Category Archives: Animals

Pufferfish

By | |
Leave a comment
Pufferfish

This pufferfish will pop like crazy.

  • ‘Pufferfish’ are also known as ‘puffers’, ‘blowfish’, ‘toadfish’, ‘bubblefish’, ‘balloonfish’, ‘swellfish’, ‘sea squabs’, and ‘globefish’.
  • ‘Pufferfish’ is the common name of the fish that belong to the ‘Tetraodontidae’ family, and are part of the Tetraodontiformes order, which contains fish that are ray-finned.
  • Pufferfish include 19 genera, covering 120 different species, that are mainly found in the tropical oceans, and depending on the species, sometimes in fresh water rivers.
  • Pufferfish expand their stomachs when chased or provoked by inhaling water and air, making them much larger than their normal size.
  • Pufferfish are generally extremely poisonous, often described as the second most poisonous vertebrate, with the deadliest parts being the organs and sometimes skin, which contain the poison tetrodotoxin.

Pufferfish, blowfish, spine, small, deflated, Ten Random Facts, Philippines, Batangas, National Geographic

Pufferfish Image courtesy of National Geographic
  • Depending on the species and environment, pufferfish can change their coloured appearance, and most are normally a dull colour.
  • One of the main systems of defence of a pufferfish is it’s rudder like tail and ability to move at quick bursts, even though they generally swim very slowly.
  • Although pufferfish are usually highly toxic, Japanese, Chinese and Korean chefs make carefully prepared special dishes using the meat that is considered a delicacy, however a single mistake in processing can cause fatal poisoning in a consumer.
  • Pufferfish species vary in colour, can be as small as 2.5 cm (1 inch) or can grow up to one metre (three feet) in length, and may have spines or spikes that can be poisonous and not visible unless threatened.
  • Pufferfish are carnivores and mainly consume water creatures, algae, and sometimes shellfish, that they use their tough teeth to crush.
Bibliography: Pufferfish, 2013, National Geographic, http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/pufferfish/
Tetraodontidae, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetraodontidae

Amazon:     

Leopard

By | |
Leave a comment
Leopard

You will not see the leopard until too late!

  • Leopards are from the family Felidae, which is the family of cats, and are part of the Panthera genus, large cat family, of which they are the smallest.
  • Leopards are, depending on the species, native to the deserts, tropics and cool areas of either Africa or Asia.
  • Leopards grow from o.9 to 1.65 metres (3 feet to 5.4 feet) in length, have small, clustered black blotches, or rosettes as they are known, on a pale yellow to gold coloured skin, and have a lifespan from 12 to 17 years, in the wild.
  • Leopards can run at speeds of 58 kilometres/hour (36 miles/hour), jump at heights of 3 metres (10 feet) and at lengths of 6 metres (20 feet).
  • The scientific name of leopards is ‘Panthera pardus’ and includes nine official sub species, and are often mistaken for cheetahs and jaguars, but can be distinguished by their different rosettes or spots.

female leopard, yellow, black, cat, Kruger National Park, Africa, National Geographic Stock, Ten Random Facts

Leopard
Image courtesy of National Geographic
  • ‘Leopard’ comes from the combination of Greek words ‘leōn’ and ‘pardos,’ meaning ‘lion’ and ‘mail panther’ respectively, since it was originally thought they were a cross between a lion and a panther.
  • Leopards are primarily nocturnal hunters that stalk prey stealthily, usually launching their attack at their victim’s neck, and then often dragging heavy carcasses, which can be twice the cat’s weight, with their mouth, up into high trees for protection.
  • Leopards are carnivores, and their diet is quite varied, consisting of animals like monkeys, warthogs, cheetah cubs and antelope, and smaller mammals, reptiles, birds, insects and amphibians, and while they do not often attack humans, in the early 1900s, two vicious man-eaters are said to have killed 525 people between them.
  • Although leopards have no natural predators, large cats, large primates and hyenas all compete for carcasses, and in large groups, will attack these spotted cats, sometimes fatally, for food.
  • Leopards generally have two to four cubs per litter, which stay with the mother for up to 2 years, who protects them from large predators such as crocodiles, large cats and primates.
Bibliography:
Leopard, 2013, San Diego Zoo Animals, http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/leopard
Leopard, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard

Amazon:     

Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly

By | |
Leave a comment
Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly

Big orchard swallowtail butterflies flying through the sky.

  • ‘Orchard swallowtail butterflies’ are also known as ‘large citrus butterflies’, and are often the largest butterfly found in their native environment.
  • The scientific name of orchard swallowtail butterflies is Papilio aegeus and they are from the family Papilionidae, which is the family of swallowtail butterflies.
  • Orchard swallowtail butterflies are native to Papua New Guinea and eastern Australia.
  • Orchard swallowtail butterflies are sometimes considered pests, since the larvae (caterpillars) eat citrus leaves.
  • Orchard swallowtail butterflies have a wingspan ranging from 10 to 14 centimetres (4 to 5.5 inch), with females being slightly larger than the males.

Orchard swallowtail butterfly, brown, Wings out, wingspan, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Orchard swallowtail butterflies have orange-red and blue markings on their white and black coloured wings.
  • Orchard swallowtail butterfly caterpillars have a concealed forked organ that appears and repels a foul smell when threatened.
  • Orchard swallowtail butterflies generally flutter slower than most butterflies, but can move quickly if needed.
  • New orchard swallowtail butterfly larvae are camouflaged white, grey and brown, taking on the appearance of bird waste.
  • Male orchard swallowtail butterflies pursue black and white creatures, including birds, that move in their territory.
Bibliography:
Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly – Papilio aegeus, 2013, Brisbane Insects, http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_butters/Orch_butt.htm 
Papilio Aegeus, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilio_aegeus

Amazon:   

Rhinoceros

By | |
Leave a comment
Rhinoceros

Watch those poachers, big rhinoceros.

