced in North Carolina. However, it is still considered endangered, with less than 100 individuals in the wild. Do we really need to give importance to all these facts which suggest that several animals are threatened with extinction? Why do we even have to save these endangered species? All the members of kingdom Animalia come together to form a complicated ecological network, and extinction on any member of this network can result in serious imbalance in the overall ecosystem. When the apex predator becomes extinct, the number of primary and secondary consumers, most of which are herbivores, increases as there is no apex predator at the top of the food chain to keep a check on their numbers. These herbivores in turn begin feeding on the available vegetation, and destroy the green cover on the planet. Similarly, if the number of herbivores dwindle, the carnivores are left with no option but to resort to human settlements for food. This in turn results in human-animal conflicts resulting in casualties on both sides.

Monkies

2012-09-08T02:30:00.000-07:00

Even though several species of monkeys are fighting for their basic survival on the planet today, the extinction threat for these animals fail to make it to the headlines, like the extinction threat for the animal species like the tigers or the rhinos does. This can be attributed to the fact that there are numerous species and sub-species of monkeys, some of which most of us are not even aware of. One can see a significant variation in the population of different monkey species. Some monkey species are found in abundance in their natural habitat, while some are enlisted as 'Critically Endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Which Species of Monkeys are Considered Endangered?

Even though there are approximately 264 species of monkeys in the world today, the rate at which their number is declining is giving the environmentalists some sleepless nights. The rapid decline over the last decade or so has brought many of these species on the verge of extinction. This decline in monkey population throughout the world can be traced to two important factors - excessive hunting and destruction of habitat. Several monkey species, including the Roloway monkey and the Pennant's red colobus monkey found in Africa, are excessively hunted for their meat, while the species such as the Miss Waldron's Red Colobus are hunted extensively for their skin which has a considerable demand in the international market.

It may be surprising for many, but even today these animals are being killed for the use of their various body parts in traditional medicine. Monkeys as pets are also gaining wide popularity, and hunters have been quick to capitalize on this fact. In a bid to capture these monkeys, hunters use snares which leave them injured, if not trapped, and eventually results in their death. Human encroachment has also resulted in wide scale destruction of habitat. Illegal logging, land clearance for agriculture, expanding human settlements and other such factors are causing the natural habitat of this animal to deplete at an alarming rate, thus leaving them homeless and vulnerable to hunting.

Endangered Monkeys List

Andean Night Monkey
Bale Monkey
Barbara Brown's Titi
Beni Titi Monkey
Black-faced Black Spider Monkey
Black Colobus
Black Squirrel Monkey
Black-fronted Titi
Brown-headed Spider Monkey
Brumback's Night Monkey
Coimbra Filho's Titi
Colombian Woolly Monkey
Common Woolly Monkey
Diana Monkey
Dryad Monkey
Dusky Leaf-monkey
Geoffroy's Peruvian Woolly Monkey
Geoffroy's Spider Monkey
Golden-backed Squirrel Monkey
Gray-handed Night Monkey
Guatemalan Black Howler Monkey
Guiana Spider Monkey
Guizhou Snub-nosed Monkey
L'hoest's Monkey
Long-haired Spider Monkey
Mantled Howler Monkey
Mitred Leaf Monkey
Muriqui
Ollala Brothers' Titi Monkey
Ornate Titi
Owl-faced Monkey
Panamanian Night Monkey
Preuss' Red Colobus Monkey
Phayre's Leaf-monkey
Poeppig's Woolly Monkey
Preuss' Red Colobus Monkey
Preuss's Monkey
Proboscis Monkey
Red-backed Squirrel Monkey
Red-eared Nose-spotted Monkey
Red-handed Howler Monkey
Sclater's Guenon
Sichuan Snub-nosed Monkey
Spix's Red-handed Howler Monkey
Sun-tailed Monkey
Tana River Red Colobus Monkey
Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey
Variegated Spider Monkey
White-cheeked Spider Monkey
Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey
Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey
Zanzibar Red Colobus

This list includes both - the New World monkeys, belonging to the Ceboidea super-family, and Old World monkeys, belonging to the super-family Cercopithecoidea.

Endangered Bird List

2012-09-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

Birds have fascinated human beings since long by their attractive characteristics and flight mode. But today there are very few species of birds left due to destruction of their natural habitats. Pollution and infestation of invasive species has threatened all animals and plants resulting in the decline of their population. A lot of species have become extinct and a many more are on the verge of extinction.

