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14 September 2014

Sunday

 

 

Orangutan

 

The Malay word orangutan means "person of the forest." These long-haired, orangish primates, found only in Sumatra and Borneo, are highly intelligent and are close relatives of humans.

 

Orangutans have an enormous arm span. A male may stretch his arms some 7 feet (2 meters) from fingertip to fingertip—a reach considerably longer than his standing height of about 5 feet (1.5 meters). When orangutans do stand, their hands nearly touch the ground.

 

Orangutans' arms are well suited to their lifestyle because they spend much of their time (some 90 percent) in the trees of their tropical rain forest home. They even sleep aloft in nests of leafy branches. They use large leaves as umbrellas and shelters to protect themselves from the common rains.

 

These primates forage for food during daylight hours. Most of their diet consists of fruit and leaves gathered from rain forest trees. They also eat bark, insects and, on rare occasions, meat.

 

Orangutans are more solitary than other apes. Males are loners. As they move through the forest they make plenty of rumbling, howling calls to ensure that they stay out of each other's way. The "long call" can be heard 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) away.

 

Because orangutans live in only a few places, and because they are so dependent upon trees, they are particularly susceptible to logging in these areas. Unfortunately, deforestation and other human activities, such as hunting, have placed the orangutan in danger of extinction.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ACdcbUa.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/vm7fLFj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9j5FVIl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6U7N6w2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LCh3CYU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9c7EQti.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HJxsXFt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HmEO6LD.jpg

 

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14 September 2014

Sunday

 

 

Orangutan

 

The Malay word orangutan means "person of the forest." These long-haired, orangish primates, found only in Sumatra and Borneo, are highly intelligent and are close relatives of humans.

 

Orangutans have an enormous arm span. A male may stretch his arms some 7 feet (2 meters) from fingertip to fingertip—a reach considerably longer than his standing height of about 5 feet (1.5 meters). When orangutans do stand, their hands nearly touch the ground.

 

Orangutans' arms are well suited to their lifestyle because they spend much of their time (some 90 percent) in the trees of their tropical rain forest home. They even sleep aloft in nests of leafy branches. They use large leaves as umbrellas and shelters to protect themselves from the common rains.

 

These primates forage for food during daylight hours. Most of their diet consists of fruit and leaves gathered from rain forest trees. They also eat bark, insects and, on rare occasions, meat.

 

Orangutans are more solitary than other apes. Males are loners. As they move through the forest they make plenty of rumbling, howling calls to ensure that they stay out of each other's way. The "long call" can be heard 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) away.

 

Because orangutans live in only a few places, and because they are so dependent upon trees, they are particularly susceptible to logging in these areas. Unfortunately, deforestation and other human activities, such as hunting, have placed the orangutan in danger of extinction.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ACdcbUa.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/vm7fLFj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9j5FVIl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6U7N6w2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LCh3CYU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9c7EQti.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HJxsXFt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HmEO6LD.jpg

 

Clyde! :D Love Orangutans...although, thanks to those movies, I always associate them with country music and Clint Eastwood fist fighting.

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14 September 2014

Sunday

 

 

Orangutan

 

The Malay word orangutan means "person of the forest." These long-haired, orangish primates, found only in Sumatra and Borneo, are highly intelligent and are close relatives of humans.

 

Orangutans have an enormous arm span. A male may stretch his arms some 7 feet (2 meters) from fingertip to fingertip—a reach considerably longer than his standing height of about 5 feet (1.5 meters). When orangutans do stand, their hands nearly touch the ground.

 

Orangutans' arms are well suited to their lifestyle because they spend much of their time (some 90 percent) in the trees of their tropical rain forest home. They even sleep aloft in nests of leafy branches. They use large leaves as umbrellas and shelters to protect themselves from the common rains.

 

These primates forage for food during daylight hours. Most of their diet consists of fruit and leaves gathered from rain forest trees. They also eat bark, insects and, on rare occasions, meat.

 

Orangutans are more solitary than other apes. Males are loners. As they move through the forest they make plenty of rumbling, howling calls to ensure that they stay out of each other's way. The "long call" can be heard 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) away.

 

Because orangutans live in only a few places, and because they are so dependent upon trees, they are particularly susceptible to logging in these areas. Unfortunately, deforestation and other human activities, such as hunting, have placed the orangutan in danger of extinction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ACdcbUa.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/vm7fLFj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9j5FVIl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6U7N6w2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LCh3CYU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9c7EQti.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HJxsXFt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HmEO6LD.jpg

 

Clyde! :D Love Orangutans...although, thanks to those movies, I always associate them with country music and Clint Eastwood fist fighting.

 

 

:facepalm:

Edited by substancewithoutstyle
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15 September 2014

Monday

 

 

Indian Rhinoceros

 

The Indian rhinoceros lives primarily in northern India and Nepal. These massive beasts have some noticeable physical differences from their African relatives. Their segmented hide looks like a formidable coat of natural body armor. It functions a bit like one also: Flexible skin between the thicker hide "plates" allows them to shift as the rhinoceros moves.

