Thursday, 20 February 2020
2020 KAMCHATKA PENINSULA, RUSSIA - SIBERIAN BROWN BEAR (Ursus arctos ssp. beringianus) WEBCAM
The East Siberian brown bear (Ursus arctos collaris) is a population or subspecies of brown bear which ranges from eastern Siberia, beginning at the Yenisei river, north to the Arctic Circle, as far as Trans-Baikaliya, the Stanovoy Range, the Lena River, Kolyma and generally throughout Yakutia and the Altai Mountains. The subspecies is also present in northern Mongolia, northern Xinjiang, and eastern Kazakhstan.
East Siberian bears are intermediate in size to Eurasian brown bears and Kamchatka brown bears, though large individuals can attain the size of the latter. Their skulls are invariably larger than those of Eurasian brown bears and are apparently larger than those of Kamchatka brown bears.
Adult males have skulls measuring 32.6–43.1 cm (12.8–17.0 in) in length, and 31.2–38.5 cm (12.3–15.2 in) wide at the zygomatic arches. They have long, dense and soft fur which is similar in colour to that of Eurasian brown bears, though darker coloured individuals predominate.
Given the vast, wild, and virtually uninhabited territory which they inhabit, Siberian brown bears tend to be much less skittish with the presence of humans, as opposed to the Eurasian or some American brown bear subspecies. European brown bears, for example, as they inhabit a continental area far smaller than Siberia or Russia, are generally warier of people, as they are, more or less, persecuted and feared throughout their range. Both literally and figuratively, European bears are "surrounded" by humans and their dogs on all sides, on an already-cramped continent, a harsh reality which dictates their very movements and behaviours. Thus Siberian brown bears have no fear, and will readily destroy any vulnerable or unprotected food source, including hunters' outdoor food stores, and even homes or huts where there is any enticing scent, leading to potential human-bear confrontations.
20-2-2010 OLIVA CANAL LES FONTS, VALENCIA - RED EARED SLIDER TERRAPIN (Trachemys scripta ssp. elegans)
The red-eared slider or red-eared terrapin (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a subspecies of the pond slider (Trachemys scripta), a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States, is also popular as a pet across the rest of the world, and is the most invasive turtle. It is the most commonly traded turtle in the world.
The red-eared slider is native from the Midwestern United States to northern Mexico, but has become established in other places because of pet releases, and has become invasive in many areas where it outcompetes native species. The red-eared slider is included in the list of the world's 100 most invasive species.
Invasive red-eared sliders cause negative impacts in the ecosystems they are introduced to because they have certain advantages over the native populations, such as a lower age at maturity, higher fecundity rates, and larger body size, which gives them a competitive advantage at basking and nesting sites, as well as when exploiting food resources. They also transmit diseases and displace the other turtle species with which they compete for food and breeding space.
Owing to their popularity as pets, red-eared sliders have been released or escaped into the wild in many parts of the world. This turtle is considered one of the world's worst invasive species. Feral populations are now found in Bermuda, Canada, Australia, Europe, Great Britain, South Africa, the Caribbean Islands, Israel, Bahrain, the Mariana Islands, Guam, Russia, and south- and far-east Asia. Within Great Britain, red-eared sliders have a wide distribution throughout England, Scotland, and Wales.
In Australia, it is illegal for members of the public to import, keep, trade, or release red-eared sliders, as they are regarded as an invasive species – see below. Their import has also been banned by the European Union as well as specific EU member countries. In 2015, Japan announced it was planning to ban the import of red-eared sliders, but it would probably not take effect until 2020.
Red-eared sliders do not hibernate, but actually brumate; while they become less active, they do occasionally rise to the surface for food or air. Brumation can occur to varying degrees. In the wild, red-eared sliders brumate over the winter at the bottoms of ponds or shallow lakes. They generally become inactive in October, when temperatures fall below 10 °C (50 °F). During this time, the turtles enter a state of sopor, during which they do not eat or defecate, they remain nearly motionless, and the frequency of their breathing falls. Individuals usually brumate under water, but they have also been found under banks and rocks, and in hollow stumps. In warmer winter climates, they can become active and come to the surface for basking. When the temperature begins to drop again, however, they quickly return to a brumation state. Sliders generally come up for food in early March to as late as the end of April.
Wednesday, 19 February 2020
2020 GALAPPAGOS, ECUADOR - VAMPIRE GROUND FINCH (Geospiza septentrionalis)
The Vampire Ground Finch (Geospiza septentrionalis) is a rare, small bird found only on Wolf and Darwin Islands in the Galápagos, known for feeding on the blood of Nazca and blue-footed boobies. They use their sharp beaks to peck at the base of feathers on seabirds, drinking the blood as an adaptation to survive in resource-poor environments.
Key Facts About the Vampire Ground Finch:
Unique Behavior: The finch drinks blood, a behavior thought to have evolved from feeding on parasites found on the boobies.
Limited Range: They are endemic to only two remote, northern Galápagos Islands: Wolf and Darwin.
Diet: While known for drinking blood, their diet mainly consists of seeds, invertebrates, and cactus nectar during the wet season. They also eat eggs, rolling them to break them open.
