Your_Lion Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 02 October 2014Thursday Giraffe Weevil The giraffe weevil, a type of beetle indigenous to Madagascar, is so called because of its distended neck that rises above its carapace. The long neck above a sloped body is reminiscent of the African giraffe. Giraffe weevils are a deep black in color with bright red wing coverings. The giraffe weevil, like all weevils, is a form of beetle. The male giraffe weevil's neck can be up to three times as long as his female's counterpart. The length of the beetle's neck is used primarily for nest building and fighting with other male giraffe weevils. Fighting between giraffe weevils is typically done during the mating season, where the male weevils attempt to impress the females by defeating other weevils. The neck itself is used as a weapon to push and wrestle with the opponent; it is rare that one of the opponents will die in the course of a fight. The anecdotal "giraffe beetle tree," known by its scientific name Dichaetanthera arborea, is found only in Madagascar. It provides both home and diet for the giraffe weevil. In addition to eating the leaves of this tree, the giraffe weevil also nests in it. While the male giraffe weevil rolls a leaf in a cigar shape, the female giraffe weevil deposits a single egg in the middle. When the larvae hatches, the leaf will provide sustenance in the first few days of life. Despite its rarity, the giraffe weevil is not considered to be endangered or threatened by the human population or by predation from other species. http://i.imgur.com/tZBUCh2.jpg http://i.imgur.com/2rUK46J.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/iRSvR7G.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/L2rmyhH.jpg Egg: http://i.imgur.com/1mrg92j.png Egg is deposited in a rolled leaf: http://i.imgur.com/4rgEjQe.jpg http://i.imgur.com/TNtHl8m.jpg That is one cool looking bug! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 03 October 2014 FLORA FRIDAY Grandidier's Baobab (Adansonia grandidieri) This imposing and unusual tree occurs only on the island of Madagascar, where it is threatened by the encroachment of agricultural land. There are eight species of baobabs, six of which are endemic to Madagascar; Adansonia grandidieri is the strangest and most magnificent of them all. They have massive cylindrical trunks, up to three meters across, covered with smooth, reddish-grey bark. At certain times of the year the flat-topped crowns bear bluish-green palmate leaves, dark brown floral buds or spectacular flowers with white petals. The large, dry fruits of the baobab contain kidney-shaped seeds within an edible pulp. The long-lived Grandidier’s baobab is in leaf from October to May, and flowers between May and August. The flowers, said to smell of sour watermelon, open just before or soon after dusk, and all the pollen is released during the first night. It is pollinated by nocturnal mammals, such as fork-marked lemurs. They move through the canopies, inserting their snouts into the white flowers and licking nectar from the petal bases, resulting in pollen being deposited in the lemur’s face. Adansonia grandidieri is the most heavily exploited of all the Malagasy baobabs. The seeds and the vitamin C-rich fruit pulp are eaten fresh, and cooking oil is extracted from the oil-rich seeds. The fruit is either collected from the ground, or wooden pegs are hammered into the trunk so the tree can be climbed to collect the fruit. The thick bark of the baobab is composed of tough, long fibres that can be used to make ropes, and the majority of trees bear scars from where the bark was cut from ground level to about two meters to obtain this material. The spongy wood is comprised of sheets of fibre that are collected from dead or living trees, dried in the sun and sold for thatch. Most of these varied uses do not involve the tree being killed, and thus are unlikely to pose a great threat to the baobab. The greatest threat to this species has come from the transformation of its forest habitat into agricultural land. Within these disturbed habitats, there is a noticeable lack of young trees. Fires, seed predation, competition from weeds and an altered physical environment might be affecting the ability of the Madagascar baobab to reproduce, which may have devastating consequences for its survival. http://i.imgur.com/t6daSW1.jpg http://i.imgur.com/SEJ82rP.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/IuRbK4P.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/z1XgJH3.jpg Seedling: http://i.imgur.com/u1Ps90c.jpg Flowers: http://i.imgur.com/uVvQGbN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/5NT57IK.jpg Fruit: http://i.imgur.com/Hp5S2FZ.jpg Interesting looking trees. Looks like they could make an alien landscape 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 04 October 2014 Paleontology Saturday Spinosaurus Pending further discoveries, Spinosaurus is the current record-holder in the "world's largest carnivorous dinosaur" category: full-grown, 10-ton adults outweighed Tyrannosaurus Rex by about a ton and Giganotosaurus by about half a ton. Since so few Spinosaurus fossils are extant, it's possible that other individuals were even larger—though for now that's just speculation. It lived during the middle of the Cretaceous Period about 112 million to 97 million years ago, roaming the swamps of North Africa. The shape of Spinosaurus' skull—combined with the fact that it lived along the north African shoreline—has led paleontologists to surmise that it (at least occasionally) speared fish out of the water, in addition to hunting down and killing smaller dinosaurs. It's even conceivable that this huge predator pursued a strictly aquatic diet, which would make it the top semi-aquatic reptile of the middle Cretaceous period. (A recent study has concluded that Spinosaurus spent much, or even all, of its time in rivers, which would make it the first identified swimming dinosaur.) There has been much scientific debate regarding the evolution and purpose of the