23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - KLIPSPRINGER (Oreotragus oreotragus)

A klipspringer is a small African antelope renowned for its incredible agility on rocky terrain, with specially adapted hooves that allow it to jump 10 to 15 feet straight up. Found in eastern and southern Africa, this species has hollow, brittle hairs for insulation and communicates with whistles to alert others to danger. Klipspringers are monogamous, often forming lifelong pair bonds, and are highly adapted to their arid, mountainous habitats, where they feed on flowers, shoots, and fruits and are not dependent on drinking water.

Klipspringer populations are generally stable, with much of their habitat being rocky and inaccessible.

Climate change, leading to drought and altering forage resources, poses a potential threat to their populations, particularly in the western parts of their range. 

Size: They are small, standing about 20 inches tall and weighing between 22-40 pounds.

Fur: Their fur is grizzled, with hairs that are hollow, flattened, and springy, providing excellent insulation and protection during falls.

Hooves: Their hooves are small, cylindrical, and rubbery on the inside with hard rims, allowing them to grip rocks like a suction cup.

Horns: Only males have horns, which are short and spiky.

Other features: They have large ears, rudimentary tails, and dark preorbital glands near their eyes that secrete pheromones for communication. 

Habitat and Behavior

Habitat: Klipspringers inhabit rocky, arid environments, including mountains and koppies, in eastern and southern Africa.

Diet: They are selective browsers, feeding on flowers, tender green shoots, and fruits.

Movement: They are exceptional rock climbers and can jump significant heights to navigate their rocky homes.

Communication: They use whistles to communicate with their mates and alert them to predators.

Social structure: Klipspringers form lifelong pair bonds and often live as monogamous pairs.

Reproduction: After a gestation period, a single offspring is born and is hidden by the mother for the first few months of its life. 

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VANCIA - 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.

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 zebras, and they are led by a single stallion. Grant’s zebras typically live 20 years.

The distribution of this subspecies is in Zambia west of the Luangwa river and 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 also occurs as far as the Juba River in Somalia.

Zambia is an ideal place for zebras. These animals prefer living in savanna woodlands and grasslands; they are not found in deserts, wetlands, or rainforests. The mountain variety lives in rocky mountainous areas. Unfortunately, the availability of habitat for all species of zebras is shrinking, resulting in population decline.

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - RIVER COOTER (Pseudemys concinna)

The river cooter (Pseudemys concinna) is a species of freshwater turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is native to the central and eastern United States, but has been introduced into parts of California, Washington, and British Columbia.

Pseudemys concinna is found from Virginia south to central Georgia, west to eastern Texas, Oklahoma, and north to southern Indiana.

Pseudemys concinna is usually found in rivers with moderate current, as well as lakes and tidal marshes.

The genus Pseudemys includes several species of cooters and red-bellied turtles. Pseudemys concinna is the species known as the river cooter. The name "cooter" may have come from an African word "kuta" which means "turtle" in the Bambara and Malinké languages, brought to America by African slaves.

 

The river cooter basks on logs or sun-warmed rocks, and is frequently found in the company of other aquatic basking turtles (sliders and painteds) sometimes piled up on top of each other. All are quick to slip into the water if disturbed. Diurnal by nature, Pseudemys concinna wakes with the warming sun to bask and forage. It can move with surprising speed in the water and on land. It is not unusual for it to wander from one body of fresh water to another, but many individuals seem to develop fairly large home ranges, which they seldom or never leave. It sleeps in the water, hidden under vegetation. In areas that are quite warm it remains active all winter, but in cooler climates can become dormant during the winter for up to two months, in the mud, underwater. It doesn't breathe during this time of low metabolism, but can utilize oxygen from the water, which it takes in through the cloaca. 

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - WHITE HEADED VULTURE (Trigonoceps occipitalis)

The white-headed vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis) is an Old World vulture endemic to Africa. Populations have been declining steeply in recent years due to habitat degradation and poisoning of vultures at carcasses. An extinct relative was also present in the Indonesian island of Flores during the Late Pleistocene, indicating that the genus was more widespread in the past.

The white-headed vulture is a medium-sized vulture, 72–85 centimetres (28–33 in) in length and with a wingspan of 207–230 centimetres (81–91 in). Females have an average weight of 4.7 kilograms (10 lb), while males are generally lighter at 4 kilograms (8.8 lb) or less. This species is unique among African vultures as it shows a degree of reversed sexual dimorphism, where females are somewhat larger than males.

