Blue Whale

Posted on May 31, 2012 by bioexpedition

Blue Whale

Photograph taken by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Blue Whale Description

You may know so simple facts about the Blue Whale, but this fascinating animal has such a story to tell. We are still mystified by it due to the sheer size of it and how long it has been around. There is plenty that we don’t know due to where they live. They are realistically too large to keep in captivity and the cost of feeding them would be ridiculous to say the least.

Exploring the world of the Blue Whale is one that you will enjoy. Perhaps upon doing so you will discover for yourself why we all have a responsibility to help protect his animal. They are considered endangered at this point in time. Unless more people step in to help them though the outlook for their future here on Earth looks quite grim.

Blue Whale Evolution

How did the Blue Whale come to be the magnificent animal that we have today? There are still many elements of that which we aren’t familiar with. There is evidence to indicate they have been around in some form though for more than 45 million years. They have been able to evolve into water animals from ones that were once able to walk on land. This has allowed them to survive in an environment where they can have all of their basic needs met.

Perhaps some day we will uncover more fossils of the Blue Whale which will provide us with the exact answers we seek. However, the focus now needs to be on keeping these animals alive instead of only a part of our past history. They aren’t able to evolve fast enough to keep up with all the changes that humans create for them.

Blue Whale Anatomy

It is easy enough to say that the Blue Whale is the largest animal in the world. Yet what does that really mean? It means that this creature is as long as a bus and that they are even larger than any dinosaurs that we know about. They can be more than 100 feet long and close to 200 tons in weight. They have many colors associated with them including variations of blue, green, and white. They have a long and slim body that allows them to move with ease along the ocean.

All Blue Whales feature two blow holes and that allows them to take in lots of air. They will be able to dive into the water for food and not come back up for close to an hour. Younger ones can’t stay under as long but as they get older their capacity will increase. Once of the interesting things to look at on their body is the grooves under the throat that run all the way to the middle of the bottom of the belly. These grooves are for the processing of food through a filtering system.

Blue Whale Behavior

Since we don’t get to have Blue Whales in captivity a great deal about their behavior is a mystery as well. They tend to do quite well out there as isolated creatures but occasionally they will be seen as a pair or in very small groups. They do get along well when they come into contact during migration, in search of food, or for mating purposes. They generally aren’t aggressive in nature towards each other.

There is no denying the loud calling sounds of the Blue Whale though. They can be heard for many miles away. In fact they are the loudest animal in the world. Many times it will sound like an eerie type of whistling that is coming from the water. This sound increases in volume and frequency during the mating season as well because they use these calls to find each other.

Blue Whale Habitat and Distribution

It is a myth that the Blue Whale only lives in the Indian Ocean. Such stories circulate though because this is where the vast majority of them are found. They do live in all the oceans around the world. They tend to stay in warmer waters though and they will live in deeper waters. That is why many people don’t realize that they are in the area because they don’t see them from the shore.

Blue Whales migrate in the winter months in order to find warmer water. During this period of time they can be found in places where they normally wouldn’t habitat. Migration patterns have been documented and many tourists travel to those areas in hopes of seeing these amazing animals as they move from one location to another.

Blue Whale Diet and Feeding Habits

Blue Whales don’t much of a selection when it comes to the food that they eat. Instead they consume millions of krill every day. They will eat more in the summer than in the winter though. During the winter they are able to survive due to the amount of fat called blubber that they stored up over the warmer times of the year.

The filtering system that they have allows them to consume the food they need and to remove the items that they don’t include the water. This process is very complex but at the same time it is very intriguing to learn about.

Blue Whale Reproduction

It is assumed that the Blue Whale reproduces just like other mammals in the water. We don’t know much about the specifics though due to the region where these animals are, deep in the waters of the ocean. They tend to be ready to mate about 8 to 10 years of age. A female will only have a pup every couple of years due to the fact that the mating season overlaps with the time of year when she will be ready to give birth.

It takes a full year from conception until they pup is born. It is ready to swim instinctively when it is born. They aren’t small and defenseless like some animals in the water. They are huge at a size of about 20 feet and about 3 tons in weight when they arrive. They aren’t ready to consume krill though until they are about six months old. Until that time they will survive off of the milk their mother’s produce.

They grow at an amazingly fast rate by gaining about 200 pounds a day. They will consume milk from their mother for the first six months of life before beginning to hunt for their own food. They will remain with their mother for about another six months before separating.

Blue Whale Predators

The Blue Whale does survive well due to its size. They don’t have any natural enemies except for the Orca. They may become something that the Orca wants but they won’t give in without a fight. In fact, many Blue Whales out there have the scars from their battles with them to prove that they aren’t easy prey at all.

Of course many humans love the thrill of the kill for such a huge animal. This became such a problem that the government had to step in around 1966 and make it against the law to do so. Of course we all know too well that people will continue to break the laws so that isn’t enough.

Due to the illegal hunting by humans as well as global warming and pollution in the ocean, the Blue Whale is an endangered animal. There are an estimated 12,000 out there still remaining. If we all do our part though they will have a bright future and they can start to get their numbers to increase.

Blue Whale Related Articles

Killer Whale

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American Black Bear

Posted on May 31, 2012 by bioexpedition

American Black Bear

American Black Bear - Ursus americanus

American Black Bear Description

American Black Bears are very different in their size depending on where they live. This is why some of them are only a couple of hundreds pounds while others are more than twice that size. The majority of them do end up being about 5 feet tall though. They are often mistaken for other types of bears due to their different sizes. They can be brown or black in color.

American Black Bear Anatomy

These are very fast moving bears when they need to, up to 40 miles per hour. They generally don’t have to move along at that rate in the wild. However, when they need to run from danger or they need to be faster than their prey it isn’t hard for them to do so. Many people are amazing to see bears with such a stocky build being able to run so fast!

Like other species of bears they do have very sharp claws. Those do allow them to perform many different things. For example they are able to climb, to get their prey, to defend themselves, and even to take bark off of trees. They happen to have two layers of fur instead of just one.

The outer later protects them from bugs and the sunlight. The inner coat offers them a line of defense against water and the wind. This is why the American Black Bears are able to survive in a variety of different environments without any problems. Their ability to adapt due to their anatomy is something that continues to fascinate researchers.