Spinosaurus' sail. It is possible that the sail served multiple purposes, including regulating body temperature by absorbing heat, and attracting mates. Because of its size, the Spinosaurus did not have many predators, but the sail could have been used to ward off enemies, as the dinosaur appeared to be twice its size when the sail was fully extended. Paleontologists theorize that the sails were brightly colored, much like the fins of some modern-day reptiles. It is believed that Spinosaurus walked on two muscular legs most of the time, although it may have moved on all fours occasionally based on the length of its arms and fossil tracks. Spinosaurus may have been able to run 12 mph to 15 mph (19 kph to 24 kph), making it relatively fast for its size. In 2011, a neck vertebra from a dinosaur with a snout resembling that of a crocodile — believed to be a Spinosaurus — was found in Australia, showing that the creature had a much wider range than scientists had previously thought possible. http://i.imgur.com/7nA1hyB.png http://i.imgur.com/Ojrdp1z.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/MggSNRd.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EME8dyC.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/A9mc3u0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/X3Sz4LN.jpgYay! I had a toy one of those when I was a kid :D 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x1yyz Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Since so few Spinosaurus fossils are extant I first read that as "Since so few Spinosaurus are extant" and did a double-take! ;) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 Since so few Spinosaurus fossils are extant I first read that as "Since so few Spinosaurus are extant" and did a double-take! ;) I think you'll find them with the sauropods in the swamps of the Congo Basin. :P 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 05 October 2014Sunday Shoebill The unmistakable, prehistoric-looking shoebill is one of the most impressive birds to be found in Africa. A mysterious inhabitant of impenetrable marshes, this tall wading bird possesses a bluish-grey plumage, long black legs, broad wings and muscular neck, but is undeniably dominated by its fantastically unique ‘shoe-like’ bill, from which its common name derives. This imposing greenish-brown bill is huge and powerful at a remarkable 23 cm long and 10 cm broad, ending in a ferociously sharp nail-like hook . The eyes are a pale yellow and at the back of the head exists a small hood of feathers . Primitive in appearance, the bird has baffled taxonomists over its affinities, showing similarities to storks, pelicans, hamerkop and herons in some respects, yet remaining different in others. Indeed, the shoebill's defiantly unusual appearance indicates how much it has evolved to occupy a highly individual niche, and one which happens to tie it to some of the most inaccessible habitat in the world. A predominantly solitary species, in which adults come together only to breed. The breeding season is ill-defined, but some evidence suggests that it coincides with the onset of the dry season, to prevent flooding of the nests . One to three eggs are laid in large flat nests built amid swamp grasses, and incubated for approximately 30 days . Young can stand only after two and a half months, and are able to hunt after three and a half, but remain dependent on their parents for food until somewhat older. It takes three to four years for young to become sexually mature and individuals have been known to live 36 years in captivity. The shoebill usually feeds at night, hunting chiefly by ambush, standing motionless waiting for prey, then attacking with remarkable speed and power. Prey is grasped from the water in the bird’s sharp, hooked beak, which grips, crushes and pierces in one instant. African lungfish are common prey, alongside a variety of smaller and larger fish, amphibians, water-snakes, lizards, turtles, rats, young waterfowl and even young crocodiles. Although widespread, the shoebill is considered uncommon, with a total world population estimated at 5,000-8,000. The small population is declining due to habitat destruction and degradation, nest disturbance, increased hunting levels and capture for the bird trade. Fire and drought threaten habitat in Zambia, nests are trampled by large herbivores feeding in swamps, and there is some evidence for trapping and persecution. http://i.imgur.com/hM7CH4o.jpg http://i.imgur.com/nVzjCRW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/xylc61g.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/PMIoBS8.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/G2yAaKl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/yuAbiUK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4D95PpQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/QvmxdN2.jpg Range: http://i.imgur.com/eqA8BWv.png 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 6, 2014 Author Share Posted October 6, 2014 06 October 2014Monday Jaguarundi The jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi) is one of the most unusual of the New World cat species, being somewhat weasel-like in appearance. The body is long and slender, with short legs, a small, flattened head, short, rounded ears, and a long tail. Unlike many other small South American cats, the coat lacks spots, but the jaguarundi is probably the most variable in colour of all wild cats. The species occurs in two main colour morphs: a dark morph, which is uniform black, brownish or grey in colour, sometimes slightly lighter on the underparts, and a paler red morph, which may vary from tawny yellow to bright chestnut red. The jaguarundi inhabits a broad range of both open and closed habitats, including rainforest, swamp and savannah woodland, savannah, thickets, and semi-arid thorn scrub. It may also occur in secondary vegetation and disturbed areas, but is thought to prefer areas with at least some dense ground cover. A mainly lowland species, the jaguarundi can be found at elevations of up to 2,000 metres, though