Amazing Animals

New Amphibious Giant Centipede Discovered in Southeast Asia

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 00:39:00 -0700

The Animal Kingdom adds another member to its growing list of bizarre creature. And this time it is neither a land animal or a water dweller. It is the combination of both environment! amphibious centipede, which can thrive both on land and in water.

Turning over rocks beside streams, George Beccaloni, honeymooning with his bride in Thailand in 2011 accidentally came across a giant amphibious centipede.

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Considered as a “historic” discovery, the creature named Scolopendra cataracta was recently fully described, in the online science journal ZooKeys.World The new species belonging to the Scolopendra group of centipede behemoths behemoth measures a monster measuring 20 cm (7.9 inches) is found in Southeast Asian freshwaters.

Upon seeing the monster centipede for the first time, Beccaloni uttered “It was pretty horrific-looking: very big with long legs and a horrible dark, greenish-black color.”

He managed to capture the specimen and put it in a large container of water where it swam like an eel. Beccaloni brought his centipede back to the Natural History Museum in London to undergo further studies.

10 Funny-looking Dogs that will Make Your Day

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Mon, 16 May 2016 20:48:00 -0700

So tired with the day's work... Then go check out these funny looking dogs that will complete your day.

1. The Smiley Dog

Isn't he adorable flashing his cute smile.

2. The Classy Dog

Check out the wild and scruffy big ears of this small brown dog who looks like he could do with some good brushing and combing for his coat.

3. The Stylish Dog

The retro style rounded shades with narrow metal handles looks really cool on this stylish dog.

4. I Believe I can Fly

Check out this funny dog picture in which this small white poodle enjoys a high jump in the bright sun.

5. Scared to the Max

Look at the reaction of the small dog seeing a big one for the first time.

6. The Marathon Runner

Nothing to sniff on, so to kill time, this cutie joins the marathon.

7. The Lover Boy

Check out the absolutely macho look this handsome golden dog gives as he awaits his girlfriend to pass by.

8. The Facebook Dog

This handsome pug is definitely fond off Facebook apps.

9. The Bigear

With long ears stretching out like giant radars it is quite possible to look so sad.

10. The Ultimate Guard Dog

Enter at your own risk, thieves will really think twice before entering this house.

10 Dog Breeds Nutrition Facts That Will Surprise You

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 11:28:00 -0800

10 Dog Breeds Nutrition Facts That Will Surprise You

1. St. Bernards are beautiful dogs with a history of being the heroes of the dog world, but they are also very large dogs whose natural preference is to live in cold places. Needless to say, their nutrition requirements are demanding.

St. Bernards need to eat a lot, and they need to eat often. Because they are cold-blooded dogs, they tend to eat less when the weather is warm. A St. Bernard should be given plenty of water and about 6 ½ cups of food per day; this is the best way to ensure that they are properly fed.

They often need high amounts of protein, and St. Bernards that are not fed enough in quantity or quality will have issues with their bones. Dry kibble is a good option for these dogs, and they will eat a lot of it to keep up with their need for food. Pet care for St. Bernards requires patience and commitment.

2. Miniature Schnauzers are on the smaller side of the breed spectrum and as might be expected require less food than the average medium-sized dog. What is important for a Miniature Schnauzer’s diet is food that is low in fat and quality proteins. They tend to have liver problems when fed an excess of proteins, so a diet that is rich in minerals and vitamins is also important.

3. A pit bull is a unique kind of dog with unique nutritional needs. One important part of the pit bull’s diet is meat. They will eat a number of other ingredients, but animal protein is a key component of a pit bull’s healthy diet. While feeding pit bulls a small amount of grains and plant food is acceptable, pit bulls—as is the case with many dogs—need a diet full of animal-rich foods.

4. Huskies may be a medium-sized breed, but feeding them in the same way as any other medium-sized dog is a no-no. Huskies require small amounts of high quality and high nutrient foods. Overfeeding them is detrimental to their health.

The most important ingredient to a husky’s diet is protein. Protein and fat should make up the majority of its diet with a small amount of fruits and vegetables included. Huskies tend to only eat around two times a day, which is a noticeable difference from larger dogs who can eat up to six cups of food a day. Feeding a husky high quality foods is the best way to keep this beautiful creature happy and healthy.

5. Labradors are fun-loving dogs that require a lot of love and attention, but give it back as well. Labs are choosy about what they eat, so it can be difficult to feed them the nutritional value they require. Like any other dog, Labradors will need a diet rich in protein. They also need a diet that includes vitamins and calcium, but in moderation, as too much causes stress on their digestive system.

6. Dobermans are large dogs with large appetites. They enjoy a diet high in protein, but beef-based products should not be fed to these dogs as it is hard on their digestive systems. Lamb or chicken-based products are usually the suggested protein, and grains are not good for them. While Dobermans should be fed a hearty amount, overfeeding them should be avoided at all costs.

7. A French bulldog can eat meat, although some bulldogs may have meat allergies to watch out for. Salmon and other types of fish may be an ideal substitute. Just like many people, some French bulldogs have allergies to gluten, and oats may be a better option for a healthy bulldog diet.

“Frenchies” can eat a well-prepared raw diet but are sensitive to many foods that may cause flatulence. These dogs require a well-planned diet that is balanced and nutritional.

8. An English Mastiff is one of the largest dogs around and as such needs a diet that is rich in proteins such as beef, with high fiber foods included. Oats and barley are a good option for English Mastiffs, and feeding them potatoes can also help to keep them healthy and strong.

Many owners of large dogs tend to overfeed them, but this can be detrimental to the English Mastiff’s health. The right amount of proteins and fibers will ensure that the dog grows to its proper height and weight without needing overly excessive amounts of food.

9. Great Danes are big dogs, but they often have sensitive stomachs and are easily susceptible to allergies. Taking care to avoid feeding them certain foods is important to their health and longevity. A diet with a 20-22% protein level with 15-19% fat level is suggested for Great Danes. Food that is high in poultry is good for Great Danes, but by-product based foods are not suggested for these large dogs.

Great Danes surprisingly will also enjoy eating yoghurt, cottage cheese, and carrots. High calcium foods and vitamins are an important part of a Great Dane’s diet. Great Danes are susceptible to heart problems, and providing them with a heart-healthy diet is key to their healthy and well-rounded nutrition.

10. Golden Retrievers love food and require a healthy amount to keep them happy. While they should eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, their main source of food should be animal-based protein. Dogs are carnivores, and the Golden Retriever is no exception. Because Golden Retrievers love to eat they are not very choosy in what they eat, so it is easy to provide them with a rich nutritional diet with plenty of variety in meats.

Most dogs and especially Golden Retrievers should not eat foods such as onions, raisins, and nuts. Some of these foods contain toxins that can be harmful to the digestive system of a Golden Retriever; others are hard to digest and can cause discomfort and pain. Salty foods, chocolate, and avocado are other potentially dangerous foods for Golden Retrievers and other dogs.

http://www.goldenretrieverstraining.com/foods-you-should-not-feed-your-dog/

Veterinary Specialities You may Not have Known Existed

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 08:41:00 -0800

Veterinarians play an essential part in the lives of animal lovers. The thought of having to take our companions, whatever species they are, to visit a vet is upsetting, but there is nobody better able to care for creatures great and small.

Whenever the pets we care for become ill or injured, a trip to our local vet is a priority, regardless of how difficult we may personally find it. Depending on the species of animal needing treatment, a specialist veterinarian may well be needed to provide medical aid.

While most pet-owners gravitate towards dogs and cats, US citizens welcome a huge variety of animals into their homes: reptiles, birds, and more. Small-animal vets are generally based in clinics or hospitals, whereas large-animal specialists travel to see patients at their home (whether this is a domestic setting, a farm, or a zoo).

Veterinary specialists focus on a particular clinical field, dedicated to treat specific species. In order to pursue a specialism, vets must have completed a one-year internship, or two years of practicing in a clinic, before being able to start a residency. Once qualified in a specialism, a vet can be consulted when a patient's condition demands a level of care exceeding that of a veterinarian working in a clinic or hospital.

There is a wide range of veterinary specialist areas, some of which you might not be aware of.

What Type of Vet Specialists are there?

The many veterinarian specialties cover numerous types of medicine, species, and treatment areas. These include obvious areas like cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, and chiropractic.

However, some of those you may not know about are:

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Equine

Equine vets specialize in the care of horses, and are responsible for diagnosing conditions, performing operations, and undertaking any other medical treatments as needed.

Equine veterinarians work with ranchers, horse breeders, competitive horse-owners, and others to keep these magnificent animals in the best of health. This may include performing internal and external examinations, with the former demanding the use of endoscopes.

An equine endoscope is used to investigate the stomach, airways, esophagus, and bladder. Like endoscopes used in human-specific procedures, an equine endoscope provides the vet operating the tool with a clear image of the horse's internal system on a video screen or monitor.

Using vet scopes, an equine specialist can identify any potential or existing problems in a horse's airways or esophagus, diagnosing the source of medical complaints affecting their health.

Preventive Medicine

Vets specializing in preventive medicine play a key part in the health of animals, focusing on the prevention of diseases and conditions. They will also help to promote good health in pets, giving carers the information they need to reduce the risk of their animals becoming ill.

Just as in human patients, trying to maintain a good level of health through proper nutrition and habits is very important.

Toxicology

Veterinarians specializing in toxicology focus on poisons affecting animals, particularly hazards to animals within their food and environment. This may relate to animals in domestic and wild settings, or both.

Veterinary toxicologists research these hazards in-depth, but not all dangers affect all species. As a result, vets may specialize in how toxins affect specific species or types, such as pets or working animals. Toxins cause damage in different ways, such as attacking the central nervous system, causing heart difficulties, and more.

Theriogenology

This branch of veterinary medicine is based around the act of reproduction. The physiology of both genders' reproductive systems and associated areas (gynecology, andrology) is incredibly important to this, with vets required to develop an exceptional level of knowledge on animals' breeding habits.

Parasitology

As the name suggests, this involves studying parasites affecting animals, particularly relationships between the parasites themselves and the hosts. Specialists in these areas will look into parasites affecting domestic and wild animals, covering the parasites' origins and developmental process.

Veterinarians specializing in parasitology use various research methods to identify, diagnose, and treat parasites. Information gathered in this process will also allow them to further prevent cases in the future, and in situations where a parasite may be transmitted from an animal to a human, public health will be considered just as important.

Regardless of the specialist area a veterinarian chooses to focus on, the dedication and focus demanded for this career is considerable. As a nation of animal-lovers, we place a great deal of faith in vets, and are willing to pay high fees to ensure the secure treatment of our pets. By allowing veterinarians to undertake additional training into diverse areas of treatment, the industry makes sure that professionals are always on hand to care for animals with a huge variety of medical issues.

About the author: No author bio

10 Eye-catching Rufous Colored Birds

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 03:10:00 -0800

Below is a list of Rufous-colored birds, where the color Rufous (reddish-brown) is the more prominent color of its plumage.

1. Rufous Hummingbird

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Described as one of the feistiest hummingbirds in North America, the Rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a fairly small hummingbird with short wings, and a slender, straight, black bill. Also known for their extraordinary flight skills, the species measures about 8–9 cm (3.2–3.7 in) long. Adult males are easily recognized by its bright Rufous (reddish-brown) overall with white breast and ear patch, vivid iridescent-red throat, and green shoulders. Females are green above, white belly and Rufous flanks.

2. Glossy Ibis

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The Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a medium-sized wading bird averaging around 59.4 cm (23.4 in) with an 80–105 cm (31–41 in) wingspan. It is a striking bird with iridescent bronze and Rufous (red-brown overall) plumage, and shiny bottle-green wings and tail. It has a strongly down-curved bill and long black legs. The glossy ibis is widely distributed throughout most warm temperate and tropical regions of the world.

3. Ruddy Quail-Dove

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The Ruddy quail-dove (Geotrygon montana) is a medium-sized dove widespread in the tropical Americas. The species measures around 19–28 cm in length. The bird is distinguished by having Rufous overall with rust colored back, pale buff throat, streak under eye, and belly. Black tipped red bill, red legs and feet.

4. Rufous Motmot

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The Rufous motmot (Baryphthengus martii) is a large near-passerine bird measuring 46 cm (18 in) long and weighs 195 g (6.9 oz). It is the second largest and arguably the most spectacular of the motmots. The species is a resident breeder in rain forests from northeastern Honduras south to western Ecuador, northeastern Bolivia, and southwestern Brazil. It is mainly cinnamon-rufous, with a black face mask and iridescent patches of turquoise blue on its head. It has a greenish-blue underparts, green wings and flanks, and dark blue tail and flight feathers.

5. Chestnut Munia

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The Chestnut munia (Lonchura atricapilla), also known as Chestnut Muni, is a small Rufous (red-brown) finch found in Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. It is easily identified by the black head, Rufous (red-brown) body, light grey beak, and blue-gray eyering. This passerine bird averages 11–12 cm in length. Both sexes look alike - but only the male sings. Before 1995, it was the national bird of the Philippines, where it is known as mayang pula ("red maya").

6. Nankeen Night Heron

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The Nankeen night heron (Nycticorax caledonicus), also known as Rufous Night-Heron, is a medium, stocky heron found in Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, and throughout much of Australia. The striking bird measures around 55–65 cm and weighs 550–1014 g. It is a thick-necked heron, with a stooped appearance. It has reddish-brown upperparts, white-buff underparts, a black crown and bill, as well as yellow legs and feet.

7. Ferruginous Hawk

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The Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) is the largest of the North American Buteos. This species is a large, broad-winged hawk with white head, streaked, Rufous-red shoulders and back; pale rust, gray, or white tail and feathered legs. Adults measure from 51 to 69 cm (20 to 27 in) and weigh around 977–2074 g (34.5–73.2 oz).

8. Orchard Oriole

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The Orchard oriole (Icterus spurius) is the smallest North American orioles. The species averages 16 cm (6.3 in) long and weighs 20 g (0.71 oz). Adult males are black above and rich reddish-chestnut below. It has a black rounded head and throat; short, squared-off tail, and a straight, sharply pointed bill.

9. Philippine Eagle-Owl

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The Philippine eagle-owl (Bubo philippensis) is a vulnerable owl species endemic to the Philippines. It is one of the largest owls in the world, with an impressive wingspan of around 120 centimetres. Full grown averages 40–50 cm (16–20 in) in length. The plumage is predominantly Rufous coloured, Rufous-buff facial disc, tawny-Rufous crown, small ear-tufts and huge yellow eyes.

