tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35640689976221418572023-11-16T08:17:49.597-08:00Kingdom of Wild AnimalsWildlife encompasses the vast array of animal and plant species that inhabit our planet. These creatures are essential for maintaining the natural balance of our ecosystem. However, human activities, such as habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change, are pushing many species towards extinction. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserve and protect wildlife, and we must work towards creating a sustainable future for all living beings.Zoo Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154933281493339522noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564068997622141857.post-22468448423979217592023-02-21T21:55:00.006-08:002023-02-27T21:21:46.021-08:00Sri Lankan Leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) in Kumana National Park<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7h_4hX62yB929ZUZ_VnvQKROSf1IBKCmzQI-trLYZMIlOKs8KTulH7ilCg5FqF1MEbEyrPZ3rKmSobcNf_R5jnNAnzeLxqIt1EpRMuVyfi25hFwI8h_6WyPZ1dsXY2xQmIFiwtrh5yQHYZNjyLU4sE7QIyCus5rnhCGORUXyP34LzXTUzXRA1MrAz/s4624/20230216_123236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kumana National Park" border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7h_4hX62yB929ZUZ_VnvQKROSf1IBKCmzQI-trLYZMIlOKs8KTulH7ilCg5FqF1MEbEyrPZ3rKmSobcNf_R5jnNAnzeLxqIt1EpRMuVyfi25hFwI8h_6WyPZ1dsXY2xQmIFiwtrh5yQHYZNjyLU4sE7QIyCus5rnhCGORUXyP34LzXTUzXRA1MrAz/w400-h300/20230216_123236.jpg" title="Kumana National Park" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photography by: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@nanhewa" target="_blank">Nandun Hewapathirana</a></div><b>Kumana National Park and Sri Lankan Leopards</b><p></p><p>Kumana National Park, also known as Yala East National Park, is a protected area in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. It covers an area of over 35,000 hectares and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species.</p><p>One of the most iconic and charismatic species found in Kumana National Park is the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), which is a subspecies of the leopard that is endemic to Sri Lanka. The park is home to a healthy population of these elusive big cats, which are considered to be a flagship species for wildlife conservation in the country.</p><p>Sri Lankan leopards are apex predators that play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the park. They are mostly solitary and nocturnal animals, and are known for their agility and strength. Their diet primarily consists of prey species such as spotted deer, sambar deer, wild boar, and monkeys.</p><p>The population of Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park has been estimated to be around 50 individuals, making it one of the largest concentrations of the species in the country. The park is also known for its high density of leopard sightings, which makes it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.</p><p>Despite their importance, Sri Lankan leopards face several threats in Kumana National Park, including habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts. However, several conservation initiatives are underway to protect these big cats, including anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration programs, and community-based conservation efforts.</p><p><b>Kumana National Park for Sri Lankan Leopard Conservation</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo1mEL6IugYchhP1hW5oXWr1_jNZ-Ovc_E98OF6Rou1pZbGlBNqeKFCStWSU8IxfBNqZwK1I9vPE504mHLmGnnWAmCNjP7NFylSw3AbjHom9i_KLtgRG0AEhoCbYeK8RSBYTrih95Wz9xW4Qh_pDFQyeoa_7biFw89T3g5cebEMybQRHIO_R_Zf0c/s2120/20230218_172435.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sri Lankan Leopard" border="0" data-original-height="1664" data-original-width="2120" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo1mEL6IugYchhP1hW5oXWr1_jNZ-Ovc_E98OF6Rou1pZbGlBNqeKFCStWSU8IxfBNqZwK1I9vPE504mHLmGnnWAmCNjP7NFylSw3AbjHom9i_KLtgRG0AEhoCbYeK8RSBYTrih95Wz9xW4Qh_pDFQyeoa_7biFw89T3g5cebEMybQRHIO_R_Zf0c/w400-h314/20230218_172435.jpg" title="Sri Lankan Leopard" width="400" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;">Photography by: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@nanhewa" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Nandun Hewapathirana</a><br /><p>Conservation efforts in Kumana National Park are critical for the protection of Sri Lankan leopards. The park provides important habitat for these animals, with a mix of forests, grasslands, and wetlands that support a diverse range of prey species. Protecting this habitat is key to maintaining healthy leopard populations in the park.</p><p>One of the main threats to Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park is poaching. These animals are highly valued for their skin, bones, and other body parts, which are used in traditional medicine and for other purposes. Anti-poaching patrols and enforcement efforts are necessary to prevent illegal hunting and trade of Sri Lankan leopards.</p><p>Another threat to Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park is human-wildlife conflict. As human populations expand and encroach into leopard habitat, conflicts between people and leopards become more common. Leopards may prey on livestock or pets, leading to retaliation by local communities. Mitigating these conflicts through education and outreach efforts can help reduce negative interactions between people and leopards.</p><p>Community-based conservation initiatives are also crucial for protecting Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park. These efforts involve working with local communities to promote sustainable livelihoods that do not rely on activities that harm wildlife, such as poaching or clearing forests. Community members may also participate in wildlife monitoring and conservation activities, which can build support for conservation efforts and increase local awareness of the importance of protecting Sri Lankan leopards.</p><p><b>Threats to Sri Lankan Leopards in Kumana National Park</b></p><p>These big cats face numerous threats to their survival, which need to be addressed to ensure their long-term survival. Here are some of the main threats to Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park and ways to address them:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Poaching: Poaching is a significant threat to Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park, as they are highly valued for their skin, bones, and other body parts. To address this threat, anti-poaching patrols and law enforcement efforts need to be strengthened. This may involve increasing the number of park rangers, equipping them with better equipment, and providing them with appropriate training.</li><li>Habitat loss and fragmentation: Habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats to Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park. These big cats require large areas of intact habitat to thrive, but as human populations expand and encroach into leopard habitat, the availability of suitable habitat is decreasing. To address this threat, efforts are needed to protect and restore leopard habitat, such as by promoting sustainable land use practices, creating buffer zones around the park, and reforestation initiatives.</li><li>Human-wildlife conflict: Human-wildlife conflict is another significant threat to Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park. Conflicts can arise when leopards prey on livestock or pets, leading to retaliation by local communities. To address this threat, efforts are needed to promote coexistence between people and leopards. This may involve implementing measures such as predator-proof livestock enclosures, improving livestock husbandry practices, and providing compensation to farmers for losses due to leopard predation.