Thursday, 24 January 2019
18-4-2018 CHOBE NAT PARK, BOTSWANA - SOUTHERN GREATER KUDU (FEMALE) (Tragelaphus Strepsiceros) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER
The greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a large woodland antelope, found throughout eastern and southern Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas due to declining habitat, deforestation, and poaching. The greater kudu is one of two species commonly known as kudu, the other being the lesser kudu, T. imberbis.
Kudu (/kuːduː/ koo-DOO), or koodoo, is the Khoikhoi name for this antelope. Trag- (Greek) denotes a goat and elaphos (Greek) a deer. Strepho (Greek) means 'twist', and strepsis is 'twisting'. Keras (Greek) refers to the horn of the animal.
Greater kudus have a narrow body with long legs, and their coats can range from brown/bluish grey to reddish brown. They possess between 4 and 12 vertical white stripes along their torso. The head tends to be darker in colour than the rest of the body, and exhibits a small white chevron which runs between the eyes. Greater kudu bulls tend to be much larger than the cows, and vocalize much more, utilizing low grunts, clucks, humming, and gasping. The bulls also have beards running along their throats, and large horns with two and a half twists, which, were they to be straightened, would reach an average length of 120 cm (47 in), with the record being 187.64 cm (73.87 in). They diverge slightly as they slant back from the head. The horns do not begin to grow until the bull is between the ages of 6–12 months. The horns form the first spiral rotation at around 2 years of age, and not reaching the full two and a half rotations until they are 6 years old; occasionally they may even have 3 full turns.
The greater kudu is one of the largest species of antelope, being slightly smaller than the bongo. Bulls weigh 190–270 kg (420–600 lb), with a maximum of 315 kg (694 lb), and stand up to 160 cm (63 in) tall at the shoulder. The ears of the greater kudu are large and round. Cows weigh 120–210 kg (260–460 lb) and stand as little as 100 cm (39 in) tall at the shoulder; they are hornless, without a beard or nose markings. The head-and-body length is 185–245 cm (6.07–8.04 ft), to which the tail may add a further 30–55 cm (12–22 in).
Wednesday, 23 January 2019
23-1-2019 JALON, ALICANTE - MUSKOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata)
The Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata, is a robust bird native to the Americas. Males are substantially larger than females, with the former reaching lengths of about 76 cm and weighing up to 7 kg, while the latter grow to roughly half that size. The plumage is predominantly black and white, with males displaying iridescent and glossy back feathers, and females appearing more subdued. The amount of white on the neck and head varies, as does the bill color, ranging from yellow to pink to black, or a combination thereof. Both sexes possess distinctive pink or red wattles around the bill, with the male's being larger and more vivid.
Muscovy ducks can be identified by their large size, long claws on their feet, and a broad, flat tail. The males, or drakes, have a more pronounced appearance with caruncles at the base of the bill and a low erectile crest of feathers. Ducklings are mostly yellow with buff-brown markings on the tail and wings, and they lack the adult's wattles for a period after hatching.
These ducks are typically found in forested swamps, lakes, streams, and nearby grasslands. They are known to roost in trees at night.
Originally from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and Mexico down to Argentina and Uruguay, feral populations have established themselves in New Zealand, Australia, Central and Eastern Europe, and parts of North America, including Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and the Big Island of Hawaii.
Muscovy ducks are non-migratory and can be aggressive, with males often engaging in fights over food, territory, or mates. They are adaptable to cooler climates and can thrive in temperatures as low as −12 °C.
The drake emits a low breathy call, while the hen produces a quiet trilling coo.
Muscovy ducks do not form stable pairs and can breed up to three times a year. The hen lays 8-16 white eggs, usually in a tree hole or hollow, which are incubated for 35 days.
Their diet consists of plant material, small fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, insects, millipedes, and worms. They forage by grazing or dabbling in shallow water.
The Muscovy duck is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a wide distribution and established feral populations.