Endangered Bird Species of America

Cuban Parrot - Amazona leucocephala
Harpy Eagle - Harpia harpyja
Ivory-billed Woodpecker - Campephilus principalis
Resplendent Quetzal - Pharomachrus mocinno
California Condor - Gymnogyps californianus
Imperial Woodpecker - Campephilus imperialis
Red-cockaded Woodpecker - Picoides borealis
Wood stork - Mycteria americana
Galapagos Penguin - Spheniscus mendiculus
Black Rail - Laterallus jamaicensis
Black-browned Albatross - Thalassarche melanophrys
Bristle-thighed Curlew - Numenius tahitiensis
Brown Pelican - Pelecanus occidentalis
Buff-breasted Sandpiper - Tryngites subruficollis
Buller's Shearwater - Puffinus bulleri
Caribbean Coot - Fulica caribaea
Chestnut-collared Longspur - Calcarius ornatus
Golden -winged Warbler - Vermivora chrysoptera
Ivory Gull - Pagophila eburnea
Least Tern - Sterna antillarum
Olive-sided Flycatcher - Contopus cooperi
Painted Bunting - Passerina ciris
Red Siskin - Carduelis cucullata
Sooty Shearwater - Puffinus griseus
White-crowned Pigeon - Patagioenas leucocephala

Africa

Egyptian Vulture - Neophron percnopterus
Eurasian Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus
Ostrich - Struthio camelus
Mauritius Cuckoo - shrike - Coquus typicus
Pink Pigeon - Columba mayeri
Thyolo Alethe - Alethe choloensis
Jackass Penguin - Speniscus demersus
Black Harrier - Circus Maurus
African Black Oystercatcher - Haematopus moquini
African Green Broadbill - Pseudocalyptomena graueri
Bank Cormorant - Phalacrocorax neglectus
Beaudouin's Snake eagle - Circaetus beaudouini
Black Crowned Crane - Balearica pavonina
Blue Bustard - Eupodotis caerulescens
Botha's Lark - Spizocorys fringillaris
Bush Blackcap - Lioptilus nigricapillus
Chestnut banded Plover - Charadrius pallidus
Corncrake - Crex crex
Denham's Bustard - Neotis denhami
Knysna Warbler - Bradypterus sylvaticus
Knysna Woodpecker - Campethera notata
Madagascar Pond -heron - Ardeola idea
Melodius Lark - Mirafra cheniana
Neergaard's Sunbird - Nectarinia neergardi
Plain backed Sunbird - Anthreptes reichenowi
Red Lark - Certhilauda burra
Rudd's Lark - Heteromirafra ruddi
Rueppell's Vulture - Gyps rueppellii
Sclater's Lark - Spizocorys sclateri
Shelley's Eagle Owl - Bubo shelley
Shy Albatross - Thalassarche cauta
Slaty Egret - Egretta vinaceigula
Southern Bals Ibis - Geronticus calvus
Taita Apalis - Apalis fuscigularis

Asia and Europe

Egyptian Vulture - Neophron percnopterus
Whiskered Pitta - Pitta kochi
Tristam's Woodpecker - Dryocopus javensis richardsi
Japanese Crested Ibis - Nipponia nippon
Palawan Peacock Pheasant - Polyplectron emphanum
Barau's Petrel - Pterodroma baraui
Ala Shan Redstart - Phoenicurus alaschanicus
Amami Jay - Garrulus lidthi
Andaman Crake - Rallina canningi
Andaman Treepie - Dendrocitta bayleyi
Bar - tailed Pheasant - Syrmaticus humaie
Beautiful Nuthatch - Sitta formosa
Broad -tailed Grassbird - Schoenicola platyurus
Chevron-breasted Babbler - Sphenocichla roberti
Chinese Crested Tern - Sterna bernsteini
Crested Shellduck - Tadorna cristata
Fairy Pitta - Pitta nympha
Falcated Duck - Anas falcata
Firethroat - Luscinia pectardens
Forest Owlet - Heteroglaux blewitti
Giant Babax - Babax waddelli
Gray-crowned Prinia - Prinia cinereocapilla
Great Hornbill - Buceros bicornis
Great Indian Bustard - Ardeotis nigriceps
Greater Adjutant - Leptoptilos dubius
Gray-headed Fish Eagle - Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
Himalayan Quail - Ophrysia superciliosa
Indian Skimmer - Rynchops albicollis
Izu Thrush - Turdus celaenops
Japanese Night Heron - Gorsachius goisagi
Japanese Yellow Bunting - Emberiza sulphurata
Jerdon'd Babbler - Chrysomma altirostre
Kashmir Flycatcher - Ficedula subrubra
Laggar Falcon - Falco jugger
Long-billed Murrelet - Brachyramphus perdix
Long-tailed Parakeet - Psittacula longicauda
Nicobar Bulbul - Hypsipetes nicobariensis
Nilgiri Pipit - Anthus nilghiriensis
Painted Stork - Mycteria leucocephala
Pale-backed Pigeon - Columba eversmanni
Relict Gull - Larus relictus
Siberian Grouse - Dendragapus falcipennis
Slender-billed Vulture - Gyps tenuirostris
Ward's Trogon - Harpactes wardi
Yellow Weaver - Ploceus megarhynchus

