Harp Seals

Name: Harp Seal

Scientific Name:  Pagophilus groenlandicus
More information: 

The harp seal is an animal that can be found diving and swimming in the icy waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans . They can dive nearly 300 m and stay underwater.

an adult harp seal 

Adult harp seals has blackish markings on its back which resembles a saddleback. Thus, harp seals are also known as saddle-back seals. 

Harp seals average lifespan in the wild is 30 years. They are carnivorous animals that feed on fishes. 

baby harp seals, known as pups do not have blubber when they're born but after being nursed by its mother , it will start grow blubber. Once it reaches 36 kg , its mum will stop feeding it. 

A harp seal pup 

Hunters hunt seal pups for its precious whit fluffy fur. Each year, hundreds and thousands of harp seals get killed, despite many environmentalists efforts to stop them :(

image creds:

petkaria.com


rescue.neaq.org

Zebras

Name: zebra

scientific name: Equus burchellii

More information:

The zebra is a horse, distinguished by its black and white stripes. All zebras has different types of stripes. Why they have stripes is not exactly known but some people guess that the stripes are for camouflaging. Its prey would not be able to tell where the head and tail of a zebra is when they are in herds. And attacking from the front of a zebra is not as easy as it may seem.

Zebras can be found in  quite a few habitats, such as savannas , woodlands and grass land. There are three species of zebras. The burchell zebra, also known as the common zebra is the most common zebra. Its average lifespan in the wild is 25 years.

Current Conservation Status: Last Concern




image creds:www.redorbit.com

Atlantic Puffins

Name: Atlantic Puffins

Scientific name:Fratercula arctica 

More information:

The Atlantic Puffin, otherwise known as the common puffin, is a bird that can be found on coasts and islands of the North Atlantic oceans.60 percent of puffins can be found in Iceland.

Puffins can fly and swim, both just as well. They hunt underwater for fishes such as eels. They can stay in the water up till 1 minute and can dive as deep as about 60 m. 

A baby puffin takes about 50 days to learn how to fly. After this period, it will leave its nest for good. 

Puffins average lifespan in the wild is at least 20 years or older. They are not , and never have been, endangered animals despite the fact that people hunt them down to eat. 

image creds:www.allaboutbirds.org | www.hww.ca

Bactrian Camel

name: Bactrian camel

scientific name: Camelus Bactrianus

more information: 

The bactrian camel, otherwise known as the double humped camel, can be fund in Northen Asia. Like the single humped camel which can be found in the Middle East,  the bactrian camel is able to survive on its own water  for long periods of time.

Camels are known to be excellent at their adaptation skills. As their habitat is hot and arid, they need to adapt to withstand the hot sun and the lack of water provided. Thus , camels have humps to store ( no... not water) fats. Their fats can be converted to energy which they can use. When camels find a water source, they drink lots and lots of water.

Bactrian camels are currently critically endangered and their numbers is less than 2000 in Mongolia and China :( 

Black widows

Name: Black widow 

Scientific name: Latrodectus

More Information: 

The black window is one of the worlds most venomous spiders. Correction. The FEMALE black widow is one of the worlds most venomous spiders. In fact, male black widows are totally harmless. 

Female black widows venom is said to be 15 times more venomous than a rattle snakes venom. 

The reason these spiders are called widows is because of its killer habits: It eats up her husband. 

Even though female black widows are venomous, it is not usually aggressive to humans unless you provoke it. Black widow's venom can be fatal, although rarely, to humans, especially the very young and the very old. Mostly, if you get bitten, you will feel nauseous and severe pain. 

Black widows can be found in temperate regions around the world. 


Image creds:www.tahoetermite.com

Reindeer

Name: Reindeer
scientific name:Rangifer tarandus
More information:  

The reindeer is a mammal that is famous during Christmas time. We probably all know who Rudolph and his friends are but what and how are reindeers like actually ?

The brown or grey animal can be found in North America, North Europe , Eastern Asia and Greenland. It weighs from 120 - 300 kg . 