 

Like other rhinos, these animals have sharp hearing and a keen sense of smell. They may find one another by following the trail of scent each enormous animal leaves behind it on the landscape. An Indian rhino can move very quickly when aroused. Their charges have been clocked at 30 miles (48 kilometers) an hour. Despite their bulk, they are nimble and can jump or change direction quickly.

 

The Indian rhino is a grazer that travels established, tunnel-like paths through its tall-grass habitat. It grasps tall grasses with its prehensile (gripping) lip. In addition to grass, rhinos eat fruit, leaves, and sometimes farm crops. They are often around water and sometimes consume aquatic plants. These animals forage in the cooler temps of morning and afternoon to avoid exerting themselves in the debilitating midday heat. When the sun is high, they often wallow or submerge themselves in water.

 

The prominent horn for which these rhinos are so well known has also been their downfall. Many animals have been killed for this hard, hair-like growth, which is revered for medicinal use in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The horn is also valued in North Africa and the Middle East as an ornamental dagger handle. There are only about 2,000 Indian rhinos left in the wild.

 

 

Range:

http://i.imgur.com/VOAAV0L.gif

 

http://i.imgur.com/NsHVKoK.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/rxLp1Bt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ukyfdmu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/W4FdeBa.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3t1Lrfj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/zCWTRYW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/w7JLnLF.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5vsvhjv.jpg

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15 September 2014

Monday

 

 

Indian Rhinoceros

 

The Indian rhinoceros lives primarily in northern India and Nepal. These massive beasts have some noticeable physical differences from their African relatives. Their segmented hide looks like a formidable coat of natural body armor. It functions a bit like one also: Flexible skin between the thicker hide "plates" allows them to shift as the rhinoceros moves.

 

Like other rhinos, these animals have sharp hearing and a keen sense of smell. They may find one another by following the trail of scent each enormous animal leaves behind it on the landscape. An Indian rhino can move very quickly when aroused. Their charges have been clocked at 30 miles (48 kilometers) an hour. Despite their bulk, they are nimble and can jump or change direction quickly.

 

The Indian rhino is a grazer that travels established, tunnel-like paths through its tall-grass habitat. It grasps tall grasses with its prehensile (gripping) lip. In addition to grass, rhinos eat fruit, leaves, and sometimes farm crops. They are often around water and sometimes consume aquatic plants. These animals forage in the cooler temps of morning and afternoon to avoid exerting themselves in the debilitating midday heat. When the sun is high, they often wallow or submerge themselves in water.

 

The prominent horn for which these rhinos are so well known has also been their downfall. Many animals have been killed for this hard, hair-like growth, which is revered for medicinal use in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The horn is also valued in North Africa and the Middle East as an ornamental dagger handle. There are only about 2,000 Indian rhinos left in the wild.

 

 

 

Range:

http://i.imgur.com/VOAAV0L.gif

 

http://i.imgur.com/NsHVKoK.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/rxLp1Bt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ukyfdmu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/W4FdeBa.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3t1Lrfj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/zCWTRYW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/w7JLnLF.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5vsvhjv.jpg

Now that's a tough looking customer

Those two birds :LOL: the one at the front looks like it's telling the Rhino to swim faster

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15 September 2014

Monday

 

 

Indian Rhinoceros

 

The Indian rhinoceros lives primarily in northern India and Nepal. These massive beasts have some noticeable physical differences from their African relatives. Their segmented hide looks like a formidable coat of natural body armor. It functions a bit like one also: Flexible skin between the thicker hide "plates" allows them to shift as the rhinoceros moves.

 

Like other rhinos, these animals have sharp hearing and a keen sense of smell. They may find one another by following the trail of scent each enormous animal leaves behind it on the landscape. An Indian rhino can move very quickly when aroused. Their charges have been clocked at 30 miles (48 kilometers) an hour. Despite their bulk, they are nimble and can jump or change direction quickly.

 

The Indian rhino is a grazer that travels established, tunnel-like paths through its tall-grass habitat. It grasps tall grasses with its prehensile (gripping) lip. In addition to grass, rhinos eat fruit, leaves, and sometimes farm crops. They are often around water and sometimes consume aquatic plants. These animals forage in the cooler temps of morning and afternoon to avoid exerting themselves in the debilitating midday heat. When the sun is high, they often wallow or submerge themselves in water.

 

The prominent horn for which these rhinos are so well known has also been their downfall. Many animals have been killed for this hard, hair-like growth, which is revered for medicinal use in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The horn is also valued in North Africa and the Middle East as an ornamental dagger handle. There are only about 2,000 Indian rhinos left in the wild.