</li><li>Climate change: Climate change is an emerging threat to Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns may affect prey availability and habitat quality, which can in turn impact leopard populations. To address this threat, efforts are needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change on leopard habitat.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Behavior and Ecology of Sri Lankan Leopards</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KcGgWKbJFuo" width="320" youtube-src-id="KcGgWKbJFuo"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span>Videography by: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@nanhewa" target="_blank">Nandun Hewapathirana</a></div><p>Here are some of the key aspects of studying the behavior and ecology of Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Population dynamics: Studying the population dynamics of Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park is important for understanding the size and structure of the population, as well as the factors that affect population growth or decline. This may involve using camera traps and other monitoring techniques to estimate population size, track individual leopards, and assess changes in population density over time.</li><li>Habitat use and movement patterns: Understanding the habitat use and movement patterns of Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park can provide insights into the ecological requirements of these animals and the factors that influence their distribution and abundance. This may involve using GPS collars or other tracking devices to monitor leopard movements and habitat use, as well as assessing the availability and suitability of prey species in different parts of the park.</li><li>Prey ecology: Studying the ecology of prey species in Kumana National Park is important for understanding the food requirements of Sri Lankan leopards and how changes in prey abundance or distribution may affect leopard populations. This may involve monitoring the abundance and diversity of prey species, as well as assessing the impact of factors such as habitat loss, climate change, and human activities on prey populations.</li><li>Human-wildlife interactions: Understanding the nature and frequency of human-wildlife interactions in Kumana National Park is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate conflicts and promote coexistence between people and leopards. This may involve studying the factors that influence the likelihood of conflict, as well as developing and testing interventions such as predator-proof livestock enclosures, awareness campaigns, and compensation schemes for farmers affected by leopard predation.</li><li>Genetics: Studying the genetics of Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park can provide insights into the genetic diversity and structure of the population, as well as the potential impacts of inbreeding or genetic bottlenecks on population health and viability. This may involve using non-invasive sampling techniques to collect DNA samples from leopard scat or other sources, and using genetic analyses to assess population structure, relatedness, and genetic diversity.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Ecotourism in Promoting Conservation of Sri Lankan Leopards</b></p><p>Ecotourism can play an important role in promoting the conservation of Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park. Here are some of the ways in which ecotourism can support leopard conservation efforts:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Economic benefits: Ecotourism can generate economic benefits for local communities and incentivize the conservation of natural resources, including wildlife. By creating jobs and income opportunities for local people, ecotourism can provide a financial incentive for communities to protect the habitats and species that are the basis of the tourism industry. This can help reduce the pressure on natural resources and wildlife, including Sri Lankan leopards, from activities such as poaching, illegal logging, and agriculture.</li><li>Awareness and education: Ecotourism can raise awareness and educate visitors about the importance of leopard conservation and the need to protect their habitats. Visitors can learn about the behavior, ecology, and threats facing leopards and other wildlife in the park through guided tours, interpretive signage, and educational programs. This can help visitors appreciate the value of conserving natural resources and inspire them to support conservation efforts.</li><li>Monitoring and research: Ecotourism can support monitoring and research efforts that provide critical information for managing and conserving leopard populations in Kumana National Park. Ecotourists can act as citizen scientists and contribute to data collection efforts by reporting leopard sightings, behavior, and other ecological observations. This can help researchers and conservationists better understand leopard population dynamics, habitat use, and other ecological factors that are essential for effective management.</li><li>Regulation and management: Ecotourism can promote regulation and management of tourism activities in the park, ensuring that they are sustainable and do not harm leopard populations or their habitats. Regulations can limit the number of visitors, restrict their access to sensitive areas, and enforce guidelines for responsible behavior around wildlife. This can help minimize disturbance to leopards and reduce the risk of negative impacts from tourism activities.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Community-based Conservation Initiatives</b></p><p>Community-based conservation initiatives can be a powerful tool for promoting the conservation of Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park. Here are some of the ways in which such initiatives can support leopard conservation efforts:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Encouraging local participation: Community-based conservation initiatives can encourage local participation and engagement in leopard conservation efforts. This can include involving local people in monitoring and research activities, as well as providing opportunities for local communities to participate in decision-making processes related to the management of the park.</li><li>Promoting sustainable livelihoods: Community-based conservation initiatives can promote sustainable livelihoods for local communities that are compatible with leopard conservation. This can include developing ecotourism programs, promoting sustainable agriculture practices, and supporting alternative income-generating activities that reduce reliance on natural resources that may be important to leopards and their prey.</li><li>Reducing human-wildlife conflict: Community-based conservation initiatives can help reduce human-wildlife conflict, which is a major threat to leopard populations in Kumana National Park. This can include implementing measures to reduce livestock depredation by leopards, such as the construction of predator-proof enclosures and the promotion of alternative livestock management practices.</li><li>Enhancing awareness and education: Community-based conservation initiatives can enhance awareness and education about leopard conservation among local communities. This can include providing educational materials, organizing awareness campaigns, and engaging local schools in conservation education programs.</li><li>Promoting policy and legal reform: Community-based conservation initiatives can promote policy and legal reform that supports leopard conservation. This can include advocating for the creation of protected areas and the development of policies that promote sustainable development and wildlife conservation.