Reindeers are herbivorous animals that has a lifespan of 12 - 15 years in the wild. It feeds on a lichen known as reindeer moss.In North America, reindeers are also known as caribous. They get hunted down by arctic wolves, bears and humans. Its current conservation status is Least Concern.

image creds:toomanycookies.wordpress.com

Mantis Shrimp

Name: Mantis Shrimp

Scientific name: Stomatopoda

More Facts:

1. The mantis shrimp lives in warm shallow waters.

2. It typically grows to be 15 - 30 cm in length.

3. While humans have 3 types of colour receptive cones, mantis shrimps has ........SIXTEEN.Think of 13 colours that does not exist in the world...impossible right? well, pretty much possible for that shrimp.

4. Mantis shrimps are absolutely scary killers.

5. They can punch fiercely... the 2 raptorial appendages accelerates with the same velocity as a gunshot.

6. In less than 3 thousandth of a second, they can strike a prey with 1500 Newtons of force.

7. Even if a mantis shrimp fails to strike its prey, the strength  it used will cause an undersea shock wave that will kill its prey anyway.




If you want to find out more about the mantis shrimp, check out tis website :D : http://theoatmeal.com/comics/mantis_shrimp




Image creds:
www.gizmodo.com.au
www.chicagonow.com

Piranha

name: Piranha

Scientific name: Pygocentrus Nattereri

More information:


The piranha , a fresh water fish, is known for its ferocity. It has razor-sharp triangular shaped teeth and can be found in South America.

The Red Belly Piranha 

Most people will have the idea that piranhas are carnivorous animals, due to their flesh easting habits. However, piranhas are actually omnivorous animals that also feeds on aquatic plants.

Piranhas are generally 30 cm long but some can be as huge as 80cm. Piranhas are hunted by river dolphins, crocodiles, turtles and even humans.

Piranhas, however, are not as deadly as we think. In fact, it usually swims by itself and feeds on animals or plants that fall into the water. However, when they are in swarms, hungry and blood-thirsty, you might not want to go into the water.

Conservation status: Least concern.

image credits:commons.wikimedia.org

The Weasel

name: Weasel

scientific name: Mustela nivalis

More information: 


The weasel is a mammal with a long slender body and a short tail. It is a native animal to the Great Britain.

The weasel is a carnivorous animal.It grows about 22 - 38 cm in length and 120 - 200 g in weight. 

Weasels from the Northern region will actually turn white during winter but the rest from other parts of the world do not.

The small mammal huts for , well, other small mammals such as rabbits in the day and night. 

Weasels are under the Least Concern Status in the IUCN Red List.

Image creds:a-z-animals.com

The Wallaby

Name: Wallaby

Scientific name: Macropus

more information:

Wallabies are marsupials that are closely related to the kangaroo. It grows about 1 - 20 kg in weight. The wallaby is a herbivore and feeds on grasses and plants.

Wallabies can be found in Australia. Its average life span in the wild is 9 years. It lives in herds and has predators such as foxes, large reptiles and dingos .

Their current conservation status is Least Concern.


Image creds: www.animalcorner.co.uk

The wolverine

Name: Wolverine

Scientific name: Gulo gulo

More information: 

When we say 'wolverine' , most people will think of the movie, The Wolverine. In actual fact the wolverine is actually the largest land species of the weasel family. It is about 80-100 cm in length and 11 - 18 kg in weight.

The wolverine is an omnivorous animal that feeds on plants as well as meat from rabbits, rodents, etc. Its average life span in the wild is 8 - 13 years. The wolverine is found throughout Europe, Canada , North America and the Arctic Circle where the wolverines can be found in mountanious regions and dense forests.

Wolverines are under the Near Threatened status due to habitat loss. 

Image creds:www.animalcorner.co.uk

Bobcat

name: Bobcat

scientific name: Felis rufus

more information:

The bobcat is a nocturnal lynx that is rarely seen by humans. They are found throughout North America.

