Abyssinian History and Domestication The Abyssinian Cat is thought to be one of the oldest breeds of domesticCat in the world,

as the first domestication of the Abyssinian Cat occurred in Ancient Egyptian times. It is thought that Abyssinian Catswere bought and sold on the banks of the River Nile by traders, where the African Wild Cats (the ancestors of all domestic Cats) lived in their native habitats. Abyssinian Catsare most easily identified by their "ticked" fur which gives their coat a mottled appearance. Abyssinian Physical Characteristics The Abyssinian Cat has a more wild looking appearance when compared to many breeds of domestic Cat in modern times. The Abyssinian Cat has large ears (meaning it has fantastic hearing) on top of it's broad head, and the large almond-shaped eyes of the Abyssinian are still distinctive to this breed today. The Abyssinian Cat is a medium sized Catwith a long and muscular yet slender body and a relatively short tail. Although today, the Abyssinian can be found in a variety of different colours from blue to lilac to red, the dense, silky fur of the Abyssinian was originally silver or fawn in colour. Abyssinian Behaviour and Temperament The Abyssinian Cat is known to be extremely intelligent and playful and is thought to be one of the most active breeds of domestic Cat as the Abyssinian seems to find it almost impossible to sit still. Abyssinian Cats are known to be extremely loyal and obedient felines making them easy to train in the house. The Abyssinian Cat is as wild in temperament as it is in appearance and enjoys to have a lot of attention as well as to keep active, which also tends make these Cats naturally good hunters. Abyssinian Breeding Today, most species of modern day domestic Cat are thought to have descended from, or be close descendants of, the Abyssinian Cats which were brought to England from Northern Africa in the 19th century. The Abyssinian Cat is thought to have been one of the first species of Wild Cat to have been domesticated by Humans, and is therefore one of the first wild animals to be treated like a household pet. The Abyssinian is now one of

the most popular domestic Catbreeds in the USA and was thought to have been first exhibited in Crystal Palace in 1871 and the first official listing of the Abyssinian Cat breed was in 1882. Abyssinian Interesting Facts and Features In Ancient Egypt, the Abyssinian Cat was seen as a sign from the Ancient Egyptian Gods and was therefore thought to be a sacred animal with legend deeming that the Abyssinian was the "Child of the Gods" and it was therefore worshipped on the banks of the Nile. This meant that the Egyptian people believed that the Abyssinian Cats were extremely special animals and they therefore looked after their Catsvery well, with Abyssinian Cats often being depicted as sacred beings in Ancient Egyptian art and legend.

Abyssinian Facts
Name: Abyssinian Origin: Egypt Group: Cat Average Size (L): 60cm (2ft) Average Weight: 4.5kg (10lbs) Average Life Span: 15 years Average Litter Size: 6 Type: Shorthair Colour: Fawn, Red, Blue, Grey Temperament: Intelligent and curious Training: Easy Distinctive Features: Silky fur and almond shaped eyes

Adelie PenguinClassification and Evolution The Adelie Penguin is the smallest and most widely distributed species ofPenguin in the Southern Ocean and is one of only two species of Penguin found on the Antarctic mainland (the other being the much larger Emperor Penguin). The AdeliePenguin was named in 1840 by French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville who named the Penguin for his wife, Adelie. Adelie Penguins have adapted well to life in the Antarctic as these migratory Birds winter in the northern pack-ice before returning south to the Antarctic coast for the warmer summer months. Adelie Penguin Anatomy and Appearance The Adelie Penguin is one of the most easily identifiablePenguin species with a blue-black back and completely white chest and belly. The head and beak of the AdeliePenguin are both black, with a distinctive white ring around each eye. The strong, pink feet of the Adelie Penguin are tough and bumpy with nails that not only aid the AdeliePenguin in climbing the rocky cliffs to reach its nesting grounds, but also help to push them along when they are sliding (rowing) along the ice. Adelie Penguins also use their webbed feet along with their small flippers to propel them along when swimming in the cold waters. Adelie Penguin Distribution and Habitat The Adelie Penguin is one of the southern-most Birds in the world as it is found along the Antarctic coastline and on theislands close to it. During the winter months, the AdeliePenguins migrate north where they inhabit large platforms of ice and have better access to food. During the warmer summer months, the Adelie Penguins return south where they head for the coastal beaches in search of ice-free ground on the rocky slopes where they can build their nests. More than half a million Adelie Penguins have formed one of the largest animal colonies in the world on Ross Island, an island formed by the activities of four monstrous volcanoes in the Ross Sea. Adelie Penguin Behaviour and Lifestyle Like all species of Penguin, the Adelie Penguin is a highly sociable animal, gathering in large groups known as colonies, which often number thousands of Penguinindividuals. Although Adelie Penguins are not known to be terribly

territorial, it is not uncommon for adults to become aggressive over nesting sites, and have even been known to steal rocks from the nests of their neighbours. AdeliePenguins are also known to hunt in groups as it is thought to reduce the risk of being eaten by hungry predators. Adelie Penguins are constantly interacting with one another, with body language and specific eye movements thought to be the most common forms of communication. Adelie Penguin Reproduction and Life Cycles Adelie Penguins return to their breeding grounds during the Antarctic summer months of November and December. Their soft feet are well designed for walking on land making the trek to it's nesting ground much easier as the Penguinfasts during this time. Adelie Penguin pairs mate for life in large colonies, with females laying two eggs a couple of days apart into a nest built from rocks. Both the male and female take it in turns to incubate their eggs while the other goes off to feed, for up to 10 days at a time. The AdeliePenguin chicks have an egg-tooth which is a bump on the top of their beaks, which helps them to break out of the egg. Once hatched, the parents still take it in turns to look after their young while the other goes off to gather food. After about a month, the chicks congregate in groups called crches and are able to fend for themselves at sea when they are between 2 and 3 months old. Adelie Penguin Diet and Prey Adelie Penguins are strong and capable swimmers, obtaining all of their food from the sea. These Penguinsprimarily feed on krill which are found throughout the Antarctic ocean, as well as Molluscs, Squid and small Fish. The record of fossilised eggshell accumulated in the AdeliePenguin colonies over the last 38,000 years reveals a sudden change from a Fish-based diet to Krill that started two hundred years ago. This is thought to be due to the decline of the Antarctic Fur Seal Seal in the late 1700s and Baleen Whales in the twentieth century. The reduction of competition from these predators has resulted in there being an abundance of Krill, which the Adelie Penguins are now able to exploit as an easier source of food.

Adelie Penguin Predators and Threats Adult Adelie Penguins have no land based predators due to the uncompromising conditions that they inhabit. In the water however, the biggest threat to the Adelie Penguin is the Leopard Seal, which is one of the southernmost species of Seal and a dominant predator in the Southern Ocean. These Penguins have learnt to avoid these predators by swimming in large groups and not walking on thin ice. TheKiller Whale Whale is the other main predator of the AdeliePenguin, although they normally hunt larger species ofPenguin further north. South Polar Skuas are known to preyon the Adelie Penguin's eggs if left unguarded, along with chicks that have strayed from a group. Adelie Penguin Interesting Facts and Features Adelie Penguins inhabit one of the coldest environments on Earth and so have a thick layer of fat under their skin helping to keep them warm. Their feathers help to insulate them and provide a waterproof layer for extra protection. The Adelie Penguin is a highly efficient hunter and is able to eat up to 2kg of food per day, with a breeding colony thought to consume around 9,000 tonnes of food over 24 hours. The flippers of the Adelie Penguin make them fantastic at swimming and they can dive to depths of 175 meters in search of food. Adelie Penguins do not have teeth as such but instead have toothshaped barbs on their tongue and on the roof of their mouths. These barbs do not exist for chewing but instead assist the Penguin to swallow slippery prey. Adelie Penguin Relationship with Humans A visit to the Adelie Penguin colonies has long since been on the programme for tourists to the Antarctic, who marvel at the vast numbers of them nesting on the beaches and hunting in the surrounding waters. This has meant that Adelie Penguins are one of the most well-known of allPenguin species today. Early explorers however, also hunted the Penguins both for their meat and their eggs in order to survive in such uncompromising conditions. Adelie Penguin Conservation Status and Life Today Despite having been confined to living on coastal Antarctica, Adelie Penguins are one of the most common and widespread Penguins in the

southern hemisphere. With more than 2.5 million breeding pairs found throughout southern Antarctica, the Adelie Penguin has adapted well to it's polar habitat. Scientists have also been known to use Adelie Penguin nesting patterns as indicators of climate change, noticing that they are able to nest on beaches that were previously covered in ice. The Adelie Penguin is listed as Least Concern.

Adelie Penguin Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae Genus: Pygoscelis Scientific Name: Pygoscelis adeliae Common Name: Adelie Penguin Group: Bird Number Of Species: 1 Location: Coastal Antarctica Habitat: Antarctic land and ocean Colour: Black with white chest Skin Type: Feathers Size (H): 40cm - 75cm (16in - 30in) Wingspan: 35cm - 70cm (14in - 27.5in) Weight: 3kg - 6kg (7lbs - 13lbs) Top Speed: 72kph (45mph) Diet: Carnivore Prey: Krill, Fish, Squid Predators: Leopard Seal, Skua Gull, Killer Whale Lifestyle: Diurnal

Group Behaviour: Colony Life Span: 10 - 20 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 2 - 3 years Incubation Period: 2 months Average Clutch Size: 2 Name Of Young: Chicks Age Of Fledging: 90 days Conservation Status: Least Concern Estimated Population Size: 5 million Biggest Threat: Rapid ice melt Most Distinctive Feature: Small white circle around each eye Fun Fact: Eats up to 2kg of food per day!

Affenpinscher History and Domestication The Affenpinscher is thought to be one of the oldest toy Dog breeds, appearing in Germany during the 17th century. Although the Affenpinscher then was bigger than the Dog we know today, it is thought that the ancestors of these Dogs were around much earlier, being depicted in paintings as early as the 15th century. The Affenpinscher was first bred and kept as a form of pest control in kitchens and stables, as these active Terriers proved effective at keeping ratnumbers down. By the late 1800s, the breed was fully established in southern Germany and was a favoured Dogof the rich and famous. The Affenpinscher was imported in the USA after the second world war, where today, more Affenpinschers exist than anywhere else in the world combined. Affenpinscher Physical Characteristics Affenpinschers have a distinctive appearance that is often associated with terriers. The small body of the Affenpinscher is covered in coarse, wiry fur that tends to be either black or grey in colour, and is actually quite long for such a small Dog. The head of the Affenpinscher is domed, with a short muzzle, small

ears and dark eyes and it's trade-mark "monkey like" expression is exaggerated by it's protruding lower lip. Their tails are relatively short. Historically, the tail of the Affenpinscher would have been docked, and ancestors of the breed today were found in variety of colours including red, fawn and beige and would have been larger in size. Affenpinscher Behaviour and Temperament Despite it's distinctive Terrier-like appearance, the Affenpinscher is different from other Terriers, as they are actually part of the pinscher-schnauzer subgroup. These characteristics mean that not only is the Affenpinscher small, active and loyal but they also often get along well with other Dogs and pets. Some of the most distinctive traits of the Affenpinscher are that they are active, adventurous, curious, and stubborn, but they are also fun-loving and playful. The breed is confident, lively and affectionate towards family members, but their loyalty towards them also makes them very protective of them. Affenpinschers can be somewhat territorial when it comes to their toys and food, so they are not recommended for households with very small children. This Dog is generally quiet but can become very agitated if it feels under threat, showing no fear toward any aggressor. Affenpinscher Breeding The Affenpinscher breed that we know today was first bred in Germany in the late 17th century as a household ratter. These Dogs would have been at least 30cm tall (some believe them to be ever larger) making them significantly bigger than the Dog of today. Inter-breeding with other domestic breeds during the early 1900s gave rise to the smaller sized and flatter-faced Affenpinscher that was imported into America a number of decades later. Despite there being a number of this breed in the USA, the Affenpinscher has never really become a popular Dogchoice in Britain, with their being less than 30 breeders in the country today. On average, Affenpinschers produce only a few puppies per litter, which are blind when first born. Affenpinscher Interesting Facts and Features The Affenpinscher was first named in 17th century Germany as Zwergaffenpinscher which literally translated means little-monkey-dog, due to

it's curious Monkey-like expression. However, when Affenpinscher numbers were in demise during the war, the Dog was bred with other small breeds including the Brussels Griffon, leading to the desired breed of today. Curiously, the Affenpinscher had been used years before in the creation of the Brussels Griffon, which when re-bred with the Affenpinscher, led to a shorter muzzle and more prominent chin. As with nearly every breed of domestic Dog, there a number of health problems associated with the Affenpinscher. The most common ailments are caused by such an inquisitive and active nature, often leading to a number of cuts and bumps along with broken bones.

Affenpinscher Facts
Name: Affenpinscher Origin: Germany Group: Dog Average Size (H): 25cm (10in) Average Weight: 3.6kg (8lbs) Average Life Span: 12 years Average Litter Size: 3 Type: Terrier Colour: Black, Grey Temperament: Alert and inquisitive Training: Medium Distinctive Features: Dark wiry-haired body and dark eyes

Afghan Hound History and Domestication The Afghan Hound is thought to be one of the oldest of all domestic Dogbreeds, with the first records of the Afghan Hound dating back to 4,000 BC. The fast and agile nature of this Dog meant that they made excellent hunters of small game in their native Afghanistan, most commonly

hunting Deer, Goats, Gazelle and Wild Boar along with seeing off larger predators such as Wolves and Snow Leopards. Their gentle nature also made this elegant sight-hound a doting shepherd, fearlessly protecting livestock from hungry predators. This beautiful but gently natured watchdog was brought to Britain in the early 1920s and it's entry to the USA followed in 1926. The elegance of the Afghan Hound meant that they quickly became highly desirable Dogs, both as pets and for show. Afghan Hound Physical Characteristics The most characteristic feature of this breed is the long, silky fur that covers the Afghan Hound's body, most notably on the top of it's head. Afghan Hounds are most commonly black or golden in colour although a number of colour variations now exist within the breed including brown, grey and white. The elongated head and muzzle of the Afghan Hound make them easily identifiable, along with their high hip-bones which gave the ancestors of the modern day Afghan Hound their reputation for speed and agility. The face of the Afghan Hound is usually a black-coloured mask, with a black nose and dark almond shaped eyes. The colour of the facial mask is known to vary although white is said to be discouraged as it is seen as a sign of poor breeding. They are fairly large Dogs standing on average at 68cm in height. Afghan Hound Behaviour and Temperament The temperament of the typical Afghan Hound tends to be aloof and dignified, but happy and intelligent and generally relatively playful. However, the Afghan Hound has a reputation among Dog trainers for having a relatively slow obedience intelligence possibly due to their slightly stubborn nature. The Afghan Hound has a leaning towards independence and owners should not be surprised if theirDog sometimes chooses to ignore commands. The modern day Afghan Hound is said to have many Cat-like tendencies, loving to laze around the house and is generally much slower than it's Middle Eastern ancestors. The Afghan Hound is seldom used for hunting in Europe and America today where they are one of the most popular domestic Dogbreeds. Afghan Hound Breeding The Afghan Hound was first bred in the ancient deserts of Egypt and

Afghanistan, where they were primarily used as hunters. The Afghan Hound was a favoured choice of Dog as they were able to outrun the majority of other animals, whilst being courageous hunters and were capable of thinking independently, often able to keep larger prey from escaping until the hunter arrived. The first domestic breeding of the modern day Afghan Hound was by an English officer station near Kabul, who later brought the Afghan Hound to the UK in 1925. A year later, the Afghan Hound was taken to America where it's beauty and elegance made it one of the most prestigious breeds of domestic Dogin the States.The average litter size of the Afghan Hound is around 7 puppies, which are blind when first born. Afghan Hound Interesting Facts and Features When the Afghan Hound breed was first brought to America, it's naturally independent nature led to it gaining a reputation for being untrustworthy. Today however, many of these traits are not quite as prominent in the breed as they once were. The high hip-bones of this Dog are thought to be one of the main reasons why the Afghan Hound once had a reputation for speed, making them faster at running than most other domestic Dog breeds today. The long topknot on the top of it's head, along with the small ring near the end of it's tail, are two of the most distinctive features of the mature Afghan Hound. They originate from the mountains of Afghanistan and their unique appearance provides theseDogs with vital advantages during the cold winters and hot summers. Although beautiful, this long fur takes daily care and maintenance to ensure that the coat remains healthy.

Afghan Hound Facts

Name: Afghan Hound Origin: Afghanistan Group: Dog Average Size (H): 68cm (27in) Average Weight: 27kg (60lbs) Average Life Span: 14 years Average Litter Size: 7

Type: Hound Colour: Black, White, Brown, Gold Temperament: Alert yet reserved and lively Training: Moderately Easy Distinctive Features: Long fur and pointed muzzle

African Bush ElephantClassification and Evolution The African Bush Elephantis the largest of all living creatures on land today, with some individuals growing to weigh more than 6 tons. The Elephant is thought to have been named after the Greek word for ivory, meaning that Elephants were named for their uniquely long tusks. Although many of the ancestors of the African Bush Elephant became extinct during the last ice-age (including the Woolly Mammoth), there are three distinct species of Elephant remaining today which are the Asian Elephant (of which there are a number of sub-species), the African Bush Elephant and the African Forest Elephant. Although these two Elephant species are very similar, the African Bush Elephant is considered to be generally larger than the African Forest Elephant, which has rounder ears and straighter tusks. African Bush Elephant Anatomy and Appearance The African Bush Elephant is the largest known landmammal on Earth, with male African Bush Elephantsreaching up to 3.5 metres in height and the females being slightly smaller at around 3 metres tall. The body of the African Bush Elephants can also grow to between 6 and 7 meters long. The tusks of an African Bush Elephant can be nearly 2.5 meters in length and generally weigh between 50 and 100 pounds, which is about the same as a small adultHuman. African Bush Elephants have four molar teeth each weighing about 5.0 kg and measuring about 12 inches long. As the front pair of molars in the mouth of the African BushElephant wear down and drop out in pieces, the back pair shift forward and two new molars emerge in the back of the African Bush Elephant's mouth. African Bush Elephantsreplace their teeth six times during their lives but when the African Bush Elephant is between 40 to 60 years

old, it no longer has teeth and will likely die of starvation, which is sadly a common cause of death of Elephants in the African wilderness. African Bush Elephant Distribution and Habitat Although the historical range of it's ancestors ranged right into the Arctic Circle, today the African Bush Elephant is mainly found in central and southern Africa in nomadic herds that wander the plains and grasslands of Africagrazing for food and searching for waterholes. Unlike the slightly smaller African Forest Elephant, the African BushElephant inhabits the grassy savanna plains and shrub-land of the African continent in groups that contain mothers and their calves. Generally African Bush Elephant herds contains around 10 individuals but it is not uncommon for family groups to join together, forming a clan which can contains over 1,000 Elephants. This very social lifestyle means that the African Bush Elephants are less vulnerable on the open African plains. African Bush Elephant Behaviour and Lifestyle Not only is the African Bush Elephant an incredibly sociablemammal but it is also a very active one. African BushElephants are nomadic animals meaning that they are constantly on the move in search of food, so moving within these family herds allows them to have greater protection both from predators and from the elements. The trunk of the African Bush Elephant is one of it's most distinguishing features and this extra long nose is not only flexible enough to gather and handle food but can also collect water. It's trunk, along with it's tusks can also be used to defend itself from predators such as Lions, and to fight with other male African Bush Elephants during the mating season. African Bush Elephants are also considered to be highly intelligent and emotional animals displaying behaviours that include giving and receiving love, caring deeply for the young and grieving for dead relatives. African Bush Elephant Reproduction and Life Cycles African Bush Elephants tend to live relatively long lives, with the average life span being between 60 and 70 years, Female African Bush Elephants reach sexual maturity (are able to reproduce) after 10 or 11 years, but are thought to be most fertile between the ages of 25 and 45. Male African

Bush Elephants however, often don't reach sexual maturity until they are nearly 20 years old. After mating and a gestation period of up to 2 years, the female African BushElephant gives birth to a single calf (twins have been known but are extremely rare). The African Bush Elephant calf is nursed for 2 years but will remain under the guidance and protection of the herd until it is old enough to support itself (around 6 years old). It is at this point that the tusks of the African Bush Elephant calf will be starting to grow. African Bush Elephant Diet and Prey Despite it's immense size, the African Bush Elephant is a herbivorous mammal meaning that it survives on a diet that solely consists of plants and plant matter. The bulk of the African Bush Elephant's diet is comprised of leaves and branches that are stripped off the trees and bushes using it's trunk. The African Bush Elephant also grazes on fruits and grasses and uses it's immense tusks for digging for roots in the ground and to strip the bark of trees. Food is fed into it's mouth using the trunk, and the large, flat teeth of the African Bush Elephant are then the perfect tool for grinding the vegetation and course plants down so that they can then be more easily digested. African Bush Elephant Predators and Threats The African Bush Elephant has no real natural predators to threaten its survival, mainly due to it's sheer size and the fact that African Bush Elephants often remain within the safety of the herd. African Bush Elephants are Africa'speaceful giants and can be seen co-inhabiting the African wilderness with other large mammals and birds, without problem. In the animal world, Lions and Hyenas may occasionally be able to pick off a young African BushElephant that has been separated from it's mother and have also been known to attack adults that are old and sick and therefore more vulnerable. Humans that poach the African Bush Elephants for their ivory tusks are the biggest threat to their survival along with habitat loss across the continent. African Bush Elephant Interesting Facts and Features In the early 19th century, the story of the African BushElephant was very

different with their being up to 5 million individuals thought to have been roaming the African continent. However due to the increased demand for ivory,Africa's Bush Elephant population is thought to have fallen as much as 85% in some areas. The large ears of the African Bush Elephant are said by some to be shaped somewhat likeAfrica, but these large flaps of skin are not just for hearing, they are a vital tool in keeping the Elephant cool in the African heat. Like many of the herbivores found throughoutAfrica, the calves can walk at birth to maximise their chances of survival. An adult African Bush Elephant can drink up to 50 gallons of water every day, and is able to take 1.5 gallons of water into their trunks at at time. African Bush Elephant Relationship with Humans Sadly, due to an increase of outside interest in Africa and its exotic wonders (particularly towards the mid 20th century), the African Bush Elephant population took a devastating decline towards extinction. After having been brutally killed by poachers for years for their ivory, African Bush Elephantshad vanished from much of their native habitat. In 1989 a worldwide elephant ivory hunting ban fell into place, after the populations had dropped so dramatically across the continent. In northern and central parts of Africa, the African Bush Elephant is now rare and confined to protected areas, and although the story is similar in the south, South African Elephant populations are thought to be doing better with an estimated 300,000 individuals in the region. African Bush Elephant Conservation Status and Life Today Today, although recovering, African Bush Elephantpopulations are still threatened from increasing levels of illegal poaching and habitat destruction. Deforestation in the African Bush Elephant's territory means that the African Bush Elephants lose both their food and shelter making them more vulnerable in the wild. Despite the ban, African Bush Elephants are also constantly threatened by poachers hunting the elephants for their ivory tusks.

African Bush Elephant Facts

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Proboscidea Family: Elephantidae Genus: Loxodonta Scientific Name: Loxodonta africana africana Common Name: African Bush Elephant Other Name(s): African Elephant Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 1 Location: central and southern Africa Habitat: Forest, savannah and flood plains Colour: Grey, Brown Skin Type: Leather Size (H): 3m - 3.5m (10ft - 12ft) Weight: 3,600kg - 5,400kg (7,900lbs - 12,000lbs) Top Speed: 40kph (25mph) Diet: Herbivore Prey: Grass, Fruit, Roots Predators: Human, Lion, Hyena Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Herd Life Span: 60 - 70 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 11 - 20 years Gestation Period: 20 - 24 months Average Litter Size: 1 Name Of Young: Calf Age Of Weaning: 6 - 18 months Conservation Status: Threatened Estimated Population Size: 300,000 Biggest Threat: Poaching and habitat loss

Most Distinctive Feature: Large, rounded ears Fun Fact: Can drink up to 50 gallons a day!

African Civet Classification and Evolution The African Civet is a large species of Civet found across sub-Saharan Africa. The African Civet is the only remaining member in it's genetic group and is considered to be the largest Civet-like animal on the African continent. Despite their cat-like appearance and behaviours, the African Civets are not felines at all but are in fact, more closely related to other small carnivores including Weasels and Mongooses. The African Civet is most well known for the musk that it secretes to mark it's territory (called Civetone), which has been used in the manufacturing of perfumes for centuries, and it's striking black and white markings, make the African Civet one of the easiest Civet species to identify. African Civet Anatomy and Appearance One of the African Civet's most distinctive features are the black and white markings on their fur and grey face, which along with the black band around their eyes, gives theseanimals a Raccoon-like appearance. The similarity is only heightened by the fact that the African Civet's hind legs are quite a bit longer than the front legs, making it's stance very different to that of a Mongoose. The average adult African Civet has a body length of around 70cm with nearly the same length tail on top of that. The paws of the African Civet each have five digits with non-retractable claws to enable the Civet to move about in the trees more easily. African Civet Distribution and Habitat The African Civet is found in a variety of habitats on the African continent, with it's range extending from coast to coast in sub-Saharan Africa. African Civets are most commonly found in tropical forests and jungles and areas where there is plenty of dense vegetation to provide both cover and animals that the African Civets feeds on. African Civets are never found in arid regions and always must be in an area which has a good water source. Despite this though, it is not uncommon for African Civets to be found along rivers that lead into the more arid regions. They are capable swimmers and often spend their time hunting and resting in the trees as well as on the ground.

African Civet Behaviour and Lifestyle The African Civet is a solitary animal that only comes out under the cover of night to hunt and catch food. Thesenocturnal animals are primarily treedwelling creatures that spend most of the daylight hours resting in the safety of the trees high above. African Civets tend to be most active just after sunset but tend to hunt in areas that still provide plenty of cover. Despite being generally very solitary creatures, the African Civet has been known to gather in groups of up to 15 members particularly during the mating season. They are also highly territorial animals, marking their boundaries with the scent released by their perineal glands. African Civet Reproduction and Life Cycles The only time when African Civets seem to be seen together is when they are mating. The female African Civet usually gives birth to up to 4 young after a gestation period that lasts for a couple of months. The female African Civet nests in an underground burrow that has been dug by anotheranimal in order to safely raise her young. Unlike many of their carnivorous relatives, Civet babies are usually born quite mobile and with their fur. The babies are nursed by their mother until they are strong enough to fend for themselves. African Civets can live for up to 20 years, although many rarely get to be this old. African Civet Diet and Prey Despite the fact that the African Civet is a carnivorousmammal, it has a very varied diet that consists of bothanimal and plant matter. Small animals such as Rodents,Lizards, Snakes and Frogs make up the majority of the African Civet's diet, along with Insects, berries and fallen fruits that it finds on the forest floor. The African Civet predominantly uses it's teeth and mouth to gather food instead of using it's paws. This method of eating means that the African Civet can use it's 40 sharp teeth effectively to break it's catch down, and the strong jaw of the African Civet makes it harder for it's meal to try and escape. African Civet Predators and Threats Despite being a secretive yet a relatively ferocious predator, the African Civet is actually preyed upon by a number of other predators within their natural

environment. Large predatory Cats are the most common predators of the African Civet including Lions and Leopards along withreptiles such as large Snakes and Crocodiles. African Civet populations are also under threat from both habitat loss and deforestation, and have been subject to trophy hunters in the past, across the continent. One of the biggest threats to the African Civet is the want for their musk. African Civet Interesting Facts and Features The musk secreted by the glands close to the African Civet's reproductive organs has been collected by Humans for hundreds of years. In it's concentrated form, the smell is said to be quite offensive to people, but much more pleasant once diluted. It was this scent that became one of the ingredients in some of the most expensive perfumes in the world (and made the African Civet a well-known African animal). African Civets are known to carry the rabies disease, which is contracted through contact with an already infected animal. The African Civet is also known to use designated areas around it's territory, where it is able to go to the toilet. African Civet Relationship with Humans Each African Civet secretes up to 4g of musk every week, which is normally collected from African Civets in the wild. However, the capturing and keeping of African Civets for their musk is not unknown and is said to be an incredibly cruel industry. Today, few perfumes still contain actual musk from the glands of an African Civet as many scents today are easily reproduced artificially. Although it is a protected yet not an endangered animal, the African Civet populations have also been severely affected by Human hunters, who hunt these little carnivores to simply add their skin to the trophy cabinet. African Civet Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the African Civet is under threat from deforestation and therefore drastic loss of much of it's natural habitat. The main reason for such extensive deforestation in the area is either for logging or to clear the land to make way for palm oil plantations. The African Civet is listed as being Least Concern, which means that there is little threat at the moment that the African Civet will become extinct in the near future.

African Civet Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Viverridae Genus: Civettictis Scientific Name: Civettictis civetta Common Name: African Civet Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 1 Location: across sub-Saharan Africa Habitat: Tropical rainforest Colour: Black, White, Grey, Yellow, Brown, Tan Skin Type: Fur Size (H): 43cm - 71cm (17in - 28in) Weight: 1.4kg - 4.5kg (3lbs - 10lbs) Diet: Omnivore Prey: Rodents, Snakes, Frogs Predators: Lions, Snakes, Leopards Lifestyle: Nocturnal Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 15 - 20 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 11 - 12 months Gestation Period: 60 - 70 days Average Litter Size: 3 Name Of Young: Pup Age Of Weaning: 8 - 10 weeks Conservation Status: Least Concern Estimated Population Size: Abundant

Biggest Threat: Habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Black band around their eyes Fun Fact: Secretes up to 4g of musk every week!

African Clawed FrogClassification and Evolution The African Clawed Frog is a large species of flat Frogthat is primarily found dwelling at the bottom of lakes and rivers. The African Clawed Frog is also known as the Platanna and has a number of very unique features that mean it is specially adapted to it's habitat. The African Clawed Frog is thought to have originated in South Africa, and is today found naturally across the African continent. The African ClawedFrog has also been introduced to the Americas and parts of Europe. African Clawed Frog Anatomy and Appearance The average adult African Clawed Frog grows to about 12 cm in length, and weighs around 200g. The African ClawedFrog is often a greenish, grey colour although other colours of the African Clawed Frog are not uncommon (such as albino). The colour of the African Clawed Frog's skin, along with it's mottled pattern, gives it more camouflage from hungry predators. They have a line of stitch-marks along either side of their bodies which act as sense organs to detect prey in the surrounding water. Their eyes and nose are located on top of the head enabling them to see and breathe but without being too visible. African Clawed Frog Distribution and Habitat The African Clawed Frog is most commonly found in eastern and southern Africa, along the African Rift Valley where they prefer stagnant waters to fast-flowing streams. African Clawed Frogs are bottom-dwelling animals and will only leave the safety of the water if they are forced to migrate. They inhabit warm shallow creeks and rivers during the summer and move into the flooded forests during the rainy season. Due to introduction by Humans, the African ClawedFrog can now be found in numerous freshwater habitatsoutside of Africa where they can be a very invasive species. African Clawed Frog Behaviour and Lifestyle The African Clawed Frog spends its whole life in water, except for poking its head up to the surface from time to time to breathe. The African

Clawed Frog can swim at astonishing speeds sideways, backwards, forwards, up and down, and in all other directions. It is a ferocious predatorand once food has been spotted, the African Clawed Frogthen catches it's prey using it's claws, which shovel it into the African Clawed Frog's mouth. The African Clawed Frog has evolved very successfully as a bottom-dwelling animal, which means that it has greater protection from predatorsand a better choice of food. African Clawed Frog Reproduction and Life Cycles Female African Clawed Frogs are often nearly double the size of the males, and are able to reproduce more than once a year. After mating, the female African Clawed Frog can lay thousands of eggs at a time on an underwater object, which are held together in the water by a jelly-like substance. After hatching, the African Clawed Frog tadpoles begin their life in the water until they grow legs and are able to venture out onto the river banks if need be. The African Clawed Frog is known to have a long lifespan for small aquatic animals, and can live to around 5 to 15 years in the wild. Some adult African Clawed Frogs have been recorded to live to nearly 30 years old in captivity. African Clawed Frog Diet and Prey The African Clawed Frog is a carnivorous animal and an apex predator within it's underwater environment. The African Clawed Frog's main food is Water Bugs and smallFish but the African Clawed Frog is also known to eat it's own skin whenever it is shed. African Clawed Frogs also hunt other small invertebrates such as Insects, Spiders and Worms, which it scoops into it's mouth using it's clawed front feet. African Clawed Frogs in captivity have a much less varied diet which primarily consists of Worms. African Clawed Frog Predators and Threats Due to its small size, the African Clawed Frog has a number of natural predators within its native environment, that occur both in and out of the water. Small mammalsincluding Rodents, Cats and Dogs, and numerous Birds andReptiles, all prey on the African Clawed Frog, but herons are their most common threat. By living on the muddy bottoms of lakes and rivers, the African Clawed Frog can remain safely hidden for much of the time, and only it's eyes and nose appear above the water-line when it surfaces. Although

not as vulnerable as many other amphibians, the African Clawed Frog is also being threatened by water pollution. African Clawed Frog Interesting Facts and Features The African Clawed Frog is named for their unique feet, as their hind feet are webbed but their front legs have clawed toes instead, which are used to help shovel food into their mouths. In the 1940s the African Clawed Frog became the world's first pregnancy test for Humans, which although barbaric, has led to them being found worldwide today. The African Clawed Frog has also been a popular test subject for scientific research for in general. They are known to be highly aggressive animals and particularly ferocious amphibians. African Clawed Frog Relationship with Humans Over the years, Humans have managed to find a number of uses for the African Clawed Frog in our day to day lives. The most notable (and probably cruellest) of these practises was the use of the African Clawed Frog females as a type of pregnancy test. The hormone produced by Human babies (passed on through the mother's urine) known as HCG, induces ovulation in the female African Clawed Frog.Humans also use them in laboratories worldwide for research and teaching. Habitat loss and water pollution caused by people nearby is also having a drastic effect on African Clawed Frog populations. African Clawed Frog Conservation Status and Life Today Although the African Clawed Frog has been classified as being at Least Concern from imminent extinction, population numbers have fallen in certain areas due to deteriorating water quality. Elsewhere, African Clawed Frogpopulations around the world have often become non-native pests to the local plants and wildlife.

African Clawed Frog Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura

Family: Pipidae Genus: Xenopus Scientific Name: Xenopus laevis Common Name: African Clawed Frog Other Name(s): Platanna Group: Amphibian Number Of Species: 1 Location: eastern and southern Africa Habitat: Warm stagnant water with grassland Colour: Brown, Grey, Albino Skin Type: Permeable Scales Size (L): 2.5cm - 12cm (1in - 5in) Weight: 25g - 220g (1oz - 8oz) Top Speed: 8km/h (5mph) Diet: Carnivore Prey: Small Fish, Insects, Spiders Predators: Snakes, Birds, Small Mammals Lifestyle: Nocturnal Group Behaviour: Solitary Water Type: Fresh Life Span: 8 - 15 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 10 - 12 months Incubation Period: 4 - 5 days Average Spawn Size: 2,000 Name Of Young: Tadpole Age Of Independance: 5 days Conservation Status: Least Concern Estimated Population Size: Abundant Biggest Threat: Water pollution Most Distinctive Feature: Clawed front toes Fun Fact: A particularly ferocious amphibian!

African Forest ElephantClassification and Evolution The African ForestElephant is one of twoElephant subspecies found on the African continent. Although the African Forest Elephant is slightly smaller than the African BushElephant, it is still one of the largest animals found on land today. Although these two Elephant species are very similar, the African Forest Elephant is thought to have rounder ears and straighter tusks than the African Bush Elephant, and it has been also noted that the African Bush Elephant and the African Forest Elephant have a different number of toe nails. Until recently though, they were considered to be the same species. African Forest Elephant Anatomy and Appearance The African Forest Elephant is the one of the largest known land mammals on Earth, with male African Forest Elephantsreaching nearly 3 metres in height and the female African Forest Elephants around 2.5 metres. The tusks of an African Forest Elephant can grow to nearly 1.5 meters long and generally weigh between 50 and 100 pounds, which is about the same as a small adult Human. They are thinner, straighter and shorter than the tusks of the African BushElephant. African Forest Elephants have four molar teeth each weighing about 5.0 kg and measuring about 12 inches long. They have large rounded ears which are used both for hearing and to keep them cool. African Forest Elephant Distribution and Habitat The African Forest Elephant mainly lives in central and southern Africa in nomadic herds that wander through the forests and grasslands of Africa grazing for food and searching for waterholes. They are most commonly founds in the tropical dense jungles, where their smaller size allows them to move through the thick vegetation more easily than the larger African Bush Elephant. African Forest Elephantsare threatened throughout much of their natural habitattoday mainly due to deforestation and climate change and have been pushed into smaller and smaller pockets of their native lands. African Forest Elephant Behaviour and Lifestyle The African Forest Elephant mainly uses it's immense tusks for digging for roots in the ground and to strip the bark off trees. The African

Forest Elephant also uses it's tusks to defend itself from predators such as Lions, and to fight with other male African Forest Elephants during the mating season. Males are generally fairly solitary but females and their young form small family groups known as herds. This allows the more vulnerable offspring to be more easily protected. African Forest Elephants communicate through a series of low-frequency calls which they are able to detect from a few kilometres away. African Forest Elephant Reproduction and Life Cycles Female African Forest Elephants reach sexual maturity (are able to reproduce) after 10 or 11 years, and male African Forest Elephants often don't reach sexual maturity until they are nearly 20 years old. After a gestation period of up to 2 years, the female African Forest Elephant gives birth to a single calf (twins have been known but are extremely rare). The African Forest Elephant calf is nursed for 2 years and will remain with the herd until it is old enough to support itself. It is at this point that the tusks of the African ForestElephant calf will be starting to grow. African Forest Elephant Diet and Prey The African Forest Elephant is a herbivorous animalmeaning that it only eats plants and other vegetation. They predominantly eat leaves and fruit from trees, herbs and low-lying shrubs. However, the front pair of molars in the mouth of the African Forest Elephant wear down and drop out in pieces, making the back pair shift forward and two new molars emerge in the back of the African ForestElephant's mouth. African Forest Elephants replace their teeth six times during their lives but when the African ForestElephant is about 40 to 60 years old, the African ForestElephant no longer has teeth and will likely die of starvation, which is sadly a common cause of death in the African wilderness. African Forest Elephant Predators and Threats The African Forest Elephant has no real natural predators to threaten its survival, mainly due to the African forestelephant's sheer size. However, it is not uncommon for largecarnivores such as Lions and Hyenas to pick out a calf that has strayed from the herd or an adult that is more vulnerable from ill health or old age. African ForestElephants are fairly docile animals and can be

seen co-inhabiting in the African wilderness with other largemammals and birds, relatively peacefully. Deforestation and therefore loss of it's natural habitat is one of the biggest threats to the African Forest Elephant, along with poaching. African Forest Elephant Interesting Facts and Features The tusks of the African Forest Elephant are pretty straight instead of curved to help them move through the thick jungle with greater ease. This, along with their pinkish tinge, has made the ivory of the African Forest Elephant's tusks in high demand on the black market. Despite African ForestElephants being able to communicate with one another through a couple of miles of dense jungle, the sound they make is so low that it cannot be heard by Humans. They are an essential tool in the spreading of seeds throughoutAfrica's forests and are therefore vital to the running of their native eco-systems. African Forest Elephant Relationship with Humans Sadly, due to an increase of outside interest in Africa and it's exotic wonders, the African Forest Elephant population took a devastating decline towards extinction. In 1989 a worldwide Elephant ivory hunting ban fell into place, meaning that the African Forest Elephant population has fortunately begun to recover. In 1980, there were an estimated 380,000 African Forest Elephants but due to growing Human populations in their native countries, numbers have fallen to 200,000. Deforestation of theirhabitats and the illegal poaching of the African ForestElephant for their ivory are also to blame for their recent demise. African Forest Elephant Conservation Status and Life Today Today, although slightly recovering in certain areas, African Forest Elephant populations are still threatened from increasing levels of illegal poaching and habitat destruction. Deforestation in the African Forest Elephant's territory means that the African Forest Elephants lose both their food and shelter making them more vulnerable in the wild. African Forest Elephants are also constantly threatened by poachers hunting the Elephants for their ivory tusks. They are now listed as an Endangered species.

African Forest Elephant Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Proboscidea Family: Elephantidae Genus: Loxodonta Scientific Name: Loxodonta cyclotis Common Name: African Forest Elephant Other Name(s): African Elephant Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 1 Location: central and southern Africa Habitat: Forest, savannah and flood plains Colour: Grey, Brown Skin Type: Leather Size (H): 2m - 3m (6.6ft - 9.8ft) Weight: 900kg - 3,000kg (1,984lbs - 6,613lbs) Top Speed: 39km/h (24mph) Diet: Herbivore Prey: Grass, Fruit, Roots Predators: Human, Lion, Hyena Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Herd Life Span: 60 - 70 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 11 - 20 years Gestation Period: 22 - 24 months Average Litter Size: 1 Name Of Young: Calf Age Of Weaning: 5 years

Conservation Status: Endangered Estimated Population Size: 200,000 Biggest Threat: Poaching and habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Rounded ears and thin, straight tusks Fun Fact: The largest known mammal on land!

African Palm Civet Classification and Evolution The African Palm Civet (also commonly known as the Two-Spotted Palm Civet) is a species of Civet natively found in the tropical jungles of eastern and central Africa. Unlike the other Civet species which are all very closely related to one another, the African Palm Civet is in a genetic group of it's own, making it the most distinctive among the Civet species. The African Palm Civet is widespread throughout a number of habitats with an abundance in numbers in certain areas. The African Palm Civet is a great opportunist and is thought to be the most common forest-dwelling small carnivore in all of Africa. African Palm Civet Anatomy and Appearance Despite their Cat-like appearance and behaviours, the African Palm Civet is not a feline at all but are in fact more closely related to other small carnivores including Genets,Weasels and Mongooses. One of the African Palm Civets most distinctive features are their brown to light-tan to yellow coloured thick fur, which is mottled with a series of darker brown spots. The fur is darker on the top half of it's body and allows the civet to be more easily camouflaged amongst the trees. The muzzle of the African Palm Civet is sharply pointed as with other Civet species, and it has strong and muscular yet relatively short limbs. They have small, rounded ears and yellow-green eyes with slit shaped pupils. African Palm Civet Distribution and Habitat The African Palm Civet is found inhabiting the tropical jungles and forest across much of eastern African and is even found parts of central and western Africa, where it's native habitats still exist. Today it's range extends from southern Sudan to Guinea, throughout Angola and into eastern Zimbabwe. African Palm Civets have proved to be extremely adaptable animals and are found in a wide variety of habitats from deciduous forests and lowlandrainforests, to river and savanna woodlands. The African Palm Civet however is being threatened in

much of it's natural range due to deforestation causing destruction to or total loss of many of their historical regions. African Palm Civet Behaviour and Lifestyle The African Palm Civet is a solitary animal that leads a crepuscular lifestyle, meaning that it only emerges for a few hours at dawn and dusk in order to hunt for food. They are primarily tree-dwelling creatures that spend most of the day and night hours resting in the safety and shelter of the trees. Despite being generally very solitary creatures, the African Palm Civet has been known to gather in groups of up to 15 members when food is in abundance. African Palm Civets have two sets of scent glands that secret strong-smelling substances. Found between the third and forth toes on each foot, and on the lower part of their abdomen, these glandular secretions are primarily for marking territories and are involved in mating. African Palm Civet Reproduction and Life Cycles African Palm Civets are able to breed twice a year in May and October during the rainy seasons, when there is more food available. The female African Palm Civet usually gives birth to up to 4 young after a gestation period that lasts for a couple of months. The babies are weaned by their mother until they are strong enough to fend for themselves when they are usually around 60 days old. The female's mammary glands produce a orange-yellow liquid which stains both her tummy and the babies fur the same colour. This is thought to discourage males that are either looking for a mate or who want to harm her young. African Palm Civets can live for up to 15 years, although few rarely get to be this old in the wild. African Palm Civet Diet and Prey The African Palm Civet is an omnivorous animal, and like other species of Civet, it survives on a diet comprised of both plants and other animals. Despite this, pineapples and other fruits make up the majority of it's diet. Smallanimals such as Rodents, Lizards, Birds and Frogs are also hunted by the African Palm Civet, along with insects. African Palm Civets feed by holding their prey in their hands and bite it powerfully a number of times to kill it, before then swallowing it whole. The long, sturdy tail is thought to be used as a brace when the Civet is

balancing only on it's hind legs, and along with the thick-skinned pads on the bottom of it's feet, stabilises the African Palm Civet on the branch while its eating. African Palm Civet Predators and Threats Despite being a secretive yet relatively ferocious predator, the African Palm Civet is actually preyed upon by a number of predators within their natural environment. Although they do spend most of their lives in the trees, African Palm Civets come down to the ground to look for food fairly often, and will even venture outside of the forest if prey is in short supply. Large predatory Cats are the most common predators of the African Palm Civet includingLions, and Leopards that are able to hunt the Civet in the trees. Reptiles such as large Snakes and Crocodiles also hunt the African Palm Civet if given the chance. One of the biggest threats to the African Palm Civet today though is the loss of much of it's natural habitat, mainly due to deforestation. African Palm Civet Interesting Facts and Features The musk secreted by the glands close to the African Palm Civet's reproductive organs has been collected by Humansfor hundreds of years. In it's concentrated form, the smell is said to be quite offensive to people, but much more pleasant once diluted. It was this scent that became one of the ingredients in some of the most expensive perfumes in the world. African Palm Civet females are known to produce milk from the exact number of teats as they have young, to ensure that each of their offspring has enough milk to drink and individuals are not so easily excluded during feeding time. Although it is not so common today, African Palm Civets were once commonly hunted as bushmeat in certain parts of the continent. African Palm Civet Relationship with Humans Farmers that live in the native habitats of the African Palm Civet view these animals very much as pests, as they are commonly known to raid poultry coops in order to get an easy meal. They are extremely persistent and abundantcarnivores, which added to their secretiveness, has meant that they have caused great damage to livestock numbers in the past. Humans though

have been a bigger threat to the African Palm Civet for years as they were hunted and trapped for their meat, scent and thick fur coat which is used to make traditional ceremonial garments. The destruction of the African Palm Civet's natural environment by people is thought to be the biggest threat to the species today. African Palm Civet Conservation Status and Life Today The African Palm Civet has been listed as an animal that is at lower risk and therefore of Least Concern of becoming extinct in the wild in the immediate future. They are known to be widely distributed, found in a variety of habitats and population numbers are also in abundance in certain areas. Today, the African Palm Civet is under threat from deforestation and has been subjected to the drastic loss of much of its natural habitat. The main reason for such extensive deforestation in these areas is either for logging or to clear the land to make way for palm oil plantations.

African Palm Civet Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Nandiniidae Genus: Nandinia Scientific Name: Nandinia binotata Common Name: African Palm Civet Other Name(s): Two-Spotted Palm Civet Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 1 Location: eastern Africa Habitat: Tropical rainforest Colour: Black, White, Grey, Yellow, Brown, Tan Skin Type: Fur Size (H): 43cm - 71cm (17in - 28in)

Weight: 1.4kg - 4.5kg (3lbs - 10lbs) Diet: Omnivore Prey: Rodents, Snakes, Frogs Predators: Lions, Snakes, Leopards Lifestyle: Crepuscular Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 15 - 20 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 2 - 3 years Gestation Period: 64 days Average Litter Size: 2 Name Of Young: Pup Age Of Weaning: 2 months Conservation Status: Least Concern Estimated Population Size: Locally abundant Biggest Threat: Habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Snout with sharp, pointed teeth Fun Fact: Solitary but gathers in groups!

African Penguin Classification and Evolution The African Penguin is a small to medium sized Penguin species that is found along the coast of South Africa and on a number of it's surrounding islands. The African Penguin is thought to be most closely related to the Humboldt and Magellanic Penguinsfound in southern South America, and the Galapagos Penguinfound in the Pacific Ocean near the Equator. The African Penguin was named for the fact that it is the only species of Penguin that is found breeding on the African Coast, and it is believed to be one of the first Penguin species to be discovered by humans. African Penguin Anatomy and Appearance The African Penguin is a fairly distinctive species of penguin with clean black and white markings and a sharply pointed black beak. The

African Penguin also has black feet and a number of dot-like markings flecked across it's white chest which are said to be as unique to the individual Penguin as a Human finger print is, along with a narrow black band. The male African Penguin is generally slightly larger than their female counterparts but both are fairly similar in appearance. One of the African Penguin's most distinctive features is that they have pink glands above their eyes which help them to cope with the temperate climates. The hotter the African Penguin gets, the more blood is sent to these glands so it may be cooled by the surrounding air, which in turn, makes these glands more pink. African Penguin Distribution and Habitat The African Penguin is found on the south-western coast of Africa, living in 27 colonies on 24islands between Namibia and Algoa Bay, near Port Elizabeth, South Africa, with the largest colony found on Dyer Island, near Kleinbaai. African Penguins are most densely distributed around the cold, nutrient rich waters of the Benguela Current where there is a plentiful supply of food. Although they spend much of their time at sea, African Penguins gather in nesting sites on rocky islands where they spend their days in sheltered burrows to avoid the hot sun. They are one of the only Penguin species to be found in non-freezing conditions and cope with this by burrowing, emerging at dusk and dawn, and using the pink glands above their eyes to cool the blood down. African Penguin Behaviour and Lifestyle Like many other Penguin species, African Penguins are incredibly sociable birds, with adults forming pair bonds that last for life (as long as 10 years). African Penguins can often be seen grooming one another, which is not only practical for cleaning purposes, but also for removing parasites and even just rearranging feathers, constantly

strengthening the social bond between the pair. Their courtship displays are often very noisy as the male and femalePenguin call to each other using a series of donkey-like sounds. African Penguins are also known to submit to a spot of bathing only a few meters from the shore, which they are thought to do quite regularly to both clean and to cool themselves down in the heat. African Penguin Reproduction and Life Cycles African Penguins begin to breed at the average age of four, when a male and female will pair up, and tend to breed together for the rest of their lives. The female African Penguin either digs herself a burrow or finds a dip beneath a rock or bush, in which she lays two eggs. The eggs are incubated by both parents for up to 40 days, when only one of the eggs will usually hatch. The African Penguin chicks are fed and kept warm by their parents constantly until they are a month old when they begin to be left on their own, forming crches with other chicks for protection from predators. They tend to remain with their parents until they are between 3 and 5 months old, when they will leave the colony (this is dependant though on the supply and quality of food in the area). The chicks return to the colony after a couple of years to moult into their adult plumage. African Penguins generally live for between 10 and 15 years. African Penguin Diet and Prey The African Penguin is a carnivorous animal that, like all other Penguin species, survives on adiet that is only comprised of marine organisms. Shoaling fish including Anchovies, Sardines,Horse Mackerel and Round Herrings make up the bulk of the African Penguin's diet, along with the occasional Squid or Crustacean when normal food is in short supply. The streamlined body of the African Penguin allows it to move through the water like a rocket,

capable of reaching a top speed of around 20 kph when hunting for food. African Penguins catch theirprey by diving into the ocean depths for around 2 minutes at a time. Although they normally go to depths of around 30 meters, it is not uncommon for them to be found hunting more than 100 meters beneath the water's surface. African Penguin Predators and Threats The African Penguin's smaller size means that it has many predators both in the water and also on dry land. Their marine predators are primarily Sharks and Cape Fur Seals, but the biggest threat to them on land is not just to the adult Penguins, but more the vulnerable eggs and chicks. Kelp Gulls and Scared Ibises prey on them from the air and Mongooses,Snakes, and Leopards have been observed hunting them on ground. The African Penguin has also been severely affected by Human activity in their native regions, with populations thought to have taken a drastic decline, mainly due to the exploitation of their eggs for food when they were first discovered. They are also severely affected by the disruption of their natural habitats. African Penguin Interesting Facts and Features Penguins have more feathers than any other bird, which act as a waterproof layer keeping their skin dry. African Penguins moult once a year which they do back in their colonies. The whole process lasts for about 20 days, in which time, the African Penguins cannot swim or eat, and can lose almost half of their body weight. African Penguins are known to spend long periods of time fishing out at sea, and depending on the area, can travel between 30 and 110 km in one trip. However, those African Penguins who have chicks to feed, will rarely go that far, catching food closer to the shore, and as quickly as possible. The

African Penguin is also known as the Jackass penguin, due to the donkey-like call that they make during their courtship rituals. African Penguin Relationship with Humans It is widely believed that African Penguins were one of the first Penguin species to come into contact with Humans, due to the fact that they are found on the temperate South African coast rather than in the heart of Antarctica. This however, does not seem to have worked to the bird's advantage as their eggs were stolen for food (slowing the rate of reproduction), and the guano used in nest building was harvested for fertiliser. Today, other threats face the African Penguin including competition for food from commercial fishing and oil pollution in the water. Only a small handful of nesting sites can be accessed by tourists, but the Penguin'snervous nature of people means that these areas have to be strictly monitored. African Penguin Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the African Penguin is considered to be a vulnerable animal and has been listed as being Endangered by the IUCN. It is thought that today's African Penguin population of around 70,000 breeding pairs, is less than 10% of the population that existed in 1900. By the 1950s, the African Penguin population had halved, and it had then halved again by 1980. There is an approximate 2% decline in the African Penguin population every year, mainly due to theHuman consumption of their eggs, competition for food and habitat disruption.

African Penguin Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves

Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae Genus: Spheniscus Scientific Name: Spheniscus demersus Common Name: African Penguin Other Name(s): Jackass Penguin Group: Bird Number Of Species: 1 Location: south-west African coast Habitat: Rocky Ocean Islands Colour: Black, White, Grey Skin Type: Feathers Size (H): 60cm - 68cm (24in - 27in) Weight: 2kg - 5kg (4.4lbs - 11lbs) Top Speed: 20kph (12.4mph) Diet: Carnivore Prey: Fish, Squid, Crustaceans Predators: Sharks, Fur Seals, Gulls Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Colony Water Type: Salt Life Span: 10 - 15 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 3 - 4 years Incubation Period: 40 days Average Clutch Size: 2 Name Of Young: Chick Age Of Fledging: 3 - 5 months Conservation Status: Endangered Estimated Population Size: 140,000 Biggest Threat: Habitat disruption Most Distinctive Feature: Pink glands above their eyes

Fun Fact: The only penguin species in Africa!

African Tree Toad Classification and Evolution The African Tree Toad is a small species of Toad found in the forests of Central Africa. Today, little is still known about this tiny amphibian and the constantly decreasing population numbers of the African Tree Toad are making it increasingly difficult for us to learn more about them. There are two known subspecies of the African Tree Toad, which are the African Tree Toad and the Bates' Tree Toad. Both African Tree Toad species are of similar size and colour but tend to differ in the geographical regions they inhabit. African Tree Toad Anatomy and Appearance The African Tree Toad is generally dark to light brown in colour, with white patches on it's belly and like other Toad species, the African Tree Toad has specially designed feet which aid it's semi-aquatic and tree climbing lifestyle. The African Tree Toad is a terrestrial animal and uses it' s toes to also help it to hop about on the ground. The toes of the African Tree Toad are long and thin, with sticky, round discs on the tips. These widely spread digits enable this Toad to grip onto a larger surface area. The tiny striped body of the African Tree Toad grows up 3.8cm in length making these animals particularly hard to spot amongst the debris on the forest floor. African Tree Toad Distribution and Habitat The African Tree Toad is said to be distributed across it's natural Central African range in countries such as Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Nigeria. Despite this though, there are very few records of this elusive amphibian meaning that much of it's distribution (and indeed population size) is simply presumed. The natural habitat of the African Tree Toad is subtropical or tropical moist, lowland forests and heavily degraded

former forest, where there is a plentiful water supply. Today however, the African Tree Toad is generally restricted to taller forests. African Tree Toad Behaviour and Lifestyle Like other Toads, the African Tree Toad is a semi-aquatic animal, although it is most commonly found in water when the female is laying her eggs. In a similar way to other tropical Toads, the African Tree Toad spends much of it's life walking, hopping or running about on the ground where it is able to find plenty of food and water. When darkness falls however, the African Tree Toad retreats high into the surrounding vegetation to remain safe during the night from grounddwelling predators. The colour and markings of their skin, gives the African Tree Toad camouflage amongst the surrounding forest, again giving it extra defence from hungry predators. African Tree Toad Reproduction and Life Cycles Little is really known about the reproduction of the African Tree Toad besides the fact that female African Tree Toads are known to lay up to 200 sticky eggs in small bodies of water found in hollow tree cavities. These spawning sites are then guarded by the male African Tree Toad until the tiny eggs hatch into tadpoles. It is unknown what the tadpoles feed on, but once developed, they hop out of their watery nest in the tree and begin hunting for food in the forest. African Tree Toads in captivity usually live until they are three or four years old but nothing is known about their lifespan in the wild. African Tree Toad Diet and Prey The African Tree Toad is a carnivorous amphibian that shoots it's long, sticky tongue out of it's mouth at incredible speeds to catch and secure it's prey. This also helps the Toad to hold onto it's catch whilst it is trying to eat it. The African Tree Toad primarily hunts smallinvertebrates including Insects, Worms and Spiders that scuttle

amongst the debris on the forest floor. In a similar way to other Toad species, it is thought that the African Tree Toad sits in silence, waiting for lunch to pass by, before catching it with lighting speed. African Tree Toad Predators and Threats Due to its small size, the African Tree Toad is believed to have numerous predators within it's warm and wet, woodland environment. Fish, Birds, Lizards, Snakes, rodents and other, larger amphibians like Frogs and Toads are all thought to be common predators of the African Tree Toad. The largest assumed threat to the African Tree Toad is habitat loss in the form of deforestation and, to a lesser extent, both air and water pollution in their natural habitats. Little is known however about the direct affects of habitat loss on the species as a whole. African Tree Toad Interesting Facts and Features Very little is known about the African Tree Toad, as only a handful of records exist throughout it's very limited range, and there are in fact no records that confirm it's existence through much of it's so-called natural habitat. It is simply just assumed that the African Tree Toad exists in these areas. African Tree Toad Relationship with Humans Although having been studied on a small scale by people, relatively little is still known about this tiny Toad. They have however been known to be involved in the exotic pet trade. The small size of the African Tree Toad makes them very hard to spot in their native habitatsmeaning that the affect of Human activity on the Toads in these areas is still unknown. Deforestation through much of their natural range, along with growing industry causing rising levels of pollution, are thought to be causing the African Tree Toad population to decline.

African Tree Toad Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the African tree toad is rarely seen in the African forests but it has been classified as a species that is of Least Concern of becoming extinct in the near future. This is however, based on their presumably wide distribution throughout Central Africa, despite the fact that they are only known to actually exist in a handful of these areas. It is widely assumed that the African Tree Toad populations are in decline.

African Tree Toad Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Bufonidae Genus: Nectophryne Scientific Name: Nectophryne afra Type: Amphibian Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 2.5cm - 3.8cm (1in - 1.5in) Weight: 2g - 5g (0.07oz - 0.18oz) Top Speed: 8km/h (5mph) Life Span: 3 - 5 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Brown, Black, White, Tan Skin Type: Permeable Location: Central Africa Habitat: Tropical lowland forest Average Spawn Size: 100 Prey: Insects, Worms, Snails Predators: Fish, Toads, Birds

Distinctive Features: Small body size and webbed feet

African Wild Dog Classification and Evolution The African Wild Dog (also known as the Painted Dog and the Cape Hunting Dog) is a medium sized species of canine found across subSaharan Africa. The African Wild Dog is most easily identified from both domestic and other wild Dogs by their brightly mottled fur, with it's name in Latin aptly meaningpainted wolf. The African Wild Dog is said to be the most sociable of all the canines, living in packs of around 30 individuals. Sadly however, this highly intelligent and sociable animal is severely under threat in much of it's natural habitat, primarily due to habitat loss and having been hunted by Humans. African Wild Dog Anatomy and Appearance The most distinctive feature of the African Wild Dog is it's beautifully mottled fur which makes this canine very easy to identify. The fur of the African Wild Dog is red, black, white, brown and yellow in colour with the random pattern of colours being unique to each individual. It is also thought to act as a type of camouflage, helping the African Wild Dog to blend into it's surroundings. The African Wild Dog also has large ears, a long muzzle and long legs, with four toes on each foot. This is one of the biggest differences between the African Wild Dog and other canine species as they have five. They also have a large stomach and a long, large intestine which aids them in more effectively absorbing moisture from their food. African Wild Dog Distribution and Habitat African Wild Dogs are found naturally roaming the deserts, openplains and arid savanna of sub-Saharan Africa where the range of the African Wild Dog has decreased rapidly. It is thought that the African Wild Dog was once found in nearly 40 different African countries but that number is much lower today, at between 10 and 25. Now most

African Wild Dogpopulations are primarily restricted to National Parks across southern Africa, with the highest populations found in Botswana and Zimbabwe. African Wild Dogs require large territories to support the pack, with pack sizes having in fact dropped in number with their decreasing home-ranges. African Wild Dog Behaviour and Lifestyle African Wild Dogs are highly sociable animals that gather in packs of generally between 10 and 30 individuals. There is a strict ranking system within the pack, led by the dominant breeding pair. They are the world's most sociable Dogs and do everything as a group, from hunting for and sharing food, to helping sick members and assisting in raising young. African Wild Dogs communicate between one another through touch, movement and sound. Pack members are incredibly close, gathering together before a hunt to nose and lick each other, whilst wagging their tails and making high-pitched noises. African Wild Dogs lead a crepuscular lifestyle meaning that they are most active during dawn and dusk. African Wild Dog Reproduction and Life Cycles In African Wild Dog packs, there is usually only one breeding pair, which are the dominant male and female members. After a gestation period of around 70 days, the female African WildDog gives birth to between 2 and 20 pups in a den, which she remains in with her young for the first few weeks, relying on the other pack members to provide her with food. The African Wild Dog cubs leave the den at between 2 and 3 months old and are fed and cared for by the entire pack until they are old enough to become independent and generally leave to join or start another African Wild Dog pack. It is thought that the more looked after the pups are, the higher their chances of survival.