It has a pink beak and a white crest, and the featherless areas on its head are pale. It has dark brown upper parts and black tail feathers. The feathers on its lower parts and legs are white, giving it its diagnostic image from below. These vultures are easily distinguishable from all other vulture species as the plumage exhibits a strong contrast between black and white. Individual white-headed vultures can also be reliably identified based on a unique pattern in their median wing coverts.

The white-headed vulture is widely spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, occurring from Senegal and Gambia east to Somalia and south to South Africa and Eswatini. It is locally uncommon to common. A total population of 10,500-18,750 individuals has been estimated, but newer estimates following recent declines suggest a population of just 5,500 individuals. It is estimated that 400 protected areas contain 1893 White-headed vulture nests, with 721 nests occurring in East Africa, 548 in Central Africa, 468 in Southern Africa and 156 in West Africa. The species prefers mixed, dry woodland at low altitudes. It occurs at elevations of up to 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in Ethiopia, perhaps 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in Kenya, and can be found in thorny Acacia-dominated landscape in Botswana. It generally avoids human habitation  and are considered to be restricted to protected areas. For example, the Kruger National Park and neighboring conservation areas hold the largest population of the species in South Africa.

25-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HAIRY ROSE BEETLE (Tropinota squalida)

Tropinota squalida is a species of beetle belonging to the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Cetoniinae.

These beetles are mainly found in France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, former Yugoslavia, Spain, in the Near East and in North Africa.

Larvae feed on roots, while the adults can be encountered from May through July feeding on flowers. They are 10–15 millimetres (0.39–0.59 in) long.

Head, scutellum and elytra are dark-brown, with a thick and long tawny hair on elytra and abdomen. Elytra show two series of white spots on the sides of the central hull. Scutellun is rounded and hairy, but glabrous in the posterior. The fifth humeral slot is bifurcated.

27-10-2019 ADOR CAMPO, VALENCIA - EURASIAN MAGPIE (Pica pica)

The Eurasian magpie, or common magpie (Pica pica), is a striking bird that graces the northern reaches of the Eurasian continent. It is a member of the crow family, known as corvids, and is part of the "monochrome" magpie group within the Holarctic radiation. The bird is easily recognized by its black and white plumage and long, iridescent tail.

Adult Eurasian magpies measure 44–46 cm in length, with over half of this being the tail. They have a wingspan of 52–62 cm. The head, neck, and breast are glossy black with a metallic sheen of green and violet, while the belly and scapulars are pure white. The wings are black with green or purple gloss, and the primaries have white inner webs. The tail is black with green and reddish-purple gloss. Both sexes have similar plumage, though females are slightly smaller.

The Eurasian magpie favors open countryside with scattered trees, avoiding dense forests and treeless areas. It adapts well to suburban environments, including parks and gardens, and can be found in city centers.

This magpie's range spans temperate Eurasia from the western edges of Portugal and Spain to the eastern limits of the Kamchatka Peninsula.

27-10-2019 ADOR CAMPO, VALENCIA - PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY (Vanessa cardui)

Vanessa cardui is the most widespread of all butterfly species. It is commonly called the painted lady, or formerly in North America the cosmopolitan.

V. cardui occurs in any temperate zone, including mountains in the tropics. The species is resident only in warmer areas, but migrates in spring, and sometimes again in autumn. It migrates from North Africa and the Mediterranean to Britain and Europe in May and June, occasionally reaching Iceland, and from the Red Sea basin, via Israel and Cyprus, to Turkey in March and April. The occasional autumn migration made by V. cardui is likely for the inspection of resource changes; it consists of a round trip from Europe to Africa.

For decades, naturalists have debated whether the offspring of these immigrants ever make a southwards return migration. Research suggests that British painted ladies do undertake an autumn migration, making 14,500 km (9,000 mi) round trip from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle in a series of steps by up to six successive generations. The Radar Entomology Unit at Rothamsted Research provided evidence that autumn migrations take place at high altitude, which explains why these migrations are seldom witnessed. In recent years, thanks to the activity of The Worldwide Painted Lady Migration citizen science project, led by the Barcelona-based Institute of Evolutionary Biology (Catalan: Institut de Biologia Evolutiva), the huge range of migration has begun to be revealed. For example, some butterflies migrated from Iceland to the Sahara desert, and even further south.