  • Rhinoceros are herbivorous mammals from the family Rhinocerotidae and is a group of five species.
  • The word ‘Rhinoceros’ can be shortened to ‘rhinos’, and ‘rhinoceroses’ can also be used as a plural.
  • Two rhinoceros, the ‘black’ and the ‘white’, are native to Africa and three, the ‘Indian’, the ‘Javan’ and the ‘Sumatran’ are native to Asia.
  • Rhinoceros have chunky skin, 1.5 to 5 centimetre (0.6 to 2 inches) thick, and one or two horns up to 1.5 metres (5 feet) in length that are made of keratin.
  • Rhinoceros are common targets for poachers, humans being their only predators, as their horns are considered as valuable as gold on the black market, and are used for ornamental and traditional medicine purposes.

Two Black Rhinoceros, Kenya, Solio, Africa, Forward, Ten Random Facts, National Geographic

Rhinos
Image courtesy of National Geographic
  • ‘Rhinoceros’ is derived from the Ancient Greek words ‘rhino’ and ‘keras’, which mean ‘nose’ and ‘horn’ respectively.
  • Rhinoceros can weigh up to and beyond 3,500 kilograms (7,700 pounds) and can run at speeds of 48 kilometres/hour (30 miles/hour).
  • Rhinoceros have bad sight but have good hearing and smelling senses and can live up to 35 to 40 years in the wild.
  • Rhinoceros range from being ‘near threatened’ to ‘critically endangered’, with less than 70 of the Javan species of rhino alive.
  • Rhinoceros are the second largest land mammals alive and range from 2.4 – 4.6 metres (7 ft 10 in – 15 ft) in length and can be as tall as a human, depending on the species.
Bibliography:
Rhinoceros, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros Rhincerotidae, n.d, Kids Planet, http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/rhinoceros.html

Amazon:     

Galah

By | |
1 Comment
Galah

Don’t be a galah!

  • Galahs are a common bird in almost all of Australia, and are a type of parrot, specifically a cockatoo.
  • Galahs have a pink and pale pink head, a pink chest and pale grey wings and back, while males have brown irises and females often having pink or red ones.
  • ‘Galahs’ are also known as ‘rose-breasted cockatoos’, ‘galah cockatoos’, ‘rosies, ‘roseate cockatoos’  ‘Willock cockatoos’ and ‘pink and greys’.
  • The scientific name for a galah is Eolophus roseicapilla and some indigenous Australians call galahs ‘gilaa’, which is where the term ‘galah’ comes from.
  • Galahs grow to approximately 35 centimetres (14 inches) in length and up to 350 grams (12 ounces) in weight.

Galah, Female, Male, Eating, Two, Red eye, Ten Random Facts, Bird, Australia

  • Galahs typically lay 2 to 5 eggs in their nest, a hollow in a tree, and when chicks hatch, they leave the nest after approximately 49 days.
  • The term ‘galah’ is Australian slang for ‘a fool’.
  • Galahs like eating vegetation, and small seeds of plants, as well as nuts and berries and they like to grind or chew objects to keep their beak sharp.
  • Galah’s can often be seen in large flocks of 500 – 1000 birds, although they only have one mating partner for life.
  • Galahs generally make small chitting or loud screeching noises, and can also impersonate other sounds or voices.
Bibliography:
Galah, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galah>
Galah, n.d, Birds in Backyard, <http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Eolophus-roseicapillus>

Amazon: 

Cicada

By | |
Leave a comment
Cicada

Buzz… Buzz… Buzz Buzz Buzz… BuzzBuzzBuzz… go the cicadas.

  • ‘Cicada’ is a Latin word meaning ‘tree cricket’, and the insect is also known as ‘cicala’ or ‘cicale’, and is sometimes mistakenly called a ‘locust’.
  • Cicadas are from the family Cicadoidea, which is within the order Hemiptera, the family of true bugs such as aphids.
  • There are 2500 official species of cicadas, with more of the insects that still need to be classified, and they are found on every continent excluding Antarctica.
  • Cicadas are often coloured in dark shades like brown and black, although other colours exist in some species including green, blue and orange.
  • Cicadas generally have two sets of wings, widely placed eyes, three ocelli (small eyes) and two antennae, and a sharp proboscis used to drink tree sap.

Yelow Cicada, Live, Adult, Ten Random Facts, Insects, Single, Australia, Cool, Professional, Stick, Climb, Antennae, Ocelli, Red eyes

  • Cicadas can affect the growth of the trees they feed on, and can cause damage from the laying of their eggs.
  • Cicadas are eaten all around the world, particularly China, Malaysia, Burma, Latin America, Congo and, historically, Ancient Greece.
  • Male cicadas can make very loud buzzing songs, used as a warning or mating call, by rubbing their musical membranes, or tymbals, and perform the most and the best on hot months and hot days.
  • Cicadas live most of their life, which can be 2-17 years depending on the species, burrowed underground as a nymph that feed on the juice of roots, and later they emerge to the surface, malt and generally live for 2 to 6 more weeks.
  • Cicadas are preyed on by birds, squirrels and bass fish, along with wasps who use them to feed their young.
Bibliography:
Britton D, Cicada: Superfamily Cicadoidea, 2012, Australian Museum, <http://australianmuseum.net.au/Cicadas-Superfamily-Cicadoidea>
Cicada, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada>

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...