may occur at up to 3,200 metres in some areas. In addition to its unique appearance, the jaguarundi differs from other small New World cats in many aspects of its biology and behaviour. Individuals may travel widely in unusually large home ranges and are more terrestrial than many other species, though are also agile climbers. The jaguarundi is also much more diurnal than most cats. The diet consists mainly of small mammals, birds and reptiles, as well as occasional amphibians, fish and larger mammals. The jaguarundi has been observed to jump up to two metres off the ground to swat at birds in the air. The largely diurnal behaviour and open habitats of the jaguarundi mean that it is often the most commonly seen cat within its range, leading to the mistaken belief that it is relatively abundant. Now believed to be much less common than previously thought, the species is undergoing a decline, largely as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation as savannahs are converted for large-scale agriculture and pasture. Although more flexible in its habitat requirements than many other small cat species, and not commercially exploited for its pelt, the jaguarundi is a notorious predator on domestic poultry, and killing of jaguarundis to protect poultry is considered to have a major impact on its population. http://i.imgur.com/unvZNfq.jpg http://i.imgur.com/RRAOzdu.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Y5t2pnh.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Z0QeeRR.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/VCUKCt0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/mfTLV7l.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/jFXeto7.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/7ijCCOu.jpg Range: http://i.imgur.com/8Q7JTdb.png http://i.imgur.com/Qbt3CHn.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/DiQR5De.jpg 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 03 October 2014 FLORA FRIDAY Grandidier's Baobab (Adansonia grandidieri) This imposing and unusual tree occurs only on the island of Madagascar, where it is threatened by the encroachment of agricultural land. There are eight species of baobabs, six of which are endemic to Madagascar; Adansonia grandidieri is the strangest and most magnificent of them all. They have massive cylindrical trunks, up to three meters across, covered with smooth, reddish-grey bark. At certain times of the year the flat-topped crowns bear bluish-green palmate leaves, dark brown floral buds or spectacular flowers with white petals. The large, dry fruits of the baobab contain kidney-shaped seeds within an edible pulp. The long-lived Grandidier’s baobab is in leaf from October to May, and flowers between May and August. The flowers, said to smell of sour watermelon, open just before or soon after dusk, and all the pollen is released during the first night. It is pollinated by nocturnal mammals, such as fork-marked lemurs. They move through the canopies, inserting their snouts into the white flowers and licking nectar from the petal bases, resulting in pollen being deposited in the lemur’s face. Adansonia grandidieri is the most heavily exploited of all the Malagasy baobabs. The seeds and the vitamin C-rich fruit pulp are eaten fresh, and cooking oil is extracted from the oil-rich seeds. The fruit is either collected from the ground, or wooden pegs are hammered into the trunk so the tree can be climbed to collect the fruit. The thick bark of the baobab is composed of tough, long fibres that can be used to make ropes, and the majority of trees bear scars from where the bark was cut from ground level to about two meters to obtain this material. The spongy wood is comprised of sheets of fibre that are collected from dead or living trees, dried in the sun and sold for thatch. Most of these varied uses do not involve the tree being killed, and thus are unlikely to pose a great threat to the baobab. The greatest threat to this species has come from the transformation of its forest habitat into agricultural land. Within these disturbed habitats, there is a noticeable lack of young trees. Fires, seed predation, competition from weeds and an altered physical environment might be affecting the ability of the Madagascar baobab to reproduce, which may have devastating consequences for its survival. http://i.imgur.com/t6daSW1.jpg http://i.imgur.com/SEJ82rP.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/IuRbK4P.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/z1XgJH3.jpg Seedling: http://i.imgur.com/u1Ps90c.jpg Flowers: http://i.imgur.com/uVvQGbN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/5NT57IK.jpg Fruit: http://i.imgur.com/Hp5S2FZ.jpg Cool looking trees, pretty flower and cute sapling! :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 05 October 2014Sunday Shoebill The unmistakable, prehistoric-looking shoebill is one of the most impressive birds to be found in Africa. A mysterious inhabitant of impenetrable marshes, this tall wading bird possesses a bluish-grey plumage, long black legs, broad wings and muscular neck, but is undeniably dominated by its fantastically unique ‘shoe-like’ bill, from which its common name derives. This imposing greenish-brown bill is huge and powerful at a remarkable 23 cm long and 10 cm broad, ending in a ferociously sharp nail-like hook . The eyes are a pale yellow and at the back of the head exists a small hood of feathers . Primitive in appearance, the bird has baffled taxonomists over its affinities, showing similarities to storks, pelicans, hamerkop and herons in some respects, yet remaining different in others. Indeed, the shoebill's defiantly unusual appearance indicates how much it has evolved to occupy a highly individual niche, and one which happens to tie it to some of the most inaccessible habitat in the world. A predominantly solitary species, in which adults come together only to breed. The breeding season is ill-defined, but some evidence suggests that it coincides with the onset of the dry season, to prevent flooding of the