These carnivorous mammals are about twice as large as the usual cat, about 60 - 100 cm in length and
5 - 14 kg in weight . Its average lifespan in the wild is 10-12 years. They feed on mostly rabbits and hares.

Bobcats are under the Least Concern status in the IUCN Red List.


Image credits:theguzzler.blogspot.com

Hedgehogs

name: Hedgehog

scientific name: Erinaceinae

more information:

There are about 15 species of hedgehogs in  Africa, Asia and Europe. It is a spiny animal that will roll into a tight ball when threatened.

The hedgehog is actually a carnivorous animal which diet consists of worms, insects, centipedes, and even snakes.

Hedgehogs weigh 400 - 1000 g and they have a length of about 17 -35 cm . Some people have them as pets.

The hedgehog sleeps during the day and awakens at night.


Conservation status: Endangered



Image creds:math.hws.edu

Hybrid animals

What are hybrid animals ?

Here's its definition from : http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hybrid

The offspring of two animals or plants of different breeds, varieties, or species, esp. as produced through human manipulation for specific genetic characteristics.

1.  

Zorse 

Zebra + Horse 

Image credits: a-z-animals.com

2. 

Liger 

Male lion + Female tiger 

www.pawnation.com

3. 

Wolphin

False killer whale + Bottle nosed dolphin

www.conservationinstitute.org

4.

Camas

Lamas + Camels 

flashpulp.com

5.

Zebroid

Zebra + Equine

secondhandhorsestuff.com

6.

Beefalo

Cow+ Buffalo 

blogs.kcrw.com

7.

Leopon

Leopard + Lion

tonymountain.blogspot.com

8.

Grolar Bear

Grizzly bear + Polar bear 

www.onearth.org

Sea Urchin

name: Sea Urchin

scientific name: Echinoidea

More information:

Sea urchins are found over all ocean floors . There are over 200 different species of them . Their shells are round and spiny, typically 3 - 10 cm across. It hurts , obviously, if it pokes through your skin! It is unknown if the spines are venomous but some part between the spines are venomous

Sea Urchins are omnivorous creatures. They move slowly, feeding on algae and animal matter Its life span is 15 - 200 years.

spi...key

Sea urchins has quite a few predators,  such as crabs , sea otters, birds , etc. But its predators includes humans, which hunt them as they are a delicacy in some cultures.

Conservation status : Threatened





Image credits: fotosbornik.ru,

Flamingos

name: Flamingo

Scientific name: Phoenicopterus

More information:

The flamingo is a large bird that can appear in several colours. Most flamingo species are a pinky orange colour , but others can be blue, white or black.

Flamingos are omnivorous animals and they feed on algae, fish and insects. Its lifespan in the wild is around 20 years, while its lifespan in captivity is around 40 years. They can be found in certain parts of South America , Asia, India, Africa and Europe.

Flamingos are known to stand on one leg. It even does this when it's sleeping!

Conservation status: Least concern







Image credits: johnkeyes.com

duck-billed platypus

name: Duck-billed platypus

scientific name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus

more information:     

Duck-billed platypus are amphibious mammals which lays eggs, unlike most of the mammals. It has webbed feet and a body with hair , along with a beak like a bird. They are about 50 cm in length and 1.5 kg in weight.

But , male platypuses are actually venomous. They have a pointy spur on their hind ankles that connects to a venom sac in each leg. The poison is not strong enough to kill a human, but people who have been stung says it HURTS LIKE, A LOT.

Platypuses are carnivorous  and they feed insect larvae, shellfish, and worms. Their life span in the wild is around 12 years and can be found in Australia, around Tasmania.

Conservation status:  Endangered

Image credits:gifts.worldwildlife.org

Resources: National Geographic , Google

PS. Perry the platypus ain't so cute now :P 

                                                               

electric eel

name: electric eel

Scientific name: Electrophorus electricus

More information: 

Electric eels can be found in the waters of South America. They are carnivorous fish that has the ability to generate a 500 volt electric shock through around 7m of still water.