It is known that they have amazing abilities when it comes to smelling and when it comes to their hearing. However, they have the worst vision of any species of bear out there. They are able to make out shapes but not fully make out what they see. This is why they can sometimes be aggressive because they aren’t sure if they are in danger or not.

American Black Bear Evolution

The American Black Bear has been able to evolve for more than three and a half million years. That is absolutely remarkable given all that has changed over that period of time. They have been able to rely heavily upon plant life instead of just meat to be able to survive during this period of time.

While it may be difficult to believe, the early ancestors of these bears actually are related to felines. This could account for the amazing speed and agility this species continues to have today. There are theories including the possibility of these bears having tails long ago.

American Black Bear Behavior

Sleeping during the heat of the day is the common behavioral pattern for these bears. They are active in the early morning light and as the sun starts to go down. While resting they can be found in shady areas that are nice and cool. They can wake up easily during the day though if they smell or hear something out of the ordinary.

While they do have their own territory, they have no problem moving beyond it to find food, to mate, or when their curiosity is peaked. This is why they seem to have so many run ins with humans. It is also why they end up in battles with each other. Most of these battles are between two males, but not always.

American Black Bear Habitat and Distribution

The American Black Bear is very diversified when it comes to where you will find them. They are going to be able to thrive where they have lots of shade from trees, plenty of food, and places where they can hibernate. This can be in the mountains, along the plains, and even in swamps.

As their natural environment changes they are able to move in new directions to be able to get their basic needs met. This is why it isn’t uncommon for humans that live close to the wilderness to find these bears around their homes when that was never a problem in the past. Canada, Mexico, and the United States are all countries where you will find the American Black Bear living.

American Black Bear Diet and Feeding Habits

Like most bears they love to consume fruits, berries, and nuts. They also consume other types of plant life include leaves, bark off of trees, and grass. They have a sweet tooth as well that is hard to satisfy. Some items that they enjoy are honey and yams. It is this desire for sweets that can also lead them into trouble. They will find such foods that humans have left uncontained.

Meat is also part of the diet for the American Black Bears. They are able to easily hunt both small and large animals. They are very fast, have sharp claws, and have amazing strength. This has also led them to killing cattle that are raised close to their environment so the battle between them and humans continues.

Some very crazy things have been found in the stomach contents of these bears. They including clothing, toys, shoes, tools, and more. This has lead researchers to believe that the American Black Bear isn’t worried at all about what they consume. They have healthy appetites and they will consume just about anything to satisfy it.

A huge problem though is that once these bears start an unhealthy diet of human food they seem to be turned off by their normal diet. This can continue to bring bears and humans too close to each other. Successfully removing these bears and introducing them into new environments hasn’t been very successful either.

American Black Bear Reproduction

Mating of the American Black Bear takes place in the spring and summer months. The males can travel a great distance in order to reach the females. They may battle with each other to get to mate with one of the females. The biggest and strongest males will get that right. The courting and mating process can last for several days.

The females are able to delay when the embryo begins to grow in her body. This allows the young to be born in the first two months of the following year. When they are born she will be in a den hibernating. The fat that she stored up over the summer and the fall will be used to feed her and the young. When they are a couple of months old she will bring them out to the rest of the world. She can have from two up to four cubs at a time.

American Black Bear Predators

The conflicts that erupt between American Black Bears can result in death. Generally this will occur between two males that are fighting over food, territories, or mating rights. Full grown ones may eat the younger ones when food is scarce. There are a variety of other animals out there including different species of bears that can try to feed from them as well.

Hunting of these bears is very common, and in most areas it is very legal. There are about 400,000 of them left in the wild so controlling that population is why it is legal in controlled situations. A certain number of tags are offered in order for hunting in a specific season are available annually. There are some trapped though and sold for profit as people find them to be a type of pet they are willing to pay lots of money for.

American Black Bear Related Articles

– Polar Bear

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Common Chimpanzee

Posted on May 31, 2012 by bioexpedition

COMMON CHIMPANZEE

Common chimpanzee - Pan troglodytes

Common Chimpanzee Description

There is plenty to explore and evaluate when it comes to the Common Chimpanzee. They belong to the class of great apes. With hairy bodies, small ears, and big eyes they can melt out hearts. They also have pouty lips and eyes that seem further back into the head due to the protrusion of the ridge above the eyebrows.

There are many similarities between them and humans that you will want to explore. With a genetic profile that is very similar it is fascinating to see all about them. They have very long jaws that house flat molars in the back. At the front they have sharp incisors. There is more to the Common Chimpanzee though than just their physical attributes.

Common Chimpanzee Anatomy

Taking a closer look at the anatomy of the Common Chimpanzee, you will soon see it is a work of art. They have everything they need to successfully move around both on land and in the trees. They have a strong upper body with shoulder muscles that are very mobile. This gives them the agility and the movements for swinging back and forth in the trees.

They can also stand up while on land or in the trees. Yet you will rarely see them do so because it is a posture that is slow to them. It is also one that consumes lots of energy. Instead they are often seen on land walking on their knuckles. They are very strong and so this process doesn’t hurt them. It also doesn’t consume very much energy.

Common Chimpanzee Evolution

There is still plenty of speculation out there when it comes to the evolution process. It is believed that these animals were able to separate from the great apes around 20 million years ago. Further separation occurred about 1 million years ago. That is why we now have two species of Chimpanzees – this one and the Bonobo.

The study of Common Chimpanzee evolution continues to be one of interest. Yet it takes lots of time and money to be able to move forward. The lack of fossilized remains that have been discovered so far also make it difficult to say with certainty what has occurred over the span of millions of years.

Common Chimpanzee Behavior

It is very exciting to observe the behaviors of the Common Chimpanzee. They seem so human like in many of their characteristics. For example they can use tools to find food and even to defend themselves. They also have been seen playing and laughing just like human children do. The source of entertainment can often cause us to forget they are wild animals though. They have been known to attack humans and should never be raised as pets.

They need their natural environment to thrive and lots of interaction. One that is in captivity without the right environment can become depressed. They can also end up not eating and becoming very ill. You also have to worry about human illnesses that can be deadly to these animals.

They can be very aggressive towards each other and to other animals. They’ve been known to injure or kill humans too when they feel they are in danger. They are manipulative and you really never know what they will do. They are able to problem solve and they can remember things that have occurred in the past.

In their social structure though they are also very loving and caring. Their well being is often connected to this relationship. They need to be able to cooperate in their movements and for hunting. The females take excellent care of the young and they will even adopt those that have become orphans. There are many sub groups that are found within the larger troops.