Australia

Abbot' Booby - Papasula abbotti
Chatham Island Black Robin - Petroica traversi
Christmas Island Frigatebird - Fregata andrewsi
Cloven-feathered Dove - Drepanoptila holosericea
Kakapo - Strigops habroptilus
Kokako - Callaeas cinerea
Turquoise Parakeet - Neophema pulchella
Albert's Lyrebird - Menura alberti
Australian Bittern - Botaurus poiciloptilus
Black-breasted Buttonquail - Turnix melanogaster
Black-eared Miner - Manorina melanotis
Black-throated Finch - Poephila cincta
Blue-billed Duck - Oxyura australis
Carpentarian Grasswren - Amytornis dorotheae
Diamond Firetail - Stagonopleura guttata
Eastern Bristlebird - Dasyornis brachypterus
Flame Robin - Petroica phoenicea
Grey Falcon - Falco hypoleucos
Ground Parrot - Pezoporus wallicus
Hooded Plover - Thinornis rubricollis
Kea - Nestor notabilis
Malleefowl - Leipoa ocellata
Noisy Scrub -bird - Atrichornis clamosus
Paradise Parakeet - Psephotus pulcherrimus
Red Goshawk - Erythrotriorchis radiatus
Royal penguin - Eudyptes schlegeli
Saddleback - Philesturnus carunculatus
Star Finch - Neochmia ruficauda
Swift Parrot - Lathamus discolor

This was the detailed endangered birds list. There are many different species of plants and animals in the endangered list and the number of endangered species is increasing with increase in pollution.

Our freedom shall soon be gone

2012-09-06T12:21:00.002-07:00

The bald eagle, probably the most popular bird of prey has long been an endangered species. However, its population is now known to be stable and may soon lose its endangered status.

Bald eagles generally weight about seven to ten pounds and measure about three feet from head to tail. They have a wingspan of about seven feet. The female of the species is larger and weigh about fourteen feet. The bird is famous for its striking features, complete with a whitish face, a yellow beak and black talons. It gets its distinctive white face and tail only when it reaches about five years of age. Bald eagles are known to live around thirty years in the wild, they live more than thirty years in captivity.

The diet of the bird consists of fish, and it particularly devours salmon and trout. It also eats rodents, snakes and carrion. Other than that, they prey on deer, fawns, raccoons, hares, rabbits and muskrats.

The bald eagle was once a common sight across the entire continent, but it's population began declining rapidly in the twentieth century due to natural and human made reasons. While their population was estimated to be around three hundred to five hundred thousand in the 1700s, their population fell drastically to around a thousand in the fifties. There were about thirty to eighty thousand of nesting bald eagles when it was adopted as the national symbol of the United States in 1782.

The chief reason of the endangerment of the bald eagle was loss of habitat and thinning of egg shells (caused due to the use of the pesticide DDT). This thinning of the eggs caused the eggs to break before they hatched, resulting in a depletion of population. Rampant illegal shooting of the bald eagle was also a major cause behind the gradual disappearance of its population.

One another main reason behind the decline of the bald eagle population is the poisoning of their prey. The waters of the continent have been polluted due to the vast range of pollutants, contamination of the water ways and therefore the eagle's food sources.

Bald eagles were and are still in danger in spite of making a comeback from the endangered species list. Most of these birds still lose their lives to game hunting, traps, high power lines, contaminants in the food system, destruction of habitat and poisons.

The population of the bald eagle is now increasing slowly due to various actions taken by the Government. For one, the use of DDT has been completely banned, though some states in Southern America still use it.

Today, there are about five thousand nesting pairs and about twenty thousand of the birds in the lower forty states of the United States. Alaska is home to about twenty thousand bald eagles. This bird of prey is presently protected by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940, Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and the Lacey Act.

By Roy D'Silva

Endangered Tigers Awareness

2012-08-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

Tigers have been hunted and poached so much that they have been brought to the brink of extinction.Spread Awareness or we might not have any more of these beautiful creatures.

Shar Pei Nurses Tiger Cubs

2012-08-21T17:44:00.001-07:00

Save The Tigers

Two Siberian tiger cubs abandoned in Russia by their mother have found an unusual wet nurse — a wrinkled, sand-colored Shar Pei dog named Cleopatra, a zoo worker said Wednesday.The cubs were born late May in a zoo at the Oktyabrsky health resort in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Zoo assistant director Viktoria Kudlayeva said the dog immediately gave the cubs all her attention.“She accepted them right away,” Kudlayeva said in a telephone interview. “She’s cleaning them and breast feeding them as if they were her own. And they also sleep together.”

The cubs, named Clyopa, after their adopted mother, and Plyusha — are also being fed goat’s milk.

Kudlayeva said that the cubs pose no danger to the dog even though they are already showing their claws and hissing.

“They aren’t aggressive and they depend on her for feeding,” she said.

Fewer than 400 Siberian tigers — also known as Ussuri, Amur or Manchurian tigers — have survived in the wild, most of them in Russia’s Far East.

Why are Sharks Endangered

2012-08-15T10:12:00.001-07:00

Why are Sharks Endangered

Always assumed to be dangerous man-eaters, not many really care whether sharks exist or near extinction. However, this myth about sharks ought to be dispelled, and the reality of their waning numbers has to be brought to light. Sharks are endangered and a lot of factors are contributing to this process. What are these reasons? Let's find out here.

