First blog post

The world is an inter-connected place, not just as in the network of phones or of networks of money, but as a network of plates and prey. The food chain encompasses the entire planet, even we are on it, but recently man has been monkeying around with that chain, breaking one link, adding in different ones. In this matter, some animals have become extinct by over hunting and invasive species, and others have been introduced into new ecosystems, overpopulating without their respective hunters and killing of native species.

 

I’ve created this blog for the purposes of alerting you of how the global ecosystem is doing and (let’s be honest) for the advanced social studies credit. Per each blog post, I’ll name a species, it’s location, what’s up with it, and rules regarding it, and some fun facts. Here’s an example; The Humboldt Penguin is a average height penguin from of the coasts of Peru and Chile. These animals are classified as vulnerable to being endangered, but is currently not under any conservation laws. They are named after a cold water current that runs nearby their habitat, which is named after the explorer Alexander von Humboldt.

Now here’s a condensed version of today’s animal.

 

Easily the most famous of the critically endangered animals, the Black Rhinoceros was a dying species. Black Rhinos have been hunted and, later, poached because of their horns. Hence, authorities have been attempting to stop the poaching of Black Rhinos by shutting down the horn trade and making them endangered species, making them illegal to hunt. The Rhino as poor eyesight, and relies mostly on sound and smell, which leaves it highly vulnerable to quiet attacks from downwind. None the less, the conservation efforts that have been made are, in spite of poaching, allowing the Black Rhino to rebound. Hopefully, the Black Rhinoceros will again number in the hundreds of thousands like before human intervention.

Bandicoot

Today’s animal is the Bandicoot, a small animal in Australia that I didn’t even know existed. It is a marsupial, and there is eleven species of it. Despite being of a rodent’s appearance, it is thought to be closer to a rabbit. This is because of the Bandicoot’s large hind legs that it uses to hop, and the fact that a Bandicoot is about the size of a rabbit. Bandicoots average out to be (including tail) about fifty centimeters long. However, Bandicoot males are known to be twice as large as females.

The scientific categorisation of the bandicoot is Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Peramelemorphia, Peramelidae, Perameles. Bandicoots are omnivores, and will eat bugs, fruits, nuts, berries, seeds, eggs, and even small rodents that it finds. However, due to it’s small size, the bandicoot is preyed on by birds, foxes, snakes, wildcats, but mainly dingoes and pythons. Bandicoots have a lifespan of three to five years.

Bandicoot females will give birth to a liter of three-six in around twelve days after they become pregnant, one of the shortest pregnancy of any mammal. However, bandicoots are marsupials, meaning that there is a pouch on the mother’s belly where the babies are kept until they are strong enough to go out on their own.

Bandicoots are solitary animals, only coming together to mate. They are also nocturnal, meaning that they come out at night. In the day, they sleep in swamps,and thickets, where there are plenty of places to hide.

The reason for the endangerment of the bandicoot is that there has been deforestation, taking away from their habitat. Also, with the introduction of European settlers came cats, which preyed on the bandicoot as well. If deforestation stops, there is still hope for these creatures, but, sa of now, they are on the brink of disaster.

 

Sources;

• http://a-z-animals.com/animals/bandicoot/

Buzzzzzzzz!

This week’s blog will leave me feeling slightly guilty, as I’m afraid of this cornerstone species, the Honey bee. There are seven species of honey bees, out of more than 20,000 types of bees. However, there are 44 different subspecies of honey bee, found on every continent.

This is one of the rare cornerstone species that are endangered. Honey bees are so important because one third of what humans eat is pollinated by bees. Therefore, if all honey bees go extinct, there would be mass starvation, and food prices would spike, triggering disaster. The Queen of the hive lays all of the eggs, sealing them in wax, and when the larvae hatch, they eat their way out of the mound.

Bees also have a unique language. Honey bees use a dance language to detail where and in what quantity food/flowers are. One thing that contributes to the falling numbers of the Honey Bee is the large amounts of predators. Birds, mammals, reptiles, and even other insects are known to prey on bees. Another enemy of bees is bears, whom are notorious for smashing hives to get at the honey they hold.