Electric eel's life span in the wild is around 15 years. These solitary fishes can measure up to 2.5 m and weigh 22 kg. 

They feed on fishes and insects but death by humans by these animals are exremely rare :) 


Their conservation status : Least concern






IMAGE CREDITS:www.deviantart.com

Skunks

name: Skunk

Scientific name: Mephitidae

More information:

What are skunks known for? The stench they emit !

EWW

These mammals has an ability of spraying a liquid with a strong odour. It can be found around the North America region, and they can be quite a pest.

Skunks are omnivorous and eats mostly insects, but also birds, small mammals and plants.

Skunks can spray their stinky liquid up to around 3m! So you might never want to provoke one. Its average lifespan in the wild is 3 years.


Their conservation status : Least concern













image credits:www.northrup.org

Giant Clam

name: Giant clam

scientific name: Tridacna gigas

More information:

The giant clam is an enormous shell fish and the largest and heaviest species of mollusc. It can weigh up to 300 kg and can grow in length up to 1.3m!

Its average lifespan in the wild is , at least, a 100 years. Once it settles somewhere, it stays there for life.

Giant clams are omnivorous, and they feed on planktons, and algae that grows on it.

Currently, giant clams are under the Vulnerable classification in the IUCN Red List. This is due to fishing it for its meat and to supply the aquarium trade.

Where can you find giant clams then? Well, they live in warm tropical waters , such as those in the shallow waters in the Pacific Ocean.

image credits:weknowwearecute.undebug.org

Video credits:National Geographic

Resources: Google, ARKive. A-Zanimals

Vultures

name: Vulture

scientific name:  Cathartes aura

More information:

The vulture is a carnivorous bird that are scavenging. They have bald heads and weak claws and feed on carcasses of dead animals. They can eat carcasses at any point in the process of decaying.

There are 20 species of vulture. They weigh up to 12 kg and their life span in captivity is about 30 years!

King vultures are found from Mexico south to Argentina.

Some species of vultures are endangered, though. This is due to some drug in carcasses which they consume, killing them too. This is why its numbers are dwindling :(


image creds:www.chicagowilderness.org

Gila Monster

a gila monster

name: Gila monster

Scientific name: Heloderma suspectum

more facts:


1. Gila is pronounced as hee-luh

2. The gila monster is one of the worlds poisonous lizards.

3. It measures up to 60 cm

4. It weighs over 2 kg.

5. They can be found it Southwestern United States and Northwestern mexico.

6. Gila monsters are more likely to use their venom on its predator than its prey.

7. They mostly feed on newborn mammals.

8. They are able to go from months to years between meals.

9. They can live for 20-30 years in the wild.



image credits:www.asu.edu

The mimic octopus

Name: mimic octopus

Scientific name: Thaumoctopus mimicus

More information:

The mimic octopus is special. Why ?  It can impersonate other sea creatures!

a mimic octopus 

The mimic octopus was discovered in Indonesia in the 1990s. Though it was thought to be found only in Indonesia, the mimic octopus was also spotted at the Great Barrier Reef .

So what can this octopus change its body shape and its appearance to be? Well it can imitate a lion fish, which is poisonous, a sea snake, a flat fish and a jelly fish !

So here is a video from YouTube to help you understand better.

video credits: FullKanal

Image credits:blogs.scientificamerican.com

Resources: Wikipedia,Google

Mother Earth and Animals

Many people round the world
Take animals for granted

Hunt them, shoot them , kill them, eat them,
not one thought about their numbers.

People never realise how they have a heart too
How they have feelings
How they can feel pain
How they hurt.

Greed overcomes us.
We forget about nature
We forget about Mother Earth.

All that's in our mind is the money
The new leather handbag
The exclusive boots.

But while doing all these,
we forget the most important things

That we are indirectly killing Mother Earth
That we ourselves are animals
That we will ruin our home