Tenkile

Dendrolagus scottae

The Tenlike, also known as Scott's Tree Kangaroo, is an extremely rare Macropod found only in the Torricelli Mountain Range of Papua New Guinea. They have dark fur, long tails,feed on a diet of vines and leaves, and are one of the most endangered Mammals on the planet.

The Tenlike was described by science for the first time in 1989, and even then they were very, very rare. In 2000 it was believed that less than 100 remained. Not long after that the Tenlike Conservation Alliance was formed in order to protect the Tree Kangaroos from extinction.

It is believed that the total range of these Marsupials is less than  125 square kilometers. Hunting is a major threat, and the TCA is working with villages to both stop the practice, and to create a safe, protected zone in the mountains where the Tenlike live. There are still many surveys that need to be done, as well as a lot of footwork. The group has been successful though, as it is believed that numbers are now around 200.

---

IUCN Status : Critically Endangered
Location : Papua New Guinea
Size : Weight up to 24lbs (11kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Diprotodontia
Family : Macropodidae -- Genus : Dendrolagus -- Species : D. scottae

Read More

Heterixalus alboguttatus

Heterixalus alboguttatus

H. alboguttatus is a species of Frog native to the island of Madagascar. It lives at lower altitudes, and is most often found in grassland and savanna areas.

This odd looking frog can be identified by its dark body with bright orange spots (and smaller, white flecks). This coloration distinguishes them from all the other species within the genus. They don't grow especially large, reaching only a few cm in length

Unfortunately, not much else is known about this frog. Reproductive information is scarce-- nothing is reported about the tadpole phase, though we do know (from dissected individuals) that a female can lay up to 500 eggs at once. Currently they are listed as being of Least concern, and they seem to be quite adaptable and not majorly affected by habitat change or the pet trade.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Madagascar
Size : Length up to 33mm

Classification :  Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Amphibia -- Order : Anura
Family : Hyperoliidae -- Genus : Heterixalus -- Species : H. alboguttatus

Read More

Masked Crab

Corystes cassivelaunus

The Masked Crab gets its name from patterns that sometimes appear on its elongated carapace-- they can look like faces!

Aside from those designs, the Masked Crabs are yellowish to reddish brown in color, have very long antennae, and long pincers that can be twice the length of the body... well, for males at least. A females pincers are only about the same length as the carapace. Overall they are small crabs, only growing carapaces of a few cm.

This species is the only one listed within the genus Corystes and it is found in the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic. They are burrowers-- the dig backwards into the sand in order to hunt after the invertebrates that live in the substrate. While underground, the Masked Crabs stick their antennae into the water above, fusing them together to form a breathing tube.

---

IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : North Atlantic
Size : Carapace length up to 1.6in (4cm)

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Subphylum : Crustacea -- Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda -- Family : Corystidae -- Genus : Corystes -- Species : C. cassivelaunus

Read More

Diana Monkey

Cercopithecus diana

The Diana Monkey is a Vulnerable species that is only found in Sierra Leone and Ghana, in West Africa. They live high up in the trees where they feeds on fruits, leaves, and invertebrates.

Diana Monkeys live in social groups that number between 5 and 50 individuals, and these groups tend to contain only one breeding male (who will most likely not stay with that group for his entire life; the males move around).

Within these groups they have a polygynous mating system, meaning that the one male will breed with multiple females. The females typically only have one infant at a time, though the sex determines what the young Monkey will do when it grows up. Females stay with their mothers for their entire lives, but males will leave the group and attempt to start their own families.

Sadly, hunting and deforestation has caused a drop in the Diana Monkey population. They live in a few protected areas, and are found in captivity, but more must be done to keep them from further declining in the wild.

---

IUCN Status : Vulnerable
Location : West Africa
Size : Body length up to 21in (53cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Primates
Family : Cercopithecidae -- Genus : Cercopithecus -- Species : C. diana

Read More

Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus (male)

The Hooded Merganser is a small species of duck that can be found in North America, living in wetlands that are near forested areas. They are migratory, moving north in order to breed (with large population around the Great Lakes) and south in order to avoid the cold winters.

You can easily identify the Hooded Mergansers, as "hood" barely describe the extravagance of their head feathers. Males have very large crests that are a stark black and white pattern. Females also have these crowns, though theirs are a cinnamon brown.

Hooded Mergansers are particularly interesting when it comes to their breeding and child-rearing habits. Some females will actually lay their eggs int he nests of other females. Though brood parasitism like this is seen in other species, the Mergansers are notable because they only lay their eggs in the nests of their own kind. A single female will lay around a dozen eggs, but some clutches will number over 40!

The chicks don't stay in their nests long after they are born. Within 24 hours the mother will hop out and survey the surroundings. If the coast is clear, she will call her chicks down... which can be quite a leap as they nest up in trees or in boxes. They then have to march after their mother, sometimes as far as half a mile, until they reach a body of water.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : North America
Size : Length up to 19in (49cm), Wingspan up to 26in (66cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Anseriformes
Family : Anatidae -- Genus : Lophodytes -- Species : L. cucullatus

Read More

Groundhog

Marmota monax

Today is, of course, Groundhog Day. And where I'm at, they did not see their shadow - Spring is coming! (Or so goes the story).

The Groundhog goes by many names, including the Woodchuck (yes, they are the same!) and my favorite, the Whistle-pig. They are members of the Squirrel family, and are actually the largest Squirrels within their range. They can be found throughout the northern parts of the North American continent, living in lowland forests and open plains.

Though they may not look as agile as their arboreal squirrel cousins, they too can climb trees quite well. They are also great swimmers despite their lumpy appearance.

Groundhogs build extensive burrows that they live in year round. During the summer they retreat to these hideaways to sleep and to raise their young. In winter they use them for hibernation, and they are only of the few mammals that enters a real  true hibernation state.

In the warm months the Groundhogs spend their time gorging on food, preparing for the long sleep ahead. When hibernation time comes, their heart rate lowers, their body temperature drops, and they sustain themselves on their built up body fat.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : North America
Size : Length up to 26in (65cm), Weight up to 9lbs (4kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Rodentia
Family : Sciuridae -- Genus : Marmota -- Species : M. monax

Read More

Greater Kudu

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

The Greater Kudu is one of the largest Antelope species out there, which the largest males standing over 5ft tall at the shoulder and weighing over 600lbs. They sport horns that equally as impressive in size-- the record is 72in.

You'll find the Greater Kudus in southern and eastern Africa, where they inhabit scrub woodlands. Their brown coloration and white stripes allow them to remain camouflaged within these woody surroundings. The Kudus are most active at dawn and dusk, and spend the daytime hours hidden in these forested areas. However, their stripes are not their only defensive mechanism; they also sport very large ears that allow them to hear approaching danger. When alerted, the Antelope can try and bound away to safety.

Female Greater Kudus tend to live in moderately sized groups with other females and offspring. Most mature males are solitary, and will only join up with these herds during the breeding period that corresponds with the end of the rainy season. Males will fight, locking their large horns together, in order to claim breeding rights over the females. Generally only one calf is born at a time, and their birth happens during the season where the grass is highest. This allows the newborns to stay hidden and safe from predators.

Greater Kudus have an interesting relationship with humans. On the one hand, their large size and incredible horns make them prime trophy targets for hunters. But on the other hand, agricultural development and irrigation has allowed them to spread into areas that were once too dry for them to survive in. Overall they are listed as being of Least Concern.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Africa
Size : Height up to 5ft (1.5m), Weight up to 600lbs (272kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Artiodactyla
Family : Bovidae -- Genus : Tragelaphus -- Species : T. strepsiceros

Read More