Common Chimpanzee Habitat and Distribution

There are many locations all over Africa where the Common Chimpanzee lives. You may already know that they are found in the rainforests as that is the common home for them. Yet they are also living in the savannah woodlands and the mountains. As humans continue to invade their natural habitat, they seem to be forced to adapt to new regions.

There could be only 100,000 of them in the wild and there can be up to 200,000 of them out there. The number game is hard to get accurate due to how spread out they are. Add in the fact that they often move around and you will see that experts have trouble keeping track of what is a new troop of them and what they have already seen before.

Common Chimpanzee Diet and Feeding Habits

There are lots of different food sources out there that the Common Chimpanzee depends on for their survival. They are known to eat meat which some people don’t know. They can hunt as a group to be able to take down other animals. They use sticks as tools for getting into termite mounds.

There are plenty of plants and leaves that they consume as they wonder through their home range. They also look for seasonal fruits that will come and go throughout the year. They will feed for several hours a day – both in the early morning hours and then in the late afternoon before the sun goes down.

Common Chimpanzee Reproduction

The rainy season is the main time of year when they will mate. However, it is an occurrence that can occur at any time of the year. When they have lots of food though is when they are the most likely to take part in the mating process. They don’t mate until they are at least 10 years of age. That is also a reason why it is hard to get their numbers back up.

The mother will carry the baby in her body for about 200 days. When it emerges covered with hair and just a few pounds in size she will make it the center of her world. Should her baby die due to a fall or a predator she will greatly mourn that loss. There are several years between the birth of one and the next for the mothers. This gives them time to help their young to mature.

Common Chimpanzee Predators

Some people believe that the Common Chimpanzee doesn’t have any predators. They don’t have too many in the wild but a couple that can create problems for them. Since the Common Chimpanzee is often in the trees they can be attacked by dangerous snakes. They can also be attacked either on land or in the trees by the big cat called the leopard.

Humans have been in the same areas as the Common Chimpanzee for a very long time. The villagers of Africa have often hunted them for a source of meat. That continues to be a big problem even though the African government has made it illegal to do so. Now they have figured out they can make money by guiding hunts and selling the young Common Chimpanzees.

Humans continue to destroy the natural environment of the Common Chimpanzee. They introduce disease, they clear out the trees so they can sell the wood from the trees, and they clear land so they can farm on it. All of this results in a fight for them to find enough food and shelter to be able to survive.

Common Chimpanzee Related Articles

– Baby Monkeys

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Cheetah

Posted on May 31, 2012 by bioexpedition

Cheetah

Cheetah - Acinonyx jubatus

Cheetah Description

Do you know that the black spots of the Cheetah are very unique for each of them? They have golden brown fur with black spots on them. Yet if you compare the design of the spots on various ones you will quickly see that they all have a pattern that is original. These are very fast animals and they move gracefully. You won’t be able to easily find them in their environment though as their coloring gives them great camouflage.

Cheetah Anatomy

There is no question that the Cheetah is one of the most powerful and elegant animals out there. The sheer speed of it is something that many people are impressed with. The body of this animal has an overall design that gives them every advantage when it comes to movement. This includes a long tail for balance and the ability to see for a very long range.

They have padded feet that offer them plenty of traction. There will be times when this helps them to get their prey with ease. As their prey is sliding around on the mud they are able to continue being balanced and in control of the situation.

Cheetah Evolution

We don’t know as much as we would like to when it comes to the evolution process for the Cheetah. They have been around the Earth for the past 26 million years in some form. Most of the fossil remains we have from them have been located in the various areas of Africa. Those that are from Asia date back 11 million years so they did migrate that direction in order to survive. Many experts believe that was during the Ice Age.

The fact that the evolution process seems to be very slow for these animals could be why so many of the subspecies haven’t survived. The biggest concern with this is that they don’t have a diverse genetic profile. That makes it hard for them to change and also hard to survive now with such low numbers of them remaining.

Cheetah Behavior

The Cheetah isn’t nearly as aggressive as other felines. However, they are dangerous and they are going to show aggressive when they feel threatened. The females are more likely to live alone. However, they do have smaller home ranges that overlap. It is possible that the mothers and daughters stay very close to each other even though they have their own habitat areas.

For the males though they spend their lives in groups. There may be only 2 or as many as 6 of them. The males stay with each other from birth until death in many instances. For the females they will leave their siblings at about 2 years of age. They will be alone except when a male comes to mate or they have young to care for.

Cheetah Habitat and Distribution

There aren’t very many Cheetah that are left in the wild. Those that do remain are in Africa and Asia. They do live in zoos all over the world due to the fact that people love to see them. They are a prime attraction at many of these places but they have a hard time adapting. They can be very dangerous to care for in captivity and are very strategic when it comes to their movements.

In the wild there are plenty of places for the Cheetah to live. The fact that they do blend into the surroundings so well makes it hard to successfully always locate them. They may be spread out in the mountain terrain areas. Others are doing well along the plains or they hide in the very tall grassy areas.

Cheetah Diet and Feeding Habits

Some days a Cheetah is able to consume very large sums of meat. Then there are days when they don’t get anything at all. They have to find food at least every three days or they can get too weak to continue hunting. You will find they are very careful when they attack. They do trip their prey but they make sure they don’t get in the way. If they get hurt they won’t be able to find additional prey and then they will die.

When they do take down prey they will consume it extremely fast. This isn’t due to them being famished in most cases. Instead it has to do with the fact that they know there are other predators around the area. They don’t want to have to give up their kill to those animals. Yet if they emerge that is exactly what the Cheetah will do so that they don’t get hurt in a fight.

Cheetah Reproduction

Even though the Cheetah males are ready to mate at about a year old they don’t have very high sperm counts. As a result of this they don’t always impregnate the females. It is possible for the young from a mother to have more than one father. Some of the litters only offer one or two cubs. Others have four time that many and it can be hard for her to successfully care for all of them.

Only the strongest will survive though due to the fighting among them for her milk. They also fight over the meat she offers from her hunts. Almost all of the young though fall victim of the various predators. It is too complicated for the Cheetah mother to go find food and to also protect these cubs. They are very vulnerable when she is away.