V. cardui is known for its distinct migratory behaviour. In California, they are usually seen flying from north to north-west. These migrations appear to be partially initiated by heavy winter rains in the desert where rainfall controls the growth of larval food plants. In March 2019, after heavy rain produced an abundance of vegetation in the deserts, Southern California saw these butterflies migrating by the millions across the state.

Similarly, heavier than usual rain during the 2018-2019 winter seems to have been the cause of the extraordinarily large migration observed in Israel at the end of March, estimated at a billion individual butterflies. Painted lady migration patterns are highly erratic and they do not migrate every year. Some evidence suggests that global climatic events, such as el Niño, may affect the migratory behaviour of the painted lady butterflies, causing large-scale migrations. The first noticeable wave of migration in eastern Ukraine was noted in the 20s of April 2019. From May 15, numbers began to grow and it was possible to observe hundreds of this species in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, including in the city streets of Kharkiv.

27-10-2019 ADOR CAMPO, VALENCIA - LAMENTING GRASSHOPPER (Eyprepocnemis plorans)

Eyprepocnemis plorans, the lamenting grasshopper, is a species of insect in the family Acrididae. It is the type species of the genus Eyprepocnemis, and is found in Africa, parts of the Middle East, and southern Europe. It typically inhabits wetlands and other moist habitats.

This is a medium-sized grasshopper, with females growing to a length of about 4.5 cm (1.8 in), while males are slightly smaller. The general colour is greyish-brown. The head and prothorax have a central dark band edged with paler stripes. The eye has a longitudinal dark streak, a characteristic shared by Anacridium aegyptium, Heteracris annulosa and Heteracris adspersa. The femurs of the hind legs have greenish, blue and yellow striations, and the hind tibia have reddish or bluish iridescence, and black and white spines.

Eyprepocnemis plorans is native to much of Africa, parts of the Middle East such as Iran, and southern Europe, where it is present in southern Greece, southern Italy, Sicily, Sardinia and southern Spain. It seems to be expanding its range northwards in Italy, possibly as a result of putative climate change.[3] It usually occurs in wetlands, reed beds, freshwater and salt marshes, riverside vegetation, coastal vegetation and man-made habitats. It appreciates vertical-growing stems such as reeds, and habitats with tall forbs mixed with lower-growing plants.

27-10-2019 ADOR CAMPO, VALENCIA - COMMON BUZZARD (Buteo buteo)

The common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a medium-to-large bird of prey which has a large range. It is a member of the genus Buteo in the family Accipitridae. The species lives in most of Europe and extends its breeding range across much of the Palearctic as far as northwestern China (Tian Shan), far western Siberia and northwestern Mongolia. Over much of its range, it is a year-round resident. However, buzzards from the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere as well as those that breed in the eastern part of their range typically migrate south for the northern winter, many journeying as far as South Africa.

The common buzzard is an opportunistic predator that can take a wide variety of prey, but it feeds mostly on small mammals, especially rodents such as voles. It typically hunts from a perch. Like most accipitrid birds of prey, it builds a nest, typically in trees in this species, and is a devoted parent to a relatively small brood of young. The common buzzard appears to be the most common diurnal raptor in Europe, as estimates of its total global population run well into the millions.

26-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY (Vanessa cardui)

Vanessa cardui is the most widespread of all butterfly species. It is commonly called the painted lady, or formerly in North America the cosmopolitan.

V. cardui occurs in any temperate zone, including mountains in the tropics. The species is resident only in warmer areas, but migrates in spring, and sometimes again in autumn. It migrates from North Africa and the Mediterranean to Britain and Europe in May and June, occasionally reaching Iceland, and from the Red Sea basin, via Israel and Cyprus, to Turkey in March and April. The occasional autumn migration made by V. cardui is likely for the inspection of resource changes; it consists of a round trip from Europe to Africa.

For decades, naturalists have debated whether the offspring of these immigrants ever make a southwards return migration. Research suggests that British painted ladies do undertake an autumn migration, making 14,500 km (9,000 mi) round trip from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle in a series of steps by up to six successive generations. The Radar Entomology Unit at Rothamsted Research provided evidence that autumn migrations take place at high altitude, which explains why these migrations are seldom witnessed. In recent years, thanks to the activity of The Worldwide Painted Lady Migration citizen science project, led by the Barcelona-based Institute of Evolutionary Biology (Catalan: Institut de Biologia Evolutiva), the huge range of migration has begun to be revealed. For example, some butterflies migrated from Iceland to the Sahara desert, and even further south.