However, the ultimate reason for a species’ endangerment is once again humans. The main killer of the Honey bee is habitat loss. This is a truly shocking statement, as bees are a global species. This means that humans have taken out large amounts of habitat on a global scale.

Honey bees are a critical species to not only us, but the whole earth. Habitat loss has been the undoing of half of the animals on this blog sight, and it might be the undoing of us, too. However, if we start to act, and if we save the honey bees and if we stop deforestation and habitat loss, then we will be all right. But that is a lot of obstacles to overcome.

Sources;

• http://a-z-animals.com/animals/honey-bee/

Hummingbirds

This blog is on an animal that you might have seen before, the hummingbird. There is around 350 different species of hummingbirds in the southern hemisphere alone. These birds prefer tropical climates, but can be found further north, even here, in Vermont.

One of the calling cards of a hummingbird is its rapid wing beat. Depending on the species, hummingbirds beat their wings between 15 and 80 times per second. This results in a slight humming sound, and hence, the name.

Hummingbirds also come in a range of sizes, from the Cuban bee hummingbird at 5 cm tall (that’s smaller than my thumb!) to the Andes giant hummingbird at 20 cm tall (that’s bigger than my hand!). Hummingbirds eat/drink mainly nectar from flowers, but also eat insects, due to the lack of protein in nectar. This fuels the hummingbird to a top speed of 30 mph, and also making the hummingbird the only bird to be able to fly backwards.

However, one of the reasons that the hummingbird is endangered is that what it sacrifices for speed is defense. If one of the predators of the hummingbird, that is, snakes, lizards, or even larger birds, manage to catch it, the hummingbird cannot fight back very well. Even wild and domestic cats try and get them.

There is a high mortality rate for the first year amongst hummingbirds, but those who survive average a lifespan of four years old, though hummingbirds have been known to live twelve.

It is the female that builds the nest, and after three weeks, the eggs that the female laid will hatch. However, with the exception of mating, hummingbirds are solitary animals, meaning that they prefer to live alone.

Hummingbirds are a one-of-a-kind species, and they hold a place as pollinators, something that is coming rare with the collapse of bees. But, the hummingbirds agility and speed might save them yet.

Sources;

• http://a-z-animals.com/animals/hummingbird/

Macaws

 

Today’s animal is a fairly famous bird, and equally as colorful, the Macaw. The Macaw lives in South and Central America. The scientific categorization of the Macaw is Animalia, Chordata, Aves, Psittaciformes, Psittacidae, Arini. There is no specific name for the Macaws, as it is a family, but most Macaws are in the Endangered category. There are 17 different types of Macaws.

The Macaw is one of the largest species of bird in the world, reaching one meter in height. The average height of a man is 1.77 meters, to put in perspective. The Macaw is known for its bright plumage, which can be red, white, yellow, green blue, of a combination of the above!

However, Macaws are part of the parrot family, and are the largest parrot in the world. Like other parrots, Macaws have four claws on their feet, two facing forward, two facing backward. This helps them hold onto branches

An interesting thing about Macaws is that, like humans, they are one of the few animals that will typically keep one partner for breeding for the rest of their lives. A female Macaw lays about two eggs at a time, after which she will incubate them. The male hunts for both of them in that period, and the eggs hatch in a month or so.

The main reason for the Macaws endangered status is that it’s habitat is being deforested, and, to a lesser degree, the Macaw is hunted for their brilliant feathers. Another distinct ability of the Macaw is that, because Macaws are intelligent and sociable, they are able to mimic human sounds. A typical stereotype is “Polly wants a cracker!”

Macaws are a famous and endangered species. They might very well disappear without protection. But, if the deforesting stops, then these brilliant birds might stand a chance.

RED Pandas!

Today’s blog will be on a type of panda. The smaller cousin to the very well known Giant Panda, the Red Panda is also on the endangered list. But, as it is also related to a raccoon, the Red Panda has it’s own scientific family. It’s scientific classification is Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Ailuridae, Ailurus. It’s scientific name is Ailurus Fulgens.