10. Rufous Woodpecker

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The Rufous woodpecker, (Micropternus brachyurus) is a reddish brown woodpecker found in South Asia. It is a medium-sized bird with a short crest, slightly curved black bill and reddish eye. Adults average 21–25 cm (8.3–9.8 in) long and weigh between 55–114 g (1.9–4.0 oz).

The New Breakthrough in Racehorse Scoping

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 09:01:00 -0700

Racehorses are amazing creatures: strong, fast, in incredible shape. Considering the exertion they undergo on a regular basis, keeping them in the best possible fitness and condition is vital: this means they need to be given comprehensive examinations time and again.

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The most common areas of concern for racehorses are gastric and respiratory issues which will affect their ability to perform as they're trained to. Before a horse is purchased, or judged in a contest, vets or judges will want to assess their condition. How do they do this?

Vet Scopes – Exploring the Equine Respiratory System

For a long time, upper respiratory problems in horses were assessed through physical examinations involving treadmill-based and resting endoscopy. However, today, vets can get a clearer, more in-depth idea to form a diagnosis thanks to videoendoscopy – more specifically, dynamic videoendoscopy (DVE).

Videoendoscopy has been a fairly standard procedure in people for a long time now, used as a non-invasive alternative to exploratory surgery which can be costly, time-consuming, and traumatic for the body. When doctors need to diagnose conditions or locate the source of pain or unusual activity, they can use videoscopes to assess the patient's insides without needing to cut into the body itself.

As the health and fitness of racehorses needs to be checked on a regular basis, videoendoscopy is now a common method of checking racehorses' respiratory tract. DVE allows vets to identify and diagnose dynamic obstructions: previous endoscoping techniques had only allowed vets to assess respiratory problems while the horse was resting, using a treadmill (which doesn't offer identical circumstances as being out on a track, with a rider), or immediately after exercise. This means certain conditions or issues would remain undetected.

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Fitting an Equine Scope – Is it as Difficult as you May Think?

DVE should be preceded by a thorough exploration of the horse's history, to help ascertain how many races it has run, how many times it may have experienced injuries, its age, its diet – all the pertinent information. The videoendoscopy should be performed with the horse's usual rider, too, for the most accurate results.

This procedure should be given to a horse with no sedation for optimal accuracy, as some sedatives can affect the functions of the respiratory system. As the equine scope is inserted through the nostril, some horses may become agitated during the process, and knowing how a horse will react beforehand can be very difficult – so preparation is key.

To prevent the horse flinching and causing disruption to the procedure, using a neck or nose twitch is generally recommended, with sedation used only if the horse is demonstrating extreme resistance towards insertion. Using videoendoscopy during exercise offers the vet a chance to listen to the respiratory functions, and to hear any potential abnormalities.

To get the most accurate results, the rider should exercise the horse to its usual degree – any less will not allow the vet to get an accurate reading and form a proper diagnosis (if needed). Racehorses undergoing DVE should perform at their usual racing distance and speed, perhaps with another horse acting as a lead to mimic the usual situation. The rider may be fitted with a GPS device to give the vet more data to better analyze the overall performance.

A standard DVE system features:

A flexible insertion tube (with a diameter of 9.8mm), including an LED-fitted head, which eliminates the requirement for a bulky separate light

A robust permanent virtual circuit box, carrying the vital electronics

A bridle system to fix the tube, fitting over the standard tack

A lavage system with a pump, bottle, and necessary tubing

A remote receiver video display, relaying real-time footage

Looking to the Future of Equine Scopes

The technology used in DVE is certainly impressive, allowing the vet to control the scope's position remotely, using either a keyboard or a joystick to maneuver it as needed; in some cases, the vet may transmit the footage from the tube to other professionals (even on a global level), using basic computer equipment.

However, as technology evolves, so too will the endoscoping process. ProScope Systems, a company selling refurbished endoscopes, has created the Magic View: this is an innovative portable equine scope designed to revolutionize the entire procedure.

As a horse prepared for purchase, for contest, or undergoing a check-up will likely experience the scoping procedure multiple times, this can cause them considerable discomfort, especially if the tube causes abrasions during insertion and removal. The Magic View (patent pending) is a non-invasive alternative which provides a clear view of the horse's insides without the pain or complications.

The Magic View equine scope uses an auto iris camera and a 3.5 inch display to image the horse's respiratory system. The Upper Airway Exercise Scope provides a wireless view, with a 11.1 millimeter insertion tube, and the Lower Airway scope has a 10.5 millimeter diameter; for deeper examinations, the system includes a three-meter gastro scope.

Without the trauma of a thick scope entering their system, the horse will receive a thorough physical check in a more comfortable manner. There is 160GB internal storage for capturing plenty of footage (up to 40 hours can be recorded), and the scope itself is easily expandable. As more and more vets begin to use the Magic View, the risks involved with scoping – causing injury and distress to the horse, especially during multiple procedures – will be eliminated, and the process will be much quicker and easier.

More information on the Magic View can be found here, and it will be interesting to see how its arrival on the market redefines the process of videoendoscoping for racehorses in years to come.

About the author:

Kyle McManus is a freelance writer based in the UK.

10 Stunning Glow-in-the-Dark Animals

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 08:26:00 -0700

Whether to lure mates, detect prey, or to escape from predators, these bioluminescent animals glow in the dark. Check them out and learn how they do it.

1. Firefly

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Fireflies or lightning bugs are nocturnal beetles comprising the family Lampyridae. There are about 2,000 extant species of firefly.

Everyone knows how fireflies got their name, but many people don't know how the insects produce their signature glow. The answer is that fireflies have dedicated light organs situated below their abdomens. As oxygen enters into the abdomen, it combine with an organic compound called luciferin. A chemical reaction takes place and gives off the familiar yellow-green glow of a firefly.

This spectacular Glow-in-the-Dark insect can regulate the airflow into the abdomen producing a blinking pattern. Fireflies use their glow to attract mates.

2. Antarctic Krill

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Do Antarctic krill really glow in the dark at sea? How do they do this?

Yes, Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) often referred to as light-shrimp really do glow in the dark. They have photophores ("light spots") along their sides, their ventral surface (facing downward), and beneath their eyes. These photophores produce a blueish-purple light using a special chemical reaction common to many light producing animals.

3. Green Bomber Worm

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Thousands of feet beneath the sea live segmented worms that can release green glowing body parts! This kind of glow-in-the-dark ability is called bioluminescence. In 2009, scientists found a new kind of glowing animal, a swimming worm. They call it a Green bomber worm (Swima bombiviridis).

To escape from predators, the "swimming green bomb" release little balloons of skin filled with a fluid that glows green. The glowing skin distracts predators, which allows the green bombers to swim away.

4. Crystal Jelly

The Crystal jelly (Aequorea Victoria) is a brightly luminescent jelly, with glowing points around the margin of the umbrella. When disturbed or threatened, it emits give a green-blue glow under special lighting because of more than 100 tiny, light-producing organs surrounding their outer bell. This emission of light comes from its ability to release calcium (Ca2) very quickly, which interacts with the photoprotein aequorin. Crystal jelly is able to glow in order to send a threat to its enemies. However, this jellyfish does not glow if it is not underwater.

5. Scorpion

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Scorpions are known to glow a vibrant neon blue when exposed to ultraviolet (‘black’) light. This transformation is due to the presence of several chemicals, including beta-carboline, that cause it to glow under UV light. Scientists still can't figure out the reasons why scorpions glow. Perhaps to lure their prey, byproducts of normal chemical reactions or to attract mates. one thing is sure, scorpions lose this ability temporarily when they shed their skins, but gradually regain it after their molts.

6. New Zealand Glowworm

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The New Zealand glowworms (Arachnocampa luminosa) are the larvae (maggots) of a special kind of fly known as a fungus gnat. They are found found only in the dark and damp areas of New Zealand, particularly the Waitomo Caves. The species construct a glowing canopy or a snare of sticky threads as they hang down to the ceilings or walls of caves. As night descends, they glow a radiant blue color to lure unsuspecting prey.

The glow-worm’s tail-light shines from an organ which is the equivalent of a human kidney. All insects have this organ but the glow-worm has a unique ability to produce a blue-green light from it.

The chemical reaction that produces the light consumes a lot of oxygen. An airbag surrounds the light organ, providing it with oxygen and acting as a silvery reflector to concentrate the light. The New Zealand glowworm can glow at all stages of its life cycle (except as an egg), but the larva has the brightest light.

7. Flashlight Fish

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The Flashlight fish (Photoblepharon palpebratus) is a nocturnal fish of the Indo-Pacific. The species is well known for the photophores (light emitting organ) found under its eye, which harbours bioluminescent bacteria, allowing them to produce an eerie glow when seen in the dark. The fluorescent white to bluish-green glow is used to navigate, lure prey, communicate with one another and avoid predators.

8. Firefly Squid

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The Firefly squid (Watasenia Scintillans) or the sparkling enope squid is found throughout the western Pacific Ocean. It gets its name from the flashing lights that resemble those of a firefly.

This spectacular glow-in-the-dark squid is equipped with special light-producing organs called photophores. Each tentacle has a photophore attached to it, which emits a deep blue light. The lights can be flashed in unison or alternated in an endless number of animated patterns. When flushed, the Firefly squid can even control these lights to scare off other predators, communicate with other members of its species, or lure in prey!

9. Clusterwink Snail

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Terrestrial snails produce a glowing light from their foot to attract mates. But the Clusterwink snail (Hineas Brasiliana) is the first discovered to use the shell-flashing trick as a form of self-defense. This sea snail can flicker their spiral shells like dim, blue-green light bulbs. It emits bright blue-green flashes of light like an alarm when other creatures rub past its shell. The light is produced from the mantle tissue and shines through the pale translucent shell, which acts to diffuse the light so that the whole shell glows.

10. Sierra luminous millipedes

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The eight species of millipedes in the genus Motyxia are the only millipedes that glow in the dark. Emission of a greenish-blue light is uniform across the exoskeleton, and all the appendages (legs, antennae) and body rings emit light. Luminescence is generated by means of molecules called photoproteins which generate light upon combination with oxygen or other oxidizing agents. These bugs use bioluminescence as a defence strategy to outwit predators, according to a new study.

10 Exotic Animals With Unexpected Colors

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Tue, 6 Oct 2015 09:56:00 -0700

Yes, you read it right! Here is a list of animals that are naturally blessed and dressed with striking color that make them truly stand out from the rest.

White Peacock

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The White peacock (Pavo cristatus mut. alba) is not considered albino because it is simply just white. This elegant-looking bird is actually a subspecies of the Indian Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) created by a genetic mutation. The species does not possess the albino gene. It has overall white plumage, blue eyes and can mate to produce white offspring. On the other hand, Albino peacock has a weaker feather structure and pink eyes. Albino peacocks, even if successful at mating, would not automatically produce white offspring.

Red Velvet Ant

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The Red Velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis), also called Cow killer ant, is a wasp that resembles an ant. These critters are mostly found in Eastern and Western US. They are black overall and the body is densely covered with short, soft hair. Velvet ants are brightly coloured.

Aside from red, shades of red and black or yellow and brown hair overlay the body. The males have two pairs of transparent black wings. The females are wingless, and are often confused with ants. The females have a very toxic sting, but males do not sting.

Nicobar Pigeon

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The Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) is a pigeon mainly found in South East Asia and the Pacific, from the Indian Nicobar Islands east towards Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The species is the closest living relative of the extinct dodo and is classified as Near Threatened.

A large, mainly ground-dwelling bird, the Nicobar pigeon measures 40 cm (16 in) in length. The body-weight is around 600 g. The bird's striking appearance features a metallic green back and wings, dark blackish grey with a silvery purple bloom head and chest feathers and a very short white tail. The feet are purplish red with yellow or buff claws.

Pink Katydid

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Normally katydids are green and somewhat leaf-shaped, but there is an extremely rare Pink katydid. The pink coloration is the result of erythrism -- a rare genetic mutation that either leads to excessive production of red pigment or the absence of normal pigment. Little is known about pink katydids.

Rainbow Grasshopper

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The Rainbow grasshopper (Dactylotum bicolor), also known as the painted grasshopper, is a species of grasshopper in the family Acrididae. The species is widespread in North America and northern Mexico. It is mainly black with distinctive bold color pattern - reddish and yellowish markings, a pale green prothorax and pale green wingpads. Adults grow to an average length of about 20 mm (0.8 in) for males and 35 mm (1.4 in) for females. Rainbow grasshopper does not develop wings and is unable to fly.

Pink Orchid Mantis

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The Pink orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus), also known Walking flower mantis, is a mantis native to Malaysia and Indonesia. This master of disguise orchid mantis got its name because it resembles the flower of an orchid. The four walking legs resemble flower petals. This clever insect also changes color from pink to brown according to its environment.

Halloween Crab

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The Halloween crab (Gecarcinus quadratus), also known as red land crab, moon crab, or harlequin land crab, is a colourful land crab found in mangrove, sand dunes and the coastal rainforests of Central America. The species has a dark brown upper carapace, a bright orange-red body and limbs and purple claws. Also, it has a pair of yellow, orange or reddish spots behind the eyes. Two bright yellow to white, triangular 'eyes' decorate the front of the upper carapace, while there are two white spots at the rear of the carapace.

Purple Snail

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The Violet snail (Janthina janthina), also known as purple bubble raft snail, is a marine gastropod that spends its entire life cycle floating freely on the ocean surface in warm seas. The Violet sea snail inhabits the ocean surface by secreting a raft of mucus bubbles to keep it afloat. The species is often found blown ashore by strong winds.

Violet snail is easily recognized by its almost smooth, shell - light purple at the narrow top and a darker purple on the ventral side. Its shell is 3-4 cm in size. The snail's large head has a long cylindrical snout on a very flexible neck. Its body ranges from dark purple to black. Violet snails are born males but become females over time.

Indian Bull Frog

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The Indian bullfrog or Asian bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus) is a large frog found in the wetlands of South and South East Asia. This striking frog has pointed snout, long hind limbs and entirely webbed toes. During most of the season, they are a dull olive-green colour and have dark irregular markings. But during the mating season, its appearance can change dramatically. A male Indian Bullfrog will turn bright yellow except for the vocal sacs, which turn bright blue.