African Wild Dog Diet and Prey The African Wild Dog is a carnivorous and opportunistic predator, hunting larger animals on the African plains in their big groups. African Wild Dogs primarily prey on large mammalssuch as Warthogs and numerous species of Antelope, supplementing their diet with Rodents,Lizards, Birds and Insects. They are even known to hunt much larger herbivores that have been made vulnerable through sickness or injury, such as Wildebeest. Although the African Wild Dog's prey is often much faster, the chase can last for miles, and it is this Dog's stamina and perseverance that makes them so successful, along with their ability to maintain their speed. Hunting as a pack also means that the African Wild Dogs can easily corner their prey. African Wild Dog Predators and Threats Due to the relatively large size and dominant nature of the African Wild Dog and their pack, they have few natural predators within their native habitats. Lions and Hyenas have been known on occasion, to prey on African Wild Dog individuals that have been separated from the rest of the group. One of the biggest threats to the African Wild Dog are farmers that hunt and kill the African Wild Dog in fear that they are preying on their livestock. A drastic decline in their natural habitats has also pushed the remaining African Wild Dog populations into small pockets of their native regions, and they are now most commonly found within National Parks. African Wild Dog Interesting Facts and Features The long large intestine of the African Wild Dog means that they have a very efficient system for absorbing as much moisture from their food as possible. This gives these canines an advantage in such arid climates as they do not need to find such a regular supply of water.

African Wild Dogs are therefore able to go for long periods of time without needing to drink. Unlike many other carnivores, African Wild Dogs kill their prey by starting to bite it when it is still alive. Although this may sound cruel, the animal actually dies more quickly and less painfully than if it was killed in the generally preferred way. African Wild Dog Relationship with Humans African Wild Dog populations have been declining rapidly across the southern African countries mainly due to loss of much of their natural habitat and the fact that they are commonly hunted by farmers in particular. The slightly savage nature of the African Wild Doghas led to a great deal of superstition regarding it, with locals having almost wiped out entire populations in certain areas. The loss of their historical ranges generally due to growingHuman settlements has also led to drastic declines in populations throughout much of their environment. Although the majority of the African Wild Dog population is today confined to National Parks, they tend to require much larger territories and come into conflict withHumans when they leave these protected areas. African Wild Dog Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the African Wild Dog is listed as an Endangered species as African Wild Dog population numbers have been rapidly declining, particularly in recent years. There are thought to be less than 5,000 individuals left roaming sub-Saharan Africa today, with numbers still declining. Hunting, habitat loss and the fact that they are particularly vulnerable to the spread of disease by livestock, are the main causes for the continent's African Wild Dog loss.

African Wild Dog Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Lycaon Scientific Name: Lycaon pictus Common Name: African Wild Dog Other Name(s): Hunting Dog, Painted Dog, Painted Wolf Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 1 Location: sub-Saharan Africa Habitat: Open plains and savanna Colour: Grey, Black, White, Brown, Tan, Gold, Red Skin Type: Fur Size (L): 75cm - 110cm (29in - 43in) Weight: 17kg - 36kg (39lbs - 79lbs) Top Speed: 72kph (45mph) Diet: Carnivore Prey: Antelope, Warthog, Rodents Predators: Lions, Hyenas, Humans Lifestyle: Crepuscular Group Behaviour: Pack Life Span: 10 - 13 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 12 - 18 months Gestation Period: 70 days Average Litter Size: 8 Name Of Young: Pup Age Of Weaning: 3 months

Conservation Status: Endangered Estimated Population Size: Less than 5,000 Biggest Threat: Habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Four toes on each foot rather than five Fun Fact: Also known as the painted dog!

Ainu Dog History and Domestication The Ainu dog is thought to be one of the oldest breeds of dog in the world, first bred by the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido, to hunt Salmon, Deer and Bears. Despite being hunter-gatherers that survived in freezing conditions, the Ainu are thought to have kept Dogs from the very beginning and respected them in nearly the same way as other Humans. The Ainu Dog is thought to have descended from medium-sized Dogs that arrived on the island with migrants from the main island around 3,000 years ago. Today, despite it's strong links to the Ainu people, it is more commonly referred to as the Hokkaido-Ken by the native Japanese people. Although the characteristics of the Ainu dog are thought to have changed a little over the years due to cross-breeding, this breed is said to still have a very wild streak. Ainu Dog Physical Characteristics The Ainu Dog is a medium sized canine that is well known for it's strength and power. Generally the double coat of thick fur used to keep the Dog warm, is light in colour, with white, grey and fawn being especially common. They are known to have a fearsome expression, due to their small dark, brown eyes, a broad head and a pointed muzzle that is tipped with a black nose. The ears of the Ainu Dog are small and sharply pointed making this breed appear even more alert. The tongue of the Ainu Dog is commonly covered in black spots which is said to suggest a relation to the Chow Chow, a smaller species of domestic Dogthat is natively found in neighbouring China.

Ainu Dog Behaviour and Temperament The Ainu Dog breed is a naturally wild and powerful Dog, making this breed an excellent guard Dog, They are also suspicious and alert and incredibly courageous when needing to protect their owner. The Ainu Dog is well known for it's faithfulness, bravery, and the ability to withstand the cold, among it's other desirable traits. It has an innate sense of direction and can therefore return to it's master no matter how great the distance it has travelled alone. The Ainu Dog is also known to howl, making a similar sound to that of a Wolf, when it believes it has done good by it's keeper. They are incredibly active Dogs and are known to not be suitable for apartment living or in households that contain other animals or young children. Ainu Dog Breeding The Ainu Dog was originally bred by the indigenous hunter-gathers to both help them to catch food, but also to protect them from large animals. Since then, the breed has changed slightly from these original Dogs, due to cross-breeding with similar domestic breeds throughout the Far East. Despite it's long history as a working breed, the Ainu Dog ideally now combines the roles of family pet and hunter. Today, Ainu Dogs are most commonly kept for hunting or as guard Dogs due to their alert and incredibly bold nature. On average, the female has around 7 puppies per litter which, like many other canines, are born both blind and with hardly any fur. Within their first month however, the Ainu Dog puppies will be up on their feet and begin to grow fast. The Ainu Dog can live to be 14 years old and is known to have relatively few genetic health issues. Ainu Dog Interesting Facts and Features The Ainu Dog has made a name for itself through it's courage nature, known to actually take on very large Bears, a number of times their

size, in order to protect their owner. Today, although they can be found in households in parts of Europe and America, the Ainu Dog is most commonly found in Japan, where it remains to be considered a cherished national breed by the Japanese people. The Ainu Dog was officially named the Hokkaido-Ken in 1937, despite it's rich history with the Ainu people.

Ainu Dog Facts

Name: Ainu Dog Origin: Japan Group: Dog Average Size (H): 50cm (20in) Average Weight: 30kg (65lbs) Average Life Span: 12 years Average Litter Size: 7 Type: Working Colour: Grey, Tan, Brown, White Temperament: Fearless, determined and loyal Training: Hard Distinctive Features: Sharply pointed ears and upturned tail

Airedale Terrier History and Domestication Unlike a number of species of other domestic Dog, the origins of the Airedale Terrier are well known. This breed was created 150 years ago by working class farmers in a valley in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Cross-bred from a Welsh Terrier and an OtterHound, the Airedale Terrier quickly became the Terrier of choice and was officially recognised in 1886. The Airedale Terrier is the largest of all Terrier breeds and was originally bred as a hunter of small animals, particularly rats. Although the large size of the Airedale Terrier meant that it cannot actually go underground, they were very efficient at

catching the rats once they had surfaced. The Airedale Terrier has many desirable traits, including being very intelligent meaning that they have also been used as messengers and police Dogs. Airedale Terrier Physical Characteristics The Airedale Terrier has a large square body which is only emphasised by it's incredibly straight front legs and a deep, wide chest. It's long head and muzzle are both broad and flat, and it has small pointed ears which are almost always folded down. The stiff, slightly curved tail of the Airedale Terrier is usually docked and tends to most commonly be black in colour. The majority of this breed's stocky body is tan in colour (including it's ears), with black and sometimes reddish coloured markings. Their double coat of fur is waterproof with a coarse and wiry layer, that is lined by softer warmer fur (a characteristic of the Otter Hound). The Airedale Terrier also has a very keen sense of smell due to it's combination of Hound and Terrier. Airedale Terrier Behaviour and Temperament The Airedale Terrier is known to be a loyal and very intelligent breed of domestic Dog. They are known to be independent and strong-willed, and will often form a close bond with their master and family. The Airedale Terrier is an incredibly sociable Dog and does not appreciate being left without Human companionship for long periods of time. They are known to be quite destructive if they become bored. Airedale Terriers are incredibly active and should be able to get a lot of exercise, although this is something that does appear to subside slightly with age. Like other Terriers, the Airedale Terrier should be trained from an early age as they can be fairly stubborn at times, but are known to be able to co-inhabit households peacefully with other animals and children if properly trained.

Airedale Terrier Breeding The Airedale Terrier was first bred in the 1800s from a Welsh Terrier and an Otter Hound in order to produce a breed that had desirable qualities found in both breeds. Due to the fact that they have been bred as hunting Dogs from the start, the Airedale Terrier is naturally a very intelligent and loyal breed. Females gives birth to average litter sizes of between 7 and 10 puppies that, like many other canines, are born both blind and relatively hairless and it takes at least a couple of weeks before they are able to first see the world. Airedale Terriers should be groomed regularly to reduce the risk of heavy moulting and to prevent skin infections. Airedale Terrier Interesting Facts and Features The Airedale Terrier is named after the river Aire, which runs through the surrounding valleys that this breed first originated from in Yorkshire. The area was said to have a bigger problem with rats than usual so these larger ratters begin to become the Terrier of choice with the locals. The Airedale Terrier usually lives to be around 13 years old but they are known to suffer from genetic defects including problems with their hips and eyes.

Airedale Terrier Facts

Name: Airedale Terrier Origin: Great Britain Group: Dog Average Size (H): 58cm (23in) Average Weight: 20kg (44lbs) Average Life Span: 12 years Average Litter Size: 8 Type: Terrier

Colour: Black, Tan, Brown Temperament: Friendly, adaptable and courageous Training: Fairly Easy Distinctive Features: Long muzzle and square body

Akbash History and Domestication The Akbash is a large, white breed of domestic Dog, native to the plains and mountains of western Turkey. The Akbash is a guardDog and was originally bred by shepherds around 3,000 years ago to create a white-coloured Dog that could guard their flock of Sheep. Although the exact reasons for this particular choice in colour are unknown, it is widely believed that a white guard Dog was wanted, to ensure that it wasn't mistaken for a hungry predator, such as a Wolf. The Akbash is an ancient breed of domestic Dog and although it is thought to have derived from similar breeds in Italy and Hungary, it's exact ancestry is not really known. These other continental guard Dogshowever, were thought to have been brought into Europe from parts of Asia. Akbash Physical Characteristics The Akbash is a large and powerful breed of Dog, that is perfectly built for a life of Sheepguarding in the mountains. It has a short to medium length coat, which is white in colour with occasional patches of light brown. The coat of the Akbash is coarse to prevent it from matting when exposed to the alpine elements, and the double-layer allows it to also be water-resistant, protecting the Akbash from getting too cold. The Akbash has a big head and powerful jaws, along with a very strong body, a short neck and large, curved toes. The tail of the Akbash is very distinctive to the breed as it is not only long and curved, but is also covered in longer, feathered fur. The Akbash has thickly padded feet and almond-shaped eyes that vary from gold to dark brown in colour.

Akbash Behaviour and Temperament The Akbash was originally bred by shepherds to guard their flocks from large mountainpredators, so they are naturally a dominant and aggressive breed. They are one of the most primitive guard Dogs among domestic breeds today and therefore require a firm and experienced owner. They are however, intelligent and courageous animals that risk their lives to protect the animals and people under their guard. The Akbash is a very loyal breed, completely devoted and dedicated to their owner and often regard strangers that are not in their owner's presence, as suspicious. The Akbash is very independent with strong and protective instincts, known to respond quickly and without help in the case of emergency, when it feels that it's flock is under threat. Akbash Breeding The Akbash breed first appeared roughly 3,000 years ago, when it was bred to be a strong and protective guard Dog that was white in colour. Although the breed itself has changed very little since the early days, individuals found in households today are less dominant and aggressive than these original guard dogs. They are however still bred to guard livestock, particularly on the ranches in southern America where they are used to protect animals from large carnivores like Coyotes and even Bears. Since their introduction the USA in the 1970s, the breed has become a popular guard Dog and although affected by hip problems like other larger breeds, they are not thought to be so badly affected. The Akbash tends to give birth to between 7 and 9 puppies per litter, which are fully mobile within their first 6 weeks, Akbash Interesting Facts and Features The Akbash is known to be a calm and clean breed of domestic Dog,

and happily lives both inside and outside the house. Their fur also has little odour compared to that of other breeds. They are also known to have strong maternal instincts, and have been observed aiding Sheep in cleaning their newborn calves. In it's native country of Turkey, the Akbash was named after the Turkish word akbas, which means "white-headed". The Akbash breed first became popular as a household pet when 40 Dogs were imported into the USA from Turkey in the 1970s. These Akbash individuals are thought to be the ancestors of the entire population there today.

Akbash Facts
Name: Akbash Origin: Turkey Group: Dog Average Size (H): 86cm (34in) Average Weight: 63kg (140lbs) Average Life Span: 11 years Average Litter Size: 8 Type: Guard Colour: White, Brown Temperament: Calm, independent, brave and protective Training: Hard Distinctive Features: Big head and powerful jaws

Akita History and Domestication The Akita is a medium sized domestic Dog breed, first bred in Japan in the 1600s. The Akita originates from the Akita Prefecture in the northeast of Japan, hence it's name. The exact reason for their initial creation is still disagreed upon, as to whether or not they were first bred as hunting or as fightingDogs. Despite this, many favour the theory that this large breed was bred to aid local people with the

hunting of Deer and Wild Boar and to possibly protect them from large carnivoreslike Wolves and Bears, with the fighting of them becoming popular, before people began to fortunately lose interest in the sport. Today, they are mainly used to assist their owners when hunting and are also a popular foreign breed in western households. Akita Physical Characteristics Like a number of other Japanese working breeds, the Akita has a plush double-coat of fur, consisting of a medium length top layer and a soft undercoat to keep them warm. This double-coat of fur can vary in colour, and is actually also water-resistant, preventing the Akita from developing hypothermia. The Akita has a strong, muscular body that is longer than it is tall. They have a heavy triangular head, with dark, triangular eyes that are deeply set into the Dog's face. The thick, strong limbs of the Akita allow it to move with vigorous precision particularly when hunting, and it's slightly webbed paws make this Dog an excellent swimmer. The most distinctive features of the Akita are their small, pointed ears and curved, upturned tail which almost sits on the Dog's back. Akita Behaviour and Temperament Due to the fact that the Akita has been historically bred as both a hunting and a fighting Dog, they are naturally aggressive and very dominant animals. Akitas have changed very little since they were first produced, with household individuals still having strong hunting instincts today. They are therefore, not for the inexperienced owner as they require firm and consistent training with lots of positive reinforcement. The Akita is also known to respond badly to harsh treatment. They are incredibly intelligent and loyal Dogs though, and are loving, devoted and gentle towards their master and family. The

Akita is also known to be a good guard Dog as it is very suspicious of any person or animal that it doesn't know. Akita Breeding Like many other domestic breeds, today the Akita can be found in a variety of colours and with a milder temperament than it's ancestors. They are however, still bred as working and hunting Dogs in their native Japan, assisting their master in catching food, as well as being an increasingly popular choice of guard Dog in the west. There are few health problems however, that are associated with this breed including hyperthyroid, hip and knee problems, which are all common ailments of larger Dogs particularly. They generally live for between 9 and 15 years, and females can have anywhere from three to twelve puppies per litter. Akita Interesting Facts and Features In the 1930s, the Akita was so rare in Japan due to the increasing popularity of non-native breeds, that only the very rich could apparently afford one. They were declared as a "national treasure" in Japan in an attempt to conserve the country's native breeds, and having an Akita in a household is said to symbolise good health, good fortune and prosperity. Due to their long, thick coat, Akitas shed heavily twice a year, for about 2 weeks at a time, meaning that they must be brushed every day to prevent their fur from matting. Possibly due to their natural hunting nature, household Dogs are known to enjoy carrying objects in their mouths

Akita Facts
Name: Akita Origin: Japan Group: Dog

Average Size (L): 71cm (28in) Average Weight: 50kg (110lbs) Average Life Span: 10 years Average Litter Size: 7 Type: Working Colour: Brown, White, Black, Grey Temperament: Intelligent, courageous and fearless Training: Medium - Hard Distinctive Features: Pointed ears and upward curving tail

Alaskan Malamute History and Domestication The Alaskan Malamute was developed by a tribe of Innuit known as the Mahlemuts, who wanted to create a working Dog that could pull heavy loads, as well as assisting with hunting, but one that could also withstand the harsh winter conditions. They are believed to have originated from primitive domestic Dogs that accompanied prehistoric people on their migrations between Asia and the Americas. Although cared for well and treated fondly, they were used by the Mahlemuts very much as a working breed to pull heavy sledges, hunt Seals, and packs were even sent after Polar Bears that were causing trouble. Travelling into the USA in the early 1900s, Alaskan Malamutes quickly became a popular working breed and were even used in service during both World War One and World War Two. Alaskan Malamute Physical Characteristics The Alaskan Malamute is a large, Wolf-like Dog, but despite it's appearance, the Alaskan Malamute is not a hybrid of a Wolf but did in fact originate from other domestic breeds. They have a broad, and heavily boned body that adds to this Dog's sheer strength, which is slightly longer in length than it is high. The Alaskan Malamute has a thick, double-coat of fur, which like other northern domestic breeds, acts as a water-resistant layer, keeping the Alaskan Malamute's skin

both warm and dry. Due to a wide dispersion of this breed today, the Alaskan Malamute can be found in colours ranging from black to grey to red, but all have similar distinctive white markings. They have a heavy, pointed head and ears that stand straight up on the top of their head. The tail of the Alaskan Malamute is distinctively curved upwards with slightly feathered fur. Alaskan Malamute Behaviour and Temperament The Alaskan Malamute is an intelligent breed of Dog and can become easily bored if it has little mental or physical stimulation. They were originally bred by the Innuit people as strong, yet gentle sled Dogs, that could easily pull heavy loads at a steady speed as well as being able to handle the uncompromising Arctic conditions. The Alaskan Malamute is affectionate, friendly and loyal, and completely devoted to it's owner, providing that they assert themselves as the leader of the pack. Alaskan Malamutes are known to get on well with children and other animals, but will generally show dominance over other Dog breeds. They are known to be a bit slow during training, but once they pick it up, they are able to perform tasks capably. Alaskan Malamute Breeding The Alaskan Malamute is an old breed of working Dog, that arose from the migrations of people between Asia and the Arctic, and then back again. These trips went on for thousands of years, leading to a wide variety in the breed between different areas (for example, those Dogsfound in Greenland are said to have shorter fur than those found near the Canadian lakes). Other variations were also created with the introduction of other large working Dogs into theArctic Circle during the Gold Rush. The Dogs bred with the native Alaskan Malamutes leading to an even wider variety found in the breed today,

with the purest Malamutes found around their original region which is almost completely isolated from the rest of the world. Alaskan Malamute Interesting Facts and Features The Malamute is generally slower in long-distance sled racing against smaller and faster breeds as their working usefulness is limited to travelling over long distances but at a far slower rate than that required for racing. The Malamute is one of the most unaltered of breeds, retaining its original form and function. Their affectionate nature does not make them useful as watch or guard Dogs. If a Dog owner cannot cope with a Dog that will not comply with the owner's every command, a more compliant breed should be selected. They are however, pure pack animals as this breed has a long genetic foundation of living in the wilderness with man, surrounded by other domesticated animals of approximately the same size.

Alaskan Malamute Facts

Name: Alaskan Malamute Origin: North America Group: Dog Average Size (H): 63cm (25in) Average Weight: 38kg (85lbs) Average Life Span: 14 years Average Litter Size: 6 Type: Working Colour: White, Black, Grey Temperament: Affectionate, friendly and loyal Training: Medium Distinctive Features: Pointed face and upturned tail

Albatross Classification and Evolution The Albatross is a large species of sea-bird found throughout the southern Pacific and even into the colder Antarctic regions. There are 21 different species of Albatross found across the southern seas, but sadly 19 of the different Albatross species are said to be threatened with extinction today. The Albatross is closely related to other seabirds including Petrels, which are all unique among Birds due to the tubular nostrils on either side of the top of their bill, meaning these Birds are often referred to as Tubenoses. The Albatross was first brought into the public spotlight with Coleridge's 1798 poem, the Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Albatross Anatomy and Appearance The Albatross is one of the largest Birds in the skies as the wingspan of the male Wandering Albatross can easily reach 3.5 meters or more in length, meaning that it has the largest wingspan of any Bird. The Wandering Albatross also has a body that is more than 1 meter long (including the tail), with the size of other species generally being slightly smaller. The Albatross is an easily identifiable Bird with long, narrow wings, a large head, and a long, strong bill which is hooked at the end and has sharp blades on either side to handle slipperyprey. There are three toes on each of the Albatross's feet with webbed skin between each one. Unlike many other species of Bird, the Albatross has no hind toes as these sea-birds simply have no need for them. Albatross Distribution and Habitat All 21 different species of Albatross are mainly distributed throughout the southern Pacific, with some species found far into the Southern Ocean. Although the Albatross is not found in the northern parts of the Atlantic, a number of species of found in the north Pacific, with the Wading Albatross being the highest up, with it's nesting sites found on

the Galapagos Islands. The Albatross is unique among many Birds as it is air-bound for the majority of it's life. Albatrosses spend their entire lives gliding above the waves and are known to fly thousands of miles in a very short space of time. During the breeding season, the Albatross finally returns to dry land, where they nest in large colonies on the cliffs of remote, rocky islands that are generally inside the Antarctic Tundra. Albatross Behaviour and Lifestyle The tapered wings of the Albatross means that it tends to glide through the air rather than flying which uses much more energy. The Albatross is known to practice a flying technique known as dynamic soaring, meaning that the Albatross makes use of the up-drafts of wind above the waves to give it extra lift, for longer periods of time, and without really doing anything. The Albatross has excellent eyesight as it sees it's prey from the sky, swooping down to snap a Fish from the surface or sometimes even diving into the water. They are known to also have an exceptional sense of smell which allows them to detect both prey and their breeding grounds, even in the dark. Albatross Reproduction and Life Cycles The Albatross nests in large colonies on islands, where there can be thousands of other Albatross individuals, some of which have been flying solidly for up to 7 seven years until they reach the age of sexual maturity. After a unique courtship display which involves grunting and scraping their beaks, males and females pair off to mate. The female Albatross lays just one egg that can weigh up to half a kilo, in a basic nest on the ground. The Albatross parents take it in turns to incubate the egg for 2-3 months depending on the size of the Albatross species. The Albatross parents protect and clean their chick until it is able to fly. Albatross chicks can take anywhere from 5 to 10 months to

fledge, depending on the size of the Albatross species. They are very long living Birds with an average age of between 40 and 50 years old. Albatross Diet and Prey The Albatross is a carnivorous Bird as the diet of the Albatross solely consists of Fish and other aquatic animals. The Albatross feeds on Fish, Squid, Krill, Crabs and other Crustaceans by either diving, swooping down onto the water's surface, or from scavenging the kill from another animal. They are also known to eat both carrion and refuge that is floating on or close to the surface of the water. The excellent sight and smell of the Albatross, along with it's welldesigned and razor-sharp beak, means that this animal is perfectly adapted for a life at sea. Chicks are fed by the highly nutritious yet foul smelling stomach oil of their parents until they are able to handle solid, and more slippery meals. Albatross Predators and Threats Due to the fact that the Albatross is so big and the fact that the Albatross spends nearly it's whole life in the safety of the sky, the Albatross has no real predators besides Humans who have hunted them in the past. The Albatross also nests in such remote places that they are safe from nearly all other animals with the exception of some Tiger Tiger Sharks who are known to lay in wait when the young Albatross chicks are learning how to fly, greedily hoping to snap up any stragglers. The interesting thing about this is that the Tiger Tiger Sharksappear to return to the same spot every year, knowing that the Albatross chicks will be practising their launching and gliding techniques, and they are therefore guaranteed an easy snack Albatross Interesting Facts and Features Albatrosses are known to be able to cover thousands of miles in a short space of time with the Grey-Headed Albatross being able

to fly so far, with such little effort that they can complete a full circle around the Earth in just over a month. The Albatross was made famous by Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem at the end of the 1700s, which indicated that these enormous sea-birds embodied the souls of drowned sailors. This led to a great deal of superstition surrounding the hunting of the Albatross, as it was thought to be very bad luck amongst seafarers. Albatross Relationship with Humans An estimated 100,000 Albatrosses, of various different species, are thought to be killed every year by illegal fishing in the Southern Ocean, predominantly for Tuna. These fishermen use long fishing lines, with baited hooks which Albatross can be easily caught up in when they are simply trying to catch their supper. It is thought that the females are actually at a greater risk from these lines than the males, due to the fact that the two tend to feed in differing regions. Despite some superstition towards killing the Albatross by sailors, they were hunted quite vigorously by Humans during the 19th century for their feathers which were used to stuff pillows. Albatross Conservation Status and Life Today Today, 19 out of the 21 different Albatross species are listed as animals that are Endangered in their natural environments. Although the populations of the remaining two species are not quite as low, numbers are falling and both are considered to be Threatened species. The main reason for the drastic decline in Albatross numbers across the southern seas, is lone-line Tuna fishing, which these enormous sea-birds can become easily caught on.

Albatross Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae Scientific Name: Diomedeidae Common Name: Albatross Other Name(s): Tubenose Group: Bird Number Of Species: 21 Location: across the southern seas Habitat: southern waters and islands Colour: Black, White, Brown, Red, Yellow Skin Type: Feathers Size (L): 0.9m - 1.3m (35in - 51in) Wing Span: 2m - 3.4m (78in - 134in) Weight: 8kg - 10kg (17lbs - 22lbs) Top Speed: 64kph (40mph) Diet: Carnivore Main Prey: Fish, Crab, Squid Predators: Humans, Tiger Sharks Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Colonial Nesting Water Type: Salt Life Span: 12 - 40 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 2 - 7 years Incubation Period: 2 - 3 months Average Clutch Size: 1 Name Of Young: Chick

Age Of Fledging: 5 - 10 months Conservation Status: Endangered Estimated Population Size: Low Biggest Threat: Lone-line fishing Most Distinctive Feature: Long, hook-tipped beak Fun Fact: The largest wingspan of any bird!

Aldabra Giant Tortoise Classification and Evolution The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is a giant species of Tortoise native to the Aldabra Islands in the Indian ocean. The Aldabra gianttortoise is one of the largest species of Tortoise on the planet and is also one of the world's longest living animals, with one Aldabra Giant Tortoise individual reaching the grand old age of 255 years old. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is the only Indian ocean giant Tortoise species alive today as others have now become extinct with the arrival of Human settlers (including the Seychelles Giant Tortoise which is now thought to be extinct in the wild). The Aldabra GiantTortoise and the Seychelles Giant Tortoise are so similar in both appearance and behaviourthat they are actually thought by some to be the same species. Aldabra Giant Tortoise Anatomy and Appearance The Aldabra Giant Tortoise has an enormous dome-shaped shell which acts as protective armour to the soft, vulnerable body of the Aldabra Giant Tortoise underneath. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise also has an incredibly long neck which it uses to tear leaves from the branches higher up trees. The male Aldabra Giant Tortoise grows to an average size of 1.1 meters long, with females being slightly smaller at a length of 0.9 meters. The males, although not really that much bigger, are also known to weigh nearly 100kg more than their female counterparts. They are slow-moving animals with thick, short legs and

round, almost flat feet that help them when they are walking on the sand. Aldabra Giant Tortoise Distribution and Habitat The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is primarily found inhabiting grasslands and swamps on theislands of the Aldabra atoll (an island of coral that encircles a lagoon partially or completely), which forms part of the Seychelles island chain in the Indian Ocean. They once shared theseislands with a number of other giant Tortoise species, but many of these were hunted to extinction in the 1700s and 1800s. Although the Aldabra Giant Tortoise is usually found in areas of dense, low-lying vegetation, the Aldabra Giant Tortoise is also known to wander into more sparse, rocky regions when food is in short supply. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise can also often be found resting in the shade, or in a very shallow pool of water to cool themselves down in the heat. Aldabra Giant Tortoise Behaviour and Lifestyle Aldabra Giant Tortoises are found both individually and in herds, which tend to gather mostly on open grasslands. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is generally most active in the mornings when they spend the most time browsing for food, before the temperature gets too high. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is also known to dig underground burrows or rest in swamps to keep cool during the heat of the day. Despite being slow and cautious animals, the Aldabra GiantTortoise is said to be uninterested in the presence of people, indicating that one of the reasons that they were so easy for Human settlers to hunt, was simply because these animalshad no fear of them. Aldabra Giant Tortoise Reproduction and Life Cycles Female Aldabra Giant Tortoises lay up to 25 rubbery eggs between February and May, into a dry, shallow nest on the ground making them

particularly vulnerable to being eaten by introduced predators. It is thought that female Aldabra Giant Tortoises are able to produce more than one clutch a year, which usually hatch after an 8 month incubation period. The baby Aldabra Giant Tortoises tend to all emerge during the same two week period which coincides with the arrival of the rainy season. They are very slow growing reptiles, and often do not reach sexual maturity until they are between 20 and 30 years old. Although some individuals have been known to live for more than 250 years, most live to be between 80 and 120 years old. Aldabra Giant Tortoise Diet and Prey The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is a herbivorous animal, spending much of it's time browsing for food in it's surrounding well-vegetated environment. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is known to be found in places that are commonly known as "Tortoise Turf", which is an area that contains more than 20 different grass and herb species. Aldabra Giant Tortoises also eat leaves, fruits and berries from the surrounding vegetation and are known to actually reach up on their hind legs to nibble on the treats slightly higher up. One of the biggest blows for the species with the introduction of domestic animals to the islands, was that they had competition for food that wasn't there before. Goats are known to graze very quickly, munching their way through vast areas of the Tortoise's native habitat. Aldabra Giant Tortoise Predators and Threats Due to it's immense size and natural lack of mammalian predators, the Aldabra Giant Tortoiseadults were thought to have no predators in the wild (the more vulnerable and smaller young are said to have been hunted by a giant species of Crab that lives in burrows on the atoll). However, with Human settlers came introduced predators in the form of domesticatedanimals like Dogs and Goats, that both preyed on the

Aldabra Giant Tortoise and ate it's food. Today, the Aldabra Giant Tortoise is most threatened by habitat loss from growing Humansettlements, with climate change becoming an increasingly bigger threat to the species in the future. Aldabra Giant Tortoise Interesting Facts and Features The Aldabra Giant Tortoise has now had four scientific names to date, mainly due to the fact that there are ongoing arguments about their similarity to other large Indian Ocean Tortoisespecies including the possibly extinct Seychelles Giant Tortoise. Despite population numbers having dropped through hunting, habitat loss and the introduction of new predators, one of the biggest threats to the Aldabra Giant Tortoise is the rising sea level, caused by climate change. The islands that these Tortoise's live on are only a few meters above sea level and are therefore at great risk from these rising waters. Aldabra Giant Tortoise Relationship with Humans Before the 1700s, the Aldabra Giant Tortoise had no significant predators or competition for food, with all populations of the various giant Tortoise species thought to have been healthy. However, the people that arrived on the islands found both the Tortoises and their eggs, easy to catch and kill and somewhat good to eat, with mass hunting wiping out nearly all of them in less than 100 years. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise was also eaten by the domestic animalsthat arrived with people, with their ground-dwelling nests being particularly vulnerable. They have also now lost much of the natural habitat due to expanding Human settlements throughout the atoll. Aldabra Giant Tortoise Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Aldabra Giant Tortoise is listed as an animal that is Vulnerable to extinction in the wild. However, the Aldabra atoll has

now been protected from Human influence after having been declared a World Heritage Site, and is home to some 152,000 Aldabra Giant Tortoises, the world's largest population of the animal. Another isolated population of the Aldabra GiantTortoise resides on the island of Zanzibar, and other captive populations exist inconservation parks in Mauritius and Rodrigues. The captive breeding programmes on theseislands are to try and revive the species, and populations on them today appear to be thriving.

Aldabra Giant Tortoise Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Testudinidae Genus: Geochelone Scientific Name: Geochelone gigantea Common Name: Aldabra Giant Tortoise Other Name(s): Giant Tortoise Group: Reptile Number Of Species: 1 Location: Aldabra atoll in the Indian Ocean Habitat: Grasslands and swamps Colour: Black, Brown, Tan Skin Type: Scales Size (L): 90cm - 120cm (3ft - 4ft) Weight: 150kg - 250kg (330lbs - 550lbs) Top Speed: 0.5kph (0.3mph) Diet: Herbivore Prey: Grasses, Leaves, Flowers Predators: Giant Crab, Humans, Cats

Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Herd Life Span: 80 - 255 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 20 - 30 years Incubation Period: 8 months Average Clutch Size: 15 Name Of Young: Hatchling Age Of Independence: 3 - 6 months Conservation Status: Vulnerable Estimated Population Size: 200,000 Biggest Threat: Habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Large, high-domed shell Fun Fact: One got to be 255 years old!

Alligator Classification and Evolution Alligators are in the same family as other large reptiles likeCrocodiles but are native to only two countries, which are the southern USA and China (where the Alligator is now nearly extinct). Alligators tend to be smaller than their Crocodilecousins but have been known to move at speeds of up to 15mph on land making them one of the fastest large reptiles in the world. Despite their size, there are a number of distinct differences between Alligators and Crocodiles as an Alligator's snout is shorter than that of a Crocodile, and with their mouths shut, an Alligator's teeth cannot be seen but a Crocodile's can. Alligators are also commonly known as Gators in their native, southern North American habitats. Alligator Anatomy and Appearance Alligators are very large reptiles, with males growing up to 4.5 meters in length. The female Alligator tends to be slightly smaller, with a total body and tail length of between 3 and 3.5 meters. The Chinese Alligator is a much smaller species, almost half the size of a female

American Alligator. Alligators have an armour-plated body that varies in colour from yellow, to green, to brown, finally turning almost completely black in old age. The tail of the Alligator is incredibly muscular and is used to propel the animal when it is in the water. Alligators have short, stocky legs with webbing between their toes. This not only helps them when they are swimming but also means that they can negotiate the muddy river banks with ease. Alligator Distribution and Habitat The American Alligators are found in the south-eastern USA, throughout all of Florida and Louisiana, the southern parts of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, coastal South and North Carolina, eastern Texas, the south-eastern corner of Oklahoma and the southern tip of Arkansas. The majority of American Alligators inhabit Florida and Louisiana, with over a million alligators thought to be found between the two states. The American Alligators live infreshwater environments, such as ponds, marshes, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and swamps, as well as brackish environments. Southern Florida is the only place in the world where both Alligators and Crocodiles are known to live in the same place. Alligator Behaviour and Lifestyle The Alligator is a solitary predator that is actually surprisingly clunky when moving about on land. They tend to be quite slow, moving themselves by either crawling or sliding along the slippery banks on their bellies. They are highly territorial animals that are known to make a variety of noises to represent different things, including the declaration of territory, finding a mate and the young warning their mother that they are in danger. Male Alligators however, do not appear to have such a prominent voice box and make very little noise outside

of the breeding season, when they are known to growl and bellow to fend off competing males. Alligator Reproduction and Life Cycles Alligators tend to breed during the spring when they come together in large groups to find a suitable partner. The female constructs a nest out of mud, leaves and twigs on the ground where she lays up to 50 eggs. The hatchlings emerge after a 2 month incubation period which is done by the rotting vegetation in the nest. Females do not incubate their eggs as they would break them but still guard their nest from hungry predators. The baby Alligators are between 15 and 20 long when they hatch and are vulnerable to predation from a number of species. They usually remain with their mother for the first 2 years. Alligators tend to live to about 50 years old or so but some have been known to live at least another 20 years when in captivity. Alligator Diet and Prey The Alligator is generally a solitary predator, but smaller and younger Alligator individuals however, are known to stay together in groups especially when hunting. The Alligator eatsfish, small mammals and birds, but the Alligator has also been known to attack much largeranimals. Adult alligators have been known to hunt Deer and are well known to kill and eat smaller Alligators. In some cases, larger alligators have been known to hunt the FloridaPanther and Black Bears, making the alligator the dominant predator throughout the their environment. Attacks on pets and even people are also not unknown. Alligator Predators and Threats The Alligator is an apex predator in it's environment, known to even hunt animals that are much larger in size. Humans are the only predator of adult Alligators as they were hunted almost to

extinction for their meat, and for their unique skin which was used in the manufacture of a variety of products. The smaller, baby Alligators however, are prey to a number of species including Raccoons, Birds, Bobcats and even other Alligators. Despite being protected from hunting in much of it's North American range today, Alligators are threatened by loss of their natural habitats and high levels of pollution in the water. Alligator Interesting Facts and Features Alligator DNA is thought to date back to even before Dinosaur times meaning that the Alligators survived whatever it was that the dinosaurs didn't, with the scientific estimates first dating the species 150 million years ago. The Chinese Alligator is currently found only in the Yangtze River Valley and the Chinese Alligator is now extremely endangered with less than 100 Chinese Alligators believed to be left in the wild. There are actually many more Chinese Alligators that live in zoos around the world than can be found in the wild today. Alligators are known to have up to 80 teeth which are perfectly shaped for biting down on prey. They are even able to regrow those teeth that are lost. Alligator Relationship with Humans Unlike large Crocodiles, Alligators do not immediately regard a Human upon encounter asprey, but the Alligator may still attack in self-defence if provoked. Alligator attacks are uncommon but Alligators have definitely been known to attack Humans if the Human is in the Alligator's territory and particularly if the animal feels threatened. They are however known to commonly prey on domestic animals including pets and sometimes livestock when they are close to Human settlements. Hunting towards the end of the last century almost completely obliterated the entire American Alligator population (and has pretty much done so to the

Chinese Alligator). Fortunately the gravity of the situation in the USA was realised before it was too late, with the protection of the species having led to an increase in population numbers now. Alligator Conservation Status and Life Today The American Alligator was once an Endangered species but thanks to habitat protection and federal laws protecting them, populations throughout Florida and Louisiana have recovered really well, with over a million Alligators thought to exist in the USA today. They are however now threatened by habitat degradation, mainly in the form of deforestation and pollution in the water. The story of the Chinese Alligator however is very different, with less than 100 individuals thought to be left in the Yangtze River Valley, this species is Critically Endangered in the wild and is sadly on the verge of extinction.

Alligator Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Crocodilia Family: Alligatoridae Genus: Alligator Scientific Name: Alligator mississippiensis Common Name: Alligator Other Name(s): Gator Group: Reptile Number Of Species: 2 Location: southern USA and China Habitat: Marsh and swampland Colour: Green, Grey, Black, Brown, Yellow Skin Type: Scales

Size (L): 2.5cm - 4.5m (8ft - 15ft) Weight: 181kg - 363kg (400lbs - 800lbs) Top Speed: 24kph (15mph) Diet: Carnivore Prey: Fish, Snakes, Turtles Predators: Human, Birds, Raccoon Lifestyle: Diurnal/Nocturnal Group Behaviour: Solitary Water Type: Fresh, Brackish Life Span: 30 - 60 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 10 - 12 years Incubation Period: 2 months Average Clutch Size: 35 Name Of Young: Hatchling Age Of Independence: 1- 2 years Conservation Status: Least Concern Estimated Population Size: 1 million/less than 100 Biggest Threat: Water pollution Most Distinctive Feature: Muscular tail half the total body length Fun Fact: They have two sets of eyelids!

Alpine Dachsbracke History and Domestication The Alpine Dachsbracke is a stocky and robust breed of Scent Hound, originally created in the mountains of Austria during the mid 19th century. Bred by mixing the larger indigenous Austrian Hounds with the short-legged Dachshund of Germany, the alpine hunters were able to create a breed that could not only be used for tracking animals, but one that was also placid enough to bring the woundedanimal back to their master, without causing it any further harm. The Alpine Dachsbracke was officially recognised as the world's third Scent Hound breed in Austria in 1932, and today it is still more commonly kept by hunters and gamekeepers than as a family pet.

Alpine Dachsbracke Physical Characteristics The Alpine Dachsbracke is larger than many of it's closest relatives, mainly due to the fact that this breed was bred to be able to endure the high altitudes of the Austrian Alps. As in many other countries at the time, Scent Hounds that were short-legged were being created so that they would be able to track prey more closely. The Alpine Dachsbracke has a long and robust body, carried by short, stocky legs which makes this breed fairly slow-moving. They are usually red, brown or black in colour and tend to lack any really distinguishable markings. The Alpine Dachsbracke has a double coat of fur to help to keep it warm in the coldmountains. This is comprised of a thick, water-resistant top coat with a warm and soft undercoat, which both help to keep the Dog's body warm. Alpine Dachsbracke Behaviour and Temperament The Alpine Dachsbracke is known for it's stamina, endurance and power, as although it is not particularly fast, their short and elongated body is very muscular and allows the Alpine Dachsbracke to follow a scent trail for long periods of time. They are not particularly aggressive Dogs and so will retrieve their master's kill, without causing it any further wounds or indeed eating it, which has made them an increasingly popular companion to hunters today. They are also a relatively friendly breed, used to working alongside hunters and other working Dogs. The Alpine Dachsbracke is an intelligent and fearless animal and should only be handled by a firm and confident owner that asserts themselves as the pack leader. Alpine Dachsbracke Breeding The Alpine Dachsbracke has been bred by hunters since the middle of the 19th century to produce a hardy and robust animal, that could not only handle the tough weather conditions high up in the mountains,

but one that was also courageous and sociable, making it a good companion. The Alpine Dachsbracke needs a great deal of exercise if kept as a household pet, as they have been thoroughly bred since the beginning for their stamina and vitality. They need minimal grooming and are not known to have any significant genetic health problems. Females give birth to litters averaging eight puppies, which are born blind. The Alpine Dachsbracke gets to an average age of 12 years old. Alpine Dachsbracke Interesting Facts and Features A similar Dog was thought to have been used by hunters in ancient times, and it is thought that it was actually royalty that encouraged the Alpine Dachsbracke breed to become so popular. Between 1881 and 1885, the Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg, insisted that the Alpine Dachsbracke accompanied him on his hunting trips. The Alpine Dachsbracke also has a number of other names including the Basset des Alpes and the Alpenlandischer Dachsbracke, which is this Dog's official name in it's native Austria.

Alpine Dachsbracke Facts

Name: Alpine Dachsbracke Origin: Austria Group: Dog Average Size (H): 35cm (14in) Average Weight: 18kg (40lbs) Average Life Span: 12 years Average Litter Size: 8 Type: Scent Hound Colour: Red, Black, Brown Temperament: Fearless, friendly and intelligent Training: Easy Distinctive Features: Elongated body and short, stocky legs

American Bulldog History and Domestication Although the exact origins of the American Bulldog are still not quite clear, they are most commonly thought to have derived from English Bulldogs that arrived in North America with European colonists. Despite there being a great variety within the breed today, the American Bulldog is thought to be the most typical example of the original English Bulldogs of the 17th and 18 centuries. Bred and kept primarily for hunting and as a guard Dog, the American Bulldog was also used in Bull baiting - a cruel and bloody sport where the American Bulldog would publicly fight and being down a Bull. The American Bulldog is most commonly found across the ranches of the southern states of the USA, where it has been also known as the Southern White, the Country Bulldogand the White Bulldog. American Bulldog Physical Characteristics The American Bulldog is a large and powerful breed of Dog belonging to the Mastiff family. They share many of their characteristics with other Mastiff breeds including their small, half-pricked, pendant shaped ears and their square, broad head. The American Bulldog is bigger, faster and more agile than the English Bulldog, and has such powerful hind legs that they are able to jump up to 6ft high. The American Bulldog has short, coarse fur that can be found in a variety of colours, but most notably white and brindle. They are an incredibly muscular and powerful breed having been bred as hunters, guarders and to fight (and win) against Bulls. American Bulldog Behaviour and Temperament The American Bulldog is a courageous and fearless breed, known to be incredibly aggressive at times when it feels under threat. They are however friendly and even sociable Dogs, having been known to be kept in a pack that primarily hunts large carnivores, such as Bears.

They are also known to be loyal and devoted towards their owner, providing that they assert themselves as the leader of the pack (dominance issues may occur otherwise). Although the American Bulldog is not listed under the UK's Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is not uncommon for them to be confused with more aggressive breeds such as Pit Bulls. These Dogs are not related but are indeed banned, so any potential owner of the American Bulldog is encouraged to acquire the adequate paperwork to prove that their Dog is not a dangerous breed. American Bulldog Breeding The colour of the America Bulldog's fur, along with very subtle differences in general appearance and temperament, is said to differ between different areas. In regions where the American Bulldog is most popular, the Dogs are said to be able to differ between these places, which suggests that the American Bulldog is most commonly bred with individuals that live close by. After their near extinction in the 1940s, the American Bulldogs found throughout America today, are nearly all thought to have derived from Dogs bred by just two breeders during the mid 1900s. Females give birth to between 6 and 11 puppies per litter and can often live to be more than 15 years old. American Bulldog Interesting Facts and Features Despite being a widely distributed and popular breed today, the American Bulldog was on the verge of becoming extinct towards the mid 1900s. On returning from service in the Second World War, John D. Johnson decided to follow in his father's footsteps and resumed the breeding of the American Bulldog in the United States, and ultimately saved this breed from disappearing forever. The American Bulldog was first recognised as an official breed in 1970, when it was registered as the American Pit Bulldog. However, the name of this domestic breed

was soon changed to the American Bulldog to avoid confusion with the American Pit Bull Terrier (to which this breed can look quite similar and the two can often be confused).

American Bulldog Facts

Name: American Bulldog Origin: North America Group: Dog Average Size (H): 63cm (25in) Average Weight: 47kg (105lbs) Average Life Span: 14 years Average Litter Size: 8 Type: Mastiff Colour: White, Black, Red, Brown, Tan, Brindle Temperament: Assertive but loyal and friendly Training: Hard Distinctive Features: Small pendant shaped ears and strong body

American Cocker Spaniel History and Domestication The American Cocker Spaniel is a small and cheerful Dog, originally bred as a hunting and gun Dog. The English Cocker Spaniel is the ancestor of the American Cocker Spaniel and is thought to have arrived in North America as early as the 14th century. They were bred for hunting, tracking and as a watchdog, but in the 19th century, the want for a smaller version of the English Cocker Spaniel, gave rise to the American Cocker Spaniel found today. Although the two were originally only different in size, over the years, they began to adopt very different traits leading to their listing as separate breeds in 1945. Today, the American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest breed of gun Dog and is also one of the most popular Dogs in America.

American Cocker Spaniel Physical Characteristics The American Cocker Spaniel is a small and compact Dog, known for it's patience and agility when flushing out game (particularly birds). As with other Spaniels, the mouth of the American Cocker Spaniel is soft and gentle, making them perfect for retrieving game-birds without causing them any further damage. One of the most distinctive features of the American Cocker Spaniel is their rounded head, with long, fluffy ears that fall on either side. The American Cocker Spaniel's coat is medium-length, thick and is well-known for it's softness. Their silky fur comes in a variety of colours depending on the bloodline, and requires daily grooming to avoid matting, particularly around the feet. American Cocker Spaniel Behaviour and Temperament The American Cocker Spaniel is a loyal and excitable breed, that has a typically joyful and trusting temperament. They are always eager to please their owner and are known to be both cooperative and fairly intelligent Dogs, listening to, understanding and obeying commands, but they are also known to be stubborn from time to time. Their gentle, obedient and affectionate nature means that they are often good as a family pet, interacting and responding well, to both children and other animals. They are known to be happy and merry for the majority of the time and love to exercise their wild hunting instincts through running, swimming and retrieving toys. American Cocker Spaniel Breeding The American Cocker Spaniel was originally bred from the English Cocker Spaniel to produce the same breed, but a little smaller. This meant that the American Cocker Spaniel was the ideal size for flushing smaller game-birds such as Quails and Woodcock out of their hiding places with ease. Today, one of the American Cocker Spaniel's most notable features is their silky, feathered fur which is particularly

prominent on their long, dropped ears and around their feet. Although they are still commonly used as hunting and gun Dogs, they are most commonly kept for show and companionship and are now one of America's most popular domestic breeds. American Cocker Spaniel Interesting Facts and Features Despite a number of variations within the breed, the American Cocker Spaniel is known to still possess it's original hunting streak and is commonly said to have such a great love of toys, that it will go to great lengths to obtain more, often hiding or destroying an old toy just to get a new one. They are however associated with a number of health problems including the generally life-threatening IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia). American Cocker Spaniels are also prone to a number of both ear and eye conditions, but these can generally be much more easily treated.

American Cocker Spaniel Facts

Name: American Cocker Spaniel Origin: North America Group: Dog Average Size: 38cm (15in) Average Weight: 12.7kg (28lbs) Average Life Span: 15 years Average Litter Size: 4 Type: Gun Dog Colour: White, Black, Brown, Tan, Grey, Red, Fawn Temperament: Friendly, happy and enthusiastic Training: Easy Distinctive Features: Long, dropped ears and feathered feet

American Coonhound History and Domestication The American Coonhound (also commonly known as the Black and Tan Coonhound) is a large breed of domestic Dog that is native to North America. The American Coonhound is thought to have been developed by tribesmen in the mountains in the 1700s, who required a large Dog for both protection and to help with hunting. By crossing the Bloodhound with the Black and Tan Foxhound, a breed was created that was very large in size and had an immense sense of smell like the Bloodhound, but one that was also much quicker. One of the most common uses of the American Coonhound was to hunt generally small animals, particularly Raccoons, but they could also been trained to hunt much larger prey including Deer and even Bears. American Coonhound Physical Characteristics Like the other breeds of Coonhound to which the American Coonhound is closely related, it is among the largest breeds of domestic Dog found in America today. Their large and muscular body means that although they can indeed catch and kill prey, they are better known for their incredible endurance and stamina, and their adaptability in difficult conditions. Their thick coat is black or tan in colour, with distinctive markings on their face and chest. They have very long, strong legs making them incredibly fast and they can also easily adapt to different terrains, struggling little in the mountains or in temperature extremes. The American Coonhound has a deep, booming bark, which alerts their owner to the location of either preyor the awareness of approaching danger. American Coonhound Behaviour and Temperament The American Coonhound is a generally very sociable breed of domestic Dog, mainly because they were originally bred to hunt in packs. They are gentle, kind and loyal to their owner, and will obey

commands willingly, although their independent nature can make them stubborn at times. The American Coonhound is however, known to have a slightly dominant streak, with behavioural problems occurring if their owner does not assert themselves as the alpha male of the pack. The American Coonhound is an intelligent and goodnatured hunter, known to be passionate and happiest when it is working. They are extremely dedicated to the task at hand, and are often eager to please their owner. American Coonhound Breeding The American Coonhound was created by crossing the Bloodhound (from where it gets it's size and smell) with the Black and Tan Foxhound (where it's colouration and agility came from). These domestic breeds are thought to have first appeared in North America with the European colonists in the 1600s, when they were primarily used for hunting and protection. The American Coonhound does however, also make a popular companion and was officially registered by the American Kennel Club in 1945. Today, there tend to be two types of the American Coonhound bred throughout North America, which are the individuals bred as working Dogs, and those that are bred for shows and competitions. American Coonhound Interesting Facts and Features Although the American Coonhound is indeed loyal and good-natured, their exceptional sense of smell can sometimes distract them from what they are supposed to be doing. They will often stubbornly follow a new scent trail and will independently go in search of it's cause. Despite being a popular household pet today, the American Coonhound was primarily bred for chasing Raccoons up trees. The Dog would then sit below the tree and bark loudly to alert it's

owner of the Coon's presence. They were also used to hunt much larger animals includingDeer and Elk, Bears and even Mountain Lions.

American Coonhound Facts

Name: American Coonhound Origin: North America Group: Dog Average Size (H): 70cm (28in) Average Weight: 32kg (70lbs) Average Life Span: 12 years Average Litter Size: 7 Type: Working Colour: Black, Tan, Brown, White Temperament: Easy going but loyal and dedicated Training: Medium Distinctive Features: Long ears and strong, muscular legs

American Eskimo Dog History and Domestication The American Eskimo Dog is a small to medium breed of domestic Dog that, despite it's name, is actually native to Germany. With European settlers came white versions of the German Spitz but after the First World War, it's name had to be changed to avoid negative feelings towards the country at the time. Until recently the German Spitz and the American Eskimo Dog were recognised as being the same breed, but they have now been registered separately as there are actually subtle differences between the two. Three different types of the American Eskimo Dog are bred today which are the toy, miniature and standard versions. Although they differ in size, they are almost identical in both appearance and temperament. American Eskimo Dog Physical Characteristics The American Eskimo Dog is a small and compact domestic breed,

with a square body and a wedge-shaped head. They have small, pointed ears that are almost always erect, and a generally black nose with brown eyes. One of the most distinctive features of the AmericanEskimo Dog is it's beautiful snow-white coat which is quite long in places. The AmericanEskimo Dog has a thick double coat of fur which consists of a soft, dense under-coat, with longer, coarse hairs forming the outer layer. The American Eskimo Dog's tail is long and curved upwards, and is covered in long, white feathers. They range in size from 23cm to 43cm tall, depending on the breed type (toy, miniature or standard). American Eskimo Dog Behaviour and Temperament The American Eskimo is an affectionate and loving breed, having become increasingly popular in households throughout the United States. They are hardy and adaptable Dogs, known to live easily in a variety of houses and apartments. The American Eskimo Dog is highly alert, making it a keen watchdog as they will bark to alert their owner to any approaching stranger. They are known to be good with young children as they are naturally playful by nature and are always eager to please. The American Eskimo Dog is also very intelligent having been used as a watchdog, guard-dog, in narcotics detection and for performing tricks. The AmericanEskimo Dog thrives on Human companionship but behavioural issues can arise if it does not have a clearly dominant owner. American Eskimo Dog Breeding The American Eskimo Dog has actually existed in America for hundreds of years, but it was known as the White German Spitz until it's name was changed after the First World War. They have been bred almost exclusively as companions and sometimes watchdogs, with the three different sizes meaning that any home of any size, can now own

one. They do however, need a great deal of attention. along with regular grooming of their silky fur, and like to integrate themselves into the family properly. The American Eskimo Dog has an average of 5 puppies per litter and healthy individuals can get to be more than 15 years old. American Eskimo Dog Interesting Facts and Features Despite it's name, the American Eskimo Dog is thought to have absolutely no connection to Eskimo and Inuit Dogs whatsoever. In 1913, they were renamed as the American Eskimo to avoid discrimination towards the breed because of their German origins. It is thought that the most likely reason that they were named as American Eskimos is due to their snowy white coat. The American Eskimo Dog became an increasingly popular breed after having made an appearance in a number of acts at the Barnum and Bailey Circus. A number of tricks could be completed such as dancing to music and interacting with clowns, but it was the fact that one American Eskimo Dog was the first Dog to walk across a tight-rope, that really made a name for the breed.

American Eskimo Dog Facts

Name: American Eskimo Dog Origin: Germany Group: Dog Average Size (H): Average Size Average Weight: 9kg (20lbs) Average Life Span: 15 Average Litter Size: 5 Type: Working Colour: White Temperament: Intelligent, alert and friendly

Training: Fairly easy Distinctive Features: Bright, white coat and pointed ears

American Foxhound History and Domestication The American Foxhound dates back to the 1700s, when they were bred from English Foxhounds and French Foxhounds by George Washington. Their most notable ancestors though are the English Foxhounds that arrived in North America in 1650 with the English settlers. Back then, hunters required a domestic breed that had similar physical characteristics to the English Foxhound, but one that was both faster and had a keener sense of smell than the already existing breeds. In the 17th century, the American Foxhound was most commonly used for seeking out the native people, before it later became a highly effective hunter of wild animals. American Foxhounds are kept both on their own and as pack animals, in groups that tend to contain between 10 and 20 individuals, primarily by hunters and farmers. American Foxhound Physical Characteristics The American Foxhound is large breed of domestic Dog, growing to an average height of 63cm tall. They are long and lean animals, with straight, long legs and a narrow tail which curves slightly upwards. The American Foxhound has a short coat of coarse fur which is most commonly white, brown, tan, or black in colour, and is known to shed fairly regularly. The American Foxhound's long head is dome-shaped with large, wide-set eyes that are generally hazel or brown in colour. Their wide pendant-shaped ears lie flat on either side of their head, framing the American Foxhound's face. Despite being leaner than the English Foxhound, the American Foxhound's body is incredibly muscular, allowing it to pursue a chase with great stamina, speed and agility.

American Foxhound Behaviour and Temperament The American Foxhound has a generally loyal, sweet, affectionate and gentle nature when at home, but like other Hounds, they are incredibly dedicated and brave when hunting. They are however known to be relatively stubborn when they come across a scent trail and can run incredibly fast when giving chase. As a household pet, the American Foxhound needs a great deal of exercise due to it's incredibly active nature and is known to get on well with other domestic Dog breeds, mainly due to it's history as a pack-animal. The American Foxhound does however need a constant pack-leader to avoid any behavioural issues that may occur. Even though the American Foxhound is an incredibly responsive animal, they are not known to be particularly wary of strangers and rarely show any aggressive tendencies. American Foxhound Breeding The American Foxhound was first bred in the 1700s by George Washington, by using what is believed to be a combination of the English Foxhound and the French Foxhound, which each had their own desirable traits. Hounds were primarily used by hunters and farmers to seek out animals and all have a very strong sense of smell. Washington however, required a breed that had an even keener sense of the smell than the current breeds, and also had incredible speed and stamina. Since then, the American Foxhound is still found throughout the United States but is thought to be most popular with hunters and farmers. Although they do make good companions, they are not particularly common household pets probably because of their high energy levels and the fact that their incredibly sensitive nose can lead them to become very stubborn. American Foxhound Interesting Facts and Features The American Foxhound was bred by the President after having

received a gift of a French Foxhound. Having written about both the French and English Foxhounds in his journals on many occasions, the leaner, lighter and faster American Foxhound appeared soon afterwards and quickly became a popular choice among Hounds. Despite however, being one of the few domestic breeds native to North America, the American Foxhound is actually quite rare today with adoption levels of these Dogs being very low. The American Foxhound though is loved by owners, particularly for their special bark which consists of a loud, deep bark followed by a high-pitched howl. The bark of the American Foxhound is apparently so harmonious that is has appeared in songs.

American Foxhound Facts

Name: American Foxhound Origin: North America Group: Dog Average Size (H): 63cm (25in) Average Weight: 29kg (65lbs) Average Life Span: 11 years Average Litter Size: 7 Type: Hound Colour: Black, White, Tan Temperament: Sweet, kind and loyal Training: Medium Distinctive Features: Long legs and wide, flat ears

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a strong-willed, sturdy companion. It is a breed that is loyal to friends and family, and friendly to strangers. With guidance from its handlers, American Pit Bull Terriers are obedient and show a high desire to please. However, when left without direction they can become stubborn and may become aggressive. According to a study done by CDC , American Pit Bull Terriers account for the majority of fatalities in the US among all breeds. During the years 1979 - 1996, 60 people have been killed by American Pit Bull Terriers. The breed with the next highest fatalities is the Rottweiler with 29. A well bred American Pit Bull Terrier should have a stable and dependable temperament. The American Temperament Testing Society shows a pass percentage of 84.3% for American PitBull Terrier, a 0.2% higher passing rate than the commonly considered 'family dogs' such as Golden Retrievers. However, a firm, even hand and early obedience training are strongly recommended for this breed. They generally have a lot of energy and high prey drive. They need exercise and stimulation in order to channel their energy properly and not become frustrated, bored, and destructive.

American Pit Bull Terrier Facts

Name: American Pit Bull Terrier Origin: North America Group: Dog Average Size (L): 55cm (22in) Average Weight: 36kg (80lbs)

Average Life Span: 12 years Average Litter Size: 8 Type: Mastiff Colour: Black, White, Tan, Brown Temperament: Stubborn yet obedient Training: Hard Distinctive Features: Small and sharply pointed ears

The American Staffordshire Terrier dogs should be courageous, tenacious, friendly, extremely attentive, and extraordinarily devoted. Bred to be extremely friendly towards humans, American Staffordshire Terriers are not natural guard dogs. An overly protective and/or aggressive behavior, accompanied by fearlessness, is generally a bad sign. These dogs are good with children and owners, can sometimes get along with other dogs,cats and any other animal if raised properly and introduced through puppy years. They can be aggressive if not socialized properly. These dogs learn quickly from the subtlest of our behaviors. They are thus not only highly responsive during training, but also pick up good habits, such as house training. This can become a problem when an owner unknowingly allows the dog to pick up bad behaviors. A typical training regimen should begin at 8 to 10 weeks of age. It has been proven that Positive Reinforcement Training works very well with this breed.

American Staffordshire Terrier Facts

Name: American Staffordshire Terrier Origin: North America Average Size: 48cm (19in) Average Weight: 22kg (50lbs)

Average Life Span: 12 years Group: Mastiff Colour: Black, White, Tan, Brown Average Litter Size: 6 Temperament: Dominant and stubborn yet loyal Training: Should be trained from a very early age using assertive techniques and should be intensively socialised with other dogs

An American original, this competent retriever also doubles as a flushing spaniel. Like many of the spaniel breeds, it hunts both feather and fur (and even fish) with equal enthusiasm. Friendly, intelligent, and often willing to please, this dog is also very protective of its owner. In old age the dog may become temperamental. This dog is very soft-mouthed but can be trained to play tug-of-war. It will be very attached to the alpha of the house and think of children as kennel mates until they grow up. Unspayed females will have a mind of their own when in heat (even when very well trained). This little brown dog also has many of the common spaniel characteristics.