23-1-2019 JALON, ALICANTE - ALMOND BLOSSOM (Prunus dulcis)
The almond (Prunus amygdalus, syn. Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb, nom. illeg. non Prunus dulcis Rouchy) is a species of tree from the genus Prunus. Along with the peach, it is classified in the subgenus Amygdalus, distinguished from the other subgenera by corrugations on the shell (endocarp) surrounding the seed.
The fruit of the almond is a drupe, consisting of an outer hull and a hard shell with the seed, which is not a true nut. Shelling almonds refers to removing the shell to reveal the seed. Almonds are sold shelled or unshelled. Blanched almonds are shelled almonds that have been treated with hot water to soften the seedcoat, which is then removed to reveal the white embryo. Once almonds are cleaned and processed, they can be stored for around a year if kept refrigerated; at higher temperatures they will become rancid more quickly. Almonds are used in many cuisines, often featuring prominently in desserts, such as marzipan.
The almond tree prospers in a moderate Mediterranean climate with cool winter weather. It is rarely found wild in its original setting. Almonds were one of the earliest domesticated fruit trees, due to the ability to produce quality offspring entirely from seed, without using suckers and cuttings. Evidence of domesticated almonds in the Early Bronze Age has been found in the archeological sites of the Middle East, and subsequently across the Mediterranean region and similar arid climates with cool winters.
California produces about 80% of the world's almond supply. Due to high acreage and water demand for almond cultivation, and need for pesticides, California almond production may be unsustainable, especially during the persistent drought and heat from climate change in the 21st century. Droughts in California have caused some producers to leave the industry, leading to lower supply and increased prices.
The almond is a deciduous tree growing to 3–4.5 metres (10–15 feet) in height, with a trunk of up to 30 centimetres (12 inches) in diameter. The young twigs are green at first, becoming purplish where exposed to sunlight, then grey in their second year. The leaves are 8–13 cm (3–5 in) long, with a serrated margin and a 2.5 cm (1 in) petiole.
The fragrant flowers are white to pale pink, 3–5 cm (1–2 in) diameter with five petals, produced singly or in pairs and appearing before the leaves in early spring. Almond trees thrive in Mediterranean climates with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The optimal temperature for their growth is between 15 and 30 °C (59 and 86 °F) and the tree buds have a chilling requirement of 200 to 700 hours below 7.2 °C (45.0 °F) to break dormancy.
Almonds begin bearing an economic crop in the third year after planting. Trees reach full bearing five to six years after planting. The fruit matures in the autumn, 7–8 months after flowering.
The almond fruit is 3.5–6 cm (1+3⁄8–2+3⁄8 in) long. It is not a nut but a drupe. The outer covering, consisting of an outer exocarp, or skin, and mesocarp, or flesh, fleshy in other members of Prunus such as the plum and cherry, is instead a thick, leathery, grey-green coat (with a downy exterior), called the hull. Inside the hull is a woody endocarp which forms a reticulated, hard shell (like the outside of a peach pit) called the pyrena. Inside the shell is the edible seed, commonly called a nut. Generally, one seed is present, but occasionally two occur. After the fruit matures, the hull splits and separates from the shell, and an abscission layer forms between the stem and the fruit so that the fruit can fall from the tree. During harvest, mechanised tree shakers are used to expedite fruits falling to the ground for collection.
23-1-2019 JALON, ALICANTE - MASTIC (Pistacia lentiscus)
Pistacia lentiscus (also lentisk or mastic) is a dioecious evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Pistacia native to the Mediterranean Basin. It grows up to 4 m (13 ft) tall and is cultivated for its aromatic resin, mainly on the Greek island of Chios, around the Turkish town of Çeşme[2][3] and northern parts of Iraq.