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>The Genetic Diversity of Sri Lankan Leopards and its Implications for Conservation</b></p><p>The genetic diversity of Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park is an important aspect of their biology that has significant implications for their conservation. Here are some of the key implications of the genetic diversity of Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park for their conservation:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Population viability: Genetic diversity is a critical component of population viability, as it influences the ability of populations to adapt to changing environmental conditions, resist diseases, and avoid inbreeding depression. Low genetic diversity can reduce the adaptive potential of a population, making it more vulnerable to environmental stressors and increasing the risk of extinction.</li><li>Management strategies: Understanding the genetic diversity of leopard populations in Kumana National Park can inform management strategies aimed at promoting the conservation of the species. For example, if genetic diversity is found to be low, conservationists may need to consider implementing strategies to increase gene flow between populations, such as translocations or genetic rescue.</li><li>Conservation prioritization: The genetic diversity of leopard populations in Kumana National Park can also inform conservation prioritization efforts. Populations with high genetic diversity may be considered more important for conservation, as they are likely to be more resilient to environmental stressors and better able to adapt to changing conditions.</li><li>Source populations: High genetic diversity can also indicate the presence of source populations that can contribute to the genetic health of other populations through migration and gene flow. Identifying and protecting these source populations is critical for the long-term conservation of the species.</li><li>Implications for other species: The genetic diversity of Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park can also have implications for the conservation of other species that share their habitat. For example, leopards may play an important role in maintaining the genetic diversity of prey populations by preventing inbreeding and promoting gene flow.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Human-Leopard Conflicts and Mitigating their Impact on Leopard Populations</b></p><p>Human-leopard conflict is a significant issue in Kumana National Park, as leopards often come into conflict with local communities living in and around the park. Understanding the causes of these conflicts and developing strategies to mitigate their impact on leopard populations is critical for the long-term conservation of the species. Here are some of the key factors driving human-leopard conflicts in Kumana National Park and strategies for mitigating their impact:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Livestock depredation: Leopards in Kumana National Park often prey on livestock, which can lead to conflict with local communities who rely on these animals for their livelihoods. To mitigate the impact of livestock depredation on leopard populations, conservationists can work with local communities to develop strategies for protecting livestock, such as the construction of predator-proof enclosures and the promotion of alternative livestock management practices.</li><li>Habitat loss: Human encroachment and development in and around Kumana National Park can lead to habitat loss and fragmentation, which can increase the likelihood of human-leopard conflicts. To mitigate the impact of habitat loss on leopard populations, conservationists can work with local communities to promote sustainable land use practices and to establish protected corridors that allow leopards to move freely between different areas of the park.</li><li>Illegal hunting and poaching: Leopards in Kumana National Park are often targeted by poachers for their fur and body parts, which can be sold on the black market. To mitigate the impact of illegal hunting and poaching on leopard populations, conservationists can work with law enforcement agencies to strengthen anti-poaching measures and to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these animals.</li><li>Lack of awareness and education: Many conflicts between leopards and humans in Kumana National Park are caused by a lack of awareness and education about the behavior and ecology of these animals. To mitigate the impact of this factor on leopard populations, conservationists can work with local communities to develop educational programs that promote understanding and appreciation of the importance of conserving these animals.</li><li>Human persecution: In some cases, conflicts between leopards and humans in Kumana National Park can lead to intentional persecution of the animals, such as through trapping or poisoning. To mitigate the impact of human persecution on leopard populations, conservationists can work with law enforcement agencies to strengthen penalties for illegal persecution and to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these animals.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Challenges in Monitoring and Managing Sri Lankan Leopards</b></p><p>Monitoring and managing Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park present several challenges due to the elusive nature of the species, the vast size of the park, and the limited resources available for conservation efforts. Here are some of the challenges in monitoring and managing Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Elusive nature of leopards: Leopards are solitary and elusive animals, making them challenging to monitor and study. They are often active at night, which makes direct observation difficult, and they tend to avoid areas with a high human presence, making it challenging to track their movements.</li><li>Large park size: Kumana National Park covers a vast area, which makes it difficult to monitor leopard populations effectively. It can be challenging to obtain accurate population estimates, and there may be areas of the park where leopards are present but have not been detected due to limited resources for monitoring efforts.</li><li>Limited resources: Kumana National Park has limited resources for conservation efforts, including monitoring and managing leopard populations. The park may not have enough staff, equipment, or funding to carry out comprehensive monitoring programs, and this can make it challenging to develop effective management strategies.</li><li>Human-leopard conflicts: As mentioned in the previous article, human-leopard conflicts are a significant issue in Kumana National Park, and they can make it difficult to monitor and manage leopard populations. Conflicts with humans can lead to leopard deaths, making it challenging to maintain population numbers.</li><li>Illegal hunting and poaching: Illegal hunting and poaching of leopards for their fur and body parts are another challenge in managing leopard populations in Kumana National Park. It can be challenging to detect and prevent these activities, and they can lead to declines in the leopard population over time.</li></ul><p></p><p>To overcome these challenges, conservationists can work on developing effective monitoring and management strategies that prioritize the conservation of Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park. This may include working with local communities to reduce human-leopard conflicts, increasing resources for monitoring efforts, and developing strategies to combat illegal hunting and poaching. Overall, a concerted effort is required to ensure the survival of these magnificent big cats in the wild.</p><p><b>The Future of Sri Lankan Leopard Conservation</b></p><p>Sri Lankan leopard conservation in Kumana National Park faces both opportunities and challenges for the future. Here are some of the main opportunities and challenges for leopard conservation in the park:</p><p><b>Opportunities:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Ecotourism: Kumana National Park is a popular destination for ecotourism, which can generate revenue for conservation efforts. Well-managed tourism can also raise awareness about the importance of conserving Sri Lankan leopards and their habitat.