Sinocalliopteryx

Sinocalliopteryx gigas

Sinocalliopteryx certainly has a mouthful of a name! It actually translates to "Chinese Beautiful Feather," as they had feathers, and their fossils were uncovered in the Yixian Formation in north east China. It is a relatively new species, in terms of discovery, and was only first described in 2007.

Sinocalliopteryx lived around 130-125 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous. They are the largest known members of their entire family, measuring nearly 8ft long. These guys were bipedal, and had powerful hind legs and arms that were longer than most others in their family. They also had "proto-feathers," which were thin, hairlike feathers. (I imagine something that looked similar to the feathers on a Cassowary).

New research has come out that suggests Sinocalliopteryx hunted much like a modern cat does. Fossil evidence shows that they flying creatures, including small aerial Dinosaurs. They probably stalked these animals quietly, hiding in the underbrush. Then, when the right moment hit, they would jump up into the air with their powerful hind legs and snatch on to the prey. This theory is still controversial, as fossils are only able to tell us so much about behavior. However, the leg anatomy, coupled with the presence of flying creatures in the digestive system, makes for a compelling argument.

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Status : Extinct for around 125 million years
Location : China
Size :  Length up to 8ft (2.5m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Reptilia -- clade : Dinosauria
Family : †Compsognathidae -- Genus : †Sinocalliopteryx -- Species : †S. gigas

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Greater Blue-ringed Octopus

Hapalochlaena lunulata

The Greater Blue-ringed Octopus is, interestingly, not even the largest of the Blue-ringed Octopuses. That honor goes to the confusingly named Lesser (or Southern) Blue-ringed Octopus, which is only a hair larger. In fact, all members of the Blue-ring groups are quite small-- most are only a few centimeters in body length, with tentacles only a tad longer.

 The Greater Blue-ringed Octopus is distinctive among its family members in that it has a relatively large range. Most others live in a very specific watery area, but the Great Blue-ringed can be found in tropical waters throughout the Pacific Ocean, and in parts of the Indian Ocean as well.

These Octopuses get their names from the bright blue circles that appear when they feel threatened. I should note that these rings are visible during calm periods as well, but they are much less noticeable. Those vibrant patches serve as warnings to predators because these guys are venomous! Greater Blue-ringed Octopuses actually have two types of venom-- one that they use to deter would-be attackers, and one that they themselves use to attack prey (small little invertebrates and fish).

Great Blue-ringed Octopus venom can be incredibly dangerous to humans. They don't usually attack unprovoked, but if you do something to make them feel threatened, watch out! The toxin paralyzes and can kill in a matter of minutes!

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Tropical Pacific Ocean
Size :  Body length up to 5cm

Classification : Phylum : Mollusca -- Class : Cephalopoda -- Order : Octopoda
Family : Octopodidae -- Genus : Hapalochlaena -- Species : H. lunulata

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Ring Ouzel

Turdus torquatus (male)

The Ring Ouzel is a Thrush that belongs to the very same genus as both the Common Blackbird and the American Robin. They look quite a bit like the Blackbird, and their name "Ouzel" actually comes from an Old English term for that bird. Males can be identified by their black bodies and white chest bands. Their wings also take on a silvery color, due to white feathers at the tips. Females lack the white chest ring, and are duller in appearance.

Ring Ouzels can be found in various parts of Europe. Some populations are migratory, moving to the North to breed, and down south to the Mediterranean in winter. The birds are usually found alone or in pairs, though they will form very loose flocks during migrations.

When breeding season comes, they build small cup-shaped nests in branches or rock piles. Up to four eggs are laid at a time, and they hatch after only two weeks. The young are fledged after another 14 days. This quick breeding cycle allows some birds to raise more than one brood each season.

These birds have an omnivorous diet. During the spring and summer they feed heartily on Earthworms and other invertebrates. However, when fall and winter set in, they eat Juniper berries and other plant materials.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Europe
Size :  Length up to 9.5in (24cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Passeriformes
Family : Turdidae -- Genus : Turdus -- Species : T. torquatus

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Confusing Toad

Incilius perplexus

Meet the Confusing Toad, which has certainly confused scientists when it comes to their classification! I've found three different possible genus names for this little guy, dating back to 1943, though it looks like the most recent classification (in 2008) has stuck. Incilius perplexus it is!

