Tag Archives: Animal

Slow Worm

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Slow Worm

Do not be fooled! Slow worms are not worms or snakes!

  • Slow worms are lizards, found across Europe and Asia, that do not have legs, and move using body muscles.
  • ‘Slow worms’ are also known as ‘slowworms’, ‘blindworms’ and ‘blind worms’, while the scientific name is Anguis fragilis, from the family Anguidae, a family of lizards.
  • Slow worms are commonly found in urban gardens, as well as grass plains and farming areas, where areas are damp and warm, and they are often hidden under objects.
  • The length of a slow worm typically reaches 20 to 50 centimetres (8 to 20 inches) in length and it can weigh 20 to 100 grams (0.7 to 3.5 ounces).
  • The colour of slow worms is generally a combination of black, grey, brown, tan and yellow, while males are occasionally spotted blue.
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Slow Worm
Image courtesy of Peter O’Conner/Flickr
  • Despite similar appearances, a slow worm can be distinguished from a snake, as the lizard has blinking eyelids; ears that are typical of a lizard; and it discards only portions of its skin at one time.
  • The diet of slow worms consists primarily of insects, worms, spiders, snails and slugs.
  • A slow worm can break off its tail to escape predators like birds, that will regrow to a shorter length, although this escape method is not always effective against other predators such as cats and dogs.
  • Female slow worms produce an average of around 8 young at a time, and the babies form inside eggs in the mother’s body, although they are born live (the process known as ovoviviparity).
  • Slow worms can move at speeds of up to 0.5 kilometres per hour (0.3 miles per hour), and have an average lifespan of 10 to 30 years.
Bibliography:
Angius fragilis, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anguis_fragilis
Slow Worm, 2013, A-Z Aniamls, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/slow-worm/
Slow Worm, n.d, RSPB, http://www.rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife/wildlifegarden/atoz/s/slowworm.aspx

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Falcon

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Falcon

Falcons are not like all the rest, but they are faster!

  • Falcons are birds of prey found all around the world excluding Antarctica, and the genus contains more than 35 species.
  • A falcon has the scientific name Falco and it is from the family Falconidae, the family of birds of prey that includes said birds and caracaras.
  • Falcons typically are 22 to 40 centimetres (9 to 16 inches) in height and have a wingspan of between 51 to 110 centimetres (20 to 43 inches) across and weigh between 0.7 to 1.2 kilograms (1.5 to 2.6 pounds).
  • The feathers of falcons are generally a combination of colours that vary between species, that can include black, white, grey, and brown, many of which have various patterned markings; and sometimes the area around the eyes, beak or feet are coloured yellow.
  • The eyesight of falcons is extremely powerful, and they are able to see roughly 2.6 times better than humans.
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Peregrine Falcon
Image courtesy of Frankzed/Flickr
  • A falcon’s diet, depending on the species, can consist of birds, bats, insects, reptiles and smaller mammals, such as rodents and rabbits.
  • Falcons have tapered wings that allow the bird to reach speeds that are faster than all extant animals, at 322 kilometres per hour (200 miles per hour).
  • Female falcons lay eggs in high, elevated locations, that are difficult for predators to reach, and around three eggs are laid over one period.
  • Normally, birds of prey would kill using their feet claws, however this is not the case with falcons, as they use their sharp beak and the extra point or ‘tooth’ that they have on the side of it.
  • Falcons generally live by themselves in areas where there are cliffs, mountains or places that have significant height; and some species are endangered, vulnerable or near threatened.
Bibliography:
Flacon, 2013, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/falcon/
Falcon, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon

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Beehive

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Beehive

Beehives house busy bees.