The plant is evergreen, from 1 to 5 m (3 ft 3 in to 16 ft 5 in) high, with a strong smell of resin, growing in dry and rocky areas in North Africa and Mediterranean Europe. It resists mild to heavy frosts but prefers milder winters and grows on all types of soils, and can grow well in limestone areas and even in salty or saline environments, making it more abundant near the sea. It is also found in woodlands, dehesas (almost deforested pasture areas), Kermes oak woods, wooded areas dominated by other oaks, garrigues, maquis shrublands, hills, gorges, canyons, and rocky hillsides of the entire Mediterranean area. It is a typical species of Mediterranean mixed communities which include myrtle, Kermes oak, Mediterranean dwarf palm, buckthorn and sarsaparilla, and serves as protection and food for birds and other fauna in this ecosystem. It is a very hardy pioneer species dispersed by birds. When older, it develops some large trunks and numerous thicker and longer branches. In appropriate areas, when allowed to grow freely and age, it often becomes a tree of up to 7 m (23 ft). However, logging, grazing, and fires often prevent its development.
The leaves are alternate, leathery, and paripinnately compound (i.e., pinnately compound without terminal leaflet) with five or six pairs[4] of deep-green leaflets. It presents very small flowers, the male with five stamens, the female with a 3-part style. The fruit is a drupe, first red and then black when ripe, about 4 mm (0.16 in) in diameter. The fruit, although not commonly consumed, is edible and has a tart raisin-like flavour.
Pistacia lentiscus is related to Pistacia terebinthus, with which it hybridizes frequently in contact zones. Pistacia terebinthus is more abundant in the mountains and inland and the mastic is usually found more frequently in areas where the Mediterranean influence of the sea moderates the climate. The mastic tree does not reach the size of the Pistacia terebinthus, but the hybrids are very difficult to distinguish. The mastic has winged stalks to its leaflets, i.e., the stalks are flattened and with side fins, whereas these stems in Pistacia terebinthus are simple. On the west coast of the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Middle East, it can be confused with P. atlantica.
Tuesday, 22 January 2019
16-1-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - WESTERN GORILLA (Gorilla gorilla)
The western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) is a great ape found in Africa, one of two species of the hominine genus Gorilla. Large and robust with males weighing around 168 kilograms (370 lb), the species is found in a region of midwest Africa, geographically isolated from the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei). The hair of the western species is significantly lighter in color.
The western gorilla is the second largest living primate after the eastern gorilla. Two subspecies are recognised: the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) is found in most of West Africa; while the Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) is limited to a smaller range in the north at the border of Cameroon and Nigeria. Both subspecies are listed Critically Endangered.
Western gorillas are generally lighter colored than eastern gorillas. Western gorillas have black, dark grey or dark brown-grey hair with a brownish forehead. Males average 167 cm (5 ft 6 in) although reaching a height up to 176 cm (5 ft 9 in), with males weighing 145 to 191 kilograms (320 to 421 lb) and females weighing 58 to 72 kilograms (128 to 159 lb).[7] Captive western gorillas average 157 kg (346 lb) in males and 80 kg (176 lb) in females.[8] Another source[which?] describes the weight of wild male western lowland gorillas as 146 kg (322 lb).[9] The Cross River gorilla differs from the western lowland gorilla in both skull and tooth dimensions.
Western gorillas live in groups that vary in size from two to twenty individuals. Such groups are composed of at least one male, several females and their offspring. A dominant male silverback heads the group, with younger males usually leaving the group when they reach maturity. Females transfer to another group before breeding, which begins at eight to nine years old; they care for their young infants for the first three to four years of their lives. The interval between births, therefore, is long, which partly explains the slow population growth rates that make the western gorilla so vulnerable to poaching. Due to the long gestation time, long period of parental care, and infant mortality, a female gorilla will only give birth to an offspring that survives to maturity every six to eight years. Western gorillas are long-lived and may survive for as long as 40 years in the wild. A group's home range may be as large as 30 km2 (12 sq mi), but is not actively defended. Wild western gorillas are known to use tools.
Monday, 21 January 2019
16-1-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
The marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae native to sub-Saharan Africa. It breeds in both wet and arid habitats, often near human habitation, especially landfill sites. It is sometimes called the "undertaker bird" due to its shape from behind: cloak-like wings and back, skinny white legs, and sometimes a large white mass of "hair". It has often been credited with the largest wingspan of any land bird, with an average of 2.6 metres (8.5 ft) and some recorded examples of up to 3.2 metres (10 ft).