V. cardui is known for its distinct migratory behaviour. In California, they are usually seen flying from north to north-west. These migrations appear to be partially initiated by heavy winter rains in the desert where rainfall controls the growth of larval food plants. In March 2019, after heavy rain produced an abundance of vegetation in the deserts, Southern California saw these butterflies migrating by the millions across the state.

Similarly, heavier than usual rain during the 2018-2019 winter seems to have been the cause of the extraordinarily large migration observed in Israel at the end of March, estimated at a billion individual butterflies. Painted lady migration patterns are highly erratic and they do not migrate every year. Some evidence suggests that global climatic events, such as el Niño, may affect the migratory behaviour of the painted lady butterflies, causing large-scale migrations. The first noticeable wave of migration in eastern Ukraine was noted in the 20s of April 2019. From May 15, numbers began to grow and it was possible to observe hundreds of this species in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, including in the city streets of Kharkiv.

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - WHITE BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus)

The population size of the white-backed vulture has been decreasing significantly within the past few decades. In 1992, the population was estimated at 270,000. Over the past two decades, its population has noticeably decreased. BirdLife international estimated that over the past 40 years, the population of the white-backed vulture has decreased annually by a mean of 4.1%, culminating to an overall decline that lies between 63 and 89%, and such harrowing declines have also been recorded in the populations of its other African relatives. 

A recent study found that white-backed vultures have a high survival rate. Individual adults have the highest survival rate, while 2 year old birds have the lowest survival rate. Across all ages, the survival rate is estimated to be 90.7%.  Vultures are also being poisoned by humans, although not intentionally. In order to kill hyenas, lions, and other predators, herders add poisons into their livestock. Vultures ingest the poison upon eating a deceased animal's carcass. This poisoning generally occurs outside of protected areas but is a leading factor in the population's decline. Habitats are also being disturbed by human land management and direct nesting persecution patterns.

The white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the most common vulture species in the continent of Africa.

The white-backed vulture is a typical vulture, with only down feathers on the head and neck, very broad wings and short tail feathers. It has a white neck ruff. The adult's whitish back contrasts with the otherwise dark plumage. Juveniles are largely dark. This is a medium-sized vulture; its body mass is 4.2 to 7.2 kg (9.3–15.9 lb), it is 78 to 98 cm (31 to 39 in) long and has a 1.96 to 2.25 m (6 ft 5 in to 7 ft 5 in) wingspan.

The white-backed vulture occurs from Senegal, Gambia and Mali in the west, throughout the Sahel region to Ethiopia and Somalia in the east, through East Africa into Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa in the south. It is the most widespread and common vulture in Africa with an estimated range of 24,300,000 km2 (9,400,000 sq mi), but has undergone rapid population declines in recent years.

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - RED RIVER HOG (Potamochoerus porcus)

The red river hog (Potamochoerus porcus) or bushpig (a name also used for Potamochoerus larvatus) is a wild member of the pig family living in Africa, with most of its distribution in the Guinean and Congolian forests. It is rarely seen away from rainforests, and generally prefers areas near rivers or swamps.

The red river hog lives in rainforests, wet dense savannas, and forested valleys, and near rivers, lakes and marshes. The species' distribution ranges from the Congo area and Gambia to the eastern Congo, southwards to the Kasai and the Congo River. The exact delineation of its range versus that of the bushpig is unclear; but in broad terms, the red river hog occupies western and central Africa, and the bushpig occupies eastern and southern Africa. Where the two meet, they are sometimes said to interbreed, although other authorities dispute this. Although numerous subspecies have been identified in the past, none are currently recognised.

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - AFRICAN FISH EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer)

The African Fish Eagle is a striking raptor, known for its white head/chest, brown body, black wings, and loud "voice of Africa" call, feeding primarily on fish snatched with powerful talons featuring rough pads (spicules) for grip; females are larger, they mate for life near water, and are national symbols for several countries. 

Key Characteristics

Appearance: White head, neck, chest, and tail, contrasting with a dark brown body and black wings. Adults have a bright yellow, featherless face, dark brown eyes, and a hooked yellow beak with a black tip.

Size: A large raptor, with females weighing more (up to 3.6 kg) and having larger wingspans (up to 2.4m) than males (up to 2.5 kg, ~2m wingspan).

Juveniles: Brown and mottled, taking about four years to develop adult plumage. 

Hunting & Diet

Specialized Feet: Rough soles and sharp talons (spicules) help them grip slippery fish.

Hunting Style: Perch high in trees, spot fish, then swoop down to snatch them from the water.

