Giraffe Weevil

Male Giraffe Weevil

Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Coleoptera
Family : Attelabidae
Genus : Trachelophorus
Species : giraffa

Body Length : 1in (2.5cm)

I chose today's animal based entirely on its looks, as it is otherwise a relatively unremarkable creature. Giraffe Weevils can be found on the Island of Madagascar, inhabiting forested areas.The are one of the longest Weevil species.

Giraffe Weevils are sexually dimorphic. Though both males and females have the striking red body coloration, the males have much, much longer necks than the females. Male use these long necks to fight over females when it comes time to breed, they also use them to create rolled up leaf nests, which the females lay only a single egg in. The leaf then serves as a meal for the larvae upon hatching.

Read More

Witness to Extinction: How We Failed to Save the Yangtze River Dolphin

By Samuel Turvey
Paperback : 256 Pages
October 15, 2009

Witness to Extinction: How We Failed to Save the Yangtze River Dolphin is without a doubt, one of the saddest books I’ve ever read. It is the true life account of the final Yangzte River Survey to locate any remaining Baiji, and the story of the Baiji and Chinese conservation in general.

Turvey, who was the lead author on the paper that announced the probable extinction of the species back in 2006, cares deeply for this subject, and pours out his frustration with the international conservation community. I had never realized the amount of bureaucracy involved, it gets really infuriating just reading it. The book details all of the failed efforts over time, juxtaposing them with the successes and failures of other species around the world.

QiQi, the only successful captive Baiji

I’m really glad I read this book. It gave me new insight into wildlife conservation and all of the steps and measures required to save a species from being gone forever. Unfortunately, Turvey’s Yangtze Project was too late, and the fabled River Dolphin is most like extinct. Witness serves as a passionate and well-written warning to scientists and lay-people alike about the fragility of our endangered species and speed at which they can disappear without true, proactive help.

Recommended to anyone with an interest in Dolphins, Endangered Species, or Conservation in general.

Read More

Plumed Basilisk

Male Plumed Basilisk

Phylum : Chordata
Class : Sauropsida
Order : Squamata
Family : Corytophanidae
Genus : Basiliscus
Species : plumifrons

Length : 2-3ft (.6-1m)
Weight : 7oz (200g)

IUCN status : Not Listed

In its native lands in Central America, the Plumed Basilisk is sometimes referred to as the 'Jesus Christ Lizard.' Why? Because for a short amount of time, these striking green lizards are able to walk across water. This interesting feat is accomplished with help from their gigantic toes. As the lizard runs, it's long feet spread out, increasing the surface area, and when they slap their feet down it creates small air pockets that prevent them from sinking. Of course, the Plumed Basilisk cannot walk on water forever, they can only move about 15ft (4.5m).

Plumed Basilisks are also exceptional swimmers. They can stay underwater for a half hour or more! They are an omnivorous species, and eat mostly insects, plants, and small vertebrates.

The Plumed Basilisk is also known as the Green Basilisk and the Double Crested Basilisk. Both of these monikers refer to their appearance; they are bright green in color with small blueish spots, and males possess crests on their head and back. Females have crests on their heads only.

Females lay up to 20 eggs, which are not looked after by either parent. Young hatchlings are able to swim and run (on water!) right away.

 

Read More

Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark

Phylum : Chordata
Class : Chondrichthyes
Order : Orectolobiformes
Family : Ginglymostomatidae
Genus : Ginglymostoma
Species : cirratum

Length : 7.5-10ft (2.2-3m)
Weight : 200-325lbs (90-150g)

IUCN Status : Data Deficient

The origin of the Nurse Shark's name is a bit shrouded in mystery. It might be a derivation of "Nusse," which is a name given to different types of "Catshark." It might also be taken from the Old-English Hurse, which refers to sea-floor dwelling sharks. It also might refer to the sucking sound that the sharks make while hunting.

If those possible name origins didn't already give it away, the Nurse Shark is a bottom dwelling shark that has catfish-like whiskers. They can be found in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, in warm tropical and subtropical coastal water.

Nurse Sharks are not harmful to humans, even though they can get quite large. The prefer to feed on bottom-dwelling invertebrates like shrimp, snails, and octopuses, as well as fish. They have small mouths but amazingly fast and strong suction power, and strong jaws that allow them to crush shells with ease.

Nurse Sharks are ovoviviparous, and give birth to 20-30 young at a time.

Read More

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.


Well I finally finished Witness to Extinction, and I'll have a review up for that sometime this week. I haven't started anything else yet, it was quite the busy weekend... but I have a few options.

• The Lost World of the Moa: Prehistoric Life of New Zealand
• Last Chance to See
• Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence--and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process

Haven't decided what I want to read first... Hmm, probably Lost World, since it is an interlibrary loan with a limited check out time. 

Read More

Holstein Cattle

Holstein Cattle

Phylum : Chordata
Class : Mammalia
Order : Artiodactyla
Family : Bovidae
Genus : Bos
Species : primigenius

Height : 58in (147cm)
Weight : 1500lbs (680kg)

Well, It's Super Bowl Sunday and I'm sure you can figure out which team I'm rooting for. Because hey, Wisconsin is know for its Cheeseheads, so what better animal for today than one of our iconic Dairy Cattle?

Holstein Cattle are an old breed that dates back over 2,000 years to the wandering tribes that eventually settled in the Netherlands. Black Batavian Cattle and white Fresian Cattle were bred and culled to produce animals with a high milk output, and high land use efficiency. The black and white Holstein was born.

But... did you know Holsteins aren't always black and white?  They can be red and white as well!

Red and White Mother and Calf

Holsteins have become such an amazingly popular breed for many reasons. They have an extremely high milk output for one. The average output in 2009 among sampled individuals was 23,151lbs of milk, 842lbs of butterfat and 711lbs  of protein per year, and top produces can make over 70,000lbs per year!

Holsteins are also preferred because they calve easy, can graze in a variety of areas, and they have a very good temperament. Holsteins are so adaptable that embryos and individuals are being sent around the world to increase food production.

Read More

Sun Bear

Adult Sun Bear

Phylum : Chordata
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Ursidae
Genus : Helarctos
Species : malayanus

Height : 4ft (1.2m)
Weight : 65-130lbs (30-60kg)

IUCN Status : Vulnerable

The Sun Bear is the smallest of the bear species. They can be found in dense, forested areas of South East Asia, and are named for a bright patch on their chests which resemble the rising sun.

Sun Bears are, ironically, nocturnal. During the night they forage around in the forest, looking for berries, rodents, insects, and a whole plethora of other foods to eat. They have long claw that help to get inside termite nests, and amazingly long tongues which are used for extracting honey.

Sun Bears Have Really Long Tongues!

It is believed that Sun Bears are monogamous, since adults are often spotted in pairs. Because of the warm climate, Sun Bears do not hibernate, nor do they have a set breeding season. Cubs are born hairless and helpless, and require a great deal of care from their mothers. Mother Sun Bears will even stand on their hind legs and carry their cubs from place to place. They are one of only a few bear species that exhibit this type of behavior.

Sun Bears are incredibly elusive, and are listed as an endangered species. Their secretive nature makes it very difficult for us to study them in the wild and determine their total numbers. Deforestation and poaching have been major negative factors on the species.

Read More