Tuesday 27 May 2008 Egyptian mongoose

The Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) is the biggest of all African mongooses. It lives on the African savannas. A savanna, if you do not know already, is a broad grassland that bears scattered trees. Egyptian Mongooses (or mongeese) reside in shrub thickets, rock-filled grounds, and forested territories of the savannas. They also like it at the forested areas, provided these places are near a body of water. Did you know that all mongooses are recognized as exceptional snake killers? Also see "Rikki Tikki Tavi" from the Jungle book.

They can grow to 58 cm in height, and 48-60 cm in body length, the tail alone ranges from 33 cm to 53 cm. It can weigh 1.7 - 4 kilograms and has 35 to 40 teeth Its tail is bushy, with a dark ring at the tip. This mongoose has long hair, and the coat sometimes has red-brown possessing yellow dots, but this is rare. An Egyptian Mongoose's snout is pointed, its eyes are encircled by a bare strip of skin.

At the age of 2, both female and male Egyptian Mongoose are sexually mature. Upon birth, the newborns are helpless, but after about 8 days, they have the ability to follow the female parent.

In rearing of the young, both father and mother contribute, but just like in so many human traditions, the female accomplishes more than the male. The young Egyptian Mongoose is dependent on his parents for about a year, and the males are independent before females. These mongooses are diurnal, and carnivorous. One could eat fruits if he chances upon it, but in the main, they would prefer fish, birds, rodents, amphibians, larvae and insects.

Interesting fact: You may be amused by the fact that it can run backwards, swim, roll over and even raise itself up on two feet, but that's not all, they try to increase their apparent size to look more impressive and threatening by raising their fur and arching their backs, just like cats. You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

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Wednesday 14 May 2008 Geoffroy's Cat

Length (avg): 60 cm (24 in)
Weight (avg): 2–4 kg (4–9 lb)

Geoffroy's Cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi) is the most common cat of South America. It resides on the Andes mountains, in grasslands and woodland areas. The Geoffroy's Cat is the size of an ordinary domesticated cat. Colors can vary however, they can be brown or gray, sometimes yellow. They can become up to 15 years of age in the wild.

The Geoffroy's Cats living more south have a more grayish coat, while the ones living more north have a brownish yellow coat. The Geoffroy's Cat has a circular head, short fur (in summer), and the male is ordinarily bigger than the female side. They have big ears, and this permits it to be aware of sounds coming from an approaching predator or prey, for that matter.

The claws are deadly-sharp, and this is for two reasons. First, to be able to climb, and second, to be used for stabbing its prey. It cannot be denied that these cats are good swimmers, as they can easily cross rivers.

A female Geoffroy's Cat produces one litter annually, where the litter size is at most 3 kittens. The male does not do anything as far as rearing the young is concerned. The gestation period for a mother would be 72 up to 78 days, and when it is time to give birth, they give birth at a rocky terrain. After 6 weeks the kittens are fully mobile.

The male reaches sexual maturity after two years, while the female reaches sexual maturity at eighteen months. Whatever predator in the wild would attempt to turn this cat into lunch, that predator might be disappointed, or more than disappointed if it is the one who gets killed. In other words: it is at the top of the food chain. The Geoffroy's Cat is a match to almost any kind of adversary, of course with one exception, humans. They are often killed for the value of the fur.

Their diet consists of small lizards, rodents, insects, and sometimes a frog or fish.

Interesting fact: This cat actually shares its home (at grasslands) with the Kodkod, another kind of cat.

Picture of the Geoffrey's cat by Daf-de, licensed under GFDL You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

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Monday 05 May 2008 Ribbon seal

The scientific name of the Ribbon seal (Phoca fasciata) sounds like something straight from a "Lord of the Rings" genre, but the truth is, Phoca is 'seal, while "fasciata" is a band or ribbon, hence the name of this seal. The Ribbon Seal inhabits the periodically ice-covered waters in North Pacific. The Ribbon Seal actually has other names, such as: Qaqruliq or Kukupak in Yupik.

They are of medium size, if we would compare them to other ice seals. Usually they would weigh around 70kgs, while a newborn would weigh about 10.5kgs. Newborn Ribbon Seals possess a pelage of white, soft hair, and this gives them protection from the elements. First year pelage would not exhibit the usual coloration of the adults, but by the time they reach their fourth year, color would be any of 4 particular, light-hued ribbons set on dark. They can be found on the following areas: encircling head/neck, encircling trunk or at the navel areas, one at each side of its body. The measurements of the ribbons vary, and fact is, in some individuals, they merge.

They have big eyes, a bit-flat whiskers and weak teeth. A female Ribbon Seal is sexually mature from 2 to 4 years, while the males are at ages 3 to 6. The young Ribbon Seals are born on an ice setting (floes), and the nursing time frame would go from three weeks to a month. Majority of the adult females get pregnant each year.

These seals consume a wide repertoire of foods, but in general, their diet consists of fish, and walleye pollocks, in territories where this kind of prey abounds. Besides fish, they survive on shrimps, crabs and squids.

Interesting fact: One's air sac overlies its ribs at the right side, and the purpose of this structure (it is absent from its relatives' bodies) is basically a mystery. Scientists speculate that it is most probably related to vocalization when underwater. You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

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