Black Rooster

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The Black Rooster (Ayam Cemani) is a rare breed of chicken native to Indonesia. This breed of chicken is characterized by its ink-black feathers that shimmer with a metallic sheen of beetle green and purple. Even its beak, meat, bones and internal organs are black. Ayam Cemani is referred to as the “Lamborghini of poultry.”

The World's 10 Most Unusual Flightless Birds

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:05:00 -0700

These birds have wings but won't fly! Surprised -- then go scroll down the listto know more interesting facts about the world's 10 most unusual flightless bird.

Titicaca grebe

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The Titicaca flightless grebe or short-winged grebe (Rollandia microptera), is a grebe found primarily in Lake Titicaca which straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia. Though it can't fly, it is an excellent diver. The upperparts of this flightless grebe are a black-brown colour. The chin, throat and foreneck are white. The nape is chestnut to dark sooty brown.

Takahē

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The Takahē or South Island takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri) is a flightless bird indigenous to New Zealand. The species was believed to be extinct by the end of the nineteenth century, but was rediscovered by Geoffrey Orbell in Fiordland in 1948. The takahē is still considered critically endangered with fewer than 300 individuals. This stocky bird with reduced wings is the largest living member of the Rallidae family. An adult measures 63 cm (25 in) and weighs about 2.7 kg (6.0 lb). It is generally purple-blue in colour, with a greenish back and inner wings. It has a red-based pink bill and pink legs.

Kiwi

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The kiwi is any of five species of the non-flying family of birds called ratites native to New Zealand. Two of the species are vulnerable, one is endangered, and one is critically endangered. They can be found in different types of habitats: farmland, pine forest, scrubland, swamps, and vegetated gullies. The species is characterized by its round little body, brown fluffy feathers and its modest whiskered face. Its wings are only about 1 inch (3 cm) long and are useless, completely hidden under the feathers. Kiwis grow to about the size of a chicken and weigh between three and nine pounds.

Cassowary

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The cassowary is a large, flightless bird distributed throughout Northern Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands. It is the heaviest bird in Australia and the second heaviest in the world after its cousin, the ostrich. There are three species of cassowary — the southern cassowary, the northern cassowary and the dwarf cassowary. All three cassowary species have a casque that starts to develop on top of their head at one to two years of age. Adults stand between 1.5-2 metres in height. Adults are striking with their jet black plumage and bright blue neck with touches of red.

Guam rail

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The Guam rail (Gallirallus owstoni) is a flightless bird, endemic to the United States territory of Guam. The last individual in the wild of this species died in 1987 following catastrophic declines owing to predation by the introduced brown tree-snake. A captive population survives and is now being bred in captivity on Guam and at some mainland U.S. zoos. The species remains classified as Extinct in the Wild until an introduced population becomes firmly established.

It is a medium-sized rail about 28 cm in total length. The upperparts are chocolate-brown. The underparts are barred black and white. The head and back are brown. It has grey eyebrow, brown iris and a dark blackish breast with white barring. The legs and beak are dark brown.

Galapagos Flightless cormorant

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The Galapagos Flightless Cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi) is one of the rarest birds in the world because it is the only cormorant that has lost the ability to fly. This cormorant is native only to the Galapagos Islands.

The unusual bird measures between 89–100 cm (35–40 in) in length and weighing 2.5–5.0 kg (5.5-11 lbs). The upper body plumage is blackish and the underparts are brown. It has elongated body, long neck, long, hooked bill, and short set-back legs with large, webbed feet.

Tasmanian nativehen

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The Tasmanian nativehen (Tribonyx mortierii) is a stocky flightless bird found only in Tasmania. Although many flightless birds have a history of extinction with the arrival of humans, the Tasmanian nativehen has actually benefited from the introduction of European style agricultural practices that provide easy food for grazing. Although they cannot fly, they are good swimmers and very fast runners. They have been clocked at up to 30 miles per hour.

It stands between 43 and 51 centimetres (17 and 20 in) in length. The upper body is olive brown with a white patch on the flank. The underparts are darker with a bluish grey tinge. The bill is a greenish yellow colour. The short tail and abdomen are black.

Campbell teal

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The Campbell teal (Anas nesiotis) is a small, flightless, nocturnal species of dabbling duck endemic to the Campbell Island group of New Zealand. Both sexes are sexually dimorphic in plumage and size. Females are a uniformly dark brown with a paler abdomen, while males have a green, iridescent head and back, with a chestnut coloured breast. Both sexes have dark brown eyes, prominent white eye-patch, dark-grey bill, legs and feet. The Campbell teal is listed as Endangered because it has an extremely small population.

Kakapo

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The Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), also called owl or night parrot, is a very unusual bird found only in New Zealand. It is the world's rarest, heaviest, and the only flightless nocturnal parrot. The species is known for its beautiful mossy green plumage mottled with brown and yellow. It has very soft feathers and an owl-shaped face. It has short legs, large grey beak, wings and feet. The tail is relatively short. An adult can measure from 58 to 64 cm (23 to 25 in) in length, and weight can vary from 0.95 to 4 kg (2 to 9 lbs). The Kakapo is critically endangered with only 126 known surviving birds as of March 2014.

Inaccessible Island rail

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The Inaccessible Island rail (Atlantisia rogersi) is probably the coolest bird one should ever see - cool in a sense that it lives on an island that is literally inaccessible. This species, the smallest extant flightless bird in the world, is found only on Inaccessible Island in the Tristan Archipelago. Unlike many other islands, Inaccessible Island has remained free from introduced predators, allowing this species to flourish without threats.

The species is characterized by its short black bill, red eyes and greyish legs. It has dark rusty-brown plumage on its upper body and dark grey on underparts. It has an average length of 17 cm (6.7 in) and weight of 30 g (1.1 oz).

17 Adorable Penguin Species

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Mon, 7 Sep 2015 05:13:00 -0700

Do you know that there are 17 extant species of penguin. Each species unique from the others. But they share a common thing -- All of the species live in the Southern hemisphere. Majority of these adorable penguin species are found in Antarctica. While a few species are found on the coasts of Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Galapagos Islands and South America.

Adelie Penguin

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The Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) is the smallest and one of the most common of all Antarctic penguin species. They can be found forming colonies on islands, beaches and shores all around the Antarctic coast. On average, these medium-sized penguins measure 72.2 cm (30 in) and weigh 5.4 kg (11.02 lbs.) The species is easily recognized by the white ring around its eyes and a tail that is longer than that of other species. It also has a red beak, but the tip of it is black. Population: 2.5 million pairs.

African Penguin

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The African or Blackfooted Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) mainly live and breed on islands off the coasts of Southern Africa. African penguins have a black upside down U-shape of their neck with a black chin and face patch separated from the crown by a broad white band. They have black speckles on their chest. Adults measure 62 cm (2.4 ft) in length and weigh about 3.40 kg (7.5 pounds.) The species is currently recognized as 'vulnerable' with an estimated world population of around 70,000 breeding pairs.

Chinstrap Penguin

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The Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) is arguably the most beautiful of penguins. They often live on large icebergs on the open ocean in the Antarctic region. These medium-sized penguins are easily recognised by their white faces and the fine black line running under the lower part of the chin. Adults measure These medium-sized penguins measure about 2 feet tall (61 cm) and weigh about 4.5 kg (10 pounds.) Chinstrap penguins are the most common penguins with a population of about 13 million.

Emperor Penguin

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The Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is found on the Antarctic peninsula and southern islands. Breeds during the Antarctic winter from March to December. The species is bigger than any other living penguin, standing up to 1.1 m (27 inches) tall and weighs about 36.5 kg (80.5 pounds.) It is distinguished by its size and the orange "glow" on its cheeks. Population: 7 million pairs.

Erect-crested Penguin

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The Erect-crested Penguin (Eudyptes sclateri) is a fairly known penguin species found only in the New Zealand Subantarctic region. These adorable penguins can be identified by the upright yellow feather plumes of their crests. One of the largest of the crested penguins, it stands about 50 cm (1.64 ft) tall and weighs up to 4 kg (8.8 lbs.) World Population: 170,000 breeding pairs.

Fiordland Penguin

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The Fiordland Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) is the most timid of the crested penguins. The species is endemic to New Zealand. It is easily distinguished by its sulphur-yellow crest running above the eye and ending in a dropping plume. The head, throat and upperparts are black, and underparts are white. The species measures about 55 cm (1.8 ft) and weighs about 4 kg (8.8 lbs.) World Population: 3,000 breeding pairs.

Galapagos Penguin

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The Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) is endemic to the Galapagos Islands. The species is distinguished by its relatively large black bill and narrow white line around the face. Galapagos Penguins are the smallest of the South American penguins. Full grown ones measure about 50 cm (1.65 ft) and weigh about 2 kg (4.5 lbs.) World Population: less than 1,000 breeding pairs.

Gentoo Penguin

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The Gentoo Penguins (Pygoscelis papua) live on many of the islands of the Antarctic region but the main colony is on the Falklands. They are characterised by a white patch around and behind the eye that joins on the crown. They have a reddish orange bill and orange feet. They are about 80 cm (31.5 in) and an average weight of 5 kg (11.01 lbs).

Humboldt Penguin

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The Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is endemic to Northern Chile & Peru. Similar to Magellanic Penguins, but lacks the second dark breast band and has a wider white band around the head. The eyes are reddish brown, and the bill is slightly larger than that of Magellanic penguins. Adults average length of around 70 cm (27.5 in) in height and an average weight of 4 kg (8.8 lbs). The total world population currently stands at around 12,000 breeding pairs.

King Penguin

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The King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) is the second largest penguin and similar in appearance to Emperor penguin. Their population is restricted to the sub-Antarctic belt. They have orange spots near their ears and on the neck. Cheeks are dark orange. The belly is white and the throat is grey-white. Full grown average 12 - 14 kg (26.5 - 30.86 lbs), and an average length of 90 cm (35.4 in). World Population: 2,000,000 breeding pairs.

Little Penguin

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The Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor), also known as Little Blue, Blue and Fairy Penguin, is the world’s smallest penguin. The species is widely distributed in Australia and in New Zealand. Upper parts are pale blue to a dark grey-blue depending upon age, season and subspecies. Average length is 43 cm (16.9 in.) and an average weight of 1.2 kg (2.65 lbs.) World Population stands at around 500,000 breeding pairs.

Macaroni Penguin

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The Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) is probably the most abundant of all penguins in terms of total numbers. The distribution of Macaroni Penguin extends from the sub-Antarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula. The species was so named because the yellow and black feathers sticking out of the side of their heads looked like the English hairstyle. This species has orange, not yellow, feather plumes. They average 70 cm (27.5 in) tall and 5.5 kg (12.12 lbs) in weight. World Population: 9,000,000 breeding pairs.

Magellanic Penguin

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The Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) was named after the explorer Ferdinand Magellan who first saw the species in 1519 on his first voyage around the tip of South America. The largest of the warm weather penguins, Magellanic Penguins are only found around the Falkland Islands and South America. The head and upper parts are black apart from two broad white stripes beneath the throat; one running up behind the cheeks and above the eye to join the pinkish gape, the second running adjacent to the white underparts with which they merge above the legs. They are about 70 cm (27.5 in) tall and weigh 4.9 kg (10.8 lbs.) World Population: 1,800,000 breeding pairs.

Rockhopper Penguin

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The Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) are distinguished from other crested penguins by their smaller size and the decorative yellow feather tufts on their heads. It has a reddish brown bill, distinctive red eyes, and the feet and legs are pink. Adults average 52 cm (20.5 in) an average weight of about 3kg (6.61 lbs.)

World Population:
Southern: 650,000 breeding pairs
Eastern: 800,000 breeding pairs
Northern: 350,000 breeding pairs

Royal Penguin

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The Royal Penguin (Eudyptes schlegeli) breeds on Macquarie Island. This species is slightly larger than the other crested penguins. Unlike other crested penguins, the Royal Penguin has orange, not yellow, feather plumes. It has a white face. black crown and it has crests which join on the forehead. Adults average 5.2 kg (11.45 lbs.)

Snares Penguin

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The Snares Penguin (Eudyptes robustus) is endemic to the Snares Islands, New Zealand. The head, throat and upperparts are black, and underparts are white. It has a robust conical bill and distinctive red eyes. Adult ones average 50 cm (19.7 in) in length and weigh around 3 kg. (6.6 lbs.) World Population: 30,000 breeding pairs.

Yellow-eyed Penguin

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The Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) is endemic to New Zealand. It is considered the rarest of all penguins. Adults have a band of yellow feathers going from the bill, circling the eyes and up around the head. Adults can reach 55 cm (21.65 in) in length and 5.7 kg (12.12 lbs.) There are only an estimated 1,500 breeding pairs of yellow-eyed penguins.

10 Captivating Brown Coloured Birds

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 08:20:00 -0700

These brown coloured birds are sights to behold. Check out where they are found to see with your very own eyes their splendor colors.

House Wren

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The House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) is a familiar backyard bird that occurs from Canada to southernmost South America. It is a small wren that lacks bold or characteristic markings. The House Wren head, nape, and back is almost uniformly brown with its throat and chest a uniform light grey. Fine brown bars appear on its flanks, tail, and wings. It has a long, thin, curved bill. Adults measure 11 to 13 cm (4.3 to 5.1 in) long, with a 15 cm (5.9 in) wingspan and weigh about 10 to 12 g (0.35 to 0.42 oz).

Common Myna

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The Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) is a large, stocky starling native to southern Asia. Overall body plumage is chocolate-brown with a glossy black head and bare yellow patch behind the eye. It has a yellow bill and legs. The sexes are similar.

Oriental Turtle-Dove

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The Oriental Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia orientalis) is a large, stocky dove that is very common in eastern Asia. Also known as the Rufous Turtle-dove, it has buff-brown overall with the distinctive patch of black and whitish stripes on either side of its neck. Some of the wing feathers having black centres and whitish or reddish edges. Tail is long, grey, and white-tipped. The bill and legs are red.

Black Kite

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The Black Kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized long-winged Raptor (birds of prey) with grey-brown upperparts, and faint streaks on grey-brown underparts. The plumage is dark brown, with scattered pale brown and Rufous markings, particularly on the head, neck and underparts. Head is paler than body, dark mark around the eye. The body feathers have dark shafts giving it a streaked appearance. The long tail is slightly forked and barred with darker brown. The sexes are similar. Adults can reach 55-60 cm (21.65-23.62 in) long, with a wingspan of 140-150 cm (55.11-59.05 in) and weigh 630-930 grams.