Opportunistic: Also steal food from other birds (kleptoparasitism). 

Habitat & Behavior

Habitat: Found near freshwater bodies like lakes, rivers, and wetlands in Africa.

Social Life: Live and hunt in monogamous pairs, defending territories.

Nesting: Build large nests, adding to them yearly. 

Cultural Significance

Iconic Call: Its distinctive, loud cry is famous and often heard near African waters.

National Symbol: The national bird of Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Sudan, symbolizing freedom. 

Geographic Range

The eagle's range extends from Mauritania, Mali, and Sudan in the north, to South Africa in the south, encompassing latitudes between approximately 17°N and 35°S. 

Widespread Presence: The species is a resident in most African countries south of the Sahara Desert.

Key Population Areas: Populations are particularly abundant around the large Rift Valley lakes in East and Central Africa, such as Lake Victoria and Lake Naivasha, as well as major river systems like the Orange, Chobe, and Zambezi rivers.

Absence: They are generally absent from extremely arid desert areas with little surface water and dense, closed-canopy equatorial rainforests. 

Habitat

The African fish eagle is a generalist when it comes to habitat type, provided its core needs of water, food, and perches are met. Habitats include: 

Freshwater lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and swamps.

Coastal areas, including estuaries, lagoons, and mangrove swamps, though they primarily hunt in fresh or brackish water.

Various biomes, ranging from grasslands and fynbos to tropical rainforests and desert-bordering coastlines. 

While adults are largely sedentary and maintain territories year-round, some local movements may occur in response to seasonal changes in water levels or food supply. 

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - CAPE PORCUPINE (Hystrix africaeaustralis)

The Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis), Cape crested porcupine or South African porcupine, is a species of Old World porcupine native to central and southern Africa.

Cape porcupines are the largest rodents in Africa and also the largest species of porcupine. Cape porcupines are amongst the largest living rodents in the world; a few other rodents appear to be larger in body mass such as the capybara and the Eurasian and North American beavers. They are similar in appearance to the slightly smaller and closely related crested porcupine. They can most easily be distinguished from them by the presence of a band of short white spines along the midline of the rump. Indian porcupines are almost the same size on average as well, being slightly heavier on average than crested porcupines but slightly lighter than Cape porcupines.

Cape porcupines measure 63 to 81 centimetres (25 to 32 inches) long from the head to the base of the tail, with the tail adding a further 11–20 centimetres (4.3–7.9 inches). They weigh from 10 to 24 kilograms (22 to 53 pounds), with exceptionally large specimens weighing up to 30 kg (66 lb); males and females are not significantly different in size. The average weight of males from Zimbabwe was 16.9 kg (37 lb) and while the average for females there was 18.4 kg (41 lb) while in the Orange river valley of South Africa males averaged 12.3 kg (27 lb) and females averaged 13 kg (29 lb).

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - GREY CROWNED CRANE (Balearica regulorum)

The Grey Crowned Crane, known scientifically as Balearica regulorum, stands as a majestic figure approximately 1 meter tall, with a wingspan stretching to 2 meters. This bird's plumage is predominantly grey, accented with a variety of colors on the wings and a striking black patch at the top. Its head is adorned with a crown of stiff golden feathers, setting it apart from its avian companions. The face is white, highlighted by a bright red inflatable throat pouch, and the bill is a modest grey. Black legs support its graceful frame, and its large, slender feet are designed for balance as it wades through grasslands.

Observers should note the Grey Crowned Crane's unique combination of features: the golden crown, white face, red throat pouch, and the black patch on the wings. Males and females are similar in appearance, though males may be slightly larger. Juveniles present a greyer complexion with a feathered buff face.

The Grey Crowned Crane favors the dry savannahs of Sub-Saharan Africa but is also comfortable in marshes, cultivated lands, and grassy flatlands near rivers and lakes.

This species is widespread across eastern and southern Africa, with a presence from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, through Kenya, down to South Africa.

The Grey Crowned Crane is known for its elaborate breeding display, which includes dancing, bowing, and jumping. It is a social bird, often found in flocks ranging from 30 to 150 individuals.

The crane's call is a distinctive booming sound, produced with the help of its red gular sac. It also emits a honking noise, quite unlike the trumpeting calls of other crane species.

Breeding seasons are timed with the rains, varying by region. The Grey Crowned Crane builds a large nest in wetland vegetation, where it lays a clutch of 2-5 glossy, dirty-white eggs. Both parents share incubation duties over a period of 28–31 days. Chicks are precocial and fledge in 56–100 days.