</li><li>Community involvement: Engaging local communities in leopard conservation efforts can be effective in reducing human-wildlife conflicts and promoting sustainable practices that benefit both people and wildlife.</li><li>Advancements in technology: Technological advancements in wildlife monitoring, such as camera traps and DNA analysis, have improved the ability to study and monitor leopard populations in Kumana National Park.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Challenges:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Habitat loss: Habitat loss due to deforestation and fragmentation is a major threat to leopard populations in Kumana National Park. This loss of habitat reduces the available space for the leopards and increases the likelihood of human-leopard conflicts.</li><li>Illegal activities: Illegal hunting, poaching, and wildlife trade pose a significant challenge to leopard conservation in Kumana National Park. These activities threaten the survival of the leopards and undermine conservation efforts.</li><li>Climate change: Climate change can alter the availability of resources, impact prey populations, and alter the behavior of the leopards in ways that can affect their survival.</li><li>Limited resources: Limited resources for conservation, including funding and personnel, can hinder effective management and conservation efforts.</li><li>Human-wildlife conflicts: As discussed earlier, human-leopard conflicts are a significant challenge in Kumana National Park. These conflicts can result in the loss of leopards, leading to population decline.</li></ul><p></p><p>To overcome these challenges and seize the opportunities, effective conservation strategies need to be developed and implemented. These strategies should involve collaboration between different stakeholders, including the park authorities, local communities, and conservation organizations. Conservation efforts should focus on habitat restoration and protection, wildlife monitoring, and engagement with local communities to reduce human-leopard conflicts. Additionally, it is crucial to continue educating the public on the importance of conserving Sri Lankan leopards and their habitat. With the right approach, it is possible to ensure the long-term survival of Sri Lankan leopards in Kumana National Park.</p><div><br /></div>Zoo Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154933281493339522noreply@blogger.comHMF9+5PJ Kumana National Park, Okanda, Sri Lanka6.5729598 81.6692532-21.737274036178846 46.5130032 34.883193636178845 116.8255032tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564068997622141857.post-54943170875123139142020-11-16T07:02:00.001-08:002020-11-17T10:06:50.268-08:00American Badger - Taxidea taxus<p>Classification</p><p> Phylum: Chordata</p><p> Class: Mammalia</p><p> Order: Carnivora</p><p> Family: Mustelidae</p><p> Genus: Taxidea </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMQkVppz_Ps4iG0qME3w_pWn4XD0M5Q9z0nw-mv7GmBhp-WvdZFmcyzNb03TYKBTl5_eja7WfCMVsylcEV3g2_lNcZpLC7edvDivi4897w7BSMa_iDyJKpB-ocaBl-vj35TMovn2z8fs/s410/budger.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMQkVppz_Ps4iG0qME3w_pWn4XD0M5Q9z0nw-mv7GmBhp-WvdZFmcyzNb03TYKBTl5_eja7WfCMVsylcEV3g2_lNcZpLC7edvDivi4897w7BSMa_iDyJKpB-ocaBl-vj35TMovn2z8fs/s320/budger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Property </p><p><br /></p><p>The American badger has a level body, short legs and a three-sided face with a long facial hair. It has a long earthy colored or dark coat and has white stripes on the cheeks and a line running from the nose to the rear of the head. It has little ears on the sides of the head and long sharp paws in the front. </p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>Rating </p><p><br /></p><p>American Badger The American Badger guide can be found from the west bank of the United States right to Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. It can likewise be found in southern Canada, British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. </p><p><br /></p><p>Settlement </p><p><br /></p><p>American badgers live in open regions, for example, fields and farmland and timberland edges. </p><p><br /></p><p>Dinner </p><p><br /></p><p>American badger well evolved creatures, for example, squirrels, gophers, and rodents are transcendently badger counts calories. It dives its prey into the ground with sharp, solid paws. At times badgers duck into the tunnels of the creature and hang tight for it to return. The wolf is consistently on the remain as the badger detonates, catching the creature emerging from the passage and attempting to escape from the badger. Badgers likewise eat snakes, fowls and reptiles. You might have the option to cover the enhancement for some other time. </p><p><br /></p><p>Life cycle </p><p><br /></p><p>American badgers are detached besides during the reproducing season. An American badger couple among July and August. In any case, the embryo won't start to create until December or February. Male badgers can mate with more than one female. </p><p><br /></p><p>The young lady conceived an offspring in March, with 1 to 5 children in a green underground home. The infant was visually impaired and covered with a slender fur garment from birth. Their eyes are open at about a month and weaned at about two months. The kid left the mother at 5-6 months. </p><p><br /></p><p>Female badger can mate at four months old enough. Male badger can mate at two years old. American badgers normally live in the wild for 4-5 years. </p><p><br /></p><p>Conduct </p><p><br /></p><p>Caves and Burrows were a major piece of Badger's life. Badgers for the most part have numerous specialties and sanctum. They are utilized for dozing, chasing, gathering food and creating youthful. Badgers can change their lair consistently aside from when they have infants. Badger Danes has a ton of rubbish close to the entryway. At the point when a badger is compromised, it regularly re-visitations of the burial ground and has teeth and paws. At that point it tends to be introduced at the civil entryway. </p><p><br /></p><p>American badgers are all around shielded from badger trackers. The solid neck and smooth, thick hide secure it when gotten by hunters. This will actuate the tracker and give the badger time to chomp and paw. At the point when the badger was assaulted, it actually utilized portion of the grass. Shout, shout, shout. It additionally delivers a terrible musk that can scare trackers. </p><p><br /></p><p>Badger doesn't sleep in winter. However, can rest for quite a long time in chilly climate American badgers invest a large portion of their energy on the ground or underground. In any case, can swim and jump submerged.</p>Zoo Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154933281493339522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564068997622141857.post-54948481309365127082009-04-24T21:41:00.000-07:002009-04-24T21:51:50.262-07:00Any Color Animal<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dywd-EDRHA1SHvcYC00LjGMMGt0hH2VQlikOzfFn1TcNG09DkGEh2fwkKEjxGf3Lq1kEEznpDHO4qBdRAE49g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Nice animal who can change its body color to any color of the environment. It takes very little time to change the color.Zoo Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154933281493339522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564068997622141857.post-67365502625795915672009-01-17T22:03:00.000-08:002009-01-17T22:14:15.031-08:00Brown Lemur<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Classification</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Eulemur fulvus albifrons</span><br /><br />Class: Mammalia<br />Order: Primates<br />Family: Lemuridae<br /><br />Brown Lemurs are good climbers and spend most of their time in trees. Males and females differ in coat color and facial pattern. They are active in day and night. They live in pairs or in small groups of adult males and females that rarely exceed 20 members. They have most omnivorous diets, including locally available fruits but also flowers and leaves during other seasons. They have also been observed eating various arthropods and some small vertebrates. Female usually give birth to a single infant after about 120 days of gestation. They carry their young on their body. Life span of a brown lemur is about 35 years in captivity.Zoo Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154933281493339522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564068997622141857.post-16841828627542350812009-01-17T20:45:00.000-08:002009-01-17T21:58:44.533-08:00South American Tapir<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Classification</span><br /><br />Class : Mammalia<br />Order: Perrissodaotyia<br />Sub Order: Ceratomorpha<br />Family: Tapiridae<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tapirus terrestris</span><br /><br />Tapirs belong to the odd toed hooped animals or perissodactyla and are related to the Hippopotamus and Rhinoceros.