Thursday 28 October 2010 Soemmerring's Gazelle - Once the Most Abundant Gazelle, Now Nearing Endangered Status

The Soemmerring's Gazelle (Gazella soemmerringii) were once the most abundant Gazelle on the African continent, moving about in large herds of several hundred. Today, they can be found in small groups between 5 and 20, often intermingling with herds of hartebeest, oryx, and domesticated camels. Both CITES and IUCN have listed the Soemmerring's Gazelle as a vulnerable species due to a 30% decline over 3 generations (21 years). Current estimates are that the decline will continue at a rate of about 10% per year. The likeliest cause of the decline is the loss of habitat to domestic grazing, hunting, and regional political unrest.

Soemmerring's Gazelle have a tawny brown coat interrupted by patches of white around the head, covering the belly, inside the legs, and over the rear end. Three black stripes extend from the top of the skull to the nose, with one covering each eye and the other centered on the bridge of the nose. The horns grow back over the skull in a lyre shape, are ridged, and can grow up to 22 inches (58 cm) long. Adults can measure 4-5 feet (120-150 cm) in length, 2.3-3 feet (85-92 cm) high at the shoulders, and weigh from 70-100 pounds (35-45 kg).

The Soemmerring's Gazelle inhabit lightly forested steppes and savannas on the Horn of Africa, from Eastern Sudan through Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia. Food sources include acacia, brush leaves, grass, and herbs, and are known to migrate with the rainy season to ensure sufficient food is available. As a large herbivore they are food sources for several large predators, including the cheetah, lion, leopard, hyena, Cape hunting dog, and python. The primary defensive measure against predators is the ability to run and leap through the air for considerable distance at high speeds, up to 50 mph (80 kph).

Although the horns can be used for defense as well, most of the wear and tear visible on the horns of older males is from territorial disputes with other males. During the period from September to November males will mate with receptive females while walking together, with the male continuing to walk after mounting with his two hind legs. Gestation is 199 days, or about 6-1/2 months, so that the birth of a single infant occurs during the rainy season when food and water is plentiful. The young are weaned after 6 months, reach sexual maturity in 1.5 years, and live for up to 14 years.

Picture of the Soemmerring's Gazelle by , licensed under GFDL You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

Permanent Link

Tuesday 26 October 2010 Lyle's Flying Fox - Buddhist Refugees

Lyle%u2019s Flying Fox (Pteropus lylei) belongs to the large family of mammalian old world fruit bats or flying foxes. The Spanish name is Zorro Valador De Lyle. As the common name suggests fruit bats live on nectar, pollen, blossoms, and fruit, and for this reason their habitats are limited to tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Old world fruit bats are the largest bats in the world, with wing spans up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) and weighing as much as 2.2 pounds (1.5 kg). By comparison, the size of Lyle’s flying foxes is about mid-sized within the fruit bat family.

Lyle’s flying foxes will colonize trees in large groups, where they nest and suckle their young during the day. At night they depart to forage for food and have been known to travel 40 miles away to find food. Rather than using echolocation as their insectivore cousins do, fruit bats rely on well-developed visual and olfactory senses.

The habitat of Lyle’s flying foxes is limited to Thailand, Cambodia, Viet Nam, and the Yunnan Province of China. Even though little is known about populations within China, Lyle’s flying foxes have been listed by IUCN as vulnerable or one step away from being considered endangered. Until recent hunting restrictions were put into place, fruit bats were considered a delicacy and were hunted legally. Hunting still occurs in some places, but habitat degradation and destruction has also contributed to the 30% population decline over the past 15 years (three generations). In Thailand and Cambodia, Lyle’s flying foxes are considered pests and are not protected except on temple grounds. For this reason, large, noisy colonies of Lyle’s flying foxes can be found colonizing the trees over some Buddhist temples in Cambodia and Thailand. Up to 11 colonies are known to exist in Thailand and the largest contains close to 3000 individuals.