  • Artificial beehives are an invention used for raising and managing honey bees, that use the hive as a shelter.
  • Cells, shaped as hexagons, form honeycomb that can be found in a beehive, and this is used by bees to store pollen and honey, and care for the young.
  • Beehives are typically used to attract bees so that they can produce honey for commercial or domestic purposes; to attract them for plant pollination purposes; to support bees in areas where habitat destruction has occurred; or to attract bees for the production of bee products.
  • Ancient Egyptians are said to have raised bees in constructed hives, from as early as 2400 BC, and archaeological evidence of hives used in large-scale beekeeping, has been found in Israel’s Jordan Valley, in the Middle East, that dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries.
  • Traditionally, humans used natural materials to create beehives, like mud, tree hollows, clay and straw, while the latter was often used to make basket-like skeps, although many of these hives were used once only, due to the difficulty of accessing the honey, which often resulted in significant disturbance or death of bees, and/or honeycomb destruction during the harvesting process.

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  • Many ideas for more practical beehives surfaced around the 1700s, although it was not until the 1850s that American clergyman Lorenzo Langstroth, also an apiarist and noted for his significant contribution to the beekeeping industry, invented the now famous beehive that had movable frames; a design on which most modern hives are based upon.
  • If a beehive is to be approached, smoke is usually puffed into the hive to disguise the emissions of chemicals that bees release to alert danger, thus keeping the bees calm.
  • Modern beehives are generally reused for many years, and often feature removable frames, that contain and protect the honeycomb, and are easily removed for inspection and for harvesting honey.
  • Before the use of modern beehives, corridors were sometimes built within hives to direct the queen bee’s egg laying habits and discourage her from using the honey harvesting areas.
  • A new form of beehive, known as the ‘Flow Hive’, enables the user to extract honey direct from the hive without removing the especially designed frames, and it was released to the public in early 2015 via a crowd-funding initiative with huge success, raising $12 million dollars during its initial release, and is set to be popular among backyard beekeepers, due to its convenient honey harvesting method.
Bibliography:
American Beekeeping History, n.d, John’s Beekeeping Notebook, http://outdoorplace.org/beekeeping/history1.htm
Beehives, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beehive

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Mole

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Mole

Moles are not deaf or blind.

  • Moles are mammals of small size, that have extremely good smelling capabilities, which make up for their poor eyesight; and they are native to Asia, North America, and Europe, excluding Ireland.
  • Moles have the scientific family name Talpidae, a family of digging mammals, that also includes desmans and shrew moles.
  • Moles generally have long claws and feature a second thumb adjacent to its first, that they use to dig numerous tunnels underground.
  • The diet of moles consists mainly of worms, although they also consume mice and insects; and they are preyed on by cats, foxes and owls.
  • Moles have a tail, and typically grow to be 12 to 15 centimetres (4.5 to 6 inches) in length and weigh between 250 to 550 grams (9 to 19 ounces).
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Mole
Image courtesy of free photos/Flickr
  • The fur of moles is thick and short, and is usually coloured a combination of brown, white, black and grey.
  • Moles generally live alone underground in wooded, farmed or grassed areas, and the males are inclined to protect their territory from other males.
  • Due to the haemoglobin proteins that exist in their blood, moles have the unique ability to reuse oxygen and endure significant quantities of carbon dioxide, which allows the mammals to live efficiently underground.
  • The saliva of a mole can paralyse prey, owing to the natural poison it contains, allowing the mammal to collect food to eat at a later time.
  • Moles are considered a pest in many urban communities and farming areas, as they burrow beneath the soil, which can cause damage to the roots of vegetation and crops; while on the surface, the piles of dirt (molehills) that are created from excess soil can destroy grass and plants, and have an unsightly appearance.
Bibliography:
Mole, 2013, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/mole/
Mole, n.d, Young People’s Trust for the Environment, https://ypte.org.uk/factsheets/mole/overview
Mole (Animal), 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_(animal)

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Bactrian Camel

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Bactrian Camel

Bactrian camels are fully equipped for their harsh habitat.