<br /><br />Today Tapirs are found in certain parts of Asia Chiefly Malayasia, Thailand and Sumatra and are known as Malayan Tapirs. Another 03 species-the South American Tapirs, one of which you see here comes from Brazil, Amazonia and Centrat America.<br /><br />Th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnQjWjm2zFIL_fPtqOgCn_c3LZii5IwpPSpfZ2H-mwQLTT3-fNKb2umtCDELQT7QBX4BV4jzOn1eqNBRVezKMhHugA-R0pP2qdGSgzgmf1Q0GdUuk42EFhNFB7BDALN4r3mcMLItZP2c/s1600-h/Tapirus.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnQjWjm2zFIL_fPtqOgCn_c3LZii5IwpPSpfZ2H-mwQLTT3-fNKb2umtCDELQT7QBX4BV4jzOn1eqNBRVezKMhHugA-R0pP2qdGSgzgmf1Q0GdUuk42EFhNFB7BDALN4r3mcMLItZP2c/s320/Tapirus.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292506261849397282" border="0" /></a>ey feed mainly on leaves fresh sprouts and small branches. Though mainly found on land, Tapirs also spend a lot of time in water to cool off.<br /><br />They become very active during dawn and dusk.<br /><br />The gestation period of a Tapir is 8-10 months and gives birth to one cub at a time. Life span extends up to 30 years.Zoo Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154933281493339522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564068997622141857.post-18176171762495499452008-10-04T09:25:00.000-07:002008-10-04T10:02:46.050-07:00Mysterious Giant PandaGiant panda is a large mammal and belongs to bear family. Panda sometimes called the black-and-white cat-foot. Giant pandas are mostly shy, solitary animals. They live most of their lives alone<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific classification</span><br /><br />Kingdom: Animalia<br />Phylum: Chordata<br />Class: Mammalia<br />Order: Carnivora<br />Family: Ursidae<br />Genus: Ailuropoda<br /><br />Binomial name <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Ailuropoda melanoleuca</span><br /><br />Do you know panda basically heavy ponderous land creature. Adult Pandas grow to be about 5-6 feet high. They will whey up to 276 pounds and males weighing 10% to 20% more than females. This mysterious creature has a massive head, heavy body, short tail, rounded ears and they have white body with black eye patches, ears, legs, feet, chest, and shoulders. Because of this amazing color combination they were become more attractive and mysterious mammal in the earth.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bamboo is food and shelter </span><br /><br />Like many bears they can climb trees to escape danger or take a nap and they are especially adept at climbing when young. The head of a panda is very large and has developed special molars for chewing plants. Bamboo was the sole item in the diet of the panda. Panda Bears eat over fifteen different kinds of Bamboo. Bamboo is the most important plant in a giant panda's life. Pandas live in cold and rainy bamboo forests high in the mountains of western China. They spend at least 12 hours each day eating bamboo.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How they mate</span><br /><br />Unlike any other bear, males will often roar to announce their presence to receptive females. Females may mate with several males during the breeding season. Mating begins in late-March and continues on into May.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Helpless Tiny Cube</span><br /><br />Do you know when cubes are born they are blind and very small. They weigh from 3 to 4 1/2 ounces. The panda mother gives great care to her tiny cub, usually cradling it in one paw and holding it close to her chest. For several days after birth, the mother does not leave the cube not even to eat or drink! When they born they covered with white skin but when they become one month older they will have the typical skin design, with 40 to 60 days open them the eyes and with five to six months take them for the first time solid food to itself. These little cubes become 18 month older they leave their parents and start their life independently<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why we need to save</span><br /><br />Today, only around 1,600 giant pandas survive on Earth because they have a very short breeding season when a male will look for a female to mate with. Females give birth to one or two cubs.<br /><br />Some time they didn’t get enough food to survive their life. China has more than one billion people. As people build more cities and farms and use more natural resources, giant pandas lose their homes.Zoo Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154933281493339522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564068997622141857.post-58940742955551845642008-09-27T00:31:00.000-07:002008-09-27T09:42:31.745-07:00King of the Kingdom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDSNKnjZL63KgE97rvmJm3EcAdc9EVTFBWfJLcRpVvjyoX4eMQT1CbG1ejK9OPJ6Uq5quo6OfiiyLbldPWspckCFXfqae2kXckwDalIuXdy0X8IECIvBqaN2xkOgCgGZ0D-KIBygel8s/s1600-h/cover_LionPortrait.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDSNKnjZL63KgE97rvmJm3EcAdc9EVTFBWfJLcRpVvjyoX4eMQT1CbG1ejK9OPJ6Uq5quo6OfiiyLbldPWspckCFXfqae2kXckwDalIuXdy0X8IECIvBqaN2xkOgCgGZ0D-KIBygel8s/s320/cover_LionPortrait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250740190495913970" border="0" /></a><br />The lion (Panthera leo) is a member of the family Felidae and lion is one of the biggest cat live in th forest than the tigers.<br /><br />Kingdom: Animalia<br /><br />Phylum: Chordata<br /><br />Class: Mammalia<br /><br />Order: Carnivora<br /><br />Family: Felidae<br /><br />Genus: Panthera<br /><br />Lions are very power full animal who usually hunt in a group. Do you believe or not hunting is carried out by female lion in a group. However Lions eat primarily large animals weighing from 100 to 1,000 pounds. They also catch and eat a variety of smaller animals from rodents to reptiles. To catch up their pray lions should be very smart. It uses its powerful forelegs to grab or slap down the prey and they have short and strong jaws with long canine teeth that are used to quickly kill the pray.<br /><br />Lions spend a very lazy lifestyle, typically active for only two to four hours in the day. They are most active at night and rest during the day.<br /><br />Lion is only consistently social member of the cat family.Lions lives social group called ‘Prides’ Which normaly consist with 4-12 adult related female lions and 1-6 adult male lions. Male lion will constantly fight off other male lions for leadership of a pride. Male lion has the leadership of pride until<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tORLrIfSrlGAEtSGvPHh5ZlPpN73ciWgIs6RYxsFI3Hdv7v8zDBe0UiGxILAma1xsLsuzkvGl1My22tNsGrawWSKIpbph42ouyQWt1tJ4cuVbTA-XR5ttax7pOwNVJuc26MRBCngkks/s1600-h/lionpairinfo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tORLrIfSrlGAEtSGvPHh5ZlPpN73ciWgIs6RYxsFI3Hdv7v8zDBe0UiGxILAma1xsLsuzkvGl1My22tNsGrawWSKIpbph42ouyQWt1tJ4cuVbTA-XR5ttax7pOwNVJuc26MRBCngkks/s320/lionpairinfo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250740801910610594" border="0" /></a> they are strong enough to defend the other male lions<br /><br />When they become weaker and older, new male lions will come along and scare off the weaker lion and become the new leader of that particular pride.