American Water Spaniel Facts

Name: American Water Spaniel Origin: North America Average Size: 42cm (18in) Average Weight: 20kg (45lbs) Average Life Span: 12 years Group: Gun Dog Colour: Black, Dark Brown, Brown Average Litter Size: 5 Temperament: Intelligent, quiet and calm

Training: Should be trained from an early age using short, ongoing sessions as assertive training methods tend to be ineffective

The Anatolian was developed to be independent and forceful, responsible for guarding its master's flocks without humanassistance or direction. Anatolian shepherd dogs, as name suggests, originates in Kangal region of Sivas, Turkey. they can grow up to be 240 lbs. These traits make it challenging as a pet; owners of dogs of this breed must socialize the dogs to turn them into appropriate companions. They are intelligent and can learn quickly but might choose not to obey; this is not a dog for a beginning or shy owner. They become very protective of other animals in the household, and will treat them as their flock. They have also been known to kill bears to protect their charges. According to Turkish shepherds, three Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are capable of overcoming a pack of five wolves and kill one of two of them.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog Facts

Name: Anatolian Shepherd Dog Origin: North America Average Size: 76cm (30in) Average Weight: 68kg (150lbs) Average Life Span: 13 years Group: Guard Colour: Red, Brown, White, Cream Average Litter Size: 9 Temperament: Courageous, powerful and sturdy Training: Should be trained from an early age and respond best to motivational training as they can be dominant and stubborn

There are around 100 different species of angelfish that inhabit the waters of the southern hemisphere. There are two main types of angelfish, those that live in the freshwater rivers in South America (freshwater angelfish) and those angelfish that inhabit the salty ocean waters (marine angelfish). The freshwater angelfish has a more triangular shape and will generally only grow to a few inches in length. The marine angelfish can grow up to 12 inches (the same length as a big ruler) and generally have very brightly coloured markings but the exact colours depend on the angelfish species. Both the freshwater angelfish and the marine angelfish are known to be relatively difficult fishto keep in household aquariums, as both types of angelfish require very specific water conditions. Angelfish are very susceptible to changes in the water such as salt levels and pH levels, and will often die if changes are too drastic. Despite the fact that their names are the same, freshwater angelfish and marine angelfish are not thought to be closely related. The freshwater angelfish is a tropical species of cichlid, distantly related to the cichlids found in specific lakes in Africa. The marine angelfish are believed to be most closely related to the butterfly fish. Freshwater angelfish are native to the Amazon basin and are also found in the rivers running off it. Freshwater angelfish inhabit the cleaner waters and prefer to be in temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees centigrade. Freshwater angelfish lay between 100 and 1,000 eggs which hatch in just a couple of days.Freshwater angelfish tend to lay their eggs on a flat leaf or an underwater log. The baby angelfish (known as fry)

remain attached to the eggs for another week and feed off the remaining yolk in the egg sack. When they are bigger at a week old, the angelfish fry detach from their eggs and become free swimming. It is at this stage that the baby angelfish begin feeding from nutrients in the water and on plants. The triangular shape of the freshwater angelfish, means that the angelfish is able to hide more easily amongst the aquatic plants in the water. Wild freshwater angelfish have very distinctive dark stripes that run vertically down their bodies, giving the freshwater angelfish the ability to blend in to it\'s surroundings. Freshwater angelfish usually breed for life and it is often found that if one of the angelfish parents dies, then the remaining angelfish parent has no interest in breeding. Freshwater angelfish feed on smaller fish and invertebrates in their natural environment as well as eating particles of food found in the water. The freshwater angelfish is preyed upon by larger species of fish, birds and marine mammals. Marine angelfish are generally found in shallow reefs in depths of up to 50 meters. Marine angelfish are reported to be almost fearless and are noted to be inquisitive and curious towards divers. Some species of marine angelfish are solitary by nature where other species of angelfish form territorial mating pairs or even groups. The groups of marine angelfish usually have one male and a number of females. Unlike the freshwater angelfish, marine angelfish lay their tiny eggs straight into the water. The angelfish eggs float in the sea, becoming mixed in with the plankton, until they hatch. Unfortunately a vast number of marine angelfish eggs are inadvertently eaten by those manyanimals that feed on the plankton in the water.

Marine angelfish are most well known for the bright colours and patterns on their bodies. Marine angelfish vary in colour and size depending on the species of marine angelfish, although it is known that the patterns and colours of marine angelfish change drastically as they get older. It is believed that these colour changes indicate the position of the marine angelfish, within the marine angelfish social hierarchy. Marine angelfish graze on algae on coral reefs and rocks are well as eating smaller fish and crustaceans such as shrimp and small species of prawn. Adult marine angelfish are preyed upon by sharks, marine mammals and humans, but the young and smaller marine angelfish are eaten by many different species of animal both in the water and those based on land (such as birds).

Angelfish Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Pomacanthidae Common Name: Angelfish Scientific Name: Pomacanthidae Origin: Southern Hemisphere Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 7cm - 30cm (3in - 12in) Water Type: Fresh, Salt Optimum pH Level: 6.5 - 7.2 Life Span: 8 - 15 years Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Black, White, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Silver, Blue,

Green Skin Type: Scales Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Rivers and coral reefs Average Clutch Size: 500 Main Prey: Fish, Algae, Plankton Predators: Fish, Birds, Sharks, Mammals Distinctive Features: Body shape and brightly coloured markings

The ant is a small sized invertebrate that is found all around the world, with the exception of the polar regions including theArctic Circle and Antarctica. As with many other species ofinsect, there are numerous ant species inhabiting many different environments all around the world. There are more than 12,000 recognised species of ant worldwide, but there are estimated to be nearly 14,000 in total. Ants are thought to have developed from wasp like creatures 100 million years ago after blooming flowers appeared on Earth. Ants are found in many different sizes and vary in colour depending on the species of ant. Some species of ant even have wings so are able to fly which only extends the range of their territory. In the more humid environment of the tropical jungles of the Southern Hemisphere, the ants are generally of the bigger species, often reaching more than a few centimetres long. Ants are extremely sociable insects and have a complex social structure where every ant individual has a purpose (effectively a job). Ants live in colonies and have a social structure from the worker ants that gather the materials and food, as well as nursing and caring for the ant larvae (the babies), to the queen ant that runs the nest and is the only female that reproduces in her colony.

The queen ant often can live for over a year which is considerably longer than the lives of the worker ants which only really last for a couple of months. The queen ant produces between 800 and 1,500 eggs per day which are fertilised by the sperm of the male ants which is present in the nest. Remarkably, ant eggs that have not been fertilised will still hatch but produce sterile female ants that become worker ants as they cannot reproduce. Ants are omnivorous animals and therefore eat a mixture of both plant and animal matter. The diet of the ant primarily consists of leaves, fungi, honey, nectar, small insects and deadanimals, although the exact diet of the ant depends on the species. Some ants species have a more herbivorous diet, where other species of ant mainly eat meat. Due to their abundance and small size, ants have numerous animals that prey on them from tiny insects to reptiles, mammals and fish, and even certain species of plant have also developed ways in which they can digest them. An ant is said to be able lift up to 50 times its own body weight, and be able to be pull more than 30 times it own body weight. This is the equivalent of an average human adult lifting a fully grown African elephant!

Ant Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Formicidae Common Name: Ant

Scientific Name: Formicidae Found: Worldwide Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 2mm - 25mm (0.08in - 1in) Number of Species: 12,000 Average Lifespan: 3 months Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Brown, Black, Red Skin Type: Shell Favourite Food: Leaves Habitat: Soil and cavities in wood and plants Average Litter Size: 1,000 Main Prey: Leaves, Fungi, Insects Predators: Insects, Echidna, Anteater
Other animals that hunt and eat the animal...

Special Features: Social insects and pincers near the mouth

Anteaters are found throughout the Southern Hemisphere but are more common in Africa, Asia and parts of Australia. The name anteater is given to any medium size insect eating mammalsuch as the giant anteater, the collared anteater, the silky anteater, the spiny anteater and the echidna which is native to Australia. The average anteater is nearly a meter in length although some species can be bigger (like the giant anteater that gets to nearly 2m long), where others can be smaller (like the silky anteater that only grows to around 30 cm). The giant anteater is found in parts of central and south America where it inhabitsgrasslands, forests, jungles and even the lower mountain regions. The giant anteater is known to be able to consume more than 30,000 insects (mainly termites) every day!

The giant anteater is the largest of four anteater species and can be five to seven feet long from nose to tail. The giant anteater has a narrow head, a long nose, small eyes and round ears. The giant anteater has coarse hair which can be grey or brown in colour, with a white-banded black stripe running along the giant anteater\'s body. The giant anteater also has a long, bushy tail which can be two to three feet long. The giant anteater\'s front feet have large claws, which are curled under when the giant anteater walks. Although the giant anteater has poor vision the giant anteater is able to detect food using its keen sense of smell. Despite their soft appearance, anteaters are more than ready to defend themselves againstpredators and have been known to become very aggressive towards them. Anteaters primarily use their powerful legs and long claws to warn off larger animals including cougars, jaguarsand even humans. Female anteaters give birth to a single baby after a gestation period of around 6 months. The baby anteaters spend their first couple of years with their mother and usually become independent when she is pregnant again. In order to remain safe from waiting predators on the ground, baby anteaters spend much of their nursing period clinging to the back of their mother. Today, the giant anteater population numbers are declining mainly due to habitat loss and over-hunting by humans. Although considered vulnerable animals, the giant anteater is not thought to be in immediate danger of extinction but recent reports indicate that there may be less than 5,000 giant anteater individuals left in the wild.

Anteater Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Xenarthra Family: Myrmecophagidae Genus: Tamandua Scientific Name: Myrmecophaga Tridactyla Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 0.9m - 2.1m (3ft - 7ft) Weight: 18kg - 40kg (40lbs - 88lbs) Top Speed: 30km/h (18mph) Life Span: 9 - 20 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Brown, Grey, Black, Tan Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Ants Habitat: Forest and grasslands Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Ants, Termites, Insects Predators: Puma, Snakes, Jaguar Distinctive Features: Elongated snout and long sticky tongue

The antelope is a deer-like mammal found in Africa, Asia and parts of the Americas. There are many different species of antelope including the tiny Royal antelope that stands at the height of a rabbit! Unlike deer that renew their horns annually, the antelope has strong permanent horns, that antelope mainly use to defend their herd or to fight other antelopes.

An antelope tends to get to between 8 and 10 years old in the wild although they have been known to live for longer when kept in captivity. Many antelope individuals however, wouldn\'t last into old age in the wild as antelope are a key target for many large carnivorous mammals. If the antelope was old then the antelope would naturally be slower at running from danger. The antelope is one of the many medium-sized mammals holding the African food chain together. The antelope may only graze on grasses but it is a stable food source for many of Africa\'s large carnivorous predators, such as lions, hyenas and crocodiles. Antelope display different defensive behaviours based on their size, habitat, number and species. The smaller solitary antelope tend to live in dense forested areas and these species of antelope defend themselves by hiding. The duiker antelopes get their name from this specie\'s ability to dive into the vegetation. Gazelle-sized antelope run and leap, and some species of antelope exhibit their unique behaviour of pronking or stotting. Large antelope congregate in larger herds and can depend on running as group defence. The antelope is found in a wide range of habitats, typically woodland, forest, savannah,grassland plains, and marshes. Several species of antelope have adapted to living in themountains and rocky outcrops, a few species of antelope have adapted to deserts (both hot and cold), and a couple of species of antelope are even semi-aquatic and these antelope live in swamps. After mating, female antelopes give birth to a single calf or, more rarely, twins, after a gestation period that can last up to eight months. A mother and her newborn calf are vulnerable to predators, and antelopes have had to evolve different strategies for surviving this

period. For most antelope species, the female gives birth in dense cover and leaves the calf while she feeds. The calf comes to its mother when she calls it, and once fed, the calf will hide away again. Once in its hiding place, the calf remains completely still and will run away only if it is on the verge of being discovered.

Antelope Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Antilopinae Scientific Name: Alcelaphinae Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size (H): 1m - 1.5m (3 - 5ft) Weight: 500kg - 900kg (1,100lbs - 2,000lbs) Top Speed: 70km/h (43mph) Life Span: 10 - 25 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Brown, Red, Tan Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Forest and grasslands Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grass, Shoots, Seeds Predators: Lion, Cheetah, Crocodile Distinctive Features: Long legs and curved antlers

The Appenzeller dog is a herding dog by nature and therefore Appenzellers always require something to do. In a farm environment, they might nip at the sheep or cattle to herd them. Without sufficient exercise, they could become restless, so plenty of toys, space, exercise, and attention should be provided. The Appenzeller dog is part of the Sennenhund family of dogs that include the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Appenzeller and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog, all of which are similar in colour and temperament but vary in size. The Sennenhund dogswere originally used to assist in general farmwork but they are also used as mountain rescuedogs in some areas of the Swiss mountains today. The Appenzeller is one of the smaller breeds in the Sennenhund group of dogs with mature males growing to around 60 cm tall. The Appenzeller had a beautiful tri-coloured coat and a stockier build in comparison to similar breeds like the Bernese mountain dog. As with all large, very active working dogs, the Appenzeller breed should be well socialized early in life with other dogs and people and provided with regular activity and training if they are to be safely kept as a pet. According to the breed standard, the dogs are lively, high spirited, and suspicious of strangers.

Appenzeller Dog Facts

Name: Appenzeller Dog Origin: Switzerland Average Size: 58cm (23in) Average Weight: 25kg (55lbs) Average Life Span: 12 years

Group: Sennenhund Colour: Black, Tan, White Average Litter Size: 6 Temperament: Active, calm, friendly and protective of their family Training: Should be trained from an early age and respond best to firm and consistent training

The Arctic Fox is a small white fox native to the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The Arctic fox is commonly found in the colder parts of Canada, Alaska, Northern Asia and Europe. The Arctic fox is also commonly known as the Snow fox or the White fox due to the fact that the Arctic fox has white fur and spends a great deal of time in the cold snow. The Arctic fox has extremely thick winter fur, which is apparently the warmest fur of all themammals. The thick fur of the Arctic fox is definitely an essential for the Arctic fox to continue dwelling successfully in the harsh Arctic terrain where temperatures regularly fall below minus 40 degrees Celsius. The Arctic fox tends to prey on lemmings, hares, reptiles, amphibians and occasionally vulnerable seal pups that are not close to their herd. The Arctic fox makes its den far under the surface of the ground, and can amazingly withstand temperatures of up to minus 50 degrees Celsius. As with many animals that inhabit the Arctic regions, the fur of the Arctic fox changes colour to adapt to its surroundings accordingly. In the winter, the Arctic fox has thick, white fur which allows the Arctic fox to remain warm and camouflaged in its snowy surroundings. In the summer months, the fur of the Arctic fox changes to a brown colour as there the snow will have melted. This newly coloured brown fur of the Arctic fox, allows the Arctic fox to remain as

inconspicuous as possible whilst there is no snow in the Arctic during the summer months. As one of the larger carnivores in the Arctic Circle, the Arctic fox has few natural predatorswithin it\'s freezing environment. Polar bears, wolf packs and humans are only real predatorsof the adult Arctic fox, along with large birds of prey such as snowy owls, that primarily preyon the smaller and more vulnerable Arctic fox cubs. The female Arctic fox gives birth to and raises her cubs in the safety of her den, which is a network of tunnels often underground. After a gestation period of a couple of months, the female Arctic fox gives birth to up to 15 cubs which are born at the start of summer and after being nursed by their mother, are fairly independent by the time the Arctic winter starts again.

Arctic Fox Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Alopex Scientific Name: Alopex Lagopus Type: Mammal Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 70cm - 110cm (28in - 43in) Weight: 1.4kg - 9.4kg (3lbs - 21lbs) Top Speed: 45km/h (30mph) Life Span: 7 - 10 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern

Colour: White, Black, Grey Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Lemmings Habitat: Polar forest regions Average Litter Size: 5 Main Prey: Lemmings, Berries, Insects Predators: Snowy Owl, Wolf, Polar Bear Distinctive Features: Thick fur that changes colour with season

The Arctic hare is found in the northern regions of the ArcticCircle, predominantly in Northern America, Europe, Greenland and the North Pole. The Arctic hare has thick, white fur which allows it to continue inhabiting the Arctic regions successfully, in warmth and camouflage. The Arctic hare eats shoots, buds and berries found amongst the snow. The Arctic hare is a vital component in the Arctic circle food chain, being one of the few smaller mammals able to thrive in such a harsh environment. The Arctic hare is therefore common prey for bigger animals of the Arctic tundra, such as Arctic wolves, foxes and polar bears. The Arctic hare is always white in the far north where there is snow all year round. In parts of the Arctic circle that have seasons, the Arctic hare will go from white to a blue-grey colour in the summer but is known to keep its white tail all year. The Arctic hare lives in groups of around 200 Arctic hare individuals. These large groups ofArctic hare will often work together to achieve what is needed for their survival as the Arctichares huddle together to conserve heat and to keep them warm.

The Arctic hare has long claws which helps the Arctic hare when digging through icy and snowy conditions when the Arctic hare is searching for food or if the Arctic hare is digging a den. The Arctic hare can achieve very fast speeds when the Arctic hare feels threatened. If theArctic hare senses danger, the Arctic hare will stand on its hind legs and survey the area. If the Arctic hare feels threatened, the Arctic hare is capable of taking off at very fast speeds as the Arctic hare moves by hopping off its back legs in a similar way to a kangaroo.

Arctic Hare Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Lagomorpha Family: Leporidae Genus: Lepus Scientific Name: Lepus Arcticus Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size (L): 48cm - 67cm (19in - 26in) Weight: 4kg - 5kg (9lbs - 12lbs) Top Speed: 64km/h (40mph) Life Span: 3 - 8 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: White, Grey Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Tundra and rocky areas

Average Litter Size: 6 Main Prey: Grass, Willow, Flowers Predators: Snowy Owl, Fox, Wolf Distinctive Features: Thick fur that changes colour with seasons

The Arctic wolf is found in the most northern parts of the wolf\'s range, in the Arctic Circle. Arctic wolves mainly inhabit NorthernCanada and Alaska, parts of Greenland and Iceland and NorthernEurope. Arctic wolves are incredibly versatile and adaptive animals, able to withstand year round sub-zero temperatures. Living in the Arctic Circle, the Arctic wolfspends five out of twelve months in total darkness. The Arctic wolf hunts lemmings, assorted rodents, and Arctic hare but will take larger preylike caribou when available. When the Arctic wolf wants to hunt musk ox, the pack will gather and work as a team attempt to isolate it from the herd and take it. An adult musk ox is simply too big for one Arctic wolf to try and take on alone. Although the Arctic wolf is generally smaller in size than the grey wolf, Arctic wolves tend to be bulkier than grey wolves with the male Arctic wolves also growing larger than the femaleArctic wolves. Normally, only the alpha male Arctic wolf and female Arctic wolves breed, but if a pack gets too large it may break up into new smaller packs giving others the opportunity to mate. Due to the Arctic Circle\'s uncompromising permafrost soil and the difficulty it poses for digging dens, Arctic wolves often use rock outcroppings, caves or even shallow depressions as dens instead. Arctic wolf pups are born in litters of two or three in the months of May and June, meaning that the Arctic wolf pups are born about a

month later than the grey wolf pups. Arctic wolves tend to be white with brown irises, unlike most other subspecies of wolves with yellow to amber eyes. White fur gives them camouflage in a snowy environment, and the darker irises give added protection to the eyes in a high glare environment.

Arctic Wolf Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Canis Scientific Name: Canus Lupus Arcticus Type: Mammal Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 60cm - 91cm (24in - 36in) Weight: 25kg - 40kg (55lbs - 88lbs) Top Speed: 75km/h (46mph) Life Span: 7 - 10 years Lifestyle: Pack Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: White, Grey Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Deer Habitat: Grass plains and tundra forests Average Litter Size: 4 Main Prey: Deer, Elk, Moose Predators: Human Special Features: Thick, warm fur and loud howling noise

The armadillo is native to both North America and South America, although only one species of Armadillo is found in the United States. The average armadillo measures around 75cm in length, including the tail but the giant armadillo can grow to more than 1.5m long and the miniature pink fairy armadillo (the smallest armadillo species) only gets to around 10cm in length. There are around 20 species of armadillo still existent on the American continent with the nine-banded armadillo being the only species found outside of the South American tropics. The armadillo has a hard outer shell and can curl up into a ball leaving no soft body parts exposed to danger (a bit like a woodlouse). The armadillo also has long claws which the armadillo uses for digging burrows and hunting for insects in the earth. Despite the armadillo\'s odd shape, most armadillos can also reach a top speed of nearly 30 mph so can easily outrun most jungle predators. The primary predators of the armadillo arebears, wolves, wildcats and cougars. The armadillo has very poor vision which makes the armadillo somewhat vulnerable in its jungle environment. The armadillo\'s armour is formed by plates of bone covered in relatively small overlapping scales. The scales of the armadillo are known as scutes and these scutes are made up of bone with a covering of horn. The armadillo has additional armour that covers the top of its head, the upper parts of the armadillo\'s limbs and the armadillo\'s tail. The underside of the armadillo has no armour, and is simply covered with soft skin and fur, hence it\'s strategy of curling into a ball leaving only the armoured plates exposed.

The armadillo is generally an insectivore meaning that the diet of the armadillo is primarily comprised of insects. Armadillos also snack on other things including worms, spiders, snakesand frogs although the exact diet of the armadillo is very much dependent on the area which it inhabits. Female armadillos give birth to around four young which are born after a gestation period of three to four months. After birth, the baby armadillos remain in the burrow for a few months, only feeding on their mothers milk. They then begin to forage with the mother, eventually leaving after six months to a year. Some species of armadillo are known to reproduce every year so a single female armadillo can produce up to 56 young over the course of her life. Asian Black Bears are found in the forests of central and easternAsia, mainly dwelling in caves or hollow trees, where they sleep all day! Asian black bears are nocturnal animals meaning that they only go out at night to forage for food. Asian black bears are outstanding tree climbers and are generally found around the mountain regions in Asia. Asian black bears will eat most things from fruits, nuts and berries to small mammals, amphibians and birds. Asian black bears are still hunted throughout their Asian habitat by humans, for fur and medicinal purposes. Asian black bears are feared by most humans due to their aggressive nature, meaning that little effort is being made to conserve them as a species. Sadly, if this rate of hunting continues, the Asian black bear will soon become extinct.

The Asian black bear is also commonly known as the Tibetan black bear or the Himalayanblack bear, due to the region from which it comes. The Asian black bear is believed to be closely related to the American black bear through their ancestors that roamed the forests inEurope before these bears were exterminated by humans. Asian black bears can grow to nearly two meters tall, although many Asian black bearindividuals are smaller in size than this. The male Asian black bears are usually bigger than the female Asian black bears, with male Asian black bears often being double the size of the female Asian black bear. The Asian black bear is often referred to as the moon bear, mainly due to the crescent-shaped white patch on the Asian black bears chest. The Asian black bear also has sharp-claws which the Asian black bear uses to assist the Asian black bear in climbing trees to reach fruit and berries. The breeding time for Asian black bears is in late summer, from June to October, and on an average two cubs are born per litter. The Asian black bear is able to reproduce at an age of 3 to 4 years, while the total gestation period takes 7 to 8 months.

Asian Black Bear Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae Genus: Ursus Scientific Name: Ursus Tibetanus

Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (H): 1.3m - 2.1m (4ft - 7ft) Weight: 70kg - 200kg (154lbs - 441lbs) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 20 - 30 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Endangered Colour: Black with white chest Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Fruit Habitat: Thick forest and jungle Average Litter Size: 2 Main Prey: Fruit, Seeds, Small mammals Predators: Human, Tiger, Snakes Distinctive Features: Aggressive temperament and hibernate in the winter

Asian Elephants are much smaller than the African elephantsonly growing to a couple of meters tall. Asian elephants are found in the tropical jungles of India and China, and throughout most countries in south-east Asia. Asian elephants have been domesticated for hundreds of years for foresting and often battle. There are many places across Asia where Asian elephants are kept for tourists to ride, and are often treated fairly badly. Asian elephants are well known for their immense strength and friendliness towards humans. Today, the Asian elephant is considered an endangered species with only around 50,000 left in the wild. This is due to the loss of habitat of the Asian elephant and illegal poachers hunting the Asian elephant, for their skins and ivory.

The Asian elephant has smaller ears than the African elephant and the Asian elephant also has a more curved spine than the African elephant. Unlike the African elephants, the female Asianelephant very rarely have tusks, and if the female Asian elephant does have tusks, they are generally barely visible and can only be seen when the female Asian elephant opens her mouth. The Asian elephant follows strict migration routes that are determined by the monsoon season. The eldest elephant of the Asian elephant herd is responsible for remembering the migration route of its Asian elephant herd. This Asian elephant migration generally takes place between the wet and dry seasons and problems arose when farms where built along the migratory routes of the Asian elephant herds, as the Asian elephants caused a great deal of destruction to the newly founded farmland. Asian elephants are herbivorous animals meaning that they only eat plants and plant matter in order to gain all of the nutrients that they need to survive. Asian elephants eat a wide variety of vegetation including grasses, leaves, shoots, barks, fruits, nuts and seeds. Asianelephants often use their long trunk to assist them in gathering food. Due to their large size, Asian elephants have very few predators within their natural environment. Besides human hunters, tigers are the primary predator of the Asian elephant, although they tend to hunt the smaller Asian elephant calves rather than the much larger and stronger adults. Female Asian elephants are generally able to breed by the time they are 10 years old, and give birth to a single Asian elephant calf after a 22 month gestation period. When the Asianelephant calf is first born, it

weighs about 100 kg, and is cared for not only by it\'s mother by also by other female Asian elephants in the herd (known as aunties). The infant Asian elephantremains with its mother until it is around 5 years old and gains its independence, with males often leaving the herd and female calves staying. Today, the Asian elephant is considered to be an animal that is in immediate danger of becoming extinct due to the fact that Asian elephant populations have been declining at a critical rate. Asian elephants are thought to be suffering primarily due to habitat loss in the form of deforestation and hunting for their ivory tusks by human poachers.

Asian Elephant Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Proboscidea Family: Elephantidae Genus: Elephas Scientific Name: Elephas Maximus Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size (H): 2m - 3m (7ft - 10ft) Weight: 3,000kg - 5,000kg (6,500lbs - 11,000lbs) Top Speed: 43km/h (27mph) Life Span: 55 - 70 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Endangered Colour: Grey, Brown, Black Skin Type: Leather

Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Rainforest and tropical woodland Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grass, Fruit, Roots Predators: Human, Tiger Distinctive Features: Long trunk and large feet

Asian Giant Hornet Classification and Evolution The Asian Giant Hornet is the largest species of Hornet in the world with some queens reaching more than 5cm in length. They are found throughout Eastern Asia, particularly in Japan where they are commonly known as the Giant Sparrow Bee. It is not to be confused with the more placid Asian Hornet which arrived in France in 2005 and, although similar in appearance to the Asian Giant Hornet, the Asian Hornet is thought to be no more dangerous than the European Hornet. The Asian Giant Hornet was first classified in 1852 by a British entomologist called Frederick Smith, who worked in the zoology department of the British Museum. He later became the president of the Entomological Society of London from 1862 - 1863. Asian Giant Hornet Anatomy and Appearance This Wasp species is larger than any other with average Asian Giant Hornets growing to between 2.7cm and 4.5cm in length, with a wingspan of around 7cm. The queens can grow to 5.5cm but are similar in appearance to the worker Hornets with an orange head, black mandibles and a black and golden body. The Asian Giant Hornet has two sets of eyes, one compound and one ocelli, both of which are brown in colour along with their legs. Unlike other species of Wasp, and indeed Bees, the stinger of the Asian Giant Hornet is not barbed and therefore remains attached to it's body once used. This means that Asian Giant Hornets are able to sting their victims repeatedly, injecting a complex venom that is known to contain eight different chemicals.

Asian Giant Hornet Distribution and Habitat The Asian Giant Hornet is found throughout Eastern Asia in Korea, Taiwan, China, Indochina, Nepal, India and Sri Lanka, but they are most commonly found in the mountains of Japan. They are found inhabiting higher altitude forests in both temperate and tropical areas, where there is plenty of food and suitable places to build a nest. The nest is founded by a fertilised female (known as the queen) who selects a suitably sheltered site such as the hollow trunk of a tree, where she begins to build herself a nest out of chewed up bark. Wasp nests contain a series of single cells which together create the well-known honeycomb affect. Asian Giant Hornet Behaviour and Lifestyle Asian Giant Hornets are known for their fearless and extremely aggressive attitudes, and they seem to favour one animal in particular, the Honeybee. Asian Giant Hornets like to feed the Honeybee Larvae to their own young and are known to completely destroy whole Bee hives in the process. Rather than using their stinger, Asian Giant Hornets, kill the guarding Bees using their strong mandibles with extreme force and agility. One Hornet is said to be able to tear up to 40 Honeybees in half every minute just to get at what it wants. Asian Giant Hornets are sociable Insects, working together within the colony to forage for food, growing the size of the nest and caring for the young. They are known as workers but they do not reproduce, as that is the job of the queen. Asian Giant Hornet Reproduction and Life Cycles Once having built her nest in the spring, the fertilised queen lays a single egg in each cell which hatch within a week. Asian Giant Hornet Larvae undergo a five-stage changing process known as metamorphosis, in order to get to their adult form. This takes around 14 days by which point the hive has it's first generation of workers that

ensure that the colony as a whole is well-maintained. By the late summer, the population of the colony is at it's peak with around 700 workers, most of which are female. The queen then begins to produce fertilised (female) and non-fertilised (male) eggs. The males leave the hive once they have reached their adult form and usually die once mated. The workers and current queens tend to die out in the autumn leaving the young fertilised queens to survive the winter and begin the process again the next spring. Asian Giant Hornet Diet and Prey The Asian Giant Hornet is a dominant predator within it's environment, mainly hunting otherinsects, particularly Bees. Asian Giant Hornets are also commonly known to kill larger Insectssuch as Preying Mantises and even other Wasps and Hornets. Adult Asian Giant Hornets are unable to digest solid proteins and instead only eat the fluids from their victims. They are also known to feed their catch to their larvae (particularly the Honeybee Larvae) in the form of a regurgitated paste. The Larvae then secrete a clear liquid which the adults consume, and is thought to give them a bit of an energy boost. Asian Giant Hornets predominantly use their mandibles rather than their powerful stingers in order to secure their prey. Asian Giant Hornet Predators and Threats Due to the fact that the Asian Giant Hornet is an apex predator within it's environment, it has no real natural predators within it's native habitats. Humans pose the biggest threat to the world's largest wasp, mainly as they are consumed as part of normal diets in the areas where they are found. This is particularly common in the mountains of Japan where the Asian Giant Hornet populations are in the highest abundance. Despite it's size and bad temper, numbers of the Asian Giant Hornet are declining in certain areas. This is mainly

due to habitat loss in the form of deforestation. Honeybees in Eastern Asia are also starting to develop their own defence again the Hornets, trapping them in their nest until it becomes too hot for this giantWasp and it dies. Asian Giant Hornet Interesting Facts and Features The stinger of the Asian Giant Hornet is 1/4 inch long and because it has no barb, the Asian Giant Hornet is able to sting it's victims multiple times. The venom injected by the stinger is incredibly potent and contains eight different chemicals, each with a specific purpose. These range from tissue degeneration and breathing difficulties, to making the sting more painful and even attracting other hornets to the victim. The Asian Giant Hornet is a relentless hunter and only a few are said to be able to completely wipe out a 30,000+ Honeybee colony in a couple of hours. The saliva produced by the larvae of the Asian Giant Hornet is said to give them their renowned energy and stamina when consumed on a regular basis. When chasing their prey, they have been reported travelling distances of up to 60 miles, at a top speed of 25 mph. Asian Giant Hornet Relationship with Humans Oddly enough, these incredibly large and indeed dangerous Insects, are actually eaten by people who share the habitat of the Asian Giant Hornet. The Asian Giant Hornet is consumed by some as a regular source of food and is most commonly deep fried or served as a Hornet sashimi. Despite the fact that the venom of the Asian Giant Hornet is incredibly potent, it is only in rare cases when the person is more vulnerable, that it is actually the poison that has caused them to die. In Japan alone, 40 people are killed every year by stings from Asian Giant Hornets but fatalities are mainly caused by allergic reactions, often from multiple stings.

Asian Giant Hornet Conservation Status and Life Today The Asian Giant Hornet is today listed as a species that is Threatened from extinction in the near future, should the circumstances surrounding it's survival not change. Despite their dominance in their natural environments, the Asian Giant Hornet populations are being severely affected by habitat loss is certain areas, predominantly in the form of deforestation.

Asian Giant Hornet Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Vespidae Genus: Vespa Scientific Name: Vespa mandarinia Common Name: Asian Giant Hornet Other Name(s): Giant Sparrow Bee Group: Wasp Number Of Species: 1 Location: Eastern Asia Habitat: Dense woodland Colour: Black, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow Skin Type: Shell Size (L): 2.7cm - 5.5cm (1.1in - 2.2in) Diet: Carnivore Prey: Bees, Honeybees, Insects, Wasps Predators: Human Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Colony

Life Span: 3 - 5 months Age Of Sexual Maturity: 1 year Incubation Period: 1 week Average Spawn Size: 50 Name Of Young: Larvae Age Of Independence: 10 days Conservation Status: Threatened Estimated Population Size: Unknown Biggest Threat: Habitat loss Distinctive Features: Wide black and orange body and large mandibles Fun Fact: The largest wasp in the world!

The Asian palm civet is a smaller species of civet found throughout the jungles of Asia, and easily recognisable by its dark, coarse hair and large eyes. The Asian palm civet is also known as the common palm civet and the Toddy Cat is areas where the Asian palm civet is natively found. The Asian palm civet is found inhabiting the tropical jungles and rainforests throughout much of Asia. The main populations of the Asian palm civet however are found in southern India, Sri Lanka, South-east Asia and southern China. Unfortunately, Asian palm civets have been drastically affected by increasing deforestation (and therefore habitat loss) in their native regions. The Asian palm civet is widely spread and fairly commonly found throughout much of Asiaand despite their cat-like appearance and behaviours, Asian palm civets are not felines at all but are in fact more closely related to other small carnivores including weasels andmongooses. Unlike other civet species the tail of the Asian palm civet does not have rings, but the face of this species is banded like that of a raccoon.

The Asian palm civet is solitary animal that only comes out under the cover of night to hunt and catch food. These nocturnal animals are primarily ground-dwelling and highly terrestrial as they mark their ranges by dragging their anal glands along the ground. Despite being predominately ground-dwelling though the Asian palm civet is known to climb up into the trees either in search of food or to hide from approaching predators. The Asian palm civet is a carnivorous animal, and like other species of civet, it survives on a meat-based diet, supplemented by the odd plant or fruit. Small animals such as rodents,lizards, snakes and frogs make up the majority of the Asian palm civet's diet, along withinsects and other small creatures scuttling through the under-growth. Asian palm civets are also known to eat the fruits and flowers of palms, mangos and coffee in their natural habitats. Despite being a secretive yet relatively ferocious predatory animal, the Asian palm civet is actually preyed upon by a number of predators within their natural environment. Large predatory cats are the most common predators of the Asian palm civet including tigers andleopards along with reptiles such as large snakes and crocodiles. The female Asian palm civet usually gives birth to up to 4 young after a gestation period that lasts for a couple of months. The babies are weaned by their mother until they are strong enough to fend for themselves. Asian palm civets can live for up to 20 years, although most rarely get to be this old. Today, the Asian palm civet is under threat from deforestation and therefore drastic loss of much of its natural habitat. The main reason

for such extensive deforestation in the area is either for logging or to clear the land to make way for palm oil plantations.

Asian Palm Civet Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Viverridae Genus: Paradoxurus Scientific Name: Paradoxurus Hermaphroditus Type: Mammal Diet: Carnivore Size (H): 43cm - 71cm (17in - 28in) Weight: 1.4kg - 4.5kg (3lbs - 10lbs) Life Span: 15 - 20 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Vulnerable Colour: Black, White, Grey, Yellow, Brown, Tan Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Rodents Habitat: Tropical rainforest Average Litter Size: 2 Main Prey: Rodents, Snakes, Frogs Predators: Lions, Snakes, Leopards Distinctive Features: Elongated body and snout with sharp, pointed teeth

Like many herding dogs, Cattle Dogs have high energy levels and active minds. They need plenty of exercise and a job to do, so nonworking dogs need to participate in dog sports, learning tricks, or other activities that engage their body and mind.

Some individuals find repetitive training frustrating and dull, so owners should aim to make training sessions varied and more exciting in order to keep theirdog interested. Cattle Dogs who do not receive the appropriate exercise and entertainment will invent their own, often destructive, activities. These dogs are, by nature, wary. They are naturally cautious, and grow more so as they age. Their cautious nature towards strangers makes them perfect guard dogs, when trained for this task. Cattle Dogs drive cattle by nipping at their heels or tails, but they have also been known to herd other animals.

Australian Cattle Dog Facts

Name: Australian Cattle Dog Origin: Australia Average Size: 50cm (20in) Average Weight: 20kg (45lbs) Average Life Span: 15 years Group: Herd Dog Colour: Grey, Red, Black Average Litter Size: 5 Temperament: Strong minded yet loyal and loving Training: Should be trained from an early age and respond best to firm and fair training

Kelpies are loyal, friendly, intelligent, energetic dogs that require a challenging job to be satisfactory companions. They need to be stimulated as idle and bored dogs become frustrated, noisy, and destructive.With personalised love and attention, they can be very placid and faithful, although they do need space to run. For the show or bench Kelpie, walks and socialisation may be sufficient to keep them happy. A working bred Kelpie must have a job to do and

plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to remain healthy and companionable. A Kelpie is not aggressive towards people and cannot be considered a guard dog, though he will certainly bark when necessary. Working Kelpies may nip when working stock and should be taught early not to do so to humans.

Australian Kelpie Dog Facts

Name: Australian Kelpie Dog Origin: Australia Average Size: 50cm (20in) Average Weight: 20kg (45lbs) Average Life Span: 14 years Group: Herd Dog Colour: Tan, Red, Black, Brown Average Litter Size: 5 Temperament: Loyal and protective Training: Should be trained from an early age and should be firm but fair

The Australian Mist (or spotted Australian mist) was bred inAustralia in the 1700s to produce a short-haired cat with a spotted coat. The Australian Mist is thought to be a mix-bred cat with mainlyBurmese and Abyssinian cat blood-lines. Today the spotted part of the Australian mists name has been dropped, as the cats today often have more of a mottled than spotted coat. The Australian Mist is mainly bred in Australia, however, more breeders of the Australian Mist are starting to appear in the United Kingdom and North America.

The Australian mist is known to have an excellent temperament and adores humancompanionship. The Australian mist is known to be trustworthy, gentle and extremely affectionate to both humans and other household animals and the Australian mist is even known to be friendly towards strangers. The Australian mist is known to be around the same size and shape of the Burmese cat and has even evolved with some of the Burmese cat's playful and curious traits.

Australian Mist Facts

Name: Australian Mist Origin: Australia Average Size: 60cm (2ft) Average Weight: 4.5kg (10lbs) Average Life Span: 14 years Group: Shorthair Colour: Brown, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Caramel, Gold, Peach Average Litter Size: 4 Temperament: Affectionate, gentle and trustworthy

The Aussie breed is an energetic dog that requires exercise and mental stimulation to be happy and to avoid becoming destructive. They need a minimum of 20 min hard running twice per day. Aussies love working, whether it is herding livestock, performing tricks, competing in dog agility, or any other canine sport. They do exceptionally well in frisbee catching competition, and they love to retrieve items from water. Aussies want to accompany their favorite humans and see and do whatever you are doing. After sufficient exercise they enjoy being couch potatoes. It is usually a sweet and affectionatedog which is

faithful to its owners and great with children if raised with them. They typcially are friendly with the owner's friends and family that they see often but protective when strangers are around. Socialization from puppyhood is necessary to get the very best from them. Most Australian Shepherds make wonderful family dogs, provided there is a human pack leader to guide them. They generally get along with other dogs and are not quarrelsome.

Australian Shepherd Facts

Name: Australian Shepherd Origin: North America Average Size: 58cm (23in) Average Weight: 32kg (70lbs) Average Life Span: 14 years Group: Herd Dog Colour: Tan, Red, Black, Brown, Grey Average Litter Size: 7 Temperament: Confident and independent yet loving and responsive, Training: Should be trained from an early age and they are easy to train but it takes time

The Australian Terrier is spirited, alert, courageous, and selfconfident, with the natural aggressiveness of a ratter and hedge hunter, as a companion, friendly and affectionate. Aussies are very intelligent. They are happiest when with their families, and therefore they should not be left outside for long periods of time. They are natural watchdogs and will sound the alarm if a strange animal or person approaches. As with other terriers, they can be dog-aggressive and somewhat bossy, and care must be taken when living in a multi-pet household. In

general, adult male terriers do not get along well with other adult male dogs.

Australian Terrier Facts

Name: Australian Terrier Origin: Australia Average Size: 25cm (10in) Average Weight: 6kg (14lbs) Average Life Span: 14 years Group: Terrier Colour: Tan, Gold, Black Average Litter Size: 4 Temperament: Courageous, energetic and confident Training: Should be trained from an early age and respond best to fun and challenging training methods

The avocet is a type of wading bird that is found across mudflats in the world's warmer climates. There are four different species of avocet which are the Pied avocet, the American avocet, the Red-necked avocet and the Andean avocet. The avocet is generally found in watery habitats close to the coast including marshland, wetlands and swamp. The exact habitat of the avocet is dependent on the species as the Pied avocet is found in Europe and Asia, the American avocet is found on the Pacific coast of North America, the Red-necked avocet in Australia and the Andean avocet is natively found nesting high up in the Andes Mountains. The avocet is a very distinctive looking bird due to the fact that the avocet has a long and thin, upturned beak which it sweeps from side to side in the water to catch food. Like other waders the avocet also has long legs and webbed feet to aid it in hunting in the shallows.

The avocet is a relatively large and forceful species of bird, often reported to intimidate otherbirds into leaving its spot. Avocets are relatively sociable birds and can often be seen flying, hunting, migrating and nesting in large flocks. The avocet is a carnivorous animal and primarily feeds on insects and other smallinvertebrates in order to survive. Avocets also feed on small fish, crustaceans and even the odd amphibian when they are hunting in the water. Due to their relatively large size, the avocet has a limited number of predators in it's natural environment with dogs, cats, stoats and weasels being the primary predators of the avocet chicks and eggs. Avocets are known to breed on open ground, generally close to the water. The female avocet lays around 4 eggs which are incubated by both parents until they hatch a month later. Avocet chicks are nursed by both parents until they fledge (fly away from the nest) at between 4 and 6 weeks old. Today, the avocet appears to be thriving particularly in the UK, where extensive conservationwork has been done in order to try and build the avocet population after it became extinct in Britain in the 1800s. Today, the avocet is also on the logo for the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).

Avocet Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae Genus: Recurvirostra Scientific Name: Recurvirostra Type: Bird Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 42cm - 45cm (16in - 18in) Wing Span: 77cm - 80cm (30in - 32in) Weight: 140g - 400g (5oz - 14oz) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 10 - 15 years Lifestyle: Flock Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: White, Black Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Temperate wetlands Average Clutch Size: 4 Main Prey: Insects. Fish, Crustaceans Predators: Dogs, Cats, Stouts Distinctive Features: Long curved beak and striking plumage

The axolotl is a medium-sized amphibian that is only found in one complex of lakes that are close to Mexico City in south-central Mexico. The axolotl is today kept as a popular freshwateraquarium pet all around the world.

The axolotl is most closely related to the tiger salamander which inhabits the waters in a similar region of Mexico. However, axolotls can be easily distinguished from salamanders as the axolotl retains it\'s tadpole-like appearance for it\'s whole life, therefore axolotls and young tiger salamanders are easily confused. The axolotl has a flat-shaped broad head that is much wider than the body of the axolotl. The axolotl also has feathery gills which protrude from either side of the head of the axolotl, allowing the axolotl to breath under water. As with newts and salamanders, axolotls are able to regenerate limbs that become damaged or detached meaning that axolotls have been extensively used in scientific experiments around the world. The axolotl is most commonly found in albino form as they spend a great deal of their lives hiding under rocks and in crevices on the bottom of the lake. Although axolotls are generally white or pink in colour, black, grey and brown coloured axolotls can also be found. The axolotl is a carnivorous animal meaning that the axolotl has a purely meat-based diet. The axolotl eats worms and insect larvae that develop under the surface of the water along with molluscs, crustaceans and some small species of fish. Due to the bottom-dwelling lifestyle of the axolotl, it has surprisingly few natural predatorsdespite it\'s relatively small size. Birds and large fish are the most common predators of the axolotl along with humans who catch the axolotl to keep as pets in artificial environments. The axolotl can live for up to 25 years although the average axolotl rarely gets much older than the age of 15. Female axolotls can lay

anywhere from 100 to 1,000 eggs which are coated with a sticky substance that helps them to stick to plants and rocks in the water to keep them safe. After about a month of development, tiny axolotl babies emerge into the open water. Today, the axolotl is considered to be a critically endangered species meaning that there are very few axolotl individuals left in the wild. Increasing levels of pollution is the most destructive factor in the survival to the axolotl with the ever-growing size of nearby Mexico City.

Axolotl Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family: Ambystomatidae Genus: Ambystoma Scientific Name: Ambystoma Mexicanum Type: Amphibian Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 15cm - 45cm (6in - 18in) Weight: 60g - 200g (2oz - 7oz) Top Speed: 17km/h (10mph) Life Span: 10 - 20 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Endangered Colour: Black, White, Pink, Grey, Brown Skin Type: Permeable Favourite Food: Worms Habitat: High altitude freshwater lakes

Average Litter Size: 500 Main Prey: Worms, Insects, Molluscs Predators: Birds, Fish Distinctive Features: Feathery gills and flattened-shaped head

Aye Aye Classification and Evolution The Aye Aye is a species of Lemur that is found inhabiting therainforests of Madagascar. The Aye Aye is not only the largestnocturnal primate in the world but is also one of the most unique and is in fact so strange in appearance, that it was thought to be a large species of Squirrel when it was first discovered. In the mid 1800s the Aye Aye was finally recognised as being a species of Lemurbut was classified in a group of it's own as their closest Lemur relatives remain a mystery even today. However, these incredibly unique animals are severely threatened throughout much of their natural habitat and were thought to be on the brink of extinction by 1980, primarily due to them being killed instantly by local people who believe that seeing an Aye Aye is very bad luck. Although today population numbers seem to have risen, the Aye Aye is one of Madagascar's most endangered animal species. Aye Aye Anatomy and Appearance The Aye Aye is a primate that is most closely related to Lemurs but is one of the most uniqueanimals on the planet due the fact that it possesses a number of very distinct adaptations. Their body and long tail are covered in coarse, shaggy black or dark brown fur with a layer of white guard hairs that helps them to blend into the surrounding forest in the dark. The Aye Aye has very large eyes on it's pointed face, a pink nose and rodent-like teeth with incisors that grow continuously to ensure that they never become blunt. Their large rounded ears are incredibly sensitive giving the Aye Aye excellent hearing when listening for grubs beneath the tree bark and are able to be rotated

independently. The Aye Aye has long and bony fingers with sharp pointed claws on the ends to help when dangling from branches, but it is the middle fingers on their front feet which are their most distinctive feature. Much longer than the others, these fingers are opposable with a double-jointed tip and a hooked claw on the end and are used for both detecting grubs in dead wood and then extracting them. Aye Aye Distribution and Habitat Historically, the Aye Aye inhabited the coastal forests of eastern and north-western Madagascar but by 1983 they were thought to be almost extinct with only a few scattered individuals known to still be found there. Since then their population numbers have increased and although these populations aren't favourably big, they are found in an increasing number of locations and in a variety of different forest habitats. The Aye Aye prefers dense, tropical and coastal rainforest where there is plenty of cover but they are also known to inhabit secondary forest, bamboo thickets, mangroves and even coconut groves along the eastern coast of Madagascar. However, along with the persecution of the Aye Aye by local people they are severely threatened in their natural environment by habitat loss. Aye Aye Behaviour and Lifestyle The Aye Aye is a nocturnal and arboreal animal meaning that it spends most of it's life high in the trees. Although they are known to come down to the ground on occasion, Aye Ayes sleep, eat, travel and mate in the trees and are most commonly found close to the canopy where there is plenty of cover from the dense foliage. During the day Aye Ayes sleep in spherical nests in the forks of tree branches that are constructed out of leaves, branches and vines before emerging after dark to begin their hunt for food. The Aye Aye is a solitary animal that marks it's large home range with scent with the smaller territory of a

female often overlapping those of at least a couple of males. Male Aye Ayes tend to share their territories with other males and are even known to share the same nests (although not at the same time), and can seemingly tolerate each other until they hear the call of a female that is looking for a mate. Aye Aye Reproduction and Life Cycles It was previously thought that the Aye Aye had a very strict breeding season (in the same way as other Lemurs) when they actually seem to breed throughout the year, depending on the when the female comes into season. When a female is ready to mate she calls to male Lemurswho are known to gather around her and will fight aggressively between one another for breeding rights. After a gestation period that lasts for about five months, a single infant is born and spends it's first two months in the safety of the nest, not being weaned until it is at least 7 months old. Young Aye Ayes will remain with their mother until they are two years old and leave to establish a territory of their own. A female Aye Aye is thought to be able to start reproducing when she is between 3 and 3.5 years old where males seems to be able to do so at least 6 months earlier. Aye Aye Diet and Prey The Aye Aye is an omnivorous animal that feeds on both other animals and plant matter, moving about high up in the trees and under the cover of night. Males are known to cover distances of up to 4km a night in their search for food, feeding on a variety of fruits, seeds,insects and nectar. They are however specially adapted to hunt in a very unique way as they use their elongated middle finger to tap dead wood in search of the hollow tunnels created by wood-boring grubs, listening for even the slightest sound with their sensitive batlike ears. Once the Aye Aye has detected it's prey it uses it's sharp

front teeth to gnaw a hole into the wood before inserting the long middle finger, hooking the grub with it's claw and extracting it (filling the same ecological niche as a Woodpecker). The Aye Aye is also known to use this long digit to eat eggs and coconut flesh and is thought to be the only primate to use echolocation when searching for food. Aye Aye Predators and Threats The secretive and tree-dwelling lifestyle of the Aye Aye means that it actually has very few natural predators in it's native environment, with the agile and equally nocturnal Fossa being their most ferocious natural predator (along with Birds of Prey and Snakes that hunt the smaller and more vulnerable young). Humans are in fact the biggest threat to the Aye Aye as populations have been obliterated in much of their native forests due to superstition from local people who believe that it is a bad omen to see one. In other areas where they are not feared in this way, the Aye Aye is hunted as bushmeat. The biggest threat however to current populations is habitat loss caused both by deforestation and growing Human settlements that encroach on the Aye Aye's natural habitat. Aye Aye Interesting Facts and Features Although the Aye Aye is a solitary animal, males have very loose territories that can overlap those of a number of others. They build their nests high in the trees and will rarely sleep in the same one two nights in a row which means that one territory can contain numerous nests, with up to six thought to be found in just one tree. The Aye Aye is thought to be one of the creepiest creatures in the world with it's name believed to have come from the cry of alarm when a person spotted one. Despite now being found in more areas of it's once vast range, Aye Aye population numbers were once so low that they were

actually thought to be extinct in the wild until 1957 when they were rediscovered. Aye Aye Relationship with Humans The main reason why Aye Aye population numbers have been critically low for years is that local people think that they are just too weird and many believe that seeing one is very bad luck indeed. One story says that if an Aye Aye points it's long middle finger at you that you will die, and other stresses that seeing one will lead to the death of a villager. The only way of stopping this in both cases is to kill the Aye Aye as quickly as possible which has led to the extinction of populations in certain areas. Today though, the Aye Aye is also faced with the increasing size of towns and villages that encroach on it's native habitats with some individuals forced to invade crops to get food, which often leads to them being shot. They are also severely threatened by deforestation for the logging industry and to clear land for the creation of agricultural plantations. Aye Aye Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Aye Aye is listed by the IUCN as an animal that is Endangered meaning that it is severely threatened from possible extinction in the near future. Numbers have increased somewhat since the 1980s and small populations have been sighted in more areas of their natural range however, they are still greatly threatened by the Human activity going on around them. A number of captive populations can be found around the world in breeding programs to try and save the Aye Aye from complete extinction. A small population can also be found on the island of Nosy Mangabe, which is a protected reserve just off Madagascar's north-east coast.

Aye Aye Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Daubentoniidae Genus: Daubentonia Scientific Name: Daubentonia madagascariensis Common Name: Aye Aye Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 1 Location: Eastern coast of Madagascar Habitat: Dense, tropical rainforest Colour: Black, Dark Brown Skin Type: Fur Size (L): 30cm - 40cm (12in - 15in) Weight: 2kg - 2.7kg (4lbs - 6lbs) Top Speed: 32kph (20mph) Diet: Omnivore Prey: Insects, Larvae, Fruit Predators: Human, Fossa, Birds of Prey Lifestyle: Nocturnal Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 10 - 23 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 2 - 3 years Gestation Period: 170 days Average Litter Size: 1 Name Of Young: Infant Age Of Weaning: 7 months Conservation Status: Endangered Estimated Population Size: 1,000 - 10,000 Biggest Threat: Hunting and habitat loss

Most Distinctive Feature: Elongated middle finger with hooked claw Fun Fact: Thought to be extinct until 1957!

B
Baboons are medium sized primates found in Africa, and are best known for their bright behinds! The two most common species of baboon in east Africa are the olive baboon and the yellow baboon. The baboon is generally found in more forested areas but is also commonly known to wander the African plains. Baboons grow from 0.5 to 1.2m depending on the species, but weigh only around 30kg. The olive baboon tends to grow to a slightly larger size than the yellow baboon. Baboons are also mainly ground dwelling monkeys meaning that they have a more varied habitat than most other primates. Baboons generally get to about 30 years old but can get to older ages if domesticated. Baboons are the most friendly known monkey towards humans in the east of Africa, but have made a name for themselves as agricultural pests. Baboons live together in troops with only one dominant male baboon for every troop. The other up to 50 remaining baboons are females and baby baboons, that are either female or males that are not old enough to survive without the baboon troops help. The baboon is a terrestrial and ground dwelling animal and baboons are found in open savannah, open woodland and hills across Africa. The baboon's diet is omnivorous, but mostly vegetarian yet baboons eat insects and the baboon occasionally preys on fish, shellfish, hares, birds, monkeys and small antelopes.

Baboons are forager animals and baboons are active at irregular times throughout both the day and night. Baboons can raid human dwellings and in South Africa baboons have been also known to prey on human livestock like sheep and goats. The baboon's main predators are human beings and the leopard, although the baboon is not easy prey for a leopard and large male baboons will often confront the leopard by flashing their eyelids and showing their teeth by yawning. Baboons have also been seen making gestures, and chasing after the intruder/predator.

Baboon Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Cercopithecidae Genus: Papio Scientific Name: Simia Hamadryas Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (H): 50cm - 76cm (20in - 30in) Weight: 14kg - 45kg (30lbs - 100lbs) Top Speed: 45km/h (30mph) Life Span: 15 - 30 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Grey, Brown, Black Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Fruit Habitat: Rocky terrain in savannas

Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Fruit, Grass, Insects Predators: Lion, Cheetah, Leopards Distinctive Features: Long tails and loud vocal calls test: t

The bactrian camel is better known as being the type of camelwith two humps. There are only two surviving species of camelremaining, the single humped camels from the Middle East and the bactrian (double humped) camel from Northern Asia. There are thought to be more than a million bactrian camelsdomesticated worldwide in not just Asia, but also parts of Africa and the Middle East. Camelshave been domesticated for around 2,000 years for both pulling/carrying heavy loads but also for transporting both humans and merchandise. Like the single humped camel, the bactrian camel is able to survive on its own water reserves for long periods of time meaning they can cross enormous desert plains and mountain ranges without the need to stop so often. Today the bactrian camel is considered to be a critically endangered species with less than 1,000 bactrian camels thought to living in the wild in parts of China and Mongolia. The bactrian camels humps work in the same way to the Arabian camels humps, with the bactrian camels humps used for storing fat which can be converted to water and energy when the bactrian camel is unable to find food and water. The bactrian camels humps give the bactrian camels their legendary ability to endure long periods of travel without water, even in

harsh desert conditions. As the fat in the bactrian camels humps gets used up, the bactriancamels humps become floppy and flabby. The bactrian camel is one of the most adaptive animals in the world with the bactrian camelbeing able to withstand temperatures from 40 degrees Centigrade in the summer to -30 degrees Centigrade in the winter. Bactrian camels have developed special adaptations to allow the bactrian camel to survive in such a brutal environment. The bactrian camel has a thick, shaggy coat that protects the bactrian camel from the cold in the winter and the bactrian camels coat falls away as seasons change and temperatures rise to allow the bactrian camel to keep cool in the summer.

Bactrian Camel Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Camelidae Genus: Camelus Scientific Name: Camelus Bactrianus Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size (H): 1.7m - 2.1m (5.5ft - 7ft) Weight: 600kg - 816kg (1,322lbs - 1,800lbs) Top Speed: 64km/h (40mph) Life Span: 35 - 50 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Endangered

Colour: Brown, Tan Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Deserts close to water Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Seeds, Grass, Thorny Shrubs Predators: Human, Tiger, Monitor Lizards Distinctive Features: Thick fur and two humps

Badgers are found living in the forests of Europe and westernAsia, scavenging for roots and berries as well as worms and insects. Amazingly badgers can run up to 30km an hour for short periods of time and have been known to successfully fight off bigger mammals such as wolves, coyotes and bears! There have been occasional reports over the years of badgers being particularly aggressive towards dogs and even humans! The badger is capable of producing a painful bite, and some badgers are also known to carry a type of rabies.The most commonly known badgers are the white and black striped badgers in western Europe. Badgers are thought to be related to otters and weasels and can often grow to nearly a meter in length! The badger lives in underground burrows which often contains a maze of tunnels. It is thought that when digging its den, the badger is capable of removing tonnes of soil! Badger is the common name for any animal of the badger three subfamilies, which belong to the family Mustelidae. This is the same mammal family as the ferrets, the weasels, the otters, and several other types of carnivore meaning that the badger is most closely related to these animals.

There are eight different species of badger, and these badger species are split into three badger subfamilies, the badgers of Europe and Asia, the Ratel badger or honey badger, and the American badger. The Asian stink badger was once classified as a badger but today this badger species is thought to be more closely related to the skunk than the badger. Typical badger species have short legs and badgers also tend to have a relatively heavy build. The badgers lower jaw is articulated to the badgers upper jaw meaning that it is almost impossible to dislocate the badgers jaw. This enables the badger to maintain its hold on the badgers prey with great ease, but limits the badgers jaw movement to hinging opening and shutting or sliding from side to side.

Badger Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Genus: Taxidiinae Scientific Name: Taxidea Taxus Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 40cm - 75cm (16in - 29in) Weight: 11kg - 14kg (24lbs - 30lbs) Top Speed: 30km/h (18mph) Life Span: 4 - 10 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Brown, Black, White

Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Worms Habitat: Woodland and hedgerows Average Litter Size: 3 Main Prey: Worms, Roots, Fruit Predators: Human, Eagle, Wildcats Distinctive Features: Flattened body and long claws

The Balinese cat was first registered in the USA in the 1920s as a longhair Siamese cat, and it wasn't until the mid 1950s that the Balinese cat was classified as a new breed of domestic cat. The Balinese cat is very much like the Siamese cat in characteristics but the Balinese cat generally has longer hair and is more likely to have markings on its fur. The Balinese cat is about the same size and weight as the Siamese cat and also tends to be found in similar colours. The Balinese cat is a popular longhair household cat as the Balinese cat does not need grooming as much as other longhaired cats, such as the Himalayan cat and the Persian cat. The elegant features of Balinese cat also make it a popular breed in Western households. The Balinese cat is a very affectionate feline and adores human attention. The Balinese is also a playful and energetic breed of cat and is most happy when it is active and playing. The Balinese is an extremely intelligent breed of cat, and it is thought that the Balinese cat is the most intelligent breed of ling-haired cat. The Balinese also has a remarkably long lifespan for a domestic cats as the Balinese often reaches 20 years old.

Balinese Facts

Name: Balinese Origin: North America Average Size: 60cm (2ft) Average Weight: 5.4kg (12lbs) Average Life Span: 15 years Group: Semi-Longhair Colour: Brown, Chocolate, Lilac, Caramel, Black Average Litter Size: 5 Temperament: Affectionate, playful and energetic

The banded palm civet is a rare species of civet found in the tropical forests across south-east Asia. Banded palm civets were named for their tan and black striped coats which give the banded palm civet more camouflage in the surrounding jungle. The banded palm civet is found inhabiting the tropical jungles and rainforests throughout much of south-east Asia including Burma and Thailand, and throughout most of Malaysia and Indonesia. Unfortunately, banded palm civets have been drastically affected by increasing deforestation (and therefore habitat loss) in their native regions. The banded palm civet is widely spread and fairly commonly found throughout much of south-east Asia and despite their cat-like appearance and behaviours, banded palm civets are not felines at all but are in fact more closely related to other small carnivores includingweasels and mongooses. The fur of the banded palm civet is one of the most distinctively marked of all civet species. The banded palm civet is solitary animal that only comes out under the cover of night to hunt and catch food. These nocturnal animals are primarily ground-dwelling and highly territorial. Despite being

predominately ground-dwelling though the banded palm civet is known to climb up into the trees either in search of food or to hide from approaching predators. The banded palm civet is a carnivorous animal, and like other species of civet, it survives on a meat-based diet, supplemented by the odd plant or fruit. Small animals such as rodents,lizards, snakes and frogs make up the majority of the banded palm civet's diet, along withinsects and other small creatures scuttling through the under-growth. Banded palm civets are also known to eat the fruits and flowers of palms, mangos and coffee in their natural habitats. Despite being a secretive yet relatively ferocious predatory animal, the banded palm civet is actually preyed upon by a number of predators within their natural environment. Large predatory cats are the most common predators of the banded palm civet including tigers andleopards along with reptiles such as large snakes and crocodiles. The female banded palm civet usually gives birth to up to 4 young after a gestation period that lasts for a couple of months. The babies are weaned by their mother until they are strong enough to fend for themselves. Banded palm civets can live for up to 20 years, although most rarely get to be this old. Today, the banded palm civet is under threat from deforestation and therefore drastic loss of much of its natural habitat. The main reason for such extensive deforestation in the area is either for logging or to clear the land to make way for palm oil plantations.