The common name marabou is thought to be derived from the Arabic word murābit meaning quiet or hermit-like. The species was originally described as Ciconia crumenifera. When the species was moved into the genus Leptoptilos, the ending was modified to crumeniferus and this was used by many authors until it was noted that the correct masculine ending to match the genus is crumenifer.
The marabou stork is a massive bird: large specimens are thought to reach a height of 152 centimetres (5 feet) and a weight of 9 kg (20 lb). A wingspan of 3.7 m (12 ft) was accepted by Fisher and Peterson, who ranked the species as having the largest wing-spread of any living bird. Even higher measurements of up to 4.06 m (13.3 ft) have been reported, although no measurement over 3.20 m (10.5 ft) has been verified.[citation needed] It is often credited with the largest spread of any landbird, to rival the Andean condor; more typically, however, these storks measure 225–287 cm (7–9 ft) across the wings, which is about a foot less than the average Andean condor wingspan and nearly two feet less than the average of the largest albatrosses and pelicans. Typical weight is 4.5–8 kg (10–17.5 lb), unusually as low as 4 kg (9 lb), and length (from bill to tail) is 120 to 130 cm (47 to 51 in). Females are smaller than males. Bill length can range from 26.4 to 35 cm (10.5 to 14 in). Unlike most storks, the three Leptoptilos species fly with the neck retracted like a heron.
The marabou is unmistakable due to its size, bare head and neck, black back, and white underparts. It has a huge bill, a pink gular sac at its throat (crumenifer(us) means "carrier of a pouch for money"), a neck ruff, and white legs and black wings. The sexes are alike, but the young bird is browner and has a smaller bill. Full maturity is not reached for up to four years.
Like most storks, the marabou is gregarious and a colonial breeder. In the African dry season (when food is more readily available as the pools shrink), it builds a tree nest in which two or three eggs are laid. It is known to be quite ill-tempered.
It also resembles other storks in that it is not very vocal, but indulges in bill-rattling courtship displays. The throat sac is also used to make various noises at that time.
The marabou stork breeds in Africa south of the Sahara. In East Africa, the birds interact with humans and breed in urban areas. In southern African countries, the birds breed mainly in less populated areas. The marabou stork breeds in colonies, starting during the dry season. The female lays two to three eggs in a small nest made of sticks; eggs hatch after an incubation period of 30 days. Their young reach sexual maturity at 4 years of age. Lifespan is 43 years in captivity and 25 years in wild.
16-1-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - COYPU (Myocastor coypus)
The nutria (/ˈnjuːtriə/) or coypu (/ˈkɔɪpuː/) (Myocastor coypus) is a herbivorous, semiaquatic rodent from South America. Classified for a long time as the only member of the family Myocastoridae, Myocastor has since been included within Echimyidae, the family of the spiny rats. The nutria lives in burrows alongside stretches of water and feeds on river plant stems.
Originally native to subtropical and temperate South America, it was introduced to North America, Europe and Asia, primarily by fur farmers. Although it is still hunted and trapped for its fur in some regions, its destructive burrowing and feeding habits often bring it into conflict with humans, and it is considered an invasive species in the United States. Nutria also transmit various diseases to humans and animals, mainly through water contamination.
The nutria somewhat resembles a very large rat, or a beaver with a small, long and skinny hairless tail. Adults are typically 4–9 kg (9–20 lb) in weight, and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) in body length, with a 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) tail. It is possible for nutria to weigh up to 16 to 17 kg (35 to 37 lb), although adults usually average 4.5 to 7 kg (10 to 15 lb). Nutria have three sets of fur. The guard hairs on the outer coat are three inches long. They have coarse, darkish brown midlayer fur with soft dense grey under fur, also called the nutria. Three distinguishing features are a white patch on the muzzle, webbed hind feet, and large, bright orange-yellow incisors. They have approximately 20 teeth with four large incisors that grow during the entirety of their lives. The orange discoloration is due to pigment staining from the mineral iron in the tooth enamel. Nutria have prominent four inch long whiskers on each side of their muzzle or cheek area. The mammary glands and teats of female nutria are high on her flanks, to allow their young to feed while the female is in the water. There is no visible distinction between male and female nutria. Both are similar in coloring and weight.