Hawaiian Owl

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The Hawaiian Owl (Asio flammeus sandwichensis) or Pueo is medium-sized owl that is endemic to Hawaii. Its feathered body is streaked with shades of brown and white. It has a big round head with buff facial disk, small ear tufts, and black bill. A dark mask surrounds large, yellow eyes. Full grown adults can reach 33-43.18 cm (13-17 in) in length. Females being slightly larger than the males. The sexes are similar.

Clay-coloured Thrush

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The Clay-coloured Thrush (Turdus grayi) is a common bird from eastern Mexico to northern Colombia. Also called Clay-coloured Robin, it is a large thrush with olive-brown upperparts, paler brown underparts and lighter on the flanks. The throat is faintly streaked. The bill is yellow-green and black-tipped. The legs are pinkish and feet are grey-black. It is 23–27 cm (9.1–10.6 in) long, and weighs 74–76 g (2.6–2.7 oz) on average. It is the national bird of Costa Rica.

Brown Noddy

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The Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) is a very rare seabird in the New Zealand region. This medium-sized tern is brown with a white cap, a grey nape and a small white lower half-eye ring. It has a distinctive pale under-wing coverts and narrow, wedge-shaped tail. It has black legs and feet. The sexes are similar.

California Thrasher

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The California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) is a large thrasher found only in chaparral habitat in California and Baja California. It has dark brown upperparts and reddish brown underside. The bird's main distinguishable feature is its long, thick, down-curved bill. It has a finely streaked face, a dark cheek pattern and eye-line, and has dark eyes. The throat has small buff patch. it has a dark, fan-shaped tail with reddish-brown undertail coverts. It has grey-brown feet and legs. Adults measure about 30 cm (12 in) and nearly 85 g (3.0 oz).

Fulvous Whistling-Duck

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The Fulvous Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) is a large duck of shallow wetlands, widespread in the tropics of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. It has mainly reddish brown plumage, long neck and dark brown wings with a silver-white stripe on the edges. It has a Rufous-brown crown and upper nape. It has long, bluish gray legs. adults measure 44–51 cm (17.3–20.1 in) in length and weigh 595–964 g (21–34 oz).

Chinese Hwamei

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The Chinese Hwamei (Garrulax canorus) is a is a medium-sized songbird of eastern Asia. The plumage is mostly reddish-brown with dark streaks on the crown, back and throat. It has a blue-white eye ring which extends backwards as a white stripe. It has rounded wings, yellow bill, fan-shaped tail, buff-pink legs and feet. Adults measure 21 to 25 cm long. Sexes are similar.

The World's Smallest Animals Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Sun, 9 Aug 2015 08:36:00 -0700

What are the world's smallest animals? A chameleon small enough to easily perch on a match head and a frog the size of a housefly are among the tiniest of their kind. Check out the other 'small guys' that made the list!

Smallest Bird

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The Bee Hummingbird or Helena Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is the smallest bird in the world. This tiny bird that is no larger than a big insect and, as its name suggests, is slightly larger than a bee is only found in Cuba.

Hummingbirds in general aren’t exactly known for their towering stature, but the size of this hyperactive bird is stunning. With a length of 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in) and a mass of around 1.6–2 g (0.056–0.071 oz), the Bee Hummingbird holds the record for the smallest living bird.

Smallest Turtle

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The world's smallest turtle is the Speckled Padloper Tortoise (Homopus signatus) endemic to South Africa. The males measure 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in), while females measure up to almost 10 cm (3.9 in). They weigh about 95–165 grams (3.4–5.8 oz). This tiny creature has an orange-brown, flattened shell covered in hundreds of black spots. The species has four claws on its back feet.

Smallest Dragonfly

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The Scarlet Pygmy (Annophya pygmaea), also known as the Scarlet Dwarf, is the smallest true dragonfly in the world. The species is native of Southeast Asia to China and Japan, occasionally found south to Australia. This fascinating butterfly has a total body length of merely 16-17 mm and a wingspan of only 20 mm (3/4 in).

Smallest Cow Breed

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The Vechur Cow, a rare breed of (Bos indicus), is the smallest cattle breed in the world. A dwarf cow from Kerala,India, full grown males average 124 cm (48.81 in) in length and 90 cm (35.43 in) in height. This cattle breed is valued for the high-yield and high-fat milk it produces.

Smallest Chameleon

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The Brookesia micra, a species of chameleon is now the tiniest chameleon ever discovered. This Lilliputian lizard was discovered on a tiny island off Madagascar. This miniature chameleon reaches a maximum length of just 3 cm (1.18 in) from nose to bottom - small enough to easily perch on a match head!

Smallest Parrot

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The Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot (Micropsitta pusio) is the smallest parrot in the world. The tiny bird is native to the forests of New Guinea and nearby islands. On average, Buff-faced Pygmy parrots stand less than 9 cm (3.54 in) tall and weigh 11.5 g (0.41 oz). This pygmy parrot is so small it fits in a human hand.

Smallest Penguin

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The Little Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor) is the world's smallest species of penguin, found in New Zealand and Australia. Its preferred habitats include sandy, rocky islands, around the bases of cliffs or near sand dunes. Also known as Little Blue, Blue and Fairy Penguin, this tiny seabird grow to an average of 33 cm (13 in) in height and 43 cm (17 in) in length.

Smallest Seahorse

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This is the amazing Denise’s Pygmy Seahorse ((Hippocampus denise), the smallest seahorse in the world. The species lives in the tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean, and is often found attached to coral seafans. The orange-colored seahorse measures 1.5 cm (5/8 inch) from snout to tail. Gosh! this sea creature is smaller than the average fingernail.

Smallest Octopus

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The Star-Sucker Pygmy Octopus (Octopus wolfi) is the world's smallest known octopus. The octopus species was discovered and officially classified in 1913. These sub-tropical pygmy species are found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. This tiny octopus measures only 1.5 cm (0.59 in) in length and weighs less than a gram (less than 0.035 ounces)!

Smallest Frog

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The world's smallest frog is the size of a housefly and could sit within the confines of your fingernail! The frog species Paedophryne amanuensis from Papua New Guinea was discovered in August 2009 and formally described in January 2012. The crimson and black frog measures a mere 7.7 mm (0.30 inches) in size at adulthood. Another incredible feat this frog can accomplish - jumping thirty times their body length!

Check out also: The World's Smallest Animals Part 1

Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 2

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Sat, 1 Aug 2015 01:59:00 -0700

Explore the animal world, from aardvark to zebu! Discover hundreds of animals, weird and remarkable. This Amazing Animal Alphabet compilation will definitely provide hours of entertainment for both kids and young-at-heart.

If you missed Part 1 of this series then go check it out here: Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 1

From a beautiful southern African antelope, down to a small pouchless Australian marsupial and to an endangered Hawaiian goose, these animals that begins with the letter N are surprisingly awesome!

Nuthatch

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The nuthatch is a small, compact passerine bird that belongs to the bird family Sittidae, comprising 25 species where 15 species are widespread in Asia and few species inhabiting the woodlands of the Northern Hemisphere. Read More

From a tiny tick-eating African bird, to a weird forest giraffe and to an endangered big-eared bat, the animal kingdom presents us with 10 extreme animals whose names begin with the letter O.

Otter

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Otters are twelve species in seven genera of semi-aquatic mammals comprising the family Mustelidae. They inhabit temperate regions of Europe, Asia, North America, and parts of North Africa. Read More

They may not be as popular as their cousins, but these animals whose names start with the letter P are simply awesome in their own right.

Aside from Pig, penguin, panda, pigeon, pelican, puma, panther, pug…. the animal Kingdom offers as with other awesome animals whose names start with the letter P. Here is a list of what I consider, least-known letter P animals.

Proboscis Monkey

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The proboscis monkey or long-nosed monkey, is a reddish-brown monkey that is widespread on the island of Borneo, Malaysia. It is found living along riverbanks, swamps and mangrove forests. A remarkable feature of this arboreal monkey is the male’s large, fleshy nose that can reach up to 7 inches long. Read More

Meet and learn more from these elite animals whose names begin with the letter Q.

From a popular bird hunted for its meat to a cat-like Australian marsupial down to a flamboyant angelfish – they comprise our list of Q animals.

Queen Triggerfish

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The Queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula) is a reef dwelling fish widespread in the Atlantic Ocean. They are found ruined reef tops, coral and grassy areas in depths of up to 20 meters. Named after the spines found on their backs, Queen triggerfish are typically carry brown coloration mark with blue lines on its head and fins. Read More

They may not be as popular as Rabbit, Rat, Robin, Rhinoceros, Rooster or Rottweiler….but these charming animals deserve their spot on our list of animals whose names begin with the letter R.

Roadrunner

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The roadrunners (also known as Ground Cuckoo),are two species of fast-running terrestrial birds native to North and Central America. The two existing species of these ground foraging cuckoos are: Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) and Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox.) Read More

Sifaka, Spring Peeper, and Stoat – what do these animals have in common? They are some of the fascinating animals whose names begin with the letter S. Read on to know more about the other seven animals that made the list.

Spring Peeper

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The Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) are small, well-camouflaged frogs found throughout the eastern part of Canada and the United States. These amphibians known for their high-pitched peeping sounds inhabit forests and wooded areas near ponds, streams and swamps. Read More

They may not be the most mentioned animals whose names start with the letter T, but after reading down this list, it is a safe fact that you will agree with me that truly these 10 T animals are really fascinating and their names worth remembering.

Tarsier

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The Tarsier is a unique, primitive species of primate that generally spends its entire life on trees. Tarsiers, considered one of the smallest known primates, are today found living in lowland & coastal forests on a number of islands in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. Read More

A list of seven spectacular animals whose names begin with the letter U.

The animal kingdom presents us with hundreds of amazing, odd-looking and spectacular animals. Among these creatures include 7 spectacular animals whose names begin with the letter U. Read on to learn more about them.

Uromastyx Lizard

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The Uromastyx or the Spiny-tailed lizard is a genus of lizard in the agamid family. There are about 18 extant species of Uromastyx duly recognized by taxonomists. These agamids are well-known for the rings of spiked scales covering the top side of their tail. Read More

A list of seven intriguing V animals you probably never heard of.

Visayan Warty Pig

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The Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons) is a small, forest-dwelling pig endemic to the Philippines. It gets its name from the three pairs of fleshy “warts” present on the pig’s face. Read More

They may not be as colorful as the turacos, lovable as the talking-parrots or as agile as the fierce raptors — but these birds whose names start with the letter W are indeed fascinating! Read on and learn more about them.

Whimbrel

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The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is a fairly large wader with distinctive long down-curved bills. A migratory species distributed worldwide, these waders breed across much of North America, Africa, Europe and Asia. On average, adult wattlebirds measure 37–47 cm (15–19 in) and weigh about 270–493 g (9.5–17.4 oz). Read More

Can you give me five animals whose names start with the letter X? Your guess is as good as mine. But I can give you two — a popular aquarium fish and a weird breed of dog. Surprisingly, there are at least 25 animals that starts with the letter X. Here are some of them.

Xantus’s Hummingbird

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The Xantus’s Hummingbird (Basilinna xantusii) is a medium-sized hummingbird found only in Baja California. These husky birds inhabit bushes, forests and home gardens. It can reach 8–9 cm long, and weighs about 3-4 g. Read More

They may not be as beautiful or as popular compared to their more illustrious cousins, but certainly these birds whose names start with the letter Y are simply colorful and fascinating creatures.

Yellowthroat

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The Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) are small songbird found in Mexico, North America and Central America. The breeding habitats of these migratory birds include dense shrubs, marshes and thickets. They are solitary or may be found in pairs. Read More

Just to enrich our knowledge about the animal kingdom; here are seven animals whose names start with the letter Z.

Zenaida Dove

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Zenaida Dove or Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) is found throughout South America, inhabiting open fields, agricultural lands and savannahs. The Eared Dove can be distinguished by its brown upper feathers long wedge-shaped tail and black markings on its wings. Read More

Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 1

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 11:10:00 -0700

Explore the animal world, from aardvark to zebu! Discover hundreds of animals, weird and remarkable. This Amazing Animal Alphabet compilation will definitely provide hours of entertainment for both kids and young-at-heart.

The animal kingdom comprises more than two million species; some beautiful and colorful while others are odd-looking and bizarre. If you are asked to name 10 popular animals that begin with the letter A, how would you do it? Below is my own list of popular animals that start with the letter A.

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Agama

An agama is a long-tailed lizard inhabiting forests and bushes across Africa. Some agamas can be five inches long while others can be a foot long in length and can come in different colors. Read More

Nature present us with beautiful, strange, odd and fascinating creatures. The animal kingdom itself have millions of amazing and special species that many of us have not known or seen. Below is a list of 10 intriguing animals that begin with the letter B.

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Binturong

The Binturong (Arctictis binturong) or the Asian Bearcat is a relatively unknown animal inhabiting trees in the jungles of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. Read More

Nature present us with beautiful, strange, odd and fascinating creatures. The animal kingdom itself have millions of amazing and special species that many of us have not known or seen. Below is a list of 10 fascinating animals whose names begin with the letter C.

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Caterpillar

Caterpillars are the larval stage of butterflies and moths. A voracious feeder, it eat leaves or other parts of plants. Read More

From the fascinating mallard ducks to the gentle Dugongs, these animals whose names start with the letter D simply capture the imaginations of many.

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Dugong

The Dugong (Dugong dugon) is a large marine mammal which are related to manatees, is one of four extant species of the order Sirenia. But do you know that both mammals are related to the elephant. Read More

Guess, the first five animals that you could give are: elephant, eagle, emperor penguin, elephant seal and earthworm. Below is my own list of popular animals that start with the letter E.

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Earwig

Earwigs are dark, reddish-brown insects in the order Dermaptera which are characterized by the pincer-like projections (cerci) on the tip of the abdomen. There are more than 1,000 extant species of earwigs found in North America and Europe. Read More

Ask any kid to name 10 animals whose names start with the letter F, and probably these animals will occupy a place in his list: fish, frog, fox, and flamingo. But the animal kingdom offers us with dozens of F animals. Read on to find out what these animals are.

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Firefly

Fireflies or winged beetles have over 2,000 species found in marshes, wet wooden throughout tropical and temperate areas around the world. They are a familiar sights during summer evenings flashing their signature “cold light”. Read More

From the tallest animal, to the burrowing rodents and to the high-leaping insect; these animals whose names start with the letter G are simply gorgeous-looking.