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - DAMA GAZELLE (Nanger dama)

The dama gazelle (Nanger dama), also known as the addra gazelle or mhorr gazelle, is a species of gazelle. It lives in Africa, in the Sahara desert and the Sahel. A critically endangered species, it has disappeared from most of its former range due to overhunting and habitat loss, and natural populations only remain in Chad, Mali, and Niger. Its habitat includes grassland, shrubland, semi-deserts, open savanna and mountain plateaus. Its diet includes shrubs, herbs, grasses, leaves (especially Acacia leaves), shoots, and fruit.

In Niger, the dama gazelle has become a national symbol. Under the Hausa name meyna or ménas, the dama gazelle appears on the badge of the Niger national football team, who are popularly called the Ménas.

The dama gazelle is white with a reddish-brown head and neck. Both sexes usually have medium-length ringed horns curved like an "S". Males' horns are about 35 cm (14 in) long, while females' horns are much shorter. The head is small with a narrow muzzle, and the eyes are relatively large. It has a longer neck and longer legs than most gazelles. It is between 90 and 95 cm (35 and 37 in) tall at the shoulder, weighs between 35 and 75 kg (77 and 165 lb), and has a lifespan up to 12 years in the wild or 18 in captivity. A few days following birth, dama young are strong enough to follow the herd, and after a week, they are able to run as fast as the adults. The dama gazelle is considered the largest species of gazelle, with incredibly long legs, which provide extra surface area to dissipate heat, one of the many ways it stays cool in its hot desert environment. It also tends to need more water than some of its desert relatives, but it can withstand fairly long periods of drought. Unlike many other desert mammals, the dama gazelle is a diurnal species, meaning it is active during the day. Always on the alert, the dama gazelle uses a behavior called pronking to warn herd members of danger. Pronking involves the animal hopping up and down with all four of its legs stiff, so that its limbs all leave and touch the ground at the same time. Males also establish territories, and during breeding season, they actively exclude other mature males. They mark their territories with urine and dung piles and secretions from glands near their eyes.

The Dama gazelle does not need a lot of water, but it needs more than other desert animals. It is not as resistant and perishes from a lack of water during the drought season. The environment has become ill-suited for it. Habitat pressure from pastoral activity is another reason for decline, as are introduced diseases from livestock.

Another reason for the decline of the dama gazelle is habitat destruction. Humans cut down the branches of the trees on which this gazelle feeds. As a result, the trees die and the gazelle cannot eat. Human threats are the most dangerous of threats to the dama gazelle. The main reason this species of gazelle is endangered is because of mechanized hunting; hunters using vehicles increase its decline. Civil unrest, for instance in Sudan, also negatively affects the life of the dama gazelle. Since the gazelle is already having a hard time surviving, these conditions have made its habitat unsuitable. A potential threat the dama gazelle faces is tourism. Tourists want to take pictures of this endangered species, and in doing so, may be perceived as a threat, especially during the hot season. Gazelles will run away from perceived danger, and in the hot season may overheat and die of stress.

The dama gazelle's historical range included the desert and arid zones of Chad (eastern), and the Darfur and Kordofan Provinces of Sudan. Due to wars in their range, habitat destruction, desertification, overhunting, and human and livestock population expansion, they are now extremely rare, occurring only as vagrants or in pockets

The life span of the dama gazelle is unknown in the wild. In human care, individual males have lived up to 15 years and individual females have lived up to 19 years.

Dama gazelles obtain most of their water from the plants they consume. Their diet includes various desert shrubs and acacias, along with rough desert grasses.

At the Zoo, they eat orchard grass hay and alfalfa hay — about a flake each per day. In addition they eat roughly 2.5 pounds of herbivore pellet per day, with leaf eater biscuits and browse as treats.

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - COMMON OSTRICH (Struthio camelus)

The common ostrich (Struthio camelus), or simply ostrich, is a species of flightless bird native to certain areas of Africa. It is one of two extant species of ostriches, the only living members of the genus Struthio in the ratite group of birds. The other is the Somali ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes), which has been recognized as a distinct species by BirdLife International since 2014, having been previously considered a distinctive subspecies of ostrich.

The common ostrich belongs to the order Struthioniformes. Struthioniformes previously contained all the ratites, such as the kiwis, emus, rheas, and cassowaries. However, recent genetic analysis has found that the group is not monophyletic, as it is paraphyletic with respect to the tinamous, so the ostriches are now classified as the only members of the order. Phylogenetic studies have shown that it is the sister group to all other members of Palaeognathae, and thus the flighted tinamous are the sister group to the extinct moa.