Beautiful and elegant creatures of the sea, sharks have commonly been perceived as vicious, man-eating creatures by us human beings; perceptions further intensified by movies and television shows. However, what would you say if you learned that sharks are the real victims here? Just because there is no movie that shows how sharks may be the victims at the hands of insensitive human beings, it does not mean they should be forgotten, or that their plight shouldn't be looked into. Sharks are on the brink of extinction with studies reporting their numbers all over the world being lower than those of tigers. This news is anything but good, and unless we ourselves take some measures and find out why sharks are endangered and spread awareness, things could only get worse.

Why are Sharks on the Brink of Extinction?

Sharks are very powerful predators of the sea, and they feed primarily on fish, dolphins, and seals found underwater. That they are only man-hunting creatures is a myth. Studies have reported that more often than not, sharks attack humans either by error of perception (assuming them to be seals), or when they think they are threatened by them. Sharks take a long time to grow and breed. On the other hand, their disappearance from the underwater food chain is increasing at a very alarming rate. What is the reason for this? Let's take a look.

To Prepare Delicacies
Shark fin soup is a delicacy in south-east Asian countries, and is becoming increasingly popular all over the world. So, what fishermen do is catch sharks, slice off their fins, and leave them to die at sea. The fins are then exported to various countries to make this exotic delicacy that people enjoy, blissfully unaware of the misery that the sharks have gone through. Sharks are also killed for their teeth and their cartilage, which is used as a medicinal product in China, and as aphrodisiac in Japan. Reports indicate that up to 73 million sharks are killed in a year solely for this purpose.

Accidental Killing
Fishermen who set traps to catch other fish usually end up with sharks that got enticed by the bait. This is because of the method of fishing that is used to catch fish such as the swordfish and tuna. By using a gear known as the pelagic longlines that has one single strand with about 1500 hooks of bait and is about 10 to 40 miles long, fishermen accidentally trap sharks such as the shortfin Mako and the blue fin sharks.

Attacks on their Prey
An indirect effect on the sharks and their life cycles, overfishing of their prey such as tuna and other types of fish are also leading them to the brink of extinction. The less there is to eat in the sea, the more difficult it will be for sharks to survive. This is one of the reasons sharks have been migrating to various areas, thereby catering to the perception that there are still many more sharks in the sea. However, a tagging system started in Australia where the movement of these sharks is monitored shows that it is the same sharks that have been traveling to different areas to survive.

Destruction of their Habitat
Finally, it is the destruction of their habitat that has led to their endangered status. Water pollution, destruction of the mangroves and reefs that make for their breeding grounds, areas where young sharks are allowed to grow, and to hunt for prey, have all contributed to the reducing number of sharks worldwide.

Measures have been taken by countries such as the United States of America and the European Union to ban shark finning and their use for commercial purposes. Shark sanctuaries have been started to protect endangered sharks and allow them to grow in a natural, healthy habitat. However, changes need to be implemented at a global level to make a real difference to the waning numbers of various shark breeds. A little awareness on part of us humans, combined with an education of sharks in terms of their habitat, their diet, their life cycle, and their role in the marine ecosystem will help us reduce the atrocities (intentional or unintentional) meted out to sharks, and save this beautiful creature.

The Endangered Species Act

2012-08-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Why It’s Not Enough

There are currently 1,361 species that qualify for protection under the ESA, with plenty more candidate species in the wings. If we want to save them, we have to think beyond simple laws.

The Law

The Endangered Species Act is enforced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These two agencies are responsible for the identification and protection of endangered and threatened species, and also for penalizing those who illegally threaten or harm the listed populations. A species may be listed if the population is threatened by habitat loss, predation, disease, or other man-made factors, and the ecosystem in which that species lives is deemed "critical habitat" and receives separate but related protection under the law.

Success Stories

The program has worked, and there are a few especially dramatic success stories. The bald eagle is a big one - our national symbol was down to 400 breeding pairs in the 1960s, but the protection afforded by the Endangered Species Act allowed it to rebound to over 7,000 current breeding pairs. The gray wolf, grizzly bear, Florida panther and peregrine falcon are also experiencing benefits from federal protection, although they have a long way to go to match the bald eagle’s success.

Clearly, this set of laws has had its intended effect. Nobody wants anything to go extinct, and most people are more than happy to make the accommodation necessary to comply. But what happens when those accommodations - or the endangered species themselves - infringe on the rights of citizens? It happens more often than you might think.

The Problem

In many areas, critical habitats are found mostly on private lands. When that land is a farm, the farmer may be prevented from disturbing the soil, planting non-native vegetation, or using machinery - all of which prevent him from planting and harvesting his crops. Suddenly he’s left with no income, and a parcel of land that cannot be worked. So yes, that endangered grasshopper may be doing okay, but the farmer and his family may go hungry.

The solution to this problem becomes ugly for everyone involved. When the farmer finds an endangered species on his property, instead of alerting the FWS, he may go to extraordinary lengths to make his land as unattractive to the creature as possible. The grasshoppers move out, and the farmer can continue with his crops. So the endangered species loses a little bit more habitat. Multiply that same scenario by the hundreds of farms where the grasshopper may have appeared, and soon there is no critical habitat left, leaving the creature at a much higher risk of extinction.