Intriguingly, even though Red Pandas belong to a carnivorous family of animals, they are omnivorous, leaning heavily towards the herbivore side of the spectrum, eating almost entirely bamboo, just like their cousins. However, they supplement their diets with a mix of acorns, berries, grasses, grubs, mice, lizards, chicks, and eggs. They are preyed on by Snow Leopards and Martens, as well as Birds of Prey.

Red Pandas live at altitudes between 1,800 and 4,000 meters in temperate forests at the Himalayas. Their historical range was in Bhutan, Nepal, India, Myanmar, and China. In China, their range overlapped the Giant Panda as well. However, due to the fragile nature of bamboo forests, and because of climate change, the Red Panda is being pushed into smaller pockets and into endangerment.

Red Pandas breed between January and March, and after a period of four months, females give birth to a group 1-5 pandas. Young pandas are able to go out of the nest three months after they are born, but are blind until a month after they are born. However, a factor contributing to their low numbers and endangered status is that there is a high mortality rate for young Red Pandas, with 80% not reaching full adulthood.

As with every animal so far, humans have a part in the status Red Pandas have. Hunting and poaching have lowered their numbers and pushed them into small areas. But, if these things are stopped, the Red Panda might rebound.

Sources;

• http://a-z-animals.com/animals/red-panda/

Axolotl

Today’s animal is a popular aquarium pet exclusively from a certain lake complex outside Mexico City, the Axolotl. Similar to the Tiger Salamander that also lives in the same region, the Axolotl can easily be distinguished from it because the Axolotl maintains its tadpole-like form through it’s entire lifespan.

The Axolotl has feathery gills on the sides of it’s head, which is wider than it’s body. The Axolotl also possesses the ability unique to the salamander and relatives that is the ability to regenerate limbs. They are most often pink or white, but brown, black and grey ones can also be found. Axolotl can actually reach a top speed of about 10 miles per hour, or at a heavy jog. Axolotl also weigh between 2 to 7 ounces.

Axolotl live to be about 15 years old on average, with 25 years old being the longest. The Axolotls scientific classification is Animalia, Chordata, Amphibia, Caudata, Ambystomatidae, Ambystoma. Their scientific name is Ambystoma Mexicanum.

Female Axolotl lay between 100 to 1,000 eggs in one pregnancy, averaging at 500. Similarly to some frogs, the eggs are coated in a slimy substance that helps them cling to rocks and keeps them safe from predators by having a bad taste, so they don’t eat them.

Axolotl are carnivorous animals, eating worms, molluscs, larvae, crustaceans, and some small species of fish. Birds and larger fish are the main predator of the Axolotl, along of humans, who catch them fro aquariums. But, despite their small size, those are their only predators because of the lakebed-living style of the Axolotls.

Axolotl are on the Critically Endangered list because of mainly pollution, and the fact of the ever-expanding Mexico City, and that humans keep taking them from the wild. But, if steps are made, there is still hope yet for these odd-looking amphibians.

Sources;

• http://a-z-animals.com/animals/axolotl/

Armadillos, Armadillos, and Armadillos!

Today’s animal is a wild west animal that you wouldn’t think endangered, the Armadillo. Native to South America and most of North America, save Canada.

 

The scientific grouping for the common Armadillo is Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Cinquanta, Dasypodidae, Dasypus. The scientific name is Dasypodidae.

 

The average Armadillo is about 75 centimeters in length, but some species can get as big as 1.5 meters in length, and as small as 10 centimeters. Despite their awkward shape and small size, a Armadillo can scurry at almost 30 miles per hour!

 

The armadillo is famous for its ability to curl up into a hard ball of shell. The shell is made of  bone with a coating of keratin. Keratin is the substance our fingernails are made of, and also what a Rhino’s horn is made of. However, the Armadillo has one major weakness; eyesight. An Armadillo has poor eyesight, which is a problem for the ones in the jungle.

 

The Armadillo has sharp claws for burrowing and for hunting it’s primary prey; bugs and insects. But, Armadillos will also eat worms, spiders, snakes, and frogs if there are no bugs around. However, the Armadillo is hunted by bears, wolves, wildcats, and cougars.

 

Females of this species give birth to four at a time after being pregnant for three to four months. From there, baby Armadillos leave the burrow after six months to a year.