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Female lions are considerably smaller than males. They can grow to be 7 feet long, weighing 65 - 90 pounds. Males can be 8 feet long, weighing 130 - 150 lbs. Both have tails 2-3 feet long. They are slate to tawny colored with black-tipped ears and tails. Kittens, or cubs, are covered with blackish spots with dark rings on their tails<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HyDBh7zuYdMtx9uNJMugiYJiAnEKIgL449nudsLaoj8VpaVKqD42_4macRuMOJIBQj__xI30AQoIEY1bRlFCVbeb3eUYwmBtsbhltmFCDfeSCDzyBcRvDD-A5qMt5fDrHFoRZ-8mcdk/s1600-h/lionesses.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HyDBh7zuYdMtx9uNJMugiYJiAnEKIgL449nudsLaoj8VpaVKqD42_4macRuMOJIBQj__xI30AQoIEY1bRlFCVbeb3eUYwmBtsbhltmFCDfeSCDzyBcRvDD-A5qMt5fDrHFoRZ-8mcdk/s320/lionesses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250741413274250962" border="0" /></a><br />Kittens are normally stay up to two years with their mother and after that they leave their pride and search for their own territory. As the youngsters, usually 2- to 3-year-old males, try to find their own place in the world, they are most often the ones that get into trouble with domestic animals.<br /><br /><br />Why we need to save lions?<br /><br />We must save the lions before they are gone.time is crusil and at the moment population of lion goes to very low level and they are being gradually move to death, and their claws, teeth, manes and tails taken, presumably for sale. What we can do to save this biggest cat life? Nothing else only thing what you can do is let other people to know the important of having lions in the earth.That will help to reduce the conflict between people and lions.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEpg6ucPo5FJ_LGMcWXaDLgw5xI92zggGrYKxFgVreG8cnWy8mkSjxDCexszue3bUzTGrrff1LNID5CngZSrajYIP-Jy0Aptbu0_IwS9YZuLJOzB-DVHTHQYgYvL9iPBxeEIQYvSvAlI/s1600-h/lionfamily.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEpg6ucPo5FJ_LGMcWXaDLgw5xI92zggGrYKxFgVreG8cnWy8mkSjxDCexszue3bUzTGrrff1LNID5CngZSrajYIP-Jy0Aptbu0_IwS9YZuLJOzB-DVHTHQYgYvL9iPBxeEIQYvSvAlI/s320/lionfamily.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250741732359956818" border="0" /></a>Zoo Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154933281493339522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564068997622141857.post-55192065164207677442007-09-26T23:55:00.000-07:002008-09-27T00:24:05.453-07:00The Innocent Penguins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ87gsm3CR66KtlZ4YF12yhch8GmuMlinJ6RxP-Cnh_J-Lw44ui2-1gzE9yLyhoRfI8-cpvUFH_n1whyphenhyphen9nG3QM_z66xQS1tZZK_xv-SKh_7GX269Zv1OUWm3Dxamndkg74KstFTvHL9iU/s1600-h/penguins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ87gsm3CR66KtlZ4YF12yhch8GmuMlinJ6RxP-Cnh_J-Lw44ui2-1gzE9yLyhoRfI8-cpvUFH_n1whyphenhyphen9nG3QM_z66xQS1tZZK_xv-SKh_7GX269Zv1OUWm3Dxamndkg74KstFTvHL9iU/s320/penguins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114821767363261154" border="0" /></a><br />The Penguins are categorized in to the bird family. Because they lay eggs and have warm blood as birds. All of them in same black and white combination of color skins. Because of this color they can protect them self from their enemies such as a leopard seal or the killer whale while they swim on the water. The other thing is the black back side of these birds absorbs the warmth from the sun and helps keep them to be warm.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific classification</span><br /><br />Kingdom: <a title="Animalia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal">Animalia</a><br />Phylum: <a title="Chordata" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chordata">Chordata</a><br />Class: <a title="Aves" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aves">Aves</a><br />Order: <a title="Sphenisciformes" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphenisciformes">Sphenisciformes</a><br />Family: <a title="Spheniscidae" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spheniscidae">Spheniscidae</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">They are Good Swimmers</span><br /><br />Although they categorize as birds they can’t fly like other birds live on the earth. They are good swimmers. Like bird fly on the air they use their flippers for swimming through the water. Penguins are spending more than 75% of their time in underwater for finding foods. They can dive very deep in under water and their large round eyes help them to see through the water very clearly. You may wonder sometime, to which category these animals are belongs. Because most of the time of their life is spend in the sea but they cannot breaths under the water like other animals live in the water. But they are able to hold their breath long time in the water.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where They Live?</span><br /><br />There are 17 species of penguins in the world, each distinctive. You can see this fun innocent creature at Antarctica, Africa, Australia and many other cold countries like New Zealand. When they are in land they move over the land by walking, jumping and sliding. Once the penguins are ready to mate, male penguin stand on and make a loud call to attract the female. When the penguin finds a mate, they bond with each other by touching themselves. They also "sing" to each other and learn to recognize each other's voices. Normally they keep these affairs for years and like to have their own chicks. Female penguin lays one or two eggs and makes the nest to protect from dangers. They made their nest from rocks, pebbles, sticks and anything they can find from the environment they live on. After they lay eggs, female go out for find food while male penguin waits to protect the eggs. When female returns male penguin go for find out food.<br /><br />When the chick is hatched, it starts to make sounds and its parents recognize chick by voice. Now both of the parents can go for find out foods and chick is stay with the group of penguin until parents return. Parents identify their chick from the group by recognizing its voice. Male and female both bring foods in their stomach for chick and care him until strong enough to find food their own.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxINtfGnc3Q2Y64XtHcCoxVT8FfOu12zJwZok011Rj4_BTFxneTeFU76mxhd8wU60Ek37qg1Z6Qqjl8u9XRCLvC6iszKwJirhEGjwQVH62gyykrNK9dBEvmOWZXqC2gu8nOhZY3IvDGM4/s1600-h/penguin+brown+skin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxINtfGnc3Q2Y64XtHcCoxVT8FfOu12zJwZok011Rj4_BTFxneTeFU76mxhd8wU60Ek37qg1Z6Qqjl8u9XRCLvC6iszKwJirhEGjwQVH62gyykrNK9dBEvmOWZXqC2gu8nOhZY3IvDGM4/s320/penguin+brown+skin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114821896212280050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">How They Warm Their Body?</span><br /><br />The Penguins are warm blooded and their body temperature is near to 100 F. But, how do they stay warm in the cold places like Antarctica? As you normally see in the pictures penguins always like to stay together with their group. Penguins huddled shoulder to shoulder with their wings tight against their body keeping each other warm. The other thing is they have a layer of fat under their skin called "blubber". That helps them to keep in warm.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What They Eat?</span><br /><br />The diet of penguins varies by the species and in some cases, the location of penguins find foods in the ocean. They eat fish, crustaceans (like krill, etc.) and squid. Young penguins eat up to two pounds of food an hour.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why We Need To Save Them?