Or, take the farmer with livestock. The gray wolves in his state have enjoyed a gradual population resurgence thanks to Endangered Species Act protection, but now he’s finding half-eaten goats and spooked cows on his property. Those animals are his livelihood, and any loss translates into a loss of income. Instead of notifying the FWS the next time he spots a wolf, he shoots it and buries it, keeping the secret forever. This way his property is not designated critical habitat, and can continue his farm operations without having to uproot his livestock and let his fields return to a wild state, which usually comes with a crippling financial cost. The wolves lost another potential breeder, and the use of suitable habitat.

The Bigger Picture

In both cases, the endangered species clearly came out the loser - but this isn’t hunting for sport. Both farmers were forced into untenable situations by the proximity of wildlife to their farms, and just writing laws about it isn’t the solution. Some species-human interaction will always occur only because we all have to share this little blue marble we call home. But the bigger picture is the overall destruction of the greater ecosystem that caused the food shortage in the wild places, which led the species to more populated areas. Temperature change might have led to altered migration patterns, and droughts or floods may have destroyed natural habitats forever.

The Lesser Panda

2012-08-15T10:08:00.003-07:00

The Bear That Thinks It’s a Cat

You’ve probably seen pictures of huge black and white giant pandas, but the lesser panda is the giant panda's lesser known cousin.

The lesser panda, also known as the red panda, is a medium-sized, bear-like mammal that lives in the steep forested mountain slopes of Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Burma, and Nepal. This endangered species is about the size of a house cat, weighing about 12 pounds, and some of its characteristics resemble those of cats. Although the usual sounds made by lesser pandas are short squeaky whistling noises, if they are frightened or angry they stand on their hind legs and give sharp spitting noises, just like a cat. The face of the lesser panda looks very much like a cat’s face, with long whiskers, broad cheeks, and a black nose. The muzzle, eye patches, and inner ears of the lesser panda are white. They have thick rusty brown or deep chestnut-colored coats, with a long, luxurious tail ringed in broad brown and ginger-colored bands.

Some people call the lesser panda a "bear-cat," probably because of its appearance. But the lesser panda isn’t actually a bear, and it’s not even related to a cat. Although it walks like a bear—on all fours, with its forepaws pointed inward—it’s actually more closely related to raccoons than it is to the giant pandas you’re probably familiar with. Its claws are very sharp, just like a cat’s, but they are only partly retractable. The front feet have an extended pad on the sole and the first toe that the panda uses to help out in climbing and grasping bamboo poles, one of their favorite meals. Their teeth and jaws are also well suited to eating bamboo, because they have broad teeth and strong jaw muscles, which result in a relatively large head compared to other mammals the same size. Although bamboo is the lesser panda’s meal of choice, it also eats roots, acorns, berries, insects, young birds, and small rodents.

The lesser panda tolerates much colder temperatures than the giant panda does, making its home in steep, snow-covered mountain slopes with thickets of bamboo, giant rhododendron and oak. It rests and shelters itself high in tree branches or rock crevasses. As a result of the habitat it prefers, the lesser panda has become endangered due to deforestation and forest fragmentation—all caused by population growth and humans encroaching on the lesser panda’s natural habitat. Other human activities are also affecting the species, including the demand for lumber, inadvertent trapping, hunting, and even wars in the regions where the lesser panda lives. The World Conservation Union has listed the lesser panda as endangered because of these threats to its natural environment, and there is concern that recovery of the species may be difficult since these threats are not likely to diminish or go away.

Hopefully with the growing awareness of the lesser panda and species like it, the world will begin to understand that the fragility of ecosystems can be shattered forever with just the loss of even one species. To ensure the future of this beautiful, engaging creature, humans must take notice and learn to share the earth instead of destroy it.

Pandas

2012-08-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

Giant Panda Facts

This bamboo-eating, black and white bear, The Giant Panda, is a peculiar member of the bear family. The following article enumerates various interesting facts about this endangered species.

The black and white cat-foot, conventionally known as the Giant Panda, a representative of the endangered species and the logo of World Wildlife Fund is the rarest member of the bear family. The mountain ranges in the provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu in south-central China shelter these magnificent creatures pertaining to the broadleaf and coniferous forests with a dense coppice of bamboo, essential for their survival. These large bear cats are one of the world's most endangered species with about a thousand of them left in the wild including 140 in captivity, as per the Smithsonian National Zoological Park.

Physical Appearance

The Giant Panda is almost the size of an American black bear and stands approximately two to three feet in height and stretches about four to six feet long. Females are generally undersized as compared to males barely reaching 220 pounds wherein the latter can weigh up to 250 pounds in the wild. They adorn a thick and woolly fur, with a bold combination of black and white and have typical distinctive features. The paws, ears, eye patches, legs, muzzle and shoulders are covered with glistening black and the rest with snowy white. Pandas have large, flat molars and robust jaws, facilitating the crushing of tenacious bamboo. They have a substantial covering of mucus on the gut protecting them from shaft splinters. The forepaws have an extra thumb providing a tight grip on the bamboo shaft. Their lifespan protracts up to about 20 years in the wild and 30 in captivity.