Cheetah Predators

The young Cheetah has many predators to worry about. Among them are other felines including the leopards and lions. They also have to worry about hyenas and eagles. They will go after the very young ones so as these cubs get older they are less likely to become a victim of such predators.

Humans are also known to capture these young cubs when the mother is away. They will be sold as pets because many people love to keep them. They enjoy the idea of a pet that is so original. There are stories of the Cheetah being domesticated as far back as the Egyptians. Still, they are wild animals by nature and have been known to attack their human owners.

Life for the Cheetah becomes very hard when they don’t have much land to explore for food sources. That is what happens as humans continue to move into these areas. They erect homes and businesses in these areas. They also kill other animals that the Cheetah needs for food. There aren’t too many farmers or ranchers that are happy with the Cheetah being around their land.

One of the main reasons why this animal has such low numbers is due to the demand for their fur. The upper class used to wear them as a sign of status and so they were sold for huge sums of money. The more unique the pattern of the spots was the more money that the fur would be sold for.

The success of some conservation groups is credited with the fact that the Cheetah is still alive today. However, the slow rate of reproduction, shallow genetic pool, and threats to their natural environment make it very uncertain about how long they will be able to continue living.

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Cougar

Posted on May 31, 2012 by bioexpedition

Cougar

Cougar - Puma concolor

Cougar Description

Many people think that the Cougar is a big cat but it is one of the smaller ones. The fact that is the second largest in that category though is why it is often misclassified by those not familiar with the various types of felines out there. The Cougar is a great looking animal with a body that is very lean. The shoulders are well defined and extremely powerful.

They have small heads and small ears. They have a very long tail that has a black tip on it. This tail is for balance and it can measure up to three feet for the adults. They are a light brown or light tan color. Some of them also have areas of silver, black, or gray on them. They have a huge variation in weight with the heaviest ones being 265 pounds. Typically they are on the smaller size and that can be as low as 115 pounds.

Cougar Anatomy

The small head of the Cougar is where they have powerful jaws. There are also rows of sharp teeth with the canines being pointed. They are built for speed with up to 40 miles per hour for short distances. They are able to rely on their smell and vision to help them find prey. They have the amazing ability to leap up to 45 feet in the air and 16 feet forward so they have the agility on their side that so many other animals lack.

Cougar Evolution

It is believed that the evolution process has something to do with the speed and agility of the Cougar. Were they once very large animals that had teeth several feet long? Many people believe the earlier version was very similar to that of the Saber Toothed Tiger. However, we simply don’t have enough information about the Cougar to give that theory credibility.

The fossil remains that we do have indicate that they were in Asia about 11 million years ago. These are highly adaptable animals and have been for millions of years. That is part of the reason why so many experts want to find out much more about the evolution process of the Cougar.

Cougar Behavior

This is an animal that enjoys being alone and being able to venture around its habitat. They don’t like company of each other with the exception of when they are mating. The females also are accepting of their young and do seem to enjoy caring for them and interaction. A great deal of the information we have about Cougar communications comes from observing the mothers with the young.

These felines don’t roar but they do use hissing, growling, and deep purring for communicating. They also have a piercing screaming sound that is generally offered during mating for the males and females to be able to find each other.

The Cougar is very aggressive when it comes to their territory and they will fight with each other to protect it. They will also attack humans that venture too far into that habitat. They don’t always attack as many of them will retreat when humans are around. Some believe the females are more likely to attack as they are trying to protect their young.

Cougar Habitat and Distribution

The fact that the body of the Cougar allows for them to live in a variety of habitats is influential for the rate of survival for them. There are more Cougars in the wild than other felines – about 50,000 of them. It is hard to get an accurate count though due to where they are spread out. You will find Cougars living in the mountains as well as on the plains. You will find them living in desert regions and in the forests. They also survive in swamp areas.

Where they live is determined by availability of food rather than the type of terrain or the temperatures. The fact that humans continue to take over the natural habitat of the Cougar means they are starting to be identified in regions where they never were in the past. That does make many humans uneasy. They never thought they would have to worry about such animals around them but the risk is always there with the Cougar.

Cougar Feeding Habits

For the Cougar a diet of only meat will do, and they will consume up to 10 pounds of it a day. They search for hoofed animals including deer and elk. In some regions they will also feed on big horned sheep. When these are hard to find they will also feed on rodents and birds. Since the Cougar can take down food supplies much bigger than themselves they will have food for several days at a time. They will hide the remains of it so that other predators aren’t able to benefit from it.

Problems with the Cougar consuming cattle, horses, and even domestic dogs has infuriated many. They don’t feel save around such locations with the Cougar there. Yet in many of these scenarios the humans have moved into territory where these animals used to freely hunt. In other areas though the Cougar has become a nuisance recently as they aren’t able to find food where they used to roam. They are moving into new areas in order to survive.

Cougar Reproduction

Several times per year a female can enter an estrus cycle. She will give of very strong smells and that brings the males to her. A female may mate with several males during the window of 7 to 10 days so there is a very good chance she will conceive. It also means that some of the young may have different fathers.

The females wait about 90 days before the young are born. At that time they will be in a den so that they can be well protected. They are very small at birth and won’t open their eyes for about 10 days. They drink milk that the mother’s body offers for the first three months of life. She may have up to six kittens to care for and has to leave them unattended so she can find herself food.

By the time they are six months of age they have emerged from the den. These Cougar kittens are very playful but they are also learning a great deal. They have to help with hunting when they are about six months of age. They need to be strong enough and skilled enough to hunt alone by the time they are two years old and have to leave their mother.

Cougar Predators

For the young the risk of predators is there when the mother is out getting food. She will do all she can to protect them from predators in her presence though. Sadly, only a small portion of the young will make it to adulthood. The adults have no predators in the wild but they continue to have more and more problems with humans.

The fact that the Cougar does require a very large home range – up to 100 miles, means that the actions of humans moving into such areas can be very difficult for them. They do adapt to changes but that often means they start to be in areas where humans are more and more often. That has led to hunting them and poisoning them in many areas.

The Cougar population has increased in some areas and people aren’t happy with that. They don’t want to have more of these aggressive animals to content with. The fact that they overlook though is that the Cougar has a natural instinct to survive. Humans have the choice of where they will live and where they will venture.