 

 

 

Range:

http://i.imgur.com/VOAAV0L.gif

 

http://i.imgur.com/NsHVKoK.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/rxLp1Bt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ukyfdmu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/W4FdeBa.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3t1Lrfj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/zCWTRYW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/w7JLnLF.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5vsvhjv.jpg

 

I just came across this photo of an itsy-bitsy baby Indian rhino:

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o371/x1yyz/6a010535647bf3970b01a73e172fc8970d-800wi_zps0fa1d379.jpg

 

From this page: http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2014/09/one-horned-rhino-calf-born-at-the-wilds.html

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16 September 2014

Tuesday

 

 

Porcupine

 

The porcupine is the prickliest of rodents, though its Latin name means "quill pig." There are about two dozen porcupine species, and all boast a coat of needle-like quills to give predators a sharp reminder that this animal is no easy meal. Some quills, like those of Africa's crested porcupine, are nearly a foot (30 centimeters) long.

 

Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. These quills typically lie flat until a porcupine is threatened, then leap to attention as a persuasive deterrent. Porcupines cannot shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills do detach easily when touched.

 

Many animals come away from a porcupine encounter with quills protruding from their own snouts or bodies. Quills have sharp tips and overlapping scales or barbs that make them difficult to remove once they are stuck in another animal's skin. Porcupines grow new quills to replace the ones they lose.

 

The porcupines found in North and South America are good climbers and spend much of their time in trees. Some even have prehensile (gripping) tails to aid in climbing. The North American porcupine is the only species that lives in the U.S. and Canada, and is the largest of all porcupines. A single animal may have 30,000 or more quills. North American porcupines use their large front teeth to satisfy a healthy appetite for wood. They eat natural bark and stems, and have been known to invade campgrounds and chew on canoe paddles. North American porcupines also eat fruit, leaves, and springtime buds.

 

Other porcupine species live in Africa, Europe, and Asia. These animals usually live on the ground and can inhabit deserts, grasslands, and forests.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/Ys9JI8y.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/P9pVogq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mrr7HxI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9HqzVQA.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/YRxxJPh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qCMOR5u.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qTgyLX2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MMTlSuJ.jpg

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16 September 2014

Tuesday

 

 

Porcupine

 

The porcupine is the prickliest of rodents, though its Latin name means "quill pig." There are about two dozen porcupine species, and all boast a coat of needle-like quills to give predators a sharp reminder that this animal is no easy meal. Some quills, like those of Africa's crested porcupine, are nearly a foot (30 centimeters) long.

 

Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. These quills typically lie flat until a porcupine is threatened, then leap to attention as a persuasive deterrent. Porcupines cannot shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills do detach easily when touched.

 

Many animals come away from a porcupine encounter with quills protruding from their own snouts or bodies. Quills have sharp tips and overlapping scales or barbs that make them difficult to remove once they are stuck in another animal's skin. Porcupines grow new quills to replace the ones they lose.

 

The porcupines found in North and South America are good climbers and spend much of their time in trees. Some even have prehensile (gripping) tails to aid in climbing. The North American porcupine is the only species that lives in the U.S. and Canada, and is the largest of all porcupines. A single animal may have 30,000 or more quills. North American porcupines use their large front teeth to satisfy a healthy appetite for wood. They eat natural bark and stems, and have been known to invade campgrounds and chew on canoe paddles. North American porcupines also eat fruit, leaves, and springtime buds.

 

Other porcupine species live in Africa, Europe, and Asia. These animals usually live on the ground and can inhabit deserts, grasslands, and forests.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/Ys9JI8y.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/P9pVogq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mrr7HxI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9HqzVQA.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/YRxxJPh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qCMOR5u.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qTgyLX2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MMTlSuJ.jpg

Cute, but kinda funny at the same time...look a bit like Tribbles

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17 September 2014

Wednesday

 

 

 

Brush Turkey

 

The Australian Brush-turkey inhabits rainforests and wet schlerophyll forests, but can also be found in drier scrubs. In the northern part of its range, the Australian Brush-turkey is most common at higher altitudes, but individuals move to the lowland areas in winter months. In the south, it is common in both mountain and lowland regions. The Australian Brush-turkey is not easily confused with any other Australian bird. It is the largest of Australia's three megapodes (Family Megapodiidae). The megapodes are a distinct family of the group of fowl-like birds (Order Galliformes), which includes quails, turkeys, peafowl and junglefowl.

 

Brush-turkeys feed on insects, seeds and fallen fruits, which are exposed by raking the leaf litter or breaking open rotten logs with their large feet. The majority of food is obtained from the ground, with birds occasionally observed feeding on ripening fruits among tree branches.