The size of fruit bats can be truly startling when first encountered at night by strangers to tropical climes and has resulted in reports of vampire bats or flying pterodactyls, but unless you’re a fruit or flower, or smell like one, you have little to fear. Okay, a little fear is appropriate. Over the past 10 years or so several research studies have found that fruit bats, including Lyle’s flying foxes, are hosts for emerging viruses that can infect and kill livestock and humans.

Picture of the Lyle's flying fox by Malene Thyssen, licensed under GFDL You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

Permanent Link

Monday 25 October 2010 Carp Bream - European Bottom-Dwellers

The carp bream (Abramis brama) is an abundant fresh-water fish commonly found at the bottoms of fresh-water canals, lakes and ponds, and on some river bottoms. Their silvery gray body is flat with a high back, and gray or black fins. Older fish may have a bronze color, especially if living in clear water. Adult carp bream can range in size from 12" to 22" (30-55 cm), and weigh between 4 and 9 pounds (2-4 kilograms).

The carp bream is an widespread European and Asian species not currently threatened. Their home range is that part of Europe north of the Pyrenees and the Alps, stretching north to the southern reaches of Scandinavia, and east through the Balkans to those areas around the Aral, the Caspian, and the Black Seas.

Carp bream live in schools on the bottoms of lakes and rivers. At night, they feed close to shore, and, during the day, on sandy bottoms in clear water. The carp bream's small protracting mouth digs through mud and silt for larvae, gastropods, and bivalves on which to feed, and nibbles on plankton and water plants. A large carp bream may even eat other small fish. Carp bream themselves are eaten by perch and pike.

Bottom overfeeding may result in food shortages, and the young fish in the school may have to resort to filter feeding with their gill rakers, catching small aquatic crustaceans called water fleas for food. But, as the carp bream reach adulthood, their gill rakers grow far enough apart that they are no longer able to feed on this abundant prey, resulting in a natural limit on the carp bream's size for those that feed mostly on water fleas.

The carp bream sexually mature around the age of three years. Spawning occurs for the carp bream April to June. Males patrol and protect territories where females lay their many eggs upon the leaves and stems of water plants. Over a week or two, the eggs develop into fish larvae, and then into slender young fish, who detach from the plants, and live as youngsters in the "water column," the vertical length of water stretching from the surface to the bottom. The young carp bream do not become full-fledged bottom-dwellers until they are at least several months old. At that point, they achieve the body and color of the adult carp bream, and begin bottom-feeding. You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

Permanent Link

Tuesday 19 October 2010 Spiny Mouse: A Fragile Tail

The Spiny Mouse (Acomys spinosissimus) is a small mammal, specifically a species of rodent of the Muridae family. It lives alone, or in small groups, inhabiting deserts, rocky terrain or dry woodlands. It is a nocturnal creature, but it does come out in early morning or late afternoon, keeping to the shadows. It is found in northeastern South Africa and the neighboring countries to the north and east: Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The name Acomys spinosissimus literally means "sharp-pointed mouse," a reference to the stiff thick hairs that stand out from its back. It has large black eyes and enormous rounded ears, both well-suited for nocturnal activities. Like almost all other mice of the genus Acomys, the spiny mouse has a white or creamy underbelly; unlike most other mice of the genus, its upper body is reddish-gray. On the average, a spiny mouse is 6.7" (17 cm) long, including a tail that, by itself, is about 3" (8 cm) long. The average weight of a spiny mouse is just under one ounce, or about 28 grams.

The spiny mouse's tail is covered with sparse coarse fur, and can break off rather easily. It is thought that this fragility is a defense against predators, who, upon grabbing a spiny mouse by the tail, would then be left with only the tail. Unlike a similar predator defense found in some lizards, the tail of the spiny mouse does not grow back.