Cougar Related Articles

– Cheetah

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Eastern Gray Kangaroo

Posted on May 31, 2012 by bioexpedition

Eastern Gray Kangaroo

Eastern gray kangaroo - Photo taken by Sklmsta

Eastern Gray Kangaroo Description

As you can guess from their name, The Eastern Gray Kangaroo is grayish in color. This can include a variety of different shades of it, even on the same one. Looking at the front of them you will see a long area of white that blends in very well. They are spectacular looking animals.

The females are about 100 pounds when fully grown and the males have about an additional 20 pounds to offer. The females are about 4 feet tall and the males have a full foot on them. They also have ears that are very long and fully erect on top of their heads. The small face is one that most people find to be adorable.

Eastern Gray Kangaroo Anatomy

Kangaroos have short and slender upper limbs but they can pack a punch to them. They use them for boxing – well that is the males do. They also use them for grabbing food and for digging. If you look closely you will see that they have claws on them which are very sharp.

It is the tail that is really the core of the anatomy for the Kangaroo. Without this powerful and large muscle they won’t be able to stand or to hop in the manner that they do. They can go a distance of about 30 feet with each leap that they make. They can also leap higher than 5 feet off the ground. They use very little energy to move this way and they can travel at a speed of around 30 miles per hour.

You will notice that they have very large legs and wide feet. The internal parts of them are like springs with lots of flexibility. That is why they are able to make their movements appear to be effortless. No other animal in the world has an anatomy that is structured like this.

Eastern Gray Kangaroo Evolution

There is a believe that the Eastern Gray Kangaroo has been around for millions of years. Yet we are missing the pieces that help us to connect them at that point in time to now. We don’t fully understand what all has gone on in history to provide us with them as they are now know. One thought is that they used to be more similar to possums but that hasn’t yet been confirmed.

Eastern Gray Kangaroo Behavior

The males are extremely aggressive towards each other due to the desire to be the leader of their group called a mob. They want to take over so that they can become the dominant one and able to mate with all the females that are in that group. That is a very important role that they all strive for.

Boxing battles often take place among them so that they can challenge the leader. They will fight with each other to build up their strength of when that moment comes. Changes in leadership occur all the time and that is part of how the genetic pool continues to be very strong for these animals.

The females behave very differently in the mob, taking the time to interact with each other and to develop strong relationships. The females that are related are very favorable towards each other. They don’t turn their backs on their offspring once they reach the age of maturity.

Eastern Gray Kangaroo Habitat and Distribution

Areas throughout Australia and Tasmania are where you will find the Eastern Gray Kangaroo. They look for areas that have moisture in them. That is why they find homes where they have lots of shade from the trees. In fact, you may not see very many of these Kangaroos at all. That is because they will stay in those cool areas during the day and then emerge at night.

They do come out to the open grasslands through to find food. They have a wide range that they do cover in order to make sure they are able to find plenty of food. When the food supplies start to run low in a given area the mob will move on to evaluate other locations. They do seem to be able to adapt very well to different areas.

Eastern Gray Kangaroo Diet and Feeding Habits

Finding enough to eat is a very important element of the life for an Eastern Gray Kangaroo. They will spend hours every single night either eating or looking for food. For the females it is even more important as they need to be able to produce milk for the young joeys to be able to consume for their own survival.

Some of the common foods that they eat include grass, trees, and shrubs. They really aren’t picky so they will take just about any opportunity out there to eat what they come across. They can end up depleting vegetation in an given area though because their sharp teeth cut so far down. They will then use flat teeth to grind it up before swallowing it – they don’t chew.

The food will later come back up in a process known as regurgitation. Then they will chew it more and swallow it again. Cud has to be produced by the Kangaroos in order for them to adequately be able to digest the food. They do need water, but they get so much of it from the foods they consume that it usually isn’t a big issue to have to go in search of it by itself.

Eastern Gray Kangaroo Reproduction

The females won’t mate if they don’t have their basic needs met. The males also won’t produce enough sperm. This is nature’s way of helping to balance out the population when it needs to. This can be a concern in some areas though where the numbers continue to drop and new offspring isn’t being created to replace them. The females do love caring for the joeys though so as long as conditions are right they will be a willing participant for mating.

An extremely small joey will go to the pouch and find a warm shelter as well as milk. As it starts to grow it will be peeking out of that shelter. In time when it is safe enough it will hop out to explore a bit. Should it feel in danger though it will quickly go back to the pouch for protection. At about 10 months of age it will leave the pouch for good.

Eastern Gray Kangaroo Predators

The only real predator to worry about in the wild for the Eastern Gray Kangaroo is the Dingo. These canines have a terrible reputation in the wild and they will do all they can for their own survival. Even though Kangaroos can move quickly a pack of Dingos often proves to be too much for them. Even if they injure or kill one of them they others move in for the kill.

Humans continue to make problems for these Kangaroos. The fact that they have been used as a source of meat for centuries by the Aborigines is seen as a way of life. They aren’t going to give that up in search of other options. Hunters are a huge problem because they want to kill these animals simply so they don’t have to share the land. Ironically, they take over the natural habitat and then want to control what can come into that space.

Eastern Gray Kangaroo Related Articles

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Arctic Wolf

Posted on May 30, 2012 by bioexpedition

Arctic Wolf

Arctic Wolf – Photo taken by Michael Gäbler

Arctic Wolf Description

The Arctic Wolf is a survivor – one able to live cold and isolated areas of the world. This is a small wolf but definitely one that makes up for it in strength and beauty. Ranging in weight from 100 to 175 pounds they can hold their own in the wild. They vary significantly in length. Some of them are six feet long but others are barely three feet in length. The white coloring mixed with some yellow, black, and gray

Arctic Wolf Anatomy

The body of the Arctic Wolf is well designed to keep it warm. For many months out of the year it can be below zero temperatures. It can also be completely dark for long stretches of time. This wolf have two layers of fur that protect it from the cold and the wind. It also protects them from the reflections of the UV rays that the sun produces.

The first layer offers an invisible shield around the actual body. It prevents water, cold, and the elements from changing the body temperature of the wolf. The top layer helps to protect from wind and other aspects out there in nature that the come into contact with. Many people notice that the Arctic Wolf has smaller ears than other species. This is so that they are able to stay warm as well. The long tail allows them to have something they can cover their face with as well.

Arctic Wolf Evolution

It isn’t really understood how these animals are able to live in this area of the world. It is speculated that evolution has played a vital role in it. More than 50 million years ago some wolves were stuck there due to the natural elements. These canines were able to survive due to their bodies changing so that they could handle the cold and the open range.