A nutria is often mistaken for a muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), another widely dispersed, semiaquatic rodent that occupies the same wetland habitats. The muskrat, however, is smaller and more tolerant of cold climates, and has a laterally flattened tail it uses to assist in swimming, whereas the tail of a nutria is round. It can also be mistaken for a small beaver, as beavers and nutria have very similar anatomies and habitats. However, beavers' tails are flat and paddle-like, as opposed to the round tails of nutria.
21-1-2019 TORMOS, ALICANTE - ALMOND BLOSSOM (Prunus dulcis)
The almond (Prunus amygdalus, syn. Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb, nom. illeg. non Prunus dulcis Rouchy) is a species of tree from the genus Prunus. Along with the peach, it is classified in the subgenus Amygdalus, distinguished from the other subgenera by corrugations on the shell (endocarp) surrounding the seed.
The fruit of the almond is a drupe, consisting of an outer hull and a hard shell with the seed, which is not a true nut. Shelling almonds refers to removing the shell to reveal the seed. Almonds are sold shelled or unshelled. Blanched almonds are shelled almonds that have been treated with hot water to soften the seedcoat, which is then removed to reveal the white embryo. Once almonds are cleaned and processed, they can be stored for around a year if kept refrigerated; at higher temperatures they will become rancid more quickly. Almonds are used in many cuisines, often featuring prominently in desserts, such as marzipan.
The almond tree prospers in a moderate Mediterranean climate with cool winter weather. It is rarely found wild in its original setting. Almonds were one of the earliest domesticated fruit trees, due to the ability to produce quality offspring entirely from seed, without using suckers and cuttings. Evidence of domesticated almonds in the Early Bronze Age has been found in the archeological sites of the Middle East, and subsequently across the Mediterranean region and similar arid climates with cool winters.
California produces about 80% of the world's almond supply. Due to high acreage and water demand for almond cultivation, and need for pesticides, California almond production may be unsustainable, especially during the persistent drought and heat from climate change in the 21st century. Droughts in California have caused some producers to leave the industry, leading to lower supply and increased prices.
21-1-2019 TORMOS, ALICANTE - PLANTAIN FAMILY (Antirrhinum controversum)
Antirrhinum controversum is a species of perennial flowering plant in the genus Antirrhinum (common snapdragons) in the family Plantaginaceae. Native to southeastern and southern Spain, Portugal, and northern Morocco, it is a subshrub that favors subtropical biomes. The species produces stems that grow between 35 cm (14 in) and 150 cm (59 in) tall. Growing, flowering, and fruiting between February and November within its native range, the plant produces dense inflorescences of ten to 40 pale-pink flowers at the end of each stem.
Antirrhinum controversum is a perennial herbaceous plant species in the genus Antirrhinum (common snapdragons) of the family Plantaginaceae. The overall forms of A. controversum plants are that of subshrubs.[1] Plants in the species produce thick aerial stems that reach between 35 cm (14 in) and 150 cm (59 in) tall. Leaves grow in a mostly alternating pattern on the stems. These leaves are lanceolate in shape, with the typical Antirrhinum coloring of green on their topsides and purple on their bottoms, and measure between 6 mm (0.24 in) and 40 mm (1.6 in) long and between 0.5 mm (0.020 in) and 6 mm (0.24 in) wide.