 

As with other megapodes, the Australian Brush-turkey incubates its eggs in a large mound. The male usually builds a single large mound of organic matter, approximately 4 m in diameter and 1 m high. Some males have been recorded with more than one mound, but this is not common. Eggs are laid by several females in a single mound. The eggs are incubated by the heat given off by the rotting vegetation. The male maintains a constant temperature of 33 - 38°C by digging holes in the mound and inserting his bill to check the heat, then adding and removing vegetable matter as required. Before the eggs hatch, many fall prey to burrowing predators such as goannas. After hatching, the chicks burrow out of the mound, at which point they are left to fend for themselves. These hatchlings are fully feathered and are able to walk and fend for themselves immediately. Remarkably, they are able to fly just a few hours after hatching.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/XBPHnBk.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/DSq5MxD.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MNu06vi.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/C6ZRpoT.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ThH6wUh.jpg

 

Nest mound:

 

http://i.imgur.com/9y8E9A9.jpg

 

Range:

 

http://i.imgur.com/DLsiZTX.jpg

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13 September 2014

 

Paleontology Saturday

 

 

Smilodon

 

Although Smilodon is referred to by most people as the saber-toothed tiger, this prehistoric mammal wasn't a true tiger at all, belonging instead to an ancient, long-extinct line of cat-like creatures known as "machairodonts". Smilodon was a large, muscular predator that may well have preyed on early humans, as well as the Woolly Mammoths and Giant Sloths of the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs.

 

Why the enormous teeth? Certainly they were used in hunting, but opinions vary as to exactly how they were used. Some paleontologists have suggested that they were used to grab and hold onto prey. However, attacking a large herbivore this way could easily break the saber teeth, and saber teeth that were demonstrably broken during an animal's lifetime are rare in fossil deposits. A more plausible hypothesis suggests that saber teeth were used to deliver a fatal ripping wound to the belly or throat of a prey animal. Sabertooth carnivores may not have tried to grapple with prey. More likely, they delivered one crippling stab wound and then waited for the prey to die.

 

Smilodon is a relatively recent sabertooth, from the Late Pleistocene. It went extinct about 10,000 years ago. Fossils have been found all over North America and Europe. Smilodon fossils from the La Brea tar pits include bones that show evidence of serious crushing or fracture injuries, or crippling arthritis and other degenerative diseases. Such problems would have been debilitating for the wounded animals. Yet many of these bones show extensive healing and regrowth, indicating that even crippled animals survived for some time after their injuries.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/s6eHAKZ.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/BVQYZTI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/r9ksRXZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fIyJbj9.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Q6Fe0lA.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/VOkePwz.jpg

 

Magnificent! :)

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14 September 2014

Sunday

 

 

Orangutan

 

The Malay word orangutan means "person of the forest." These long-haired, orangish primates, found only in Sumatra and Borneo, are highly intelligent and are close relatives of humans.

 

Orangutans have an enormous arm span. A male may stretch his arms some 7 feet (2 meters) from fingertip to fingertip—a reach considerably longer than his standing height of about 5 feet (1.5 meters). When orangutans do stand, their hands nearly touch the ground.

 

Orangutans' arms are well suited to their lifestyle because they spend much of their time (some 90 percent) in the trees of their tropical rain forest home. They even sleep aloft in nests of leafy branches. They use large leaves as umbrellas and shelters to protect themselves from the common rains.

 

These primates forage for food during daylight hours. Most of their diet consists of fruit and leaves gathered from rain forest trees. They also eat bark, insects and, on rare occasions, meat.

 

Orangutans are more solitary than other apes. Males are loners. As they move through the forest they make plenty of rumbling, howling calls to ensure that they stay out of each other's way. The "long call" can be heard 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) away.

 

Because orangutans live in only a few places, and because they are so dependent upon trees, they are particularly susceptible to logging in these areas. Unfortunately, deforestation and other human activities, such as hunting, have placed the orangutan in danger of extinction.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ACdcbUa.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/vm7fLFj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9j5FVIl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6U7N6w2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LCh3CYU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9c7EQti.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HJxsXFt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HmEO6LD.jpg

 

 

Amazing! :)

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15 September 2014

Monday

 

 

Indian Rhinoceros

 

The Indian rhinoceros lives primarily in northern India and Nepal. These massive beasts have some noticeable physical differences from their African relatives. Their segmented hide looks like a formidable coat of natural body armor. It functions a bit like one also: Flexible skin between the thicker hide "plates" allows them to shift as the rhinoceros moves.

 

Like other rhinos, these animals have sharp hearing and a keen sense of smell. They may find one another by following the trail of scent each enormous animal leaves behind it on the landscape. An Indian rhino can move very quickly when aroused. Their charges have been clocked at 30 miles (48 kilometers) an hour. Despite their bulk, they are nimble and can jump or change direction quickly.

 

The Indian rhino is a grazer that travels established, tunnel-like paths through its tall-grass habitat. It grasps tall grasses with its prehensile (gripping) lip. In addition to grass, rhinos eat fruit, leaves, and sometimes farm crops. They are often around water and sometimes consume aquatic plants. These animals forage in the cooler temps of morning and afternoon to avoid exerting themselves in the debilitating midday heat. When the sun is high, they often wallow or submerge themselves in water.