Evolutionary Adaptation: This blood-drinking behavior developed as an adaptation to the arid, resource-poor environment, helping them survive.
Physical Appearance: They have a sharp, thin, and pointed beak. Males are generally sooty-black, while females are brown with grey streaks.
Conservation Status: The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a small, restricted population estimated at 250–999 mature individuals.
Threats: Major threats include the introduced parasitic fly Philornis downsi and potential habitat changes, which can impact their population.
Similarities to Other Species: Formerly considered a subspecies of the Sharp-beaked Ground Finch, they are now recognized as a distinct species.
12-2-2020 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - GRANT'S ZEBRA (Equus quagga ssp. boehmi)
Grant's zebra (Equus quagga boehmi) is the smallest of the seven subspecies of the plains zebra. This subspecies represents the zebra form of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and others across central Africa.
This subspecies is distributed in Zambia west of the Luangwa river west to Kariba, Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, north to the Kibanzao Plateau, and in Tanzania north from Nyangaui and Kibwezi into southwestern Kenya as far as Sotik. It can also be found in eastern Kenya and east of the Great Rift Valley into southernmost Ethiopia. It occurs as far as the Juba River in Somalia.
Duncan (1992) recognized the Upper Zambezi zebra (Equus quagga zambeziensis Prazak, 1898[2]). Groves and Bell (2004) came to the conclusion that the zebras from West Zambia and Malawi cannot be distinguished cranially and that they differ only slightly from other northern plains zebras. The minor size difference does not justify a separate subspecific status for the Upper Zambezi zebra. Therefore, they combine these zebras with Grant's zebra (Equus quagga boehmi).
This northern subspecies is vertically striped in front, horizontally on the back legs, and diagonally on the rump and hind flanks. Shadow stripes are absent or only poorly expressed. The stripes, as well as the inner spaces, are broad and well defined. Northerly specimens may lack a mane. Grant’s zebras grow to be about 182 to 243 cm (6–8 ft) long and 120 to 140 cm (3.9 to 4.6 ft) tall, and generally weigh about 300 kg (660 lb). The zebras live in family groups of up to 18 led by a single stallion. Grant’s zebras typically live 20 years.
Recent civil wars in the Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda have caused dramatic declines in all wildlife populations, including those of Grant’s zebra.[citation needed] It is now extirpated from Burundi. Civil war in Angola during much of the past 25 years has devastated its wildlife populations, including its once-abundant plains zebra, and destroyed the national parks administration and infrastructure. Consequently, Grant's zebra is probably extinct or nearly so in Angola, although confirmation will have to wait until future surveys are conducted.
Tuesday, 18 February 2020
12-2-2020 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - AFRICAN FISH EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer)
The African fish eagle, or African sea eagle, is a majestic bird of prey that graces the skies of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a symbol of national pride, being the national bird of Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This raptor is known for its striking appearance, with a mostly brown body contrasted by a snow-white head, breast, and tail. The face is featherless and a vivid yellow, matching the color of its formidable, hooked beak, tipped in black. The African fish eagle's eyes are a deep, dark brown, and its powerful black wings carry it effortlessly over open waters.
Adult African fish eagles are unmistakable with their white heads and chests, brown bodies, and large black wings. Females are larger than males, with wingspans reaching up to 2.4 meters, compared to the 2-meter span of males. Juveniles can be identified by their overall brown plumage and paler eyes. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being heavier, weighing between 3.2 to 3.6 kilograms, while males weigh between 2.0 to 2.5 kilograms.
These eagles are typically found near freshwater lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and sometimes along coastlines at river mouths or lagoons. They thrive in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, swamps, marshes, tropical rainforests, and even desert-bordering coastlines.
The African fish eagle is indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa, with a presence in most areas south of the Sahara Desert. It is commonly seen in regions like the Orange River, the Okavango Delta, and around Lake Victoria and other large Rift Valley lakes.
The African fish eagle is known for its iconic, evocative call, which many consider the essence of Africa. It is a territorial bird, often seen perched high in a tree, surveying its domain. When hunting, it exhibits remarkable prowess, swooping down to snatch fish from the water with its taloned feet.
The call of the African fish eagle is a high-pitched and clear "weee-ah, hyo-hyo" or "heee-ah, heeah-heeah," with the male's call being particularly shrill.
Breeding occurs during the dry season, with pairs believed to mate for life. They maintain and reuse multiple nests, which can grow quite large over time. The female lays one to three eggs, primarily white with reddish speckles, and both parents share incubation duties. Chicks fledge at around 70 to 75 days old and remain dependent on their parents for up to three months.
The African fish eagle primarily feeds on fish, which it catches by swooping from a perch. It has specialized structures on its toes called spiricules to help grasp slippery prey. While fish are the mainstay of its diet, it also consumes waterbirds, small turtles, baby crocodiles, frogs, insects, and occasionally mammals. It is also known to engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing prey from other birds.
The African fish eagle is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an estimated population size of around 300,000 individuals and a wide distribution area.
The African fish eagle may be superficially similar to the bald eagle, but they are found on different continents and can be distinguished by their calls and habitat preferences.
Mummified African fish eagles have been discovered at the Necropolis at Elkab, indicating the bird's significance in ancient cultures.
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