Banded Palm Civet Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Viverridae Genus: Hemigalus Scientific Name: Hemigalus Derbyanus Type: Mammal Diet: Carnivore Size (H): 43cm - 71cm (17in - 28in) Weight: 1.4kg - 4.5kg (3lbs - 10lbs) Life Span: 15 - 20 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Vulnerable Colour: Black, White, Grey, Yellow, Brown, Tan Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Rodents Habitat: Tropical rainforest Average Litter Size: 2 Main Prey: Rodents, Snakes, Frogs Predators: Lions, Snakes, Leopards Distinctive Features: Elongated body and snout with sharp, pointed teeth

The bandicoot is a small-sized marsupial found across Australia. There are eleven known species of bandicoot found in the Australian wilderness, and despite it\'s rat-like appearance, the bandicoot is thought to be more closely related to a rabbit. The bandicoot is natively found on the Australian mainland and it\'s surrounding islands. Due to their small size, bandicoots can be an easy target for hungry predators and are therefore found in more overgrown habitats including forests, swamps and thickets where there are plenty of places to hide.

Bandicoots are very similar in appearance to the rat as they have long, pointed heads and snouts and a short and compact body with a long, thin tail. Despite this though, bandicoots are about the size of a rabbit and use their powerful hind legs to hop around in the same way. The average sized bandicoot is about 50cm including it\'s tail although male bandicoots are often double the size of the females. The bandicoot is a nocturnal animal meaning that it spends the daytime hours sheltering in bushland and along creek beds, coming out under the cover of night in order to hunt for food. Bandicoots are also very solitary animals, generally only coming together to mate. The bandicoot is an omnivorous animal meaning that it\'s diet is made up of both plant andanimal matter. The bandicoot primarily hunts for and feeds on insects which it finds scuttling around in the leaves or just below the surface of the ground. Bandicoots also nibble on fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, eggs and even small rodents when they are in search of food. Due to it\'s relatively small size, the bandicoot has a number of natural predators in it\'s environment including large birds, foxes, snakes and wildcats. Dingoes and pythons are the most common predators of the bandicoot across Australia. The bandicoot is a marsupial meaning that the female bandicoot has a nursing pouch on her belly in which to nurse her developing young. Bandicoots have one of the shortest gestation periods of all mammals, with the young being born just 12 days after conception. Female bandicoots usually give birth to a litter of 3 - 6 young who continue to develop in their mother\'s pouch until they are strong enough to venture into the outside world.

Sadly today, seven out of the eleven known bandicoot species are considered to be either critically endangered or extinct. The decline in bandicoot numbers has been a direct result of both habitat loss and the introduction of small carnivores such as cats, with the European settlers.

Bandicoot Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Peramelemorphia Family: Peramelidae Genus: Perameles Scientific Name: Perameles Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 28cm - 81cm (11in - 32in) Weight: 0.2kg - 1.6kg (0.4lbs - 3.5lbs) Top Speed: 24km/h (15mph) Life Span: 3-7 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Endangered Colour: Grey, Black, White, Brown, Tan, Gold Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Forest, rainforest and jungle Average Litter Size: 4 Main Prey: Insects, Fruit, Seeds Predators: Foxes, Snakes, Wildcats Distinctive Features: Pointed snout and long, thin tail

Barb are a small sized group of fish that are naturally found in the freshwater rivers and lakes across the southern hemisphere. There are over 2,000 known species of barb in the world inhabiting the frehswater regions of Asia, Africa and South America. The barb fish is often referred to as a freshwater shark, due to the fact that barb are one of the few species of freshwater fish to have rows of teeth in their mouths. Despite their small size, barbs are known to be ferocious hunters and are dominant predators in the world of small fish in their natural environment. Barb do only prey upon the fish that are smaller than them, but also on medium sized fish that can sometimes be double the size of the barb. Due to their small size and bright colours barb are commonly kept in household aquariums worldwide. The most common barb kept in aquariums are the cherry barb (pink/red in colour) and the tiger barb (silver body with thick, black stripes and red fin on it's belly) . Barb are known to be relatively hardy fish and can easily adapt to changes in the water including changes in pH levels and temperate. It is known that barbs can successfully inhabit unheated tanks, and although this has proved to be successful in many cases, it is not recommended as barb are naturally found in warmer tropical waters. Due to their aggressive and dominant nature, it is not ideal to keep barbs in artificial tanks with smaller species of tropical fish. At the same time, barb will also hunt medium sized fish if there is a lack of food, and so are best kept on their own (just barbs) or with much larger species of fish. Barbs are known to lay numerous eggs in order for a few to hatch successfully. The baby barb are called fry and generally hatch within a

few days of being laid. Like their hardy barb parents, the barb fry are able to adapt well to changes in their surroundings. Barbs are opportunists and will therefore eat almost anything that they can find. Although barbs prefer a predominantly meat based diet that includes smaller fish, insects and bloodworm, barb are also known to eat aquatic plants particularly those that are softer and therefore easier to ingest. The exact diet of the barb however, depends on the species and the region in which it inhabits.

Barb Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cyprinidae Genus: Barbus Common Name: Barb Scientific Name: Barbus Barbus Origin: Asia Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 2.5cm - 7cm (1in - 3in) Water Type: Fresh Optimum pH Level: 6.0 - 7.5 Life Span: 3 - 7 years Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, White, Yellow, Orange, Red, Silver Skin Type: Scales Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Slow flowing rivers and lagoons Average Clutch Size: 1,500

Main Prey: Fish, Shrimp, Algae Predators: Fish, Birds, Reptiles Distinctive Features: Easily adaptable and rows of teeth

Barn owls are one of the most widely distributed birds found everywhere around the world apart from the polar and desert regions. Although this is the case, the barn owl population is more predominant in the Southern Hemisphere due to better climate conditions for the barn owl. Barn owls tend to measure between 25 and 40cm tall and adult barn owls can have a wingspan of up to 110cm long. The wing span of the barn owl is however dependent on the species of barn owl so some owls may be smaller, where other species of barn owl may be much bigger. Surprisingly, these common barn owls do not make the hoot sound that can often be heard at night. Instead the owls produce a highpitched scream and can also hiss in a similar way to acat or snake if the barn owl feels threatened. Barns owls can be most commonly seen in the open countryside and along river banks, fields and even the verges on the side of the road. Barn owls are nocturnal animals meaning that typically barn owls rest during the light day time hours and emerge at dusk to begin a night of hunting. Barn owls most commonly hunt small mammals such as mice, voles and rats but barn owls also hunt fish close to the surface of the water and smaller birds in the tree tops and even in the air. Barn owls swallow their prey whole and then bring back up (regurgitate) the indigestible parts such as bones in the form of a small pellet.

Barn owls are well suited to their nocturnal lifestyle. The large eyes of the barn owl enable the barn owl to have fantastic eyesight even in the darkness of night, but barn owls also have incredibly accurate hearing. The ears of the barn owl are set with one higher than the other giving the barn owl better hearing in general but it also means that when the barn owl is hunting for prey, it can use one ear to detect noise on the ground below and the other ear is used to detect noise from the air and trees above. Female barn owls lay a clutch of up to 7 eggs in the warm months of spring. The female barn owl nests in a hollow tree or rock, and the barn owl eggs usually hatch after about a month. The male barn owl is known to help feed the barn owl chicks and the barn owl chicks are able to fly by the time they are 12 weeks old. Although the barn owl, is not considered to be a threatened species of animal, the barn owl population numbers have severely decreased over the years due to pollution and habitat loss as the barn owls are finding it harder and harder in some areas to find food. Despite this being true, the barn owl population in the UK is thought to be increasing again. There are more than 30 different species of barn owl found across Europe, Africa, Asia and parts of Australia and the Americas. All barn owl species have a similar appearance but can differ great in both size and colour.

Barn Owl Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves

Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae Genus: Tyto Scientific Name: Tyto Alba Type: Bird Diet: Carnivore Size (H): 25cm - 45cm (9.8in - 18in) Wing Span: 75cm - 110cm (30in - 43in) Weight: 300g - 550g (10oz - 19.4oz) Top Speed: 80km/h (50mph) Life Span: 5 - 10 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, White, Grey, Orange, Brown Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Small mammals Habitat: Open plains and low-lying woodland Average Clutch Size: 4 Main Prey: Small mammals, Fish, Birds Predators: Fox, Raccoon, Wild dogs Distinctive Features: White heart-shaped face and large, dark eyes

The barnacle is a hardy animal that is found in or very closely to sea water. Although it is frequently confused for a mollusc because of its hard outer shell, it is actually a crustacean, closely related to crabs and lobsters. Barnacles are most often seen as roughly circular sessileinvertebrates (which means that they cannot move on their own), and are permanently attached to the substrate they live on. In their juvenile form they are free-floating, but eventually they attach themselves to any nearby rock, shell, or other object and stay there for the rest of their lives. Their shells are composed of calcite.

Barnacles are often seen on crabs, whales, boats, rocks and on the shells of sea turtles. Although some species of barnacle are parasitic, most barnacle species are harmless, because they are filter feeders and do not interfere with an animal's normal diet and do not harm thatanimal that they live on in any way. Many species of barnacle are so harmless that in fact, ananimal that is covered in them, may not even notice! There are more than 1,000 known species of barnacle that inhabit shallow and tidal waters around the world. Although many species of barnacle are very small, some can grow to as large as 7cm and even bigger barnacles can often be seen. Barnacles typically live for between 5 and 10 years, but some of the larger species are known to be much older. Barnacles attach themselves to animals when they are very young and in the larvae stage of their lives. Once the baby barnacle has effectively glued itself to something hard, a thin layer of flesh wraps around the barnacle and an outer shell is produced. Once the barnacle has an outer shell, it is protected from the elements and all kinds of predators. As soon as the baby barnacle has fixed itself onto something, it is generally there for the rest of it's life. Barnacles are filter feeders (also known as suspension feeders) that feed on food particles that they strain out of the water. The shell of the barnacle is made up of a number of plates (usually 6), with feathery leg-like appendages that draw water into their shell so that they can feed. Barnacles have numerous predators, particularly when they are babies and floating around in the water looking for something to attach themselves to. As the barnacle larvae are so tiny, they float around

with the plankton in the water. Once the barnacle is older and has it's tough outer shell, few predators can actually eat it. Humans are known to eat goose barnacles (the only edible species of barnacle) in parts of Europe like Spain and Portugal. Most species of barnacles are hermaphroditic which means that they have both male and female reproductive organs. Although it is possible for barnacles to self-fertilise their eggs, it seems to be very rare so the eggs produced by one barnacle are usually fertilised by another barnacle. It takes more than 6 months for the barnacle larvae to start developing into the hardier adult barnacles. Barnacles are thought to be one of the oldest surviving creatures on the planet as they are believed to date back millions of years. Although there will have been some adaptations, the barnacle is thought to have changed very little over that time. Despite the rising levels of pollution and changes in the water, barnacles are thought to be one of the few animals that are not greatly affected. The barnacle slides two of it's six plates across to let water in when it is feeding and then closes them again which prevents the barnacle from being too exposed to dirty water.

Barnacle Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Crustacea Order: Maxillopoda Family: Thecostraca Genus: Cirripedia Common Name: Barnacle

Scientific Name: Cirripedia Origin: Worldwide Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 1cm - 7cm (0.4in - 2.7in) Water Type: Brackish, Salt Optimum pH Level: 4.0-6.5 Life Span: 8 - 20 years Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, White, Yellow, Cream Skin Type: Shell Favourite Food: Plankton Habitat: Shallow marine environments Average Clutch Size: 1,000 Main Prey: Plankton, Algae Predators: Fish, Crabs, Humans Distinctive Features: Latch on to hard surfaces and shell made up from plates

The barracuda is a large species of fish found in the warmer, coastal regions of the world's oceans. There are more than 20 different species of barracuda that range in size from less than 50cm to nearly 2 meters in length. The barracuda is widely spread across the oceans but is more commonly found in the more tropical regions where there is an abundance of food. Although barracudas can be found in the deep ocean, they tend to prefer coastal habitats along continental shelves and close to coral reefs. Despite the difference in size and colour between barracuda species, all species of barracuda have a similar elongated appearance, and pointed head with powerful jaws, containing rows of sharp fang-like teeth used for eating larger prey.

The barracuda is known to be an aggressive and dominant predator, often relying on the surprise tactic in order to catch it's prey. Barracudas are also able to swim at over 40 km/h in short bursts which they do to overtake prey that may be trying to swim away. The barracuda is an opportunistic predator, feeding only on other animals in the surrounding water. The carnivorous barracuda primarily feeds on smaller species of fish, marine invertebrates, crustaceans and squid, which the barracuda usually ambushes with tremendous power. Due to the fact that barracudas can grow into very large sized fish, the barracuda has few natural predators in the ocean besides sharks and killer whales. Humans are also one of the barracuda's main predators as they are hunted and eaten all around the world. Although little is really known about the reproduction of the barracuda, female barracuda are known to spawn during the spring. The female barracuda releases her eggs into the water which are then fertilised externally. As with many fish species, once spawned, the barracuda mother has no interest in caring for her young. Today, due to it's aggressive nature, the barracuda is one of the most dominant predatorswithin it's coastal environments and has even been known to act aggressively towards humansdiving or snorkelling in the water.

Barracuda Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes

Family: Sphyraenidae Genus: Sphyraena Common Name: Barracuda Scientific Name: Sphyraena Origin: Oceans worldwide Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 0.5m - 2m (20in - 79in) Water Type: Salt Optimum pH Level: 5 - 7 Life Span: 10 - 15 years Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Grey, Blue, Black, Brown Skin Type: Smooth Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Coastal lagoons and coral reefs Average Clutch Size: 1,000 Main Prey: Fish, Plankton, Invertebrates Predators: Sharks, Humans, Killer Whales Distinctive Features: Large body size and powerful jaws

The Basenji is alert, affectionate, energetic, and curious. It loves to play and makes a good pet, as long as it is handled regularly from an early age and the owners are very patient. It is very intelligent. It can be reserved with strangers. The Basenji is somewhat aloof, but can also form strong bonds with people. It should not be trusted with noncanine pets. It is usually patient, but does best with older considerate children. The Basenji dislikes wet weather. The breed likes to climb and can easily get over chain wire fences. (NOTE: NOT all Basenjis climb--it depends on the individual.)

Basenjis are very clever at getting their own way. The Basenji has the unique properties of not barking (it makes a low, liquid ululation instead) and cleaning itself like a cat. It can be described as speedy, frisky, tireless at play, and teasing the owner into play. Most Basenji problems usually involve a mismatch between owner and pet. The owners mistake the adjective quiet to mean inactive instead of noiseless, thus, they become harassed by an active, though relatively silent, dog.

Basenji Dog Facts

Name: Basenji Dog Origin: Zaire Average Size: 41cm (16in) Average Weight: 11kg (24lbs) Average Life Span: 12 years Group: South Hound Colour: Brown, Tan, Black, White, Gold Average Litter Size: 5 Temperament: Affectionate, intelligent and playful Training: Should be trained from an early age as their independent nature can make them stubborn

The basking shark is the second largest species of shark (and fish) in the world behind the enormous whale shark. Basking sharks are also commonly known as the sunfish, the elephantshark and the big mouth shark The basking shark is found inhabiting temperate coastal waters around the world, with the exception of the Indian Ocean. The basking shark is one of only three plankton-feeding shark species and is the largest fish in British waters.

Basking sharks are most well known for their enormous mouths which balloon out in order to take in as much water into it as possible, and are able to process over 1,500 gallons at a time. As filter-feeders, the basking shark's mouth contains hundreds of tiny teeth which are used to filter food particles out of the water. Basking sharks are generally solitary animals found hunting alone, although basking sharks are also commonly seen in schools of up to 100 basking shark individuals usually during seasonal migrations. Basking sharks are also known to spend most of their time closer to the surface of the water where they can be easily spotted as they munch their way through the ocean. As with other large fish and shark species, the basking shark is a carnivorous animal meaning that it only gets it's nutrients by eating other animals. Plankton is the primary source of food for the basking shark along with other small organisms such as fish, squid and crustaceans. As the second largest shark species in the world, the basking shark has few natural predators. Apart from hunting by humans, the great white shark and the killer whale are the only real threat to the basking shark, mainly due to the fact that basking sharks are slow and generally sluggish swimmers. Basking sharks reach sexual maturity (can begin breeding) when they are about three years old. Basking sharks are known to mate during the warmer summer months, and their pups (the largest of all shark pups) are born live after up to 3 years of development. Basking shark pups are known to become independent immediately, swimming away from their mother just after birth.

Due to over hunting and rising levels of pollution, the world's basking shark populations have severely declined meaning that today, the basking shark is considered to be an animal that is under threat from extinction.

Basking Shark Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Lamniformes Family: Cetorhinidae Genus: Cetorhinus Common Name: Basking Shark Scientific Name: Cetorhinus Maximus Origin: Atlantic and Pacific Oceans Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 6m - 12m (20ft - 39ft) Water Type: Salt Optimum pH Level: 5 - 7 Life Span: 20 - 100 years Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Grey, Black, Brown Skin Type: Smooth Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Temperate waters along continental shelves Average Clutch Size: 6 Main Prey: Fish, Plankton, Invertebrates Predators: Sharks, Humans, Killer Whales Distinctive Features: Enormous mouth and large body size

The Basset Hound is often considered a friendly breed. For this reason they are an excellent pet for children. Bassets forget the training when

a reward is not present. Bassets should be on a leash when out on walks. Bassets might howl or bark when they want something or to suggest that they think something is wrong (like a storm is coming). They also use a low, murmuring whine to get attention, which sounds to many owners as though their Bassets are talking. This whine is also used by the hound to beg (for food or treats) and varies in volume depending on the nature of the individual hound and length of time it has been begging. Because of the extremely long ears of Bassets they are prone to ear disease. If their ears are allowed to dangle on the ground or in food on a daily basis they are capable of developing chronic and potentially fatal ear diseases. In addition to ear problems, basset hounds may also have eye issues. Because of their droopy eyes, the area under the eyeball will collect dirt and become clogged with a mucus. It is best to wipe their eyes every day with a damp cloth. This helps to lessen the build up and eye irritation. Basset Hounds can be on the lazy side and can become overweight on their own if allowed to. They need plenty of exercise and a good diet.

Basset Hound Facts

Name: Basset Hound Dog Origin: Great Britain Average Size: 35cm (14in) Average Weight: 27kg (60lbs) Average Life Span: 12 years Group: Hound

Colour: Tan, White, Red, Brown, Black Average Litter Size: 8 Temperament: Gentle, peaceful and devoted Training: Should be trained in obedience from an early age due to their stubborn nature

Bats are found all around the world and there are hundreds of different species of bat, living in caves and forests, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere. The bumblebee bat found in the jungles of Thailand, is the smallest mammal in the world and weighs less than a penny! Bats hunt at night using their exceptional sight to pick out their prey, generally insects, frogsand small rodents. The size of bat varies with the species, but some bats can have a wingspan of over 2 meters, like the Indonesian giant flying fox! Smaller bat species can be as little as only 2 cm. The Niah Caves in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, on the tropical island of Borneo, is particularly famous for the sightings of thousands of bats. Oddly enough the enormous quantities of the bat's dung (known as guano), is one of the things that draws so many people towards bats! Some species of bat are known to fly at extreme heights, sometimes up to 2 miles above the ground! The bats senses are so fine tuned that it is thought that some bats can hear footsteps 6 miles away. Bats have a slight sixth sense known as echolocation. This means that the bat creates a series of supersonic sounds, which the bat then uses to locate prey by the sounds that are reflected back to them. Unlike most species of animal, bats are found in any environment around the world excluding the polar regions. Despite what myths you

may have heard, only three species of bat feed onanimal blood and they all live in the deep jungles of South America, not Transylvania.

Bat Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Chiroptera Family: Microchiroptera Genus: Emballonuridae Scientific Name: Chiroptera Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 3cm - 180cm (1.2in - 71in) Weight: 2g - 1,000g (0.07oz - 35oz) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 10 - 30 years Lifestyle: Pack Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Brown, Black, Grey Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Mice Habitat: Woodland and caves Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Mice, Frogs, Fruit Predators: Owls, Eagles, Snakes Distinctive Features: Large ears detect prey using echolocation and have strong, flexible wings

Bavarian Mountain Hounds are calm, quiet, poised and very attached to their masters and family. When hunting, they are hard, single-minded and persistent. Courageous, spirited, fast and agile, they are at ease

on a rugged terrain, with a superb nose and powerful hunting instinct. They need a patient, experienced trainer. The coat if the Bavarian Mountain Hound is short, thick and shiny, lying very flat against the body and moderately harsh. It is finer on the head and ears, harsher and longer on the abdomen, legs and tail. The Bavarian Mountain Hound The Bavarian Mountain is not suited for city life. It is in regular need of space and exercise and also requires regular brushing. They are not dogs for the casual hunter. Most are owned and used by foresters and game wardens.

Bavarian Mountain Hound Facts

Name: Bavarian Mountain Hound Origin: Germany Average Size: 50cm (20in) Average Weight: 34kg (75lbs) Average Life Span: 14 years Group: Hound Colour: Tan, Brown, Black Average Litter Size: 8 Temperament: Courageous, intelligent and poised Training: Should be trained from an early age as it is a long and slow process

Beagles are excellent with children and this is one of the reasons they have become popular family pets, but they are pack animals, and can be prone to separation anxiety. Not all Beagles will howl, but most will bark when confronted with strange situations, and some will bay (also referred to as speaking, giving tongue, or opening) when they catch the scent of potential quarry.

They also generally get along well with other dogs. They are not demanding with regard to exercise, their inbred stamina means they do not easily tire when exercised, but they also do not need to be worked to exhaustion before they will rest, though regular exercise helps ward off the weight gain to which the breed is prone.

Beagle Facts
Name: Beagle Dog Origin: Great Britain Average Size: 38cm (15in) Average Weight: 14kg (30lbs) Average Life Span: 15 years Group: Hound Colour: Tan, White, Red, Brown , Black Average Litter Size: 7 Temperament: Gentle and intelligent but stubborn Training: Should be trained in obedience from an early age due to their stubborn nature

Bears are large dog like mammals found all around the world. There are eight different species of bear that are found in a wide range of habitats in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, mainly the Americas, Europe and Asia. Most bears are nocturnal, solitary animals only really congregating during the bears mating season. The mother bear will then raise her cubs until they too, are old enough to live on their own. Bears generally have an excellent sense of smell and are also fantastic at climbing trees, swimming and are able to run at speeds of up to 35 mph for short periods of time. All bears are generally classified as carnivores but most species of bear today have adapted various herbivorous traits. For example, the giant

panda has a diet that primarily comprises of bamboo. Most species of bear tend to hunt fish over land animals, although its not uncommon for a bear to not eat fish at all. In Viking northern Europe, the locals firmly believed that by wearing a shirt made of bear skin, the wearer would adopt the powerful characteristics of the bear such as the bears strength and courage. Legend has it that the word berserk is said to originate from this belief from the way the affected men adopting these bear attributes behaved, but whether this is true or not is hard to tell. The Malaysian sun bear is the smallest of the existing bear species, with the average adult sun bear measuring around 1 meter tall. The polar bear is generally the biggest species of bear with the adults growing to over 3 meters tall. The grizzly bear found in North America is the only other species of bear where the adults can get to this size, but it is uncommon.

Bear Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae Genus: Ursus Scientific Name: Ursidae Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (H): 1.2m - 3.3m (4ft - 11ft) Weight: 27kg - 450kg (60lbs - 990lbs) Top Speed: 56km/h (35mph)

Life Span: 15 - 35 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Endangered Colour: Black, brown, white Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Forest and mountainous regions Average Litter Size: 2 Main Prey: Fish, Nectar, Insects Predators: Human, Wolf, Wildcats Distinctive Features: Large teeth and paws and strong body

The Bearded Collie ranks 104 out of 155 breeds in popularity in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club's yearly publishing of breed rankings. A Bearded Collie is best obtained from a reputable dog breeder or a dog rescue, not from a pet store situation where dogs are bred specifically for profit. Bearded Collies make excellent pets for those who are willing to accommodate their high energy level and grooming requirements. Weekly brushing is mandatory for keeping their long hair mat-free. Some Bearded Collieowners opt to keep their pets in a puppy cut haircut, which does reduce the need for brushing, but does not eliminate it. Bearded Collies are a very high energy breed, originally bred to work in the Scottish Highlands herding sheep. Beardies also excel at dog agility trials. They also prefer to be kept indoors with their families.

Bearded Collie Facts

Name: Bearded Collie

Origin: Great Britain Average Size: 56cm (22in) Average Weight: 27kg (60lbs) Average Life Span: 14 years Group: Herd Colour: White, Black, Brown, Tan, Grey Average Litter Size: 7 Temperament: Loving, lively and playful Training: Should be trained from an early age and respond well to harsh techniques

The bearded dragon (also known as the dragon) is found naturally in Australia, but bearded dragons are kept as exotic pets in many places all around the world. Bearded dragons can grow up to 24 inches long but that is including their long tail, making the bearded dragon fairly small in body size for a lizard. Bearded dragons feed mainly on insects, crickets and worms and like all reptiles enjoy spending their days on a rock under the sun recharging until nightfall when the bearded dragon is much more active . The bearded dragon is known to be docile and trusting yet outgoing and curious! The bearded dragon is a quite and gentle lizard and the bearded dragon is therefore a popular exotic pet for children. The bearded dragon is a territorial lizard and should be keep in a big enough enclosure if the bearded dragon is kept as a pet. The bearded dragons diet is made up mainly of leafy greens which the bearded dragon plucks from trees and bushes.

Bearded dragons go through a period every year that is similar to a mammal's hibernation. The bearded dragon tends to become lethargic and the bearded dragon will not come out that often. The bearded dragon will also be eating less and the bearded dragon does this for a period of two to three months.

Bearded Dragon Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Agamidae Genus: Pogona Scientific Name: Pogona Vitticeps Type: Reptile Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 50cm - 61cm (20in - 24in) Weight: 250g - 510g (9oz - 18oz) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 6 - 15 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Green,Yellow, Brown, Grey Skin Type: Scales Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Arid forest and desert Average Litter Size: 15 Main Prey: Insects, Mice, Leaves Predators: Birds, Snakes, Crocodiles Distinctive Features: Pronounced beard when scared and morphs skin colour

Beavers are most well known for their distinctive home-building that can be seen in rivers and streams. The beavers dam is built from twigs, sticks, leaves and mud and are surprisingly strong. Here the beavers can catch their fish and swim in the water. Beavers are nocturnal animals existing in the forests of Europeand North America (the Canadian beaver is the most common beaver). Beavers use their large, flat shaped tails, to help with dam building and it also allows the beavers to swim at speeds of up to 30 knots per hour. The beaver's significance is acknowledged in Canada by the fact that there is a Canadian Beaver on one of their coins. The beaver colonies create one or more dams in the beaver colonies' habitat to provide still, deep water to protect the beavers against predators. The beavers also use the deep water created using beaver dams and to float food and building materials along the river. In 1988 the North American beaver population was 60-400 million. Recent studies have estimated there are now around 6-12 million beavers found in the wild. The decline in beaver populations is due to the beavers being hunted for their fur and for the beaver's glands that are used as medicine and perfume. The beaver is also hunted because the beavers harvesting of trees and the beavers flooding of waterways may interfere with other human land uses. Beavers are known for their danger signal which the beaver makes when the beaver is startled or frightened. A swimming beaver will rapidly dive while forcefully slapping the water with its broad tail. This means that the beaver creates a loud slapping noise, which can be heard over large distances above and below water. This beaver

warning noise serves as a warning to beavers in the area. Once a beaver has made this danger signal, nearby beavers dive and may not come back up for some time. Beavers are slow on land, but the beavers are good swimmers that can stay under water for as long as 15 minutes at a time. In the winter the beaver does not hibernate but instead stores sticks and logs underwater that the beaver can then feed on through the cold winter.

Beaver Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Castoridae Genus: Castor Scientific Name: Castor Canadensis Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 80cm - 120cm (31in - 47in) Weight: 16kg - 27kg (35lbs - 60lbs) Top Speed: 55km/h (34mph) Life Span: 15 - 20 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Brown, Grey Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Tree bark Habitat: Arid forest and desert Average Litter Size: 4 Main Prey: Tree bark, Willow, Water lilly

Predators: Wolf, Bear, Lynx Distinctive Features: Transparent eyelids and big, flat tail

The Bedlington Terrier is a breed of terrier named after the mining town of Bedlington, Northumberland in North East England. These do-all dogs were able to do almost anything asked of them, if in classic terrier manner. In contrast to its placid appearance, the Bedlington Terrier would come across few problems if felt threatened. In addition, it was fast enough to bay a badger or a fox and was a first-rate water dog. Incredibly smart and attentive to its owner, the Bedlington is one of the most reliable of the terriers. They are problem solvers and loyal family companions and known to be highly active and intelligent dogs. The Bedlington terrier is a bold, affectionate and playful breed of domesticdog.

Bedlington Terrier Facts

Name: Bedlington Terrier Origin: Great Britain Average Size: 43cm (17in) Average Weight: 10kg (23lbs) Average Life Span: 16 years Group: Terrier Colour: Red, White, Blue, Brown, Tan, Black Average Litter Size: 4 Temperament: Bold, confident and playful Training: Should be trained from an early age due to their hyperactive nature

The beetle is a small sized invertebrate that is known to be incredibly versatile and is found in numerous different shapes and sizes. Beetles

are found in nearly every different habitat on Earth and are only absent from the freezing polar regions. The beetle has the largest number of sub-species out of all theinsects, with 40% of all recognised insects being classed as beetles. There are more than 350,000 different species of noted beetle, however, scientists estimate the real number is between 4 million and 8 million beetle species. As with other species of insects, the body of the beetle is comprised of three sections all coated in the hard outer shell, which are the head of the beetle, the thorax of the beetle and the abdomen of the beetle. Beetles also have antennae which are used to understand the surroundings of the beetle and are made of about 10 different sections. Beetles are believed to play a vital role in whichever ecosystem they are inhabiting mainly as they consume the debris from plants and animals including fallen petals and animal dung. Allanimals that ingest decomposing material are working wonders for the soil as they are consuming a large proportion of the compounds that would otherwise be absorbed into the soil, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen. The beetle is an omnivorous animals and feeds on whatever it can find but generally plants and fungi and the debris from both plants and animals. Some bigger species of beetle have been known to eat small birds and even small species of mammal. Other species of beetle feed of the dust from wood and therefore enjoy burrowing themselves into trees.

Due to their small size and wide, diverse range, beetles are prey to numerous species ofanimal from other insects to reptiles, birds, fish and mammals. The exact predators of the beetle however are largely dependent on the size and species of the beetle and the area in which the beetle inhabits. Recently, the Asian long-horned beetle has been found in number of North American states with the beetle having quickly gained a name for itself as an agricultural pest. The Asian long-horned beetle is a type of bark boring beetle which means that they dig themselves into wood

Beetle Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Endopterygota Family: Coleoptera Common Name: Beetle Scientific Name: Coleoptera Found: Worldwide Diet: Omnivore Size: 1-2.5cm (0.04-5in) Number of Species: 350,000 Average Lifespan: 3 years Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Brown, Black, Red, Yellow, Green, Blue Skin Type: Shell Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Most land and freshwater habitats

Average Litter Size: 200 Main Prey: Insects, Dust, Dung Predators: Bats, Frogs, Reptiles Special Features: Hard outer shell and two pairs of wings

The Bengal tiger (also known as the Royal Bengal tiger) is a subspecies of tiger, found across the Indian subcontinent. The Bengal tiger is the national animal of Bangladesh and is considered to be the second largest tiger in the world. The Bengal tiger is the most numerous species of tiger in Asiaand is found in dense forests and mangrove swamps and jungles throughout India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, although the Bengal tiger's range today is much smaller than it once was. The Bengal tiger is considered to be the second largest species of tiger, although recent reports suggest that the Bengal tiger is on average, larger than the Siberian tiger. The Bengaltiger has a yellow or light orange coat, with black or dark brown stripes and a white belly. The white tiger is a Bengal tiger that has mutated genes, meaning that it is white in colour with black stripes. Black tigers are known to have black fur with lighter coloured stripes but are even rarer than the white tiger. The Bengal tiger is a dominant and carnivorous predator, hunting its prey by stalking it until the Bengal tiger has the opportunity to catch it off guard. Bengal tigers primarily hunt largermammals including deer, wild boar, cattle and goats. Due to the size and power of the Bengal tiger, it has no natural predators in its native environment. Humans that hunt the Bengal tiger and habitat loss are the only threats to the Bengal tiger.

After a gestation period of 3 to 4 months, the female Bengal tiger gives birth to up to 5 cubs. Newborn Bengal tiger cubs weigh about 1 kg (2 lb) and are blind and helpless. The mother feeds them milk for about 2 months and then the Bengal tiger cubs are introduced to meat. Bengal tiger cubs depend on their mother for the first 18 months and then they start hunting on their own. Today, due to habitat loss caused by deforestation, and hunting by human poachers, the Bengal tiger is considered to be an endangered species. Despite being the most common of all the tiger species, there are thought to be around 2,000 Bengal tigers left in the wild.

Bengal Tiger Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Panthera Scientific Name: Panthera Tigris Tigris Type: Mammal Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 2.4m - 3.3m (6.8ft - 11ft) Weight: 140kg - 300kg (309lbs - 660lbs) Top Speed: 96km/h (60mph) Life Span: 18 - 25 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Endangered Colour: Orange, Black, White Skin Type: Fur

Favourite Food: Deer Habitat: Dense tropical forest and mangroves Average Litter Size: 3 Main Prey: Deer, Cattle, Wild Boar Predators: Human Special Features: Striped fur and large body size

The Bernese temperament is a very are affectionate, loyal, faithful, stable and intelligent dog that is native to themountains of Switzerland. The majority of Bernese are very friendly towards people, and animals including other dogs. The Bernese mountain dog is thought to be easy to train, provided the owner is patient and consistent in training as Bernese tend to need time to think things through. The Bernese mountain dog has a very nature meaning that they often get along well with other pets such as cats, and horses and small children. The Bernese mountain dog is known not respond well to harsh treatment, however Bernese are very willing and eager to please their master. Bernese love to be encouraged with praise and treats and this gorgeous breed is very sweet and good with children, despite their great size. Overall, they are very stable in temperament, patient, and loving. Bernese Mountain Dogs are quirky, loving dogs, craving love and affection. They love to lean against people, sit on their feet, or lie down under their legs while people are sitting. The Bernese mountain dog is part of the Sennenhund family of dogs that include the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Appenzeller and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog, all of which are similar in colour and temperament but vary in size. The Sennenhund dogs were originally used to assist in general farmwork

but they are also used as mountain rescue dogs in some areas of the Swiss mountains today. The Bernese mountain dog is one of the largest breeds of dog, with the average adult Bernese mountain dog growing to between 50 and 70 cm high. The Bernese mountain dog has a very distinctive tricoloured coat, that is black, white and tan. It is said that the mark of well-bred Bernese is the horse-shoe shaped white marking that straddles its nose. Bernese mountain dogs have a lower average lifespan when compared to other dog breeds that are a similar size. The average lifespan of a Bernese is approximately 8 years, where the average lifespan of a similar breeds tends to be around 11 years. The main causes of mortality in the Bernese breed are thought to be cancer and bone problems, such as hip-displacement and arthritis. The Bernese mountain dog needs lots of exercise and loves to spend time outside. Owners should also be aware that due to the long, thick coat of the Bernese, they should be groomed regularly to keep it in good condition.

Bernese Mountain Dog Facts

Name: Bernese Mountain Dog Origin: Switzerland Average Size: 68cm (27in) Average Weight: 40kg (88lbs) Average Life Span: 8 years Group: Sennenhund Colour: Black, White, Tan Average Litter Size: 7

Temperament: Intelligent, friendly and alert Training: Should be trained from an early age due to their large size

The well-bred Bichon Frise is gentle mannered, feisty, sensitive, playful, and affectionate. A cheerful attitude is a prominent personality trait. Most Bichon Frise enjoy socializing with people and most dogs. Bichon Frise may be relatively stubborn, but are also said to be patient. They may tend to nip gently in play. They may have sudden bursts of energy resulting in the blitz or buzz, where they race around in circles until they collapse happily onto their backs.Bichon Frise are wonderful family dogs. The Bichon Frise is a small but sturdy dog that has a black nose and dark round eyes, and its white hair consists of a curly outer-coat and a silky undercoat. The Bichon Frise descended from the Barbet or Water Spaniel, from which came the name Barbichon, later shortened to Bichon. The Bichons were divided into four categories which are the Bichon Malteise, the Bichon Bolognaise, the Bichon Havanese and the Bichon Tenerife. All originated in the Mediterranean area.

Bichon Frise Facts

Name: Bichon Frise Origin: France Average Size: 30cm (12in) Average Weight: 8kg (18lbs) Average Life Span: 15 years Group: Gun Dog

Colour: White Average Litter Size: 4 Temperament: Happy, playful and energetic Training: Should be trained from an early age due to its hyperactive nature

Binturong Classification and Evolution The Binturong is a medium sized carnivore that is found inhabiting the dense forests of South-East Asia. They belong to the same family as other small carnivores including Civets, Genets, Mongooses and Fossa and share a number of characteristics with them including a long snout and having more teeth than most other carnivorous mammals. The Binturong is thought to be most closely related to the Palm Civet and is the largest member of this family. Also known as the Bearcat, the Asian Bearcat and the Asian Civet, the Binturong was once commonly found throughout much of it's historical range but sadly, today they are a rare find in the thick jungles and very little is actually known about their behaviour in the wild. There are nine different subspecies of Binturong which vary little in appearance but tend to be most easily distinguished by their size and geographic location. Binturong Anatomy and Appearance The Binturong is a large, heavy animal that can grow to more than a meter long from their snout to the tip of their tail, with females being up to 20% bigger and heavier than their male counterparts. They have very long, coarse and shaggy fur which varies from dark brown to black in colour and is tipped with grey, along with tufts of long and dark straight hair which protrude beyond the tops of their ears. The Binturong (along with the Kinkajou of South America) is also unique among carnivorous mammals as they possess a prehensile tip to their tails, which acts almost like another leg helping both with climbing, and gripping onto branches to give the Binturong more stability. The

Binturong also has long, white whiskers that are thick and sensitive and are found both on their checks and above their brown eyes. Binturong Distribution and Habitat The Binturong was once natively found throughout China, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and on the island of Borneo, and although there are populations still found in a number of these countries, their numbers have been declining and the Binturong can now be extraordinarily hard to spot. Found in dense, moist jungles and in areas that are close to a slow-moving water source, the Binturong has been most affected by habitat loss particularly in the more southern parts of it's natural range. Towards the north however where the rate of deforestation is not quite as ferocious, they have been more affected by hunting and capture as well as generally expanding Human populations. The Binturong relies heavily on dense, thick forest where there is plenty of cover both in the trees and on the ground and with a big decline in it's native jungles, this mammal simply has fewer places to go. Binturong Behaviour and Lifestyle The Binturong is a generally solitary and nocturnal animal that spends the majority of it's time moving about slowly and cautiously amongst the trees. Due to their large size the Binturong cannot leap between one tree and another and so must climb down to the ground to go from tree to tree. They are excellent climbers and are well aided by their strong feet, agile bodies, semi-retractable claws and their prehensile tail. The Binturong is also known to both swim and dive well and often spends time in the water to simply cool down in the heat of the sun. Although they do tend to be mainly solitary, small groups of Binturong are not uncommon and usually consist of an adult pair and their young. As with the hierarchy inMongoose society however, it is

the female Binturong who remains the dominant adult. The Binturong is known to be a very vocal animal and makes a number of sounds to both communicate with other Binturongs and to warn off species that it sees to be a threat. They are known to make chuckling sounds when they seem to be happy and appear to utter a high-pitched wail if they become aggravated. Binturong Reproduction and Life Cycles Although there is not thought to be a mating season as such, there are thought to be higher instances between February and April and then later in July and November. After a gestation period that lasts for around 3 months, the female Binturong climbs down to the ground to nest in thick vegetation that is sheltered both from the elements but is also out of sight of passing predators. Between 1 and 3 small cubs are born that measure about the size of aHuman fist. Like a number of other mammalian young, BInturongs are born blind and cannot hear and rely solely on their mother to provide them with milk. They are usually weaned by the time they are 2 months old and reach their adult size after a year. The Binturong is thought to live for between 10 and 15 years in the wild but can happily reach older ages in captivity with one individual having died at the age of 26. Binturong Diet and Prey Despite belonging to the carnivorous mammal group, the Binturong is mainly frugivorous meaning that it survives primarily on a diet that is comprised of fruit. Although they are also known to hunt insects, birds and rodents which they stalk in a cat-like manner amongst the branches, the Binturong has evolved well to eating in the trees with front feet that are not only designed to climb and dig, but they can also hold onto fruit and even open it with their agile toes. The Binturong primarily hunts for food under the cover of night but is also

known to feed whilst resting in the trees in the heat of the day. Due to their ability to swim and dive well, the Binturong also hunts fish in the water when cooling down in the heat of the day. Binturong Predators and Threats The Binturong is a relatively large and slow-moving animal, yet it is not really a main source of prey to the predators that also inhabit the dense, surrounding jungle. Larger animals such as Tigers and Snakes would pose the biggest threat to the Binturong adults, along with Birdsof Prey and small carnivores that could easily target one of the young cubs. The biggest threat to the world's Binturong population though is people and in a number of ways. The Binturong has been caught for their meat, captured and sold into the pet trade, subjected to vast habitat loss (mainly in the form of deforestation), and is also trapped and caught to be sold into the Chinese medicine market, where a number of their body parts are used in traditional remedies. Binturong Interesting Facts and Features Like other members of the Civet family, the Binturong has scent glands which are located just under it's tail. These glands are used to mark trees and foliage to outline an individual's territory and is distributed whilst the Binturong is moving about. Oddly enough, the odour of this scent is said to smell like popcorn as are Binturong cubs when they are newborn. Until they became stronger and are more aware of their surroundings, young Binturong are incredibly vulnerable and are able to spray foul smelling liquid (like a Skunk) when they are really frightened. This is not a behaviour however that has been observed in individuals who are more than a couple of months old, because as they get bigger they are able to defend themselves more easily. When climbing, the Binturong is actually able to rotate it's hind legs

backwards so that their claws still have a good grip when climbing down a tree head first. Binturong Relationship with Humans This tree-dwelling mammal is actually known to be startlingly passive towards people and has been easily domesticated and kept as an exotic pet all over the world. However, it is this industry that along with other factors, has aided in the rapid decline of Binturong population numbers throughout South-East Asia. Not only having been over-exploited as pets, zoo attractions, in medicines and for food, the Binturong is also subjected to devastating loss of vast areas of it's natural habitat which has pushed the remaining populations into smaller and smaller pockets of their once large historical range. Both growing Human settlements and forest clearance for agriculture are the main culprits and seeing as the Binturong needs dense jungle to successfully survive, plantations provide no sanctuary in their dwindling homelands. Binturong Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Binturong is rarely seen in the wild with just a handful of sightings having been reported over the past decade. The Binturong is listed by the IUCN as a species that is Vulnerable from extinction in it's natural environment in the near future. Humanencroachment on their historical habitats has meant that numbers have declined drastically and along with their capture still in many parts, has led to a 30% decline in Binturong population numbers in the last 30 years.

Binturong Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora Family: Viverridae Genus: Arctictis Scientific Name: Arctictis binturong Common Name: Binturong Other Name(s): Bearcat, Asian Bearcat, Asian Civet Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 9 Location: Throughout South-East Asia Habitat: Dense, moist tropical forest Colour: Black, Brown, Grey Skin Type: Fur Size (L): 60cm - 96cm (24in - 38in) Weight: 10kg - 14kg (22lbs - 31lbs) Top Speed: 24kph (15mph) Diet: Omnivore Prey: Fruit, Insects, Birds Predators: Human, Tigers, Snakes Lifestyle: Nocturnal/Crepuscular Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 10 - 25 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 2 - 3 years Gestation Period: 92 days Average Litter Size: 2 Name Of Young: Cub Age Of Weaning: 6 - 8 weeks Conservation Status: Vulnerable Estimated Population Size: Declining Biggest Threat: Habitat loss and capture Most Distinctive Feature: Long prehensile tail and sharp claws Fun Fact: Also known as the Asian Bearcat!

There are numerous species of bird found in a wide variety ofhabitats all around the world. Birds are one of the most thriving groups of animals on the planet as they generally have theirhabitat (the skies) to themselves. Birds can be easily distinguished from other animals due to their sharp, pointed beaks, thin legs, wings and feathers covering their bodies. Although all birdspecies have wings, some are actually flightless animals that only use their wings for balance and not for flying. Where other birds, such as penguins, use their wings for swimming. Birds are often omnivorous animals, generally eating nearly anything that they can find. Most species of bird survive on a diet primarily consisting on insects and plants such as fruits, nuts, berries and seeds. Birds are also distinctive in the fact that they lay eggs in a similar way to other animal groups such as fish and reptiles. Birds often make nests in the trees or on the ground in which to lay their eggs.

Bird Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Type: Bird Diet: Omnivore Size (H): 5cm - 270cm (2in - 106in) Wing Span: 9cm - 300cm (4in - 118in) Weight: 0.002kg - 130kg (0.004lbs - 286lbs) Top Speed: 322km/h (200mph)

Life Span: 1 - 100 years Colour: Brown, Grey, White, Black, Yellow, Red, Orange, Blue, Pink Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Fruit Habitat: Forests and shrub land close to water Average Clutch Size: 5 Main Prey: Fruit, Spiders, Insects, Seeds Predators: Foxes, Birds, Wild dogs Distinctive Features: Light, feathered body and beak
Characteristics unique to the animal...

The birds of paradise are a group of birds that are found in the tropical rainforests of south east Asia, mainly in the jungles of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and parts of eastern Australia. Birds of paradise are best known for the beautiful array of feathers which are existent on the male birds of paradise, which the male bird of paradise uses to attract the attention of the surrounding female birds of paradise. As with many species of bird, the female birds of paradise are dull looking in comparison to their male counterparts and are generally smaller and have light brown feathers, and have a similar appearance to the nightingale. There are around 50 different birds of paradise species that range in size from 15cm to over a meter in height. Many of the birds of paradise species are extremely rare and are only found in particular habitats and in certain places. The birds of paradise were unknown to the western world until 1996 when David Attenborough stunned the world with his footage of the incredible birds whilst on a trip to Papua New Guinea. Many birds of paradise species feed on fruits and berries found in the canopy of the surrounding jungle. Some species however, are very

partial to eating insects and other birdsof paradise favour particular species of spider. Birds of paradise are known to be the most dramatic and attractive birds in the world. The brightly coloured plumage of the male birds of paradise contains colours ranging from red, to yellow, to green and along with their unique dance moves, the male birds of paradise really stand out on the forest floor. The beautiful, bright colours of the birds of paradise have made these birds a highly prized target for hunters and tribesman alike who use the brightly coloured feathers of the birds of paradise to create clothes and costumes. This practice and tradition has meant for enormous population declines for the birds of paradise, with some species being worse off than others. Birds of paradise tend to be solitary birds and only come together to mate. The male bird of paradise attracts a female bird of paradise using his bright feathers and perfected dance routine. The female bird of paradise lays her eggs in a nest. Unlike many other species of bird, the birds of paradise can nest on ground level, in the trees or in dense foliage. Birds of paradise chicks usually hatch within 20 days but the specific incubation period differs between species. The birds of paradise chicks are often born with no feathers at all although some hatchings are born with a few. The newly born birds of paradise chicks are unable to walk or stand and rely on the mother bird of paradise to find food. Birds of paradise chicks are usually independent by the time they are a month old.

Adult birds of paradise have very few natural predators in the wild but the more vulnerablebirds of paradise chicks are preyed upon by large birds of prey and the odd snake. The mainpredator of the birds of paradise is the humans that live in settlements in the same habitat.Birds of paradise are also being continually threatened by deforestation and habitat loss.

Birds Of Paradise Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Paradisaeidae Scientific Name: Paradisaeidae Type: Bird Diet: Omnivore Size (H): 15cm - 110cm (6in - 43in) Wing Span: 20cm - 120cm (7.9in - 47in) Weight: 50g - 430g (1.8oz - 15.2oz) Life Span: 5 - 8 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, White, Grey, Green, Brown, Blue, Yellow, Red Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Tropical forest tree tops Average Clutch Size: 3 Main Prey: Insects, Fruit, Seeds, Berries Predators: Human, Snakes, Large Birds Distinctive Features: Brightly coloured feathers and elaborate dance of males

The Birman Cat (also known as the sacred cat of Burma) is thought to have originated in today's Myanmar (Burma), and is thought to be a close relation of the popular Burmese cat. The Birman cat has a bright white and brown marked coat with beautiful blue eyes. The Birman is an intelligent breed of cat that always appears interested in its surroundings. The Birman is a gentle natured and playful animal that relies on human affection and championship. The legend of the Birman cat is thought to be that originally, the guardians of the Temple of LaoTsun were yellow-eyed white cats with long hair. The golden goddess of the temple, Tsun-Kyan-Kse, had deep blue eyes. The head priest, Mun-Ha, had as his companion a beautiful catnamed Sinh. One day the temple was attacked and MunHa was killed. At the moment of his death, Sinh placed his feet on his master. The cats white fur took on a golden cast, his eyes turned as blue as the eyes of the goddess, and his face, legs and tail became the colour of earth. However, his paws, where they touched the priest, remained white as a symbol of purity. All the other temple cats became similarly coloured. Seven days later, Sinh died, taking the soul of MunHa to paradise.

Birman Facts
Name: Birman Origin: Burma Average Size: 76cm (2.5ft) Average Weight: 8kg (18lbs) Average Life Span: 20 years Group: Semi-Longhair Colour: Brown, Chocolate, Lilac, Caramel, Black Average Litter Size: 6

Temperament: Intelligent, sweet and affectionate

The bison is also known as the American bison and the Americanbuffalo, although the bison is only thought to be very distantly related to the buffalo and the water buffalo found in Africa andAsia respectively. The bison is one of the largest types of cow in the world with adult bison commonly growing to 2 meters tall or more. The bison typically have long shaggy hair if they inhabit colder regions and the bison in the warmer climates have shorter hair. The wild bison has been hunted by humans for meat, skins and trophy hunting. The bison has only a handful of predators in the wild mainly due to the sheer size of the bison. Wolves,bears and cougars are amongst those animals that hunt the bison in their natural habitat. The bison is considered to be the largest land mammal still in existence in North America, where the natural habitat of the bison ranged from Canada to Mexico. Due to loss of the bisons habitat and hunting, the bison are now only found in large herds in very remote areas and farmland. Before the settlers arrived in North America in the 1800s there were approximately 60 - 100 million bison inhabiting the area, the settlers hunted the bison population down to a mere 1,000 from which the species has still not fully recovered.

Bison Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla

Family: Bovidae Genus: Bison Scientific Name: Bison Bison Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size (L): 2m - 2.7m (6.6ft - 9ft) Weight: 1,000kg - 1,300kg (2,200lbs - 2,500lbs) Top Speed: 35km/h (22mph) Life Span: 15 - 20 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Brown, Tan Skin Type: Hair Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Grass plains and forest Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grass, Acorns, Berries Predators: Human, Bear, Wolves Distinctive Features: Huge head and a shoulder hump

Black Bear Classification and Evolution The Black Bear (also known as the American Black Bear) is a medium sized species of bear that is found inhabiting a variety of forested habitats across North America. The Black Bear is not only the most widespread bear on the North American continent but it is also the most numerous bear species in the world with there thought to be double the number of Black Bear individuals than all the other species put together. The Black Bear is also one of the only two out of the eight bear species that is not listed by the IUCN as being endangered as extensive conservation efforts added to their versatility has led to healthy populations throughout much of their remaining natural range (providing that there is a good source of food). There are sixteen recognised sub-species of Black Bear found across North America

today, which vary mainly in their size and fur colour along with the region in which they live. Black Bear Anatomy and Appearance Despite their name, Black Bears can range in colour from black to dark red or brown and can even be a lighter tan in certain areas. They have short thick fur covering their heavily built body and have a pointed muzzle, small eyes and larger and more pointed ears than theirBrown Bear relatives. Along with being a great deal smaller, there are a number of other notable differences between the two species including the Black Bear lacking the distinctive shoulder hump of their larger cousins. They also have shorter legs and claws which makes the Black Bear a much more agile climber than the Brown Bear so in areas where the two exist in the same place, Black Bears are able to escape danger by digging their claws into the tree trunk and pulling themselves up. Like all bear species though, the Black Bear has an excellent sense of smell which is used to detect food and less developed hearing and sight, due to their relatively small ears and eyes. Black Bear Distribution and Habitat Although the Black Bear is still widespread throughout much of North America today, their historical range once covered the entire continent where they would have been found in every inhabitable patch of forest. Today they are found from northern Canada, throughout western and parts of eastern USA, and down into northern Mexico. Providing there is a forest habitatof some description these incredibly adaptable animals will try their best to survive successfully there and they are actually found in a number of very diverse regions. Black Bearsare known to inhabit the hot and dry, shrubby forests of Mexico and the steamy, hardwood swamps of the south-eastern USA,

right up to the coniferous forests of Canada and Alaska and the barren treeless tundra even further north. Despite local populations in some areas being affected by loss of their natural habitats, the resilience of the Black Bear means that populations in most areas are actually increasing. Black Bear Behaviour and Lifestyle The Black Bear is a largely solitary and nocturnal hunter, that may occasionally tolerate the presence of other individuals when a number gather around an ample food source. BlackBears spend the majority of their waking life searching for food in the surrounding forest and must eat vast quantities of plant matter every day to ensure that they build up a decent fat reserve for the coming winter. When the hostile winter conditions set in, Black Bears retreat into a den under a hollow tree or in a burrow, where they semi-hibernate through the cold months ahead. Although this is not true hibernation as their body temperature only drops minimally, it means that they are able to wake up and venture out in search of a light snack to break up their long slumber. In hotter regions in the south Black Bears may not bother denning over the winter at all (with the exception of pregnant females), but in the most northerly parts of their range they may not emerge until 8 months later. Black Bear Reproduction and Life Cycles Male and female Black Bears will briefly come together to mate in the summer, after which time they will become solitary once again and both will begin to start feasting to prepare for winter. After a gestation period that lasts for around 7 months (although this includes an almost 5 month long period of delayed implantation), the female Black Bear gives birth to between one and five cubs at the end of winter in her den. The hairless cubs are incredibly vulnerable and rely

on the warmth created in the den from their mother's body heat to help them to survive the early days. Black Bear cubs remain with their mother until they are nearly two years old, learning the skills that they need to survive on their own, and will even share her winter den over their first winter. After around a year and a half, the female Black Bear will again be looking to mate and cubs are often eventually scared away from her by increasingly aggressive, mature males. Black Bear Diet and Prey Despite being technically classed as a carnivore, the Black Bear has a diet that is mainly comprised of plant material. Between 75% and 95% of their diet is vegetarian (depending on the food available in different locations) and it is also greatly varied. Black Bears forage for fruits and nuts in the trees which they pluck off the branches using their prehensile lips, along with eating grasses, roots and bulbs on the ground and supplementing their diet with small animals like insects and rodents. Depending on the region and therefore the preyavailable, Black Bears are also known to hunt young Deer, eat carrion and can also master the art of catching fish in rivers (a skill that is particularly used in areas where they are noGrizzly Bears to compete for food). Due to their large body size though, Black Bears must spend the vast majority of the night eating and will spend an average of 12 hours a day trying to build up it's fat reserves for winter. Black Bear Predators and Threats Due to the relatively large size of the Black Bear, fully grown adults have few natural predatorswithin their native habitats with the exception of Grizzly Bears in some areas. However, the Black Bear has evolved to have shorter claws and legs than their enormous and aggressive cousins, making them far more adept at climbing trees and

giving them a good chance of escape. Young cubs however, are much more vulnerable and are threatened by a variety of different predators including Foxes, Birds of Prey and even other Black Bears. Although BlackBears and Humans do tend to have a relatively peaceful relationship, they are often persecuted by farmers who fear for their livestock in areas where growing Human settlements are encroaching on their natural territories. A number of isolated populations are also threatened by loss of their habitats mainly due to deforestation for logging. Black Bear Interesting Facts and Features Bears differ from other carnivores as the special molar teeth that they possess have not specially adapted to shearing meat, but to instead grind down vegetation. However, for such a large animal to sustain itself successfully on a predominantly vegetarian diet the Black Bearmust spend an enormous amount of time eating and is known to consume tens of thousands of nuts and berries in a day. As they spend around half of the day foraging for and eating food, the average Black Bear consumes a nut or berry every second of this time. Although Black Bears normally move around slowly on all fours on the flat soles of their feet, they are not only able to run at speeds of up to 30mph but when they feel threatened, Black Bears will stand up on their hind legs to make themselves look even bigger in an attempt to intimidate apredator or rival, which leads to aggressive fighting if neither side backs down. Black Bear Relationship with Humans Black Bears would have once roamed throughout every forested area on the North American continent but although they are still widespread today, the hunting of them by people and the loss of their natural habitat in some areas has led to declines in population

numbers. However, these incredibly versatile and adaptable animals have managed to continue surviving successfully and their placid nature has led to them not being scared of people, they have adapted to living close to growing settlements and have been known to raid cars and outbuildings in search of food. Black Bears are also common in a number of national parks with raids on camp-sites by Black Bears sometimes causing problems when food is left in or around tents. Although the shooting of Black Bears is legal in many states, it is said to be so well-regulated that populations throughout much of their natural range appear to actually be increasing. Black Bear Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Black Bear is listed by the IUCN as an animal that is of Least Concern of becoming extinct in it's natural environment in the near future. Although a few remote populations are threatened by increasing levels of both hunting and habitat loss, Black Bears remain common and widespread throughout much of North America's forest. The regulation of Black Bears is also well-managed and although between 40,000 and 50,000 individuals are killed every year (depleting up to 20% of the population in some areas), the general population trend is increasing.

Black Bear Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae Genus: Ursus Scientific Name: Ursus americanus

Common Name: Black Bear Other Name(s): American Black Bear Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 16 Location: North America Habitat: Forest and woodland Colour: Black, Dark Brown, Tan Skin Type: Fur Size (H): 1.3m - 1.8m (4.25ft - 6ft) Weight: 100kg - 270kg (220lbs - 594lbs) Top Speed: 48kph (30mph) Diet: Omnivore Prey: Fruits, Nuts, Rodents Predators: Grizzly Bear, Fox, Birds of Prey Lifestyle: Nocturnal Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 15 - 30 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 4 - 6 years Gestation Period: 220 days Average Litter Size: 3 Name Of Young: Cub Age Of Weaning: 6 - 8 months Conservation Status: Least Concern Estimated Population Size: 800,000 Biggest Threat: Local hunting and habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Thick fur and long, pointed snout Fun Fact: Short claws make them good tree climbers!

The black rhinoceros (also known as the hook-lipped rhinoceros) is a large species of rhinoceros native to Africa. Despite it's name, the black rhinoceros is actually fairly light in colour with most black rhinoceros individuals having either white or grey skin.

Historically, the black rhinoceros had a vast range across central and eastern Africa in countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola. Although the black rhinoceros is still found in these countries today, their numbers are very few and far between. The black rhinoceros is one of the larger rhinoceros species with the horns of the blackrhinoceros known to reach 1.5 meters in length. The black rhinoceros uses it's horns are used for defence, intimidation, digging up roots and breaking branches during feeding. The horns of the black rhinoceros are made from a substance called keratin and are therefore very strong. The horns of the black rhinoceros are used in ancient medicine and many black rhinos have been illegally poached for them. The black rhinoceros has relatively poor eyesight, relying more on hearing and smell to detect what is going on around them. The ears of the black rhinoceros possess a relatively wide rotational range to detect sounds and an excellent sense of smell to readily alert them to the presence of predators. The black rhinoceros is a herbivorous animal meaning that it sustains itself on a purely plant based diet. Black rhinos browse the densely vegetated savanna for leaves, flowers, buds, fruits, berries and roots which they dig up from the ground using their horns. Due to it's large size, the black rhino's only real predator in the wild are large wild cats such as lions that will prey on the black rhino calves and weak individuals. Humans are the biggest threat to the black rhinoceros as they have been hunted to the brink of extinction for their horns.

The black rhinoceros is solitary animal and only comes together with other black rhinos to mate. The female black rhinoceros gives birth to a single calf after a gestation period that is over a year long. The black rhinoceros calf remains with it's mother until it is at least 2 years old and big enough to become independent. Today, the black rhinoceros is a critically endangered animal said to be on the brink of extinction in the wild. There are only a handful of black rhinoceros individuals left in the wild, but reports suggest that black rhinoceros population numbers are now beginning to increase due to continued conservation efforts.