</span><br /><br />Millions of penguins were killed by ancient people to get the oil from their body. This oil is used as lamp fuel and the painting material. Nowadays it is totally prohibited to hunt the penguins, but unfortunately still its happening.<br /><br />The global warming is also directly affected to this little creature’s life. This causes to drop off the amount of food for them in the ocean. The reduction of their food supply would result to decrease the number of penguin friends are live on the earth.Zoo Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154933281493339522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564068997622141857.post-9663912142359061122007-09-25T03:19:00.000-07:002007-09-25T04:39:54.671-07:00Strong & Colorful Vipers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlmxWWinKrscE-fBqHjok6kT58aahKWkIg1EtVQ4rl76rDVdNrAGmL8dhLnCwBY92NKDlhFMWt8k9O7urrNRlgdlVB-GUTSV7VdJniRiRYb88rNUVVe2PT7kOkHtybonf-zfV6aezM7Y/s1600-h/viper.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlmxWWinKrscE-fBqHjok6kT58aahKWkIg1EtVQ4rl76rDVdNrAGmL8dhLnCwBY92NKDlhFMWt8k9O7urrNRlgdlVB-GUTSV7VdJniRiRYb88rNUVVe2PT7kOkHtybonf-zfV6aezM7Y/s320/viper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114103678896140978" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Viper is a very dangerous but also at the same time, a very beautiful snake found in the wilds of our world. These snakes are very poisonous and they intelligently use tactics to reach their prey. The bright colors of their skin help them to survive in various kinds of environments. Generally, these beautiful creatures are found with red, yellow and green color skins. They have large tubular fangs in the front of their mouth, which are hinged, allowing them to be folded back when it is not in use.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Scientific classification</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Kingdom:<span style=""> </span><span class="kingdom"><a title="Animal" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal">Animalia</a></span><br />Phylum:<span style=""> </span><span class="phylum"><a title="Chordata" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chordata">Chordata</a></span><br />Subphylum:<span style=""> </span><span class="subphylum"><a title="Vertebrata" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrata">Vertebrata</a></span><br />Class:<span style=""> </span><span class="taxoclass"><a title="Reptilia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptilia">Reptilia</a></span><br />Order:<span style=""> </span><span class="order"><a title="Squamata" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squamata">Squamata</a></span><br />Suborder:<span style=""> </span><span class="suborder"><a title="Serpentes" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpentes">Serpentes</a></span><br />Family:<span style=""> </span><a title="Viperidae" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viperidae">Viperidae</a></p> <b style="">What They Eat?<o:p></o:p></b> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vipers have highly specialized diets. They eat insects, eggs, fish, birds, small mammals, amphibians, large invertebrates and other reptiles including snakes as well. Once they have caught a fresh prey, they wait until the venom they had injected into the body of the prey to take affect before consuming the creature. Another important fact about these snakes is that they are capable of making decisions on how much venom to inject depending on the situation. Because of their particular kind of venom, a viper’s bite is very painful experience for a human. Most of the time, a viper bite is considered as a serious injury and a threat to the victims’ life.</p><b style="">Viper Love</b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfx3Chd1HasbnJBs5xckQUgyUIijlm3nOLr-DN8_9yUVju-_bVk2j0bVouC-z3C0CrX03fu8V64n1JAw4pTI71bWwZ1wdhyphenhyphen3wtHDjjQHaUf_VQZk8I2aKNwZ8ZmqKHZFCt5ea7Lewxl8w/s1600-h/viper+skin.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfx3Chd1HasbnJBs5xckQUgyUIijlm3nOLr-DN8_9yUVju-_bVk2j0bVouC-z3C0CrX03fu8V64n1JAw4pTI71bWwZ1wdhyphenhyphen3wtHDjjQHaUf_VQZk8I2aKNwZ8ZmqKHZFCt5ea7Lewxl8w/s320/viper+skin.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114103885054571202" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p> A male viper follows the female viper until she gives the chance to be with her. Mother viper gives the birth to many little ones. Most interesting thing about this snake is she keeps her eggs in her mouth and feed them until they grow.<br /><br />Vipers have to hide from humans because the viper’s soft skin is very much valued and to get that they kill them. Because it is so smooth, people like to wear it or use them to make other things.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa4KEiJ23YJGryD1neKjU5pncaYjpBNr5lDmwPZQFxjU__IhoD7eT4rU_RERyfxk-hYcTaPKcTd5BELRocj20JWL8b3l1Ua0tdc-ujYv2WOTfHYGhuV4oy7fmS6hT11AcDVGPgWSenMQ/s1600-h/colorful+skin+of+viper.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa4KEiJ23YJGryD1neKjU5pncaYjpBNr5lDmwPZQFxjU__IhoD7eT4rU_RERyfxk-hYcTaPKcTd5BELRocj20JWL8b3l1Ua0tdc-ujYv2WOTfHYGhuV4oy7fmS6hT11AcDVGPgWSenMQ/s320/colorful+skin+of+viper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114104786997703378" border="0" /></a>Zoo Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154933281493339522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564068997622141857.post-76642053809702787862007-09-14T05:13:00.000-07:002007-09-20T02:31:23.583-07:00The Largest Mammal on the Earth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLh1jS_gV_oO_T2vQWr1-ckxjZNqLDVEgekVJOKaA5tmpj_m1OeR-FrCGWXKmEMIlU-MaFyfH3sxAiloXtJI-FhP3AwzmAFsis1jdNntMVDAMS4yfX_BgwyTWG1AjrAfZQHh4KMXRRmyY/s1600-h/wild+elephant.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111920817946415442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLh1jS_gV_oO_T2vQWr1-ckxjZNqLDVEgekVJOKaA5tmpj_m1OeR-FrCGWXKmEMIlU-MaFyfH3sxAiloXtJI-FhP3AwzmAFsis1jdNntMVDAMS4yfX_BgwyTWG1AjrAfZQHh4KMXRRmyY/s320/wild+elephant.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The Elephant is the largest mammal to be found on the surface of the Earth. Most of them have a very thick black or gray color skin. Their skin helps them to keep their body cool. Another amazing feature of the elephant is that they have a trunk, which can be used as a nose, hand, extra foot, signaling device, as a tool for gathering food, siphoning water, dusting, as well as digging.<br /><br /><strong>Scientific classification<br /></strong><br />Kingdom: <a title="Animal" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal">Animalia</a><br />Phylum: <a title="Chordata" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chordata">Chordata</a><br />Subphylum: <a title="Vertebrata" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrata">Vertebrata</a><br />Class: <a title="Mammalia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammalia">Mammalia</a><br />Order: <a title="Proboscidea" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proboscidea">Proboscidea</a><br />Super family: <a title="Elephantoidea" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephantoidea">Elephantoidea</a><br />Family: <a title="Elephantidae" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephantidae">Elephantidae</a><br /><br />Average lifetime of the elephant has been measured as 70 years. Little baby elephants are almost like a human baby in their behavior. An impregnated female elephant takes close to 22 months to carry a baby elephant to term. After the birth, the baby elephant is expected to learn many things for it to survive in the wild. They have to learn how to use their trunk to get food and water and how to wash their body and so many other things.<br /><br /><strong>Senses of Elephants</strong><br /><br />When we consider the senses of human beings we have the senses based on the life time experience. It almost depends on what we see, hear and smell. Our senses play a huge role in determining the world around us. Nevertheless, when we consider this large animal, their world is much different from our world. An elephant typically does not have far-reaching eyesight as humans do. However, they have a stronger sense of smell than we do.