Behavior

These bamboo-eating mammals are terrestrial and solitary varmints with defined territories and minimal tolerance for each other in their pronounced terrain. They spend most of their life feeding and gallivanting. Pandas communicate intermittently by virtue of scent-marking such as clawing trees or spraying urine, commotion and occasional meetings. Cordial concurrence occurs during the brief mating season after which the female is left alone to nurse the cub. They are competent enough to climb hollow trees and acquire shelter from fissures in the rocks. They do not secure continual dens and do not hibernate like other bears but move to alternative pedestals in search of balmy conditions like other subtropical mammals and rely on commodious memory than visual memory.

Eating Habits

Giant pandas not only attain shelter from bamboo trees but feast on them too, making it their principal diet. They are classified as carnivorous mammals, because of which they have reduced ability to digest plant matter, leading to unsubstantial generation of nutrition and hence increased consumption. They eat for about fourteen hours a day and devour up to approximately 38 kilograms of bamboo. Various parts of the plant are consumed accruing to the season. They munch on leaves in summer and autumn, winter brings in a diet of tough stems and spring accounts for tender, young bamboo. They nibble on bulbs, fruits, grass, insects, and even rodents sometimes, as an alternative to it. To avoid squandering of energy, they limit their social interaction and avert arduous sloping contours.

Reproduction

Giant Pandas attain maturity between 4-7 years of age, and can reproduce till the age of twenty. Females are capable of reproduction only for seventy-two hours a year since they ovulate only once during March and May - their breeding season. Calls and scent acts as the medium for drawing them to each other. After conceiving, the gestation period ranges between 95-160 days. The female can give birth to two cubs of which usually just one survives. The newborn cubs are like small white rats, about six inches long and weigh somewhere around 3.7 pounds. They are born helpless and blind, are nursed and raised by the mother frivolously to an extent where the mother does not leave the cub unattended, and does not leave the den for just anything for the initial couple of days. They are nurtured and aided by the mother and stay with her till about the age of three after which they are left to strike out on their own.

China is the haven for this majestic yet endangered spices - The Giant Panda, nurturing them with an apt surrounding and habitat essential for their viability. The economic and structural development of the country which is home to what is left of these creatures is posing a major problem for their survival; pertaining to the rapid depletion of their habitat to make room for the ever-growing population. Poaching and hunting adds on to the cause, with traps being laid for other animals, often entangling the pandas, resulting in their death. Apart from these manmade problems, nature does not help either. The reproductive growth of these giant bears is very low with females giving birth to just one or two cubs a year. As if this was not enough, the staple diet of these bears that is bamboo, grows at a very slow rate, with the mature plant dying after flowering and seeding. A coherent effort is demanded to save this imperial creature from becoming extinct.

Sled Dogs

2012-08-15T09:36:00.004-07:00

Facts About Sled Dogs

Sled dogs are chosen specifically for sledding or running sled races. These sturdy dogs have tremendous stealth and are famous for their prowess, however a lot remains hidden when it comes to the ill treatment meted upon these dogs.

Sled dogs or sledge dogs are a distinct breed of dogs, known for their superb running speed. These dogs have been used for sledge racing at popular North American and European sports festivals where teams compete to see which team of dogs is the fastest. The practice of using packs of dogs for traveling and hunting can be traced and recorded far back to the 10th century, and may be even before. The oldest and the rarest breed of sled dog is the Canadian Eskimo breed, which is a pure breed found mainly in North America. This dog has a typical wolf-like appearance and has a very muscular built.

History of Sled Dogs

Dogs accompanied humans when they migrated into North America almost 15,000 years ago. Dogs were an essential part of the Native American culture and were kept as pets, and used for help in traveling, protection, and hunting purposes. Later on when the Europeans encroached into the Native lands, this practice was adopted by the newcomers as well. When the Gold Rush began in 1896, the number of gold aspirants increased in large numbers. The terrains were highly inaccessible during winters, making it extremely difficult for humans to travel on foot. This is where the sled dogs came to the travelers rescue. These teams of dogs helped transport people, supplies, the injured and the ill, and even helped carry mail.

However, with the advent of technology and modernization, the sled dogs were no longer required for such purposes and instead were increasingly used for recreational sledge racing. This is how the sled dog era actually took off in a big way. In 1925, an Alaskan town called Nome, had an outbreak of diphtheria. The town did not have the medicine needed to cure this deadly disease, and the only place the medication was available was a thousand miles away in the town Anchorage. A team of twenty sled dogs and mushers were dispatched to collect the medication. The team of sleds reached Anchorage after running for six days, with very few resting breaks. This mission helped save many lives in Nome.

Sled Dog Racing

All other existing types of dogs meant for sledding, have evolved or been bred from the Canadian Eskimo dogs or the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute or the second rare breed of Mackenzie River Husky.

Sled dogs can run at 20 m/hr or 30 Km/hr and can cover almost 25-30 miles while running in a sled race!