 

The prominent horn for which these rhinos are so well known has also been their downfall. Many animals have been killed for this hard, hair-like growth, which is revered for medicinal use in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The horn is also valued in North Africa and the Middle East as an ornamental dagger handle. There are only about 2,000 Indian rhinos left in the wild.

 

 

Range:

http://i.imgur.com/VOAAV0L.gif

 

http://i.imgur.com/NsHVKoK.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/rxLp1Bt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ukyfdmu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/W4FdeBa.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3t1Lrfj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/zCWTRYW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/w7JLnLF.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5vsvhjv.jpg

 

Amazing creatures! :)

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18 September 2014

Thursday

 

 

Zebra

 

No animal has a more distinctive coat than the zebra. Each animal's stripes are as unique as fingerprints—no two are exactly alike—although each of the three species has its own general pattern.

 

Why do zebras have stripes at all? Scientists aren't sure, but many theories center on their utility as some form of camouflage. The patterns may make it difficult for predators to identify a single animal from a running herd and distort distance at dawn and dusk. Or they may dissuade insects that recognize only large areas of single-colored fur or act as a kind of natural sunscreen. Because of their uniqueness, stripes may also help zebras recognize one another.

 

Zebras are social animals that spend time in herds. They graze together, primarily on grass, and even groom one another.

 

Plains (Burchell's) zebras are the most common species. They live in small family groups consisting of a male (stallion), several females, and their young. These units may combine with others to form awe-inspiring herds thousands of head strong, but family members will remain close within the herd.

 

Zebras must be constantly wary of lions and hyenas. A herd has many eyes alert to danger. If an animal is attacked, its family will come to its defense, circling the wounded zebra and attempting to drive off predators.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/s05fcY2.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/nvKEt1N.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/VjJ4Kxe.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SqcdFhh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ray2UTB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/iKVSITo.png

http://i.imgur.com/wiC35FF.gif

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18 September 2014

Thursday

 

 

Zebra

 

No animal has a more distinctive coat than the zebra. Each animal's stripes are as unique as fingerprints—no two are exactly alike—although each of the three species has its own general pattern.

 

Why do zebras have stripes at all? Scientists aren't sure, but many theories center on their utility as some form of camouflage. The patterns may make it difficult for predators to identify a single animal from a running herd and distort distance at dawn and dusk. Or they may dissuade insects that recognize only large areas of single-colored fur or act as a kind of natural sunscreen. Because of their uniqueness, stripes may also help zebras recognize one another.

 

Zebras are social animals that spend time in herds. They graze together, primarily on grass, and even groom one another.

 

Plains (Burchell's) zebras are the most common species. They live in small family groups consisting of a male (stallion), several females, and their young. These units may combine with others to form awe-inspiring herds thousands of head strong, but family members will remain close within the herd.

 

Zebras must be constantly wary of lions and hyenas. A herd has many eyes alert to danger. If an animal is attacked, its family will come to its defense, circling the wounded zebra and attempting to drive off predators.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/s05fcY2.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/nvKEt1N.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/VjJ4Kxe.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SqcdFhh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ray2UTB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/iKVSITo.png

http://i.imgur.com/wiC35FF.gif

 

Absolutely gorgeous! :heart:

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17 September 2014

Wednesday

 

 

 

Brush Turkey

 

The Australian Brush-turkey inhabits rainforests and wet schlerophyll forests, but can also be found in drier scrubs. In the northern part of its range, the Australian Brush-turkey is most common at higher altitudes, but individuals move to the lowland areas in winter months. In the south, it is common in both mountain and lowland regions. The Australian Brush-turkey is not easily confused with any other Australian bird. It is the largest of Australia's three megapodes (Family Megapodiidae). The megapodes are a distinct family of the group of fowl-like birds (Order Galliformes), which includes quails, turkeys, peafowl and junglefowl.

 

Brush-turkeys feed on insects, seeds and fallen fruits, which are exposed by raking the leaf litter or breaking open rotten logs with their large feet. The majority of food is obtained from the ground, with birds occasionally observed feeding on ripening fruits among tree branches.

 

As with other megapodes, the Australian Brush-turkey incubates its eggs in a large mound. The male usually builds a single large mound of organic matter, approximately 4 m in diameter and 1 m high. Some males have been recorded with more than one mound, but this is not common. Eggs are laid by several females in a single mound. The eggs are incubated by the heat given off by the rotting vegetation. The male maintains a constant temperature of 33 - 38°C by digging holes in the mound and inserting his bill to check the heat, then adding and removing vegetable matter as required. Before the eggs hatch, many fall prey to burrowing predators such as goannas. After hatching, the chicks burrow out of the mound, at which point they are left to fend for themselves. These hatchlings are fully feathered and are able to walk and fend for themselves immediately. Remarkably, they are able to fly just a few hours after hatching.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/XBPHnBk.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/DSq5MxD.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MNu06vi.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/C6ZRpoT.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ThH6wUh.jpg

 

Nest mound:

 

http://i.imgur.com/9y8E9A9.jpg

 

Range:

 

http://i.imgur.com/DLsiZTX.jpg

Wow! That's a really bright red and yellow. Pretty cool...for a Turkey

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18 September 2014

Thursday

 

 

Zebra

 

No animal has a more distinctive coat than the zebra. Each animal's stripes are as unique as fingerprints—no two are exactly alike—although each of the three species has its own general pattern.