Arctic Wolf Behavior

The Arctic Wolf does spend time individually away from the rest of the pack. This is done to find food and shelter. They will use their howling and barking to let their other pack members know where they are at. Generally they are all within close proximity to each other. The pack may only have a few members if it is newly formed. It can also have up to twenty of them including the offspring.

These wolves depend upon their social interactions with each other to help them to survive. Not only to help them be able to hunt for food successfully but to help them learn about survival in such areas. These wolves seem to get along very well with the others in their pack. They definitely realize they are all dependent upon each other.

The Arctic Wolf can spend up to 10 hours a day moving around in its home territory. They are able to do so due to the way their paws are designed. They don’t sink down into the snow or slide on the ice. They will mark their territory with scent as they move around. This is to help ensure other wolf packs don’t invade their territory.

Arctic Wolf Habitat and Distribution

A few Arctic Wolf packs are found in Canada. There are also a handful of them around Greenland. Yet the numbers of these animals in both areas has continued to drop very low. Experts feel this is due to their habitat being taken over by humans. As a result it is more difficult for them to find enough food to survive.

Due to the isolated nature of Alaska, this is one place where these wolves have plenty of area to roam around. It isn’t unusual for the home range of an Arctic Wolf pack to span hundreds of miles. This also allows them to follow the herds of animals that they feed upon throughout the year.

Even though their habitat areas do often overlap, there doesn’t seem to be too much conflict between packs. When it is hard to find food though the aggressive nature of protecting a given area will increase. Should one wolf pack not back off and go another direction then a physical confrontation can ensue.

Arctic Wolf Diet and Feeding Habits

Being strong and being fast allows the Arctic Wolf to be able to take down prey for food. They must work as a team to be able to do so. That is why smaller packs of them find it harder to survive, so they increase in numbers. Of course the more wolves in the pack the more food they have to hunt for survival so there is a trade off.

Their diet consists of caribou and the muskoxen. These are animals much larger than them. Yet with careful planning and precision they are able to successfully take them down. If they let potential prey get away from them it can be a long time until their next meal. Even so, the Arctic Wolf is able to survive even with out food for a couple of weeks.

Knowing that they may not get to feed again for a long time, they will consume all that they can when they are a successful with the hunt. They can consume up to 20 pounds each. Nothing on the animals that they take down goes to waste. They have powerful jaws and teeth that allow them to easily crush through bones and other body parts.

The pups will need to be fed from about three months of age to six months of age by the adults. They will come back from a kill with regurgitated food that has been partially digested. The young will consume it quickly and they will get it from all of the different pack members. When they are about six months old they too will help with the hunting process.

Arctic Wolf Reproduction

While there are many healthy members of the wolf pack, only the alpha male and beta female get to mate. This helps to ensure inbreeding doesn’t occur. The young do have the option of remaining with their own pack forever. Yet that means not mating so the urge to do so can encourage them to leave when they are about 1 ½ or 2 years of age. They will venture out to find other lone wolves and form their own packs.

After successfully mating, the female has the job of finding a good place for her young to be born. She will try to dig in the thick ice to make a den. If it is too hard she will find a den that has been abandoned. The young are born about 63 days after conception. She will stay in the den with them for about three months.

During this time she may need to leave to feed herself, especially if she has a large litter of pups. They will drink milk from her body for their own survival. They are born deaf as well as blind. Barely one pound each at birth, they grow very quickly. When they are about three weeks old they will come out of the den to join the rest of the wolf pack. The introduction is welcoming and all of the members of the pack will care for them.

Arctic Wolf Predators

Arctic Wolves don’t have too many problems with predators. Occasionally they may encounter a problem with a bear. They can have their conflicts with other wolf packs as well for food and for territory. This particular wolf doesn’t have the concerns with humans like other species though. It is simply too difficult for humans to be in the regions where these animals are found.

Arctic Wolf Related Arcticles

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Jaguar

Posted on May 30, 2012 by bioexpedition

Jaguar

Jaguar – Panthera onca

Jaguar Description

The Jaguar just barely fits into the category of the big cats since is it ranked #3 out of 4. This is great looking feline though and one that many people are impressed by the look of. They are detailed with black spots that can have various designs associated with them. They are also in different shapes. The color of these animals is usually tan or light brown. Some of them are much darker though. They can have areas of yellow, white, red, and orange on them. You will also notice that the coat is very shiny.

Size for the Jaguar often depends on the location where they life. In most instances the males are about 20% larger than the females. That is the best way to be able to tell them apart from each other. They can range in size from 124 pounds to 211 pounds.

Jaguar Anatomy

The body of the Jaguar is one that many researchers have been fascinated by. The body is one that offers exactly what it needs in order to survive. They have lots of speed, agility, and power. They rely on the length of their tail in order to give them balance for their quick movements. The power in their legs and shoulders are what makes it possible for them to leap so high.

The jaws of the Jaguar are more powerful than any other feline. When you consider what they are up against though you can understand the value of that. They have teeth that are able to pierce through the back of neck at the back of the skull. They actually use this as their hunting method rather than through the neck like other felines.

Jaguar Evolution

Many speculate that evolution has played a huge role in things for the Jaguar. The fact that they kill differently, that they are so fact, and that they have a body built for the environment all looks that way. We just don’t have too much information about the past for this particular feline. The DNA shows that both Lions and Leopards are very closely related to them.

They are also believed to be a type of Panthera that developed anywhere from 2 million to 4 million years ago. There are fossil remains that show that felines have been around fro about 11 million years. Where the branches fall for the Jaguar to go its own way though aren’t clear.

Jaguar Behavior

The Jaguar is said to be one of the most aggressive type of felines. They like to be alone and don’t have fear about humans or other animals. They are determined to protect their habitat at any cost. Males are far more aggressive than females and that is why they often engage in fighting with each other. The females are able to tolerate others around them but will fight if they need to in order to find food. The males will allow some females to overlap their territory, but never males.

The fact that the Jaguar is responsible for numerous attacks on humans is something that many people aren’t happy with. This has led to rumors about them being man eating felines. Studies indicate that the ones with a desire to kill humans are often those that are old or injured. They simply don’t have the ability any longer to go after faster prey.