Black Rhinoceros Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Family: Rhinocerotidae Genus: Diceros Scientific Name: Diceros Bicornis Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size(L): 3.3m - 3.6m (11ft - 12ft) Weight: 800kg - 1,400kg (1,800lbs - 3,100lbs) Top Speed: 42km/h (30mph) Life Span: 45-50 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Critically Endangered Colour: Brown, Grey, White Skin Type: Leather Favourite Food: Grass

Habitat: Tropical bushland, grassland and savannas Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grass, Fruit, Berries, Leaves Predators: Human, Wild cats Special Features: Hard, thick skin and two large horns

The black Russian terrier is confident, calm, highly intelligent, brave and loyal. However, without proper training and socialization, they can become aggressive. It should never be timid, and will not hesitate to defend the people that it loves if it thinks they are threatened. The Black Russian Terrier may seem aloof, but needs human companionship and bonds deeply to its family. They are wary of strangers and take a long time to warm up to unfamiliar people, thus they make excellent guard dogs. Black Russian Terriers are dominant by nature and need confident owners who have experience handling similar dogs. The Black Russian Terrier gives the impression of great strength, athleticism, and courage. It should be rustic (but not coarse) in appearance, and should not look as though its coat is sculpted or trimmed. It should never appear to lack substance or be weak in any way. Males should be noticeably more masculine than females.

Black Russian Terrier Facts

Name: Black Russian Terrier Origin: Russia Average Size: 71cm (28in) Average Weight: 68kg (150lbs) Average Life Span: 11 years Group: Terrier Colour: Black, Grey

Average Litter Size: 5 Temperament: Brave, confident and courageous Training: Should be trained from an early age as they will become dominant

There are three main species of black widow spider, all of which have very similar characteristics and inhabit areas in Northern America and parts of Mexico. Until very recently all three species of black widow spider were classified as one but recent research shows that as the species inhabit different areas, the three species of black widow spider have adapted to their environment in different ways. The Northern black widow spider is primarily found in the north east of the USA and parts of south east Canada, although the range of the northern black widow spider overlaps with that of the western black widow spider a great deal. The Western black widow spider inhabits areas of the western USA, Canada and parts of Mexico, although these western black widow spiders are often confused for the False black widow spider in Canada. The Southern black widow spider is found throughout the states in south east America from Florida right up to New York, and are also found more west towards Texas and Arizona where the black widow spider is said to run rampant. The black widow spider typically preys on a variety of insects, but occasionally they do feed upon woodlice and other arachnids. The black widow spider waits until prey has been trapped in its web before they quickly run out of their den, wrap it up and bite it. The venom from the bite of the black widow spider takes about ten minutes to take effect so the prey is held tightly by the spider. When the prey of the black widow spider has stopped moving, digestive enzymes are released into the wound where the black widow spider originally bit it.

The black widow spider then carries its prey back to its retreat before feeding. The black widow spider, although small, has extremely dangerous venom that is said to be more potent than the venom of a cobra. It is rare for a healthy human adult to be injected with a fatal dose of the venom from a black widow spider, and generally bites will result in a large swelling around the bite and will cause the human to experience nausea, muscle aches and breathing difficulties. The greatest amount of human deaths by spider have been caused by the black widow spider, mainly due to the enormous geographical range that is inhabited by the black widow. These instances have dramatically increased with the development of antivenin and more effective plumbing in households.

Black Widow Spider Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Family: Theridiidae Genus: Latrodectus Common Name: Black Widow Spider Scientific Name: Latrodectus Found: North America Diet: Carnivore Size: 1.3cm - 3.8cm (0.5in - 1.5in) Number of Species: 3 Average Lifespan: 3 years Conservation Status: Least Concern

Colour: Brown, Black, Red, Yellow Skin Type: Shell Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Urban, temperate forest and woodland Average Litter Size: 250 Main Prey: Insects, Woodlice, Beetles Predators: Wasp, Birds, Small mammals Distinctive Features: Sharp fangs and shiny black and red body

The bloodhound is a gentle dog who is nonetheless tireless in following a scent. Due to the strong tracking instinct of the bloodhound, the bloodhound can be willful and somewhat difficult to obedience train. However, with the proper amount of time, effort, and how well you treat the bloodhound, this can be achieved easily. The bloodhound is very affectionate, gentle, and even-tempered and bloodhounds make excellent family pets but, like any large breed, the bloodhound will require supervision when around small children because the bloodhound could easily knock them over with their large size. Bloodhounds are also characterized by a stubborn whats-in-it-forme? temperament, which along with the size and excessive drooling of the bloodhound, means that there is a high number of bloodhounds given up for adoption once full-grown in comparison with other breeds.

Bloodhound Facts
Name: Bloodhound Origin: Belgium Average Size: 71cm (28in) Average Weight: 50kg (110lbs) Average Life Span: 12 years

Group: Hound Colour: Brown ,Tan, Black Average Litter Size: 7 Temperament: Kind, patient and noble Training: Should be trained from an early age due to their large size

The Blue Lacy dog is a breed of working dog that originated in Texas in the mid 1800s,and they are the only dog breed to have originated in that state. Lacys are intelligent, intense, active and always alert. Developed to be both hunting and herding dogs, they display an incredible drive and determination to work. Bold and tough with tremendous heart, they have enough grit to stop big game and control difficult livestock. Lacys are also devoted to their family, are naturally protective and may be wary of strangers. Young dogs may have too much energy and drive for small children. Being extremely smart, they are easy to train, learning new skills quickly. The Blue Lacy is a working breed and most need a job. Work they excel at includes herding livestock, running trap lines and hunting wild hogs. Modern activities like agility that stress intelligence, passion, speed and nimbleness may be appropriate substitutes for traditional work.

Blue Lacy Dog Facts

Name: Blue Lacy Dog Origin: North America Average Size: 63cm (25in)

Average Weight: 23kg (50lbs) Average Life Span: 16 years Group: Herd Colour: Blue, Grey, White, Brown, Cream, Tan, Fawn Average Litter Size: 5 Temperament: Intelligent, active and alert Training: Should be trained from an early age as they can become dominant

Blue Whale Classification and Evolution The Blue Whale is an enormous species of whale that is found in subtropical and polar waters worldwide. With some individuals growing to more than 100ft long, the Blue Whale is not only the largest animal species in the world but it is also thought that it could be the biggest creature that has ever existed. There are three recognised sub-species of the Blue Whale which are the Northern Blue Whale, the Southern Blue Whale and the Pygmy Blue Whale that despite it's name, still reaches an average length of 24 meters. Although their enormous size and slow-maturing nature has meant that the world's Blue Whale population has never been greatly numerous, they have drastically declined in numbers due to having been hunted by Humans particularly over the past 100 years. Blue Whales are now legally protected and despite one not having been deliberately caught since the 1970s, their numbers are continuing to fall in much of their natural range. Blue Whale Anatomy and Appearance The Blue Whale has an enormously long body that is slim and narrow, which means that they are able to cut through the water with ease. Their hairless skin is smooth and greyish blue in colour with a lighter underside and a series of pleats on their throats which allows it to expand to more than four times it's normal size when the Blue Whale is feeding. The large tail of the Blue Whale is straight and splits into two

rubbery flukes at the end and helps to propel their massive bodies through the water. Blue Whales belong to the "Baleen Whales" group which means that instead of having teeth, there are up to 395 hard and bristle-like baleen plates that hang from the upper jaw and are used to filter food out of the water. Like their relatives, Blue Whales also have two blow-holes on the top of their large heads which are used to expel stale air and sea water from their lungs when the Blue Whale surfaces to breathe. Blue Whale Distribution and Habitat Blue Whales are found in both polar and tropical waters worldwide, migrating between the two at different times of year. In the summer months, Blue Whales are found in the cold waters of the Arctic and the Antarctic (depending on the sub-species) where they feed on the abundant amount food, before moving towards warmer, less-rich waters for the winter when they breed. Although the three Blue Whale sub-species do differ slightly in size and colouration, the main difference between them is where they live with Northern Blue Whales and Southern Blue Whales never meeting one another. Northern Blue Whales tend to inhabit the rich, vast waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, where Southern Blue Whales are found on the other side of the Equator in the southern hemisphere. Although Pygmy Blue Whales are also found in the south, they tend to prefer the southern Indian Ocean along with the South Pacific. Blue Whale Behaviour and Lifestyle With the exception of females with their young, Blue Whales are solitary animals that are known to occasionally gather in loose groups to feed. These enormous animals use a variety of sounds (known as songs) including hums, squeaks and rumbles to communicate between one another, particularly during the breeding season in winter. In

order to ensure that their voices are heard, the noises Blue Whales make are incredibly loud and having been recorded at volumes greater than 180 decibels, they are known produce the loudest sound of any creature on the planet. The Blue Whale has very small fins and flippers so relies on it's enormous tail to help it to plough through the ocean. Blue Whales also uses their tails to make deep dives as by bringing it above the surface of the water, they are able to get enough power to travel up to 200 meters steeply down into the sea. Blue Whale Reproduction and Life Cycles Blue Whales breed in the warmer, tropical waters during the winter or early spring when after a gestation period that lasts for nearly a year, the female Blue Whale gives birth to a single calf on her return to the region the following year. After spending all summer feeding in the cold, rich waters at the poles, female Blue Whales eat almost nothing whilst they are nursing their young. Newborn Blue Whales already measure seven meters in length and weigh around 2.5 tonnes and remain by their mother's side for at least their first year. Before they are weaned by the time they are eight months old, Blue Whale calves are known to consume up to 90kg of milk every day. Blue Whales are able to start reproducing themselves when they are between 10 and 15 years old with females giving birth every two or three years. Blue Whales can live for up to 40 years. Blue Whale Diet and Prey The Blue Whale is a carnivorous animal that despite the fact that it doesn't have proper teeth, survives on a diet that is mainly comprised of krill and small crustaceans, along with the occasional small fish. Blue Whales feed by swimming up towards a shoal of prey and thanks to the pleats on their neck which allows their throat to expand, take an enormous gulp of water into the sac created in their lower jaw and

shut their mouths. The water is then expelled but thousands of tiny creatures are retained by their fine baleen plates which are then swallowed. Blue Whales are able to consume up to six tonnes of prey every day during the summer months which they spend in the cold, rich waters around the poles. Although Blue Whales are known to eat a tremendous amount during the summer, when they migrate to the warmer waters for winter to breed they will barely eat anything at all. Blue Whale Predators and Threats Due to the immense size of an adult Blue Whale, they have no natural predators in the ocean with people being their biggest threat. Young Blue Whale calves however, are more vulnerable particularly once they have left the safer, warmer waters of their nursery and begin to travel throughout the more dangerous seas. Blue Whale calves are preyed upon by pods of Killer Whales that are able to use their intelligence and team work to catch and kill such a largeanimal. However, when Blue Whale hunting began in the 1800s with the invention of a more technical harpoon the biggest trouble for Blue Whales began. With increasingly better technologies, the situation escalated in the 1900s and decimated the global Blue Whale population, with people hunting them for their meat and blubber until an international ban finally gave them some protection in the 1960s. Blue Whale Interesting Facts and Features The Blue Whale is the largest animal on the planet meaning that numerous organs are much, much bigger than those found in any other animal. Apparently just one breath from a fully grown adult Blue Whale, will produce enough air to fill nearly 2,000 balloons! Also, the heart of the Blue Whale is so big that it is around the same size as a small car, with their main arteries being big enough for a human to

swim through comfortably! Being mammals, Blue Whales must come to the surface to breathe in air but also have to expel it and do so by blowing all of the warm, humid air, mucus and sea-water out of their lungs through their two blow-holes and into the air. Blue Whales do this with such force that this column can shoot as high as nine meters into the sky. Blue Whale Relationship with Humans Historically, people would not have been able to hunt Blue Whales as they simply had no means to do it, eating the meat and using the fatty blubber to produce oil from those individuals that either became beached or were washed ashore. With better boats and tools for hunting, the catching of Blue Whales began in the North Atlantic in 1868 and had spread around the world but the turn of the century. In 1966, Blue Whales were protected from hunting after population numbers fell drastically around the world and there has not been a Blue Whale deliberately caught since 1978 off the coast of Spain. Today, people greatly admire these gentle giants with whale-watching trips being popular around the world. Blue Whale Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Blue Whale is listed by the IUCN as an animal that is Endangered in it's oceanic environment with less than 20,000 individuals thought be left around the world. A hundred years ago it is estimated that the Blue Whale population was significantly higher at roughly 200,000 but numbers were obliterated due to hunting. Blue Whale populations today are thought to face no major threats with the effects of global warming melting the ice-sheets at the poles thought to be of the biggest concern. Although they are no longer hunted (and populations in some areas are thought to actually be increasing), Blue Whales are threatened by accidents with ships.

Blue Whale Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea Family: Balaenopteridae Genus: Balaenoptera Scientific Name: Balsenoptera musculus Common Name: Blue Whale Other Name(s): Northern, Southern, Pygmy Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 3 Location: Oceans worldwide Habitat: Polar and subtropical waters Colour: Grey, Blue, White, Black Skin Type: Smooth Size (L): 25m - 30m (82.5ft - 100ft) Weight: 100tonnes - 160tonnes (220,000lbs - 352,000lbs) Top Speed: 20kph (13mph) Diet: Carnivore Prey: Krill, Crustaceans, Small Fish Predators: Humans, Killer Whale pods Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 30 - 45 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 10- 15 years Gestation Period: 11 -12 months Average Litter Size: 1 Name Of Young: Calf Age Of Weaning: 8 months

Conservation Status: Endangered Estimated Population Size: Less than 20,000 Biggest Threat: Climate change Most Distinctive Feature: Pleats on neck and two blow-holes Fun Fact: The largest animal on Earth!

Bluetick Coonhounds are a friendly breed, but new owners should be warned they can be particularly challenging to train. They are, like their hound counterparts, very intelligent breeds, with an uncanny knack for problem-solving. This can be particularly problematic if they are confined to a household or too small a yard, and one should give this breed plenty of space. Once trained, the breed is very mindful of its owner. Breed will drool occasionally and salivate heavily when exposed to human foods. They are very loud, constant, and howling barkers. They are bred to be working hunting dogsand can be a challenge to pet owners. In normal conditions the dog is excellent around families and children. Once trained, they are mindful, friendly dogs. However, their noses will keep them in trouble, so food and garbage should not ever be left out unattended. Often mistaken for aggressiveness, the breed will "greet" strangers with its signature howl and will literally "sniff" the subject until satisfied. Usually this is just the way the breed gets to know its subjects. Since the Blue Ticks are driven by their strong sense of smell, they make excellent hunting/tracking dogs.

Bluetick Coonhound Facts

Name: Bluetick Coonhound Origin: North America Average Size: 68cm (27in)

Average Weight: 36kg (80lbs) Average Life Span: 12 years Group: Hound Colour: Blue, Black, White, Grey Average Litter Size: 7 Temperament: Friendly, devoted and affectionate Training: Should be trained from an early age due to their large size

Bobcat Classification and Evolution The Bobcat is a medium-sized wildcat that is found in a variety ofhabitats across the southern half of North America. They are widespread and adaptable predators that are closely related to the larger and more northerly dwelling Canadian Lynx with the biggest difference being that the Bobcat only has a small "bobbed" tail, from which it gets it's name. Measuring about double the size of a domestic cat, the Bobcat has the greatest range of all North American felines but their secretive nature means that they are seldom seen by people. There are currently twelve recognised sub-species of Bobcat which vary in their colouration and geographic range, with individuals found in mountainous forest being darker with more markings than their lighter-coloured cousins that are found in more arid, semi-desert regions. Bobcat Anatomy and Appearance Due to the fact that the Bobcat belongs to the same family as the Lynx, they are similar in appearance but not at all the same. The Bobcat is smaller in size and has smaller feet and ear tufts than the Canadian Lynx, and often tends to be darker in colour. Bobcats have beige to brown or reddish fur that is mottled or spotted with the intensity of these markings depending on the individual and where it lives (those found in more open, arid areas tend to have fewer markings than those found amongst dense cover). The underside of

the Bobcat is white so the darker spots are more distinctive and they also have a white tip to their short, black tail, which only grows to around 15cm in length . Like the larger Lynx, the Bobcat has ear tufts that are thought to heighten their hearing along with also having a ruff of longer fur around it's face. Bobcat Distribution and Habitat The Bobcat is the most widely distributed of all North American felines and is found across North America from southern parts of Canada right down to southern Mexico. They are incredibly versatile animals that have adapted to living in a variety of different habitatsthroughout the three different countries. Although Bobcats are known to prefer rocky hillsides that are well-vegetated, they are found in numerous different habitats throughout their natural range including mountain woodlands, coniferous forest, swampland, desertsand even in suburban areas in some places. The exact appearance of the Bobcat depends on what kind of habitat it is found in as the differing coat colours allow the individual to remain as camouflaged as possible in it's surroundings. The historical range of the Bobcat once extended right across North America but the capture of them for their fur and loss of their natural habitat has led to the disappearance of them in some areas. Bobcat Behaviour and Lifestyle The Bobcat is solitary and nocturnal animal that is most active in the darkness of night, tending to hunt most during dawn and dusk. During the day, Bobcats sleep and rest in dens in the form of a rock crevice or hollow tree with one individual having a number of dens within it's home range. Bobcats are highly territorial and mark their ranges with scents from their urine and faeces and distinctive claw marks on trees to alert others of their presence. Males patrol a large home range

which often overlaps a number of smaller female territories but the two will not interact until the breeding season which begins in the winter. At other times of the year though, Bobcats tend to avoid one another to reduce the chances of them being injured in a fight. Bobcat Reproduction and Life Cycles Bobcats can only be found together during the breeding season when both males and females can mate with multiple partners and after a gestation period that last for 8 - 10 weeks, the female Bobcat gives birth to a litter of up to 6 kittens in a safe and secluded den. Bobcat kittens are born blind and open their eyes after about 10 days, feeding on their mother's milk until they are old enough to begin consuming meat. Most births occur in the late winter or early spring with Bobcat kittens usually remaining with their mother until the next winter when they are around eight months old and have learnt how to hunt independently. Female Bobcats tend to have a single litter every year and after mating, the male Bobcat plays no part in rearing the young. Bobcat Diet and Prey The Bobcat is a carnivorous feline meaning that it only hunts and eats other animals in order to gain the nutrients that it needs to survive. Bobcats mainly hunt small mammals likeRabbits, Hares and Mice along with Birds close to the ground and the occasional Lizard. During the harsher winter months they are also known to hunt larger animals including Deerand will also feed on fresh carrion. The Bobcat is an incredibly elusive predator that hunts it'sprey by stalking it silently in the dark before pouncing on it with incredible force, and despite their size, Bobcats are known to be able to kill animals that are much larger than themselves. In areas where growing Human settlements have encroached on the Bobcat's

natural habitat, they have also been known to take occasional livestock such as poultry and sheep. Bobcat Predators and Threats The Bobcat is a fierce and dominant predator in it's natural habitat with adult Bobcats therefore being threatened by few animals, the biggest concern to them being Cougars and Wolves. The small and vulnerable Bobcat kittens however, are preyed upon by a number ofpredators including Coyotes and Owls that are able to hunt the kittens whilst there mother has gone off to hunt. The biggest threat to Bobcat populations throughout North America is people that have previously hunted the Bobcat to near extinction in some areas for their soft fur. In areas where Bobcats are now forced to share their natural ranges with growing numbers of people, they have also been hunted by farmers who fear for their livestock. Despite the fact that they are very adaptable animals, Bobcats are also been threatened byhabitat loss with populations being pushed into smaller and more isolated regions of their once vast natural range. Bobcat Interesting Facts and Features The Bobcat is also known as the Red Lynx due to the fact that the two are very similar in appearance but the Bobcat tends to be much darker and richer in colour than their northern relatives. They are incredibly secretive yet powerful animals that are able to pounce on theirprey from up to three meters away before delivering a fatal bite, allowing Bobcats to also huntanimals that may be up to double their own size. Although Bobcats are generally quiet and not greatly vocal animals, the fierce growls and snarls that they make when they are hiding often leads people to believe that there is a Mountain Lion in the area.

Bobcat Relationship with Humans Bobcats have historically dominated a wide variety of habitats across North America with the Bobcat known to people all over the continent, having roots in Native American folklore and in tales of the first European settlers in the Northern USA and Canada. However, the beauty, softness and density of the Bobcat's fur lead to an increased value in their pelts and therefore the hunting of them from the early to mid 1900s that completely decimated populations particularly in the mid-western and eastern USA. Although they are now internationally protected, the hunting of Bobcats still continues in some areas, particularly those with the densest populations. They are also seen as pests by farmers that hunt Bobcats to protect their livestock, particularly in Mexico where it has led to the Mexican Bobcat being listed as an Endangered species. Bobcat Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Bobcat is listed by the IUCN as an animal that is of Least Concern from becoming extinct in it's native environment in the near future. Since the international protection of the Bobcat in the 1970s put an end to the extensive trading of their fur, populations have been able to recover and are stable throughout much of their natural range. However, in areas where there is increasing levels of Human activity, numbers are still declining due to both hunting and habitat loss. There are estimated to be between 800,000 and 1,200,000 Bobcat individuals left in the wild of North America.

Bobcat Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae Genus: Lynx Scientific Name: Lynx rufus Common Name: Bobcat Other Name(s): Red Lynx, Wildcat Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 12 Location: North America Habitat: Mountainous forest, swamp, desert Colour: Tawny, Beige, Brown, Red, Black, White Skin Type: Fur Size (L): 65cm - 100cm (25in - 40in) Weight: 4.1kg - 15.3g (9lbs - 33lbs) Top Speed: 55kph (34mph) Diet: Carnivore Prey: Rabbits, Mice, Deer Predators: Cougar, Wolves, Coyotes Lifestyle: Nocturnal/Crepuscular Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 12 - 15 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 1 - 2 years Gestation Period: 60 - 70 days Average Litter Size: 3 Name Of Young: Kitten Age Of Weaning: 12 weeks Conservation Status: Least Concern Estimated Population Size: 1,000,000 Biggest Threat: Hunting and habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Short ear tufts and bobbed tail Fun Fact: About double the size of a domestic cat!

The Bolognese is a small breed of dog of the Bichon type, originating in Italy. The name refers to the northern Italian city of Bologna. Generally somewhat less active than the Bichon Frise, the Bolognese is nevertheless a playful and friendly breed, which will form a close bond with its owner. It is also intelligent, easy to train, and eager to please, making it an ideal companion dog and family pet, although it may initially be somewhat reserved with strangers. They are good with children. Its life expectancy is 12-14 years. The Bolognese dog has a distinctive single coat (i.e. no undercoat) falls in loose open ringlets all over the body, with shorter hair on the face. The hair's texture is woolly, as opposed to silky, and is never trimmed or clipped. The hair sheds very little, but requires regular combing to prevent matting. Frequent brushing and bathing, required to keep the Bolognese looking its best, reduces the amount of loose fur in the environment.

Bolognese Dog Facts

Name: Bolognese Dog Origin: Italy Average Size: 30cm (12in) Average Weight: 4kg (9lbs) Average Life Span: 14 years Group: Gun Dog Colour: White Average Litter Size: 4 Temperament: Devoted and lively, yet docile Training: Should be trained from an early age due to their

hyperactive nature

The Bombay cat is thought to have been bred from the playfulBurmese cat, and a smaller short-haired cat in the 1950s. The Bombay cat was initially bred in order to produce a domestic catthat looked that a panther. There are two main types of Bombay cat today, the American Bombay cat and the British Bombay Cat, both species are generally black although some American Bombay cats are breed to have spots which slightly resemble those of a leopard. The Bombay cat is a very distinctive domestic cat breed as they generally have black fur and either green or orange eyes depending on the sub-species. Bombay cat also has a long, narrow body and small heads. The Bombay cat is thought to have a very similar personality to the Burmese cat, in that the Bombay cat is excitable and affectionate. This has meant that today, the Bombay cat is a very popular domestic cat breed. Like the Burmese, the Bombay cat is a highly intelligent animal and is extremely energetic. The cleverness and activeness of the Bombay cat, ensure that it is generally a successful hunter.

Bombay Facts
Name: Bombay Origin: North America Average Size: 60cm (2ft) Average Weight: 4.5kg (10lbs) Average Life Span: 13 years Group: Shorthair

Colour: Brown, Black Average Litter Size: 6 Temperament: Intelligent, energetic, calm and friendly

The bongo is a reddish-orange hoofed animal with white stripes running vertically along the body of the bongo. The bongo is the one largest species of Antelope and the bongo is generally found grazing in herds in the African forests. The bongo is one of the only animal species in the world of which both the male and female bongo individuals have horns. The horns of the bongo tend to be fairly long and in most cases, slightly spiraled or wavy in appearance. The bongo uses these horns both for defense purposes and in the case of the males, it is believed that the bongo individuals with the largest horns are the dominant male of the bongo herd. The bongo is generally found in the more mountainous regions of central Africa, where the bongo inhabits dense woodland and can be found up to an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. Despite the colourful appearance of the bongo, the bongos white stripes actually aid the bongo in being camouflaged very successfully in the thick forests. Originally, bongos were found in three different parts of Africa, East, Central and West. Today all three populations of the bongos ranges have shrunk in size due to habitat loss for agriculture and uncontrolled timber cutting as well as humans hunting the bongo for meat. Despite the fact that the bongo is a solitary animal, the bongo is rarely seen in herd sizes of more than 20 bongo individuals and these herds comprise predominantly of the female bongos with their young.

The bongo is a nocturnal animal and are generally found grazing the newly sprouting grasses and shrubs in the dead of night which also helps to aid the bongos survival in a land where there are many dominant carnivorous predators.

Bongo Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Tragelaphus Scientific Name: Tragelaphus Eurycerus Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size (H): 1.1m - 1.4m (43in - 55in) Weight: 204kg - 400kg (450lbs - 880lbs) Top Speed: 70km/h (43mph) Life Span: 10 - 18 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Orange, Red, Brown, White Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Rainforest and thick undergrowth Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grass, Shoots, Berries Predators: Hyena, Human, Leopard Distinctive Features: Striped coat and long, twisted antlers

The bonobo is a large species of primate that is only found in the Democratic Republic Of The Congo in central Africa. The bonobo is

also known as the pygmy chimpanzee and the dwarfchimpanzee as the bonobo is thought to be very closely related to the chimpanzee and the two species share very similar characteristics. The bonobo is thought to have evolved from the ancestors of the common chimpanzeemillions of years ago when the Congo River was formed. Today, the bonobo lives south of the Congo river and chimpanzees live north of the river meaning that they have evolved as two separate species. Along with the chimpanzee, the bonobo is believed to be one of the closet living relatives of the human. The bonobo shares 97% of the same DNA that makes up humans and the bonobo displays very similar behaviour to humans as far as social interaction and reproduction are concerned. Along with a number of other primate species (including humans) the bonobo has opposable thumbs which allow it to grip onto food and trees. The bonobo is smaller than the chimpanzee with adult bonobos averaging around 70cm in height and weight roughly 40kg, The bonobo has black hair covering it's body that is parted on it's head, pink lips and long legs. Generally, the body of the bonobo is not as hairy as the body of their chimp cousins. The bonobo is an omnivorous animal mainly feeding on vegetation such as fruits, leaves, flowers, bark and seeds. The bonobo also eats honey, eggs, insects and even small mammalsand reptiles. The bonobo has also been known to turn to cannibalism (eats other bonobos) in captivity but it is unknown whether or not this happens in the wild.

Due to it's large size and the ability of the bonobo to escape into trees, the bonobo has few natural predators in the African forests. The main predators of the bonobo are humans who hunt the bonobo for it's meat and the odd crocodile when the bonobo gets close to the water. It is thought that other large primates may prey on the bonobo in the wild but that will often be down to disagreements over territory that turn nasty. As with many other species of large primate, the bonobo spends a great deal of time on the ground looking for food and resting with the bonobo troop. Bonobos are also known to climb into the trees if they feel threatened or are search of culinary delicacies such as honey. Bonobos inhabit areas of the forest in troops which usually contain the alpha male bonobo, a number of females bonobos and their offspring. The bonobo troop feed together and warn off unwelcome animals along with social interacting through calls and grooming. Female bonobos breed roughly once every few of years and there has been not specific breeding season observed. After a gestation period of around 8 months, the female bonobo gives birth a single bonobo baby. The bonobo baby is nursed and cared for by the mother bonobo until it is between 3 and 6 years old. The male bonobo babies are known to be more dependent on their mothers and the female bonobo babies are more independent at a younger age. A female bonobo can expect have between 5 and 7 babies in her 40 years lifespan. Today, the bonobo is considered to be endangered animal with only 10,000 bonobo individuals thought to be left in the wild. The bonobo populations have declined dramatically due to hunting an habitat loss.

The civil unrest in the region has also made the bonobo populations more vulnerable.

Bonobo Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Hominidae Genus: Pan Scientific Name: Pan Paniscus Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (H): 73cm - 90cm (29in - 35in) Weight: 25kg - 50kg (55lbs - 110lbs) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 30 - 40 years Lifestyle: Troop Conservation Status: Endangered Colour: Black, Grey, Brown Skin Type: Hair Favourite Food: Fruit Habitat: Lowland jungle and swamp forests Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Fruit, Leaves, Seeds, Insects Predators: Human, Large Primates, Crocodiles Distinctive Features: Large body size and opposable thumbs

The booby is a large species of sea-bird closely related to the gannet. Boobies spend their lives at sea hunting fish and are found on the east coast of Central and South America, and across the tropical islands of

the South Pacific as far west as the Galapagos islands. The booby is the most commonly found sea-bird on the Galapagos islands. There are six different species of booby found nesting on the tropical and subtropical islandsand continental coasts across the south eastern Pacific Ocean, although fossil evidence suggests that there were numerous species of booby that are now extinct and are believed to inhabited regions as far east as Europe. The different species of booby are all very similar in size and appearance but each species of booby appears to have it's own uniquely distinguishable features. The different species of booby are the blue-footed booby, the red-footed booby, the brown booby, the Peruvian booby, the masked booby and the Nazca booby. The blue-footed booby is the most well known species of booby and is most commonly found on the Galapagos islands and Ecuador. The blue-footed booby is the second largest of the booby species and is identifiable by it's bright blue feet. The female blue-footed booby is generally slightly larger than the male blue-footed booby and the female blue-footed booby also has more brightly coloured feet than the male blue-footed booby, as the male's feet are paler. The young blue-footed booby also has pale coloured feet which (in females particularly) becomes brighter as the booby gets older. The red-footed booby is slightly smaller than the blue-footed booby but the red-footed booby is known to have a wider range from the Galapagos islands to the Caribbean. As the name suggests, the refooted booby has bright, red feet that are a pinkish colour when the re-footed booby is young. Although the re-footed booby is known to be an agile flyer, the red-footed booby can be clumsy when taking off

and landing. The red-footed booby can dive through the sky to the surface of the water to catch fish at speeds of up to 60 mph. The brown booby is around half the size of the blue-footed booby and is found in the Caribbean Sea and in the Gulf Of Mexico. The brown booby has a black head and back and a white belly, short wings and a long tail. The brown booby breeds in a large colony on coastalislands and is known to spend the winter at sea, covering a larger area. As with other species of booby, the brown booby is incredible at diving. The Peruvian booby is native to Peru and parts of Chilli and is not as elaborate in appearance of the other booby species. The Peruvian booby is the second most common sea-bird found in Peru and is also the second biggest sea-bird that produces guano in the country. Guano is the excrement which is produces by seabirds, bats and seals, which has high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen and so is used to make fertilizer and gunpowder. The masked booby is distinguishable by the black colour around it's eyes. The masked booby has an enormous range that stretches from the Caribbean islands right across to Australia. The masked booby is the largest species of booby in the world and can grow to nearly a metre in height. The masked booby primarily feeds on flying fish and squid. The Nazca booby is found on islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean and is one of the most favourable birds on the Galapagos islands for ecotourists to spot. The Nazca booby has a more rounded head than the other species of booby and is believed to be most closely related to the masked booby. The Nazca booby has a white body and a beak that is yellow or orange in colour.

The booby is rarely found in regions where it cannot nest apart from those species of booby that purposefully spend the winter at sea (like the brown booby). Typically, the booby will have the same mating partner for a few years and the booby has been known to lay it's eggs all year round, although this is quite dependent on the area which the booby inhabits. The booby lays between 1 and 3 eggs (usually 2), and the booby chicks hatch after an incubation period of 4 to 5 weeks. Due to it's large size and the areas in which it inhabits. the booby has few natural predators. The main predators of the booby are owls and large birds of prey that steal the booby chicks, but the adult booby is far to big for another bird to eat. The human is the main predator of the enormous adult booby, and occasionally the odd shark.

Booby Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Sulidae Genus: Sula Scientific Name: Sula Nebouxii Type: Bird Diet: Carnivore Size (H): 64cm - 91cm (25in - 36in) Wing Span: 130cm - 155cm (51in - 61in) Weight: 0.9kg -1.8kg (2lbs - 3.9lbs) Top Speed: 97km/h (60mph) Life Span: 12 - 17 years Lifestyle: Flock Conservation Status: Least Concern

Colour: Brown, Black, White, Grey Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Flying Fish Habitat: Subtropical and tropical islands Average Clutch Size: 2 Main Prey: Flying Fish, Sardines, Anchovies, Squid Predators: Human, Owls, Birds Of Prey Distinctive Features: Large body size and brightly coloured feet

Border Collies are an intelligent, biddable breed with an instinctive desire to work closely and intensely with a humanhandler. They are very well behaved and can be very excitable dogs. Although the primary role of the Border Collie is that of the working stock dog, dogs of this breed are becoming increasingly popular as pets. True to their working heritage, Border Collies make very demanding, energetic pets that are better off in households that can provide them with plenty of exercise and a job to do. Border Collies are now also being used in showing, especially agility, where their speed and agility comes to good use. However, in an appropriate home, with a dedicated, active owner, a Border Collie can be an excellent companion. Participating in dog sports is popular with Border Collie owners. The Border Collies range of skills and high intelligence also make it an excellent detection dogwhich is commonly used by police, customs and other government agencies.

Border Collie Facts

Name: Border Collie Origin: Great Britain Average Size: 50cm (20in)

Average Weight: 20kg (45lbs) Average Life Span: 20 years Group: Herd Colour: Black, White, Brown, Red Average Litter Size: 6 Temperament: Intelligent, devoted and affectionate Training: Should be trained from an early age in obedience

A Border Terrier is a small, rough-coated breed of dog of the terrier group. Originally bred as fox and vermin hunters, Border Terriers share ancestry with other terriers such as the Bedlington Terrier. Borders will adapt to the activity levels of their owners. They do not demand exercise, but do love it when they get it. With sufficient length of leg to achieve reasonable speed, a Border will hike, bike, and run with its owner but just as happily while away the day lying in the sun. A Border Terrier does not mind being left alone but as it is intelligent and loves company, it is not suited to a household where people are away all day, every day (four hours is enough for a dog of its size). They are also known to be good jumping dogs. Border Terriers have a broad skull and short, strong muzzle with a scissors bite. The V-shaped ears are on the sides of the head and fall towards the cheeks. Whiskers are few and short. The tail is naturally moderately short, thick at the base and tapering.

Border Terrier Facts

Name: Border Terrier Origin: Great Britain Average Size: 25cm (10in) Average Weight: 5.4kg (12lbs) Average Life Span: 15 years

Group: Terrier Colour: Tan, Fawn, Black, Brown, Grey Average Litter Size: 6 Temperament: Affectionate, brave and intelligent Training: Should be trained from an early age due to their hyperactive nature

Bornean Orang-utan Classification and Evolution The Bornean Orang-utan is a large primate species that is found inhabiting the humid tropical jungles of Borneo. Also known as the Red Ape, the Bornean Orang-utan is the second largest ape species in the world (after the Gorilla) and is the largest tree-dwelling animal on the planet. Although the Bornean Orang-utanis closely related to the great apes found in Africa, they differ greatly in their behaviour with the biggest difference being that the Bornean Orang-utan is largely solitary where other ape species tend to adopt complex social hierarchies. Until recently there was thought to only be one Orangutan species but recent genetic research has shown that there is in fact two species of Orang-utan which are the Bornean Orang-utan and the Sumatran Orang-utan, which is slightly smaller in size and tends to be more sociable than it's larger cousin. There are considered to be three different sub-species of the Bornean Orang-utan, which although are similar in appearance, are differentiated by the areas of the island that they occupy. They are the Northwest Bornean Orangutan, the Central Bornean Orang-utan and the Northeast Bornean Orang-utan. Bornean Orang-utan Anatomy and Appearance The Bornean Orang-utan is covered in patchy red or orange hair with it's coarse grey skin being visible in some places. As they are largely arboreal mammals, the Bornean Orang-utanhas a number of adaptations that help it when in the canopy including having feet that can grip as effectively as it's hands, and arms that can grow to a span

of more than two meters and are actually 30% longer than their legs. The face of the Bornean Orang-utan is bare and displays the grey or black colour of their skin. Mature males also develop fleshy cheek pouches which are made up of fat deposits under the skin, along with throat poaches that are able to produce a deep, resonating sound through the forest. Both male and female BorneanOrang-utans are specially designed for opening and eating fruits with dexterous hands and feet for peeling and large flat teeth that help to grind down harder seeds and tree bark. Bornean Orang-utan Distribution and Habitat The Bornean Orang-utan is natively found on the island of Borneo where it inhabits areas of dense primary forest, mainly in the lowlands and valleys. Although they can be found at elevations of up to 1,500 meters they tend to prefer the lush slopes further down due to the higher abundance and variety of food. Although the Bornean Orangutan (and indeed the Sumatran Orang-utan) were once widespread throughout south-east Asia, they are today confined to the two islands which they named after but are seriously vulnerable in their natural surroundings due to logging and forest fires which have decimated much of their once vast native regions. Due to the fact that the Bornean Orang-utan spends nearly all of it's life high in the tree canopy, they rely on these dense and rich jungles to survive and with less and less of their natural habitats remaining, they are being forced into more smaller and more isolated regions away from the increasing levels of Human activity. Bornean Orang-utan Behaviour and Lifestyle Unlike the other great ape species, the Bornean Orang-utan is largely solitary with the exception of mother and infant pairs and the gathering of a number of individuals around heavily laden fruit trees.

Bornean Orang-utans spend much of their days sitting and eating in the canopy before constructing a nest by folding leafy branches over, where they sleep at night. Bornean Orang-utans move slowly through the steamy forests and as they are too heavy to jump, they rely on swinging tree branches back and forth until they can get close enough to grab onto the next one. Despite only travelling just over half a mile a day, BorneanOrang-utans can occupy vast home ranges that are loosely shared with other individuals with males having breeding rights with any female that enters their patch, marking their presence with deep, loud calls which echo through the trees. Bornean Orang-utan Reproduction and Life Cycles The Bornean Orang-utan is known to breed year round but these slow-developing and maturing animals are not able to reproduce until they are often nearly 15 years old. After a gestation period that lasts for up to 9 months, the female Bornean Orang-utan gives birth to a single infant which clings onto it's mother's fur and is completely dependent on her for up to 10 years. Despite the young Bornean Orang-utans being weaned when they are around three years old, offspring continue to shadow their mother so as to learn about what to eat and where to find it and also for safety. Eventually leaving her to establish their own territory when they are at least eight years old, young females tend to remain close to their mother whereas young males can roam the forest for a long time before they finally find a patch of their own. Bornean Orang-utans tend to live for up to 35 years in the wild but can reach almost double that age in captivity. Bornean Orang-utan Diet and Prey The Bornean Orang-utan is technically an omnivorous animal which means that they find and eat a variety of both plant and animal matter. Despite this, Bornean Orang-utans love fruit with around 60% of

their diet being comprised of a wide variety of both ripe and unripe fruits including mangoes, durian, figs and lychees. In the tropics though, different trees bare their fruits at different times of the year so Bornean Orang-utans must make a mental note of where the fruit trees are and when their fruits ripen. In order to supplement their dietthough, Bornean Orang-utans also eat a range of plant matter including young shoots and leaves along with insects, eggs and small vertebrates such as Lizards on occasion. Although in areas where their is a rich and abundant supply of food Bornean Orang-utans are known to congregate together to feed, one of the reasons why they are so solitary is that if they lived together in a group in one area, there simply would not be enough food to go around. Bornean Orang-utan Predators and Threats Historically Bornean Orang-utans would hardly ever come down to the ground in fear of being preyed upon by large carnivores like Tigers, Bears and Clouded Leopards but with the extinction of the Tiger particularly throughout much of the island males are known to spend around 5% of their time on the forest floor. However, 40,000 years ago a new threat emerged in the form of modern Humans that hunted the Bornean Orang-utan to extinction in numerous parts of their once vast natural range. Today they are protected by law but infants are still captured for the exotic pet trade and the mothers are often killed in the process. The biggest threat though to Borneo's remaining Orang-utan populations is habitat loss in the form of deforestation for logging or to clear land for farming and agriculture, primarily to make way for palm oil plantations. Bornean Orang-utan Interesting Facts and Features The sound that male Bornean Orang-utans make to mark their territories comes from their developing throat pouch and is so

booming that it can travel for more than a mile throughout the forest, to not only attract females but also to intimate rival males. BorneanOrang-utans are unique amongst great apes as their arboreal lifestyle has led to their limbs having more mobility than other species, allowing them to negotiate around tricky branches more easily. In the same way however to other great ape species, Bornean Orangutans have bee observed using tools to help them in their daily lives. Seemingly dependent on where the individual lives, skills are passed onto infants from their mothers with sticks being used to extract termites and honey and even large leaves are used as a form of umbrella to keep the Bornean Orang-utan dry. Bornean Orang-utan Relationship with Humans Since their arrival in south-east Asia modern Humans have been fascinated by this slow-moving and majestic mammal with their name in the native Malay language meaning "man of the forest" or "forest people". Bornean Orang-utans are remarkably similar to us both in their appearance and behaviour with these highly intelligent creatures having evolved perfectly to their tropical, tree-dwelling lives. However, the hunting of the Bornean Orang-utan and the deforestation of it's once vast natural habitat has led to drastic declines in their population numbers particularly over the past century. Adults are often killed if they are seen in or close to plantations when looking for food and their young are captured to be sold into the exotic pet trade, despite their heavy legal protection. Bornean Orang-utan Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Bornean Orang-utan is listed by the IUCN as a species that is Endangered in it's natural environment and is therefore severely threatened from extinction in the near future. The loss of their historic, unique and incredibly bio-diverse habitats has led to a 92%

drop in their population numbers in the past 100 years and if things continue the way they are going, it will not be long before they have disappeared from the wild forever. Rehabilitation programmes exist throughout the island and so far seem to be having relative success but with deforestation (now even in protected areas) for logging and to clear land to make way for palm oil plantations, population numbers can only be expected to continue to fall.
WSH8WBM

Bornean Orang-utan Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Hominidae Genus: Pongo Scientific Name: Pongo pygmaeus Common Name: Bornean Orang-utan Other Name(s): Red Ape, Forest People Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 3 Location: Borneo Habitat: Lowland forest and peat-swamps Colour: Red, Orange, Brown, Grey, Black Skin Type: Hair Size (H): 1.25m - 1.5m (4ft - 5ft) Weight: 30kg - 90kg (66lbs - 200lbs) Top Speed: 6kph (2.7mph) Diet: Omnivore

Prey: Fruits, Bark, Insects Predators: Human, Tiger, Clouded Leopard Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 30 - 40 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 12 - 15 years Gestation Period: 9 months Average Litter Size: 1 Name Of Young: Infant Age Of Weaning: 3 years Conservation Status: Endangered Estimated Population Size: 13,500 Biggest Threat: Habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Highly intelligent with very long arms Fun Fact: Known to use large leaves as umbrellas!

The Borneo elephant is a sub-species of Asian elephant which includes the Indian elephant, the Sumatran elephant, the SriLanka elephant and the Borneo elephant. The Borneo elephant is also known as the pygmy elephant as it is the smallest of theelephant subspecies. As its name suggests, the Borneo elephant is found exclusively on the island of Borneo in the Malaysian state of Sabah and parts of Indonesian Kalimantan. Much of the Borneo elephantsnatural habitat has been destroyed to make way for palm oil plantations and there are now thought to be less than 1,000 Borneo elephant individuals left in Sabah. The Borneo elephant has smaller ears than the African elephant and the Borneo elephant also has a more curved spine than the African elephant. Unlike the African elephants, the female

Borneo elephants very rarely have tusks, and if the female Borneo elephant does have tusks, they are generally barely visible and can only be seen when the female Borneo elephant opens her mouth. The Borneo elephant follows strict migration routes that are determined by the monsoon season. The eldest elephant of the Borneo elephant herd is responsible for remembering the migration route of its Borneo elephant herd. This Borneo elephant migration generally takes place between the wet and dry seasons and problems arose when farms where built along the migratory routes of the Borneo elephant herds, as the Borneo elephants caused a great deal of destruction to the newly founded farmland. Borneo elephants are herbivorous animals meaning that they only eat plants and plant matter in order to gain all of the nutrients that they need to survive. Borneo elephants eat a wide variety of vegetation including grasses, leaves, shoots, barks, fruits, nuts and seeds. Borneoelephants often use their long trunk to assist them in gathering food. Due to their large size, Borneo elephants have very few predators within their natural environment. Besides human hunters, tigers are the primary predator of the Borneo elephant, although they tend to hunt the smaller Borneo elephant calves rather than the much larger and stronger adults. Female Borneo elephants are generally able to breed by the time they are 10 years old, and give birth to a single Borneo elephant calf after a 22 month gestation period. When the Borneo elephant calf is first born, it weighs about 100 kg, and is cared for not only by it's mother by also by other female Borneo elephants in the herd (known as

aunties). The infant Borneo elephant remains with its mother until it is around 5 years old and gains its independence, with males often leaving the herd and female calves staying. Today, the Borneo elephant is considered to be an animal that is in immediate danger of becoming extinct due to the fact that Borneo elephant populations have been declining at a critical rate. Borneo elephants are thought to be suffering primarily due to habitat loss in the form of deforestation and hunting for their ivory tusks by human poachers.

Borneo Elephant Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Proboscidea Family: Elephantidae Genus: Elephas Scientific Name: Elephas Maximus Borneensis Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size (H): 2m - 3m (7ft - 10ft) Weight: 3,000kg - 5,000kg (6,500lbs - 11,000lbs) Top Speed: 43km/h (27mph) Life Span: 55 - 70 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Critically Endangered Colour: Grey, Brown, Black Skin Type: Leather Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Rainforest and tropical woodland

Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grass, Fruit, Roots Predators: Human, Tiger Distinctive Features: Long trunk and large feet

Boston Terriers have friendly, very strong, lovable, unforgettable personalities. Bostons can range in temperaments from those that are eager to please their master to those that are more stubborn. Both can be easily trained given a patient and assertive owner. While originally bred for fighting, they were later down bred for companionship. The modern Boston Terrier can be gentle, alert, expressive, and well-mannered. It must be noted however, that they are not considered terriers by the American Kennel Club, but are part of the non-sporting group. Boston Terrier is something of a misnomer. They were originally a cross-breed between the Old English Bulldog and the English White Terrier. Both breeds are now extinct. Boston Terriers are typically small, compactly built, well proportioned dogs with erect ears, short tails, and a short muzzle that should be free of wrinkles. The head is in proportion to the size of the dog and the expression indicates a high degree of intelligence.

Boston Terrier Facts

Name: Boston Terrier Origin: North America Average Size: 43cm (17in) Average Weight: 11kg (25lbs) Average Life Span: 15 years Group: Mastiff Colour: Black, Red, Brown, White, Tan, Grey

Average Litter Size: 4 Temperament: Strong, friendly and devoted Training: Should be trained from an early age in a patient and understanding way

Bottlenose Dolphins are the most common and well-known type of dolphin. Bottlenose dolphins are found inhabiting warm seas worldwide. Bottlenose dolphins are grey in colour and grow between 2 and 4 meters long. These dolphins typically stay in groups from 15 to 2,000 in number, meaning that bottlenose dolphins can often be found in large groups. Dolphins are thought to be one of the more intelligent animals of the mammal world, along with bigger primates and humans. Dolphins are thought to communicate to other dolphinsthrough a series of clicking sounds. Bottlenose dolphins generally have a good relationship with humans and due to their intelligence, bottlenose dolphins have been trained by military forces for tasks such as locating sea mines or detecting and marking enemy divers. In some areas the bottlenosedolphins have been known to help the local fishermen by driving fish towards the fishermen and then eating the fish that escape the fishermens nets. Some interactions with humanshowever are harmful to the dolphins as people hunt bottlenose dolphins for food, anddolphins are often killed by accident when there is mass tuna fishing. Bottlenose dolphins are generally known to have a calm and playful temperament, particularly around humans. As individuals, bottlenose dolphins are not aggressive by nature but if they feel

threatened, bottlenose dolphins will use their immense pod size to their advantage which will often intimidate unwanted intruders.

Bottle Nosed Dolphin Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea Family: Delphinidae Genus: Tursiops Scientific Name: Tursiops Truncatus Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 2.5m - 4m (8ft - 13ft) Weight: 200kg - 300kg (440lbs - 660lbs) Top Speed: 35km/h (21mph) Life Span: 20 - 35 years Lifestyle: Pod Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Light grey, Dark grey Skin Type: Smooth Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Warm harbours and bays Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Fish, Shrimp, Squid Predators: Human, Sharks, Killer Whale Distinctive Features: Large dorsal fins and communicate using whistling

Boxers are a bright, energetic and playful breed and tend to be very good with children. They are active dogs and require adequate exercise to prevent boredom-associated behaviors such as chewing or digging.

Boxers have earned a slight reputation of being headstrong, which can be related to inappropriate obedience training. Owing to their intelligence and working breed characteristics, training based on corrections often has limited usefulness. Boxers, like other animals, respond much better to positive reinforcement techniques such as clicker training, which affords the dog an opportunity to think independently and to problem-solve. Boxers were originally a docked and cropped breed, and this tradition is still maintained in some countries. However, due to pressure from veterinary associations, animal rights groups and the general public, both cropping of the ears and docking of the tail have been prohibited in many countries around the world.

Boxer Dog Facts

Name: Boxer Dog Origin: Germany Average Size: 61cm (24in) Average Weight: 32kg (70lbs) Average Life Span: 11 years Group: Mastiff Colour: Tan, Black, Brown Average Litter Size: 8 Temperament: Intelligent, fearless and strong Training: Should be trained from an early age due to their independent nature

The personality is ever-bright, it easily substitutes ball retrieving for bird retrieving, and will swim with agility in any aquatic environment. It is excellent with children (better, some say, than its cousin Cocker Spaniel) and is an instinctive swimmer. They do require

daily exercise and weekly grooming to keep the coat matting under control. The breed is a definite working dog with ideal retriever instincts, enthusiasm, and endurance. They say that the Boykin is the dog that doesn't rock the boat. Ideally, at around 35 pounds, the Boykin will not upset a canoe or smaller boat while hunting marsh and flooded timber. This is a southern-bred dog,so big water in colder climes like the Chesapeake Bay and north are not appropriate for this breed when used as a duck hunting dog unless the dog's coat is weather conditioned and has a neoprene jacket available. They make excellent upland hunters that naturally quarter and flush game within gun range.

Boykin Spaniel Facts

Name: Boykin Spaniel Origin: North America Average Size: 46cm (18in) Average Weight: 17kg (38lbs) Average Life Span: 16 years Group: Gun Dog Colour: Brown, Black, Tan, White Average Litter Size: 6 Temperament: Intelligent, friendly and devoted Training: Should be trained from an early in obedience

The Brazilian Terrier, commonly called Fox Paulistinha, is a breed of dog developed in Brazil. It is one of several terriers probably descended from the combining of the Fox Terrier with other small breeds.

The appearance of the Brazilian Terrier is typical of dogsdescended from fox terrier types. The short coat is tri-colour. The skull is flat and wedge-shaped, with folded ears. The tail may be docked or natural. Brazilian Terriers are alert, intelligent and playful with stronger than average hunting instincts. They should not be left alone with small animals. They must be kept active and occupied, becoming destructive or restless if bored.

Brazilian Terrier Facts

Name: Brazilian Terrier Origin: Brazil Average Size: 41cm (16in) Average Weight: 9kg (20lbs) Average Life Span: 14 years Group: Terrier Colour: Black, Brown, Tan, White Average Litter Size: 10 Temperament: Intelligent, playful and energetic Training: Should be trained from an early age due to their hyperactive nature

Brown Bears are found in many parts of North America andEurasia, where the bears inhabit wooded and mountainous areas. The brown bear is also the national animal for a number of states in North America, Europe and Asia. Brown bears tend to feed on vegetation, fish and small landmammals, but the bears will only occasionally hunt bigger mammals like deer. Brown bearsdont seem to be a great threat towards humans, although the mother brown bears will protect their young bear cubs.

Brown bears generally grow to about 2 - 3m tall, looking enormous when the bear stands on its hind legs. Brown bears have sadly been the target of taxidermists over the years resulting in the brown bear population declining. Today there is more in the way of Animal Rights meaning that the brown bear population can grow once again. The brown bear is one of the largest species of bear with only the grizzly bear and the polar bear getting to bigger sizes. Both the grizzly bear and the polar bear however, are distant sub-species of the brown bear that have today adapted to living in a different environment. The brown bear is an extremely dominant predator in its environment, with only threats from human hunters posing any real dominance over the brown bears predatory rights. The brown bear has an enormous muscle between the brown bears shoulder blades that makes the brown bear stand out above other bear species. The enormous shoulder muscle that the brown bear has means that the brown bear has immensely strong forearms and allows the bear to break animal bones with one simple swipe. The brown bear has massive paws with claws that can grow longer than 15cm in length. There are thought to be around 200,000 brown bear individuals left in the wild over half of which are found in Russia. Around 95% of the brown bear population found in the USA is in the northernmost state of Alaska. Most of the brown bears that inhabit regions of Canada are found in the west of the country in the Rocky Mountain range. Brown Bear Foot Facts

The brown bear has four large paws and each of the paws of the brown bear has five toes that result in long claws. The two front paws of the brown bear have toes that have longer claws than on the back paws, as the brown bear uses its front paws for digging.

The two back paws of the brown bear are larger than the two front paws as the brown bearoften stands on its hind legs to either survey their surroundings or to get food out of higher places.

The brown bear uses its front paws with their enormous claws to rip open logs that have bugs inside so that it can eat them. The brown bear uses its specially structured paws and legs in order to help it run fast, climb trees and swim well. Brown Bear Teeth Facts

Brown bears do not normally bite their prey but instead grind and crunch with their enormous teeth to get their meal into them. The brown bear has approximately 42 teeth including large predatory teeth that the brownbear uses to shred meat and skin. The brown bear uses both its large, strong paws and its sharp teeth to catch and kill itsprey and will either bite the neck of the animal or swipe it with its immense forearms.

The molar teeth of the brown bear increase in size as they go further in the mouth of the brown bear and the brown bear predominantly uses its largest molar to grind up tough food.

The size of the teeth of the brown bear are dependant on the size of the bear itself, so bigger bears will have bigger teeth than smaller bears.

Brown Bear Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae Genus: Ursus Scientific Name: Ursus Arctos Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (H): 1.5m - 2.8m (5ft - 9.2ft) Weight: 136kg - 390kg (300lbs - 860lbs) Top Speed: 56km/h (35mph) Life Span: 20 - 30 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Endangered Colour: Brown, Black, Tan Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Forest and mountainous regions

Average Litter Size: 3 Main Prey: Fish, Fruit, Insects Predators: Human, Wolf, Cougar Distinctive Features: Powerful forearms and hibernate in the winter

The budgerigar is a small colourful bird native to Australia. The budgerigar is thought to be a sub-species of parrot, making the budgerigar one of the smallest parrot species in the world. The budgerigar is often called a parakeet or a budgie and the budgie is one of the most popular birds to keep as pets, both in outside aviaries and in cages in homes. Budgerigars are thought to be popular pets due to their small size and brightly coloured feathers. The budgerigar is a very sociable bird and budgies can been seen gathering in large flocks in trees and scrub land in the Australian wilderness. Pet budgerigars should always be kept at least with one other budgerigar to prevent them from getting lonely. The wild budgerigar tends to feed on grass seeds and occasional insects. Budgies are known to be very easy animals to sex. Male budgies and female budgies can be identified by the colour of their nose. The male budgerigar has a blue nose while the female budgie's nose is brown in colour. Budgerigars are known to be very hardy little creatures and if a budgie becomes ill in the wild, the budgie will try to conceal it as long as possible so as not to appear weak and vulnerable to potential predators. The main predators of the wild budgerigar are snakes andbirds of prey such as hawks. Wild budgerigars have also

been known to be hunted by local natives mainly for their brightly coloured feathers which are then used in tribal costumes. The average lifespan of a wild budgerigar is thought to be around 5 years but budgerigars have been known to live much longer in captivity, some get to nearly 20 years old! The average lifespan of a pet budgie is between 8 and 10 years. Budgerigars are one of the few bird species that do not build nests and female budgerigars will therefore find a hole in a tree in which to lay their eggs. The female budgerigar lays around 5 or 6 eggs, that hatch in around 3 weeks. The budgie chicks are looked after by their mother and reach full adulthood when they are roughly 9 months old. The budgerigar is a very vocal animal and the song of the budgie is also quite loud. Budgerigars use their voices to communicate with one another as they are very sociableanimals.

Budgerigar Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Genus: Melopsittacus Scientific Name: Melopsittacus Undulatus

Type: Bird Diet: Omnivore Size (H): 15cm - 20cm (5.9in - 7.8in) Wing Span: 25cm - 35cm (10in - 14in) Weight: 30g - 40g (1oz - 1.4oz) Life Span: 3 - 6 years Lifestyle: Flock Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, White, Grey, Green, Blue, Yellow Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Seeds Habitat: Open woodland and grassland near water Average Clutch Size: 6 Main Prey: Seeds, Fruit, Insects, Berries Predators: Human, Snakes, Large Birds Distinctive Features: Brightly coloured feathers and warble communication calls

The buffalo is also known as the African buffalo and the cape buffalo, as the buffalo is found in large herds across Africa but the buffalo is more prominent in South Africa.

Although the buffalo and water buffalo (found in Asia) look very similar it not thought that the buffalo and the water buffalo are closely related. The African forest buffalo is a subspecies of the African buffalo but the forest buffalo is about half the size of the standard buffalo. The African buffalo is one of the most successful grazers in Africa. The buffalo inhabits swamps and floodplains as well as the grasslands and forests of the major mountains ofAfrica. Buffalo can be found from the highest mountains to sea level areas, and the buffalo tends to prefer habitat with dense cover such as reeds and thickets. Herd of buffalo have also been found in open woodland and grassland. Other than the human, the African buffalo has no real natural predators as the buffalo is able to easily defend itself using the buffalos sheer size and power. Lions, crocodiles, leopards andhyena are all amongst those animals that prey on the buffalo although they are usually only successful in catching the buffalo in large numbers. The buffalo has a very unpredictable nature which, along with the size of the buffalo, makes the buffalo a severe threat to humans. There are numerous buffalo attacks on humans every year and the buffalo is thought to be one of the most dangerous animals in Africa behind thehippo and the crocodile. Because of this the African buffalo has not been domesticated unlike the water buffalo in Asia.

Buffalo Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Syncerus Scientific Name: Syncerus Caffer Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size (L): 1.7m - 1.8m (67in - 71in) Weight: 600kg - 907kg (1,323lbs - 2,000lbs) Top Speed: 35km/h (22mph) Life Span: 15 - 22 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Brown, Grey, Black Skin Type: Hair Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Woodland and grass pastures Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grass, Shrubs, Leaves

Predators: Human, Lion, Crocodile Distinctive Features: Shoulder hump and large, curved horns

The Bullmastiff is courageous, loyal, calm, and loving with those it knows. It has a very strong protective instinct and will defend its owners against anything it perceives as a threat. However, it does not normally attack to protect. Instead, it knocks the intruder over with its massive size and pins them to the ground, or, will simply stand in front of the stranger or intruder and refuse to let them pass. Bullmastiffs become intensely attached to their families and do best when they can live inside with them. Their protective instinct combined with their great size and natural wariness of strangers means that early socialization is a must. The Bullmastiff may or may not get along well with other dogs. Occasionally, females in heat will also not get along with other females. The Bullmastiff gets along well with children and is very loving towards them. Parental supervision must be maintained when they are with children; they may knock smaller children down accidentally because of their large size.

Bull Mastiff Facts

Name: BullMastiff Origin: Great Britain Average Size: 69cm (27in) Average Weight: 59kg (130lbs)

Average Life Span: 10 years Group: Mastiff Colour: Brown, Black, Tan, Fawn, Cream Average Litter Size: 8 Temperament: Devoted, alert and fearless Training: Should be trained from an early age due to their independent nature

Bull sharks are mainly found in the warmer and shallower coastal waters of the southern hemisphere. The bull shark is one of the most common species of shark found worldwide. The bull shark is able to inhabit both salt and freshwatersources just as happily, with one bull shark known to have swum 4,000 km up the Amazon River in South America, finally ending up in the mountainous Peru. The bull shark is well known for its unpredictable and aggressive temperament and is thought to be one of the most dangerous sharks towards humans. This is probably because the bull inhabits coastal waters and rivers and is therefore more likely to come into contact with swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. The bull shark is an effective and dominant predator in its environment and so has no real natural predator itself. Bull sharks are occasionally hunted by the bigger shark species such as the tiger shark and the infamous great white shark.

Bull Shark Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Carcharhiniformes Family: Carcharhinidae Genus: Carcharhinus Scientific Name: Carcharhinus Leucas Type: Fish Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 2.1m - 3.5m (7ft - 11.5ft) Weight: 90kg - 230kg (200lbs - 500lbs) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 16 - 25 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Blue, Grey Skin Type: Scales Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Shallow and tropical waters

Average Litter Size: 10 Main Prey: Fish, Sharks, Stingray Predators: Human, Tiger sharks Distinctive Features: Flat, rounded snout and two dorsal fins

hough they are not ideal for a first-time dog owner, because of their power and difficulty to train, their physical strength is matched by their intelligence, which makes them thoroughly reliable pets. Both body and mind need to be kept active and they can be fun and playful. They are typically very affectionate dogs that love human company. Bull Terriers are particularly good with children, and usually have a high pain threshold, which reduces the risk of injury from a defensive bite. Younger dogs, however, may regard children as playmates and because of their strength could cause inadvertent injury. They are protective of children in their charge, and the females are especially noted for this. Bull Terriers make formidable guard dogs while their owners are away as they are fearless. The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS), a not-for-profit organization that promotes uniform temperament testing for dog breeds, gives the Bull Terrier a pass rate of 92.1% as of 2008. The average for all breeds is 81.5%.