 

Why do zebras have stripes at all? Scientists aren't sure, but many theories center on their utility as some form of camouflage. The patterns may make it difficult for predators to identify a single animal from a running herd and distort distance at dawn and dusk. Or they may dissuade insects that recognize only large areas of single-colored fur or act as a kind of natural sunscreen. Because of their uniqueness, stripes may also help zebras recognize one another.

 

Zebras are social animals that spend time in herds. They graze together, primarily on grass, and even groom one another.

 

Plains (Burchell's) zebras are the most common species. They live in small family groups consisting of a male (stallion), several females, and their young. These units may combine with others to form awe-inspiring herds thousands of head strong, but family members will remain close within the herd.

 

Zebras must be constantly wary of lions and hyenas. A herd has many eyes alert to danger. If an animal is attacked, its family will come to its defense, circling the wounded zebra and attempting to drive off predators.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/s05fcY2.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/nvKEt1N.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/VjJ4Kxe.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SqcdFhh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ray2UTB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/iKVSITo.png

http://i.imgur.com/wiC35FF.gif

Very distinctive. ...Laughing Zebra :LOL:

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19 September 2014

Friday

 

 

Jackrabbit

 

Jackrabbits are actually hares, not rabbits. Hares are larger than rabbits, and they typically have taller hind legs and longer ears. Jackrabbits were named for their ears, which initially caused some people to refer to them as "jackass rabbits."

 

There are five species of jackrabbits, all found in central and western North America. They are speedy animals capable of reaching 40 miles (64 kilometers) an hour, and their powerful hind legs can propel them on leaps of more than ten feet (three meters). They use these leaps and a zigzag running style to evade their many predators.

 

Black-tailed jackrabbits are common in American deserts, scrublands, and other open spaces, including farms. They can consume very large quantities of grasses and plants—including desert species such as sagebrush and cacti.

 

White-tailed jackrabbits are another common species. They frequent North America's plains and farmlands, though they also inhabit wooded areas. They are prolific eaters and can consume over a pound (0.5 kilograms) of grasses, shrubs, or bark each day.

 

Booming jackrabbit populations can cause problems for farmers, especially in light of the animals' healthy appetite. Jackrabbits are often killed for crop protection, but in general their populations are stable and not in need of protection.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/9jfgpgb.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/NftctXZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uygM0Ol.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/JnfM2je.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/nGMEwoU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/xtEfsod.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uxrGZrU.jpg

 

Range:

 

http://i.imgur.com/L33XTr4.png

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19 September 2014

Friday

 

 

Jackrabbit

 

Jackrabbits are actually hares, not rabbits. Hares are larger than rabbits, and they typically have taller hind legs and longer ears. Jackrabbits were named for their ears, which initially caused some people to refer to them as "jackass rabbits."

 

There are five species of jackrabbits, all found in central and western North America. They are speedy animals capable of reaching 40 miles (64 kilometers) an hour, and their powerful hind legs can propel them on leaps of more than ten feet (three meters). They use these leaps and a zigzag running style to evade their many predators.

 

Black-tailed jackrabbits are common in American deserts, scrublands, and other open spaces, including farms. They can consume very large quantities of grasses and plants—including desert species such as sagebrush and cacti.

 

White-tailed jackrabbits are another common species. They frequent North America's plains and farmlands, though they also inhabit wooded areas. They are prolific eaters and can consume over a pound (0.5 kilograms) of grasses, shrubs, or bark each day.

 

Booming jackrabbit populations can cause problems for farmers, especially in light of the animals' healthy appetite. Jackrabbits are often killed for crop protection, but in general their populations are stable and not in need of protection.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/9jfgpgb.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/NftctXZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uygM0Ol.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/JnfM2je.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/nGMEwoU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/xtEfsod.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uxrGZrU.jpg

 

Range:

 

http://i.imgur.com/L33XTr4.png

 

The close - up pic's incredible! :ebert:

 

And that baby! :wub:

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20 September 2014

 

Paleontology Saturday

 

 

Archaeopteryx

 

 

Paleontologists view Archaeopteryx as a transition between dinosaurs and modern birds. With its blend of avian and reptilian features, it was thought by many to have been the earliest bird. Discovered in 1860 in Germany, it is sometimes referred to as Urvogel, the German word for "original bird" or "first bird." Recent discoveries, however, have made scientists rethink that status.