nests . One to three eggs are laid in large flat nests built amid swamp grasses, and incubated for approximately 30 days . Young can stand only after two and a half months, and are able to hunt after three and a half, but remain dependent on their parents for food until somewhat older. It takes three to four years for young to become sexually mature and individuals have been known to live 36 years in captivity. The shoebill usually feeds at night, hunting chiefly by ambush, standing motionless waiting for prey, then attacking with remarkable speed and power. Prey is grasped from the water in the bird’s sharp, hooked beak, which grips, crushes and pierces in one instant. African lungfish are common prey, alongside a variety of smaller and larger fish, amphibians, water-snakes, lizards, turtles, rats, young waterfowl and even young crocodiles. Although widespread, the shoebill is considered uncommon, with a total world population estimated at 5,000-8,000. The small population is declining due to habitat destruction and degradation, nest disturbance, increased hunting levels and capture for the bird trade. Fire and drought threaten habitat in Zambia, nests are trampled by large herbivores feeding in swamps, and there is some evidence for trapping and persecution. http://i.imgur.com/hM7CH4o.jpg http://i.imgur.com/nVzjCRW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/xylc61g.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/PMIoBS8.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/G2yAaKl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/yuAbiUK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4D95PpQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/QvmxdN2.jpg Range: http://i.imgur.com/eqA8BWv.png It reminds me of a heron. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 06 October 2014Monday Jaguarundi The jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi) is one of the most unusual of the New World cat species, being somewhat weasel-like in appearance. The body is long and slender, with short legs, a small, flattened head, short, rounded ears, and a long tail. Unlike many other small South American cats, the coat lacks spots, but the jaguarundi is probably the most variable in colour of all wild cats. The species occurs in two main colour morphs: a dark morph, which is uniform black, brownish or grey in colour, sometimes slightly lighter on the underparts, and a paler red morph, which may vary from tawny yellow to bright chestnut red. The jaguarundi inhabits a broad range of both open and closed habitats, including rainforest, swamp and savannah woodland, savannah, thickets, and semi-arid thorn scrub. It may also occur in secondary vegetation and disturbed areas, but is thought to prefer areas with at least some dense ground cover. A mainly lowland species, the jaguarundi can be found at elevations of up to 2,000 metres, though may occur at up to 3,200 metres in some areas. In addition to its unique appearance, the jaguarundi differs from other small New World cats in many aspects of its biology and behaviour. Individuals may travel widely in unusually large home ranges and are more terrestrial than many other species, though are also agile climbers. The jaguarundi is also much more diurnal than most cats. The diet consists mainly of small mammals, birds and reptiles, as well as occasional amphibians, fish and larger mammals. The jaguarundi has been observed to jump up to two metres off the ground to swat at birds in the air. The largely diurnal behaviour and open habitats of the jaguarundi mean that it is often the most commonly seen cat within its range, leading to the mistaken belief that it is relatively abundant. Now believed to be much less common than previously thought, the species is undergoing a decline, largely as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation as savannahs are converted for large-scale agriculture and pasture. Although more flexible in its habitat requirements than many other small cat species, and not commercially exploited for its pelt, the jaguarundi is a notorious predator on domestic poultry, and killing of jaguarundis to protect poultry is considered to have a major impact on its population. http://i.imgur.com/unvZNfq.jpg http://i.imgur.com/RRAOzdu.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Y5t2pnh.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Z0QeeRR.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/VCUKCt0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/mfTLV7l.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/jFXeto7.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/7ijCCOu.jpg Range: http://i.imgur.com/8Q7JTdb.png http://i.imgur.com/Qbt3CHn.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/DiQR5De.jpg What a pretty kitty! :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 05 October 2014Sunday Shoebill The unmistakable, prehistoric-looking shoebill is one of the most impressive birds to be found in Africa. A mysterious inhabitant of impenetrable marshes, this tall wading bird possesses a bluish-grey plumage, long black legs, broad wings and muscular neck, but is undeniably dominated by its fantastically unique ‘shoe-like’ bill, from which its common name derives. This imposing greenish-brown bill is huge and powerful at a remarkable 23 cm long and 10 cm broad, ending in a ferociously sharp nail-like hook . The eyes are a pale yellow and at the back of the head exists a small hood of feathers . Primitive in appearance, the bird has baffled taxonomists over its affinities, showing similarities to storks, pelicans, hamerkop and herons in some respects, yet remaining different in others. Indeed, the shoebill's defiantly unusual appearance indicates how much it has evolved to occupy a highly individual niche, and one which happens to tie it to some of the most inaccessible habitat in the world. A predominantly solitary species, in which adults come together only to breed. The breeding season is ill-defined, but some evidence suggests that it coincides with the onset