Bull Terrier Facts

Name: Bull Terrier

Origin: Great Britain Average Size: 56cm (22in) Average Weight: 28kg (62lbs) Average Life Span: 15 years Group: Mastiff Colour: Black, Brown, Tan, White Average Litter Size: 7 Temperament: Friendly and alert but stubborn Training: Should be trained from an early age due to their independent nature

Despite their famous sourmug expression, bulldogs are generally docile, friendly and gregarious but occasionally willful. Breeders have worked to breed aggression out of the breed, and as such the dog is known to be of generally good temperament. Bulldogs can be so attached to home and family that they will not venture out of the yard without a human companion. Due to their friendly nature bulldogs are known for getting along well with children, other dogs and pets. A bulldog is suitable for houses as well as apartments due to their size and susceptibility to the weather. They are easily trainable as compared with many other breeds. The bulldog is a breed with characteristically thick shoulders and a matching head. There are generally thick folds of skin on a bulldog's

brow, followed by round, black, wide-set eyes, a short muzzle with characteristic folds above the nose, drooping lips, and pointed teeth.

Bulldog Facts
Name: Bulldog Origin: Great Britain Average Size: 35cm (14in) Average Weight: 25kg (55lbs) Average Life Span: 14 years Group: Mastiff Colour: Tan, Fawn, White, Brown, Black Average Litter Size: 10 Temperament: Gentle, calm and affectionate Training: Should be trained from an early age due to their stubborn nature

The bullfrog is one of the most widely distributed frogs across the North American continent. The bullfrog is a medium-sizedfrog that is best known for it's loud cow-like calls, hence it's name. Bullfrogs are found in a wide range of permanent freshwaterhabitats including ponds, swamps and lakes where the bullfrog tends to prefer to be closer to the banks rather than out in the open water. Bullfrogs also prefer to be in warmer climates rather than the cooler ones.

Today bullfrogs are being more and more commonly kept as pets and are even eaten by locals in some of the more southern regions of North America. Bullfrogs have also been introduced to other countries throughout the world where they have generally had a devastating impact on the local ecosystems. Bullfrogs are carnivorous animals and bullfrogs have a diet that is meat-based. Bullfrogs arenocturnal hunters, hiding and resting during the day and actively hunting by night. Bullfrogs hunt a variety of insects and their larvae, eggs, spiders and even small fish. Some of the larger bullfrogs, today found in South Korea, have been even known to eat small snakes. Due to the relatively small size of the bullfrog and the fact that its calls can be heard for some distance, the bullfrog has numerous different predators within its natural environment. Aquatic animals including large fish and river turtles are the most common predators of the bullfrog along with a number of snake species. Bullfrog breeding occurs around late spring to early summer, when the male bullfrogs call out to the female bullfrogs attracting them into their territory. Once the bullfrogs have mated, the female bullfrog can lay around 20,000 eggs which float together on the surface of the water. The bullfrog eggs hatch in less than a week, and thousands of bullfrog tadpoles emerge into the surrounding water. The tadpoles begin to develop limbs and start to look like adult frogs. This whole process can take anywhere from 3 months to 3 years, depending of where the bullfrog lives.

Bullfrogs are generally quite hardy animals and can get to be 10 years old in the wild. One bullfrog kept in captivity was said to have died at the age of 16!

Bullfrog Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Ranidae Genus: Rana Scientific Name: Rana Catesbeiana Type: Amphibian Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 9cm - 15cm (3.5in - 6in) Weight: 300g - 500g (10.5oz - 17.6oz) Top Speed: 17km/h (10mph) Life Span: 6 - 10 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, Green, Grey, Brown, Yellow

Skin Type: Permeable Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Lakes, ponds, rivers and streams Average Clutch Size: 20,000 Main Prey: Insects, Spiders, Small Fish Predators: Snakes, Fish, Turtles Distinctive Features: Powerful legs and cow-like call

The bumble bee is the most common type of bee with around 250 different species of the bumble bee found around the world. Despite the fact that the bumble bee can be found in many countries, it is indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere, breeding more successfully in the more temperate climates. The bumble bee is best known for having a sting on it's tail, which the bumble bee uses to protect itself from danger. Once the bumble bee has stung something with it's sting, the sting breaks off and the bumble bee generally dies. Despite common belief, not every bumble bee has a sting, in fact the male bumble bees (known as drones) do not have a sting at all. Only the female bumble bee has a sting on it's tail. One of the main causes in the decline of the bumble bee populations is the fact that the places where the bumble bees nest are being disturbed often destroying the bumble bee's nest in the process. The bumble bee is a herbivorous animal feeding primarily on nectar. Bumble bees also eat pollen and honey when there is no nectar

available. Bumble bees have numerous naturalpredators including birds, larger insects and amphibians such as frogs and newts. The queen bumble bee is the one who lays the eggs. She lays her eggs in a round-shaped mound that she then seals with wax. When the baby bumbles bees (larvae) hatch they are forced to eat their way out of their sealed dome. Bumble bees are known to play a valuable part in the eco-system as around 1/3 of whathumans eat is pollinated by bees. It is estimated that around 80% of the world's crop species are dependent on the pollination by bees to survive. Sadly due to high pollution levels and habitat loss, the bumble bee populations are rapidly declining with the bumble bee being one of the few insects that is classed as being threatened with extinction. Human beings do not give bees the respect they deserve, as bumble bees are vital to the survival of plants which are in turn vital to the survival of humans.

Bumble Bee Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Apidae Genus: Bombus

Common Name: Bumble Bee Scientific Name: Bombus Found: Northern Hemisphere Diet: Herbivore Size: 1.9-3.8cm (0.75-1.5in) Number of Species: 250 Average Lifespan: 1 year Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Yellow, Black, Orange Skin Type: Hair Favourite Food: Nectar Habitat: Quiet forests and pastures Average Litter Size: 200 Main Prey: Nectar, Pollen, Honey Predators: Bats, Frogs, Skunks Special Features: Black and yellow body and sting on tail of the female

The Burmese cat is native to the south east Asian countries of Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand, but is a very popular cat today and is domestically bred in Europe and across North America. The Burmese is cat is thought to have been originally brown in colour but years of the selective breeding of the Burmese cat has meant that

today the Burmese cat can be found in many different colours including black, lilac and even ginger. The Burmese cat is best known for its beautiful soft fur, which is normally in incredible condition. The Thai name for the Burmese cat is subh-bha-lak , which means fortunate, beautiful and splendid in appearance. The Burmese cat is a popular breed of domestic cat due to its playful and energetic nature. Burmese cats adore to be around humans and are extremely affectionate and loving pets. The Burmese cat is a very intelligent animal and is constantly curious and inquisitive in its surroundings. The Burmese cat is also one of the more vocal breeds of domestic cat, along with one of the most elegant.

Burmese Facts
Name: Burmese Origin: Burma Average Size: 60cm (2ft) Average Weight: 4.5kg (10lbs) Average Life Span: 12 years Group: Shorthair Colour: Brown, Black, Blue, Lilac, Cream, Ginger Average Litter Size: 5 Temperament: Intelligent, friendly and affectionate

The burrowing frog is a large sized species of frog that is natively found in Australia. Burrowing frogs are most commonly found in their burrows in river banks and close to marshes, streams and lakes. There are six different species of burrowing frog in Australiawhich vary in size from around 6cm to 10cm long. Only one of the six species of burrowingfrog is found in south-eastern Australia, as the other five burrowing frog species are all found in western Australia. The burrowing frog has a very distinctive appearance and is easily identified by its large, bulging eyes, short body and long legs and toes. Unlike many other species of frog, the toes of the burrowing frog are not webbed as webbing would make digging much more difficult. As with all amphibians, burrowing frogs are semi-aquatic and are always found close to large bodies of water. Burrowing frogs hide in the banks close to the water where they can remain unseen by predators and undetected from potential prey. The burrowing frog is a carnivorous animal that uses it long, sticky tongue in order to catch food. When the burrowing frog spots a meal, it remains very still watching it closely with its large eyes before shooting its tongue out of its mouth at remarkable speed to catch its preybefore pulling its back in. Burrowing frogs primarily hunt invertebrates such as insects, spiders and worms. Due to their relatively small size, the burrowing frog has numerous natural predators within its natural environment. Foxes, cats, dogs, birds, snakes and lizards are among the most common predators of the burrowing frog. After mating, the female burrowing frog can lay up to 1,000 eggs in a foamy mass in her burrow in the river bank, where the eggs develop

until they hatch. Burrowing frog tadpoles hatch after water has flooded the burrow, the aquatic tadpoles to leave the burrow into the water.

Burrowing Frog Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Myobatrachidae Genus: Heleioporus Scientific Name: Heleioporus Type: Amphibian Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 6cm - 10cm (2.4in - 4in) Weight: 20g - 80g (0.7oz - 2.8oz) Top Speed: 8km/h (5mph) Life Span: 10 - 15 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, Green, Grey, Brown, Yellow

Skin Type: Permeable Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Forests, rivers and marshes Average Clutch Size: 200 Main Prey: Insects, Worms, Spiders Predators: Foxes, Snakes, Birds Distinctive Features: Long limbs and rough, bumpy skin

The butterfly can be found in most countries in the world, but there tend to be more butterflies in warmer climates. The butterfly is a type of insect that feeds on flower nectar through its long and curled straw-like tongue. Butterflies are similar in appearance and tendencies to moths, with many species of butterfly often getting confused as a moth and moths with butterflies. In general the butterfly species tend to be more brightly coloured than the moth species, but there are exceptions. The butterfly's most reputable characteristic is the fact that there is an incredible morphing process, during the life cycle of the butterfly. The butterfly starts life as a caterpillar, which cocoons itself in a silky thread. The caterpillar emerges from it's time in the pod, with colourful wings. The butterflies in the tropical rain forests of the southern hemisphere, can get to incredible sizes, with the wings of these butterflies displaying some of the brightest colours in the natural world.

It has been estimated that there are between 15,000 and 20,000 different species of butterfly in the world as more are constantly being discovered particularly in dense jungle regions that have little contact with humans. The different species of butterfly vary in size and colour as well as the differences in the bright patterns that are displayed on the wings of the butterfly. Butterflies are herbivorous animals as butterflies are known to only eat plant matter with a high sugar content. Butterflies fly between the flowers drinking the nectar through their long tongue which acts as a straw. Whilst doing this, the butterfly transfers pollen between the plants, meaning that the butterfly plays a vital role in the pollination of plants around the world. Due to their small size and colourful wings, butterflies are preyed upon by a number ofanimals around the world. The main predators of the butterfly include amphibians such asfrogs and newts, small reptiles such as lizards and mammals including bats. Butterflies reproduce by the male butterfly inserting his sperm into the pouch of the female butterfly. When the female butterfly is ready to lay her eggs, she performs a kind of self-fertilisation process as when the female releases an egg, it passes the pouch that contains the sperm of the male butterfly and is fertilised. Female butterflies lay around 100 eggs at a time, with some species of butterfly laying their eggs in a cluster (all at one time) and other species of butterfly lay there eggs individually onto numerous different plants. The egg soon hatches as larvae which develops into acaterpillar and then into a butterfly.

Butterflies have intrigued and been of one of natures wonders due to their gentle nature and bright colours. Butterflies are commonly used in art and literature around the world and across numerous different cultures.

Butterfly Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Common Name: Butterfly Scientific Name: Papilionoidea Found: Worldwide Diet: Herbivore Size: 0.6-30cm (0.2-12in) Number of Species: 12,000 Average Life Span: 40 days Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Yellow, Black, Orange, Red, Green, Blue, White Skin Type: Hair Favourite Food: Nectar

Habitat: Quiet forests and pastures Average Litter Size: 100 Main Prey: Nectar, Pollen, Honey Predators: Bats, Frogs, Small mammals and reptiles Special Features: Long, curled tongue and brightly coloured wings

The butterfly fish is a generally small sized species of marinefish, found in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily aroundcoral reefs. The butterfly fish is well known for it's brightly coloured body and elaborate markings. There are more than 100 different species of butterfly fish found distributed throughout the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans, meaning that the butterfly fishis a salt-water species of (marine) fish. The average butterfly fish is fairly small and generally grows to around 4 or 5 inches in length. Some species of the butterfly fish however, are known to grow to 8 inches (20 cm) long and some butterfly fish individuals have been known to grow to 30 cm in length. The butterfly fish can live for up to 10 years in a well kept aquarium but will only reach about 7 years old in the wild. The butterfly fish is a difficult fish to keep as they need very specific water conditions that need regular and close monitoring and so the butterfly fish is only found in specific water conditions in the wild. The butterfly fish is most closely related to the marine angelfish which is similar in colour but the marine angelfish is often much larger in size than the butterfly fish. Butterfly fish can be distinguished

from angelfish by the dark spots on their bodies, dark bands around their eyes and the fact that the mouth of the butterfly fish is more pointed than the mouth of the angelfish. Butterfly fish are diurnal animals which means that they are feeding during the day and resting in the coral during the night. Most species of butterfly fish feed on the plankton in the water, coral and sea anemones and occasionally snack on small crustaceans . Those butterflyfish fish that primarily feed on the plankton in the water are generally the smaller species ofbutterfly fish and can be seen in large groups. The larger species of butterfly fish are fairly solitary or stay with their mating partner. Butterfly fish are preyed upon by a number of large predators including fish such as snappers, eels and sharks. Due to the fact that the butterfly fish is small in size, it is able to tuck itself into crevices in the coral in order to escape danger and prevent itself from being eaten. Butterfly fish form mating pairs that they remain with for life. Butterfly fish release their eggs into the water which form part of the plankton (it is because of this that many butterfly fisheggs are accidentally eaten by animals that live on plankton). When the eggs hatch, the babybutterfly fish (known as fry) develop armoured plates on their bodies to protect them when they are so vulnerable. As the butterfly fish gets, older these plates disappear. Butterfly fishhave an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years although some of the larger butterfly fish species are known to get to much older. Today, the butterfly fish is considered to be an endangered animal mainly as butterfly fishpopulations have been threatened due to water pollution and habitat loss. The destruction

ofcoral reefs occurs mainly from boats, and without their coral habitat, the butterfly fish find it difficult to survive as they have less food and are also more exposed to predators.

Butterfly Fish Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Chaetodontidae Common Name: Butterfly fish Scientific Name: Chaetodontidae Origin: Atlantic, Indian, Pacific Oceans Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 7cm - 15cm (3in - 6in) Water Type: Salt Optimum pH Level: 8.1 - 8.6 Life Span: 6 - 12 years Conservation Status: Endangered Colour: Black, White, Yellow, Orange, Silver Skin Type: Scales

Favourite Food: Plankton Habitat: Tropical coral reefs Average Clutch Size: 200 Main Prey: Plankton, Coral, Crustaceans Predators: Fish, Eels, Sharks Distinctive Features: Elongated nose and bright colours

C
The caiman is a large aquatic reptile found in the swamps and tropical rivers that cover Central and South America. Although the caimans have much narrower bodies, they are most closely related to alligators and crocodiles. Caimans are found in a variety of habitats throughout Central and South America from marshes and swamps to mangrove rivers and lakes. As with otherreptiles, caimans have scaly skin and live a fairly nocturnal existence. Caimans range in size from the dwarf caiman which measures just over a meter in length, to the black caiman which can to grow to be nearly 5 meters long. The black caiman is the largest caiman species in the world and is found in the slow-moving rivers and lakes that surround the Amazon basin. There are six different species of caiman found throughout the watery, jungle habitats of Central and Southern America. The average length for most of the other caiman species if about 2.5 meters long. The caiman is a carnivorous predators and, like the alligator and the crocodile, the caiman has a diet that consists of a great deal of fish. The caiman also hunts insects, birds and smallmammals and reptiles. Due to the large size and ferocious nature of the caiman, it has few natural predators within its environment. Humans are the main predators of the caiman as they have been hunted for their meat and skin. Jaguars are the only other predator of the caiman.

Female caimans build a large nest in which to lay their eggs, which can be more than 1.5 meters wide. Female caimans lay between 10 and 50 eggs which hatch within about 6 weeks. Once they have hatched, the mother caiman takes her young to a shallow pool of water where they can learn how to hunt and swim.

Caiman Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Crocodilia Family: Alligatoridae Genus: Caimaninae Scientific Name: Caimaninae Type: Reptile Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 1.1m - 5m (43in - 197in) Weight: 100kg - 500kg (220lbs - 1,102lbs) Top Speed: 48km/h (30mph) Life Span: 30 - 40 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Threatened

Colour: Green, Brown, Black, Grey Skin Type: Scales Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Mangroves, marshes and swamps Average Clutch Size: 30 Main Prey: Fish, Insects, Birds Predators: Humans, Jaguars Distinctive Features: Narrow body shape and long tail

The caiman lizard is a medium sized species of lizard, natively found in the jungles of South America. The caiman lizard is powerfully built and is one of the largest lizard species on the American continent. The caiman lizard can be found inhabiting the rainforest and swampland areas of South America in the countries of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.Caiman lizards are most commonly spotted in areas which are flooded as they are very aquatic creatures. The caiman lizard is a large and powerfully built lizard that is known to grow up to 120 centimetres from it's snout to the tip of it's tail. Today, there is only one species of caimanlizard found in South America which is the Northern caiman lizard. As the caiman lizard spends most of it's time either in or around the water, the body of thecaiman lizard has adapted in ways which help it to live an aquatic lifestyle more successfully. The best example of this is the long, flattened tail of the caiman lizard which helps to steer it while swimming.

Caiman lizards are large carnivorous predators that only hunt other animals in order to gain their nutrients. Snails are the primary source of food for the caiman lizard along with otherinvertebrates such as insects and crabs, and occasional larger animals such as fish, rodents and amphibians. Due to it's relatively large size and part water, part tree-dwelling lifestyle, caiman lizards have limited predators within their natural environment. Large predatory mammals includingjaguars are known to hunt the caiman lizard along with other large reptiles including snakesand crocodiles. Although little is known about the reproduction of the caiman lizard, they are thought to behave in a similar way to other large lizard species. After mating, female caiman lizards will lay their eggs into a hole in the riverbank which they cover up to protect them from hungrypredators. When the baby caiman lizards hatch, they are completely independent as there is no prenatal care from the caiman lizard parents. Today, although the caiman lizard is not considered to be a species that is under immediate threat from extinction, the caiman lizard populations have been declining in specific areas, mainly due to habitat loss often caused by high levels of pollution and deforestation.

Caiman Lizard Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Teiidae Genus: Dracaena Scientific Name: Dracaena Guianensis Type: Reptile Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 60cm - 121cm (2ft - 4ft) Weight: 1.4kg - 2.7kg (3lbs - 6lbs) Top Speed: 16km/h (10mph) Life Span: 10 - 30 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, Brown, Tan, Yellow, Grey Skin Type: Scales Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Rainforest and swampland Average Clutch Size: 6 Main Prey: Insects, Fish, Crabs

Predators: Jaguar, Large Snakes, Humans Distinctive Features: Forked tongue and powerful tail

Cairn Terriers are intelligent, lively, strong, and loyal. Like most terriers, they love to dig after real or imagined prey. Cairn Terriers have a strong prey instinct and will need comprehensive training. However, they are reasonably intelligent and, although willful, can be trained. Although it is often said that they are disobedient, this is not the case provided correct training is applied. Cairns are working dogs and are still used as such in parts of Scotland. Cairn Terriers generally adapt well to children and are suitable family dogs.

Cairn Terrier Facts

Name: Cairn Terrier Origin: Great Britain Size: 25.4cm (10in) Weight: 6kg (14lbs) Life Span: 14 years Group: Terrier

Camels are best known for their impressive water-storing humps that are prominent on the camels back. Camels are mainly found in the deserts of the Middle-East, and in some areas of eastern Asia. Camels are incredibly resilient to the desert climates and the arid conditions that would easily kill another animal. Camels also possess

the incredible ability to lose nearly 40% of their body weight as water and be unharmed. Camels have been used for hundreds of years for transporting people and goods across thedesert. Camels were also used in the transportation of silk along the first trade route from China to the Middle East in the middle ages. The average camel tends to get to nearly 50 years old with a mature adult camel standing at around 2 meters tall. The water storing hump on the camels back can grow to a size of 75cm out of the camels body, when the camels hump is full of water. The camel is a surprisingly fast animal and has been known to run at speeds of 25mph for long periods of time. The camel is also able to run at speeds of up to 40mph for shorter periods of time. Although the camel is native to the deserts of the Middle East, the camel can today be found in many other parts of the world with small populations of camels found in parts of Africa and South America, and there is also thought to be roughly 700,000 camels inhabiting the ariddesert lands in Australia. These camels are thought to have moved such long distances ashumans took the camels to these parts of the world to use for transportation, camel milk and camel meat. Camels are incredibly adaptable mammals and are able to go for long periods of time without food or, more importantly, water but the camel is able to drink more than 100 litres of water at a time. The camel is also highly adaptable to temperature changes which is incredibly important in the desert lands. The desert is typically extremely hot during the day and temperatures can drop to nearly freezing when the sun goes down at night.

Camel Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Camelidae Genus: Camelus Scientific Name: Camelus Dromedarius Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size (H): 1.8m - 2.3m (6ft - 7.5ft) Weight: 500kg - 690kg (1,100lbs - 1,520lbs) Top Speed: 64km/h (40mph) Life Span: 40 - 50 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Tan, Brown Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Grains

Habitat: Dry deserts and arid plains Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grains, Fruit, Grass Predators: Human, Lion, Wolves Distinctive Features: Large hump and long, curved neck

Canaan Dogs have a strong survival instinct. They are quick to react and wary of strangers, and will alert to any disturbances with prompt barking, thus making them excellent watchdogs. Though defensive, they are not aggressive and are very good with children. They are intelligent and learn quickly, but may get bored with repetitive exercises or ignore commands if they find something of more interest.

Canaan Dog Facts

Name: Canaan Dog Origin: Israel Size: 61cm (24in) Weight: 25kg (55lbs) Life Span: 15 years Group: South

Capybara Classification and Evolution The Capybara is a large, semi-aquatic rodent that is found inhabiting the water-logged regions of Central and South America. Closely

related to other South American rodents such as Chinchillas and Guinea Pigs, the Capybara is the largest rodent in the world weighing up to 75kg and measuring nearly 1.4 meters long. Despite their enormous size though, these mammals have adapted well to life in the water and have a number of distinctive characteristics that aid their amphibious lifestyle, including the webbed skin between their toes which is particularly helpful when swimming. Interestingly enough, the common name of the Capybara is thought to mean "Master of the Grasses", whilst it's scientific name comes from the Greek word for water hog. Capybara Anatomy and Appearance The Capybara is a heavy, stocky-looking animal with a short head and muzzle in comparison to it's body and hardly any tail at all. They have short but sturdy limbs and hoof-like claws on their toes which along with the webbing, helps the Capybara both when negotiating the slippery banks and with swimming and also prevents the Capybara from sinking too deeply into the surrounding mud. Their coarse, short fur is pale to dark brown in colour with varying tinges of yellow, red and grey and is perfectly designed to dry out quickly once the Capybara is back on land. One of the Capybara's most distinctive features is the fact that their eyes, ears and nostrils are all positioned on top of it's head meaning that they still have excellent sight, sound and smell whilst in the water. The placement of these features also means that when threatened, the Capybara can retreat into the water only leaving these parts of it's body exposed to hide from potential predators. Capybara Distribution and Habitat The Capybara is found throughout a variety of habitats in Central and South America providing that there is a constant source of

standing freshwater. They are found in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru, down through Brazil and Paraguay and into northern Argentina and Uruguay where they are most commonly found in swamps, marshes, rivers and lakes. The Capybara can be found inhabiting grassy plains and even in rainforests where they occupy territories in herds, with these areas reported to be adequate territories year round even with the differing seasons. During the dry season the Capybara must have water and areas where they are able to feed (often small sandbars in the water), but in the wet season when the area floods they must still be able to graze which they often do on the grassy banks. Capybara Behaviour and Lifestyle The Capybara is a very sociable animal that tends to inhabit densely vegetated areas close to water in herds of around 20 individuals, which are usually made up of a dominant male with a number of females and their young. Capybara herds occupy very stable home ranges that are known to vary in size depending on the size of the herd to ensure that there is enough food, and although small parts of their territory may overlap those of another herd, they will tend chase intruders off their patch. The Capybara actually sleeps very little, preferring instead to doze whilst resting during the morning in thickets on the banks, or wallowing in the mud and water when cooling down in the heat of the midday sun. They begin to emerge onto land in the early evening when they graze on grasses and aquatic plants which the Capybara will continue to do throughout most of the night. Capybara Reproduction and Life Cycles In a Capybara herd it is only the dominant male that has the breeding rights to the females, and although it can occur all year round depending on the conditions, the breeding season tends to be during

the rains in April and May. After a gestation period that lasts for around five months, the female Capybara gives birth to between 1 and 8 pups on land. Capybara young are very well developed at birth and not only have all their fur and can see, but are also able to run, swim and dive within hours of birth. The female rejoins the main group within hours with her newborn offspring, which begin to eat grass after about a week (although they will continue to suckle milk from their mother until they are around four months old). The Capybara tends to live for up to 10 years in the wild and slightly longer when kept in captivity. Capybara Diet and Prey The Capybara is a herbivorous animal that only eats plant matter in order to acquire all of the nutrients it needs. The diet of the Capybara is mainly made up of grasses and aquatic plants, along with fruits and berries and the occasional munch on soft tree bark. Despite spending a number of hours during the night grazing, the Capybara is quite fussy with around 75% of their diet involving between three and six different species of plant. Like all other species of rodent, their two front teeth grow continuously throughout their life meaning that they must gnaw and chew their food to grind them down which they do in a back and forth motion rather than from side to side. They are also known to both regurgitate their food in order to chew it again (much like a Cow) and also eat their own droppings which help to break down the cellulose in the grass, along with aiding their digestive system in general. Capybara Predators and Threats Despite the large size and secretive aquatic nature of this large rodent, their slow and gentle disposition makes them a rewarding meal for numerous hungry predators throughout their natural range. Wildcats

including Jaguars, Pumas and Ocelots are the primary predators of the Capybara along with Caimans and Eagles that can hunt the younger ones from the sky above. The Capybara is also one of the best sources of food for the world's heaviest snake, the Anaconda, along with other species of large snake. The Capybara is also hunted by Humans in parts of it's natural range for both it's meat and the hide which is prized amongst some. Although the global Capybara population is not considered to be under threat, numbers in these areas have declined. Habitat loss also affects Capybara populations through Central and South America as they are specifically adapted to life in their unique watery wilderness. Capybara Interesting Facts and Features Capybara never stray far from water as when one senses danger it gives a short bark that encourages the herd to quickly scuttle into the water to hide. They are so well adapted to going unseen in the water that the Capybara is actually able to hold it's breath for up to five minutes after diving in. Although Capybara herds tend to average between 10 and 30 individuals, larger groups are not uncommon with some numbering up to 100 members in home ranges generally larger than those of smaller groups. Capybara are known to communicate between one another using both scent (which is secreted by their glands) and sound, and have a number of different vocalisations including whistles, barks, grunts and squeals. Capybara Relationship with Humans Due to their slow and generally gentle nature, Humans have lived alongside Capybara for hundreds of years peacefully. However, they may not be aggressive animals but are often killed in certain areas for their meat and skin which has led to population declines in these regions. The Capybara has also been affected by Human activity in

their native regions in general including both growing Human settlements and land clearance for agriculture. It is in these areas particularly that when there is not an adequate supply of food available, some Capybara have been known to enter crop fields where they can cause a great deal of damage and can be seen as pests. Capybara Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Capybara population throughout Central and South America remains fairly stable and it is because they are still common in much of their natural range, that the Capybara is listed as being of Least Concern from becoming extinct in their natural environments in the near future by the IUCN Red List. Population numbers in certain areas however, have declined due to hunting and others are affected by loss of their natural habitat both from deforestation and increasing pollution levels in the water.

Capybara Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Caviidae Genus: Hydrochoerus Scientific Name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Common Name: Capybara

Other Name(s): Water Hog Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 2 Location: Central and South America Habitat: Dense vegetation close to freshwater Colour: Brown, Yellow, Red, Grey Skin Type: Fur Size (L): 100cm - 130cm (39in - 51in) Weight: 30kg - 70kg (66lbs - 154lbs) Top Speed: 35kph (22mph) Diet: Herbivore Prey: Grasses, Aquatic Plants, Bark Predators: Jaguar, Caiman, Harpy Eagle Lifestyle: Nocturnal/Crepuscular Group Behaviour: Herd Life Span: 8 - 10 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 17 - 19 months Gestation Period: 150 days Average Litter Size: 5

Name Of Young: Pup Age Of Weaning: 16 weeks Conservation Status: Least Concern Estimated Population Size: Stable Biggest Threat: Hunting and habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Eyes, ears and nostrils on top of the head! Fun Fact: Excellent at both diving and swimming!

The caracal is also commonly known as the Persian Lynx or African Lynx despite the fact that the caracal is not a lynx at all. The caracal is thought to be most closely related to the African golden cat and the serval. The caracals name is believed to come from the Turkish word Karakulak, which means black ears. The caracal typically has 20 different muscles in the caracals ears which enables the caracal to detect prey. The caracal is a medium sized cat however, with the caracal, its size appears to make little difference on what the caracal hunts. Scientists have found dead ostriches with caracal tooth-marks in them, meaning that the caracal is fast enough to outrun and catch an ostrich, and strong enough to overpower it and kill it. The caracal has also been known to leap up into the air to successfully catch and kill flyingbirds. The caracals are excellent acrobats and can land safely.

The caracal is normally dark red, grey, or golden sand in colour and as the caracals name suggests, the caracals ears are black, with tufts. Young caracals bear reddish spots on the underbelly that disappear when they grow up. The caracal mainly hunts rodents, birds (including ostriches), antelopes, gazelles, andrabbits. The caracal tends to avoid eating very stiff fur by neatly shearing it off with their claws, but they are tolerant of feathers. The caracal can live up to around 12 years in the wild, with some adult caracals living to 17 years old in captivity. The caracal is found in Africa and Southwest Asia, where the caracal prefers grasslands (savannas and tropical grasslands), and deserts.

Caracal Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Caracal Scientific Name: Caracal Caracal Type: Mammal Diet: Carnivore

Size (H): 65cm - 90cm (2ft - 3ft) Weight: 11kg - 18kg (24lbs - 40lbs) Top Speed: 80km/h (50mph) Life Span: 12 - 15 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Tan, Brown, Black Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Hares Habitat: Dry woodland and savannah Average Litter Size: 3 Main Prey: Hares, Mice, Antelope Predators: Human, Hyena, Lions Distinctive Features: Long, black ear tufts and short fur

The Carolina Dog, or American Dingo, is a type of wild dogdiscovered in the late 1970s. They were located living in isolated stretches of longleaf pines and cypress swamps in the Southeastern United States.

Carolina Dog Facts

Name: Carolina Dog

Origin: North America Size: 56cm (22in) Weight: 18kg (40lbs) Life Span: 19 years Group: South

The cassowary is a large species of flight-less bird, that is natively found in the forests of Papua New Guinea and on it's surrounding islands. The cassowary is closely related to other large flight-less birds including emus and ostriches and is the third tallest and second heaviest bird in the world behind these two. The cassowary inhabits dense tropical forest on New Guinea and it's surrounding islands and parts of north-eastern Australia. There are three species of cassowary which are the Southern Cassowary or Double-wattled Cassowary, found in southern New Guinea, northeasternAustralia, and the Aru Islands, the Dwarf Cassowary or Bennett's Cassowary, found in New Guinea, New Britain, and on Yapen, and the Northern Cassowary or Single-wattled Cassowary, found in northern and western New Guinea, and Yapen. The cassowary has adapted well to a peaceful life in the depths of the forest and as a result, are rarely seen by humans who are trying to spot them. The cassowary cannot fly and so has developed the need to run and incredibly fast, as these large birds are able to sprint through the jungle at speeds of more than 30mph. The cassowary also has large, sharp claws which aid the cassowary in defending itself from danger.

The most distinctive features of the cassowary are it's large body size and brightly coloured feathers (females are both larger and more colourful than their male counterparts), and the large, spongy crest that protrudes from the top of the cassowary's head, which can grow to 18 cm in height. Although not much is really known about the purpose of these crests, it's thought that the crest of cassowary is used to assert sexual dominance, to settle disputes and also helps this bird when it is running through the thick undergrowth. The cassowary is an omnivorous bird and therefore eats a wide variety of both plants andanimals in order to gain all the nutrients that it needs to survive. Cassowaries mainly feed on fruits that have fallen to the ground from the trees, along with leaves, grasses, seeds, insects, spiders and other invertebrates. The cassowary has adapted to a life without the need to fly due to the fact that, historically, the cassowary had no predators within it's natural environment and therefore had no need to flee. However, with human settles can mammalian predators including dogs, foxes and catsthat mainly destroy the vulnerable nests of the cassowary, eating their eggs. The cassowary breeding season is thought to be from May to June when the female cassowary lays up to 8 large, dark eggs into a nest on the ground made from leaf litter. However, the female cassowary then leaves her eggs to be incubated by the male who fiercely guards his future brood from predators for up to 50 days when the cassowary chicks hatch out of their shells. Today, mainly due to deforestation and therefore habitat loss and the introduction ofpredators to the cassowary's native islands, all three

cassowary species are at risk in the wild and are classified as vulnerable animals.

Cassowary Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Casuariiformes Family: Casuariidae Genus: Casuarius Scientific Name: Casuarius Type: Bird Diet: Omnivore Size (H): 1.5m - 2m (59in - 79in) Wing Span: 1.5m - 2m (59in - 79in) Weight: 25kg - 58.5kg (55lbs - 129lbs) Top Speed: 50km/h (31mph) Life Span: 40 - 60 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Colour: Blue, Yellow, Black, Tan Skin Type: Feathers Habitat: Wet tropical forests Average Clutch Size: 5 Main Prey: Insects, Grass, Fungi Predators: Dingo, Crocodile, Humans Distinctive Features: Sharp claws and horn-like crest

Cats (domestic cats) seem to date back to around ancient Egyptian times, when they were worshiped and heralded as sacred animals to the Gods in Egypt. The cat has since become an honored and valued member of family homes worldwide. A cats senses are superior amongst the animal world, with exceptional sight, smell and taste, cats are able to subtly sneak up on, and catch their preywith immense success. Despite the cats unbeatable night-vision, a cats eyesight during the day is actually not too dissimilar from a humans! Due to this, cats are more nocturnal hunters looking for small rodents and birds. The average domestic cat sleeps for around 18 hours a day and tends to spend their waking time hunting for food. Despite wild cats being solitary animals, the domestic cat is known to enjoy attention from humans and other animals and will often even get on well with some dogs. Cat Foot Facts

Cats have soft pads on the bottom of their paws to enable them to move smoothly and run quickly. Cats have sharp claws to help the cat to grip when running and climbing trees. Sharp claws and soft pads allow the cat to hold onto and grip its prey effectively. The sharp claws of the cat are retractable which allows them to remain sharp as they avoid contact with the ground when it is not needed.

Cats are able to walk very precisely as they put their back paws in place of the front paws, helping to minimise noise and visible tracks. Cat Teeth Facts

Cats have highly specialised teeth which allows them to both bite and tear meat apart. The front set of teeth in the mouth of the cat are well developed and act efficiently to shear meat apart, like a pair of scissors. Cats have tiny hooks or spikes on their tongue which helps the cat to get any remaining meat from bones. The hooked tongue of the cat is very beneficial so that the cat is able to clean itself effectively. The average adult cat has 30 teeth which include 12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars and 4 molars.

Cat Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Felis Scientific Name: Felis Domesticus Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size: 35cm (14in) Weight: 4.5kg (10lbs) Top Speed: 48km/h (30mph) Life Span: 15 years Lifestyle: Solitary

The caterpillar is the larvae (the baby) of both a butterfly and amoth. After around 2-3 weeks, the caterpillar builds itself into a cocoon where it remains a pupa for a further 2 weeks. The caterpillar then emerges having grown wings. The moth caterpillar is well known for being a pest particularly in the fabric industry. One species of caterpillar has destroyed reams of silk in the far east, known in China as a silk worm. Generally, most species of caterpillar are considered to be agricultural pests as they can munch their ways through fields of crops, often leaving enormous holes which result in unhealthy or inedible plants.

Some species of caterpillar are also highly poisonous, particularly those species that live in the tropical rain forests. Other species are only poisonous in their caterpillar form, meaning when they turn into a moth or butterfly, they no longer have venom. There are more than 20,000 different species of known caterpillar found all around the world and it is estimated that there are many more that are undiscovered as new species of butterflies and moths are regularly found in regions where there is little, of any, humanpresence. Caterpillars difference in size, colour and appearance depending on their species. Some caterpillars are very brightly coloured where other caterpillar species are quite dull-looking in comparison. Some species of caterpillars are very hairy, where others are very smooth. The main aim of the appearance of the caterpillar is to intimidate it's predators and to deter them from eating it. The caterpillar, like the butterfly, is a herbivorous animal but the diets of the caterpillar and the butterfly are very different. Butterflies use their long straw-like tongues to drink the nectar out of flowers, which is an adaptation that occurs in the process where the caterpillar becomes a butterfly. Caterpillars mainly feed on leaves, plants and flowering plants and big holes can often be found in leaves indicating the presence of a caterpillar. A number of species of caterpillar are known to be carnivorous and eat a variety of insectsthat pass them. One caterpillar species found in Hawaii, hooks itself onto a leaf where it stands very straight trying to catching passing bugs.

Due to their small size and worm-like shape, caterpillars are preyed upon by numerous different species of animal but the main predators of the caterpillar are birds and largeinsects such as wasps. Caterpillars are also commonly preyed upon by small mammals andreptiles.

Caterpillar Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Common Name: Caterpillar Scientific Name: Larva Found: Worldwide Diet: Herbivore Size: 30-60mm (1-2in) Number of Species: 21,000 Average Lifespan: 3 weeks Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Yellow, Black, Orange, Red, Green, Blue, White. Brown Skin Type: Hair

Favourite Food: Leaves Habitat: Quiet forests and pastures Average Litter Size: 0 Main Prey: Leaves, Plants, Flowers Predators: Birds, Wasps, Mammals Special Features: Long body shape and fleshy horns

Catfish are a group of bottom-feeding fish that are found infreshwater habitats and coastal regions on and around every continent in the world with the exception of Antarctica. Catfish are most easily identified by their flattened broad heads and the long whisker-like barbels that protrude from the mouth of the catfish. The long barbels of the catfish contain the taste buds of the catfish and so are often most commonly used for smelling and therefore sensing what is about to eat (and to hide from) in the surrounding waters. Despite the name however, not all catfish species have prominent whisker-like barbels. There are nearly 3,000 known species of catfish in the world but it is thought that the actual number of catfish species could be as high as 4,500 as many species of catfish are found in areas where there is little or no human contact. Although catfish can generally be found in faster-flowing rivers and streams, some catfish species have adapted to living in shallow salt-water environments while other catfish species live their lives in caves underground. The average catfish is around a meter in length usually slightly less depending on the species. Catfish however can range in size from just

a centimetre in length to more than two meters long. The largest species of catfish is the Mekong catfish, which is found inhabiting parts of the Mekong river that flows through Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The largest Mekong catfish ever found measured nearly 3 meters in length. Catfish generally have a carnivorous diet, although the tiny catfish species have been known to ingest small aquatic plants. Catfish tend to feed on fish, insects and worms that dwell close to the river bed, along with amphibians such as frogs and newts and occasionally smallreptiles and mammals. Due to the wide diversity and range of the catfish, the catfish has numerous predators all around the world. Large fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and even birds all prey on the 3,000 different catfish species. Female catfish spawn (lay their eggs) close to the surface of the water where they are safe from other bottom-dwelling aquatic animals. Female catfish lay between 10 and 90 little eggs at a time which hatch in less than a week.

Catfish Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Osteichthyes Order: Siluriformes Scientific Name: Siluriformes

Origin: Warm freshwater Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 1cm - 270cm (0.4in - 106in) Water Type: Fresh Optimum pH Level: 6.5 - 8.0 Life Span: 8 - 20 years Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Brown, Black, Yellow, White, Tan, Grey Skin Type: Scales Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Fast-flowing rivers and lakes Average Clutch Size: 40 Main Prey: Fish, Frogs, Worms Predators: Large Fish, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles Distinctive Features: Flat, broad head and whiskers

The breed is highly affectionate, and some have called the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the ultimate lap dog or the lovesponge of dogs. Most dogs of the breed are playful, extremely patient and eager to please. As such, dogs of the breed are usually good with children and other dogs. A well-socialized Cavalier will not be shy about socializing with much larger dogs. (However, on occasion, this tendency can be

dangerous, as many cavaliers will presume all other dogs to be equally friendly, and may attempt to greet and play with aggressive dogs.) Cavaliers will adapt quickly to almost any environment, family, and location. Their ability to bond with larger and smaller dogs make them ideal in houses with more than one breed of dog. Cavaliers are great with people of all ages, from children to seniors, making them a very versatile dog.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Facts

Name: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Origin: Great Britain Size: 33cm (13in) Weight: 8kg (18lbs) Life Span: 15 years Group: Gun Dog

The centipede is a speedy, carnivorous invertebrate that is found generally around decaying matter all around the world. Centipedes are not only carnivorous animals but the bite of the centipede also contains venom which means that the centipede kills it's prey before eating it. Despite their name, and the common conception that a centipede has 100 legs, this is in fact not true. The centipede has pairs of legs that run the length of the body of the centipede, which are normally between 15 and 30 pairs of legs in total and not 50.

There are thought to be around 8,000 species of centipede worldwide, although only about 3,000 have actually been properly documented and undergone intense studying in the scientific world. The centipede can be found worldwide and has even been spotted inside the Arctic Circle. The centipede can range in size from a few millimetres to 30 cm long. The centipede has a bite that will be painful to humans but not fatal unless the human is allergic (like with wasp/bee stings). The centipede is usually found on land in moist habitats usually under rocks, leaf litter, logs and occasionally in burrows in the ground or rotting wood. The centipede favours damp environments and so is rarely found in the hot and dry desert regions. The centipede is one of the most dominant predators of the insect world, having claws on their first body segment is one of the centipedes noticeable traits. The centipede is a carnivorous animal and is therefore a pure meat-eater. Centipedes mainly prey on insects, spiders, earthworms and other small invertebrates although some large species of centipede have been known to prey on small mammals and reptiles. The centipede has a number of predators in it's natural environment although all the animalsthat generally prey on the centipede are relatively small. Birds, toads, frogs and smallmammals such as shrews and mice are the most common predators of the centipede. The centipede is also seen by humans in certain cultures. Female centipedes lay an average of 60 eggs per clutch which are coated in a sticky substance for protection. The female centipede

usually buries her eggs in the soil and some species of centipede are known to nurse their eggs and baby centipedes but not all. The centipede is one of the oldest animals on Earth having evolved into the form it is today, millions of years ago. The centipede has been found in fossils dating over 400 million years old.

Centipede Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Myriapoda Order: Chilopoda Common Name: Centipede Scientific Name: Chilopoda Found: Worldwide Diet: Carnivore Size: 3-300mm (0.1-11in) Number of Species: 8,000 Average Lifespan: 5 years Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Yellow, Black, Orange, Red, White. Brown Skin Type: Shell

Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Decomposing matter on forest floor Average Litter Size: 60 Main Prey: Insects, Spiders, Worms Predators: Birds, Toads, Small mammals Special Features: Long body shape and venomous fangs

The cesky fousek is a hunting dog able to adapt to any sort of terrain. Even though blustering when confronted with game he remains very easy to manage and affectionate towards his owner

Cesky Fousek Facts

Name: Cesky Fousek Origin: Czech Republic Size: 66cm (26in) Weight: 34kg (75lbs) Life Span: 15 years Group: Gun Dog

The chameleon is a very distinctive and well-known species oflizard, due to the large eyes and curled tail of the chameleon. Chameleons are found throughout jungle and desert alike, inAfrica, Asia and parts of Southern Europe and chameleons have also been introduced to parts of North America.

There are thought to be more than 160 different species of chameleon that range from just an inch to more than a couple of feet in size. The tiny pygmy leaf chameleon, found in the jungles of Madagascar, is the smallest species of chameleon with some males measuring less than 3 cm long. The largest species of chameleon, the Malagasy giant chameleon, is also natively found in the jungles of Madagascar and can grow to nearly 70 cm in length. Parson's chameleon, also found in Madagascar can grow to around 65 cm in length. Some species of chameleon, although not all, are able to change the colour of their skin in order to be camouflaged into their surroundings. These colour changes in the chameleon's skin colour can include colours such as pink, blue, red, orange, green, black, brown, light blue, yellow and turquoise, all so that the chameleon can blend in more easily. The chameleon has exceptional eyesight for a reptile as the structure of the chameleon's eye, allows the chameleon to have complete 360 degree vision around it's body. This special adaptation, allows the chameleon to be able to hunt prey and spot predators more effectively. The chameleon is generally an omnivorous animal, although some chameleon species are known to have a more carnivorous diet, and other chameleon species prefer to be vegetarians. A chameleon will generally eat anything though including berries, leaves, fruits,insects, worms, snails and some of the larger chameleon species will also hunt small reptiles. Due to the generally small size of the chameleon, they are often a prime target for hungrypredators (when the chameleon can be seen

that is). Other tree dwelling animals such assnakes and birds are the most common predators of the chameleon, along with some mammals. In order to bury to her eggs to keep them safe and warm, the female chameleon firsts digs a hole in the forest floor in which to bury them. The hole can be from 10 to 30 cm deep, but the depth of the hole generally depends on the chameleon species. The female chameleon then lays a clutch of around 20 eggs, although the exact number of eggs can vary from just one to nearly 100. The chameleon eggs take from 4-12 months to hatch, depending on the chameleon species. Today many chameleon species are considered to be threatened with extinction, and other chameleon species are even considered to to endangered. The declining chameleon numbers are most likely due to habitat changes such as pollution and deforestation.

Chameleon Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Chamaeleonidae Scientific Name: Chamaeleonidae Type: Reptile

Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 2.8cm - 68.5cm (1.1in - 27in) Weight: 0.01kg - 2kg (0.02lbs - 4.4lbs) Top Speed: 35km/h (21mph) Life Span: 4 - 8 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Green, Brown, Black, Yellow, Red, Tan Skin Type: Scales Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Tropical forests and desert Average Clutch Size: 20 Main Prey: Insects, Snails, Leaves Predators: Snakes, Birds, Mammals Distinctive Features: Exceptional vision and ability to change skin colour

The chamois is a large sized mountain goat, native to the European mountains. Today, the range of the chamois includes Romania, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and parts of Turkey. The chamois has also been introduced to the mountainous regions of New Zealand's South Island. The chamois is a member of the Bovidae family of animals which includes sheep goats and even antelope. The average sized adult

chamois stands at around 75cm high and weighs roughly 50 kg. The chamois is a relatively stocky looking animal, especially when compared to the average farmyard goat. The chamois has short horns, that curve backwards on both the male chamois and the female chamois. The fur of the chamois is thick to keep it warm in the alpine winters, and turns from a deep brown colour in the summer to a grey colour in the winter. The chamois also has a white coloured face with black markings below the eyes. The chamois has a black stripe that runs along it's back from neck to rump. The male chamois is generally a very solitary animal, as the male chamois spends most of the year grazing alone and meets with female chamois during the mating season. The female chamois however, live in herds with other females and their young. This safety in numbers approach helps the female chamois and the offspring to protect one another. As with other animals of the same group, such as sheep and goats, the chamois is a herbivorous animal feeding on a purely plant based diet. The chamois spends it time grazing on the alpine meadows and munching leaves from the shrubs and bushes. In it's natural European habitat, the chamois has a number of predators including wolves, foxes and wildcats. Over the years, the human has been one of the biggest predators of the chamois as they are hunted for their meat. Before human settlers moved into the Europeanmountains, the chamois would have also had much larger predators such as bears andleopards but both are nearly (if not) extinct in Europe today. There are no natural predatorsof the chamois in it's introduced environment in New Zealand.

The mating season of the chamois occurs in the late winter to early spring. After a gestation period of between 5 and 6 months, the female chamois will give birth to a single chamois baby known as a chamois calf. Although the chamois has been known to give birth to twins, it is very rare. The mother chamois nurses her calf, feeding it milk until it is able to graze. The chamois calf is more independent at 6 months of age but the chamois calf tends to stay with it's mother until it is at least a year old. Generally, the chamois lives to between 18 and 22 years. Despite the fact that the chamois is not considered to be an endangered animal, or even ananimal that is under threat from extinction, European laws prohibits the hunting of the chamois in order to try and conserve native mountainous animal species.

Chamois Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Rupicapra Scientific Name: Rupicapra Rupicapra Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore

Size (H): 75cm - 80cm (30in - 31in) Weight: 50kg - 55kg (110lbs - 121lbs) Top Speed: 17km/h (10mph) Life Span: 18 - 22 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Brown, Grey, Black, Tan, White Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Mountainous and rocky terrain Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grass, Leaves, Shrubs Predators: Human, Wolf, Wildcats Distinctive Features: Black and white face markings and backward curving horns

Cheetah Classification and Evolution The Cheetah is a large and powerful feline that was once found throughout Africa and Asia and even in parts of Europe. Today however, it is found in only a few remote regions of it's once vast natural range, primarily due to growing Human settlements and the hunting of them for their fur. There are widely considered to be five

different subspecies of Cheetah that vary only very slightly in colouration and are most easily distinguished by their geographic location. Although they are not considered to be part of the 'big cat' family as they cannot roar, Cheetahs are one of Africa's most powerfulpredators and are most renowned for their immense speed when in a chase. Capable of reaching speeds of more than 60mph for short periods of time, the Cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world. Cheetah Anatomy and Appearance The Cheetah has a long and slender body that is covered in coarse yellowish fur and dotted with small black spots. It's long tail helps with balance and changing direction quickly and unlike the rest of the Cheetah's body, there are ringed markings along the tail which ends in a black tip. Cheetahs have small heads with high set eyes that aid them when surveying the surrounding grasslands for potential prey. They also have distinctive black "tear marks" that run from the inner eye, along their nose and down to the outside of their mouths, which are thought to help protect them from being blinded by the bright sun. The exceptional speed of the Cheetah is caused by a number of things including having strong and powerful hind legs, and an incredibly flexible and muscular spine which allows the Cheetah to not only sprint quickly but also makes them very agile. They also have nonretractable claws which dig into the ground, giving the Cheetah better grip at high speed. Cheetah Distribution and Habitat The Cheetah once had a vast historical range that stretched across a number of continents, but their distribution today is much more scattered with a small number found in Iran and the majority found in sub-Saharan Africa. Although Cheetahs are still found in a few

different parts of eastern and southern Africa, the highest population of wild Cheetahs is now found in Namibia in south-western Africa. Cheetahs are most commonly found stalking prey on the vast, open grasslands but they are also found in a variety of other habitats as well includingdeserts, dense vegetation and mountainous terrain, providing that there are both adequate supplies of food and water. Cheetahs are one of Africa's most vulnerable felines with population numbers being mainly affected by growing Human settlements that encroach on their native habitats. Cheetah Behaviour and Lifestyle The Cheetah is unique amongst Africa's felines primarily because they are most active during the day, which avoids competition for food from other large predators like Lions and Hyenasthat hunt during the cooler night. They are also one of the more sociable Cat species with males often roaming in small groups, generally with their siblings, and oddly enough, it is the females that are more solitary animals apart from the 18 months or so that they spend looking after their cubs. Cheetahs are fiercely territorial animals that patrol large home ranges and often overlap those of other Cheetahs, and indeed Lions, with females tending to roam across a much larger range than males. They are typically shy and very stealthy animalsso that they are able to hunt for prey in the hot daylight hours without being spotted so easily. Cheetah Reproduction and Life Cycles After a gestation period that lasts for around 3 months, the female Cheetah gives birth to between two and five cubs that are born blind and incredibly vulnerable in the African wilderness. The cubs suckle from their mother for the first few months when they begin eating meat, and start to accompany her on hunting trips as they are able to learn how to hunt from watching her. Cheetah cubs learn the majority

of their hunting techniques through playing with their siblings, and remain with their mother until they can hunt successfully and leave to find their own territory at between 18 months and 2 years old. Sadly, one of the main reasons for such drastic declines in Cheetah numbers is that up to 75% of Cheetah cubs don't live to be older than 3 months, as their mother has to leave them everyday to find food to feed them, leaving the vulnerable cubs helpless in the face of predators. Cheetah Diet and Prey The Cheetah has exceptional eyesight and so hunts using sight by first stalking it's prey (from between 10 to 30 meters away), and then chasing it when the time is right. Cheetahs often kill their prey in vast open spaces but tend to drag it into a hiding place to prevent it from being scavenged by other animals. The Cheetah has to do this as it cannot eat it's prey straight away, due to the fact that they are immensely hot after the chase and need time to cool down before they can feast. Cheetahs are carnivorous animals meaning that they only hunt and kill other animals in order to get the nutrition that they need to survive. They mainly hunt largeherbivores including Gazelle and a number of large Antelope species such as Wildebeest, along with Zebras and smaller mammals like Hares. The exact diet of the Cheetah though tends to depend on it's location. Cheetah Predators and Threats The adult Cheetah is a dominant predator in it's environment and is therefore not seen asprey (more as competition) by other large predators. The Cheetah cubs however, are incredibly vulnerable particularly when their mother is off hunting, and are preyed upon by a number of animals including Lions and Hyenas, but also large avian species such as Eaglesand Vultures. The biggest threat to Cheetahs is people, who have not only taken vast areas of it's natural habitat for

themselves, but have also turned large regions of land into National Parks. Although these areas seem to be showing increases in both Lion and Hyenapopulations, Cheetah numbers are much lower as there is more competition for food with the increasing numbers of these other large predators. Cheetah Interesting Facts and Features One of the most distinctive differences between the different subspecies is that their fur colour changes slightly, depending on their surrounding environment. Those Cheetahs found in the more arid desert regions tend to be lighter and have smaller spots than the King Cheetahs that roam the south African grasslands, and are darker, slightly bigger and have larger spots. Although Cheetahs cannot roar, they do make a variety of different sounds including a high-pitched yelp which can be heard for more than a mile away. The Cheetah is one of the most distinctive of the world's felines and although it is fairly commonly confused with the Leopard, it's name is thought to have come from the Hindu word 'chita' which means the 'spotted one'. Cheetah Relationship with Humans Despite their fierce appearance, Cheetahs have actually been domesticated by local people for thousands of years, as they were used to help with hunting for food for the villagers. They have also been kept in captivity for a long time, but as they do not seem to produce particularly healthy individuals, wild Cheetahs were regularly caught to restore the bloodline. Hunted by people as trophies throughout much of their natural range, Cheetahs have completely disappeared from numerous places and along with habitat loss to growing Humansettlements and the clearing of land for agriculture, Cheetah numbers are still declining rapidly in many areas today.

Cheetah Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Cheetah has been listed by the IUCN as a species that is Vulnerable from extinction in it's natural environment in the near future. Habitat loss along with the increase of natural parks that are home to a large number of competing predators has led to drastic declines in the world's Cheetah population. There are now estimated to be between 7,000 and 10,000 individuals left in the wild, along with a growing number being found in zoos and animalinstitutes all over the world.

Cheetah Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Acinonyx Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus Common Name: Cheetah Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 5 Location: Asia and Africa Habitat: Open grassland

Colour: Yellow, Tan, Brown, Black Skin Type: Fur Size (H): 115cm - 136cm (45in - 53in) Weight: 40kg - 65kg (88lbs - 140lbs) Top Speed: 112kph (70mph) Diet: Carnivore Prey: Gazelle, Wildebeest, Hare Predators: Human, Lion, Eagle Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Solitary/Pairs Life Span: 10 - 12 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 20 - 24 months Gestation Period: 90 days Average Litter Size: 3 Name Of Young: Cub Age Of Weaning: 3 months Conservation Status: Vulnerable Estimated Population Size: 8,500 Biggest Threat: Habitat loss

Most Distinctive Feature: Yellowish fur covered in small black spots Fun Fact: The fastest land mammal in the world!

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is valued for its bright and happy disposition, intelligence, quiet good sense, and affectionate protective nature. Some of them can be quite vocal when happy, and some will smile by baring their front teeth in a peculiar grin - this is not a threat but a sign of joy or submissiveness. Chesapeakes are naturally dominant and although they won't usually start a fight, they will defend their position as the alpha dog. Obedience training is a must with this breed.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Facts

Name: Chesapeake Bay Retriever Origin: North America Size: 66cm (26in) Weight: 34kg (75lbs) Life Span: 13 years Group: Gun Dog

The humble chicken is thought to originate from the red jungle fowl and the grey jungle fowl, found in the rainforests of India. Today, the domestic chicken is thought to be more closely related to the grey jungle fowl due to the yellow colouring of it's skin. Although they are

similar, the Indian jungle fowl is about half the size of a domestic chicken today. The chicken was thought to be domesticated more than 10,000 years ago where the Indiansand later the Vietnamese bred chickens for meat, feathers and eggs. The domestication of chickens is thought to have then spread rapidly across Asia and into Europe and Africaresulting in the chicken being the most widely farmed animal today. There are thought to be at least 25 billion chickens worldwide, which is the highest population of any bird in the world. The chicken usually gets to about 40 cm tall and surprisingly, the chicken is one of the species of bird that is not very successful as far as flying is concerned. The longest recorded flight of a chicken is 13 seconds and the longest recorded distance is 301.5 feet. The male chicken is typically referred to as a cockerel but is known as a rooster in some countries such as Australia. A female chicken is called a hen and the little, fluffy yellow babies are called chicks. Chickens can live for up to 4 or 5 years in the wild but many commercially farmed chickens usually do not exceed the age of one. Many chickens have been known to live for longer and the oldest recorded chicken was said to live until it was 16 years old Chickens are omnivorous animals meaning that they eat a mixture of plant and animal matter. Although chickens are commonly seen scratching on the ground in search of seeds, berries and insects, chickens have also been known to eat larger animals such as lizards and even small mice. Chickens are easy prey for numerous predators including foxes, cats, dogs, raccoons, snakesand even large rats. Chicken eggs

are also a very popular snack for many of these animals and are also stolen by other animals including larger birds and weasels. Chickens are kept by humans for their meat and eggs. Breeders tend to keep different types of chicken for these different purposes and meat chickens will often only reach 3 months old before they are killed, which is why it is crucial that chicken eaters ensure that the chicken they are eating has had the best existence possible in it's few months of life. The same principle applies to the egg laying chickens with the typical commercial hen laying around 300 eggs in one year. After that, the hens tend to start laying fewer eggs and are generally killed by their breeder. Chickens are very sociable birds and are at their happiest when surrounded by other chickens. In one chicken flock there can be any number of hens but generally only one cockerel who is the dominant male. The dominant cockerel pushes other cockerels out of their flock when they start becoming big enough to be a threat to him. The dominant male is usually the mating partner for all of the hens that he watches over. Chicken is one of the most widespread meats in the world with numerous cultures having their own special ways to prepare and eat chickens. The UK's most common dish is roast chicken, the USA's most common dish is fried chicken and in China they use every part of the chicken including their feet which are commonly found in soup. There has been a great deal of media attention focused on chickens in the last few years, mainly concerning the welfare of commercially farmed chickens. Intensive farming occurs around the world where meat chickens are force fed and packed in a shed with hundreds of thousands of other chickens often with no free space for the chickens

to walk around. Egg laying chickens are shut in tiny cages and are slaughtered when they no longer produce as many eggs as they used to. The conditions that intensively farmed chickens live in are utterly disgusting, which is why chicken lovers should fork out a few extra pennies for organic or free range meat and eggs, to ensure that the chicken has had a good quality of life.

Chicken Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae Genus: Gallus Scientific Name: Gallus Gallus Type: Bird Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 30cm - 45cm (11.8in - 17.7in) Wingspan: 45cm - 60cm (17.7in - 23.6in) Weight: 1kg - 3kg (2.2lbs - 6.6lbs) Top Speed: 10km/h (6mph) Life Span: 2 - 4 years

Lifestyle: Flock Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Red, Black, Brown, White, Yellow, Orange Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Seeds Habitat: Open woodland and sheltered grassland Average Clutch Size: 2 Main Prey: Seeds, Fruit, Insects, Berries Predators: Human, Fox, Raccoon Distinctive Features: Sharp, pointed beak and clucking sounds

Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion, ferocity, and personality. Their curious personality and small size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments. Chihuahuas are often stereotyped as high-strung, though it has been shown that correct training and socialization can result in an outstanding companion animal. They can also be quite affectionate with their owners. Very quick to learn commands, the clever Chihuahua is easily trained to perform tricks. One unique trait in most chihuahuas is the tendency to burrow into blankets or clothing in order to sleep. This can prove a danger if a person sits on a bed or sofa without checking for sleeping dogs. This behavior is attributed to the belief that pre-domesticated chihuahuas lived in underground burrows.

Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size, temperament, and tendency to bite when frightened. It is recommended that children be school aged or older before adding a Chihuahua to ones home. Also, many Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that persons human relationships. This can be mitigated through socialization. Chihuahuas also tend to have a clannish nature, often preferring the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other dogs.

Chihuahua Facts
Name: Chihuahua Origin: Mexico Size: 23cm (9in) Weight: 2.7kg (6lbs) Life Span: 18 years Group: South

The chimpanzee (chimp) is one of the largest primates, with the chimpanzee being most closely related to the human, the gorillaand the orangutan. The chimpanzee is native to Africa. There are two different species of chimpanzee, the common chimpanzee and the pygmy chimpanzee. These two species of chimpanzee are separated by the African Congo river so dont really come into contact with one another.