Since dogs are pack animals, it is very essential to pick a dog which is mutually accepted by the other dogs as the pack leader. This dog acts as the tip or lead dog and is responsible for leading the team.

The point dogs are the two dogs immediately behind the leader, the pair of swing dogs come third. The wheel dogs are harnessed to the sledge and are immediately ahead of their Musher (human master).

These dogs are very precious to the musher, who will ensure that the dogs are taken care as pets and given proper training.

A sled dog, needs to have three basic requirements. It must be fast at running, must have a strong built, and must have tremendous stamina for long distance running. It is the compilation of these attributes, which form a competitive sled team.

Each dog is attached to its own harness, while the lead dog's harness it attached to the gag line, which connects the harnesses from each dog onto the musher's sledge.

These dogs usually weigh about 50-65 pounds and have a very dense coat of fur. This is another mark, that a musher must look for while selecting a sled puppy. The puppy's fur must be healthy and dense.

These dogs must not be picky eaters while still young, because they need to be okay with whatever is provided by the musher while on sleds.

These dogs do not prefer water and thus need to be fed some form of thick reindeer meat soup. This helps keep them strong, healthy and warm. Mushers also feed their dogs frozen slabs of reindeer meat, which the dogs enjoy immensely. The musher will always feed his dogs first and only then will he eat his meal.

On stopping at a place, these dogs need to be chained along with rings, which the musher fixes onto the ground. This keeps the dogs from attacking each other over food or position.

The musher has to get down and push the sled, whenever the snow is too soft. They will also need to push the sled from behind when the terrain goes uphill. This helps the dogs move forward faster.

The harness must always be kept straight at all times while sledding. A limp harness will end up getting tangled to the feet of the dogs, which can seriously injure them or even kill them, if all or any one of them trips and falls. The approaching sled can injure and trample the fallen dogs.

Animal Cruelty

Iditarod is the annual sled racing competition that is held to commemorate the swift delivery of the diphtheria serum in 1925.

These dogs are made to live in depraved conditions, and are cramped into kennels that hold as many as 150-200 dogs at a time. Many do not survive because of unhygienic conditions and lack of supervision or pet care. The ones that survive are thereafter selected for the annual race.

One of the most disturbing facts about sled dogs is that, these dogs are ill-treated and harmed when they do not perform well. Older dogs which are unfit for sledding are abandoned, and left to die from hunger and cold.

Unwanted dogs include the ones that are not fast enough, disabled at the time of birth, ill and weak. Such dogs are culled by being shot in the head. Rejected puppies are often drowned or bludgeoned to death.

Many dogs have died while participating at the Iditarod sledding competition, because of exhaustion, injuries while sledding, and cruelty inflicted upon them by their mushers.

Puppies that are chosen as sled dogs are removed from the rest, and are forced into aggressiveness. These puppies are tethered on short chains that are a mere four feet long, and are not allowed to move from their spot for years. Theses dogs are not allowed to mingle with others and thus begins the cycle of aggressive behavior.

Overworking these dogs, amounts to animal cruelty and must be monitored by animal right groups and citizens. Sled racing is a barbaric act and must be either controlled and restricted or completely banned. These races have thousands of dollars as cash prize, which somehow does not justify the atrocities being inflicted upon these poor animals. There are but a few masters, who truly love their sled dogs and look after them like their own pets.

2012-08-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

The Sun bear Ursidae Helarctos Malayanus is one of the smallest as well as the rarest bear species found on earth. It is an exceptionally attractive animal and is distinct because of the golden crescent on its chest and its golden face. From a distance, the crescent looks like a thick golden necklace on jet

black fur. The necklace like fur adorns this bear, almost as if to display its stature and royalty in the animal kingdom. These bears, like all other bear species found on earth, have been extensively hunted down by poachers. They are murdered for their fur and other body parts, which are sold for making designer accessories and so-called medicines! These medicines have not been proved to have any actual healing properties and are used as a facade to hunt these vulnerable animals. Even though bear poaching has been banned all over the world, it continues to take place at an incredulously alarming rate.

Honey Bear Habitat

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These bears are found only in the Southeast Asian subcontinent and are scattered in small numbers all over Laos, Borneo, Sumatra Islands, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

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They are found only in the rainforests of these countries and prefer living in secluded terrains. They feel safer in rugged landscapes where human habitation and access is very low.

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Their biggest predators are humans, which is why they fear us and feel threatened by human presence. They are believed to be extremely ferocious and can attack without provocation, in spite of their small size.

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However, many sun bears are bred as pets, because of their small size and loving nature. When tamed, they make affectionate pets while many are bred under captivity in order to save some of their species.

Physical Characteristics

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The reason why the Sun bear is the smallest bear species in the world is because it reaches its maximum size at a mere 150 cm or 60 inches in length. On the contrary the Polar bear is the biggest bear species found on earth.

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The males are larger in size and weight more than the females. The males weigh between 50-70 kg and the females weigh between 20-40 kg.

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The fur is short and thick unlike other bears. The coat keeps rain, mud and insects at bay. The tropical climate makes their fur smoother and shinier than most species of bear.