of the dry season, to prevent flooding of the nests . One to three eggs are laid in large flat nests built amid swamp grasses, and incubated for approximately 30 days . Young can stand only after two and a half months, and are able to hunt after three and a half, but remain dependent on their parents for food until somewhat older. It takes three to four years for young to become sexually mature and individuals have been known to live 36 years in captivity. The shoebill usually feeds at night, hunting chiefly by ambush, standing motionless waiting for prey, then attacking with remarkable speed and power. Prey is grasped from the water in the bird’s sharp, hooked beak, which grips, crushes and pierces in one instant. African lungfish are common prey, alongside a variety of smaller and larger fish, amphibians, water-snakes, lizards, turtles, rats, young waterfowl and even young crocodiles. Although widespread, the shoebill is considered uncommon, with a total world population estimated at 5,000-8,000. The small population is declining due to habitat destruction and degradation, nest disturbance, increased hunting levels and capture for the bird trade. Fire and drought threaten habitat in Zambia, nests are trampled by large herbivores feeding in swamps, and there is some evidence for trapping and persecution. http://i.imgur.com/hM7CH4o.jpg http://i.imgur.com/nVzjCRW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/xylc61g.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/PMIoBS8.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/G2yAaKl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/yuAbiUK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4D95PpQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/QvmxdN2.jpg Range: http://i.imgur.com/eqA8BWv.png That's a very strange looking bill. I bet they've got a very powerful bite 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 06 October 2014Monday Jaguarundi The jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi) is one of the most unusual of the New World cat species, being somewhat weasel-like in appearance. The body is long and slender, with short legs, a small, flattened head, short, rounded ears, and a long tail. Unlike many other small South American cats, the coat lacks spots, but the jaguarundi is probably the most variable in colour of all wild cats. The species occurs in two main colour morphs: a dark morph, which is uniform black, brownish or grey in colour, sometimes slightly lighter on the underparts, and a paler red morph, which may vary from tawny yellow to bright chestnut red. The jaguarundi inhabits a broad range of both open and closed habitats, including rainforest, swamp and savannah woodland, savannah, thickets, and semi-arid thorn scrub. It may also occur in secondary vegetation and disturbed areas, but is thought to prefer areas with at least some dense ground cover. A mainly lowland species, the jaguarundi can be found at elevations of up to 2,000 metres, though may occur at up to 3,200 metres in some areas. In addition to its unique appearance, the jaguarundi differs from other small New World cats in many aspects of its biology and behaviour. Individuals may travel widely in unusually large home ranges and are more terrestrial than many other species, though are also agile climbers. The jaguarundi is also much more diurnal than most cats. The diet consists mainly of small mammals, birds and reptiles, as well as occasional amphibians, fish and larger mammals. The jaguarundi has been observed to jump up to two metres off the ground to swat at birds in the air. The largely diurnal behaviour and open habitats of the jaguarundi mean that it is often the most commonly seen cat within its range, leading to the mistaken belief that it is relatively abundant. Now believed to be much less common than previously thought, the species is undergoing a decline, largely as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation as savannahs are converted for large-scale agriculture and pasture. Although more flexible in its habitat requirements than many other small cat species, and not commercially exploited for its pelt, the jaguarundi is a notorious predator on domestic poultry, and killing of jaguarundis to protect poultry is considered to have a major impact on its population. http://i.imgur.com/unvZNfq.jpg http://i.imgur.com/RRAOzdu.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Y5t2pnh.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Z0QeeRR.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/VCUKCt0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/mfTLV7l.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/jFXeto7.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/7ijCCOu.jpg Range: http://i.imgur.com/8Q7JTdb.png http://i.imgur.com/Qbt3CHn.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/DiQR5De.jpg Cute...but with a look of a mean temper 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x1yyz Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 http://i.imgur.com/unvZNfq.jpg Such an intense stare, like he's thinking, "How am I going to catch that?" http://i.imgur.com/mfTLV7l.jpg This guy really looks like a puma, but with odd proportions! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 07 October 2014Tuesday Binturong One of only two carnivores with a prehensile tail, the other being the kinkajou (Potos flavus), the binturong is a distinctive civet that skilfully traverses the canopy of tall tropical forests. A heavily built, robust civet with a fearsome appearance, the binturong has a pelage of long, course hairs that are a lustrous black, often with contrasting grey tips. A scattering of grey and buff covers the head, and black tufts with white margins protrude prominently from the ears. The binturong is a versatile, generalist feeder, and preys upon a variety of small mammals and insects, and also eats fruits, leaves and shoots. Rather than jumping between trees, like the more acrobatic primates, the binturong uses its prehensile tail as an extra hand, moving slowly, but efficiently, carefully placing each footstep, although it will occasionally drop to the ground to move between forest gaps, and even swim in rivers and catch fish. Typically solitary, although small groups of a mother and offspring may exist at certain times of the year, the binturong is not strictly territorial, but will occupy flexible home ranges, avoiding contact with other civets. In captivity, the binturong will mate year round, and females may give birth to two or three litters annually. The gestation period averages around 91 days, and a litter of two young are usually born. Maturity is reached after around two and a half years, and binturongs may live for over 25 years. The binturong has a widespread range, from North-eastern India and Bangladesh, through South-east Asia, including Yunnan and Guangxi in China, to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Restricted to areas of high forest coverage, the binturong is threatened by loss of its habitat. Throughout its range, the degradation and conversion of forest is commonplace, and deforestation has been attributed as the main cause of the species’ extirpation from much of India. Despite its aggressive appearance, the binturong is said to become quite affectionate once domesticated, and consequently, it is trapped for the pet trade in the Philippines. http://i.imgur.com/GFB9Ibj.jpg http://i.imgur.com/d89lFhD.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/qHkx6Yo.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/SUmHBqz.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/aNQzcTU.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/TbNv4xM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/ODgUehW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/1xVmCAd.jpg 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 07 October 2014Tuesday Binturong One of only two carnivores with a prehensile tail, the other being the kinkajou (Potos flavus), the binturong is a distinctive civet that skilfully traverses the canopy of tall tropical forests. A heavily built, robust civet with a fearsome appearance, the binturong has a pelage of long, course hairs that are a lustrous black, often with contrasting grey tips. A scattering of grey and buff covers the head, and black tufts with white margins protrude prominently from the ears. The binturong is a versatile, generalist feeder, and preys upon a variety of small mammals and insects, and also eats fruits, leaves and shoots. Rather than jumping between trees, like the more acrobatic primates, the binturong uses its prehensile tail as an extra hand, moving slowly, but efficiently, carefully placing each footstep, although it will occasionally drop to the ground to move between forest gaps, and even swim in rivers and catch fish. Typically solitary, although small groups of a mother and offspring may exist at certain times of the year, the binturong is not strictly territorial, but will occupy flexible home ranges, avoiding contact with other civets. In captivity, the binturong will mate year round, and females may give birth to two or three litters annually. The gestation period averages around 91 days, and a litter of two young are usually born. Maturity is reached after around two and a half years, and binturongs may live for over 25 years. The binturong has a widespread range, from North-eastern India and Bangladesh, through South-east Asia, including Yunnan and Guangxi in China, to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Restricted to areas of high forest coverage, the binturong is threatened by loss of its habitat. Throughout its range, the degradation and conversion of forest is commonplace, and deforestation has been attributed as the main cause of the species’ extirpation from much of India. Despite its aggressive appearance, the binturong is said to become quite affectionate once domesticated, and consequently, it is trapped for the pet trade in the Philippines. http://i.imgur.com/GFB9Ibj.jpg http://i.imgur.com/d89lFhD.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/qHkx6Yo.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/SUmHBqz.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/aNQzcTU.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/TbNv4xM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/ODgUehW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/1xVmCAd.jpg aw...That 2nd pic Very cuddly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 08 October 2014Wednesday Atlantic Royal Flycatcher This large-billed flycatcher is known for its spectacular crest, which is vivid scarlet in males, yellow in females, and ornately decorated with splashes of black and steel-blue tips. Although the crest usually lies flat, protruding from the rear of the head, when fully extended it forms a large and impressive, forward-facing fan. The vivid colour of the crest stands out against the uniformly brown plumage of the upperparts and dull-yellow underparts. By contrast, the rump and tail are a bright cinnamon colour, and a small, whitish patch marks the throat. The Atlantic royal flycatcher is thought to feed on insects, particularly flying insects such as dragonflies. This bird sometimes joins mixed-species flocks, and has been recorded associating with foliage-gleaners and fire-eyes (Furnariids). It is confined to the dwindling forests of sout-east Brazil, in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Paraná. Although its range remains small and severely fragmented, recent discoveries from at least seven new sites in Paraná and four new sites in São Paulo provide fresh hope for the species. http://i.imgur.com/sG8qRaK.jpg http://i.imgur.com/9GXw6jQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Ld6jfIC.