The chimpanzee is slightly smaller than the other large primates, with the average male chimpanzee getting to around 4ft tall. The chimpanzee lives until its around 52 years old, but chimps have been known to get much older in captivity. The chimpanzee is known to be a highly intelligent and sophisticated primate as the chimpanzee will regularly make tools to help the chimpanzee to get food. The chimpanzee also uses these homemade tools in social displays when attracting females and also in a method of defense. The chimpanzee is an omnivore meaning that the diet of the chimpanzee consists of both plant and animal matter. When the chimpanzees hunt, they use complicated strategies which require the chimpanzees to work together, stick to their rank within the chimpanzee troop and also means that the chimpanzee needs to be deceptive in some situations. The chimpanzee troop consists of around 30 chimpanzee members, and these chimpanzee troops contain a mixture of female chimpanzees and male chimpanzees. As with other large primate groups, the alpha male chimpanzee is the largest and strongest of the male chimps and has control over mating and looking after his chimpanzee troop. Chimpanzees are highly territorial mammals and will fight off any unwelcome intruders into their chimpanzee territory. On a darker note, it has been known for chimpanzee troops to kill and eat those chimpanzees that trespass on their turf. Chimpanzees communicate through a series of vocal sounds, hand gestures and facial expressions. Studies have shown that the part of

the brain which the chimpanzee uses to communicate, is similar to the part of the brain that human beings use for language. The chimpanzee has also shown that it is able to understand basic forms of humancommunication and the chimpanzee is incredible at remembering number sequences. Chimpanzee Foot Facts

The foot of the chimpanzee is well suited to walking as the chimpanzee has broad, hardened soles and short toes to help the chimpanzee to balance.

The chimpanzee has four fingers or toes on each of its feet and one opposable digit that the chimpanzee uses to help the chimpanzee to hold onto branches as it climbs.

The chimpanzee has very dexterous fingers and is able to build tools out of the surrounding forest in order to help the chimpanzee to catch food and defend off unwanted predators.

The feet of the chimpanzee are longer than stronger than the hands of the chimpanzee as the chimpanzee spends a great deal of time walking on two feet with the opposable toe helping to balance the chimpanzee.

The chimpanzee uses both its hands and feet in order to climb quickly up trees and to swing from branch to branch. Chimpanzee Teeth Facts

The chimpanzee uses its teeth to reflect its emotions, for example the chimpanzee will smile when it is relaxed whereas a frightened chimpanzee will bare its teeth to intimidate the threat.

The teeth of the chimpanzee are very similar to the teeth of humans although the chimpanzee has larger and more pointed fang-like canines at the front of its mouth.

The chimpanzee has 32 teeth with 16 of these teeth being on the upper jaw and 16 teeth being on the lower jaw. The teeth of the chimpanzee begin to grow before birth and scientists can therefore work out how old a chimpanzee is by looking at the lines in its teeth.

The chimpanzee uses its specially shaped molar teeth to grind up fibrous matter such as certain fruits and leaves.

Chimpanzee Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Hominidae Genus: Pan Scientific Name: Pan Troglodytes Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (H): 1.2m - 1.6m (4ft - 5ft) Weight: 40kg - 70kg (88lbs - 155lbs) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 35 - 50 years

Lifestyle: Troop Conservation Status: Endangered Colour: Black, Brown, Grey Skin Type: Hair Favourite Food: Figs Habitat: Rainforest and dense woodland Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Figs, Nuts, Insects Predators: Human, Baboon, Leopards Distinctive Features: Dexterous hands and feet and complex communication

Chinchillas are medium sized rodents native to the Andesmountains in South America. Chinchillas are named after the tribe that hunted the chinchillas for their dense fur, the Chinchas. A chinchilla is therefore a fairly rare animal in its natural habitat today. Chinchillas feed on nuts, seeds and berries. They can defend themselves by spraying urine and releasing their fur when they are under attack. In more recent years people are beginning to keep chinchillas as pets. Chinchilla domestication occurred in the 1920s when an engineer in Chile took a group of chinchillas to California. Since then chinchillas are bred as pets and sold all around the world. When handling chinchillas, it is important to not pick them up from underneath like a rat orhamster, because they have a feature called "floating ribs".

Their ribs are not fully attached to their spine and if pressure is applied upwards, the ribs could puncture vital organs and kill the chinchilla. Pet chinchillas require frequent attention as well as a supply of dust for "dust baths".

Chinchilla Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Chinchillidae Genus: Chinchilla Scientific Name: Chinchilla Lanigera Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size (L): 25cm - 35cm (10in - 14in) Weight: 400g - 500g (14oz - 18oz) Top Speed: 24km/h (15mph) Life Span: 10 - 18 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Endangered

Colour: Beige, Brown, Grey Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Fruit Habitat: Dry and mountainous regions Average Litter Size: 3 Main Prey: Fruit, Nuts, Seeds Predators: Owls, Fox, Cougars Distinctive Features: Dense fur and long back legs

The Chinese Crested Dog is a smaller (10-13 lbs) hairless breed of dog. Like most hairless dog breeds, the Chinese Crested comes in two varieties, both with and without fur, which are born in the same litter, the Hairless and the Powderpuff.

Chinese Crested Dog Facts

Name: Chinese Crested Dog Origin: China Size: 33cm (13in) Weight: 4.5kg (10lbs) Life Span: 13 years Group: South

The chinook is described as calm, non-aggressive and friendly, though sometimes reserved with strangers. They are inherently gentle with children.

Chinook Facts
Name: Chinook Origin: North America Size: 69cm (27in) Weight: 41kg (90lbs) Life Span: 14 years Group: North

The chinstrap penguin is a small species of penguin which is found in habiting the rocky land and islands of the Antarctic Ocean. The chinstrap penguins name derives from the narrow black band under their heads. Chinstrap penguins are one of the most easily identifiable of all of the penguin species, mainly due to the marking on their chins. Chinstrap penguins are also known to congregate together in their millions on small Antarctic islands. There are believed to be more than 7 million breeding pairs of chinstrap penguins. Chinstrap penguins spend their lives hunting for krill and small fish and crustaceans in the surrounding waters, coming onto land to breed, rest and to escape the large ocean predators. Chinstrap penguins are carnivorous birds, and catch numerous species of fish,, crabs,shrimp, squid and krill in their strong beaks. Parents hunt for food in the ocean to take back to their chicks on the land.

Due to the fact that there are few large animals inhabiting the frozen South Pole, the chinstrap penguin has few natural predators. Leopard seals, killer whales whales and the occasional passing shark are the main predators of the chinstrap penguin. Female chinstrap penguins lay 2 eggs in a nest made out of stones on one of the rocky Antarctic islands, in November or December. The male chinstrap penguin and the female chinstrap penguin both take it in turns to keep the eggs warm, with the eggs hatching after about a month. The chicks stay in the nest until they are about a month old and are fed by both the female chinstrap penguin and the male chinstrap penguin.

Chinstrap Penguin Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae Genus: Pygoscelis Scientific Name: Pygoscelis Antarcticus Type: Bird Diet: Carnivore Size (H): 60cm - 68cm (24in - 27in)

Weight: 3kg - 6kg (6.6lbs - 13lbs) Life Span: 15 - 20 years Lifestyle: Colony Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, White, Grey Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Krill Habitat: Rocky Antarctic Islands Average Litter Size: 2 Main Prey: Krill, Fish, Shrimp Predators: Leopard Seal, Killer Whale, Sea Birds Distinctive Features: White face and thin, black line that runs under the chin

Chipmunks are small squirrel-like rodents that are native to North America, although one species is found in some European countries. Chipmunks eat a wide variety of wildlife like frogs, mushrooms,birds, eggs, plants nuts and seeds. In the autumn, the chipmunks begin to gather their winter food stash, which they store in their burrows to last them until spring. The most common chipmunks are the red coloured chipmunks with light brown stripes on their back. These are North American chipmunks. Chipmunks are also becoming more popular as pets.

There are 25 different species of chipmunk living in the North American forests. The chipmunk is often referred to as a small squirrel due to the obvious similarities between the two mammals. The chipmunk plays a vital within the forest eco-system which the chipmunk inhabits through the dispersing of seeds when the chipmunk eats the fruits and berries that the forest plants produce and the chipmunk chews on the wood of plant stalks and tree trunks which disperses the spores from the plant into the surrounding forest. Chipmunks construct extensive underground burrows which can be more than 3.5 m in length and these chipmunk burrows often have several well-concealed entrances to keep the chipmunk burrow a secret from unwanted predators. Within the chipmunk burrow the chipmunk sleeping quarters are kept extremely clean as the chipmunks keep nut shells and feces stored in separate refuse tunnels.

Chipmunk Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Sciuridae Genus: Tamias Scientific Name: Tamias Striatus Type: Mammal

Diet: Omnivore Size (H): 10cm - 18cm (4in - 7in) Weight: 57g - 113g (2oz - 4oz) Top Speed: 33km/h (21mph) Life Span: 4 - 8 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Beige, Brown, Black, Yellow Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Nuts Habitat: Forest and thick woodland Average Litter Size: 5 Main Prey: Nuts, Fruit, Seeds, Berries Predators: Human, Hawks, Raccoon Distinctive Features: Stripes on fur and large front teeth

Today the Chow Chow is most commonly kept as a companiondog. Its keen sense of proprietorship over its home paired with a sometimes disconcertingly serious approach to strangers can be off-putting to those unfamiliar with the breed. However, displays of timidity and aggression are uncharacteristic of well-bred and well-socialized specimens. Inexperienced dog owners should beware of how dogs of this breed encounter those it perceives

as strangers, their notoriety is so established that many homeowners insurance companies will not cover dogsfrom this breed. The proper Chow owner will be just as willful and stubborn as the Chow they keep, thus weaker-willed individuals would be best served to evaluate their commitment in controlling an animal who is happy to take over any household. Specimens of opposite sex typically cohabitate with less tension than those of the same sex, but it is not unheard of for multiple chows of both sexes to live together peacefully in a home setting. The Chow is extremely loyal to its own family and will bond tightly to its master. The Chow typically shows affection only with those it has bonds to, so new visitors to the home should not press their physical attention upon the resident Chow as it will not immediately accept strangers in the same manner as it does members of its own pack.

Chow Chow Facts

Name: Chow Chow Origin: China Size: 50cm (20in) Weight: 32kg (70lbs) Life Span: 10 years Group: North

The cichlid is a brightly coloured freshwater fish that can range in size from just a couple of centimetres to over a metre in length. All species

of cichlid are very similar in appearance with the exception of their size and colour. There are more than 1,300 known species of cichlid with more being found each year. There is an estimated 3,000 different species in total! Every different species of cichlid is only found in Africa and in very specific places. The cichlid is native to the Victoria, Malawi, and Edward Lakes of eastern Africa and the Tanganyika lake which is the largest lake in central Africa. The two different types of cichlids are thought to have evolved from different fish. The great diversity of the cichlids in these lakes, is of significant importance to scientists studying evolution within species. Cichlids are often popular fish to keep as they as can be small and colourful but are easier to keep in an artificial aquarium than marine fish. Other cichlids are bred for meat due to their enormous size and are often caught in the wild by local fishermen. Oddly enough there are actually a few species of cichlid that are found in the waters of the Amazon basin in South America. The freshwater angelfish, the discus fish and the oscar (also known as the marbled cichlid), are thought to have evolved from African cichlids years ago after crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Although there are many different species of cichlid, a great deal of them are considered to be endangered species as they have been over hunted and the waters in which they life have been subjected to vast amounts of pollution, particularly fuels such as diesel. The diet of the cichlid is largely dependent on it's species. Some species of cichlid feed mainly on algae and small invertebrates, others

primarily feed on small animals such as insects andfish and some species of cichlid will eat just about anything that they can find which has proved to be a destructive trait for those cichlids that have been artificially introduced to areas such as Asia and the United States. Cichlids are prey to numerous predators including humans, other fish and birds. Oddly enough, the biggest predator of the small cichlid species are the larger species of cichlid that exist in the same area. All species of cichlid are known to show strong parental bonds during breed. When the female cichlid has laid the eggs on an underwater log or rock, she fans water over them while the male cichlid defends their territory. Cichlids look after the baby cichlids (known as fry) until they are able to swim freely and are a few weeks old.

Cichlid Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Cichlidae Common Name: Cichlid Scientific Name: Cichlidae Origin: African Lakes

Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 2.5cm - 1m (0.9in - 3ft) Water Type: Fresh, Brackish Optimum pH Level: 6.4 - 6.8 Life Span: 5 - 60 years Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, White, Yellow, Orange, Silver, Blue, Green, Red Skin Type: Scales Favourite Food: Algae Habitat: African Great Lakes Average Clutch Size: 200 Main Prey: Algae, Fish, Invertebrates Predators: Fish, Eels, Sharks Distinctive Features: Bright colours and hugely diverse

The clouded leopard is a medium-sized feline native to the thick, tropical jungles of south-east Asia. The clouded leopard has very distinctive markings on it's fur that look more like large patches compared to the spots of the African leopard. The markings of the clouded leopard are said to look like clouds, hence it's name. The clouded leopard has many distinctive features along with it's beautiful markings. The clouded leopard is known to have the longest canine teeth of all the smaller sized felines and the teeth of the

clouded leopard are the same length as the teeth of the tiger at around 2 inches long. The clouded leopard also has a remarkably long tail for it's size, as the tail of the cloudedleopard can be the same length as the body of the clouded leopard. The clouded leopard uses it's long tail to help it balance when moving in the trees and running at fast speeds on the ground. Clouded leopards inhabit the dense jungles in south-east Asia and so are naturally quite adept at climbing. Clouded leopards can often be seen resting in the trees where they remain out of the way from potential predators and also have a look out point from where the clouded leopard is able to spot oncoming prey. There are two main species of clouded leopard, one that is found inhabiting the forests of China, Myanmar (Burma) and Nepal (it was also once found in Taiwan but is now extinct there). The other species of clouded leopard known as the Bornean clouded leopard, is found on theislands of Borneo and Sumatra along with a few smaller islands in the Indonesian archipelago. As with other species of large, wild cat, the clouded leopard is a carnivorous animal, surviving on a purely meat based diet. Clouded leopards hunt monkeys, birds, goats, cattle,buffalo, pigs and deer in the jungle and often venture in the cultivated farmland areas if food in the jungle is scarce. Due to the speed and size of the clouded leopard, the clouded leopard has very few naturalpredators in it's environment. The main predators of the clouded leopard are the tiger and the leopard, to which the clouded leopard is not closely related (despite it's

name). Humansare the main predators of the clouded leopard as they hunt them fur their fur and also destroy the forest habitat in which the clouded leopard lives. Clouded leopards are very reclusive animals and are therefore rarely seen by adventures in the wild. The clouded leopard will remain out of sight to prevent itself from being seen and hunted. Clouded leopards are very solitary animals and only come together to mate. After a gestation period of roughly 3 months, the female clouded leopard gives birth to between 3 and 5 clouded leopard babies, known as cubs or kittens. When the clouded leopardcubs are first born they are blind and one colour as their spots are joined together. The clouded leopard cubs can usually see within the first 2 weeks and develop their spots when they are older. The clouded leopard cubs are able to move around and start hunting with the mother clouded leopard when they are about 6 weeks old and usually become independent when they are 10 months of age. Today, the clouded leopard is a species that is said to be vulnerable to extinction, due to hunting but more likely severe habitat loss. The forests in which the clouded leopard lives are being destroyed for both logging and also to make way for palm oil plantations. The clouded population numbers are severely declining and clouded leopards have been completely wiped out in some places and are therefore extinct in these regions.

Clouded Leopard Facts

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Neofelis Scientific Name: Neofelis Nebulosa Type: Mammal Diet: Carnivore Size (H): 25cm - 40cm (10in - 16in) Weight: 15kg - 23kg (33lbs - 50lbs) Top Speed: 104km/h (65mph) Life Span: 10 - 15 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Tan, Black, White, Grey Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Monkeys Habitat: Dense tropical forest Average Litter Size: 3

Main Prey: Monkeys, Birds, Cattle, Deer Predators: Human, Tiger, Leopard Distinctive Features: Markings on body and long canine teeth

The clown fish (also known as the anemonefish) is a small species of fish that is found around tropical coral reefs. The most commonly known species of clown fish is orange with white markings but clown fish can be found in many different colours and can also differ in shape. There are 28 recognised species of clown fish that are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The clown fish is also found as far north as the Red Sea and inhabits the Great Barrier Reef, on the Australian east coast. The clown fish was made most famous from the popular children's film Finding Nemo . Aquatic stores and clown fish breeders reported a significant increase in the popularity of the clown fish although many people did not realise the work that goes into keeping marine fishso sadly, the majority of clown fish bought at the time quickly died. The clown fish is also famous for it's seeming immunity to the stings of the sea anemone. Most clown fish are found either in or around sea anemones which the clown fish inhabits both for protection from predators but also the readiness of food. Clown fish inhabit a single sea anemone in groups that include the breeding male and female and a number of younger male clown fish. All clown fish are born male and develop female reproductive organs when needed. When the female in the sea anemone group dies, the

dominant male becomes female and breeds with one the males that is inhabiting the same sea anemone. Female clown fish lay their eggs on a flat surface close to the sea anemone which they inhabit. The female clown fish can lay hundreds or thousands of eggs at one time depending on the species. Clown fish lay their eggs around the same time as a full moon and the male clown fishguards the eggs until they hatch just over a week later. Clown fish are omnivorous animals meaning that they eat both plants and animals. Clown fisheat a wide range of food such as algae, plankton, molluscs and small crustaceans. The diet of the clown fish is however largely dependent on the species of clown fish and what food is available in the area which they inhabit. Due to their small size, clown fish are preyed upon by a number of predators but can be difficult to catch are they often retreat into the safety of the sea anemone. Large species offish, sharks and eels are the main predators of the clown fish in the water but the human is the biggest overall threat to the clown fish as they are caught to keep in tanks and aquariums. Despite the rising levels of pollution in the world's oceans and destruction of the habitats on the ocean floor, clown fish are not considered to be a threatened species of animal mainly because they lay so many eggs at a time. Even though not all of the clown fish eggs will hatch, a vast number of clown fish fry hatch in every spawn meaning that clown fish numbers remain high in the wild.

Clown Fish Facts

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Pomacentridae Genus: Amphiprion Common Name: Clown Fish Scientific Name: Amphiprioninae Origin: Indian, Pacific Oceans Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 10cm - 18cm (4in - 7in) Water Type: Salt Optimum pH Level: 7.9 - 8.4 Life Span: 4 - 8 years Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, White, Orange, Red, Yellow Skin Type: Scales Favourite Food: Algae Habitat: Tropical coral reefs Average Clutch Size: 2,000

Main Prey: Algae, Plankton, Molluscs Predators: Fish, Eels, Sharks Distinctive Features: Bright markings and immune to stings from the sea anemone

The Clumber spaniel is an efficient gundog, although not as fast as some. It is excellent for upland hunting in heavy cover, and can be a good retriever when trained. The clumber was bred to run through bushes with their big heads and thick, but soft coat. Nothing supposedly is going to stop them on the hunt. He is also an excellent tracker. Their temperament is described as gentle, loyal and affectionate, but dignified and aloof with strangers. They may be active as puppies, but are generally very calm, lazy, and unmotivated as adults. Disadvantages of owning a Clumber are said to be constant shedding, snoring, drooling, especially after a drink of water, and an incredible inventiveness for raiding kitchen counters, cabinets, and even the refrigerator. One disadvantage is that the dogs think of themselves as a lap dog. They will try to sit on your lap for your affection. They cant jump on couches either because of their weak hips. Puppies are especially curious and inventive. The combination of a very people-focused disposition and a strong urge to carry something has led to many missing shoes and other articles of clothing.

Clumber Spaniel Facts

Name: Clumber Spaniel

Origin: Great Britain Size: 50cm (20in) Weight: 29kg (65lbs) Life Span: 15 years Group: Gun Dog

The coati is a medium-sized mammal only found on the American continent. The coati is found widely distributed across North, Central and South in a number of different habitats. The coati is primarily found in dense forests and wet jungles as the coati will spend a great deal of it's life in the safety of the trees. However, there are also coati populations inhabiting grasslands, mountains and evendeserts across the continent. There are four different species of coati, two of which, the Ring-tailed Coati and the Mountain Coati, are found in South America, and the remaining two coati species, the White-nosed Coati and the Cozumel Island Coati, are both found in Mexico. The Ring-tailed Coati is found in the jungles and rainforests of South America, where it lives both on the ground and in the trees. The Ringtailed Coati has thick, tan coloured fur and black bands running along it's tail. The Mountain Coati is found inhabiting areas of the Andes Mountain range in western South America. The Mountain Coati is also the smallest species of coati and is sometimes called the Dwarf Coati.

The White-nosed Coati found in parts of North America and throughout Central America, including Mexico. The White-nosed Coati is the largest species of coati with some individuals growing to nearly 120 cm in length. The Cozumel Island Coati is found only on the Mexican island of Cozumel, and is thought to have been taken there by the Mayans. Despite the obvious similarities between the Cozumel Island Coati and the White-nosed Coati, the Cozumel Island Coati is considered to be a separate species. Female coatis live in groups of between 10 and 30 individuals, known as a band. The male coati is a solitary animal and only comes together with the females to mate. The coati is a nocturnal and omnivorous animal, meaning that the coati eats both plants andanimals during the darkness of night. The coati eats a variety of different fruits, nuts and seeds, along with insects, birds eggs, rodents and small reptiles such as lizards and snakes. Due to the generally small size of the coati, the coati has numerous predators within its natural environment. Jaguars and pumas, along with other large wildcats, are the mainpredators of the coati, along with birds of prey, snakes and crocodiles. The coati breeds at the start of the rainy season which occurs at different times of the year, depending on the region, when there is an abundance of food. The female coati leaves the band of coatis and builds a nest in the trees or on a rocky ledge, where she gives birth to between 2 and 7 coati babies after a gestation period of nearly 3

months. The baby coatis rejoin the band of coatis with their mother, when they are about 6 weeks old.

Coati Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Procyonidae Genus: Nasua Scientific Name: Nasua Nasua Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size: 33-60cm (13-24in) Weight: 3-8kg (6-18lbs) Top Speed: 24km/h (15mph) Life Span: 8-15 years Lifestyle: Band Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, Brown, White, Grey, Red, Tan

Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Fruit Habitat: Forests, grasslands, desert Average Litter Size: 4 Main Prey: Fruit, Nuts, Small mammals and reptiles Predators: Wildcats, Birds of Prey, Crocodiles Special Features: Elongated snout and long, bushy tail

The cockroach, also known as the roach, is found worldwide in every environment and every habitat with the exception of water. The cockroach is one of the most commonly known pests tohumans of the insects world but plays a vital role in theecosystem ingesting decomposing materials. There are thought to be around 4,000 known species of cockroach in existence but only about 30 of the different species of cockroach are the ones that humans come into contact with. Cockroaches are generally not keen on close contact with humans and are only really present if there is enough for them to eat. The cockroach is dated around 300 million years old, with fossil evidence suggesting that the modern cockroach is much smaller than the original roach. Today the cockroach is on average, about an inch long. The cockroach is an omnivorous animals and feeds on decaying matter and therefore is often associated with things being dirty (you would not be happy to find them in a restaurant for example). Most cockroach species are nocturnal with the exception of the oriental

cockroach, which is attracted to light. Cockroaches generally only eat organic matter but some have been known to even eat substances such as mouldy wallpaper paste. Due to it's small size and abundance, the cockroach is prey to numerous predators around the world including birds, spiders, small mammals and reptiles. The cockroach is even eaten by humans in some cultures and regions of the world. Cockroaches are thought to be able to have up to four litters of young every year. The female cockroach lays between 10 and 90 eggs per time, which hatch in a matter of days. It takes just a month for the baby cockroach to become an adult cockroach. Female cockroaches are distinguishable from male cockroaches as the female cockroaches have a more rounded abdomen. Unlike most other animals, the brain of the cockroach is in its body instead of its head. This means that a headless cockroach can live for nearly two weeks and will eventually die from malnutrition and not nerve damage.

Cockroach Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Blattaria Common Name: Cockroach

Scientific Name: Blattaria Found: Worldwide Diet: Omnivore Size: 1.5-5.0cm (0.5-2in) Number of Species: 4,000 Average Lifespan: 18 months Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Brown, Black, Tan Skin Type: Shell Favourite Food: Decaying Organic Matter Habitat: Anywhere and everywhere Average Litter Size: 40 Main Prey: Decaying Organic Matter Predators: Spiders, Birds, Mammals Special Features: Long antennae and brain located in body not head

The collared peccary, also referred to as a Javelina or musk-hog, may resemble a pig, however, peccaries belong to a completely different family than true pigs. The collared peccary belongs to the Tayassuidae family while pigs belong to the Suidae family. The reasoning behind this separation is a result of anatomical differences between the animals.

Collared peccaries are a widespread animal which range from Southwestern United States through Central America and into South America. In South and Central America the collared peccary prefers to live in the tropical rainforests. Although, in North America they can be found roaming the deserts, which are particularly rich with prickly pears. The javelina is definitely pig-like in appearance, however, they tend to be smaller than pigswith longer, thinner legs. As well, the collared peccary has a large head with a long snout and razor-sharp tusks which point towards the ground. Their coats are thick and bristly with a dark grey colour and a ring of white fur around their neck, which looks a lot like a collar. The collared peccary also has a very strong musk gland located on the top of their rump. In fact it is so strong that you will often smell this animal before you see it. Collared peccaries are social animals which form bands generally ranging from 6 to 12animals. This group of animals will do almost everything together from foraging to sleeping and eating. Only the old and sick don't band up since they prefer to die in on their own. These bands are usually lead by a dominant male with the rest of the pecking order determined by size. Due to the extremely hot temperatures in musk-hog's range, they tend to be most active during the cooler mornings and evenings. The rest of the day the peccaries will seek the shade or stay close to permanent watering holes since they are not able to cool themselves off by panting. Peccaries mainly feed on berries, grass, roots, beans, nuts and cacti. In fact they rely very heavily on cacti such as the prickly pear since they have a very high water content. A good source of water is important in the drier climates. These animals will supplement their dietwith animals such as insects and small lizards.

Predators of this pig-like animal include coyotes, mountain lions and jaguars, although the young and weak may also be preyed upon by bobcats, ocelots and the boa constrictor. The sharp upper canines and large herd formations are some of the defence mechanisms used by peccaries to protect themselves. Females usually become mature around 8 to 14 months while the males are mature after 11 months. Breeding will occur all year long and is usually dependant upon the rain. During the wet and rainy years, more young tend to be born. The litter size of the peccary is between 1 and 4 young which have a gestation period of around 145 days. Although, their hides have been a source of economic income for humans for decades, their population seems to remain healthy. Luckily the collared peccary is widespread and fairly abundant which leads to a conservation status of least concern.

Collared Peccary Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Atriodactyla Family: Tayassuidae Genus: Pecari Scientific Name: Pecari tajacu

Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size: 1.16m - 1.52m (46in - 60 in) Weight: 9kg - 27kg (20lbs- 60lbs) Top Speed: Unknown Life Span: 10 years Lifestyle: Bands of 6-12 Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Dark Grey Skin Type: Bristled hairs Favourite Food: Succulent Vegetation Habitat: Deserts and Tropical Rainforests Average Litter Size: 3 Main Prey: Insects and small lizards Predators: Coyotes, Mountain Lions and Jaguars Special Features: Upper canines are very sharp, strong scent gland on upper rump.

Certain types of collie (for example Rough Collies, Smooth Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and some strains of Border Collieand other breeds) have been bred for many generations as pets and for the sport of conformation showing, not as herding dogs. These types have proved to be highly trainable, gentle, loyal, and well suited as pets.

Their gentleness and devotion also make them quite compatible with children. They are often more suitable as companions than as watch dogs, though the individual personalities of thesedogs vary. The temperament of these breeds has featured in literature, film and popular television programmes. The novels of Albert Payson Terhune celebrated the temperament and companionship of collies and were very popular in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. More famously, the temperament and intelligence of the Rough Collie was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the character Lassie which has been the subject of many films, books and television shows from 1938 to the present.

Collie Facts
Name: Collie Origin: Great Britain Size: 66cm (26in) Weight: 34kg (75lbs) Life Span: 13 years Group: Herd

The common buzzard is a medium sized raptor, most commonly found throughout Europe and Russia. Despite rapid declines in the UK's common buzzard population numbers a couple of hundred years ago, the common buzzard is now the most common bird of prey in Britain.

The common buzzard is found throughout Europe and Russia and also in parts of Asia and Northern Africa, where the common buzzard spends the cooler winter months. The common buzzard is found in a variety of habitats particularly woodland, moorland, scrub, pasture, arable, marsh bog, villages and even in towns and cities. Like other medium to large sized birds of prey, the common buzzard is a generally solitaryanimal, hunting and feeding alone. However, it is not uncommon to see small groups of common buzzards flying together when migrating, with as many as 30 common buzzards being spotted at once. The common buzzard is quite large with broad, rounded wings, and a short neck and tail and when gliding or soaring it will often hold its wings in a 'V' shape. Common buzzards are variable in colour from dark brown to tan, although all have dark wingtips and a finely barred tail. The call of the common buzzard resembles a mewing sound and can easily be mistaken for a cat. The common buzzard is a large and opportunistic predator, surviving on a purely carnivorous diet. The common buzzard primarily preys on small mammals (such as rodents) and birds, along with a variety of other animals including insects, earthworms, snakes and carrion. Due to the fact that the common buzzard is a fast and effective flyer, the common buzzard has few predators in the skies besides larger birds of prey such as eagles. On land however, the common buzzard is preyed upon by a number of grounddwelling predators including wildcats and foxes. Common buzzard pairs are known to mate for life and make their nest in plentiful habitatssuch as on the outskirts of forest or woodland. The

female common buzzard lays 2 to 4 eggs which hatch after being incubated by her for about 1 month. The common buzzard chicks leave the nest (fledge) when they are about 45 days old, after being cared for by their parents (mainly the mother). Despite once being nearly wiped out in the United Kingdom, today common buzzard populations are now thriving not only here but also across Europe, with the common buzzard being Europe's second most common raptor behind the common kestrel.

Common Buzzard Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae Genus: Buteo Scientific Name: Buteo Buteo Type: Bird Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 51cm - 57cm (20in - 22in) Wing Span: 110cm - 130cm (48in - 60in) Weight: 400g - 1400g (15oz - 48oz)

Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 12 - 20 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: White, Black, Grey, Brown Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Rabbit Habitat: Countryside and woodland Average Clutch Size: 3 Main Prey: Rabbit. Pheasant, Lizards Predators: Fox, Eagle, Wildcats Distinctive Features: Small head and curved beak

The common frog is a medium-sized species of frog that inhabits a wide range of habitats across much of Europe. Although the common frog is not as commonly seen in our gardens as it once was, the common frog still appears to be surviving effectively within its environment and is not considered to be an animal that is currently at risk from extinction. The common frog is found throughout the European continent, with the range of the common frog stretching from Ireland in the east to the mountains in western Russia. The common from is also found in parts of Scandinavia that actually lie within the cold ArcticCircle.

The common frog tends to grow to between 6 cm and 10 cm in length. The common frog has dark blotches that run down its back, with the body of the common frog ranging from green, to brown, to grey in colour. The common frog is said to be able to change its skin tone in order to fit in more effectively in its surroundings. Like many other frog species, the common frog has webbed toes and eyes on the top of its head, in order to better equip the common frog for its aquatic lifestyle. The male commonfrog can also be distinguished from the female, by a small swelling that appears on one of his toes during the mating season. The common frog is a carnivorous animal and the majority of the common frog's dietconsists of small invertebrates such as insects and spiders. The common frog also hunts larger invertebrates including worms and snails that are present in the common frog'swoodland or marshland habitat. Due to its small size, the common frog often has numerous predators within its natural environment. The common frog is eaten by various animal species that includes foxes, cats,birds, snakes and even some large fish. Common frogs tend to breed in the early spring, when mating takes place in calm, shallow pools of water. The female common frog lays up to 2,000 eggs in a sticky cluster that floats on the water's surface, known as frogspawn. Once developed the common frog tadpoles emerge into the water where they are fully aquatic until they metamorphose into adult common frogs and are able to leave the water.

Common Frog Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Ranidae Genus: Rana Scientific Name: Rana Temporaria Type: Amphibian Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 6cm - 10cm (2.4in - 4in) Weight: 20g - 80g (0.7oz - 2.8oz) Top Speed: 8km/h (5mph) Life Span: 5 - 10 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, Green, Grey, Brown Skin Type: Permeable Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Forests, rivers and marshes

Average Clutch Size: 1,500 Main Prey: Insects, Worms, Snails Predators: Foxes, Snakes, Birds Distinctive Features: Short back legs and webbed toes

The common loon (also known as the Great Northern Diver) is a species of bird that is most closely related to the duck, mainly due to the ability of the common loon to dive underwater in order to hunt for food. The common loon is found in parts of Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Iceland and Scotland, but common loon have recently been found in other watery parts acrossEurope and North America. The common loon, like all divers, is a specialist fish-eater, as the common loon catches itsprey underwater. The common loon has been seen diving as deep as 200 feet (60 m) to get its lunch. The common loon that have a very freshwater diet mainly eat pike, perch, sunfish, trout, and bass. The common loon that have a more saltwater diet feed on rock fish,flounder, sea trout, and herring. The common loon needs a long distance to gain momentum for takeoff, and is ungainly on landing. Its clumsiness on land is due to the legs being positioned at the rear of the body of the common loon which is ideal for diving but is not well-suited for assistance the common loon with walking. When the birds land on water, they skim along on their bellies to slow down, rather than on their feet, as the feet of a common loon are set too far back. The common loon can swim gracefully on the surface of the water, and the common loon dives as well as any flying bird. The common loon is

also able to fly well for hundreds of kilometers when these birds migrate. The common loon has almost completely disappeared from the waters of eastern North America, mainly due to pollution in the water and excess pollutants causing acid rain to occur.

Common Loon Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae Genus: Gavia Scientific Name: Gavia Immer Type: Bird Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 63cm - 81cm (24.8in - 31.8in) Wing Span: 100cm - 136cm (39in - 53.5in) Weight: 3kg - 5kg (6.6lbs - 11lbs) Life Span: 15 - 25 years Lifestyle: Flock

Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: White, Black, Grey, Brown Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Freshwater lakes in cooler climates Average Clutch Size: 2 Main Prey: Fish, Frogs, Insects Predators: Human, Eagles, Osprey Distinctive Features: Large body size and eerie, yodel-like call

The common toad (also known as the European toad), is a large-sized species of toad that is found throughout Europe. Although the common toad is not found in Iceland or some areas of the Mediterranean, the range of the common toad extends all the water to Siberia and into Northern Africa. The common toad is generally brown in colour but colours on the skin of the common toad can range from black to green to yellow. The skin of the common toad, as with other toad species, is permeable and has a rough appearance. The common toad is most active in wet weather and is most commonly found in areas close to water such as woodlands, forests, marshes and meadows. The common toad is also anocturnal animal, spending the daylight hours resting and hunting by night.

The common toad is an carnivorous animal, and the diet of the common toad therefore only consists of other animals. Insects are the primary source of food for the common toad, as they are caught when in the air by the long sticky tongue of the common toad. The common toad also feasts on other invertebrates such as worms and spiders. The common toad has a number of predators within its natural environment, mainly due to its relatively small size. Grass snakes, hedgehogs, foxes, cats and birds all commonly prey on the common toad. The female common toads lay their eggs in the water rather than on the land, in long strings known as toadspawn, The common toad tadpoles hatch into the water where they begin the process of metamorphosis which turns them from tadpole into an adult common toad.

Common Toad Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Bufonidae Genus: Bufo Scientific Name: Bufo Bufo Type: Amphibian

Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 10cm - 18cm (4in - 7in) Weight: 20g - 80g (0.7oz - 2.8oz) Top Speed: 8km/h (5mph) Life Span: 2 - 4 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Black, Green, Grey, Brown, Yellow Skin Type: Permeable Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Forests, woodlands and marshes Average Clutch Size: 100 Main Prey: Insects, Worms, Spiders Predators: Foxes, Grass Snakes, Hedgehogs Distinctive Features: Rough skin and long, agile toes

It may shock you to know that the hole-filled rock like substance, known as coral, is actually an animal and a vital part of the marine world. Coral is a similar animal species to the sea anemone and almost appears to be half animal and half plant when you look into what coral does.

There are thought to be around 70,000 different species of coral that are found throughout the oceans of the world but are in abundance in the southern hemisphere due to the warm and tropical climates. Coral species are generally divided into two subspecies, depending on how many tentacles the coral individual has. Those coral species with eight tentacles are known as Alcyonaria, which includes soft coral, sea fans and sea pens. Those coral species with more than eight tentacles are known as Zoantharia, which includes the coral species that are found in coral reefs. The coral catches small fish and animals such as plankton using stinging cells on their tentacles, although these animals obtain most of their nutrients from algae. This means that most corals depend on sunlight and grow in clear and shallow water, typically at depths shallower than 60 m (200 ft). There are however a number of coral species that have adapted to inhabiting the oceans at depths of up to 3000 m. Corals can live from 3 months to 30 years depending on the individual coral species and the role it plays within the eco-system. For example, those coral species that make up the extensive coral reefs (like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia that stretches for over 1,600 miles in length) tend to live alot longer than those species which are found on their own, like the softer corals. Coral reefs in particular play an enormous part on maintaining such a high diversity of life in the worlds oceans as they not only provide excellent places for marine animals to hide from oncoming predators, but also act as a meeting and breeding ground for literally thousands of species of animals, particularly fish.

It has been predicted by scientists that over 50% of the worlds coral formations will have disappeared by the year 2030, and surprisingly not just due to growing human activity such as fishing and diving. Natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis can have a devastating effect on the coral in that area. The 2004 tsunami in south east Asia completely obliterated everything in its path, destroyed hundreds of ancient coral reefs in these tropical waters. Many species of coral, such as the staghorn coral (a hard species of coral that branches out to look like deer antlers), are today classed as an endangered species due to the severe decrease in the corals range.

Coral Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Anthozoa Order: Octocorallia Family: Alcyonacea Common Name: Coral Scientific Name: Anthozoa Found: Tropical Oceans Size: 1cm - 3m (0.4in - 118in) Number of Species: 70,000 Lifespan: 15 - 30 years

Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Multi-coloured Skin Type: Porous Favourite Food: Plankton Habitat: Forest and thick woodland Average Litter Size: 1,000s Main Prey: Plankton, Fish, Shrimp Predators: Starfish, Marine slugs and snails Distinctive Features: Variety of colours and full of holes for species to hind in

The Cottontop tamarin is a small species of monkey found in the forests of South America. The Cottontop tamarin was named because of it's elegant white fur that flows over it's head and shoulders. The cottontop tamarin is found in tropical forest edges and secondary forests from Costa Rica to north western Columbia where the cottontop tamarin spends the majority of it's life in the trees. Cottontop tamarins are among the smallest of the primates with a body length of 17 cm and tail length of 25 cm. The forelimbs of the cottontop tamarin are shorter than the hind limbs, and unlike other monkeys the thumb of the cottontop tamarin is not opposable and it does not have a prehensile tail. The cottontop tamarin is a diurnal primate which means that the cottontop tamarin is most active during the day and rests in the safety of the tree tops during the night. cottontop tamarins are very

sociable animals and inhabit their territory with their rest of the cottontop tamarin troop which generally have between 2 and 14 members. Cottontop tamarin troops are led by the eldest female and have predominantly male members. The cottontop tamarin is an omnivorous animal meaning that the cottontop tamarin hunts both plants and other animals in order to survive. Fruits, insects and green plants make up the majority of the cottontop tamarin's diet along with small rodents and reptiles, eggs and tree sap. Due to the relatively small size of the cottontop tamarin, it has a number of predators within it's natural environment. Wild cats, dogs, snakes and birds of prey are primary predators of the cottontop tamarin, along with humans who are destroying their natural habitat. The cottontop tamarin usually breeds between the months of April and July, when the female cottontop tamarin will give birth to twins (or a single infant) after a four to five month gestation period. The male cottontop tamarins carry and groom infants more than the females do, but females clean the infant more than the males do. Older siblings are also known to contribute to infant care, although infants prefer to be carried by their parents than by their siblings. Infant cottontop tamarins become mobile at 2 to 5 weeks, and begin eating solid food at 4 to 7 weeks. They are independent at 10 to 18 weeks and are fully weaned at 15 to 25 weeks. Sexual maturity is attained at about 2 years of age. Today, the cottontop tamarin is considered to be a critically endangered species with an estimated wild cottontop tamarin population of just 6,000. The main reason for the severe decline in the

cottontop tamarin population is that they have lost more than 75% of their natural habitat to deforestation.

Cottontop Tamarin Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Callitrichidae Genus: Saguinus Scientific Name: Saguinus Oedipus Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 18cm - 30cm (7in - 12in) Weight: 220g - 900g (7.7oz - 32oz) Top Speed: 40km/h (24mph) Life Span: 8 - 15 years Lifestyle: Troop Conservation Status: Critically Endangered Colour: Black, White, Brown, Tan

Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Fruit Habitat: Lowland tropical forest Average Litter Size: 2 Main Prey: Fruit, Insects, Rodents Predators: Hawks, Snakes, Wild Cats Distinctive Features: Small body size and long, thin tail

The cougar is native to the Americas, particularly south America and western North America and is often known by other names such as mountain lion, puma and panther. Cougars can be found mainly in the mountain regions of Canada and Mexico, but as the name cougar is often used to describe an un-spotted leopard, cougars are also found in Asia and Africa. The cougar is the fourth biggest feline in the world behind the lion, tiger and jaguar, making the cougar the second largest cat in the Americas. The cougar has longer back than front legs and a long heavy body. Cougars prey on large mammals such as moose, deer, elk and stray wolves and can often go for long periods of time without food. Cougars are also well known for their amazing ability to jump up to 30ft. Cougars tend to have between 1 and 4 cubs, generally during the spring and summer time when the adult cougars are hunting well again after the harsh winters. A cougar typically lives until its about 20 years old.

Due to the cougars vast range, the cougar is known in different places by different names. Until the late 1990s there were thought to be 32 different species of cougar inhabiting both North and South America. Recent studies however, have shown that the DNA of the majority of the 32 cougar species was too similar. There are therefore only 5 different species of cougar found on the American continent. Today the cougar is only found in parts of Florida in North East America and the cougars range on the west coast has been dramatically reduced by human interference. The cougar is most commonly found in the Canadian Rockies and the more mountainous regions of Southern Mexico.

Cougar Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Puma Scientific Name: Felis Concolor Type: Mammal Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 1.5m - 2.75m (5ft - 9ft)

Weight: 29kg - 90kg (64lbs - 198lbs) Top Speed: 45km/h (30mph) Life Span: 10 - 20 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Tan, Black, Brown Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Deer Habitat: Forest and mountainous regions Average Litter Size: 3 Main Prey: Deer, Elk, Beavers Predators: Human, Grizzly Bear Distinctive Features: Powerful forearms and paws and muscular jaw

Cows are raised in many different countries around the world, mainly for the cows natural resources such as milk, meat and leather. In India the cow is seen as a sacred animal. There are thought to be nearly 1.5 million cows worldwide, most of the cows are sadly kept by farmers but there is sure to be the odd rouge escaped wild cows somewhere! Cows spend their days in herds of around 40-50 cows, grazing on the grasslands and shrubbery. There is an old English tale which claims that cows will always sit down when its going to rain.

The cow is known well amongst farmers for its ability to interbreed with species that are closely related to the cow. These can include yaks and bison, where these animals have been successful bred with the cow to produce hybrid cattle. Oddly enough though, the cow is unable to successfully breed with buffalo or water buffalo. The cow has just one stomach (not four) but the cows stomach contains four separate compartments that work with the complex digestive system of the cow which allows the cow to control substances that are difficult and near impossible for many other animals to digest. It is commonly thought that cows, mainly male cows called bulls, are aggravated by the colour red. This is in fact not true as cows are colour blind and cannot distinguish between different colours. This common misconception has come about from the days of bull fighting where trainers were typically seen using a red flag. It is not the colour of the flag that would spur the cow on but in fact, the waving of the material itself. It is thought that around 18% of the greenhouse gases that are currently being released into the atmosphere are coming from livestock such as cows. This is due to the methane that cows expel through burping and flatulence.

Cow Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia

Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Bos Scientific Name: Bos Taurus Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size (L): 1.5m - 1.8m (5ft - 6ft) Weight: 400kg - 800kg (881lbs - 1,760lbs) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 12 - 20 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Brown, Black, White Skin Type: Leather Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Forest and grassland Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grass, Seeds, Flowers Predators: Human, Bears, Wolves

Distinctive Features: Thick leathery skin and complex digestive system

Coyotes (prairie wolf) are native to North and Central America although they are believed to have split off from the European grey wolf. They are a species in their own right, differing from wolves in vocalization patterns, ecology, pack structure. The coyotes scientific name Canis latrans actually means barking dog. Coyotes grow up to about 90cm in length, which is a similar size to a medium dog. The northern subspecies of coyote generally grows bigger than the southern subspecies of coyote. The Eastern coyote is the largest of all and has been found to be the result of a few remnant wolves mating with incoming coyotes in the northeastern states of the USA. The coyote is able to reach sprinting speeds of around 40 mph which the coyote is able obtain for extended periods of time. The coyote can also jump to heights of up to 4m! There are 19 different subspecies of recognised coyote with only 3 of these coyote subspecies found in central America. The remaining 16 subspecies of coyote can be found distributed throughout Mexico, Canada and the USA. Historically the coyote has generally been nocturnal but now can often be seen during the day in areas where they are not persecuted by humans. In areas where they are heavily hunted and trapped they tend to remain nocturnal. Coyotes adapt very well to suburban life and can often be seen drinking out of swimming pools. The coyote tends to reside in a burrow when its not looking for food and the coyote is more than capable of digging the burrow itself. The coyote is intelligent enough to find and inhabit

an empty badger burrow if at all possible. This becomes the center of the coyotes territory which can extend to 19 km around the den. The size of the territory depends on how much food is available. Coyotes tend to associate in mated pairs, though in areas where large preylive a loose pack structure is observable. They are considerably less social than wolves and their threat displays are much more primitive. They arch their backs and gape their jaws and do not have the repertoire of facial expression the more social wolf has. The coloring of the coyote varies considerably according to location. In the northernmost parts of its range coyotes can be pale to almost white in color. In the west they tend to be a rich reddish hue with black markings. In the plains states they are plain grayish brown. The occasional black coyote is seen in the great plains states and in the eastern states; those may actually be the result of hybridization with wolves. It would take DNA analysis to be sure.

Coyote Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Canis Scientific Name: Canis latrans Type: Mammal

Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 75cm - 90cm (30in - 35in) Weight: 7kg - 21kg (15lbs - 46lbs) Top Speed: 64km/h (40mph) Life Span: 10 - 15 years Lifestyle: Pack Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Brown, Grey, Tan Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Rabbit Habitat: Forests, plains and deserts Average Litter Size: 6 Main Prey: Rabbit, Mice, Deer Predators: Human, Bears, Wolves Distinctive Features: Pointed ears and nose and a long, bushy tail

The crab is a type of crustacean similar to prawns, shrimp andlobster. There are more than 6,700 known species of crab found in waters worldwide and these many crab species are split into around 93 different crab groups. Most crab species are found in the shallower ocean waters where the crabs tend to inhabit rocky pools and coral reefs. There are however, a number of species of freshwater crab that inhabit the waters in rivers

and lakes and some species of tropical crab have been known to spend a great deal of time on land. Generally crabs dont get bigger than 40 cm in size, with the exception of the Japanese spider crab that has been known to have a leg span of over 4 meters long! The smallest type crab is the pea crab with this tiny species of crab only growing to a few millimeters. Crabs have a thick armoured shell which protects the crab from immediate danger. The crab also has two front armoured claws which the crab uses to catch its prey. The crabs hunt by sitting in a dark hole and catching potential prey that swims past. This allows the crab to feed effectively as well as staying hidden from those that would want to eat the crab.

Crab Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Crustacea Order: Decapoda Family: Brachyura Scientific Name: Brachyura Type: Arthropod Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 1cm - 400cm (0.4in - 157in)

Weight: 100g - 2,000g (3.5oz - 704oz) Top Speed: 19km/h (12mph) Life Span: 1 - 100 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Red, Brown, Orange, Blue Skin Type: Shell Favourite Food: Shrimp Habitat: Coral reefs and coastline Average Litter Size: 2 Main Prey: Shrimp, Fish, Mussels Predators: Birds, Otter, Octopus Distinctive Features: Hard, armoured shell and eight legs

The crab-eating macaque is a medium species of monkey, found in the tropical and sub-tropical forests and jungles throughout SouthEast Asia. The crab-eating macaque differs from other macaque species in the fact that the crab-eating macaque has a long tail which is about the same length as it's body. The crab-eating macaque is widely dispersed across the South-East Asian jungles and are found in a variety of different habitats. The crab-eating macaque generally settles in areas that are close to water over a wide range of habitats including lowland forests, tropical jungles and mangroves.

The crab-eating macaque is a highly sociable animal and lives in groups containing between 5 and 60 crab-eating macaque individuals. The crab-eating macaque troops are centred around the female crabeating macaques are they remain in the same place for their whole lives. There are often half as many males in a crab-eating macaque troop than there are females. The crab-eating macaque is an arboreal primate meaning that it spends most of its life in the safety of the trees. The crab-eating macaque has a long tail which helps it to balance and sharp nails and its fingers to toes which help with grip. Despite its name, the crab-eating macaque does not only eat crabs and in fact at least 50% of the crab-eating macaque's diet is made up from fruits, nuts and seeds. The crab-eating macaque also eats insects, small reptiles, amphibians, fish and crustaceans. The crab-eating macaque is relatively small in size and therefore has a number of predatorswithin its natural environment. Tigers and large reptiles such as snakes and crocodiles are the main predators of the crab-eating macaque along with large birds of prey like eagles whoprey on the smaller crab-eating macaque individuals. After a gestation period of around six months, the female crab-eating macaque gives birth to a single infant (baby) crab-eating macaque. Male crab-eating macaque babies remain with their mothers until they are a couple of years old and are independent enough to find another troop, but the crab-eating macaque babies tend to remain in the troop for their whole lives.

Although the crab-eating macaque is not considered to be a animal under threat at this time,habitat loss in the form of pollution but primarily deforestation is causing sever declines in the crab-eating macaque population numbers.

Crab-Eating Macaque Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Cercopithecidae Genus: Macaca Scientific Name: Macaca Fascicularis Type: Mammal Diet: Carnivore Size (H): 38cm - 55cm (15in - 22in) Weight: 3kg - 9kg (7lbs - 20lbs) Top Speed: 48km/h (30mph) Life Span: 15 - 30 years Lifestyle: Troop Conservation Status: Least Concern

Colour: Grey, Brown, White, Yellow Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Crabs Habitat: Rainforest and tropical jungle Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Crabs, Fruits, Seeds, Insects Predators: Eagle, Tiger, Large reptiles
Other animals that hunt and eat the animal...

Distinctive Features: Very sociable animal with a long tail

The crane is a large, long-beaked bird that is found all over the world. There are 15 different species of crane found on Earth today, but despite their similar appearance, cranes are not related to other longnecked birds such as herons. Cranes are found on every continent with the exceptions of the Antarctic and South America, where they are found inhabiting the temperate wetlands and swamps throughout the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Cranes are large sized birds that to grow to an average of 1 meter in height. Some species of crane however, such as the Red-Crowned crane of Eastern Asia, can grow to nearly 1.5 meters tall. Other crane species can be slightly smaller although they are in general, very large birds. Despite their seemingly enormous body size, cranes are actually quite agile flyers, getting their practise as they migrate between Siberia,

China and Japan. Unlike herons, cranes fly with their necks outstretched which helps them to control their large bodies when soaring through the skies. Despite its large size, the crane is an omnivorous bird meaning that it feeds on both plants and animals alike. Spending their lives close to water, cranes primarily feed on aquaticorganisms including insects, fish and amphibians, along with a variety of plants including grains and tree bark. Due to the sheer size of adult cranes, they have few natural predators within their native environment. Foxes, wildcats and large birds of prey including owls and eagles are the most common predators of the crane and mainly their chicks. Cranes generally breed in the warmer summer months although the exact breeding season depends on the crane species. Female cranes construct large nests, generally in the trees, where they lay between 3 and 5 eggs. Once hatched the crane chicks are nursed by their parents until they are strong enough to fledge (fly away from the family nest). Today, many of the 15 crane species are either considered to be vulnerable in the wild or critically endangered. The drastic decline of the world's crane populations is primarily due tohabitat loss and pollution in their native environments.

Crane Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves

Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae Scientific Name: Gruidae Type: Bird Diet: Omnivore Size (L): 1m - 1.4m (40in - 55in) Wing Span: 1.8m - 2.4m (71in - 95in) Weight: 3.7kg - 10kg (8.2lbs - 22lbs) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 15 - 30 years Lifestyle: Flock Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: White, Black, Grey, Brown, Red, Blue Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Temperate wetlands Average Clutch Size: 4 Main Prey: Insects. Fish, Grain Predators: Fox, Eagle, Wildcats

Distinctive Features: Large body size and long beak

The crested penguin (also known as the Fiordland crested penguin) is a medium-sized species of penguin natively found along the New Zealand coast. Crested penguins are named after the prominent yellow feathers that are arranged over the eyes and run along on top of these penguin's heads. The crested penguin is found inhabiting dense tropical rainforest along the Fiordland coast, which is a region of New Zealand's South Island, found at the south-west tip. The crestedpenguin is also found on a number of the surrounding islands in Stewart Island where it shares it's habitat with other penguin species such as the yellow-eyed penguin and the little penguin. The crested penguin has a blue/black coloured back and flippers, with a black head and red beak. The underside of the crested penguin is completely white as are the patches that are found either side of the crested penguin's beak. The bright yellow eyebrows of the crestedpenguin (from where it gets its name), run from behind it's eyes along each side of it's head. The crested penguin is a medium sized penguin that inhabits it's native range in a colony with other crested penguin individuals. Although they spend the majority of their time together on land, crested penguins usually go out to sea with the rest of the colony but tend to hunt on their own, returning when they are full. The crested penguin is a carnivorous animal, that like all other penguin species, survives on adiet that is only comprised of marine animals. Squid and small crustaceans make up the bulk of the

crested penguin's diet along with smaller organisms including krill and various species of fish. The crested penguin is usually found nesting in the forests and scrub that line the New Zealand coast and although historically undisturbed, the crested penguin now has a number of landdwelling predators including cats, dogs and foxes along with rats and weasels that hunt their eggs. Large seals including fur seals and leopard seals hunt the crested penguin in the water along with large sharks and killer whales. On average, the crested penguin breeds once a year, forming pairs that usually remain faithful to one another. The female crested penguin lays two eggs in her nest in the forest which are incubated by both parents for up to a couple of months, when only one of the eggs will usually hatch. The crested penguin chicks are fed and kept warm by their parents and remain with them until the chicks are more than a few months old and are able to hunt for themselves. Today, the crested penguin is listed as an endangered animal with an estimated wild population of less than 3,000 breeding pairs. The crested penguin populations have declined rapidly in their native habitats due to deforestation and the introduction of mammalian predators.

Crested Penguin Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves

Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae Genus: Eudyptes Scientific Name: Eudyptes Pachyrhynchus Type: Bird Diet: Carnivore Size (H): 60cm - 68cm (24in - 27in) Weight: 3kg - 6kg (6.6lbs - 13lbs) Life Span: 15 - 20 years Lifestyle: Colony Conservation Status: Vulnerable Colour: Black, White, Grey, Yellow Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Krill Habitat: Rocky Antarctic Islands Average Litter Size: 2 Main Prey: Krill, Fish, Shrimp Predators: Leopard Seal, Killer Whale, Sharks Distinctive Features: Red beak and bright yellow eyebrows

Crocodiles are one of the planets oldest living creatures, thought to be around 200 million years old which means that crocodiles were around in dinosaur times. Crocodiles live throughout the watery tropics of Africa, Asia, America and Australia, congregating in freshwater environments in the worlds lakes and rivers. Crocodiles feed on fish, reptiles and mammals, the prey size generally dependent on the size of the crocodile. Legend has it that if you are being chased by a crocodile, the only chance you have of getting away is by outsmarting the crocodile. Apparently the way to do this is to run away from the crocodile diagonally down a hill! The myth says that crocodiles have a very slow turning circle meaning that if you run diagonally, the crocodile theoretically cant catch you! As crazy as it sounds, crocodiles are known to swallow stones when they are on the banks of the water. The crocodile does this to not only help its digestive system but also to aid the crocodiles water buoyancy. It is thought that by swallowing stones, the crocodile may also be able to swim to deeper parts of the water. The crocodile is also unable to stick out its tongue (probably from all those stones in the crocodiles stomach)! The crocodile is able to regrow new teeth very quickly after losing the old ones, throughout the crocodiles life.

Crocodile Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia Order: Crocodilia Family: Crocodylidae Genus: Crocodylus Scientific Name: Crocodylus Acutus Type: Reptile Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 1m - 7m (3.3ft - 22ft) Weight: 1,000kg - 1,133kg (2,200lbs - 2,500lbs) Top Speed: 18km/h (12mph) Life Span: 40 - 70 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Brown, Green, Grey Skin Type: Scales Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Warm, quiet and murky water Average Litter Size: 2 Main Prey: Fish, Turtles, Mammals

Predators: Human Distinctive Features: Armoured skin and large mouth with snapping jaw

The cross river gorilla is one of two subspecies of westerngorilla (the other being the more numerous western lowland gorilla) found in the jungles on the African continent. The cross river gorilla is now incredibly rare in the wild and there are just a handful of cross river gorilla individuals thought to be in just 11 locations. The cross river gorilla is found inhabiting the tropical jungles and forests of western and central Africa, along with lowland swamps and secondary forests. The cross river gorilla is generally found on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon, where less than 300 individuals are estimated to be inhabiting the forests. There are two separate sub-species of western gorilla which are the western lowland gorillaand the cross river gorilla. Although only slightly different in appearance, the two westerngorilla species are distinguished by their differing skull and tooth sizes, and the western lowland gorilla is also more common than the cross river gorilla with nearly 100,000 individuals thought to be left in the wild (it is however still at critically endangered species). The cross river gorilla is one of the great apes, a group that includes orang-utans, gorillas,humans and chimpanzees. As with the other great apes, the cross river gorilla has a number of features which makes living in the jungle a bit easier, including having opposable thumbs which come in handy when the cross river gorilla is peeling fruit. The cross river gorilla is an omnivorous animal, but the majority of it's diet is made up of eating fruit which the cross river gorilla is known

to travel vast distances through the forests to find. The cross river gorilla also eats leaves, nuts and berries, along with insects and occasionally small animals such as lizards and rodents. The cross river gorilla has also been observed using basic tools in the wild in order to more effectively gather food. Due to it's large size, the cross river gorilla has few real predators in it's native African forests, with large cats such as leopards and the odd crocodile being the only real natural threat to the cross river gorilla. The biggest threat to the cross river gorilla is habitat loss caused by deforestation. Parts of the cross river gorilla's territory have also been taken over by civil unrest in recent years, which, along with poaching, has had a truly devastating affect on wild populations. The cross river gorilla tends to live in groups which are led and protected by the alpha male. The alpha male cross river gorilla also mates with the females in his group, producing generally single offspring, known as babies. The cross river gorilla babies remain with their mother until they are a few years old and become independent. Today, the cross river gorilla is a critically endangered species with an estimated wild population of just 280 individuals. Habitat loss and hunting by humans for their meat, has led to the cross river gorilla now being considered one of the 25 most endangered animals on the surface of the planet.

Cross River Gorilla Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Hominidae Genus: Gorilla Scientific Name: Gorilla Gorilla Diehli Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size(H): 1.4m - 1.7m (4.7ft - 5.5ft) Weight: 100kg - 200kg (220lbs - 440lbs) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 35 - 50 years Lifestyle: Troop Conservation Status: Critically Endangered Colour: Black, Grey Skin Type: Hair Favourite Food: Leaves Habitat: Rainforest and dense jungle Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Leaves, Fruit, Flowers

Predators: Human, Leopard, Crocodile Special Features: Large head and long arms

The Curly Coated Retriever was originally developed as a gundog and their temperament and conformation reflect this purpose. Curlies are still used in many countries as bird hunting companions, including in both upland and waterfowl hunting. Like most retrievers, they are valued as pets and are a lively and funloving breed. As long as the Curly has enough exercise, it can be calm and laid back in the home environment, which makes them both a great activity dog as well as a placid member of the family. The Curly can be sometimes aloof with strangers but are usually very loyal and affectionate with their owners and family. Curlies are extremely intelligent in general, but training can sometimes be difficult as they can easily get bored with repetitive training.

Curly Coated Retriever Facts

Name: Curly Coated Retriever Origin: Great Britain Size: 66cm (26in) Weight: 34kg (75lbs) Life Span: 14 years Group: Gun Dog

The cuscus is a large marsupial native to the Northern forest ofAustralia and the large, tropical island of Papua New Guinea. The

cuscus is a subspecies of possum with the cuscus being the largest of the world's possum species. The cuscus is known to range in size from just 15cm to more than 60cm in length, although the average sized cuscus tends to be around 45cm (18inches). The cuscus has small ears and large eyes which aid the cuscus through it's nocturnal lifestyle. The cuscus is an arboreal mammal, and spends it's life almost exclusively in the trees. The cuscus rests in the trees during the day, sleeping in the dense foliage and awakens at night to start moving through the trees in search of food. The cuscus is an omnivorous animal but the cuscus mainly eats leaves and fruits occasionally feasting on small birds and reptiles. The cuscus is thought to breed throughout the year rather than having a strict breeding season. The mother cuscus gives birth to between 2 and 4 baby cuscus after a gestation period of just a couple of weeks. As with all marsupials, the female cuscus has a pouch on her tummy which the new born cuscus babies crawl into and stay until they are bigger, less vulnerable and able to start feeding themselves. Typically only one of the cuscus babies will survive and emerge from the pouch after 6 or 7 months. The cuscus has a long and very strong prehensile tail which is naked (has no fur) at the end. This allows the cuscus to be able to grip onto the tree branches more easily when the cuscus is moving from tree to tree and resting during the day. The cuscus also has long, sharp claws which help the cuscus when it is moving around in the trees. The cuscus has thick, woolly fur which can be a variety of colours including brown, tan and white.

