Tag Archives: Asia

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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Sugarcane

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Sugarcane

Sugarcane is a sweet success.

  • Sugarcane is a group of grass species from the Saccharum genus, that belongs to Poaceae, the family of true grass; and sugar is extracted from the plants, that are usually grown for commercial purposes.
  • Sugarcane is a perennial plant, native to areas of southern Asia, that grows best in tropical habitats, and reaches heights of between 2 to 6 metres (6.5 to 19.7 feet) and a diameter of roughly 5 centimetres (2 inches).
  • Most commercially grown sugarcane is a hybrid that is generally a cross between the species Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum, although there are a small number of other plants in the Saccharum genus that may be used for this purpose.
  • Sugarcane plants takes 9 to 24 months to grow to maturity, depending on the climate, and they are the raw material that produces 80% of the world’s sugar production, while the plants are also used for making ethanol, molasses, bagasse, rum and other products.
  • The majority of a sugarcane stalk is made of water, with up to three quarters possible, while up to 16% can be sugar, and the fibre content can be also be up to 16%.

Sugarcane, Plant, Sugar, Australia, Plants, Plantation,

  • Many sugarcane farms were formed across the world beteween the 1800s and 1900s, and slaves from various locations were used as the primary labour.
  • The fibres of the sugarcane plant can be woven into mats; used for papermaking purposes; and added to other fibres to make fabric.
  • Australia, parts of the United States, Asia’s India and Indonesia, the Pacific Islands and South America – including Peru and Brazil, are popular sugarcane farm locations, while in 2013, Brazil was the largest producer of the crop in the world.
  • The harvesting of sugarcane, which is accomplished by hand with a special tool or the use of a mechanical harvester, is done before the plant sets flower with its feathery tufts; and in many cases the crop is set alight beforehand to eradicate dangerous animals and leaves.
  • Sugar is produced from sugarcane juice located in the stalk of the plant, and is done through a milling process, which involves crushing, heating, cooling and refining.

 

Bibliography:
The story of sugarcane: paddock to plate, 2010, Cane Growers, http://www.canegrowers.com.au/page/Industry_Centre/Schools_module/about-australian-sugarcane/
Sugarcane, 2015, How Stuff Works, http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/sugarcane-info.htm
Sugarcane, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugarcane

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Angkor Wat

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Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is a list-worthy wonder.

  • Angkor Wat is an extensive building and religious temple located in the Angkor region in Cambodia, in Southeast Asia.
  • Angkor Wat is said to be the largest temple in the world, and it sits on an area of 820,000 square metres (980,712 square yards).
  • The name ‘Angkor Wat’ comes from the native Cambodian Khmer words ‘angkor’ and ‘wat’, meaning ‘city’ and ‘temple grounds’ respectively.
  • Angkor Wat is a prominent symbol of Cambodia, and it appears on the country’s national flag, making it only one of two nations in the world to have a building exist on their flag.
  • The primary part of Angkor Wat was built around the early to mid 1100s by the native Khmers, under orders from ruler Suryavarman II, as a state temple for the king.
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Angkor Wat
Image courtesy of Dennis Jarvis/Flickr
  • Angkor Wat contains large quantities of bas-relief; is rich in Khmer architecture styles; and is made primarily of sandstone and laterite; and the temple features a moat, an outer area and the central area, which consists of various sections.
  • Originally, Angkor Wat was used as a temple for the Hindu religion, but it was adopted by the Theravāda Buddhists from the late 1200s.
  • The UNESCO World Heritage Convention declared Angkor Wat a World Heritage Site as part of the Angkor Archaeological Park in 1992.
  • The temple of Angkor Wat was once part of the capital city originally located there, and over the years, it has undergone various conservation and restoration works, by various groups from around the globe.
  • Angkor Wat is a prominent tourist site, being one of the most popular sites in the country, although the large number of visitors to the site has significantly impacted some local areas nearby.
Bibliography:
Angkor, 2015, UNESCO World Heritage Convention, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/668
Angkor Wat, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat

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Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park

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Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park

Someone has imprinted a rainbow onto Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park.

  • Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park is a geologically significant area consisting of large formations of distinctly rainbow coloured rock.
  • Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park is situated in the province of Gansu in Asia’s China, and the closest city is Zhangye.
  • ‘Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park’ is also known as ‘Zhangye Danxia’, ‘Zhangye Danxia Geopark’, ‘Zhangye Danxia Landform’, ‘Landform of Zhangye’, ‘Rainbow Mountains’ and ‘Zhangye Danxia Wonders’.
  • Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park is commonly and incorrectly confused with other Danxia formations in China, that are listed as part of the China Danxia UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park spreads across an area of 300 to 510 square kilometres (116 to 197 square miles), and in November 2011, it was officially granted geopark status.
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Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park
Image courtesy of The Mirror/Assumed Public Domain
  • The rocks of Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park are made primarily of sandstone and other layered minerals, that reach hundreds of metres in height.
  • Water, wind and other weather erosion constantly wear the rocks of Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, creating numerous ‘hills’ and abstract shapes.
  • Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park is very popular among tourists, and it has been listed among the ‘most beautiful’ places in China and the world, numerous times.
  • The rock colours of Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park range from red, blue, yellow and green, and the colours are caused by metamorphic progressions.
  • An entrance fee is generally payable when visiting the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, and to see the colours of the rocks at their best, it is best to visit on sunny days in the mornings or at sunset, in all seasons except winter.
Bibliography:
Wu A, Rainbow Mountains: Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, 2015, China Highlights, http://www.chinahighlights.com/zhangye/attraction/danxia-landform-geological-park.htm
Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhangye_Danxia_National_Geological_Park

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Baby’s Breath

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Baby’s Breath

Baby’s breath are innocent little flowers, aren’t they?

  • Baby’s breath is a group of perennial and annual plants that produces flowers, and the genus contains approximately 35 species.
  • Areas of Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Pacific are the native locations of baby’s breath.
  • Baby’s breath has the scientific name Gypsophila and it is from the family Caryophyllaceae, the family of carnations.
  • ‘Baby’s breath’ is also known as ‘soap root’, ‘chalk plant’ and ‘gyp’, and the plants are generally grown from seed.
  • The scientific name of Baby’s breath – ‘Gypsophila’ – comes from the words ‘gypsos’ and ‘philos’, meaning ‘gypsum’ and ‘loving’ respectively in Greek.

Baby's Breath, Plant, Vegetation, White, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Baby’s breath generally grows to heights of 15 to 90 centimetres (6 to 35.5 inches), depending on the species, and in most cases they grow best in full sun.
  • The five-petalled flowers of baby’s breath can be white, pink, or violet and they bloom during spring and summer months.
  • The baby’s breath plant often grown for decorative purposes has the scientific name Gypsophila paniculata, and it is commonly used as a cut flower to give a delicate look in arrangements and bouquets.
  • Some baby’s breath species have edible roots, and the plants and roots are also grown for and used as a medical ingredient.
  • Although baby’s breath plants are commonly grown for commercial purposes, some areas have designated some species of the plant as an invasive weed.
Bibliography:
Gypsophila, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsophila
How to Grow Gypsophila, 2015, Gardeners HQ, http://www.gardenershq.com/Gypsophilia-baby-breath.php

 

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Binturong

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Binturong

Binturongs are mysterious hide-a-way animals.

  • Binturongs are mammals of medium stature found in the southern and southeastern forest habitats of Asia.
  • Binturongs are also known as ‘Asian civets’, ‘Malay civet cats’, ‘Asian bearcats’, and ‘bearcats’, however, they are unrelated to both cats or bears.
  • The word ‘binturong’ comes from a language no longer used, and as a result its original meaning has been lost; while the scientific name of the animal is Arctictus binturong, from the family Viverridae, the family of viverrids that includes civets and genets.
  • Binturongs have fur that is mostly black, with touches of grey, brown and white, and their long tail is prehensile or ‘able to grasp’.
  • Binturongs range from 60 to 96 centimetres (24 to 38 inches) in length, with their tail almost as long, and they weigh 10 to 22 kilograms (22 to 49 pounds).
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Binturong
Image courtesy of Trisha Shears/Flickr
  • Binturongs generally live in trees, and commonly climb up and down them, as they have poor jumping skills.
  • The diet of binturongs consists primarily of fish, birds, insects, worms, fruit, and the occasional small mammal.
  • Binturongs generally have litters of one to three cubs, that live up to 25 years, and the mammal is preyed on by leopards, snakes and tigers.
  • Binturongs are listed as a vulnerable threatened species, due to poaching, hunting for food purposes, and habitat losses.
  • Binturongs or not commonly seen in their natural habitats, and are often only recorded by photography traps.
Bibliography:
Binturong, 2013, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/binturong/
Binturong, 2015, San Diego Zoo, http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/binturong
Binturong, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binturong

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