 

Archaeopteryx lived around 151 million to 149 million years ago — during the Tithonian stage in the late Jurassic Period — in what is now southern Germany. At the time, Europe was an archipelago and was much closer to the equator than it is today, providing this bird-like dinosaur with a fairly warm home close to the sea in which it could thrive.

 

Despite having feathers, broad wings and a presumed ability to fly or glide — even if limited — Archaeopteryx had more in common with dinosaurs than with birds. It had jaws with sharp teeth, three fingers with claws, a long bony tail and hyperextensible second toes known as "killing claws." It also had features in common with theropods, including a nearly identical hind leg bone structure that was clearly visible.

 

Archaeopteryx was about the size of a raven or crow and its tail was unusually long in comparison to its body length. It could reach up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) in body length, weighing 1.8 lbs. to 2.2 lbs. (0.8 kilogram to 1 kilogram).

 

Later specimens indicate Archaeopteryx lacked a perching foot — a completely reversed hind toe — so it was believed that Archaeopteryx did not spend time in trees. Scientists speculate that it behaved much like a peacock, spending much of its time on the ground and flying short distances when necessary to evade its numerous predators.

 

Archaeopteryx was a carnivore, feasting on lizards, frogs, beetles, dragonflies and mites. It would even use its long sharp bill and teeth to pick mites and other insects from its skin and eat them. It would also catch insects on the ground or in trees, and scientists believe it possibly caught insects in the feathers of its wings.

 

In 2011, scientists uncovered a fossil in China whose combination of features unexpectedly suggests Archaeopteryx was actually just a relative of the lineage that ultimately gave rise to birds. The new specimen, Xiaotingia zhengi, was found in Liaoning in China, where many other extraordinary specimens of feathered dinosaurs and early birds have been unearthed.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/lGwcQ6Z.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/cBjPhQr.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mYUfkI2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jMnSGeL.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qTvRe7V.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/a4oeVfu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HrXgK5u.jpg

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19 September 2014

Friday

 

 

Jackrabbit

 

Jackrabbits are actually hares, not rabbits. Hares are larger than rabbits, and they typically have taller hind legs and longer ears. Jackrabbits were named for their ears, which initially caused some people to refer to them as "jackass rabbits."

 

There are five species of jackrabbits, all found in central and western North America. They are speedy animals capable of reaching 40 miles (64 kilometers) an hour, and their powerful hind legs can propel them on leaps of more than ten feet (three meters). They use these leaps and a zigzag running style to evade their many predators.

 

Black-tailed jackrabbits are common in American deserts, scrublands, and other open spaces, including farms. They can consume very large quantities of grasses and plants—including desert species such as sagebrush and cacti.

 

White-tailed jackrabbits are another common species. They frequent North America's plains and farmlands, though they also inhabit wooded areas. They are prolific eaters and can consume over a pound (0.5 kilograms) of grasses, shrubs, or bark each day.

 

Booming jackrabbit populations can cause problems for farmers, especially in light of the animals' healthy appetite. Jackrabbits are often killed for crop protection, but in general their populations are stable and not in need of protection.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/9jfgpgb.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/NftctXZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uygM0Ol.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/JnfM2je.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/nGMEwoU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/xtEfsod.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uxrGZrU.jpg

 

Range:

 

http://i.imgur.com/L33XTr4.png

Wow! Look at the size of those ears :o

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20 September 2014

 

Paleontology Saturday

 

 

Archaeopteryx

 

 

Paleontologists view Archaeopteryx as a transition between dinosaurs and modern birds. With its blend of avian and reptilian features, it was thought by many to have been the earliest bird. Discovered in 1860 in Germany, it is sometimes referred to as Urvogel, the German word for "original bird" or "first bird." Recent discoveries, however, have made scientists rethink that status.

 

Archaeopteryx lived around 151 million to 149 million years ago — during the Tithonian stage in the late Jurassic Period — in what is now southern Germany. At the time, Europe was an archipelago and was much closer to the equator than it is today, providing this bird-like dinosaur with a fairly warm home close to the sea in which it could thrive.

 

Despite having feathers, broad wings and a presumed ability to fly or glide — even if limited — Archaeopteryx had more in common with dinosaurs than with birds. It had jaws with sharp teeth, three fingers with claws, a long bony tail and hyperextensible second toes known as "killing claws." It also had features in common with theropods, including a nearly identical hind leg bone structure that was clearly visible.

 

Archaeopteryx was about the size of a raven or crow and its tail was unusually long in comparison to its body length. It could reach up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) in body length, weighing 1.8 lbs. to 2.2 lbs. (0.8 kilogram to 1 kilogram).

 

Later specimens indicate Archaeopteryx lacked a perching foot — a completely reversed hind toe — so it was believed that Archaeopteryx did not spend time in trees. Scientists speculate that it behaved much like a peacock, spending much of its time on the ground and flying short distances when necessary to evade its numerous predators.