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/vgEczdg.jpg Female on nest: http://i.imgur.com/idaaQa0.jpg Stamp: http://i.imgur.com/tNwS4Sz.jpg 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x1yyz Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 http://i.imgur.com/9GXw6jQ.jpg http://persephonemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Peter-Jurasik-as-Cetauri-Ambassador-Londo-Molarri-thewb.com_.jpg 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 10, 2014 Author Share Posted October 10, 2014 http://i.imgur.com/9GXw6jQ.jpg http://persephonemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Peter-Jurasik-as-Cetauri-Ambassador-Londo-Molarri-thewb.com_.jpg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 10, 2014 Author Share Posted October 10, 2014 09 October 2014Thursday Goliath Frog The massive goliath frog (Conraua goliath), as its name alludes, is the largest frog in the world, with individuals weighing over three kilograms. The granular skin is greenish in colour with a yellowish-orange underside, and the feet and hands are webbed. The goliath frog is found in a narrow range in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, south from the basin of the Sanaga River to the Benito, Wolo and Mbini Rivers. It inhabits fast-flowing rainforest rivers and cascades, which have sandy bottoms and rocks covered with Dicraea warmingii warmingii, the primary food source for the goliath frog tadpoles. Females lay large clutches of several hundred eggs onto vegetation on the river bottom. Once the tadpoles hatch they feed on the food plant, which is only located near to waterfalls and rapids. It takes around 85 to 95 days for complete metamorphosis into the adult form. Adults feed on insects, crustaceans and fish. Much of the dense rainforest of the goliath frog's habitat has been deforested for timber and to make way for agriculture. The construction of dams also threatens the breeding habitat of these frogs and this species is particularly vulnerable to habitat alteration due to its highly restricted range. Additionally, goliath frogs are considered a delicacy and are collected by local people for food; their large size has also encouraged collection for the pet trade in the past. http://i.imgur.com/MrpB5GM.jpg http://i.imgur.com/FeIHY0P.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Cuz2Vwt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Re3c700.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/NAB68ZK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/UthZjpH.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/AplOgt5.jpg 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 07 October 2014Tuesday Binturong One of only two carnivores with a prehensile tail, the other being the kinkajou (Potos flavus), the binturong is a distinctive civet that skilfully traverses the canopy of tall tropical forests. A heavily built, robust civet with a fearsome appearance, the binturong has a pelage of long, course hairs that are a lustrous black, often with contrasting grey tips. A scattering of grey and buff covers the head, and black tufts with white margins protrude prominently from the ears. The binturong is a versatile, generalist feeder, and preys upon a variety of small mammals and insects, and also eats fruits, leaves and shoots. Rather than jumping between trees, like the more acrobatic primates, the binturong uses its prehensile tail as an extra hand, moving slowly, but efficiently, carefully placing each footstep, although it will occasionally drop to the ground to move between forest gaps, and even swim in rivers and catch fish. Typically solitary, although small groups of a mother and offspring may exist at certain times of the year, the binturong is not strictly territorial, but will occupy flexible home ranges, avoiding contact with other civets. In captivity, the binturong will mate year round, and females may give birth to two or three litters annually. The gestation period averages around 91 days, and a litter of two young are usually born. Maturity is reached after around two and a half years, and binturongs may live for over 25 years. The binturong has a widespread range, from North-eastern India and Bangladesh, through South-east Asia, including Yunnan and Guangxi in China, to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Restricted to areas of high forest coverage, the binturong is threatened by loss of its habitat. Throughout its range, the degradation and conversion of forest is commonplace, and deforestation has been attributed as the main cause of the species’ extirpation from much of India. Despite its aggressive appearance, the binturong is said to become quite affectionate once domesticated, and consequently, it is trapped for the pet trade in the Philippines. http://i.imgur.com/GFB9Ibj.jpg http://i.imgur.com/d89lFhD.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/qHkx6Yo.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/SUmHBqz.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/aNQzcTU.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/TbNv4xM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/ODgUehW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/1xVmCAd.jpg What a lovely little face he has! :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 08 October 2014Wednesday Atlantic Royal Flycatcher This large-billed flycatcher is known for its spectacular crest, which is vivid scarlet in males, yellow in females, and ornately decorated with splashes of black and steel-blue tips. Although the crest usually lies flat, protruding from the rear of the head, when fully extended it forms a large and impressive, forward-facing fan. The vivid colour of the crest stands out against the uniformly brown plumage of the upperparts and dull-yellow underparts. By contrast, the rump and tail are a bright cinnamon colour, and a small, whitish patch marks the throat. The Atlantic royal flycatcher is thought to feed on insects, particularly flying insects such as dragonflies. This bird sometimes joins mixed-species flocks, and has been recorded associating with foliage-gleaners and fire-eyes (Furnariids). It is confined to the dwindling forests of sout-east Brazil, in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Paraná. Although its range remains small and severely fragmented, recent discoveries from at least seven new sites in Paraná and four new sites in São Paulo provide fresh hope for the species. http://i.imgur.com/sG8qRaK.jpg http://i.imgur.com/9GXw6jQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Ld6jfIC.