The spiny mouse eats seeds, green leaves, snails, insects, and millipedes. Predators who prey on the spiny mouse are the small wild cats, the mongoose, and various birds of prey native to South Africa, such as owls, eagles, falcons, hawks, harriers, and secretary birds.

The lifespan for a spiny mouse is anywhere from four to seven years. Spiny mice reach sexual maturity about two months after birth. Females can conceive at any time during the year. Once a female spiny mouse is pregnant, she gestates for about forty days before she gives birth. Most litters contain two or two pups, but some litters have been seen with six. Spiny mice are born with their eyes open, leave the nest at the age of three days, and are weaned in a little over a month. A female can conceive and produce up to twelve litters in a year, which is one reason the spiny mouse is not an endangered species.

Picture of the spiny mouse by Marcel Burkhard, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Germany license. You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

Permanent Link

Friday 15 October 2010 Speke's Gazelle, The Gazelle With A Loud Nose

The Speke's Gazelle (Gazella spekei) is among the smallest of the Gazelles, reaching a length of 90.5 to 100.5 cm, equal to just over 3 feet, a height of about 50-60 cm, equal to 1.6 to 2 feet, and they weigh in at about 15 to 25 kg, or 33 to 55 pounds. The upper body is a brownish tan color, which is separated from the white belly by a black stripe. The unique folds on its nostrils inflate when excited, and are responsible for the loud resonant calls the Speke's Gazelle makes when threatened. Another unique behavior to the Speke's Gazelle is the blend of jumping, bouncing, and running they do when frightened.

The Speke's Gazelle has become endangered mainly because their grazing areas are often taken over by domestic livestock, and the range it covers has no protected areas so the threat of extinction will continue. The black stripes around the eyes reduce glare, and are bordered by white stripes, thus giving the animal a painted face appearance. Speke's Gazelles are found only on the horn of Africa, primarily in Somalia and some in neighboring Ethiopia. Like most animals living in a hot and dry scrubland environment, it is mostly active in the early morning and late evening hours, feeding on leaves, herbs and grass while resting during the day. The Speke's Gazelle can survive without water for some time, a useful adaptation in their harsh semi-desert environment.

Both male and female Speke's Gazelles have horns, males have longer curved horns while females have smaller straight horns. The Speke's Gazelle is on the menu of several predators including the Leopard, Hyena, Lion, Python, and Cheetah, thus the young lie hidden and motionless in the brush until they are weaned at about three months. After a pregnancy of about 7 months, a single young is born among herds of about 12 to 20 animals, and Speke's Gazelles usually live about 12 years. Herds are composed of either a dominant male with his breeding harem covering an area of half to 2 square miles, or the bachelor herd of young and juvenile males.

Picture of the Speke's gazelle by Sanjay Acharya, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

Permanent Link

Thursday 14 October 2010 The European SeaBass - One of Europe's Most Important Fish

The European SeaBass (Dicentrarchus labrax) or Morone labrax or sea dace, is a popular eating fish throughout Europe. The European seabass lives primarily in the ocean however, it does occasionally make its way into fresh or brackish waters. Its popularity as a food fish has ensured that it has many ways throughout the different countries where it is consumed. In Spain, it is referred to as lubino or robalo. In Northern Italy it is called branzino, while other regions of Italy refer to it as spigola or ragno. Those who enjoy European seabass in Greece call it by a different name - lavraki. In English speaking areas, it is often referred to as Mediterranean seabass. No matter what it is called, this fish is a very popular eating fish that is consumed throughout Europe.

Adult European seabass have two dorsal fins, silver sides, and a white belly. Juvenile fish have black spots on the back and sides, which sometimes leads to confusion between this species and other related seabass. The operculum, or bony covering protecting the gills, is serrated and spined for protection. These fish reach an adult size of approximately 1 meter (3.3 feet) long and 15 kilograms (33.3 pounds) in weight. Mostly a night hunter, this fish feeds largely on cephalopods and crustaceans.