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Galah

The Galah(Eolophus roseicapilla) also known as the Roseate Cockatoo, Rose-breasted Cockatoo, Galah Cockatoo is found in open habitats in almost all parts of mainland Australia. Read More

If you're asked to name 10 animals whose names start with the letter H, most probably you will have: horse, hare, hounds, husky, housefly, hummingbird on top of your list. But how about adding “ Hoiho and Hoopoe on your list. Have you seen these animals? Probably not! Read on to know more about these animals and eight others whose names begin with H.

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Hoopoe

The Hoopoe (Upupa epops), is an exotic looking bird that is found across Afro-Eurasia. A remarkable feature of hoopoe is its distinctive ‘crown’ of feathers. Read More

From a one-horned rhinoceros, to a rare Japanese cat, down to the biggest living lemur…meet these intriguing animals whose names start with the letter I.

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Ibis

The ibises are a group of medium-sized wading birds with long, slender, down curved bills comprising the family Threskiornithidae. Ibises are found in warm areas worldwide except on South Pacific islands. Read More

Whether on land, water, or air, these J animals demonstrate amazing skills. In search of food or just evading threats, these animals apply different means; sprint, glide, hop, or jump. Whatever the trick is, these J animals have amazing ways to finish the job.

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Jumping spider

The jumping spider (Salticidae) is the largest spider family comprising of about 5,000 known species. They live in a wide range of habitat including; scrub lands, forests, deserts, and mountains. Read More

Kangaroo, koala, kingfisher and killer whale are some of the more popular animals whose names start with the letter K. However, there are more names, one can include to the list. Below is a compilation of 10 more intriguing K animals.

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Krill

Krill or euphausiids, are shrimp-like marine crustaceans swarming in all oceans of the world. These pink, translucent invertebrate have a hard exoskeleton consisting of the cephalon (head), the thorax, and the abdomen. Read More

Langur, Lemmings, Limpkins, Leonberger, What do these animals have in common? They may not be as popular as lion, leopard, lizards, ladybugs and llamas, these L animals are marvelous in their own right. Read on to know more about these animals whose names start with the letter L.

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Lynx

A lynx is a long-legged, medium-sized wild cat inhabiting forests of Europe, Canada, the United States and Asia. This endangered cat has short head, long whiskers, tufted ears, large paws, and a short tail. Read More

From a huge but gentle dog, to a bird with elongated tail feathers down to a white-black-orange banded pet snake, these animals are modish in their own way. Read to learn more about these M animals.

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Macaque

The macaques comprise 19 species of Old World monkeys that are widespread in Asia. One species, Barbary ape ( M. sylvanus ) is found in northern Africa. Read more

Read Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 2 here:

The World's Smallest Animals Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 05:57:00 -0700

What are the world's smallest animals? A monkey that fits in the palm of your hands and a bat lighter than a coin are among the tiniest of their kind. Check out the other 'small guys' that made the list!

Smallest True Monkey

Pygmy Marmoset

The Pygmy Marmoset or Dwarf Monkey (Cebuella pygmaea) is the world's smallest true monkey. The species live high in the rainforest canopy of South America. Adults measure around 117 to 152 millimeters (4.6 to 6.0 in) in head-body length and a tail of 172 to 229 millimeters (6.8 to 9.0 in). The average adult body weight is just over 100 grams (3.5 oz). To picture this out; a full-grown pygmy marmoset could fit in an adult human's hand, and it weighs about as much as a stick of butter!

Smallest Butterfly

Western Pygmy Blue Butterfly

With a wingspan no bigger than 1.3 centimeters (0.5 inch), the Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis) is the the smallest in North America and possibly the smallest known butterfly in the world. Although not the brightest of butterflies, its delicate markings make it stand out.

Smallest Antelope

Royal Antelope

The Royal Antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus), native to West Africa's lowland rainforest is the world's smallest antelope. The shy, light brown colored cute little guy stands about 25 cm (10 inches) and weighs 2.5–3 kg (5.5–7 pounds). A calf is small enough to fit into an average person's open hand.

Smallest Crocodilian

Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman

The Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) is the smallest extant species of crocodilian. Native to northern and central South America, full-grown males can reach up to 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) in total length. Females can measure up to 1.2 meters (3.9 ft). The tiny crocodilian is also called Cuvier's smooth-fronted caiman and Musky caiman.

Smallest Fish

Paedocypris Carp

Discovered in swamp forests of Sumatra in 2006, the Paedocypris Carp (Paedocypris progenetica) is the world's smallest fish! At only 7.9 mm at maturity, the tiny carp is also considered the smallest vertebrate. The species has a rudimentary skull which leaves the brain unprotected and is known for their ability to live in water with high levels of acidity.

Smallest Primate

Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur

The world's smallest living primate is the Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur (Microcebus berthae). The new lemur species was discovered in Madagascar. The nocturnal creature has an average body length of 9.2 cm (3.6 in), tail length of 12 to 14 cm, and weighs around 30 grams (1.1 oz).

Smallest Rabbit

Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit

The Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) is the smallest rabbit. The kitten-sized rabbits is found in North America. Once on the verge of extinction, full -grown pygmy rabbit measures from 23.5-29.5 centimeters (9.3-11.6 in) and weighs from 375-500 grams (0.827-1.102 lb). Females are slightly larger than males.

Smallest Snake

Barbados Threadsnake

The Barbados Threadsnake (Leptotyphlops carlae) is the world’s smallest species of snake. This species is found in the Caribbean islands of Barbados. At about ten cm long (less than four inches), enough to curl up on a U.S. quarter, the tiny snake might easily be mistaken for an earthworm. Also, the diminutive reptile is as thin as spaghetti noodle.

Smallest Lizard

Virgin Islands Dwarf Gecko

Measuring 16 millimeters (just over half an inch) long from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail, the Virgin Islands Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus ariasae) is the world's tiniest species of lizard. Discovered in 1964, the dark brown lizard is found in three British Virgin Islands, namely, Virgin Gorda, Tortola and Mosquito Island. When fully grown, this miniature lizard is small enough to curl up on a dime!

Smallest Bat

Bumblebee Bat

The Kitti's Hog-nosed Bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai) or Bumblebee Bat is the world's smallest bat, maybe even the smallest mammal. Native to Thailand, this diminutive bat is about 36 to 53 mm (1.4 to 2.1 in) in length, a wingspan of about 170 mm (6.7 inches) and weighs less than two grams (0.071 oz). This odd-looking bat is known for its distinctive pig-like snout and relatively wide wings with long tips.

Meet The Philippines Only Endemic Duck

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 03:30:00 -0700

There are 131 of duck species worldwide and 20 species occur in the Philippines. And the Philippine Duck is the ONLY duck endemic to the country.

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Philippine Duck

The Philippine Duck (Anas luzonica) is the country’s only endemic duck. It is a medium-sized dabbling or surface-feeding bird. It frequents most freshwater marshes, shallow lakes, open sea and rice fields. It forages in shallow water for shrimp, fish, insects, and vegetation.

With its rusty-cinnamon head and bluish-grey bill, the Philippine duck is a rather distinctive bird. Its body and legs are grayish-brown. Blackish crown, nape and eye-stripe. When in flight, a well-defined patch of glossy green on the wing can be clearly seen, which is bordered with black and white on the top side, and a white underside. The sexes look the same, and juveniles are slightly paler than adults.

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The Philippine duck, as with other wildlife, is protected by Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. RA 9147 promotes ecological balance and enhances biodiversity by conserving and protecting wildlife species and their habitats. To date, two areas have been declared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as critical habitats of this bird: a 27-hectare wetland area in Cabusao, Camarines Sur, and the 178-hectare Malasi Tree Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Cabagan, Isabela.

This remarkable duck has also been reportedly sighted in other areas such as Caylabne Bay in Cavite; Subic Bay, Zambales, Maria Aurora Memorial Natural Park in Aurora; Mt. Iglit Baco and Naujan Lake in Mindoro Island; and Candaba Marsh in Pampanga.

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It is classified as “vulnerable” under the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There are 5,000 or fewer Philippine ducks alive today and its population is on a continuing decline. Over-hunting and habitat loss has contributed to its decline. If we neglect protecting the species, the Philippine duck could disappear in the blink of an eye.

10 Endangered Lemurs of Madagascar

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 10:12:00 -0700

One can visit Madagascar islands, but rarely you can find these weird but fascinating lemurs. So, just content yourself seeing a photo of each one of them and know some interesting facts about them as well.

1. Brown Mouse Lemur

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A lemur? No way, perhaps a squirrel. But this is actually a lemur or to be exact, a brown mouse lemur. This endangered creature is native only to the island of Madagascar. A solitary and nocturnal primate, the Brown Mouse Lemur (Microcebus rufus) feeds on insects, fruits and flowers. The species is among the shortest-lived of primates. It has a lifespan of 6–8 years in the wild. These night creatures can easily be identified by the cream-colored stripe on their face between their large eyes. Their fur varies in color from a rich golden red chestnut (or russet) to a light brown.

The Brown Mouse lemur is one of the smallest lemur species in the world. Adults grow to a mere 12.40 centimeters (4.92 inches) long from their nose tips to the base of their tails. They weigh from 39 to 98 grams (37 to 3.45 ounces). Their tails are about as long as their bodies averaging 11.5 centimeters (4.53 inches) in length.

2. Diademed Sifaka

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From one of the world's smallest, we go now to one of the world's largest living lemurs. The Diademed Sifaka (Propithecus diadema) is a critically endangered species of sifaka native to a handful of rain forests in eastern Madagascar. One of the most colorful and attractive of all the lemurs, the species is known for its long and silky coat. The long white fur encircles the muzzle and covering the cheeks, forehead and chin. Thus, creating a "diadem" or crown appearance. Adult Diademed Sifaka measures 42 - 55 cm (17 - 22 in) head and body length and weighs 5.0 - 7.3 kg (11 - 16 lb).

3. Aye-aye

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The Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) owns a weird appearance that scientists argued among themselves if this creature is a lemur. Not until 2008 when the animal was grouped in with other families of lemur species. The aye-aye is famous — or rather, infamous — for its creepy appearance. Compared to other lemurs, it is unusual in having big eyes, bony elongated middle fingers, rodent-like continuously growing incisors, and large, sensitive ears. It is dark in color with two layers of hair: long, coarse black hair with white tips and shorter and softer off-white hair.

This creepy, endangered lemur is the world's largest nocturnal primate species. Aye-Aye is basically the primate version of a woodpecker. The species are the only primates thought to use echolocation to find prey. Adults measure 36 to 43 cm (14 to 17 in) long with a 56 to 61 cm (22 to 24 in) tail. They average 2 kg (4 lbs) in weight.

4. Mongoose Lemur

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The Mongoose Lemur (Eulemur mongoz) is a critically endangered lemur species found in dry deciduous forests on the island of Madagascar. It is also one of only two lemurs found outside of Madagascar, and it is an introduced resident of the Comoros Islands. The species is cathemeral, meaning they're active at varying times of the day and night depending on the season and availability of light. It has soft, woolly fur, a relatively long, bushy tail and a pronounced ruff around the neck and ears. Males have grey-brown fur on their upper parts, while females are generally paler grey in color. The eyes of both sexes are reddish-orange. Adults are about 35 cm (14 in), 45 - 48 cm tail length and weigh about 2 kg (4.4 lb).

5. Bamboo Lemur

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These medium-sized primates in genus Hapalemur live exclusively in Madagascar. The species prefers damp forests where bamboo grows. The Bamboo Lemur is generally a small to medium lemur characterized by a grey-brown fur depending on the species. The head is lighter in color than the rest of the body. The muzzle is short and the ears are round and hairy. Adults measure from 26 to 46 cm in length, with tails just as long or longer, and weigh up to 2.5 kg.

6. Fork-marked Lemur

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The Fork-marked Lemur (Phaner furcifer) is another endangered lemur species found within the humid forests of eastern Madagascar and in the dry temperate forests of the west. The species is named for the two black stripes, which run up from the eyes, converge at the top of the head, and run down the back as a single black stripe. This weird primate has rings around the eyes, and large membranous ears. Adult head and body length ranges from 227 to 285 mm (8.94 to 11.22 in), with 285 to 370 mm long tail. It weighs between 300 and 500 g (10.57 to 17.62 oz).

7. Blue-eyed Black Lemur

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The Blue-eyed Black Lemur (Eulemur flavifrons), also known as the Sclater's lemur found in Northwestern dry deciduous forest of Madagascar. The species are one of the only primates besides humans to have natural blue eyes! The eye color ranges from intriguing electric blue, a soft gray-blue or a light sky-blue. Sadly, the blue-eyed black lemur is currently one of the world's 25 most endangered primates and is listed as Critically Endangered.

The striking Blue-eyed lemurs are sexually dichromatic different coloration in males and females): males are black and females are orange-brown. Males are born brown and only begin to turn black after 5-6 weeks. Adults can attain a body length of 39–45 cm, a tail length of 51–65 cm, and a weight of 1.8-1.9 kg.

8. Common Brown Lemur

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We go from blue eyes to vibrantly orange eyes. The Common Brown Lemur (Eulemur fulvus) is found in Madagascar and Mayotte. Habitat ranges from lowlands to mountains, evergreen forests and deciduous forests. Like many other lemurs, common brown lemur population is declining due to habitat loss. The IUCN Red List currently rates the species as Vulnerable.

The Common Brown Lemur is the only one of the lemur species in which males and females do not show different coloration. These medium-sized lemurs have short, dense fur that is typically brown or grey-brown. The face, muzzle and crown are dark grey or black with paler eyebrow patches, and the eyes are orange-red. They weigh around 2 – 3 kg. Their body length is 50 cm, as is their tail length.

9. Golden-crowned Sifaka

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This medium-sized lemur species looks like it was patted on the head by King Midas. The Golden-crowned Sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) is characterized by predominantly short, white or cream-colored coat, prominent furry tufted ears, and a golden-orange crown. The hairless, black face is drawn into a pronounced muzzle and the eyes are a bright orange color. One of the smallest sifakas, adults measure around 48 cm (18.9 in) from head to tail and weighs around 3.5 kg (7.7 lb).

The species is found in semi-evergreen and dry deciduous forest fragments surrounded by agriculture. The Golden-crowned Sifaka or Tattersall's sifaka is listed as critically endangered with around 18,000 individuals exist in the wild.