The inflorescences on Antirrhinum grow at the terminuses of the stems. On A. controversum, ten to 40 flowers densely populate each inflorescence. The flowers are attached to the stem on pedicels measuring between 1 mm (0.039 in) and 3 mm (0.12 in) long and are arranged in an alternating pattern. The flowers are postured in an erect position. The entire structure of each flower (corolla) measures 16 mm (0.63 in) to 24 mm (0.94 in) in diameter. The flowers are colored pale pink, with a white base on the tubular portion attached to the pedicel. Purple veins are also present. The growth period that includes flowering and fruiting occurs between February and November within the species's native range.[
Fruiting produces oblong-ovoid capsules that measure 6 mm (0.24 in) to 9 mm (0.35 in) long and 4 m (160 in) to 5 mm (0.20 in) wide. These capsules have woody walls with glandular hairs that can measure up to 0.6 mm (0.024 in) long. The seeds are black and oblong-ovoid in shape, measuring between 0.6 mm (0.024 in) and 0.8 mm (0.031 in) long.
Within Antirrhinum, hybridization between species is frequent. Standard A. controversum plants are morphologically similar to typical A. australe plants, with naturally occurring hybridizations between the two species compounding the difficulty of distinguishing between them.
Sunday, 20 January 2019
16-1-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - WHITE HEADED VULTURE (Trigonoceps occipitalis)
The White-headed Vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis, presents a striking figure in the African skies. This medium-sized vulture, measuring 72–85 centimeters in length with a wingspan of 207–230 centimeters, is notable for its distinctive plumage. The females, slightly larger than the males, weigh an average of 4.7 kilograms, while the males tip the scales at less than 4 kilograms. The species exhibits reversed sexual dimorphism, a unique trait among its African counterparts.
This vulture is easily recognized by its contrasting black and white plumage. A white crest adorns its head, and the featherless regions of its face are a pale hue. Its beak is tinged pink, and the dark brown upper parts complement the black tail feathers. From below, the white feathers on its lower parts and legs are unmistakable. Each individual can be identified by a unique pattern in their median wing coverts.
The White-headed Vulture is adapted to mixed, dry woodlands at lower altitudes, avoiding human settlements. It thrives in thorny Acacia-dominated landscapes and can be found at elevations up to 4,000 meters in Ethiopia and around 3,000 meters in Kenya.
This vulture's range extends across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Gambia in the west, east to Somalia, and south to South Africa and Eswatini. It is a resident species, with populations concentrated in protected areas such as the Kruger National Park.
The White-headed Vulture is a solitary bird, often seen alone or in pairs, and is known to be territorial and long-lived. It builds nests predominantly in acacias or baobabs, laying a single egg post-rainy season. This species is also an opportunistic predator, occasionally hunting small mammals and reptiles.
During copulation, the White-headed Vulture emits a deep, squeak-like sound, longer than a grunt, which is considered unusual among vultures.
Breeding pairs are loyal to their territory and exhibit subtle copulation behavior. The average productivity from a study of 73 pairs was 0.69 chicks per pair.
The White-headed Vulture is unique in its appearance and can be distinguished from other vultures by its coloration and size.
Primarily a scavenger, this vulture is often the first to arrive at a carcass due to its habit of flying lower than other species. It may also hunt live prey, such as mongooses, lizards, squirrels, and hares.
The White-headed Vulture is currently classified as Critically Endangered. Its populations have been in decline since the 1940s due to habitat loss, reduced food availability, and poisoning. The species is highly sensitive to land-use changes and is now largely restricted to protected areas.
16-1-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - WHITE BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus)
White-backed vultures are obligate scavengers with a high level of specialization on carrion. Their primary food sources are the carcasses of large, grazing animals found the wooded savannahs where it lives. This includes warthogs, zebras, gazelles, ostriches and even livestock. Their beaks are medium-sized not adapted for tearing through tough skin, so they are limited to eating soft tissues, such as the viscera, using a pulling feeding tactic.
White-backed vultures circle through the sky in search of freshly dead animals, often following other scavenger birds and mammalian carnivores to find it. Gyps vultures are considered social vultures which rely heavily on conspecifics to provide information about the position of food and carcasses. Once a carcass is found, they will begin wheeling in the sky, signalling their discovery to other vultures.[citation needed] White-backed vultures feed in groups and are often one of the first vulture species to arrive at a carcass. This leads to this species having a high dominance at carcasses in comparison to other vulture species such as white-headed, hooded, and Egyptian vultures.