Jaguar Habitat and Distribution

The area of Central America is home for the Jaguar. Even though there aren’t many of them left in the wild, they do seem to have a very large distribution area. This includes Mexico, Argentina, and Paraguay. They can live in either the rainforest or the open plains. Due to humans invading their territory though they have been known to move into new areas that they weren’t identified in before.

Jaguar Feeding Habits

The Jaguar is a very good hunter and they do take down some prey that is much larger than they are. This includes the sloth and the deer. They are able to feed on it for several days and that is important. They also eat other types of prey though that are smaller. This includes eggs, reptiles, and rodents. The stomach contents of Jaguars have also shown them to eat crocodiles. They are very opportunistic which is part of why they have been able to survive.

Jaguar Reproduction

There isn’t a set time of year for mating to occur with the Jaguar. As long as they have enough food they won’t have high levels of stress. Then the females will be in estrus and that can last for several days. They will be able to attract males with the additional odor in their urine. They also use various calls to get them to come to their habitat. This is where the females having a home range that overlaps the males comes in very useful.

It takes about 100 days for the young to be born after conception. The young cubs will be born in a den where they can be protected from the elements. The mothers are excellent at caring for their young. They will give them only milk for about 3 months. Then they will bring them meat for the next 3 months.

At about 6 months of age the young cubs will come out of the den with their mother. During the time they are in there they can give off heavy scents. This can bring male Jaguars to kill them so that the mother will mate again. That is why she may move the cubs to various dens during that first 6 month period.

Once the young cubs come out of the den they will start to practice hunting with their mother. She needs to teach them the skills that are necessary for their own survival later on. This help also reduces her need to find so much food for all of them. When she has more that one or two cubs it is even harder to provide for all of them. They will stay with their mother for about 2 years, but realistically they are able to fend for themselves when they are about 1 year old.

Jaguar Predators

The numbers of Jaguars in the wild severely dropped a few decades a go when fur coats were so popular. Thousands of these animals were killed so that humans could have stylish fashions to wear. The fact that large amounts of money were paid for these furs made it very enticing for hunters and trappers to take part in. That practice is no longer such a threat to the Jaguar.

What does continue to be a concern though is the problem with their habitat. As humans move into it these animals have less and less room to find food. They are even starting to eat the livestock of people that ranch close to them. Attacking people in villages is also on the rise. Humans have to find a way to balance their own needs with those of the Jaguar or they will become extinct. Even with conservation efforts in place it is hard to say what the future will be like for them, but hopefully they will increase in numbers.

Gray Wolf

Posted on May 30, 2012 by bioexpedition

Gray Wolf

Gray Wolf – Photo taken by Gary Kramer / United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Gray Wolf Description

Also known as Common Wolf, the Gray Wolf is very popular. However, when you start to learn more about it you will learn this animal is anything but common. It has a very definite presence that has continued due to its body and its adaptability. These are intelligent animals that have a desire to continue on Earth in spite of what is taking place all around them.

Their coloring can be very different for each of them which is why they can often be mistaken for others. Many Common Wolves are gray in color but they don’t have to be. Others have white, black, brown, and even red or yellow in them. It is often that one will have multiple colorings found within the fur.

The size of a Common Wolf can be hard to say for sure. Yes, there are some cases of extremely large ones out there, more than 200 pounds. It is believed these are the ones that legends about werewolves derive from. However, most of them are about 55 pounds on the small end and 90 pounds on the higher end. Most of them are about 5 feet long but they can be from 4 ½ feet up to 6 feet.

Gray Wolf Anatomy

These particular wolves have a head that is smaller than other species and a narrower width across the shoulders. Even so, they are very powerful animals and not one to be taken lightly. They also have muzzles that are long an skinny which is different from other types of wolves. They have amazing stamina which means they can go for a very long time without stopping. They are slower overall when it comes to top speed than other wolves but that doesn’t really matter since they can go for so long.

What is really amazing about the Common Wolf is the way their paws are designed. They have feet that are very large which allows them to move their weight around when they need to. This is why they are able to stay on top of soft snow even when they are on the heavier side of the weight spectrum. They also have webbing between the feet so they are able to walk around on any type of terrain.

All canines have very sharp teeth as well as strong jaws. However, the Common Wolf also has three times the power of those others out there. This is an amazing ability that they have and one that means once they capture prey it is surely going to meet its death. What about rumors about the saliva from them for healing? Research does show it is able to reduce the risk of an infection setting it. This is due to it offering properties to get new cells to quickly be created.

Gray Wolf Evolution

The evolution for the Common Wolf definitely has plenty of mystery behind it. What we do know is that these wolves are related to canines that are more than 300,000 years old. We also know that they have evolved in their appearance including their webbed feet in order to be able to survive in a variety of conditions offered out there.

Gray Wolf Behavior

Contrary to popular belief, the Common Wolf isn’t an animal out there that preys on humans. In fact, they are quite content within their packs to be peaceful. They do have a sophisticated level of hierarchy that works well for them. They use verbal communication including howling to connect with their pack and to warn other packs to keep their distance.

They will leave their scent behind in order to keep the message out there that they have a claim to particular areas. Sometimes their territories do overlap and they will have to protect the area where they hunt or where the beta female has a den with her pups.

Gray Wolf Habitat and Distribution

Since these wolves have a body designed to handle different terrain you won’t be surprised to find they are in many places around Northern America. They can live in the mountains or on the plains. They can live in the grasslands or in the desert. They just need enough range to move around and access to food sources in order to thrive.

One of the biggest problems for the Common Wolf is the reduction of their land. They are very versatile though so in many instances they do move into new territory. Of course this can easily upset the balance of that other ecosystem as well so it isn’t always a well received move.

Gray Wolf Feeding Habits

The Common Wolf mainly goes after large prey that the entire pack is able to consume. This can include deer, elk, and bison. What they come into contact with is going to depend on where they reside. What is interesting is that they usually won’t attack prey that is standing still. They love the thrill of chasing it and brining it down. They will also consume small types of animals such as rodents when they see them.

The young pups in a pack will be fed food that the adults have partially digested when they are about three months of age. This continues until they are six months old. At that point they observe the kills and then get to fight to consume what they can. This is part of establishing their rank with the Common Wolf pack.

Gray Wolf Reproduction

Mating take part the first four months of the year, but only for about 10 days when the female is in estrus. The specific time frame for it depends on the location of the wolf packs. Those in lower elevations will mate sooner than those higher up. It takes two months after mating for the young to be born. Even with plenty of members of a Common Wolf pack, it is generally only the beta female that will have pups. For this reason many young go out on their own before they are two years old.