10. Silky Sifaka

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Nicknamed ‘angel of the forest’ due to its long, silky white fur the Silky Sifaka (Propithecus candidus) is a standout amongst the lemur species. Coupled with the bare, black face and deep orange eyes, the silky sifaka is a stunning and highly distinctive animal. Unfortunately, this species is also critically endangered, and is one of the 25 most endangered primates on Earth. Its population size is estimated to range between 100 and 1,000 individuals.

Not all individuals are completely white: some have silver-gray or black tints on the crown, back, and limbs The skin may be a mix of pink and black, solid pink or solid black. Adults measure 48–54 cm (1.6–1.8 ft) in head-body length of 48–54 cm (1.6–1.8 ft), 45–51 cm (1.5–1.7 ft) tail length, and a weigh around 5–6.5 kg (11–14 lb).

10 Elegant and Graceful White Birds

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Tue, 2 Jun 2015 09:33:00 -0700

These birds are simply elegant, graceful and dazzles in their pure white plumage. Check them out and learn interesting facts about them as well.

1. Trumpeter Swan

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Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is the largest swan native to North America. The species preferred habitats include large rivers, lakes, and ponds. The adult Trumpeter Swan is all white in plumage with a long, straight neck. Legs, feet and wedge-shaped bill are black. Fully grown usually measure 138–165 cm (4 ft 6 in–5 ft 5 in) long and weighs typically 7–13.6 kg (15–30 lb).

2. White Tern

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White Tern (Gygis alba) is a medium-sized seabird with white overall plumage. The species is found across the tropical oceans of the world. They build their nests on coral islands, usually on trees with small branches and on rocky ledges. White terns, also called the Fairy Tern has dark eyes and black eye rings and a long black bill. It has a notched tail, blue-gray legs and blackish feet with yellow webs between the toes. Adults measure 28-33 cm long with a wingspan of 66-78 cm and weigh 100-140 g.

3. Philippine Cockatoo

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Philippine Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), also known as sometimes called the Red-vented cockatoo or Katala, is a critically endangered species of cockatoo that is endemic to the Philippines. The species are found in lowland, mangrove forests, and often seen in forest edge and open fields. This beautiful parrot has perfect creamy white plumage with red and yellow feathers around the vent. Adults have a grayish-white bill, short erectile crest, pinkish-washed ear-coverts and lores. The Philippine Cockatoo typically measures 28-33 cm (11-13 in) in length with a wingspan of 70-87 cm (27.5-34 in).

4. Great Egret

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Great Egret (Ardea alba), also known as the common egret, is a large all-white heron widespread in North American wetland. This tall, long-legged wading bird has yellow eyes and a yellowish-orange dagger-like bill. A dazzling sight to see, the elegant Great Egret has long, S-curved neck, black legs and feet. The adult can measure 80 to 104 cm (31 to 41 in) in length and have a wingspan of 131 to 170 cm (52 to 67 in) and can weigh from 700 to 1,500 g (1.5 to 3.3 lbs).

5. American White Ibis

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American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) is a medium-sized wading bird found from the mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coast of the United States and also occur in the Caribbean. The species habitat includes coastal freshwater, saltwater and brackish marshes, lagoons, mangrove swamps, mudflats and rice fields. This elegant and graceful bird has overall white plumage with pink facial skin, long, down-curved, bright red bill and long red legs. Adults measure 53 to 70 cm (21 to 28 in) with a 90 to 105 cm (35 to 41 in) wingspan and weighs from 592.7 to 861.3 g (1.307 to 1.899 lbs).

6. Red-tailed Tropicbird

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Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) is a medium-sized seabird that nests across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It has silky white plumage, a coral red bill and a small but conspicuous black eye stripe. It has black legs and feet and white tail. The elongated tail has red central streamers.

7. Masked Booby

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Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) is a large seabird which breeds on islands in tropical oceans, except in the eastern Atlantic. The masked booby lives on the open ocean. It only comes on land to breed and raise its young. It has a white body and dark grey facemask. Pointed orange-yellow bill, a brownish-black wings and a pointed black tail. Adult measures from 74–91 cm (29–36 in) long, with a 137–165 cm (54–65 in) wingspan and weighs about 1.2–2.35 kg (2.6–5.2 lb).

8. Snowy Owl

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Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) is a large, white owl with variable black bars and spots. The elegant snowy owl is North America's only all-white owl. It is easily recognizable by its bright yellow eyes and blackish beak. Full grown measure 52–71 cm (20–28 in) long, with a 125–150 cm (49–59 in) wingspan and can weigh anywhere from 1.6 to 3 kg (3.5 to 6.6 lbs).

9. Ivory Gull

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Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea) is a pure white gull which spends most of its entire life living on floating pack ice. In North America, it only breeds in the Canadian Arctic. It has black eyes, thick, blue bill with a yellow tip and black legs and feet. Adults measure 44 – 48 cm long with a 106 – 118 cm wingspan and weigh about 520 – 700 g.

10. American White Pelican

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American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is one of the largest North American seabirds. It breeds in interior North America, moving south and to the coasts, as far as Central America and South America, in winter. It has snowy white plumage with black flight feathers visible only when the wings are spread. This majestic pelican has a massive bill, a long neck, and very broad wings. Short legs, and short, square tails. An adult American white pelican measures 130–180 cm (50–70 in) long, a wingspan of about 240–300 cm (95–120 in) and weighs between 3.5 and 13.6 kg (7.7 and 30 lbs).

10 Most Popular Dog Breeds in the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Mon, 25 May 2015 08:54:00 -0700

There are no exact criteria in selecting the Top 10 Dog Breeds Most Favored by Pinoys Today. It's a matter of perspective. Several factors are considered but at the end of the day - it all boils down to what the home needs in a given situation. Find out who made the list and learn some facts about them as well.

10. Beagle

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If you’re looking for a mild-mannered companion for kids and adults alike, then the Beagle is the perfect dog for you. The Beagle is a happy, inquisitive, short-haired hound who makes a great family companion, an eager hunter in the field — or both! Their noses guide them through life, and they're never happier than when following an interesting scent. So watch out for those trash. though. That inquisitive nose can sure spread mischief round the house.

Resembling a miniature Foxhound, the Beagle are merry and fun loving, but being hounds, they can also be stubborn and require patient, creative training techniques. Because of its playful nature, firm training is required.

Still, many Pinoys have found comfort in their friendly nature because this little wonder is loving, sweet and gentle. Eager and happy to see everyone, greeting them with a wagging tail.

9. Poodle

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Beautiful, sophisticated, and intelligent, the Poodle stands out in the crowd. Poodles are affectionate family dog and make very good watchdogs for their size. Showing poise, grace and intelligence, many have found this impressive dog to be a very trainable dog. However, they need a regular daily morning walk for without the proper type and amount of exercise they may be high-strung and timid.

8. Pug

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'Big dog in a little body', that's how dog breeders described the pug. Square-proportioned, compact and of a cobby build, the pug is a large dog in a little space. This breed is a good choice for happy-go-lucky masters. For what reason? Pugs are known as the clowns of the canine world because they are comical and like to show off.

These playful dogs are also lovers - love to be the center of attention, and are heartsick if ignored. Pug thrives on human companionship! Pugs are intelligent, loyal, amiable, and affectionate with its family. Pugs seldom get into real mischief. Adults spend much of the day sleeping. Just one thing to remember, it bores easily without variety in its training.

7. Golden Retriever

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Smart, good-natured, and eager to please, the Golden Retriever excels as a family companion and working dog. And with its wavy blond fur, an amiable nature and playful personality, it is easy to understand why this charming dog is a fave for dog-lovers. Not only is it easy to train, the golden retriever has been known for its intelligence. And like other intelligent breeds, it needs to have a job to do, such as retrieving balls, carrying items in its mouth, or simply waking up family members. You should also remember that a golden retriever is definitely not a watchdog.

6. Dalmatian

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With its super-friendly nature, regal carriage and unique spots, you’ll find Dalmatians hard to resist. But this breed is definitely not for everyone. A Dalmatian requires an active owner who can provide plenty of training, socialization, and opportunities for hearty exercise. A Dalmatian must have adequate daily exercise and its high energy level can be exhausting to live with. One thing is sure - Dalmation he will be a great addition to your family given the right combination of love, discipline and training.

5. Shih Tzu

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The descendant of regal dogs of China, the Shih Tzu makes a loyal and lively friend. Shih Tzus 'little lion' may give poodles a run for their money when it comes to the well-dressed department. All those beautiful conflagration of hair is sure to wow your guests and bring your household more finesse than otherwise possible. Just like the poodle breed, you’d need to put extra effort in keeping this breed well-groomed. Don’t worry these dogs have been known to be very warm and friendly. Just don’t forget to keep them exercised so they can let all their energies out.

4. Chihuahua

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Meet the world's smallest dog. The Chihuahua is one dog breed many Pinoy love to have at home. Chihuahuas are loyal, entertaining, and affectionate. They love nothing more than being with his family. Also, Chihuahuas are intelligent and fast learners. It's important to remember to socialize your Chihuahua to children, adults, and other animals.

With its big eyes, big ears, and bigger-than-life attitude, the Chihuahua is the epitome of cocky canine in a petite package. This pint-sized pet is a curious explorer and fears nothing, which makes them good watchdogs.

3. German Shepherd

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Amazingly versatile, highly-intelligent and protective, the German Shepherd Dog has won Pinoy hearts a thousand times. Added to that, GSDs are courageous, alert and fearless. They will not think twice about giving their lives for their masters. Truly a guard dog.

On the sober side, GSDs are obedient, confident, clever and eager to learn. German Shepherds are cheerful, loyal, and love to be close to their families. They can be wary of strangers, but only bark when they feel it is necessary. This is a high-energy dog who needs a lot of activity and exercise. It is recommended to start training the dog at an early age with a firm and loving hand.

2. Doberman

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Noble and athletic, the Doberman Pinscher is a courageous guardian. Like a champion boxer, the Doberman is compactly-built, muscular, agile and athletic. Add intelligence, loyalty, gentleness to the mix and you have a courageous guard dog as well as a beloved family companion. These are the reasons why Dobermans are the most revered and most prized dog in our country. In spite of his positive qualities, the Dobie isn't the right breed for everyone. This able defender is huge at 30 – 40 kg (66 - 88 pounds) , and he's extremely active, both physically and mentally. He needs a lot of exercise.

1. Labrador Retriever

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Black Lab, yellow Lab, Silver Lab, Chocolate Lab — take your pick. The Labrador Retriever has won the hearts of millions of Filipinos the world over. The intelligent, muscular and athletic Labrador Retrievers have proven their usefulness and versatility - from fisherman's companion, to retriever for hunters, to show dog, to rescue dog, to therapy dog and to modern working dog. One role has remained constant: a friendly companion.

There's one dog job that Labs are hopeless at: watchdog. Nevertheless, the loyal, loving, and affectionate Labs are a symbol of warmth and friendship - making a great family dog.

Just don’t forget to harness its energy by exercise and play.

Meet the Seven Kingfishers Endemic to the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Mon, 18 May 2015 07:57:00 -0700

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 18 species occur in the Philippines. Furthermore, seven species of kingfisher are endemic to some of its islands.

If you are planning on a birding trip to the Philippines, then the country’s seven endemic kingfishers is a must-see experience. We have Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher for the major islands, Indigo-banded Kingfisher and Spotted Wood Kingfisher in Luzon, while Mindanao and its satellite islands have Silvery Kingfisher, Rufous-lored Kingfisher, and the Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher.

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1. Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher

The Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx melanurus) is a tiny, colorful, forest-dwelling kingfisher recognizable by its striking bright red bill and bright red legs. The species is found in the islands of Luzon, Polillo, Alabat, Catanduanes, Tablas, Samar, Leyte, Mindanao and Basilan. It prefers subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. The species is threatened by habitat loss.

This shy kingfisher measures 12 cm (4.72 in) and weighs 16·4 g (0.58 oz). Three subspecies are recognized, each of which differs in its range and appearance. (Ceyx melanurus melanurus) has reddish-brown plumage with washed lilac breast, rump, on the crown, and ear-coverts. A blue and white neck blaze, the throat and belly are white. The wings are glossy bluish-black, and black "V" mark on back.

(Ceyx melanurus samarensis) differs from Ceyx melanurus melanurus by having a darker back, a more lilac-washed head, and a slightly larger bill and wings. (Ceyx melanurus platenae) is larger, lacks any blue on the neck, more lilac, and less black in the wings.

2. Indigo-banded Kingfisher

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The Indigo-banded Kingfisher (Alcedo cyanopectus) is one of the most-striking kingfisher endemic to the Philippines. It is found in the islands of Luzon, Cebu, Mindoro, Negros and Panay. Its natural habitats include tropical or subtropical dry forests and tropical or subtropical mangrove forests. The species prefers clean freshwater rivers and streams where it hunts small fish, crabs and aquatic insects.

This colorful and also among the smallest kingfisher endemic to the Philippines measures 13.97 cm (5.5 in) in length. The Indigo-banded Kingfisher is classified as Least Concern.

3. Spotted Wood Kingfisher

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The Spotted-wood Kingfisher (Actenoides lindsayi) is endemic to Luzon and Negros and Panay. It is strictly a forest kingfisher found in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and usually seen near bodies of water. It feeds on insects, other invertebrates as well as small vertebrates.

One of the most colorful endemic kingfishers in the Philippines, the species is sexually dimorphic (the male looks different from the female).

4. Silvery Kingfisher

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The Silvery Kingfisher (Alcedo argentata) locally called kasay-kasay is found in Samar, Leyte and Bohol. A shy and inconspicuous kingfisher, it prefers subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rivers. The species is threatened by habitat loss due to extensive lowland deforestation throughout its range.

This small yet distinctive kingfisher has mainly black and white plumage with silvery-white rump and blaze on back. There are two subspecies of the silvery kingfisher; (Alcedo argentata argentata) easily recognized by its black head with silvery white spots, black wings and a silvery white back; and the smaller (Alcedo argentata flumenicola) with purple-washed underparts, and a creamy-colored throat. Silvery Kingfisher measures 14 cm (5.5 in) in length.

5. Brown-breasted Kingfisher

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The Brown-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon gularis) is a large kingfisher found in the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Negros, Panay and Samar. The species is found near coastal waters, estuaries, lagoons, and lakes. Adults measure 28 cm (11.02 in) long and sports bright blue back, wings and tail. Its has white neck and throat.