It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs, and can run for a long time at a speed of 55 km/h (34 mph) with short bursts up to about 97 km/h (60 mph), the fastest land speed of any bipedal animal and the second fastest of all land animals after the cheetah The common ostrich is the largest living species of bird and thus the largest living dinosaur. It lays the largest eggs of any living bird (the extinct giant elephant bird (Aepyornis maximus) of Madagascar and the south island giant moa (Dinornis robustus) of New Zealand laid larger eggs). Ostriches are the most dangerous birds on the planet for humans, with an average of two to three deaths being recorded each year in South Africa.

The common ostrich's diet consists mainly of plant matter, though it also eats invertebrates and small reptiles. It lives in nomadic groups of 5 to 50 birds. When threatened, the ostrich will either hide itself by lying flat against the ground or run away. If cornered, it can attack with a kick of its powerful legs. Mating patterns differ by geographical region, but territorial males fight for a harem of two to seven females.

The common ostrich is farmed around the world, particularly for its feathers, which are decorative and are also used as feather dusters. Its skin is used for leather products and its meat is sold commercially, with its leanness a common marketing point.

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus)

Superb starlings are social birds known for their striking metallic blue and green feathers, orange bellies, and distinctive white collars. They live in East African savannas and have a cooperative breeding system where the group helps raise the young. They are omnivores, eating insects and berries, and have a diverse vocalization repertoire. 

Appearance

Plumage: Iridescent blue-green with a dark head, metallic blue wings, and an orange belly separated by a white stripe.

Eyes: Creamy-white.

Size: About 7.1 to 7.5 inches long and weighing between 1.8 and 2.7 ounces. 

Habitat and range

Habitat: Savannas, open woodlands, and cultivated areas in East Africa.

Range: Primarily found in countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Tanzania. 

Behavior and diet

Social structure: Live in flocks of up to 40 or more individuals and have a cooperative breeding system.

Diet: Primarily insects, but also eat berries, fruits, and nectar.

Vocalization: Communicate using whistles, alarms, and mimicry. They can have complex songs with many phrases.

Territorial: Defend their breeding territories, especially from other birds. 

Nesting

Location: Nests are often built in acacia trees for protection, but they may also use holes in trunks or walls.

Construction: Nests are dome-shaped, woven structures made of grass and lined with feathers.

Eggs: Lay 2–5 dark blue-green eggs. 

Other facts

Lifespan: Can live for 15 years or more in captivity.

Gestation: A gestation period of 12 days.

Offspring: Produce 3–4 offspring. 

The Superb Starling is a superb flier! The shape of the wings helps it fly swiftly and maneuver quickly. Such agility is helpful in woodlands or to escape a predator.

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - CAPE SPURFOWL (Pternistis capensis)

The Cape spurfowl, or Cape francolin, is a robust gamebird of the pheasant family, Phasianidae, and is the largest francolin native to southern Africa. It is a bird that, from afar, appears uniformly dark save for its striking red legs. Upon closer inspection, one can appreciate its finely vermiculated grey and white plumage, with a plainer crown and nape. The male is distinguishable by his two leg spurs, while the female may have a single, shorter spur.

Adult Cape spurfowls measure between 40–42 cm in length. Males are heftier, weighing in at 600–915 grams, while females are lighter at 435–659 grams. Juveniles resemble adults but have duller leg coloration and more pronounced vermiculations. The species is unlikely to be confused with others within its range due to its size and distinctive leg coloration.

This species thrives in the strandveld, renosterveld, and fynbos regions of the Western Cape, favoring areas near water. It is also found in the succulent karoo and along riverbanks in the Nama karoo.

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis)

The Cape Teal (Anas capensis) is a pale grey, dabbling duck from sub-Saharan Africa, known for its distinctive pink bill, preferring salty wetlands and sewerage ponds, feeding on plants/insects, being mostly non-migratory but nomadic, and having quiet calls except for a male's whistle during breeding, with nests on the ground and female-only incubation. 

Appearance & Identification

Color: Pale grey with mottled feathers, browner back, and distinct white wing markings in flight.

Bill: Pink with black edges and base, a key feature distinguishing it from other ducks.

Size: Small, about the size of a small house cat (44-46 cm long). 