The Confusing Toad also happens to be a very Endangered Toad. They are endemic to one small area of Mexico-- the Tepalcatepec Basin to be exact. They may live in other areas as well, but so far only that location has yielded any sightings.

Confusing Toads live near streams and ponds around tropical rain forests. Unfortunately, these same areas are under constant threat from agricultural and commercial development. The Toad population is on the decline, and they unfortunately do not live in any protected areas. If they go extinct, the Confusing Toad may remain a rare and confusing species forever.

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IUCN Status : Endangered
Location : Mexico

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Amphibia -- Order : Anura
Family : Bufonidae -- Genus : Incilius -- Species : I. perplexus

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Side-striped Jackal

Canis adustus

The Side-striped Jackal is one of three different Jackal species, all of which can be found on the continent of Africa. This particular brand lives not only in grasslands, but also in wooded areas and scrub lands. They can be identified by the prominent black and white horizontal stripes that run down their sides.

Side-striped Jackals are nocturnal, and they live either alone or in small groups that are headed by a monogamous breeding pair (they often mate for life!). The pair breeds annually during the rainy season, and litters number between three and six pups. The pups will remain with their parents until they are nearly a year old.

When it comes to food, these Jackals will eat just about anything. They are scavengers, but they also occasionally kill their own prey and forage for plants. Insects, small mammals, reptiles, eggs, and fruits are all common meals. They will very seldom kill slightly larger animals, and when they do it is usually nothing larger than a very young antelope. They pose very little threat to livestock.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Africa
Size :  Length up to 32in (81cm), Weight up to 30lbs (14kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Carnivora
Family : Canidae -- Genus : Canis -- Species : C. adustus

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Brown Falcon

Falco berigora

Meet the Brown Falcon, a smallish Falcon that lives in just about every type of habitat in Australia (except for dense forests). Unsurprisingly, they have brown feathers-- darker on top, more buff colored underneath. They also sport tear strips below the eyes.

Brown Falcons are carnivores that feed on small mammals, as well as on a variety of birds, reptiles, and insects (they tend to eat more insects during the winter months). In order to hunt, they wait very patiently on perches, gazing down to watch for passing prey. The Falcon then swoops down, grabs its new meal, and kills it with a bite to the spine.

Breeding usually takes place from June to November, and the birds often recycle nests that were build by other Falcons. Both parents will help to incubate and feed the young birds, but it if often the male that laves the nest to find food.

Brown Falcons are very common throughout Australia, and can be spotted quite easily (reminds me a bit of the Red-tailed Hawks that we have in North America!)

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Australia
Size :  Length up to 19in (50cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order-: Falconiformes
Family : Falconidae -- Genus : Falco -- Species : F. berigora

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Cabezon

Scopaenichthys marmoratus

The Cabezon is a fish whose name means "Big Head," and their genus actually translates to "Scorpion Fish," though it is interesting to note that they are not actually true Scorpion Fish. Those animals belong to a completely different family.

Cabezon can be found in the shallow, rocky, kelp-bed waters off of the Pacific Coast of North America, running all the way from Baja to southern Alaska. They can grow to pretty substantial sizes, with the largest ever caught growing just short of a meter. Size actually determines their sexual maturity-- males are mature at 13.5in, while females are at 17.5in. A small female can lay over 50,000 eggs in a breeding season, and the males will actually guard those eggs until they hatch!

You can identify a Cabezon by their mottled red, green, and brown bodies. Most reddish fish are male, and most greenish fish are female. As the name suggests, they have large heads relative to the rest of their body, and sport 11 spines on their dorsal fins. They also have no scales! Crabs make up about half of the Cabezon diet, with Fish and Mollusks filling in the other half.

Cabezon are often taken as game fish in California. They are said to have an excellent taste (especially when compared to how ugly they are!) However, do not eat the eggs! Cabezon roe is poisonous.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Pacific Coast of North America
Size :  Length up to 40in (1m), Weight up to 25lbs (11kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Actinopterygii -- Order : Scorpaeniformes
Family : Cottidae -- Genus : Scorpaenichthys-- Species : S. marmoratus

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