Mammals

Spectacled Bear

Admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 23:21:24 +0000

The last of its kind, the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatu) is the only remaining member of the ’short-faced’ bear subfamily (Tremarctina). They are also known as the Andean Bear, and known as ukuko, ucumari, or jukumari to the locals. Native to South America, the Spectacled Bear is a small species of bear. Females are the smaller [...]

Weasels

Admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:12:07 +0000

As far as this article is concerned, Weasels are referring to the family of carnivorous mammals called Mustelidae. In related circles, Mustelidae is commonly referred to as “the Weasel family”. This is not exactly accurate however, as Weasels themselves form an individual genus within the family, called Mustela. In the past, the family Mustelidae has [...]

Japanese Otter

Admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:00:57 +0000

The Japanese Otter (Lutra nippon) is an otter native to Japan, and its classification has come under some scrutiny. While some groups classify the Japanese Otter as Lutra nippon as mentioned, the IUCN actually classifies it as part of Lutra lutra, and is rated as ‘Near Threatened’ by the IUCN. Groups that classify it as [...]

White-nosed Coati

Admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:18:15 +0000

The White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica) is native to the area stretching from Colombia up to New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. They stay in both moist and dry wooded areas with altitudes below 11,500 ft. The White-nosed Coati is a member of the Raccoon family (Procyonidae). These mammals are also known as the Antoon, the Pizote, [...]

Bearded Pig

Admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 08:15:11 +0000

The Bearded Pig (Sus barbatus) can be distinguished by it’s very prominent and unruly ‘beard’. They are also known as the Bornean Bearded Pig. In addition to the beard, some of these pigs also have tassels on their tails. Southeast Asia is the main area where the Bearded Pig can be found. This area includes the [...]

Townsend’s Big-eared Bat

Admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:56:59 +0000

Townsend’s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) is native to the North American countries of Canada, Mexico and the United States of America. It is a vesper bat (meaning ‘evening’) and part of the Vespertilionidae family. They tend to stay and live near rocky areas, concentrated where old mine tunnels or caves are abundant. Without these areas, [...]

Antarctic Minke Whale

Admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:19:24 +0000

The Antarctic Minke Whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) is one of two species of Minke Whales within the Rorqual family. They are also known as the Southern Minke Whale. This species of whale is considered ‘data deficient’ by the IUCN, but population estimates are around 500,000. In comparison to other Rorquals and Baleen Whales, the Antarctic Minke Whale [...]

European Cave Bear

Admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:08:50 +0000

Extinct for about 27,500 years, the European Cave Bear (Ursus spelaeus) as a species became victim to the Last Glacial Maximum during the Pleistocene era. The European Cave Bear, or just Cave Bear, received its name from the fact that many of their fossils were discovered inside caves. This means the Cave Bear spent more [...]

Dwarf Panda

Admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:28:00 +0000

The extinct Dwarf Panda (Ailuropoda minor) came in at roughly half the size of today’s Giant Panda. The Dwarf Panda reached lengths of 3 feet. Even though the Dwarf Panda has been extinct for a long time, their size wasn’t really known until a skull was discovered in China in 2007. Dwarf Panda Food The Dwarf Panda, [...]

Mongooses

Admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:26:51 +0000

The Mongoose family (Herpestidae) contains 30 species of mammals. They are all carnivores, and range in size from 1 foot to 4 feet in length, and from 280 g to 4 kg in weight. Intelligence is a trait seen in some mongoose species, and as such, they have been successfully domesticated, and even taught tricks. They [...]