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/vgEczdg.jpg Female on nest: http://i.imgur.com/idaaQa0.jpg Stamp: http://i.imgur.com/tNwS4Sz.jpg Pretty little bird! :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 http://i.imgur.com/9GXw6jQ.jpg http://persephonemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Peter-Jurasik-as-Cetauri-Ambassador-Londo-Molarri-thewb.com_.jpg :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 09 October 2014Thursday Goliath Frog The massive goliath frog (Conraua goliath), as its name alludes, is the largest frog in the world, with individuals weighing over three kilograms. The granular skin is greenish in colour with a yellowish-orange underside, and the feet and hands are webbed. The goliath frog is found in a narrow range in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, south from the basin of the Sanaga River to the Benito, Wolo and Mbini Rivers. It inhabits fast-flowing rainforest rivers and cascades, which have sandy bottoms and rocks covered with Dicraea warmingii warmingii, the primary food source for the goliath frog tadpoles. Females lay large clutches of several hundred eggs onto vegetation on the river bottom. Once the tadpoles hatch they feed on the food plant, which is only located near to waterfalls and rapids. It takes around 85 to 95 days for complete metamorphosis into the adult form. Adults feed on insects, crustaceans and fish. Much of the dense rainforest of the goliath frog's habitat has been deforested for timber and to make way for agriculture. The construction of dams also threatens the breeding habitat of these frogs and this species is particularly vulnerable to habitat alteration due to its highly restricted range. Additionally, goliath frogs are considered a delicacy and are collected by local people for food; their large size has also encouraged collection for the pet trade in the past. http://i.imgur.com/MrpB5GM.jpg http://i.imgur.com/FeIHY0P.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Cuz2Vwt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Re3c700.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/NAB68ZK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/UthZjpH.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/AplOgt5.jpg That's a blooming big frog! :o I can't imagine why people would want to eat one... :| 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 08 October 2014Wednesday Atlantic Royal Flycatcher This large-billed flycatcher is known for its spectacular crest, which is vivid scarlet in males, yellow in females, and ornately decorated with splashes of black and steel-blue tips. Although the crest usually lies flat, protruding from the rear of the head, when fully extended it forms a large and impressive, forward-facing fan. The vivid colour of the crest stands out against the uniformly brown plumage of the upperparts and dull-yellow underparts. By contrast, the rump and tail are a bright cinnamon colour, and a small, whitish patch marks the throat. The Atlantic royal flycatcher is thought to feed on insects, particularly flying insects such as dragonflies. This bird sometimes joins mixed-species flocks, and has been recorded associating with foliage-gleaners and fire-eyes (Furnariids). It is confined to the dwindling forests of sout-east Brazil, in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Paraná. Although its range remains small and severely fragmented, recent discoveries from at least seven new sites in Paraná and four new sites in São Paulo provide fresh hope for the species. http://i.imgur.com/sG8qRaK.jpg http://i.imgur.com/9GXw6jQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Ld6jfIC.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/vgEczdg.jpg Female on nest: http://i.imgur.com/idaaQa0.jpg Stamp: http://i.imgur.com/tNwS4Sz.jpg Fancy crest 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 09 October 2014Thursday Goliath Frog The massive goliath frog (Conraua goliath), as its name alludes, is the largest frog in the world, with individuals weighing over three kilograms. The granular skin is greenish in colour with a yellowish-orange underside, and the feet and hands are webbed. The goliath frog is found in a narrow range in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, south from the basin of the Sanaga River to the Benito, Wolo and Mbini Rivers. It inhabits fast-flowing rainforest rivers and cascades, which have sandy bottoms and rocks covered with Dicraea warmingii warmingii, the primary food source for the goliath frog tadpoles. Females lay large clutches of several hundred eggs onto vegetation on the river bottom. Once the tadpoles hatch they feed on the food plant, which is only located near to waterfalls and rapids. It takes around 85 to 95 days for complete metamorphosis into the adult form. Adults feed on insects, crustaceans and fish. Much of the dense rainforest of the goliath frog's habitat has been deforested for timber and to make way for agriculture. The construction of dams also threatens the breeding habitat of these frogs and this species is particularly vulnerable to habitat alteration due to its highly restricted range. Additionally, goliath frogs are considered a delicacy and are collected by local people for food; their large size has also encouraged collection for the pet trade in the past. http://i.imgur.com/MrpB5GM.jpg http://i.imgur.com/FeIHY0P.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Cuz2Vwt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Re3c700.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/NAB68ZK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/UthZjpH.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/AplOgt5.jpg Wow!...that's massive!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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