As noted above, European seabass is typically found in ocean waters, including the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. It is frequently found in lagoons, estuaries, coastal waters, and rivers throughout Europe.

Currently, the primary predator of European seabass is commercial fisherman. Due to its popularity among anglers, many countries have had to limit the amount of this fish caught and consumed. In the United Kingdom, major conservation efforts limit the size of fish, the number that can be caught in a day, and the season in which fishing is allowed. Italians interested in protecting this species have undergone an intensive breeding program to increase numbers. Some recreational fishermen have created groups to help protect this species, as well.

In an attempt to increase production of this species without leading to its extinction, many countries in Europe have started farming fish. Farming seabass is popular throughout Spain, Croatia, Greece, and other European countries. The annual farming production of European seabass is 60,000 tons, which reflects how popular it is among consumers.

Picture of the european seabass licensed under GFDL You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

Permanent Link

Wednesday 13 October 2010 The Indian Flying Fox - The Little Fox That Is Really a Big Bat

The Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus) looks a lot like a cute little red fox with wings. In fact, take away the leathery wings, and the fact that they sleep hanging upside down and it could be possible to forget that the Indian Flying Fox is really a bat. Their delicate, pointy ears, long, thin nose, lush red coat and soulful black eyes have a distinctive appeal that easily resembles the fox they are named after. It’s great size, relative to bats, also helps shape the features that make it more fox-like in appearance. The Indian flying fox has a broad wingspan of up to 130 cm (51.2 inches) from tip to tip and can weigh as much as 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds).

The Indian flying fox is native to the southern Asian continent, most notably in the countries of Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and, of course, India. While their numbers are on the downfall, they are still a common species in their native habitats.

The Indian flying fox spends its life in colonies numbering in the hundreds and even thousands. They prefer locations close to open fields, water sources or where there are a variety of flowers. These areas provide the best sources of their main food source which are fruits and berries. The sizes of the colonies are constantly fluctuating depending on the season. They are larger during rainy seasons that force the bats inside and keep them from spreading out in search of food, and smaller during hot, dry summer months. The Indian flying fox has a five month gestation period and spends an additional five to eight months with its mother. They are mature at two years of age when it becomes an adult member of the colony.

The Indian flying fox doesn’t have many natural enemies in the wild. Man is its greatest nemesis. It is a member of the fruit bat family, and often considered a nuisance, or vermin in their native land because of their widespread numbers and because deforestation has forced the flying mammals toward more urban roosting areas. The Indian flying fox is also hunted in countries such as Pakistan for its fat, thought to have medicinal qualities.

In spite of their great size, and the fact that bat folk-lore tends to make them fearsome creatures, the Indian flying fox is not the least bit dangerous. They do not feed on humans and prefer to stay clear of them. However, they can cause great destruction to orchards and vineyards.

Picture of the Indian Flying Fox by Fritz Geller-Grimm, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license. You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

Permanent Link

Tuesday 12 October 2010 The Spinifex hopping mouse - A Determined Migrator

The Spinifex hopping mouse (Notomys alexis), which also goes by the name Tarkawara, is indigenous to western and central Australia. Their population is centered in arid regions such as the sand dunes, the spiniflex sand flats for which the animal is named, as well as melaleuca and mulga flats. They prefer dry environments and can migrate up to 15 kilometers during periods of intense rain.

The hopping mouse is similar in appearance to its relative, the Northern hopping mouse, and is slightly larger than the typical house mouse. It measures between 95 and 115 millimeters or 3.7 to 4.5 inches from head to the end of their body with the average weight being 35 grams or 1.2 ounces. The mouse has longer hind legs than the average mouse as well as shortened forelimbs with a longer than average tail, approximately 140 millimeters or 5.5 inches in length. Their fur is a fawn color with grey around the mouth as well as in the space between the ear and eye. Their hair is significantly courser and blacker on the back with the tail having very lth="72">