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This bear has an extremely long tongue, which is about 9-10 inches long! The animal uses its narrow and long tongue to remove honey out of bee hives. Which is why it is also called the, Honey Bear. The bear uses its tongue to extract insects from inside tree barks, other crevices.

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They have long curved claws on all four limbs, which are used for climbing, foraging, grooming, hunting and attacking predators.

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These bears are excellent tree climbers, because they are not only fast but very skilled at their climbing technique. Being light weighted helps climb trees faster and keeps them secure on thin branches as well.

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The bear has a tail as well which is about 2-2.5 inches long.

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The animal stands upright on its flat hinds, when it is looking at objects at a distance or when it is threatened. This stance is a warning for predators to not come any closer.

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These bears have a distinct pigeon-toed walk because their feet are turned slightly inwards.

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They also have the sharpest sense of hearing as compared to all the other bear species.

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Along with the tongue, the sun bear has exceptionally long and sharp teeth. It uses its teeth for biting into tree barks, branches, and small animals such as birds, lizards, etc.

Breeding Habit

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These bears do not have any specific mating time because they do not hibernate.

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The gestation period lasts for about 150 days and sometimes takes longer depending on the completion of the implantation cycle.

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Usually not more than 1 cub is born per pregnancy. The cub is born blind, is extremely small in size and is completely hairless.

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The cub develops very quickly and is strong enough to forage with its mother by the time its 1-2 months old.

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Since these bears are nocturnal, the foraging takes place only at nighttime.

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These bears like living in solitude and are territorial. Thus, it is not often that you'll find a male and female together.

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The age of a sun bear can be identified by the number of rings in its teeth. The same process is followed in order to study the age of tree by counting the rings in its trunk.

These bears seem to live longer under captivity because they are safer and fed properly. A sad fact is, that even though they have been enlisted as vulnerable species since 1978, their population is continuing to dwindle. The average lifespan in the wild is 12-15 years and 25-28 years when under captivity.

Protect the Pandas

2012-08-15T04:00:00.000-07:00

Giant Panda Behavior

The giant panda behavior is quite different from other animals living in the same biome. Living in mountain ranges in different Chinese provinces, this mammal has adapted quite well to is new home from its previous habitat in the lowlands.

A cuddly and docile animal, the giant panda is recognized universally as an icon for endangered animals. The giant panda is one of the most fascinating species in the kingdom Animalia. Scientifically called Ailuropoda melanoleuca, this mammal belongs to the bear family. Due to its fur color the panda is sometimes associated with the raccoons. With its rotund body this animal can be easily mistaken as being clumsy. But in reality it is not so. In fact it is quite deft while protecting its territory from trespassers, or while escaping from predators. It is the mannerism of the giant panda, which makes it stand out from the rest of the animals.

Behavior of the Giant Panda

The meek giant panda is a very interesting animal to observe in terms of its behavior. Usually, secluded or solitary from the rest, the giant panda is seen in company, only during the mating season. Apart from this, the female is seen with her cubs.

The habitat of the giant panda is mainly forests which have rich bamboo growth. The panda loves to live near places which have a clear running brook and is laden with bamboo. Pandas do not build homes or dens, except for their cubs. A terrestrial being, the panda marks its territory by clawing trees, with scent and also by spraying urine to differentiate its habitat from others.
The giant panda happily feasts on tender bamboo shoots, which is its favorite food, along with leaves, roots and tubers. Being omnivorous in nature, it also feeds on fish, rodents and insects as well. Occasionally, the giant panda may also eat flowers, green corn, tufted grass, honey and vines.
Pandas prefer solitude over company and can be seen roaming around all alone. However, the only times when the pandas, especially the males, can be seen in groups is for mating. The female takes care of the cubs and once the cub turns 3 years old, it leaves the mother and fends for itself.
The only time the panda is active and moves about, looking for food, is in the morning and at sunset. The rest of the day is spent in sleeping. This is because the panda feeds on food that is low in nutrition and does so to conserve energy.
Unlike other members of the bear and raccoon family, the giant panda does not hibernate. This is because the panda does not get enough nutrients from the food it eats and hence cannot conserve it in its body for further use. This makes it a poor candidate for hibernation. So during the cold, winter months, the pandas move to lower altitude places where they can be warm, and during the summers they relocate to higher places, to remain cool.
The breeding season of the giant panda is between the months of March and May. Following a gestation period of 3 to 5 months, the female gives birth to one cub, which is blind. Only after six or eight weeks can the cub open its eyes. In case of twins, only one cub survives. Once the cub becomes three months old, it begins to move around, along with its mother.
The natural predators of the giant panda are wolves, leopards and jackals. Though on land, the panda may resemble a slow moving and clumsy animal, it can climb trees with precise dexterity when it feels threatened by enemies. It can quickly reach the top on all fours in swift movements.

Due to the depletion of its natural habitat and encroachment, the giant panda is bred in captivity since they have become endangered. It is necessary to save the shy animal and the WWF symbol from becoming extinct.