The mothers will use a den to keep their young safe for the first few months of life. She can have a large number of them, but six per litter is average. They need her for food and they can’t see or hear. They will develop those senses before they leave the den with her at three months of age. At that point, these young are cared for by all in the pack.

Gray Wolf Predators

Due to the issues they have with territory, it is often that Common Wolves have encounters with other packs. The desire for the territory, mating, and food can make these all out battles. Sometimes part of the pack is injured or killed before it is finished. The young of a pack can be killed in these battles as well, dropping the overall numbers by quite a bit.

Humans continue to be a serious problem for these wolves. First, they are the ones responsible for taking all their habitat away from them. Yet they wish to complain when their livestock or other animals are killed by these wolves. Hunting of the Common Wolf has gone on for centuries. Even so, this species continues to evolve and to be strong. They aren’t in as much danger of the possibility of extinction as other species out there.

Bonobo

Posted on May 29, 2012 by bioexpedition

Bonobo

Bonobo – Pan paniscus

Bonobo Chimpanzee Description

The Bonobo Chimpanzee looks a great deal like the other species which is the Common Chimpanzee. However, they are smaller in size both in regards to height and weight. They are closely related to humans with more than 90% of the sameDNA. They have hair that covers most of the body and a face that includes a long jaw and sharp incisors at the front. They have lips that are large and many people find that to be a well known characteristic of this great ape.

Bonobo Chimpanzee Anatomy

The average size of the Bonobo Chimpanzee is four feet tall and about 100 pounds. They usually are seen walking on their knuckles. The fact that they have longer arms than legs make this position one that they can easily do. If you ever decide to try it you will find the anatomy of a human makes it uncomfortable on the spine.

They also have an amazing range of motion in the upper body. This is accountable for their ability to move freely through the trees as they swing with their arms. Their body is one that is created for them to ultimately survive the changes that have gone on around them for millions of years. They can stand upright but normally do so only a fraction of the time.

Bonobo Chimpanzee Evolution

We gave found a very limited number of fossils out there of the Bonobo Chimpanzee. What it has told us is that they used to live in Kenya rather than always in Africa. What occurred that allowed some of them to continue thriving in other locations? That answer could be partially the result of the evolution process.

The Chimpanzee has the closest overall DNA profile to us of any animals in the world. Therefore we need to find out what other animals along that same element used to be around but are now extinct. The puzzle is one that many experts continue to try to focus on as they believe the evolution process is what will help them to find those answers.

Bonobo Chimpanzee Behavior

Plenty has been observed when it comes to the behavior of the Bonobo Chimpanzee. They are remarkable animals with a great sense of individualism. At the same time though they are social creatures and they thrive off the interactions they have with each other. They have a social structure but not to the extremes of the Common Chimpanzees.

They do form sub groups within their troop. This is why sometimes the bonds between two of them are very strong. Other times though they are merely acquaintances. They do show feelings of hatred and ignore certain members of the troop which is very interesting. They can be aggressive to each other but often that aggressive is reserved for other monkeys or when they come into contact with humans.

One of the ways that they show dominance over other monkeys is by killing the young. They will take them back to their troop too which helps them to have food. It also increases the social ranking of those that are involved in such successful kills.

Ironically, these are the same Bonobo Chimpanzees out there engaging in loving and caring communications with each other. There is plenty of fun going on including wrestling, teasing, and chasing. It is fun to see these animals taking part in such behaviors.

Bonobos: Language Recognition

Bonobo Chimpanzee Habitat and Distribution

The Bonobo Chimpanzees live in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They don’t share any areas of habitat with the Gorillas as the Common Chimpanzee does. They do overlap with various other monkeys though including the Baboon.

The scary thing is that only 30% of the territory that these Chimpanzees had 20 years ago remains. The rest has been taken over by humans and large numbers of the Bonobo Chimpanzee have died as a result. Today the estimated number in the wild is around 10,000.

Bonobo Chimpanzee Diet and Feeding habits

They have a large home range and they memorize where to go for food at given times of the year. They love the fruits that grow but also know they are only offered for short periods of time in various locations.

They consume plants and leaves from trees when they can’t find fruit. They also hunt for small animals including the very popular flying squirrel. It is easy enough for them to get these squirrels in the trees where they spend large segments of time.

Hunting for food is something they do as the sun comes up in the morning. They will spend a few hours foraging for food and moving along. Then they stop to rest for several hours and make nests. In the later part of the afternoon they will again look for food before they find a place to nest for the night.

Bonobo Chimpanzee Reproduction

Mating is very different with the Bonobo Chimpanzees. First, they will engage in sexual behavior even before their bodies are mature enough to create offspring. They often do so as a way to socialize with each other. There are reports of same sex encounters too and they are believed to be ways to show affection within the troop. These animals are also the only known in the world to take part in face to face intercourse as humans do.

After a female does get pregnant she will carry the baby around in her body for around 200 days. Then she will wait for the young to come out and feed it from her breasts. She will hold the baby just like a human does which is very interesting. They nest with their young very close to them and forge a bond that is strong and remains strong well into adulthood.

Bonobo Chimpanzee Predators

In the wild there really are only two natural predators of the Bonobo Chimpanzee. They are snakes and leopards –both powerful aggressors that these animals have very little defense against. The snakes are found in the trees and they are able to crush the Chimpanzees before they swallow them.

The leopards can be found in the trees and they are also on the ground. They typically hunt at night though and find the Bonobo Chimpanzee resting in its nest. They have sharp teeth and a powerful grip with the jaw so it only takes a bit of time for them to kill and run off with their prey.

Yet all of this is a very little threat when you evaluate what humans do. They are the main reason why they Bonobo Chimpanzee is considered to be endangered. They are the reason why these animals many not have a future. In the villages around Congo bushmeat is very popular for their survival.

Yet these villagers have also found ways to make money. By offering to lead hunts of people that come to the area for an exotic kill they can feed their families. By selling the young Bonobo Chimpanzees they can make money that they didn’t have access to before. The destruction of the habitat where these animals used to thrive continues to be a threat from humans.

They want to use this land to plant food and to take part in mining operations. They also continue to cut down the forest areas. The wood can be sold for large amounts of money. They also want the land to make their own homes in so that leaves little space for the Bonobo Chimpanzees.