After feeding, white-backed vultures often rest with their wings spread and their backs facing the sun, as they have gorged themselves so much they can no longer fly.
White-backed vultures nest in trees. They typically choose tall trees along riparian habitats and show strong a preference for Acacia species. The nests are large, around 1m in diameter, and are made of large sticks and lined with leaves and grasses.
16-1-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - AFRICAN FISH EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer)
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True to the first part of its name, the African Fish-eagle is distributed far and wide throughout Africa, the world’s second largest continent. This eagle is relatively common and widespread in a variety of habitats south of the Sahara Desert.
And true to the second part of its name, the African Fish-eagle is very fond of eating fish. As you would expect, the African Fish-eagle is generally found living next to bodies of water of almost any type and size. This beautiful bird of prey can be seen perched on trees or other prominent sites near ponds, estuaries, lakes, rivers, streams, coastal waters, and wetlands.
The stunning African Fish-eagle, with its milk-white head and tail, dark eyes, yellow cere, and chocolate brown back, has become synonymous with Africa’s inland waters, lakes, rivers and dams. In fact, its loud, piercing calls are a characteristic sound around African waterways. If you hear the call of the African Fish Eagle, you are likely to be in a relatively healthy environment.
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Like many birds of prey, the African Fish-eagle is an indicator species. How is this so? These eagles need lots of fish to eat and tall trees to perch and nest in. If a waterway is contaminated, the fish and other water animals will die and the eagles will have nothing to eat, so they won’t survive long. If the area has been deforested, the birds will have nowhere to nest or perch and will leave in search of a better place to live. If these eagles are around, they are finding everything they need to survive in that area. If these eagles are missing or disappearing from an environment where they should be found, biologists know that something is wrong and can begin to research the problem.
The African Fish-eagle is normally very territorial, which means it vigorously defends its home turf from other fish eagles or any other bird or critter it perceives as a threat. Most often, you can see this bird perched alone, in pairs, or in small family groups. However, flocks of up to 75 or more have been recorded under special circumstances, such as when water sources are low or around fishing boats. Can you guess why this might be so? The answer, of course, has to do with food. When water sources are low, or fishing boats pull up to shore with a catch, the African Fish-eagles are presented with an opportunity for a relatively easy meal. Though they still might bicker over a fish or two, they tolerate each other at these “all-you-can-eat buffets.”
16-1-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - CAPE PORCUPINE (Hystrix africaeaustralis)
The Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) grows up to a meter long and 20kg in weight. This is the world’s largest porcupine – and also by far the largest rodent in Africa. However, these dimensions are not as impressive as the sight of the animal itself. It's a vision to behold as it trundles along, beneath a quivering battery of spines – like a bush on legs. And a bush to avoid!
Indigenous to South Africa, the Cape porcupine can be seen near vegetation at sea level to 2000m above sea level, usually in rocky hill areas. Furthermore, if you see one, enjoy the view from afar. You won't want to get too friendly with these prickly creatures! Below are five interesting facts about the Cape porcupine.
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All porcupines (and the Cape porcupine is no exception) have banded quills which are essentially their hairs. Those on the back may be 40cm long; the shorter, open-ended tail quills will rattle as a warning.
Contrary to popular myth, a porcupine’s quills will not fire at enemies but rather will loosely embed in their skin and they easily shed on contact. When threatened, a porcupine erects its quills and backs towards its assailant. Consequently, careless predators may end up with quills so deeply embedded that fatal wounds can develop.
Porcupines feed on roots, bulbs and bark. As a result, their habit of fatally ring-barking trees has a significant ecological impact because it helps open up woodland into savanna.
Porcupines often gnaw bones because they need their minerals and also to sharpen their powerful incisors.
Porcupines form monogamous pairs, which mate throughout the year. The male plays an unusually active role in raising the litter of 2–4 young. Each pair may inhabit up to six burrows and jointly defend its shared territory.
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