Habitat & Behavior

Habitat: Found in diverse wetlands, especially salty vleis, saltpans, and man-made lagoons across Africa.

Movement: Nomadic, moving opportunistically with rains, but generally non-migratory.

Feeding: Dabbling duck, feeding on aquatic plants, insects, crustaceans, and tadpoles, sometimes diving.

Vocalization: Mostly quiet, with a male's clear whistle and a female's weak quack during mating. 

Reproduction

Nesting: Shallow ground nests lined with vegetation and feathers near water.

Eggs: Lays 4-13 eggs, incubated solely by the female for about 26-30 days.

Chicks: Instinctively swim and dive; stay with mother for about 56 days. 

Interesting Facts

Dietary adaptation: Has tooth-like serrations on its bill for filter feeding.

Social: Can form large moulting flocks of up to 2000 birds.

Conservation: Listed as Least Concern (LC) by IUCN. 

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - MEERKAT (Suricata suricatta)

The meerkat (Suricata suricatta) or suricate is a small mongoose found in southern Africa. It is characterised by a broad head, large eyes, a pointed snout, long legs, a thin tapering tail, and a brindled coat pattern. The head-and-body length is around 24–35 cm (9.4–13.8 in), and the weight is typically between 0.62 and 0.97 kg (1.4 and 2.1 lb). The coat is light grey to yellowish-brown with alternate, poorly-defined light and dark bands on the back. Meerkats have foreclaws adapted for digging and have the ability to thermoregulate to survive in their harsh, dry habitat. Three subspecies are recognised.

Meerkats are highly social, and form packs of two to 30 individuals each that occupy home ranges around 5 km2 (1.9 sq mi) in area. There is a social hierarchy—generally dominant individuals in a pack breed and produce offspring, and the nonbreeding, subordinate members provide altruistic care to the pups. Breeding occurs around the year, with peaks during heavy rainfall; after a gestation of 60 to 70 days, a litter of three to seven pups is born.

They live in rock crevices in stony, often calcareous areas, and in large burrow systems in plains. The burrow systems, typically 5 m (16 ft) in diameter with around 15 openings, are large underground networks consisting of two to three levels of tunnels. These tunnels are around 7.5 cm (3.0 in) high at the top and wider below, and extend up to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) into the ground. Burrows have moderated internal temperatures and provide a comfortable microclimate that protects meerkats in harsh weather and at extreme temperatures.

Meerkats are active during the day, mostly in the early morning and late afternoon; they remain continually alert and retreat to burrows when sensing danger. They use a broad variety of calls to communicate among one another for different purposes, for example to raise an alarm on sighting a predator. Primarily insectivorous, meerkats feed heavily on beetles and lepidopterans, arthropods, amphibians, small birds, reptiles, and plant material in their diet.

Commonly living in arid, open habitats with little woody vegetation, meerkats occur in southwestern Botswana, western and southern Namibia, and northern and western South Africa; the range barely extends into southwestern Angola. With no significant threats to the population, the meerkat is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Meerkats are widely depicted in television, movies and other media.

Encounters between members of different packs are highly aggressive, leading to severe injuries and often deaths; 19% of meerkats die by conspecific violence, which is the highest recorded percentage among mammals. Females, often the heaviest ones, try to achieve dominance over the rest in many ways such as fierce competition or taking over from the leader of the pack. A study showed that females who grew faster were more likely to assert dominance, though males did not show such a trend. Males seeking dominance over groups tend to scent mark extensively and are not submissive; they often drive out older males in a group and take over the pack themselves. Subordinate individuals face difficulties in breeding successfully; for instance, dominant females often kill the litters of subordinate ones. As such, subordinate individuals might disperse to other packs to find mates during the breeding season.

 Some subordinate meerkats will even kill the pups of dominant members in order to improve their own offspring's position. It can take days for emigrants to secure entry into other packs, and they often face aversion from the members. Males typically succeed in joining existing groups; they often inspect other packs and their burrow systems in search of breeding opportunities. Many often team up in 'coalitions' for as long as two months and travel nearly 5 km (3.1 mi) a day on twisted paths. Dispersal appears to be less common in females, possibly because continuing to stay within a pack can eventually win them dominance over other members. Dispersed females travel longer than coalitions, and tend to start groups of their own or join other similar females; they aim for groups of emigrant males or those without a breeding female. Subordinate females, unlike subordinate males, might be ousted from their packs, especially in the latter part of the dominant female's pregnancy, though they may be allowed to return after the birth of the pups.