6. Rufous-lored kingfisher

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The Winchell's Kingfisher or the Rufous-lored Kingfisher (Todiramphus winchelli) is endemic to the Philippines widely distributed throughout the Visayas, and Mindanao. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. The species is listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss.

A medium-sized kingfisher, males measure 25 cm (9.8 in) long and weigh 60–64 g (2.11-2.25 oz). The male has white underparts and dark blue upperparts. A rusty-orange 'collar on the neck and shining blue on crown and rump.

7. Blue-capped Kingfisher

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The Blue-capped Kingfisher (Actenoides hombroni) is endemic to the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its habitat includes undisturbed rainforest, montane and mossy forest. This species qualifies as Vulnerable because it has a small, fragmented population, which is undergoing a rapid decline due to deforestation.

The blue-capped kingfisher is a stunning bird, known for its dark purple-blue crown and ‘moustache’. Blue-green upperparts and rufous-orange cheeks and underparts. Off-white throat, rest of underparts rufous-orange. It has a distinctive dagger-shaped, red bill. Blue-green upperparts of the same colour, and a prominent, dagger-shaped, red bill. The male measures 27 cm (10.62 in) long and weighs around 108–124 g (3.80-4.27 oz).

20 Animals That are Often Confused for One Another

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:39:00 -0700

It is amazing that nature has created such different animals to look the same. And often, we confused these animals for one another. Here are our favorite pairs of confusing animals and how to tell the difference.

1. Butterflies and Moths

Butterflies and moths belong to the order Lepidoptera and both shared things in common, like scales that cover their bodies and wings. But there are numerous physical and behavioral differences between the two insect types. How can we identify if the insect is a butterfly or a moth?

Behavior

Butterflies are diurnal (active during the day) On the other hand, moths are nocturnal (fly and feed at night). Though there are exceptions, including the sometimes-diurnal Gypsy moth and the Sunset moths. So the winged insect you see feeding from a flower in the middle of a sunny day is most likely a butterfly.

Antennae or Feelers

A butterfly’s antennae are club-shaped tipped by a bulb. Moth's generally have comb-like or feathery antennae.

Wings

Most butterflies sport larger and more vibrant colors. Moths are typically smaller, duller colors with obscuring patterns of zigzags or swirls. Furthermore, butterfly wings fold up vertically over their backs when at rest, while moth wings are more tent-like and over their abdomen when resting.

2. Rabbits and Hares

Rabbits and hares are often confused for one another, so much so that most of us have always assumed that “hare” was just another name for a rabbit. After all, these animals look almost identical -have long ears and hop around. However, rabbits and hares are quite different. For one, they're separate species!

Lifestyle and Behavior

• Hares have not been domesticated, while rabbits are often kept as house pets. So, what is being sold in pet shops are rabbits not hares.
• Baby rabbits, called kittens, are born furless and blind. On the other hand, baby hares, called leverets, are born with hair and open eyes.
• Hares tends to be a loner in life, while but rabbits are more social living in colonies with a dominant male.
• Hares live in simple nests above the ground, while rabbits (except the cottontail rabbit) live underground in burrows or warrens.

Physical Appearance

Hares are generally larger and faster than rabbits.

Ears, Legs and feet

Hares have longer ears that stick straight up from the head. Also, hares have stronger hind legs and bigger feet than rabbits.

Fur Coat

Rabbit's fur coat remains its color year-round, while hares change color from grayish brown in summer to white in winter.

Diet

Rabbits prefer softer foods like soft stems, grass and vegetables, on the other hand, hares prefer hard foods like bark, rind, buds and twigs.

3. Wasps and Bees

Bees and wasps all belong to the order Hymenoptera. They are also members of the suborder Apocrita, characterized by a common narrow waist. Both have larvae resembling maggots, and have unique ovipositors which they use to sting and inject venom.But what about their differences.

Behavior

• Wasps are more aggressiveness compared to bees who are more docile.
• Honey bees die after they sting someone. Wasps can sting multiple targets.
• Wasps live in papery nests. Hives Bees live in geometric wax hives.
• Bees are pollinators, spending much of their lives visiting various plants and flowers to gather and distribute pollen. Wasps, however, are predators or parasites of other insects. Their bodies are sleeker and more streamlined for hunting.

Physical Appearance

Bees have robust, hairy bodies with flat rear legs, while wasps are smoother and shiny with a narrow waist connecting the thorax and abdomen and have slender cylindrical-shaped legs.

4. Dolphins and Porpoises

Dolphins and porpoises (and whales) are all mammals that belong to the order Cetacea. All are air-breathing, warm-blooded mammals that give birth to live young. But if we look closer, there is a big difference between a dolphin and a porpoise.

Physical Appearance

• Porpoises are rarely longer than 7 feet, while dolphins can be 10 feet long or longer!
• Dolphins also tend to be leaner and sleeker, while porpoises are more compact and often look chubby in comparison.
• Dolphins generally have prominent, beak-like, pointed snouts. Porpoises have blunt, rounded noses.
• Dolphins have dorsal fins that are more curved like a wave. Porpoises, on the other hand, have triangular dorsal fins, like a shark.
• Dolphin teeth are cone-shaped. Porpoise teeth are flat and rectangular.

Behavior

• Dolphins live in large groups and show little fear of humans. They are outgoing and will often interact with humans and even swim alongside boats. Porpoises, on the other hand, live in small pods of two to four animals and are quite shy. They rarely approach boats or people.
• Dolphins produce sounds that humans can hear. Porpoises, on the other hand, make sounds that humans cannot hear.

Life Expectancy

Most porpoises only live 15 to 20 years, while dolphins can live up to 50 years or more.

5. Llamas and Alpacas

Llamas and alpacas are even-toed ungulates that belong to the family Camelidae. But aside from this fact, there really are a lot of differences between llamas and alpacas. For one, llamas have been bred as a pack-carrying animal. Alpacas, on the other hand, had been bred as fiber-producing animals. Here are other differences between the two animals.

Physical Appearance

• The llama is roughly twice the size of the alpaca. An adult llamas can reach up to 400 pounds, while an adult alpaca weighs between 100 and 175 pounds.
• Llamas have longer faces while alpacas have more of a smushed face.
• Llamas have little hair on their face and head, while alpacas have a large tuft of hair on the top of their head that falls into their eyes.
• Llamas have a very coarse outer coat over a softer inner coat, while alpacas have a very fine, single coat.
• Llamas have long banana-shaped ears while alpacas have short spear-shaped ears.

6. Seals and Sea lions

Seals and sea lions are both pinnipeds, meaning they are fin-footed marine animals, but here’s how they differ:

Physical Appearance

• Seals are generally smaller than sea lions.
• A seal’s front flippers are short and not very strong (and as a result, they will often belly crawl) while sea lions have long, strong, flexible flippers enabling it to "walk" on land.
• Seals have stubby, thinly webbed flippers for their front feet, with a claw on each small toe, while sea lions have larger, skin-covered flippers.
• Seals lack external ears, while sea lions have small flaps.
• Seals have whiskers that are crimped or beaded, while sea lions have long whiskers.

Behavior

• Seals swim by steering with foreflippers and powering with hindflipers, while sea lions swim underwater using foreflippers like wings of a bird.
• Seals are loners and quiet, who spend most of their life in the water. On the other hand, sea lions are social and noisy, often gathering in herds of up to 1500 individuals barking to each other.

7. Crocodiles and Alligators

Crocodiles and alligators are both reptiles from the order Crocodylia. Both shares many similarities. But what are the real differences between them?

Physical Appearance

• Crocodiles tend to have a lighter appearance than alligators.
• Crocodiles have a longer head and a more more pointed stout shaped like a "V." Alligator heads are shorter and with a rounded snout shaped like a "U."
• When a crocodile snouts are shut, many of the teeth protrude outside along the jawline. On the other hand, when an alligator snouts are closed, most of its teeth are hidden.

Behavior

• Crocodiles are more aggressive than alligators.
• Crocodiles are better adapted to living in seawater.
• Crocodiles in the wild are found all over the world while alligators are only found in the US and China.

8. Frogs and Toads

While both frogs and toads belong to the order Anura, commonly known as the frog family, there are differences between the two.

Physical Appearance

• Most frogs have smooth, wet skin that makes them look “slimy”, while toads usually have dry, thicker bumpy skin.
• Frogs have a narrow body. Toads have a wider body.
• Frogs have longer, stronger hind legs, while toads have shorter and less powerful hind legs.
• Frogs have higher, rounder, bulgier eyes, while toads have lower, football shaped eyes.

Behavior

• Frogs need to live near water, while toads do not need to live near water to survive.
• Frogs take long high jumps, while toads take small hops rather than jump.
• Frogs arrange their eggs in a grape-like cluster, while toads generally lay their eggs in a strand.

9. Turtles and Tortoises

Tortoises and turtles are both reptiles from the order Chelonia that are characterized by the bony or cartilaginous shells formed from their ribs. They may look alike to most people, but they are quite different from each other. The major difference between the two is where they live and how they use their habitat.

Habitat

Turtles live mostly in water, while tortoises dwell on land.

Physical Appearance

• Turtles have webbed feet with claws for swimming, while tortoises have short, stumpy feet that are not webbed.
• Turtles generally have flat, and streamlined shells. Tortoise have heavier and more dome-like shells.
• Turtles have visible irises where as most tortoises have black irises that blend in with the pupil.

Behavior

• Turtles are primary omnivores feeding on fruits, veggies and meat, while tortoises are herbivore (though they have been known to eat insects, worms, or carrion occasionally).
• Turtle hatchlings stay in their nest on their own for 90-120 days. Tortoise hatchlings move from their nest to the mothers burrow soon after birth.

Lifespan

Turtles can live 20-40 years. The oldest recorded was 86 years. Tortoises 80-150 years. The longest living Tortoise is 326 years.

10. Lizards and Salamanders

Lizards and salamanders seem similar, but they are very different from one another. Lizards are reptiles while salamanders are amphibians.Other differences include.

Behavior

• Lizards can be found in a number of climates, including those that are hot and dry. Salamanders are found close to water.
• Salamanders lay eggs without shells, and must lay them in a moist environment. Lizard eggs have shells and their nests are typically in the sand.
• Salamanders hatchling go through metamorphosis — from tadpole to adult—just as frogs do. As opposed to newborn lizards which are miniatures of their parents.

Physical Appearance

• Lizards have dry and scaly skin, while salamanders have smooth and moist skin without scales.
• Lizards have claws and ear openings, while salamander have no claws and ear openings.
• Lizards have 5 fingers and 5 toes, while salamanders have 4 fingers and 5 toes.
• Lizards have longer toes, while salamanders have stumpy toes.
• Lizards have long limbs and move by creeping, while salamanders have short limbs and move fastly.

10 Most Funny Looking Dog Breeds

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Sat, 2 May 2015 02:44:00 -0700

Dogs come in sizes and looks... but these 10 dog breeds are simply funny-looking ones. Check them out!

1. Puli

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Look at those dreadlocks. Am I seeing a Jamaican moving mop? Or this dog simply imitating Bob Marley's signature dreadlocks? One thing is sure, this funny looking dog breed hails from Hungary.

The Puli is famous for its long, corded coat whose tight curls make it virtually water resistant. They’re energetic, intelligent and loyal. Definitely, these usually black dogs be the center of attention in your home.

2. Chinese Crested

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Chinese crested usually comes out the winner in the yearly "Most Ugly Dog" contest. But to fair, they ain't ugly at all, just exotic looking dog breed. Contrary to popular belief, Chinese Crested originated from Africa and not in China.

The breed comes in two types: with fur (Powder Puff) and the (Hairless), with silky hair on the head (the crest), tail (plume), and feet (socks).

He's a beauty - elegant and graceful and full of surprises. This dog is, amazingly, incredibly tolerant of heat! A Chinese Crested can lie in 100-degree sun for hours - no need to wear sun block or moisturizing lotion to protect its skin.

3. Bedlington Terrier

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Is this beauty disguising as a lamb just to get fair treatment from his master? Nope, this really is a funny looking dog! A native of Bedlington, England, this lamblike dog with a wedge-shaped head, triangular eyes, and wooly hair is wooly hair is perfect for allergy-prone dog owners.

4. Brussels Griffon

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With its distinct, eye-catching fuzzy beards, the Brussels Griffon is definitely a stunner. Named after its city of origin: Brussels, Belgium, this terrier-like Brussels Griffon is a small dog with a big personality! Billed as a dog "full of self-importance," the hilarious looking toy dog is proud, spunky, energetic, and comical. Even with his miniature look, he is a 'bossy' dog - able to dominate other dogs.

5. Bergamasco

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Will somebody calls a hair stylish. This dog needs a hair makeover. The Bergamasco is another mop dog which traces its origin in the Italian Alps near Bergamo. He is a herding dog with the unusual matted coat. The coat may come in gray or silver gray to brown and black. With a funny looking dog like this, herding and guarding sheep and cattle in the Italian Alps is a fun experience.

6. Xoloitzcuintli

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The Xoloitzcuintli or (Xolo for short) is a breed of dog native to Mexico and Central America. Sometimes called the Mexican Hairless, the Xoloitzcuintli or (Xolo for short) is not only funny looking but also a rare breed of dog.

In their native Mexico and Central America, locals believe this dog has special 'healing power'. They believe that the heat given off by their body is a cure for certain ailments.

Prized as both a companion and guard dog, Xolos may come in three sizes: toy, miniature and standard.

7. Neapolitan Mastiff

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With its massive wrinkles and sags, only his master will love this funny looking dog. But don't be deceived by its look, this gentle giant is fearless. His massive size and bestial appearance makes him an ideal guard dog. Just bear with his loud snoring, snuffling, and drooling.

8. Bull Terrier

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This highly unusual looking dog made our list because of its distinctive looks – an 'egg shaped' head and unique triangle-shaped eyes.

Exuberant, playful, mischievous, comical, assertive, stubborn best describes the bull terrier.

9. Komondor

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Another pride of Hungary, the Komondor is acclaimed for its long, white corded coat. What really makes this funny looking canine remarkable is its fur: reaching up to 27 cm in length, the Komondor has the thickest fur in the canine world. That’s one shaggy dog!

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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To round up our list, the plucky Dandie Dinmont Terrier can certainly bring chuckles. This rare (and quite nearly extinct) dog breed owns an elongated body, short little legs and a peculiar silken "top-knot" of hair on the head.