 

Some other fun facts are that the Armadillo has more teeth than that of any other mammal, over 100. Armadillos are nocturnal creatures, and wander around, never settling in one territory, mostly ignoring others of it’s kind. Another strange aspect is that some Armadillos naturally carry a form of leprosy, a disease that inflicts skin and nerve damage.

 

Today, Armadillos are considered an endangered species. As far as I could find, however, no conservation efforts were being enacted. But still, there are hope for these critters yet.

 

Sources;

• http://a-z-animals.com/animals/armadillo/
• http://www.ourendangeredworld.com/species/land-mammals/giant-armadillo/

The Monte Iberia Eleuth (a frog)

Today’s blog is on the Monte Iberia Eleuth. As the name suggests, this species of frog is native to the Mount Iberia area of Cuba. The Monte Iberia is the smallest frog in the northern hemisphere, the second smallest in the world, behind the Brazilian golden frog.

 

The Monte Iberia Eleuth lives primarily in the Holguin province of Cuba, at elevations of 600 meters or less, and in poorly drained areas with high humidity. Unfortunately, the area that the Monte Iberia Eleuth lives in has seen a great deal of human activity in the past forty years.

 

The scientific name for the Monte Iberia Eleuth is Eleutherodactylus Iberia. It’s scientific categorisation is Animalia, Chordata, Amphibia, Anura, Leptodactylidae, Eleutherodactylus. As mentioned earlier, the Monte Iberia Eleuth is one of the smallest frogs in the world. As such, the Eleuth has less teeth than most frogs and makes higher pitched calls. The head of the Monte Iberia Eleuth is only the size as the head of a pin, and the Eleuth also has a yellow stripe running down it’s back.

 

Despite it’s small size, the Monte Iberia Eleuth will eat insects, moths, and spiders, as well as semi-aquatic invertebrates if there is water near by. However, because of it’s size, it falls prey to a variety of species. Some include birds, rodents, lizards and toads, and on occasion, even larger frogs.

 

The Monte Iberia Eleuth has a similar life cycle to that of other frogs, as in that it goes from eggs to tadpoles to full-grown frogs. However, from what little we know about the Monte Iberia Eleuth reproductive cycle, we know that the Eleuth lays only a few eggs at a time.

 

The Monte Iberia Eleuth is a critically endangered species because of human activities shrinking their already small territory. But, if a reserve is made for them, the Monte Iberia Eleuth may yet survive.

 

Sources:

• http://a-z-animals.com/animals/monte-iberia-eleuth/

The Saola

Today’s blog is on the Saola, a type of antelope, also known as The Asian Unicorn, mainly because it’s so close to extinction, numbering in the tens of individuals. Found in the forests on the border between Vietnam and Laos, it is considered critically endangered.

 

The Saola breeding season seems to coincide with the rainy seasons in Vietnam and Laos. A female is pregnant for about seven or eight months before giving birth to a single calf, not unlike wild cattle. The young are on there own at the age of six to eight months, and the expected lifetime is eight to eleven years.

 

The Saola was discovered officially in 1992, making it the newest large mammal discovered to date.. Saolas are entirely unique, and where hence given their own taxonomy. Their scientific classification is Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Artiodactyla, Bovidae, Pseudoryx. There scientific name is Pseudoryx Nghetinhensis. Both males and females have their distinctive horns, and they mark their territory using a sticky, smelly liquid.

 

Saolas are Herbivores, and eat leaves, fruits, seeds, and berries. They will also eat grasses and herbs that are on the ground. Saolas are usually found near freshwater streams or lakes. Their natural predators are mainly crocodiles and tigers.

 

However, as with the last three endangered animals that I’ve done, humans are their primary predator and threat. Saola horns are considered primary hunting trophies for the local Vietnamese and Laotians. Also, they originally inhabited the lowlands, but deforestation and habitat loss has forced the Saolas up into the hills, pushing them to extinction.

 

Today, the Saola is considered critically endangered. A reserve about 61 square miles has been set up, in Quang Nam, in order to preserve the all but extinct Saola. With work, The saolas might be able to survive, but it is a distinct possibility that the Saola might go extinct.

 

Sources;

• http://a-z-animals.com/animals/saola/