 

Archaeopteryx was a carnivore, feasting on lizards, frogs, beetles, dragonflies and mites. It would even use its long sharp bill and teeth to pick mites and other insects from its skin and eat them. It would also catch insects on the ground or in trees, and scientists believe it possibly caught insects in the feathers of its wings.

 

In 2011, scientists uncovered a fossil in China whose combination of features unexpectedly suggests Archaeopteryx was actually just a relative of the lineage that ultimately gave rise to birds. The new specimen, Xiaotingia zhengi, was found in Liaoning in China, where many other extraordinary specimens of feathered dinosaurs and early birds have been unearthed.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/lGwcQ6Z.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/cBjPhQr.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mYUfkI2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jMnSGeL.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qTvRe7V.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/a4oeVfu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HrXgK5u.jpg

That looks pretty cool. Although I imagine it'd be quite scary to see one of those flying overhead

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20 September 2014

 

Paleontology Saturday

 

 

Archaeopteryx

 

 

Paleontologists view Archaeopteryx as a transition between dinosaurs and modern birds. With its blend of avian and reptilian features, it was thought by many to have been the earliest bird. Discovered in 1860 in Germany, it is sometimes referred to as Urvogel, the German word for "original bird" or "first bird." Recent discoveries, however, have made scientists rethink that status.

 

Archaeopteryx lived around 151 million to 149 million years ago — during the Tithonian stage in the late Jurassic Period — in what is now southern Germany. At the time, Europe was an archipelago and was much closer to the equator than it is today, providing this bird-like dinosaur with a fairly warm home close to the sea in which it could thrive.

 

Despite having feathers, broad wings and a presumed ability to fly or glide — even if limited — Archaeopteryx had more in common with dinosaurs than with birds. It had jaws with sharp teeth, three fingers with claws, a long bony tail and hyperextensible second toes known as "killing claws." It also had features in common with theropods, including a nearly identical hind leg bone structure that was clearly visible.

 

Archaeopteryx was about the size of a raven or crow and its tail was unusually long in comparison to its body length. It could reach up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) in body length, weighing 1.8 lbs. to 2.2 lbs. (0.8 kilogram to 1 kilogram).

 

Later specimens indicate Archaeopteryx lacked a perching foot — a completely reversed hind toe — so it was believed that Archaeopteryx did not spend time in trees. Scientists speculate that it behaved much like a peacock, spending much of its time on the ground and flying short distances when necessary to evade its numerous predators.

 

Archaeopteryx was a carnivore, feasting on lizards, frogs, beetles, dragonflies and mites. It would even use its long sharp bill and teeth to pick mites and other insects from its skin and eat them. It would also catch insects on the ground or in trees, and scientists believe it possibly caught insects in the feathers of its wings.

 

In 2011, scientists uncovered a fossil in China whose combination of features unexpectedly suggests Archaeopteryx was actually just a relative of the lineage that ultimately gave rise to birds. The new specimen, Xiaotingia zhengi, was found in Liaoning in China, where many other extraordinary specimens of feathered dinosaurs and early birds have been unearthed.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/lGwcQ6Z.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/cBjPhQr.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mYUfkI2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jMnSGeL.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qTvRe7V.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/a4oeVfu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HrXgK5u.jpg

 

Wow..! What a cool looking dude! :cool:

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21 September 2014

Sunday

 

 

Polar Bear

 

Polar bears roam the Arctic ice sheets and swim in that region's coastal waters. They are very strong swimmers, and their large front paws, which they use to paddle, are slightly webbed. Some polar bears have been seen swimming hundreds of miles from land—though they probably cover most of that distance by floating on sheets of ice.

 

Polar bears live in one of the planet's coldest environments and depend on a thick coat of insulated fur, which covers a warming layer of fat. Fur even grows on the bottom of their paws, which protects against cold surfaces and provides a good grip on ice. The bear's stark white coat provides camouflage in surrounding snow and ice. But under their fur, polar bears have black skin—the better to soak in the sun's warming rays.

 

These powerful predators typically prey on seals. In search of this quarry they frequent areas of shifting, cracking ice where seals may surface to breathe air. They also stalk ice edges and breathing holes. If the opportunity presents itself, polar bears will also consume carcasses, such as those of dead whales. These Arctic giants are the masters of their environment and have no natural enemies.

 

Polar bears are attractive and appealing, but they are powerful predators that do not typically fear humans, which can make them dangerous. Near human settlements, they often acquire a taste for garbage, bringing bears and humans into perilous proximity.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ITFfUf4.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/NUSBZ2g.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/bqVMUdK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/UsXrTV9.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/24qfHGW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CtTqHj8.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5y2xFDZ.jpg

 

I'm not sure what happened here. :-(

 

http://i.imgur.com/txsT38d.jpg

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