Adding beauty to this small dog is its large, round, wide-set eyes; a well-defined muzzle and a "scimitar" tail covered with a rather crisp double coat.

10 Intriguing Black Birds

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 00:41:00 -0700

If I ask you to name three black birds, then without thinking you'll give these names; crow, raven and hawk. You're absolutely right. But what if I asked for a list of 10 intriguing black birds. So sure you will scratch your head. Am I right?

To help you out, here is my list of 10 intriguing black birds. Go check it out and learn some interesting facts about them as well.

Anhinga

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The Anhinga (Anhinga Anhinga), sometimes called snakebird, American darter, or water turkey, is a large, dark waterbird with long tail found in freshwater ponds and swamps in the warmer parts of the Americas. Like other darters, the Anhinga hunts by spearing fishes and other small prey using its sharp, thin beak.

It is a dark-plumaged piscivore with an S-shaped, thin neck; a long, thin, pointed bill, a long tail and yellow webbed feet. Adult measures 85 cm (33 in) in body length, a wingspan of 117 cm (46 in), and a mass of up to 1.35 kg (3.0 lb)

Anhingas are sexually dimorphic; males have brighter colors than females. Males have greenish-black plumage overall, with a cluster of silver/white feathers on his wings. They also have black crests. Females are distinguishable by their buff-tan head, neck, and upper chest.

Rusty Blackbird

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The Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) is a medium-sized blackbird, closely related to grackles. The species forages on ground of wet forested areas, breeding in the boreal forest and muskeg across Canada and Alaska. These birds migrate to the eastern and southeastern United States. Formerly abundant, the species are experiencing rapid population decline.

Males have glossy-black plumage, a thin, pointed bill and a pale yellow eye. Females sports grayer plumage.

Adults measure 22–25 cm (8.5–9.8 in) body length, wingspan of 36 cm (14 in)and weigh 60 g (2.1 oz). The tail is around 8.5–9.45 cm (3.35–3.72 in).

Black Vulture

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The Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) also known as the American black vulture, is a large raptor found in the southeastern United States to Central Chile and Uruguay in South America. The species prefers relatively open areas which provide scattered forests or shrublands.

This New World vulture has sooty black plumage, a bare grayish-black head, and wrinkled neck; a short, hooked beak, white-tipped wings, and broad, rounded wings.

Adults measure 55-68 cm (22-27 in),a wingspan of 1.3-1.5 m (4.5-5 ft), and weigh 0.9-1.8 kg (2-4 lbs).

Smooth-billed Ani

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The Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani) is a medium-sized near passerine bird of the tropical savannas in the Caribbean and South America. The species prefers open fields, pastures, or marshes.

Adults have glossy black overall plumage, thick bill, short wings and long tail.

Northern phainopepla

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The Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) or Northern Phainopepla is a small, flycatcher-like bird with glossy black body found as far north as the United States and south to central Mexico. The species is considered birds of the desert scrublands, oak foothills, mesquites, and mistletoe clumps.

Males have glossy black overall plumage, distinct crest, and short, slender black bill. White wing patch, long tail and black legs and feet.

Pelagic Cormorant

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The Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus), also known as Baird's cormorant, is a small, slender cormorant of the Pacific Coast found in inshore coastal waters. It breeds from the Bering Sea south to northern Baja California. It winters south of southern Alaska. It nests on sea cliffs and rocky islands. It feeds mainly on eating fish and crustaceans.

Adults have glossy black plumage with white patches on flanks. They have a long, slender neck and a dark, curved bill and a long, slender neck. Males and females look alike, though the latter is a bit smaller.

Adults measure 64-89 cm (25-35 in) long, with a wingspan of 100–121 cm (39.4–47.6 in) and weigh 1370–2440 g 1,474–2,438 g (48.3–86.1 oz ).

Great-tailed Grackle

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The Great-tailed Grackle or Mexican Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) is a medium-sized, passerine bird native to North and South America. The species preferred habitats include farmland, irrigated fields, marshes, and suburban lawns.

The male Great-tailed Grackle have jet-black and purple plumage overall. Long tail, yellow eyes and black bill and legs. Females sport brownish-black feathers.

Adults measure 43 cm (18.1 in), with a wingspan of 58 cm (22.8 in), weigh 230 g (8.1 oz). Females are smaller than males.

California Condor

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The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is the largest flying bird in North America. This intriguing black bird lives in rocky, forested regions, including canyons, gorges and mountains. These excellent gliders travel widely to feed on carcasses of cattle, deer, pigs, sea lions, whales, and other animals. It is one of the world's longest-living birds, with a lifespan of up to 60 years.

Adults are black with patches of white under the wings and exceptionally long and broad wings. The bare-skinned head and neck are red- orange; brownish red eyes, an ivory-colored bill, gray legs and feet. Adult coloration is reached at 6-8 years of age.

The overall length can range from 109-140 cm (43-55 in) and a wingspan from 2.49-3 m (8.2-9.8 ft). Their weight varies from 8-9 kg (18-20 lb).

Common Hill Myna

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The Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa) is a common bird in hilly regions of South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species prefers areas where rainfall and humidity are both high. It is a popular cage bird, renowned for its ability to mimic the sounds of their surroundings.

It is overall green-glossed black plumage with a prominent white wing patch. It has purple-tinged on the head and neck; bright orange bill and yellow legs and feet. Males and females are similar in appearance. This intriguing bird The averages 27-30 cm (10.62-11.81 in) in length.

Eurasian Coot

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The Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) is a noisy bird found in Europe, Asia, Australia and parts of Africa. The species preferred habitats include vegetated lagoons and swamps.

The Eurasian Coot has black plumage and red bill with cream-white tip. White frontal shield, orange-red head and bright red eye.

Adults measure 32–42 cm (13–17 in) long and weigh 585–1,100 g (1.290–2.425 lb).

5 Key Tips For Finding A Lost Dog

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 06:57:00 -0700

Every dog owner will tell you that their dog is not simply a pet. Their dog is a family member. This is why it can be a truly traumatic time if a family loses their dog. Regardless of how the dog got away, the actions you take immediately following can determine if you get your valued family member back or not.

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Many dog owners today are saved by a microchip. This small chip is implanted in the dog, usually at the same time it is under anesthesia while being spayed or neutered. The chip provides GPS tracking in the case the dog is lost or even stolen.

However, if your dog is not microchipped, all is not lost. There are a handful of steps you can follow, in no particular order, that can help you recover your furry friend.

Search for Your Dog

Immediately after noticing the absence of your dog, you should go out looking for him or her. Get family, friends, and neighbors to help with canvassing the neighborhood. Checking places you think your pet might be is usually not successful. When a dog gets loose, there is not telling where he or she might go.

You should walk and drive around the neighborhood calling for your pet by name. People searching on foot can check down small alleys, walking trails, and parks. If you are in the car and searching for your dog, drive slow, call for pet by name with the windows rolled down, and make frequent stops with the vehicle off to listen.

Searching for your dog at night or at dawn is often the best solution. You have much less exterior activity going on which not only creates less noise for you to try to break through, but it also provides less stimulant for your dog.

Make Posters and Info Cards

After a quick yet thorough search, you should take the time to create posters and informational cards. You should make as many posters as you possibly can, with a very simple statement of “LOST DOG” at the top. This should be easy to read even if the person is driving their car. Describe your dog and then include an image if possible. You should also include your dog’s name and offer a reward, but don’t state how much. Then, obviously, include your own contact information.

In addition to posters, you can create informational index cards to pass around the neighborhood. This too should include your pet’s description, name, along with your own contact information. You can even request that people check their sheds or hidden areas of their yards. Leave the index cards wherever people are going to pick it up. You can deliver it door-to-door, slide it into people’s doors, place them under windshields, or place them in mailboxes.

Place a “Lost” Ad in the Paper

A lot of local newspapers allow pet owners to place “Lost” ads for free. Despite how much you read the paper, you never know who might check that section frequently or who may have information about your dog’s whereabouts but have no idea who to contact. In a lost dog situation, every set of eyes matters.

Enlist the Help of Social Media

Believe it or not, social media has been a huge success in terms of helping dog owners find lost dogs. Pet lovers are quick to share and like pet related posts, and missing pets are no different. These fellow dog owners know the importance of returning a pet home and will have no hesitation in reaching out to their own networks to enlist help.

Again, the more people that are aware of the missing dog, the higher the odds are that the dog gets returned. There is no quicker way to spread the word than through a viral Facebook post.

Contact and Visit Local Vets, Shelters, and Pounds

Finally, you should be contacting local veterinarians, shelters, and pounds. You should even contact vet clinics or emergency vet hospitals outside of your local area. Some good Samaritans pick up strays but may unknowingly bring them further away from their home if they know of a responsible animal hospital.

You should also be contacting local shelters, dogs pounds, kennels, and police. Police can help contact animal control as well as their fellow comrades in blue. Kennels will often take in dogs if one of their employees happens upon a stray. When it comes to dog pounds and shelters, a simple call may not suffice. Unfortunately you can’t always take their word for it when they say that they don’t have a dog that meets your description. You should visit the pounds and shelters daily, personally viewing all of the dogs they have.

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10 Strikingly Odd Backyard Chickens

noreply@blogger.com (papaleng) — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 03:42:00 -0700

Chickens are just great to have in a farm or backyard. Some chicken breeds are picked for their tender meat, while others are chosen for their great egg-laying traits. A number of breeds are excellent in both of those fields. But how about selecting chickens that are weird-looking!

So, if you go for the weird-looking ones, then here's a list of 10 strikingly odd backyard chicken.

Check them out, and learn a few things about them as well.

Silkie

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The Silkie is a breed of chicken named for its unusual fluffy plumage. Some breeders often called this chicken a "walking cotton ball". The breed traces its origin in ancient China. The breed features some odd qualities such as blue earlobes, black skin and bones, and five toes on each foot, whereas most chickens only have four.

Silkies are such cute chickens, since you can hardly see its eyes, and only a glimpse of its beak is visible. And yes, even a portion of its legs and feet is concealed by its silky feathers.

They are relatively small chickens, with the males weighing only 1.8 kg (4 lbs) pounds, and females weighing 1.36 kg (3 lbs).

These strikingly odd chickens are often kept as ornamental fowl and are considered an ideal pet by backyard keepers. Silkies appear in two distinct varieties: Bearded and Non-bearded.

Frizzle

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The Frizzle looks as if it has just stepped out of a beauty parlor; wearing a peculiar curled or frizzled plumage. The breed is thought to have originated in Asia.

The Frizzle developed from a mutation which makes the chicken’s feathers curl upwards curve outward instead of the normal look where feathers are straight and going downward.

Some chicken breeders consider the Frizzle a totally unique breed; and are kept mostly for its ornamental value.

Araucana

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The Araucana or South American Rumpless is a breed of chicken originating in Chile. A rare chicken breed, partly due to being difficult to breed because a high percentage of the chicks die in their shells.

The Araucana breed is characterized by the feather tufts around the ears, absence of tail or rump, and the breed is known for laying blue eggs!

Onagadori

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The Onagadori known for its striking long tail, is a breed of chicken which traces its roots in Japan. These chickens can achieve tail lengths from 3.65 - 8.2 m (12 - 27 ft). Under good housing and special care, these feathers never molt, thus can continue to grow through the life of the rooster.

If you’re looking for an easy-maintenance chicken, then this breed isn't for you. Just imagine keeping their tails clean!

The Laced Polish

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The Laced Polish is a unique breed of chicken characterized by its V-shaped comb and its huge bouffant crest of feathers, which virtually covers the whole of the bird's head! It is the most popular of the crested breeds. Polish chickens come with or without beards on their faces.

The range of colors is quite extensive. The most popular are the White Crested variants: these come in black, blue and cuckoo. Originally, these funny looking chickens were bred and kept as egg laying chickens, but today the breed is primarily bred for ornamental value.

La Fleche

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The La Flèche is a rare breed of chicken whose roots originates from France. The breed's main distinguishing feature is its unusual V-shaped comb that looks like horns. Thus, this strikingly odd chicken is also called the Devil Bird!

The breed was once famous for its fine meat; but are now kept as ornamental birds.

A medium-sized chicken with black plumage, white earlobes; La Fleche also are found as bantams.

Naked Neck

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The Naked Neck, also called the Turken, is a peculiar breed of chicken that is characterized by its 'featherless' neck and vent. The breed originates from Hungary but was largely developed in Germany.

This breed has approximately half the feathers of other chickens, making it resistant to hot weather and easier to pluck.

Despite its highly odd appearance, the Naked Neck breed is not considered as an exhibition bird, but as a dual-purpose chicken. They are good layers of brown eggs, and are good for meat production.

The Naked Neck can be found in several different color variants including black, white, buff, blue, red and cuckoo.

Sultan

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The Sultan is a breed of chicken originating in Turkey. The breed has always been kept for its ornamental value. They are wonderful for show, because their "attire" is so impressive and outlandish.

Sultans have a great deal of decorative plumage, including large, puffy crests, a V-shaped comb, beards, muffs, long tails, and abundant foot feathering. The breed is also one of a few chicken breeds to have five toes on each foot.

The smallest of the large breeds of chickens, males weigh around 2.7 kilos (6 pounds) and hens 2 kilos (4 pounds. Sultans also come with bantam version.

Sultans appear in three color variants: Black, Blue, and White.

Sebright

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The Sebright is a breed of chicken named after its developer, Sir John Saunders Sebright. Sebrights are a very special breed of bantam chicken in that the males and females have exactly the same feathering. Males are devoid of the long, sickle–shaped feathers common in most roosters that appear at the tail, neck and saddle.

Furthermore, it is considered a 'true' bantam (meaning there is no standard (large) version of the breed).

There are two types of Sebright bantams; the gold-laced and the silver-laced bantam.

Ayam Cemani

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The Ayam Cemani is a relatively new and a rare breed of chicken originating in Indonesia. These chickens sport a 'completely black' appearance! Black plumage, black skin, black beak and tongue, black comb and wattles, black legs and toe nails; even their meat and internal organs appear dark black.

Ayam Cemani get their black coloring from a generic trait known as ‘fibromelanosis’, that promotes the proliferation of black pigment cells.

One of the most beautiful chickens in the world; Ayam Cemani takes ‘black’ into an entirely different realm. The breed is referred to as the “Lamborghini of poultry.”