<br /><br /><strong>Why We Need to Save this Mammal?</strong><br /><br />Elephants are a unique and valuable animal who roam the same world we live in. Elephants are sometimes seen to represent power and peace. Asian elephants have participated in many historical events. The kings who reigned in the Asian countries chose the biggest, most magnificent elephants for royal ceremonies and processions. In the past, elephants were used to transport goods and people but in the present, we use this animal as a tourist attraction and also for traditional festivals.<br /><br />Today, we have to protect these elephants from ivory traders and poachers. Any one who wishes to trade with ivory jewelries helps to kill these elephants. The next time you think of buying jewelry made of ivory, think twice about it. Help to protect this highly emotional and strong animal for our future world.<br /><br /><strong>Sri Lankan Elephant</strong><br /><br />In Sri Lankan terms we call the elephant as “Aliya” or “Etha”. They are very familiar animals for people in Sri Lanka. They represent a very large national value to us as well. The Sri Lankan elephant is somewhat different to the African elephant. Firstly, it has much smaller ears than its African cousins.<br /><br />The Elephant in Sri Lanka play a vital role in the <a title="KandyEsalaPerahera" href="http://www.sridaladamaligawa.lk/english/perahara/">“Kandy Esala Perahera”</a> <a title="KandyEsalaPeraheraWiki" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esala_Perahera">wiki</a>. In this traditional event, impressively decorated elephant’s proceed through the streets of the city of Kandy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyax8-OvzCPNlhmOZk7agbE0sLM6t36yQ-Qxuhf6kgO0BllYxK-oneF7arJqFjKYuhThQxmGl6edL4FSaZ9JaXnSCwYgbUl9gssWHksaeZ50z6HmIt3UAmu42P2sALKtOzbBbQ5Ex2taw/s1600-h/pinnawala+elephant+Orphanage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111920985450140002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px" height="130" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyax8-OvzCPNlhmOZk7agbE0sLM6t36yQ-Qxuhf6kgO0BllYxK-oneF7arJqFjKYuhThQxmGl6edL4FSaZ9JaXnSCwYgbUl9gssWHksaeZ50z6HmIt3UAmu42P2sALKtOzbBbQ5Ex2taw/s320/pinnawala+elephant+Orphanage.jpg" width="267" border="0" /></a><br />Another fact regarding elephants in Sri Lanka is the very famous elephant orphanage at “Pinnawala”. This orphanage is the home to about 60 elephants including elephant calves found abandoned in the wild. You can see many Sri Lankan elephants at “Pinnawala”, “Udawalawe”, “Yala national park”, “Habarana”, “Dambulla”, “Sigiriya”, “Maduruoya”, “Wasgomuwa”, “Lahugala”, “Galloya”, “Inginiyagala” and “Thanamalwila”.Zoo Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154933281493339522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564068997622141857.post-80322031844391371712007-09-13T06:22:00.000-07:002007-09-25T01:03:08.977-07:00Amazing Details about Frogs<strong>Science Clarification about Frogs<br /></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3pQgpIHE5_dTSLUNkDVu4OaVvoEdy33FhWbS_37K003DEHs_gCGIrIZaGVycygROrSq56Fbxo44rbQvUImJgPSEL0bsE_rm_GsgG1gpmF377kChuxl09SYxQbZCrDWNVouVbhVXWTp4/s1600-h/frog001.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109698611944136146" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3pQgpIHE5_dTSLUNkDVu4OaVvoEdy33FhWbS_37K003DEHs_gCGIrIZaGVycygROrSq56Fbxo44rbQvUImJgPSEL0bsE_rm_GsgG1gpmF377kChuxl09SYxQbZCrDWNVouVbhVXWTp4/s320/frog001.bmp" border="0" /></a>Frogs are belongs to zoological class called Amphibia and there are three kind of categories called Salientia, (frogs and toads), caudate (salamanders and newts) and caecilians (worm-like amphibians).<br /><br />Kingdom: <a title="Animal" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal">Animalia</a><br />Phylum: <a title="Chordate" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chordate">Chordata</a><br />Class: <a title="Amphibian" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibian">Amphibia</a><br />Order: Anura<br /><br />Frogs has ability to live in various types of climates. You can find these amazing animals in anywhere like in water or desert.<br /><br />Frogs are cold–blooded animals which mean their body temperature is change according to the environment where they live. Do you know frogs don’t want to drink water like other animals live in the world? Because they have special kind of wet skin which has ability to absorb water. Other specialty of these animals is they can breathe using 2 different ways. By using their lungs and also they can breathe through their skin.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWttndmY0_vY3-OXB3ZWmQ15b6UbEEVYYy-kRnMqrlbOeY2Zux3Vf9HqQcrmPrlwcPBfgd0MQZcCQW6feJ4TBT4UzW4GdlnHUJlig6ySE0i5T9824LCgpx62BzuUWwCM_7Cu98twM2LaU/s1600-h/frog002.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109929221623160290" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWttndmY0_vY3-OXB3ZWmQ15b6UbEEVYYy-kRnMqrlbOeY2Zux3Vf9HqQcrmPrlwcPBfgd0MQZcCQW6feJ4TBT4UzW4GdlnHUJlig6ySE0i5T9824LCgpx62BzuUWwCM_7Cu98twM2LaU/s320/frog002.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>How They Eat</strong><br /><br />Frogs eats any small kind of insects, small fish, and spiders and also worms. All foods get in to mouth swallowed whole because they can’t chew or bite.<br />The other amazing feature of this animal is they use their long sticky tongue to catch-up their foods. For a frogs its takes just a less than a second to roll out their tongue and catch the insect and roll back in to their mouth.<br /><br />To catch–up insect which moving so fast, frogs has large round eyes and also they can see wide range of colors and also can see even in the dim lights. They also can see different direction without moving his heads even little.<br /><br /><strong>Life Cycle of a Frog</strong><br /><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109929999012240882" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTLGlQQSJNX0ZTgHzXuSQQMSW5pmrzBN2kIraHlaBEDRRFk9CIXi3X1r6yfvJn79yPronE37lz6ZlK_wtXki_Xiv4xZA6dx12tALq1gdG__n6TKctmSpUv96VsFJgoK1xOzSMhPWkx68/s320/frog005.bmp" border="0" /><strong>Egg</strong> – Female frog laid tiny frog eggs in the water<br /><strong>Tadpole</strong> - (also called the polliwog) Tadpole are the one that coming from the egg. Tadpoles have a little tiny tail and they are in black color and also spend its time swimming in the water<br /><strong>Tadpole with legs</strong> – In this time tadpole has legs (and then arms), and a longer body with more distinct head.<br /><strong>Frog let</strong> - In this stage, the almost mature frogs breathes with lungs and still have a tail<br />Adult - The adult frog breathes with lungs and tail is absorbed by their body.</p><strong>Why We Need to Save Them</strong><br /><br />Frogs are very sensitive to changes of the environment. Slight changes in the environment are often detected by frogs well before any other animal. This ability of frogs helps to recover potential problems before it is too late.<br /><br />Other important of these animals are<br />They have powerful chemicals in their skins. These chemicals yield a variety of drugs that are useful in medical practices.<br /><br />Because of the human activities all around the word our amazing frog friends are going to be disappearing. Its time to focus on how important this special amazing animal and try spend some time to save their life.<br /><br /><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/salamanders" rel="tag"><img style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle; margin-left: 0.4em;" src="http://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=salamanders" alt=" " />salamanders</a>Zoo Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154933281493339522noreply@blogger.com