  • Bactrian camels are two-humped camels that are native to central parts of Asia and they have thick fur that is coloured brown and tan.
  • The scientific name of a domesticated Bactrian camel is Camelus bactrianus, from the family Camelidae, and the animal is said to differ from the wild Bactrian camel, and as such, the wild camels are generally considered a different species that have the scientific name Camelus ferus.
  • Bactrian camels generally grow to heights of 1.7 to 2.3 metres (5.5 to 7.5 feet) and weigh between 300 to 1000 kilograms.
  • Bactrian camels primarily live in desert habitats, that feature a wide variety of conditions and temperatures, as well as limited water and food; while the wild camel species have the ability to drink salty water.
  • The large feet of Bactrian camels assist with mobility on sand, while their lengthy eyelashes and closable noses filter out sand from sandstorms.
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Bactrian Camels
Image courtesy of Jeff Kubina/Flickr
  • Bactrian camels have two humps that contain fat, and when food and water resources are low, the fat is used to nourish the camel, and as a result the humps become slumped and smaller.
  • Throughout ancient times, and still today, Bactrian camels have been used as pack animals, capable of carrying loads up to 250 kilograms (550 pounds) in weight, and they have also been used for transporting humans.
  • The diet of Bactrian camels consists primarily of a wide variety of vegetation, including grass, shrubs and seeds, and they regurgitate their food so that it can be rechewed (known as ‘chew their cud’).
  • Despite having very few predators, that include humans and wolves, wild Bactrian camels have been listed as critically endangered; and it is thought that this wild species only number up to 800 or 900 individuals, with the figure reducing.
  • Generally, one calf is born to female Bactrian camels every two years, and they have an average lifespan of 35 to 50 years.
Bibliography:
Bactrian Camel, 2013, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/bactrian-camel/
Bactrian Camel, 2015, National Geographic, http://animals.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/mammals/bactrian-camel/
Bactrian Camel, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bactrian_camel

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Jackal

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Jackal

Go Egyptian with jackals.

  • Jackals are mammals that are native to southwestern Asia, southeastern Europe and Africa.
  • The jackal term covers three species: the ‘black-backed’ – Canis mesomelas; the ‘golden’ – Canis aureus; and the ‘side-striped’ – Canis adustus, all belonging to the Canis genus, and they are from the family Canidae, the family of dogs.
  • Jackals grow to be 38 to 51 centimetres (15 to 20 inches) in height, up to 81 cm (32 inches) in length, and generally weigh between 6 to 14 kilograms (13 to 31 pounds).
  • The fur of a jackal’s body is generally coloured a combination of brown, tan, grey and white, while the golden species is usually mostly a golden brown colour; and the black-backed and the side-striped have black or dark coloured markings on either their back or sides respectively.
  • Jackals may gather in groups of up to 30, hunting as packs, although they often live by themselves or as a pair, in a lifelong partnership with the opposite sex.
Black-backed Jackal, Single, One, Ten Random Facts, Animal, Mammal, Dog, Grass, Flickr
Black-backed Jackal
Image courtesy of Åsa Berndtsson/Flickr
  • The habitat of jackals is primarily wooded areas or grassy plains, depending on the species, and they preyed upon by eagles, leopards and hyenas.
  • The diet of jackals is primarily carnivorous, often consisting of reptiles, antelopes, birds and insects, as well as the occasional plant.
  • Jackals mark their territory with their own body waste, to indicate to fellow animals that they are not permitted to enter their zone, and violations typically result in attacks.
  • Female jackals have litters of between two to six pups, that are born and raised in dens, with the young being relocated every fortnight or so, and they generally have a lifespan of between 8 to 15 years.
  • Jackals have good stamina and can run at speeds of 16 km/hour (10 miles/hour) for extended times, and they have the ability to run at speeds of up to 32 km/hour (20 miles/hour).
Bibliography:
Jackal, 2013, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/jackal/
Jackal, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackal
Jackal, n.d, Out of Africa, http://www.outtoafrica.nl/animals/engjackal.html

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