Due to the arboreal and nocturnal lifestyle of the cuscus, the cuscus has few naturalpredators in it's environment. The main predators of the cuscus (besides humans) are largesnakes and birds of prey which tend to pick on the more vulnerable, young cuscus. Thehuman is the biggest predator of the cuscus as natives hunt the cuscus for both the meat of the cuscus and the thick fur of the cuscus. When the cuscus was first discovered, scientists believed that the cuscus was a type ofmonkey due to the way that the cuscus moves through the trees and uses it's tail to grip onto branches. It was later discovered that the cuscus was actually most closely related to thepossum. Today the cuscus populations are declining mainly due to deforestation and therefore loss of the habitat in which the cuscus exists. More and more of the secluded forests where the cuscus dwells, is being cut down with the trees being sold to logging companies. The cuscus is an elusive and very secretive animal that are extremely difficult to spot in the wild. It is said to be one of the most rewarding sights, if you spot a cuscus in it's naturalhabitat.

Cuscus Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Marsupialia

Family: Phalangeridae Genus: Phalanger Scientific Name: Phalanger Maculatus Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size (L): 15cm - 60cm (6in - 24in) Weight: 3kg - 6kg (6.5lbs - 13lbs) Top Speed: 25km/h (15mph) Life Span: 8 - 12 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Black, Brown, Tan, White, Cream, Grey Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Fruit Habitat: Tropical rainforest and mangroves Average Litter Size: 2 Main Prey: Fruit, Leaves, Insects Predators: Snakes, Humans, Large birds of prey Distinctive Features: Long tail and strong toes

The cuttlefish is a small-medium sized mollusc that is found throughout the ocean waters of the world. In the same way as their squid and octopus relatives, cuttlefish have a large, elongated body with tentacles surrounding their mouths. Cuttlefish are found in large numbers throughout the world's ocean waters from the warm, tropical shallows to the cold depths of the deep ocean. Cuttlefish are well known for the "flashing" colours that are displayed on their bodies during fighting and mating. In the same way as squid and octopuses, the cuttlefish also has an ink sack which ejects ink in order to fool oncoming predators. There are 120 known species of cuttlefish found across the globe which vary in size from just 15 cm to the Australian giant cuttlefish which is often half a meter in length (not including its tentacles) and weighs more than 10kg. The cuttlefish is a carnivorous animal that primarily preys on small crustaceans such asshrimp and crabs, but the cuttlefish also eats alot of fish. The cuttlefish uses its ability to change body colour to hide itself, before catching its prey with the sucker-pads on the end of its long tentacles which bring the prey into the sharp beak of the cuttlefish. Due to the generally relatively small size of the cuttlefish, there are numerous marinepredators that hunt them. Large fish, sharks and even other cuttlefish (sometimes of the same species) are the most common predators of the cuttlefish along with humans who hunt the cuttlefish around the world. During the mating season, male cuttlefish change their body colours in order to successfully attract a female. Some male cuttlefish have even

been known to make themselves look like female cuttlefish in order to trick the dominant males and stealing their mates. The female cuttlefish lays around 200 small eggs and sadly dies soon afterwards.

Cuttlefish Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Cephalopoda Order: Decapodiformes Family: Sepiida Common Name: Cuttlefish Scientific Name: Sepiida Found: Worldwide Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 15cm - 50cm (5.9in - 20in) Weight: 3kg - 10.5kg (6.6lbs - 23lbs) Number of Species: 120 Average Lifespan: 1 - 3 years Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Green, Red, Blue, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, White Skin Type: Smooth

Favourite Food: Crab Habitat: Coastal and deeper waters Average Litter Size: 200 Main Prey: Crab, Shrimp, Fish Predators: Fish, Sharks, Cuttlefish Distinctive Features: Long body shape and large eyes

Q
The quail is a small bird that inhabits woodland and forest areas around the world. There are thought to be more than 15 different species of quail, with each species of quail being found in different parts of the world and all have slightly different appearances depending on how they have adapted to their environment. Although the quail is very small sized bird, the quail belongs to the same bird family aspheasants. Quails range in size depending on the species from the Japanese quail which is around 10cm tall to the larger mountain quail that can grow up to 25 cm tall. Quails are generally solitary birds and spend most of their time either on their own or in a pair with just one other quail. During the mating season it is common to see large flocks of quails as family groups convoy together in groups of up to 100 quail individuals. Quails do not tend to migrate and therefore spend their lives within the same area. In some parts of the world, quails are kept as poultry birds both for the small amount of meat that they contain and for the quail's brightly coloured eggs. These tiny coloured eggs are seen as a delicacy in some parts of the world and can often be found on menus in posh restaurants. When quails reach 2 months old, they are then able to mate. Quails tend to breed in more open areas such as farmland and lay their eggs

in nests. Quail clutch sizes can vary between one and 12 eggs depending on the species of quail and the baby quail chicks hatch out of their eggs in less than a month. Although quails are omnivorous animals, they tend to have a primarily vegetarian dieteating seeds, wheat, barley, flowers and fruits but they will also eat insects such as worms and grasshoppers. Around 95% of the quail's diet is thought to consist of plant matter. The quail has many natural predators, mainly due to it's small size. Snakes, raccoons, foxes,squirrels, coyotes, bobcats, skunks, dogs, cats, hawks, owls, rats and weasels are all known to hunt either the quail itself or it's vulnerable eggs. Humans are too predators of the quail but tend to eat those that have been reared in a commercial manner.

Quail Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae Genus: Coturnix Scientific Name: Coturnix Coturnix Type: Bird

Diet: Omnivore Size (H): 11cm - 20cm (4.5in - 7.8in) Wing Span: 30cm - 37cm (12in - 14.6in) Weight: 70g - 140g (2.4oz - 4.9oz) Top Speed: 24km/h (15mph) Life Span: 3 - 5 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Brown, Black, White, Blue Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Seeds Habitat: Woodland and forest areas Average Clutch Size: 6 Main Prey: Seeds, Flowers, Insects Predators: Cats, Snakes, Raccoons Distinctive Features: Small body size and brightly coloured eggs

Quetzal Classification and Evolution The Quetzal is a medium sized bird that is found inhabiting the moist, tropical rainforests of Central America from southern Mexico right down into Panama. There are six sub-species of Quetzal that are found in varying geographic locations including the Crested Quetzal, the Golden-headed Quetzal, the White-tipped Quetzal, the Pavonine

Quetzal, the Eared Quetzal and the most famously known Resplendent Quetzal, all of which belong to the Trogon family of birds. The Quetzal is an immensely coloured animal with metallic plumage and is widely considered to be one of the most strikingly-beautiful birds in the world. They are most well known for the long tail feathers of the males. Quetzal Anatomy and Appearance The Quetzal is an incredibly coloured bird with males displaying a bright metallic green or blue on most of their bodies besides the deep red of the chest and belly. The male Quetzal also has a distinctive tuft of golden green feathers that form a crest on top of their heads and immensely long twin tail feathers that can grow up to a meter in length. Although females do not grow such an impressively long train they are of a similar colouration to their male counterparts with their plumage not being quite as bright. The deep red of the chest is often much duller or even grey (as is the metallic green) and they have grey or bronze coloured heads edged with green. As with other members of the Trogon family, the feet of the Quetzal are unique with two toes facing forward and two back on each foot that aid the Quetzal when perching high in the trees. Quetzal Distribution and Habitat The Quetzal is found throughout the mountainous rainforests of Central America where they tend to prefer high mountain ranges at altitudes of between 4,000 and 10,000 feet. The Quetzal inhabits moist, tropical forests in areas that are cooler, contain dense vegetation and that are incredibly moist. Cloud forests are one of the most successful habitats for the Quetzal where the high moisture levels cause there to be a great deal of fog in the forest. Quetzals live in holes in the trees close to the top of the canopy that they have

either built themselves using their powerful beaks, or ones that have been abandoned by Woodpeckers. The striking plumage of the Quetzal means that these birds are perfectly camouflaged amongst the abundance of vegetation surrounding them. Quetzal Behaviour and Lifestyle The Quetzal is thought to be a relatively inactive bird and is rarely seen on the forest floor as the design of their feet makes them very weak for walking on. The Quetzal perches high up in the tree canopy where their calls are nearly as distinctive as their appearance. They make soft, deep noises that can be very loud and they are known to use different calls depending on the situation. The Quetzal is most vocal when there is plenty of mist at dawn and dusk and rarely call during very sunny or windy days. Although the calls of the males tend to be louder than those of the females, during the mating season the sounds made are described as being "whining". The Quetzal is also known to make whistle-like calls at dawn and dusk to stake it's claim on it's territory. Quetzal Reproduction and Life Cycles Quetzals use their strong beaks to make holes in rotting trees so that they can nest. The female between one and three eggs in the hole which are incubated by both the female and the male alternately. However, due to the fact that the male Quetzal has tail feathers that can grow up to 3ft long, they are often seen sticking out of the nest when he is sitting on the eggs. Incubation lasts for up to three weeks and when the chicks hatch they are born with their eyes closed and are fed by their parents until they are strong enough to begin moving about. Quetzal chicks can usually fly by the time they are three weeks old and once they are confident enough, they will flee the nest to find

a territory of their own (although are known to remain close to their father for their first few years). Quetzal Diet and Prey The Quetzal is an omnivorous animal that is a skilled hunter, swooping down and catching its prey before eating it whilst still in the air. They have a predominantly fruit-based dietand particularly favour small avocado-like fruits that belong to the laurel family, and are known to gather in vast numbers around fruiting trees. When fruits are scarce, the Quetzal also eats small animals including Insects and Lizards along with Frogs, Snails and larvae to provide it with the nutrition that it's body needs. The Quetzal plays a vital role in maintaining it's surrounding environment as the seeds from fruits and berries are spread throughout the forest in their droppings. Quetzal Predators and Threats Despite the fact that the beautifully coloured feathers of the Quetzal provide this bird with good camouflage in the forest, they are not particularly strong flyers and instead rely more on hopping between the branches. The Quetzal is therefore relatively easy prey for other tree-dwelling animals to catch and is preyed upon by mammals such as the Kinkajou, along with squirrels and birds of prey including Hawks and Owls. The biggest threat however to the existing Quetzal population is loss of habitat as Human settlements and agriculture encroach more and more and their native habitats. The Quetzal is also commonly captured to be kept in captivity as a tourist attraction, although few rarely survive in these conditions. Quetzal Interesting Facts and Features Although the male Quetzal is most distinctively known for it's incredibly long tail feathers, they do not begin to grow them until they are at least three years old with many Quetzal individuals not reach

sexual maturity until they are nearly six. The Resplendent Quetzal is also commonly known as the Guatemalan Quetzal and is not only the nation's national symbol, but the currency used in Guatemala is actually known as the "quetzal". The Quetzal belong to the 'Trogon' family of birds which is the Greek word for "gnawing", which is a distinctive trait to these birds. Quetzal Relationship with Humans The Quetzal was seen as a sacred animal to ancient native people including the Aztec and the Maya and was often referred to as The Rare Jewel Bird of the World, along with regularly being depicted in native art. The long, bright tail feathers of the males were also used in garments worn by royalty in particular. Today however, although the Quetzal is still a treasured species of many countries including both Guatemala and Costa Rica, their numbers are declining due to both Human interference in their natural habitats and the capture of them to be displayed in captivity. Quetzal Conservation Status and Life Today The Quetzal is today considered to be a species that is Threatened in it's surrounding environment as population numbers in their distinctive habitats have been falling. Although there are protected areas of forest where the Quetzal cannot be disturbed, they are becoming ever popular tourist attractions both for bird watchers and in animal institutions. The Quetzal however, does not survive very successfully in a captive environment meaning that they are captured in the wild on a fairly regular basis, leading to declining population numbers in certain parts of their natural range.

Quetzal Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae Genus: Pharomachrus, Euptilotis Scientific Name: Pharomachrus, Euptilotis Common Name: Quetzal Other Name(s): Trogon Group: Bird Number Of Species: 6 Location: Central America Habitat: High and moist cloud forests Colour: Green, Blue, Red, White, Bronze, Grey, Brown Skin Type: Feathers Size (H): 35cm - 40.5cm (14in - 16in) Weight: 200g - 225g (7oz - 8oz) Diet: Omnivore Prey: Fruits, Berries, Insects

Predators: Squirrels, Owls, Hawks Lifestyle: Crepuscular Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 20 - 25 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 5 - 6 years Incubation Period: 18 days Average Clutch Size: 2 Name Of Young: Chick Age Of Fledging: 4 weeks Conservation Status: Threatened Estimated Population Size: 50,000 Biggest Threat: Habitat loss and capture Most Distinctive Feature: Soft and deep but loud calls Fun Fact: The tail feathers of the male can be 1m long!

Quokka Classification and Evolution The Quokka is a small marsupial that is natively found in parts of the south-west of Australia and on only two islands off the south-west coast. The Quokka is one of the smallest Wallabyspecies in the world, and most distinctively differs from other Wallabies with their short and barely-furred tail and small hind legs. Out of the roughly 50 known Kangaroo and Wallaby (and other marsupial) species on the continent however, the Quokka is one of three whose ancestry is still

fairly hazy today. The fact that the Quokka browses for food rather than simply grazing makes it quite different to other species, but despite all this, many agree that they are most closely related to the Rock Wallaby. Quokka Anatomy and Appearance The Quokka is a small species of Wallaby that has a rounded and compact body. Their hind legs and tail are much shorter in comparison to those of many Wallaby species, but allow the Quokka to hop through the thick vegetation and tall grasses with immense speed. The dense fur of the Quokka is fairly coarse and usually brown or grey in colour, with reddish tinges around the face and neck, and generally lighter in colour on the underside. Along with it's rounded body, the Quokka also has small and rounded ears, and a rounded snout that is tipped with a black nose. Unlike other Wallaby species, the tail of the Quokka has hardly any fur on it at all and they also don't need it to balance whilst they are hopping along. Quokka Distribution and Habitat Historically, the Quokka had quite a wide distribution and was once found throughout the coastal regions of south-western Australia. Today however, the Quokka has been restricted to three remote regions, only one of which is actually on the Australian mainland. The most numerous populations of Quokka are found on Rottnest Island and on neighbouring Bald Island, with a few isolated groups also inhabiting the bushland that surrounds the city of Perth on the mainland. In these island environments, Quokka are most commonly found in thick forest, open woodland and areas of scrub that are close to fresh water. Their preferredhabitats are always close to water, and the Quokka can also be found along the edges of swamps.

Quokka Behaviour and Lifestyle The Quokka is a very sociable and friendly animal that inhabits southwestern Australia in small family groups, which are dominated by the males. Despite this though, the Quokka is not known to be territorial with up 150 individuals known to have over-lapping home ranges. Although they are known to share these habitats peacefully most of the time, fights between males are not unheard of, particularly on a hot day when they compete for the most sheltered spots. The Quokka is a nocturnal animal that spends most of the hot day, resting in the shade of the trees and will often return to the same spot every day. At night, the Quokka then begins to browse for food using tunnels through the long, grasses to move about unseen. Quokka Reproduction and Life Cycles The breeding season for the Quokka tends to occur in the cooler months between January and March, when a single joey is born after a gestation period of just a month. Like all other marsupial babies, the joey manages to crawl into it's mother's pouch completely unaided, when it then attaches itself to one of the female's teats. The Quokka babies suckle from their mother in the pouch for around 6 months whilst they continue to develop. At this time, the joey emerges for the first time and begins to explore it's surroundings but remains close to the female, continuing to suckle on her milk for at least another couple of months. In captivity though, breeding can take place all year round once the individual is mature enough to mate at about a year old. Quokka Diet and Prey Like other Wallaby species, the Quokka is a vegetarian, meaning that it's herbivorous diet is solely comprised of the surrounding plant material. The Quokka most commonly feeds on different grasses that line that tunnels that they make through the dense vegetation. They

are also known to eat leaves, and fruits and berries when they are available. Although the Quokka mainly browses for food on the ground, they are also known to climb about a meter or so up into the trees, and also swallow their food without chewing it. The Quokka then regurgitates the undigested material in the form of a cud, which is also eaten. They have no need to drink vast amounts of water and are said to be able to go for months without drinking at all. Quokka Predators and Threats Before European colonists reached the coastal regions of southwest Australia, the Quokka populations were thriving and were widespread throughout the area. With people however, came domesticated predators like Cats, Foxes and Dogs and their settlements also attracted wilder animals including Birds of Prey and Dingoes. Since the introduction of thesepredators to the Quokka's habitat, their population numbers have dropped considerably. They are also now restricted to small pockets of their natural habitat on mainland Australiadue to loss of habitat to growing Human settlements, as the demise of their daytime resting sites is thought to be linked to the declining population numbers. Quokka Interesting Facts and Features Quokka family units are most commonly found in areas close to one another, where there is a decent source of fresh water. Even though they prefer these moist environments however, Quokka's are known to actually gather most of their moisture from the vegetation that they eat, meaning that they can also be found in regions that are actually quite far from the nearest river or stream. Despite the obvious differences between the Quokka and otherWallaby species, their small size has enabled them to become masters of the undergrowth. The Quokka creates tunnels that they use as runways through the dense

vegetation, which they are then able to hop extremely fast along when threatened by a predator. Quokka Relationship with Humans Since the 1930s, the Quokka populations have been isolated in three remaining areas (two of which are on islands) because of the introduction of foreign predators. The Red Fox that came to Australia with European settlers has actually caused the most damage to this ground-dwelling marsupial, as they were eaten on both the mainland and on the islands that the Quokka inhabited along the south-west coast. Now however, the Quokka populations on Rottnest Island in particular, attract numerous tourists every year and although the Quokka are very friendly towards these people, foods like biscuits that are fed to them, often upset their stomachs. Quokka Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Quokka has been listed by the IUCN on their Red List as an animal that is Vulnerable in it's surrounding environment. The highest populations are today found on Rottnest Island, along with Bald Island, where they are thought to be happily sustained due to the lack of Red Foxes. There are however, now concerns over the Rottnest Island population due to increasing development on the island, mainly for recreational purposes.

Quokka Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia

Order: Diprotodontia Family: Macropodidae Genus: Setonix Scientific Name: Setonix brachyurus Common Name: Quokka Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 1 Location: south-west Australia Habitat: Dense vegetation close to water Colour: Brown, Grey, Red Skin Type: Fur Size (L): 40cm - 54cm (16in - 19in) Weight: 1.5kg - 4.5kg (3.3lbs - 10lbs) Top Speed: 32kph (20mph) Diet: Herbivore Prey: Grasses, Leaves, Fruits Predators: Foxes, Cats, Dogs Lifestyle: Nocturnal Group Behaviour: Family units

Life Span: 5 - 10 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 10 - 12 months Gestation Period: 27 days Average Litter Size: 1 Name Of Young: Joey Age Of Weaning: 8 months Conservation Status: Vulnerable Estimated Population Size: 20,000 Biggest Threat: Habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Rounded body, ears and snout Fun Fact: Makes runways through the long grasses!

The quoll is a medium-sized marsupial, natively found in parts of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Tasmania. The quoll is often known as the native cat, due to the cat-like appearance of the quoll. Quolls are found occupying woodland, shrubland and grassyhabitats across Australia and New Guinea. Although quolls have been seen climbing trees, the quoll tends to live life on the ground. The quoll is a nocturnal animal meaning that it spends the nights hunting and the daytimes hours resting. Unlike many other nocturnal mammals, the quoll enjoys to spend the sunlit days basking in the heat rather than hiding in a crevice or underground.

There are six different species of quoll, found across Papua New guinea and Australia. The Bronze quoll and the New Guinean quoll are natively found on the tropical island of Papua New Guinea. The Western quoll, the Northern quoll and the Tiger quoll are all natively found on the Australian mainland. Although the Eastern quoll was originally found on the Australian mainland, they are more commonly found on the island Tasmania. Although the quoll is an omnivorous animal, the quoll is has a predominantly meat-baseddiet. Quoll hunt during the darkness of night, searching for small mammals, birds, smallreptiles and insects. The quoll also feasts on nuts, grasses and fruits when they are available. The quoll (particularly the tiger) quoll is an apex predators in it's environment as they are one of the largest species of carnivorous marsupial in the world. The main predators of the quoll are generally human hunters, large snakes and crocodiles. The quoll is a marsupial, meaning that the female quoll has a pouch on her tummy for her young to develop in. The baby quolls are born after a gestation period of just a few weeks, when they crawl up into the mother's pouch. The baby quolls are nursed in the pouch of the female quoll for about 2 months but are not fully independent until they are nearly 6 months old.

Quoll Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia Order: Dasyuromorphia Family: Dasyuridae Genus: Dasyurus Scientific Name: Dasyurus Viverrinus Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size: 35-75cm (14-29.5in) Weight: 1.3-7kg (3-15.4lbs) Top Speed: 24km/h (15mph) Life Span: 3-6 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Black, Brown, White, Grey, Tan Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Fruit Habitat: Woodland and grassland Average Litter Size: 4 Main Prey: Fruit, Nuts, Small animals and reptiles

Predators: Human, Snakes, Crocodiles Special Features: Elongated snout and long, bushy tail

U
Uakari Classification and Evolution The Uakari is a small species of monkey, native to the tropicalrainforests of South America, where they tend to be found in moist jungle that is close to water. The Uakari is most well-known for it's naked face which most commonly ranges from pink to deep red in colour. There are four distinct species of Uakari, which are the Red (Bald) Uakari, the Black-Headed Uakari, the Ayres Black Uakari and the Neblina Uakari, all of which are very similar in appearance but differ somewhat in fur colour and location. The name Uakari is actually pronounced "wakari", with both thismonkey's common name and it's scientific name thought to have derived from indigenous languages.

Uakari Anatomy and Appearance The Uakari is a small sized primate growing to an average of 45cm in length, and weighing around 3kg. The tail of the Uakari is very short relative to it's body size, and particularly small compared to those of other South American monkey species. The fur that covers the Uakari's body is long and coarse and tends to vary in colour, from red, to brown, to black, to white, depending on the species. The hairless face of the Uakari is their most distinctive feature, and can be deep red in colour in some individuals (although it generally ranges from pink to red, and can be paler or even black in some species). Their hands and feet are strong and agile with their opposable thumbs allowing the Uakari to hold onto fruits and tree branches. Uakari Distribution and Habitat The Uakari is found inhabiting moist, tropical rainforest only in the Amazon River Basin, throughout Brazil and Peru, and in parts of southern Columbia. The separate species tend to be most easily characterised by their differing locations, and this is also true for the sub-species of the Bald Uakari. The White Uakari is found in northwestern Brazil; the Golden Uakari on the Brazil-Peru border; the Red Uakari on the Brazil-Columbia border, with the Pale-Backed Red Uakari being found just a little further east. The Uakari is generally found in jungles that fringe fresh water sources such as streams, small rivers and lakes. They prefer part-flooded forest that is flooded either permanently or on a seasonal basis though, to areas of rainforest that line large rivers. Uakari Behaviour and Lifestyle Unlike numerous other monkey species, the Uakari does not use it's short tail to hang from the trees or to help it when jumping, although it is still useful for balance. They spend much of their time high in the

canopy and jump from tree to tree just using their strong arms and legs. Like many primates however, the Uakari is known to walk on all four limbs on it's rare trips down to the forest floor. The Uakari lives in troops in their jungle environment that usually contain between 10 and 30 members (although they can be up to 100 strong), which are males, females and their offspring. Although they spend much of their time together in the trees, when it comes to looking for food, the Uakari troop breaks up into smaller groups to forage. Uakari Reproduction and Life Cycles The Uakari tends to breed between the months of October and May, when the females release and attractive scent to attract a mate. Once mated, the female Uakari gives birth to a single infant, after a gestation period that is still unknown, but she can do so every two years. The baby Uakari's are incredibly small and vulnerable at birth, clinging to their mother for their first few months, and feeding only on her milk. They are weaned at an average age of four months old when they begin to forage with the troop for soft fruits and seed pods. The Uakari tends to live for about 20 years in the wild, but population growth rates are not particularly fast as the females can't breed until they are three years old, and the males when they are six. Uakari Diet and Prey Like many other primates, the Uakari has an omnivorous diet and therefore consumes a combination of both plant material and small animals. Despite this, the Uakari primarily eats fruit from the surrounding trees, along with leaves and Insects to supplement their diet. The Uakari gets the majority of it's food from high up in the canopy but will forage on the forest floor for seeds, roots and Lizards when food is scarce in the trees. Due to it's predominantly

fruit-based diet, the Uakari plays a vital role in it' s native eco-system through the spreading of seeds throughout the forest. Uakari Predators and Threats Living high up in the forest canopy, and occupying these areas in sometimes quite large groups, the Uakari has few predators with the biggest threat being Birds Of Prey. Other tree dwelling species such as Snakes and larger Monkeys also prey on the Uakari, and more particularly, their young. Humans are however, the Uakari's biggest threat as they have been hunted for food by the native people through much of their natural range. The rainforesthabitat of the Uakari is also under threat due to high levels of logging for the timber industry throughout the Amazon Basin. Uakari Interesting Facts and Features Despite not having an incredibly long tail to clutch onto branches with, the strong hind legs of the Uakari enable them to be able to jump staggering distances. Jumping on their hind legs between branches, the Uakari can jump up to 20 meters from tree to tree. The coloured, naked face of the Uakari is by far their most distinctive feature but the exact reasoning for this bright colouration is not really known. Theories range from mating reasons to being able to spot one another in the forest, but one thing is certain, which is the fact that the face of sick individuals becomes paler and so the skin colour actually acts as an indication of the animal's health. The faces of those Uakari kept in captivity, are also noticeably paler than they would have been in the wild. Uakari Relationship with Humans As long as native tribes have inhabited the jungle of the Amazon Basin, people and the Uakari have been known to one another. Until recently, the Uakari was seen by many indigenous people as a stable source of

food, and they have been regularly hunted by them primarily using poison-tipped darts. Many were also captured by local people to be kept as domestic pets or even sold on. The Uakari is now also under threat from Humans, mainly from deforestation either for commercial reasons or to expand already growing humansettlements. Enormous stretches of the Amazon are still cut down on a daily basis, meaning that many of the native species (and people) lose their homes. Uakari Conservation Status and Life Today Today, although the different Uakari species are all classified by the IUCN slightly differently, they are generally considered to be animals that are Vulnerable in their natural environment. Hunting by indigenous people and habitat loss to logging, are thought to be the two main reasons for their ever-declining population numbers, as they are now found in smaller and more isolated pockets of their natural habitats.

Uakari Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Pitheciidae Genus: Cacajao Scientific Name: Cacajao Common Name: Uakari

Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 4 Location: Amazon River Basin Habitat: Part-flooded rainforest Colour: Red, Brown, White, Black Skin Type: Fur Size (L): 38cm - 57cm (15in - 22.5in) Weight: 3kg - 3.5kg (6.5lbs - 7.75lbs) Diet: Omnivore Prey: Fruits, Leaves, Insects Predators: Hawks, Snakes, Humans Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Troop Life Span: 16 - 22 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 3 - 6 years Gestation Period: Unknown Average Litter Size: 1 Name Of Young: Infant Age Of Weaning: 3 - 5 months

Conservation Status: Vulnerable Estimated Population Size: Not Known Biggest Threat: Hunting and habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Hairless face and forehead Fun Fact: Have a very short tail for their size!

Uguisu Classification and Evolution The Uguisu is a small species of bird that is natively found throughout Japan, China and Taiwan, along with a number of other regions of the far east. The Uguisu is also commonly known as the Japanese BushWarbler, as it is named for it's beautifully distinctive song. The Uguisu is most closely related to other small songbirds including Bushtits and Nightingales which they are similar in appearance too, although the Uguisu is generally very slightly larger. Although they do not sing at night, the beauty of the Uguisu's song is said to have led to them also being known as the Japanese Nightingale. The Uguisu was first described as a documented species by Heinrich von Kittlitz in 1830. Uguisu Anatomy and Appearance The Uguisu is a small-sized bird that is known for it's fairly dull colouration, particularly in comparison with the beauty of it's song. They tend to be olive-green or light brown in colour with darker plumage towards the tips of their wings and tail. The tail of the Uguisu is relatively long in relation to it's body size and is comprised of straight feathers, making it similar in appearance to Long-Tailed Tits to which the Uguisu are thought to be closely related. Like other species of small perching bird, the Uguisu also has thin legs with long, clawed toes to help them grip onto branches more easily. The Uguisu

has small dark eyes with pale stripes above each one, and a straight, tan coloured beak. Uguisu Distribution and Habitat The Uguisu is most commonly inhabits regions throughout Japan where it is found all year round, along with parts of the northern Philippines. The Uguisu is also native to southern Russia, China and Korea and is found in countries including Taiwan on a more seasonal basis. The Uguisu tends to be found in mountainous regions at the varying altitudes of both lowland hills and high up in the mountain forests, and are known to move further down themountains during the winter. The Uguisu is found in seasonal forests and bamboo thickets where there is plenty of foliage to hide amongst, along with an ample supply of food. Uguisu Behaviour and Lifestyle In a similar way to Nightingales, the Uguisu is a relatively solitary bird with individuals only really coming together during the breeding season. The Uguisu is fairly quiet during the winter months making low chirping noises in the bare trees, but in early spring they break into song in order to try and attract a mate. The Uguisu is more heard than seen by many people due to their highly secretive nature, as they spend the majority of the daylight hours hiding deep in the shadows of the surrounding foliage. In some areas, the Uguisu are migratory birds flying between different countries with the changing seasons. This is most commonly to escape from the cold mountain winters, particularly on the large Japanese island of Hokkaido in the north. Uguisu Reproduction and Life Cycles The Uguisu breeding season begins in the early spring when the males break into beautiful song in order to try and attract a female to mate

with. Like Nightingales, males and females are fairly similar in appearance although the female tends to be slightly smaller in size. The female Uguisu constructs a cup-shaped nest in a dense thicket out of twigs, leaves and moss where she lays up to 5 small eggs. The Uguisu female sits on her eggs to keep them warm and to protect them for between 2 and 3 weeks when the chicks hatch. The Uguisu chicks are fed and cared for by their mother until they fledge at around 2 weeks old. The Uguisu tends to live for between 2 and 5 years in the wild. Uguisu Diet and Prey The Uguisu is an omnivorous animal meaning that they feed on a variety of both plants andanimals. Like other Warblers and Nightingales, the Uguisu has a predominantly insectbaseddiet feeding on Flies, Worms, Beetles, Moths and Grasshoppers in the forest. The Uguisu is also known to forage for fruits and berries to supplement it's diet. The need to find food is one reason why the Uguisu migrates in some parts of their natural range. During the winter months, not only is it much colder but the Uguisu also finds it more difficult to find food in such uncompromising conditions. By moving down to the lowlands, there is a higher chance that supper will not be in such short supply. Uguisu Predators and Threats The Uguisu is a very distinctive bird and it's calls can be heard throughout the mountainous forests of the far east. Their relatively drab colouration however, means that although the Uguisu can be easily heard they are in fact very difficult for predators to spot amongst the foliage. There are a number of animals that do manage to catch the Uguisu though with it's main predators including feral Cats and Dogs, along with Snakes, Lizards and Birds Of Prey.

Uguisu's are also under threat from people who have cut more and more of the natural forest down to make way for growing towns and cities, meaning that the Uguisu has lost much of it's natural habitat. Uguisu Interesting Facts and Features The beautiful song of the Uguisu is thought to not only be to do with finding a mate, but it is also thought to be a declaration of territory to other individuals in the area. Oddly enough, the droppings of the Uguisu (known as guano) are now used as a product in certain face creams particularly, as it is thought to make skin softer and more radiant looking. Apparently this peculiar choice in moisturiser is thought to have been used by geishas and kabuki actors throughout Japan for centuries, and it is now sold as a commercial product. The Uguisu is seen as a sign of spring coming in Japan and is therefore also known by other names such as the Spring Bird and the Hanami Bird. Uguisu Relationship with Humans Throughout much of it's native Japan, the Uguisu has been depicted in both art and poetry because of the beauty of it's characteristic song. It is also due to this though that they were often kept as cage-birds and would sadly lead a very poor life. Due to the use of their guano as a skin enhancer they are now caged so that it can be more easily collected to ship all around the world. Growing Human settlements, along with land clearance for logging and agriculture, and rising pollution levels have all led to population declines throughout much of the Uguisu's natural range. Uguisu Conservation Status and Life Today The Uguisu has been listed on the IUCN Red List as an animal that is classified as Least Concern and is therefore not under imminent threat as a species in it's natural environment. This is because the Uguisu is

found in a number of countries at varying altitudes and therefore habitats, and so is fairly widespread. Population numbers in certain areas are also stable, but they are declining in others primarily due to deforestation. They are now farmed in Japan so that their guano can be collected and used as a component in certain creams.

Uguisu Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Cettiidae Genus: Cettia Scientific Name: Cettia diphone Common Name: Uguisu Other Name(s): Japanese Bush-Warbler, Singing Bush-warbler, Oriental Bush-warbler Group: Bird Number Of Species: 1 Location: Japan, China, Korea Habitat: lowlands and mountain forests Colour: Olive, Brown, Green

Skin Type: Feathers Size (L): 14cm - 16.5cm (5.5in - 6.5in) Wingspan: 20cm - 22cm (7.9in - 9in) Weight: 15g - 22g (0.5oz - 0.7oz) Top Speed: 29kph (18mph) Diet: Omnivore Prey: Insects, Worms, Berries Predators: Cats, Snakes, Birds Of Prey Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 2 - 5 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 10 - 12 months Incubation Period: 2 - 3 weeks Average Clutch Size: 3 Name Of Young: Chick Age Of Fledging: 12 - 15 days Conservation Status: Least Concern Estimated Population Size: Stable Biggest Threat: Habitat loss

Most Distinctive Feature: Has light-coloured lines above the eyes Fun Fact: Their guano is used in face creams!

Umbrellabird Classification and Evolution The Umbrellabird is a large, tropical species of bird that is found inhabiting the rainforests of Central and South America. There are three different species of Umbrellabird which are the Long-Wattled Umbrellabird, the Amazonian Umbrellabird and the Bare-Necked Umbrellabird all of which live in slightly different areas. All three species are relatively similar in appearance with an umbrella-like crest on the top of their heads (for which they were named) and a pendantshaped inflatable pouch on their throats. They are the largest species of perching bird (Passerine) in South America but populations are currently falling mainly due to habitat loss. Umbrellabird Anatomy and Appearance The most distinctive feature of the Umbrellabird is the large crest on the top of it's head. During mating, the males fan their crest out so that it nearly covers the whole of their head and they then begin to make rumbling sounds to attract a female. The long, curved feathers are then retracted, making the Umbrellabird more discreet the rest of the time. All three Umbrellabird species are similar in size and have coarse black feathers covering their bodies, but each subspecies does have it's own fingerprint. The Long-Wattled Umbrellabird has a wattle on it's throat that can grow up to 35cm long; the Amazonian Umbrellabird tends to be entirely black and the males are thought to be the largest of all three species; the Bare-Necked Umbrellabird is easily distinguished by the reddish, featherless patch of skin on it's throat.

Umbrellabird Distribution and Habitat The Umbrellabird is found throughout the sub-tropical belt of Central and South America where they spend the majority of their time hopping between branches high up in the tree canopy. For most of the year, the Umbrellabird can be found inhabiting lowlands and mountain foothills, generally at altitudes less than 500 meters. During the breeding season however, they migrate higher into the mountains where the gather in groups known as a "Lek" where they can find a mate. These breeding sites are usually in cloud forests that are between 800 - 2,000 meters above sea level. The Umbrellabird is known as an altitudinal migrant as it migrates up and down the mountains rather than across the land. Umbrellabird Behaviour and Lifestyle The Umbrellabird is generally a solitary animal that is known to coinhabit areas with otherbirds including other Umbrellabirds, and similar species such as Woodpeckers. Their large size does make flying more difficult for the Umbrellabird compared to other species meaning that it tends to hop from branch to branch, gripping with it's clawed toes. Although the Umbrellabird can indeed fly short distances, they tend to be relatively slow and clunky in the air. During the breeding season however, they migrate to higher altitudes where they gather in small groups so that they can choose a mate. Here the males perform courtship displays for the females to watch before they pick a partner. Umbrellabird Reproduction and Life Cycles Display territories tend to be occupied from March until June, and once having paired up, the female constructs a relatively large nest from twigs, moss and leaves inside a tree that is often far from the ground. This is thought to be to protect the nest from hungry predatorsthat feed on the eggs of the Umbrellabird. The female then lays a single

egg which is incubated for only a month before it hatches, with the chick then being fed by it's parents before it leaves the nest a couple of months later. Abandoned nests have been found alongside the current nest indicating that females may even return to the same tree to lay their egg every year. Umbrellabirds are thought to live for an average of 16 years in the wild. Umbrellabird Diet and Prey Like many of the world's tropical perching birds, the Umbrellabird is an omnivorous animalthat feeds on the feasts high in the tops of the trees. Fruits and small animals are the Umbrellabird's primary sources of food, eating a range of invertebrates such as insects and spiders, along with small frogs and birds. The Umbrellabird uses it's strong toes to hold onto the branches whilst it picks fruits and berries with it's curved beak. The quite long, black beak of the Umbrellabird is similar to that of a Raven and allows the Umbrellabird to snap up passing insects with ease. The Umbrellabird plays a vital role in their native eco-system as they distribute the seeds from the fruits that they eat across the forest. Umbrellabird Predators and Threats The Umbrellabird spends the majority of it's time at the tops of trees so ground-dwellingpredators pose little threat to this unique bird. Arboreal animals however, are a different story often preying on the eggs and younger individuals that are a more manageable size.Monkeys and Snakes are the primarily predators of the Umbrellabird, along with large BirdsOf Prey such as Hawks and Eagles, that are able to hunt from the air. The biggest threat to the Umbrellabird however is Humans, who clear their native lowland forests, generally for agriculture. Although all three species are being severely affected by habitat loss, the Long-Wattled Umbrellabird is

thought to be most under threat as it lives in only a handful of very specific areas. Umbrellabird Interesting Facts and Features The distinctive throat pouch of the Umbrellabird inflates on the males during the breeding season. The reason for this is because it is thought to make their rumbling calls louder, making a booming sound that is said to sound like a Hippo. The wattle is one of the characteristics that differs the most between the three species of Umbrellabird. The Long-Wattled Umbrellabird has long black wattle (as it's name suggests), where the Amazonian's is shorter, and the BareNecked Umbrellabird's is red in colour and much smaller than the others. The Umbrellabird was discovered by Sir Alfred Wallace, a companion of Charles Darwin's, in the 1800s whilst on an expedition to South America. Umbrellabird Relationship with Humans Due to the fact that the Umbrellabird lives high in the rainforest canopy and is rarely seen in open areas, it can often be hard to spot during the non-breeding season when it is in the lowlands. Higher up in the mountain cloud forests however, the breeding sites of the Umbrellabird have been known to be targeted by local hunters. It is the deforestation of the lowlands where they spend most of their time however, that has led to drastic declines in their population numbers. These areas are most commonly turned into pineapple and banana plantations that do not accomodate their arboreal lifestyle. Umbrellabird Conservation Status and Life Today Today, both the Long-Wattled Umbrellabird and the Bare-Necked Umbrellabird are considered to be Threatened species, where the Amazonian Umbrellabird has been classified by the IUCN as Least

Concern. All three species are under threat, mainly due to the loss of significant chunks of their natural habitats, with most of the remaining populations now found in protected areas.

Umbrellabird Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Cotingidae Genus: Cephalopterus Scientific Name: Cephalopterus Common Name: Umbrellabird Group: Bird Number Of Species: 3 Location: Central and South America Habitat: Low and high altitude rainforest Colour: Black Skin Type: Feathers Size (H): 38cm - 50cm (15in - 20in) Wing Span: 66cm - 71cm (26in - 28in)

Weight: 320g - 570g (11.3oz - 20oz) Diet: Omnivore Prey: Fruit, Frogs, Insects Predators: Monkeys, Snakes, Hawks Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 12 - 20 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 2 - 4 years Incubation Period: 1 month Average Clutch Size: 1 Name Of Young: Chick Age Of Fledging: 8 - 10 weeks Conservation Status: Vulnerable Estimated Population Size: Declining Biggest Threat: Habitat loss Distinctive Features: Umbrella-like crest and black feathers Fun Fact: Migrates up and down the mountains!

V
Vampire Bat Classification and Evolution The Vampire Bat is a small species of Bat, native to the tropics of Central and South America. There are three recognised sub-species of Vampire Bat, all of which are in a genus of their own despite their obvious similarities. The Common Vampire Bat, the Hairy-Legged Vampire Bat and the White-Winged VampireBat are all closely related and share the same unique feeding habits, as they are the only known mammals that feed entirely on blood. Over time, Vampire Bats have perfectly adapted to the consumption of their only food source, with a leaf-like heat sensor on the end of their nose which detects where the warm blood is flowing closest to the skin. Vampire Bat Anatomy and Appearance The Vampire Bat is quite a small animal, with it's body rarely growing larger than the size of a human thumb. It's wings are long, finger-like bones that are covered in a thin layer of skin, with a thumb claw that pokes out of the front and is used for grip when clambering about on their host. Vampire Bats have dark brown to grey furry bodies with a lighter underside, and strong limbs which enable them to crawl about on the ground with ease. As with other Bats, Vampire Bats use

echolocation in order to determine their surroundings. When flying, they produce high-pitched sounds that bounce of the objects in the area, and it is this bounced-back sound that allows the Bat to figure out where things are around them (it is so high-pitched that it cannot be heard by people). Vampire Bat Distribution and Habitat The Vampire Bat is found throughout the South American continent from Mexico to the tip of Argentina. Vampire Bats are found in both tropical and subtropical regions and can adapt to living in both humid and dry climates. Many Bats are nocturnal and the Vampire Bat is no exception, spending the daylight hours roosting in hollow trees, caves, mines and even derelict buildings in colonies that can be more than 1,000 strong. Although other Batspecies are known to nest in the same places as the Vampire Bats, it is thought that the separate species tend to keep their distance from one another to avoid conflict. Vampire Bat Behaviour and Lifestyle After sleeping upside in the darkness all day, Vampire Bats emerge when the moon appears in order to hunt for food. Despite being incredibly strong fliers, the design of their arms and legs means that they can also move about on the ground with surprising speed and agility. Vampire Bats fly about a meter above ground in search of a warm-blooded animal, and once found, they land close to it. The Vampire Bat then crawls up to it's generally sleeping victim, before biting it and feeding on the flowing blood. Vampire Bats tend to be solitary hunters but roost together in colonies that usually contain around 100 individuals, and contain alpha males and their harems of around 6 females, and their young. Vampire Bat Reproduction and Life Cycles Vampire Bats mate all year round and are known to have a fairly long

gestation period in comparison to other species of small tropical Bat. After between 3 and 4 months, the female Vampire Bat gives birth to a single baby which she cares for until it is weaned at between 3 and 5 months of age (those bat babies born in captivity are weaned noticeably later, when they are 9 months old). As with other mammals, the young vampire bats feed on their mother's milk until they are old enough to consume an adult diet, and will not reach their full adult weight for roughly a year. Female Vampire Bats do appear to be very caring mothers, known to care for and adopt young orphans in the colony. Vampire Bats can live for up to 12 years in the wild, although captive individuals have been known to nearly reach the age of 20. Vampire Bat Diet and Prey Vampire Bats use echolocation, sound and smell in order to find their prey, which can be up to 10,000 times the size of this tiny predator, and it is because of this that Vampire Batshave evolved to taking some precautions when feeding. Firstly, the never land on their preybut inside land on the ground close by and crawl up to it, where they are able to detect veins close to the skin's surface with precision, thanks to their heat-sensing nose. Using it's set of sharp front teeth, the Vampire Bat then bites it's host, immediately jumping back in case theanimal wakes up. Contrary to popular belief, Vampire Bats do not suck the blood of their victims, but inside lap it up using their grooved tongue as it flows out of the wound. Chemicals in the Vampire Bat's saliva both stop the blood from clotting and numb the area of skin around the bite to prevent the host from feeling anything. Vampire Bat Predators and Threats Despite being a unique and versatile predator itself, the Vampire Bat is still prey to otheranimals, that can hunt the bat in the air when it

comes out to hunt at night. Large, sharp-eyed Birds Of Prey such as Hawks and Eagles are the most common predators of the VampireBat, along with Snakes that hunt the Bats in their dark caverns while they are sleeping during the day. Humans though are one of their biggest threats, mainly farmers that are known to poison the Bats that commonly feed on their livestock. These poisons (known as vampiricides) are specially designed to spread throughout the whole colony through social grooming, killing hundreds of individuals at a time. Vampire Bat Interesting Facts and Features Vampire Bats feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, drinking up to a teaspoon (25ml) of blood per 30 minute feed. Once having feasted on their host however, theBats are then so bloated that they can barely fly with their weight almost having doubled. It is said that in just one year, an average sized Vampire Bat colony can drink the blood of 25Cows, but their metabolism is so fast that they must feed every two days to ensure their survival (blood is very nutritious containing high amounts of water). The nearly 20 teeth in the Bat's mouth are mostly redundant due to their liquid diet, apart from the set of razor-sharp incisors at the front used for biting flesh. Vampire Bat Relationship with Humans The vampire Bat is one of the only Bat species that is considered a pest by Humans. Farmers particularly have a very strained relationship with these flying mammals, that feed on their sleeping Cows under the cover of night. Even though the amount of blood consumed by theBat is minimal and does not harm the animal, it is the bite itself that can cause problems becoming infected or diseased. Farmers have not only attempted to poison entire colonies but are also known to destroy their daytime lairs using dynamite, often eliminating

thousands of Vampire Bat individuals, and a number of other species. Fictional tales of Vampire Bats and their overly-exaggerated feeding habits has also increased the superstition about them. Vampire Bat Conservation Status and Life Today All three subspecies of Vampire Bat have been listed as being of Least Concern of becoming extinct in the wild in the immediate future, due to the fact that they are widespread and feed on a variety of warmblooded animals. Deforestation of their natural habitats along with persistent Human efforts to eradicate who colonies at a time however, have led to population declines in certain areas. Scientists have also discovered though that the anti-coagulant found in the Bat's saliva, proves to more effective at preventing blood clotting than any medicine, meaning that this could have significant positive implications for patients with strokes or heart attacks.

Vampire Bat Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Chiroptera Family: Phyllostomidae Scientific Name: Desmodontinae Common Name: Vampire Bat Group: Mammal

Number Of Species: 3 Location: Central and South America Habitat: Tropical and subtropical regions Colour: Brown, Grey, Black Skin Type: Fur Size (H): 7cm - 9.5cm (2.75in - 3.75in) Wing Span: 15cm - 18cm (5.9in - 7in) Weight: 19g - 57g (0.7oz - 2oz) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Diet: Carnivore Prey: Cows, Pigs, Tapir Predators: Eagles. Hawks, Humans Lifestyle: Nocturnal Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 8 - 12 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 9 - 10 months Gestation Period: 3 - 4 months Average Litter Size: 1 Name Of Young: Pup

Age Of Weaning: 3 - 5 months Conservation Status: Least Concern Estimated Population Size: Sustainable Biggest Threat: Habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Razor-sharp front teeth Fun Fact: Have a heat sensor on the end of their nose!

Vervet Monkey Classification and Evolution The Vervet Monkey is a medium to large sized monkey that is primarily found in Eastern Africa. The Vervet Monkey is thought to be a species of Grivet, another tree-dwelling African monkeythat has very similar characteristics to the Vervet, along with the Malbrouck which is considered by some to be a sub-species of Vervet Monkey. These three animals are very closely related but they tend to inhabit territories in slightly different locations and are thought to rarely come into contact with one another. There are currently six recognised subspecies of the Vervet Monkey that are generally classified depending on their location, although there is some difference in colouration between them. Vervet Monkey Anatomy and Appearance The Vervet Monkey grows to an average of 50cm tall, with a tail that is often longer than the body itself and has a black tip. Their fur tends to be grey or olive in colour (depending on the species) and is lighter on their underside. The hands and feet of the Vervet Monkey are black, along with their ears and face which has a white band above it and is also framed by white cheek tufts. The Vervet Monkey has long arms and legs which are about the same length to allow this species to walk

on all fours when on the ground with ease, and actually makes them quite speedy when running. Males tend to be larger than females and are easily distinguished by their bright blue testicles. Vervet Monkey Distribution and Habitat The Vervet Monkey is found south of the Sahara and is widespread across Eastern Africa. They are also found in parts of southern and western Africa from Uganda to Ghana but their location is generally dependant on the sub-species. The Vervet Monkey inhabits savanna, woodland and forests that tend to be close to water, preferring acacia forests that line rivers and lakes. Vervet Monkeys can also be found in mountainous regions up to 1,300 feet providing that there is an adequate supply of both food and water to sustain the population. They are rarely found in more extreme environments such as deserts and rainforests as these regions simply do not have everything that Vervet Monkeys require to successfully survive. Vervet Monkey Behaviour and Lifestyle The Vervet Monkey is an arboreal monkey which means that it spends most of it's time in the safety of the trees. Although they do venture down to the ground in search of both food and water, Vervet Monkeys rarely go further than 450 meters from the trees, which helps to protect them from predators. They are diurnal animals spending the days foraging for food and then rest at night. The Vervet Monkey is a very sociable animal inhabiting territories in troops that can contain between 10 and 50 individuals, depending on the location and how ample the food supply is. These troops are comprised of adult females and their young, with males wandering between different troops to both socialise and mate. Vervet Monkey Reproduction and Life Cycles The Vervet Monkey is not usually able to reproduce until they are

about five years old, although their age of sexual maturity is known to vary slightly and may be dependent on how much food they have access too. After about 5 and a half months, females give birth to a single infant which is cleaned by it's mother at birth, and clings to her stomach during the first week or so. Vervet Monkey babies quickly develop strong social bonds with othermonkeys and are known to begin interacting and playing with them by the time they are a month old. They have pink faces and black fur and don't tend to develop their adult colouration until they are a few months old. Vervet Monkey offspring suckle on their mother's milk until they are nearly four months old and start to eat softer vegetation, but they are not fully weaned until they are about a year old. Vervet Monkey Diet and Prey The Vervet Monkey is an omnivorous animal, meaning that they consume both plant matter and other animals in order to get the nutrition that they need to survive. Leaves and young shoots make up the bulk of the Vervet Monkey's diet, along with tree bark, flowers and fruits that can also be found in the trees surrounding them. On the ground Vervet Monkeys forage for roots, bulbs, seeds and grasses and are also known to supplement their diet withinsects, eggs, rodents, birds and other small animals. Like many other monkey species, the Vervet uses it's incredibly dexterous hands in order to collect food, with it's long tail aiding in balancing on the tree branches. Vervet Monkey Predators and Threats The Vervet Monkey has few predators whilst it remains in the safety of the trees with larger species of Eagle being their most common threat. On the ground however, they are preyed upon by a number of Africa's large predators including felines like

the Leopard, Serval andCaracal, along with large reptiles such as Pythons, and Crocodiles close to water. Never venturing too far from the trees means that the Vervet Monkey can quickly make it back up into safety, and it's ability to run at speed allows them to try and escape more quickly. Although Vervet Monkeys generally only make chattering sounds, they are known to scream and whistle to alert other members of the troop that they are in danger. Vervet Monkey Interesting Facts and Features Despite the fact that the Vervet Monkey tends to reach sexual maturity after a number of years in the wild, sexual maturity in captivity tends to occur much sooner at an average age of two years old. They are incredibly well adapted to their surrounding environments as they can jump and climb well when in the trees and are pretty speedy on the ground, along with being excellent swimmers. Younger females in the troop that are not yet mature, often show a keen interest in the offspring of adult females and assist them with grooming and caring for their young. They are also known to love to hold them, making it not wonder that social bonds within the troop particularly between relatives, often last for life. Vervet Monkey Relationship with Humans The Vervet Monkey has adapted well to the growing urban environments that have replaced it's historical habitat, but they are sometimes seen as pests in these areas. Vervet Monkeysare known to raid fields of crops, along with stealing food and other items that they find and are rarely caught by Humans due to their speed and agility, both on the ground and in the trees. Although they have been affected by growing Human settlements, it is also the destruction of their natural ranges mainly for agriculture, that is affecting the VervetMonkey populations. They have also been introduced onto two

of the West Indian Islands, which are the islands of St. Kitts and Barbados. Vervet Monkey Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Vervet Monkey has been listed as a species that is of Least Concern of becoming extinct in it's natural environment in the immediate future, as the species is widespread and is found in a variety of different habitats. Although they have also adapted well to city-life, they are often killed by electricity pylons and traffic along with being used in traditional medicines, and caught as bushmeat.

Vervet Monkey Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Cercopithecidae Genus: Chlorocebus Scientific Name: Chlorocebus pygerythrus Common Name: Vervet Monkey Other Name(s): Vervet Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 6

Location: Eastern Africa Habitat: Riverine acacia forests Colour: Olive, Grey, Brown, Black, Silver Skin Type: Fur Size (L): 46cm - 66cm (17.9in - 25.7in) Weight: 3.5kg - 5kg (7lbs - 10lbs) Top Speed: 45kph (30mph) Diet: Omnivore Prey: Leaves, Fruits, Insects Predators: Leopard, Serval, Crocodile Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Troop Life Span: 12 - 24 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 2 - 5 years Gestation Period: 163 days Average Litter Size: 1 Name Of Young: Infant Age Of Weaning: 8 - 12 months Conservation Status: Least Concern

Estimated Population Size: Sustainable Biggest Threat: Habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Black face with white ear tufts Fun Fact: Rarely found more than 450m from trees!

The vulture is a large, carnivorous bird that is most well known for its scavenging nature. The vulture is one of the few types ofbird that is found distributed so widely around the world, as vultures are found on every continent excluding the Antarctic and Australia and the islands that surround it. Different species of vultures of firstly classified into two groups, the old world vultures and the new world vultures. There are thought to be nearly 30 different species of vulture that are found worldwide. The old world vultures are found in Asia, Europe and Africa with these species of vulture thought to be most closely related to eagles and hawks. The old world vulture is not thought to be closely related to the new world vulture and the old world vulture uses its spectacular sight alone in order to find food. The new world vultures are found in the Americas and although there are definitive similarities between the old world vulture and the new world vulture, they are believed to be connected through evolutionary status rather than DNA. The new world vultures tend to be slightly smaller than the old world vultures and use both sight and their excellent sense of smell in order to find their food. All species of vulture are similar in the sense that they scavenge for their food whenever possible rather than killing it themselves. Vultures feed on the remains of dead animals and are never too fussy about

what is left. Vultures are known to strip meat, skin and even feathers, leaving only the skeleton of the animal remaining. Although vultures are generally fairly solitary animals, groups of vultures are often seen circling prey from the sky above. This movement of the vultures is called a kettle and a group of vultures together is sometimes known as a venue. Vultures have keen eyesight. It is believed they are able to spot a three-foot carcass from four miles away on the open plains. In some species, when an individual sees a carcass it begins to circle above it. This draws the attention of other vultures that then join in. The feces of the turkey vulture contains strong acids that kill many of the bacteria commonly associated with bird feces. Because of their diet, these birds are able to kill harmful bacteria and viruses with their stomach acids, and halt the potential spread of disease from rotting carcasses.

Vulture Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae Genus: Aegypiinae Scientific Name: Aegypius Monachus

Type: Bird Diet: Carnivore Size (H): 64cm - 81cm (25in - 32in) Wing Span: 130cm - 183cm (51in - 72in) Weight: 0.85kg - 2.2kg (1.9lbs - 5lbs) Top Speed: 48km/h (30mph) Life Span: 20 - 30 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Endangered Colour: Black, White, Grey, Tan, Brown Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Rats Habitat: Deserts, savannah and grassland near water Average Clutch Size: 2 Main Prey: Rats, Small and large animal carcasses Predators: Hawks, Snakes, Wild cats Distinctive Features: Large wings and sharp, curved beak

X
X-Ray Tetra Classification and Evolution The X-Ray Tetra is a small species of schooling Fish that is naturally found in the Amazon River's coastal waters in South America. The XRay Tetra is also known as the Golden PristellaTetra and the Water Goldfinch due to the faint golden colouration of their translucent skin. They were first described by Ulrey in 1894 and have since become one of the most popular freshwater Fish kept in artificial aquariums today. Although the X-Ray Tetra is the only known species in it's genus, it is closely related to other small and colourful South American Fish, including the nearly 100 other Tetra species.

X-Ray Tetra Anatomy and Appearance The most distinctive feature of the X-Ray Tetra is the translucent layer of skin that covers it's small body, allowing the Fish's backbone to be clearly seen. The scales of the X-Ray Tetraare a silvery-yellowish colour that is very faint, looking almost golden in some lights. The XRay Tetra also has a re-tipped tail and strikingly striped dorsal and anal fins that are yellow, black and white in colour. This is a relatively small species of Fish that actually has a bony internal structure known as the Weberian apparatus, which is used in picking up sound waves, and contributes to their acute sense of hearing (this bony structure is also found in many of their relatives). Females are generally slightly larger and rounder than the more slender males, although the two are very similar in appearance. X-Ray Tetra Distribution and Habitat The X-Ray Tetra is found in the Amazonian coastal waters of Brazil, Guiana, Guyana, and Venezuela in South America. They differ greatly from other Tetra species as they are able to tolerate the harder brackish water closer to the coast, as well as their usual freshwaterenvironments. They inhabit clear-water streams and tributaries during the dry season, and with the coming of the rains, the X-Ray Tetra then move into the flooded marshlands where the water is softer and more acidic. It is during the wet season that the XRay Tetra breed as they have better water conditions and a higher abundance of food. X-Ray Tetra Behaviour and Lifestyle Like many other small, colourful Fish, the X-Ray Tetra is a schooling species of Fishinhabiting the region between the bottom and middle of the water as a group. They are incredibly peaceful and are often tolerant of the other species that they share their habitatswith. The X-

Ray Tetra is one of the most adaptable species of Tetra as it is able to inhabit both fresh and brackish water happily, in both acidic and alkaline conditions. It is widely observed that those X-Ray Tetra that are kept in tanks, can change quickly from being peaceful to becoming skittish in the presence of larger, predatory Fish, with the samebehaviour known to be displayed if the school size is not big enough. X-Ray Tetra Reproduction and Life Cycles During the rainy season. the X-Ray Tetra return to the flood-lands to spawn. Unlike many similar Fish who give birth to live young, the female X-Ray Tetra lays between 300 - 400 eggs by scattering them amongst the vegetation (when she is ready to spawn, the see-through skin means that her eggs can also be easily seen). X-Ray Tetra fry begin to hatch as early as 24 hours later, and become free swimming within a few days. Once able to swim, the small and dull white young, are able to find better food sources and soon develop their characteristic adult markings. X-Ray Tetra usually live for three or four years in the wild but can get to older ages in captivity. X-Ray Tetra Diet and Prey Like many other small species of Fish that live in the Amazon River, the X-Ray Tetra is an omnivorous animal whose diet is made up of both animals and plants. X-Ray Tetra primarily hunt Worms, Insects and small Crustaceans that live close to the river bed and their fry tend to feed on Insect larvae. Although they are also known to supplement their diet with aquatic plants, they are predominantly micro-predators that feed on small invertebrates. In artificial communities, X-Ray Tetra need a variety of food sources including Brine Shrimpand Bloodworm alongside the standard flakes and pellets to ensure that they have a fully nutritious diet.

X-Ray Tetra Predators and Threats The small size of the X-Ray Tetra means that they should not be kept in the same aquarium as larger, predatory Fish, but will co-inhabit the tank peacefully with other small, schoolingFish that pose them no threat. In the wild, X-Ray Tetra are preyed upon by a number of aquatic predators including larger Fish and Frogs, and are also threatened by Birds andSnakes if they are closer to the water's surface. Populations are thought to be the most under threat from the rising levels of pollution in the water and habitat loss in general. X-Ray Tetra Interesting Facts and Features The Weberian apparatus (the bony structure) in the X-Ray Tetra's body works by transmitting sound waves through their vertebrate, that have been received by the swim bladder and are then taken to the inner ear, meaning that the X-Ray Tetra has excellent hearing. The transparency of their skin is thought to be a form of protection as predatorsfind it much harder to spot them (along with their light yellow markings) amongst the dense vegetation, and shimmering water. Not only is the yellowish X-Ray Tetra popular in tanks, but an albino version of the species is also now commonly found in artificial communities worldwide. X-Ray Tetra Relationship with Humans Since it was first described in 1894, this unique animal has been the subject of much fascination due to it's nearly transparent body. They are now one of the most popular species of tropical Fish to be kept in household tanks, mainly due to their ease of keeping as they are hardy, adaptable and undemanding. Their fast breeding rate is also thought to be one of the reasons why they have become quite so popular. Today, aquarium X-Ray Tetra do not come from the wild, but

are instead commercially farmed for the trade, mainly in Eastern Europe and in the Far East. X-Ray Tetra Conservation Status and Life Today The X-Ray Tetra has not been listed on the IUCN Red List as a species that is under threat in it's environment. However, increasing industry in the Amazon Basin means that there has been an increase in the levels of pollution in the water and therefore a decrease in water quality, leading to slight population declines in certain areas.

X-Ray Tetra Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Characiformes Family: Characidae Genus: Pristella Scientific Name: Pristella maxillaris Common Name: X-Ray Tetra Other Name(s): Golden Pristella Tetra, Water Goldfinch Group: Fish Number Of Species: 1 Location: Brazil, Guiana, Guyana, and Venezuela

Habitat: Amazon coastal waters Colour: Silver, Yellow, Black, White Skin Type: Scales Size (H): 3.2cm - 5cm (1.6in - 1.9in) Diet: Omnivore Prey: Worms, Insects, Small Crustaceans Predators: Larger Fish, Frogs, Birds Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: School Water Type: Fresh, Brackish Optimum pH Level: 6.0 - 7.0 Life Span: 2 - 5 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 5 - 8 months Incubation Period: 24 hours Average Spawn Size: 350 Name Of Young: Fry Age Of Independence: Immediately Conservation Status: Not Listed Estimated Population Size: Abundant

Biggest Threat: Water Pollution Distinctive Features: Striped fins and translucent skin Fun Fact: Yellow, black and white striped fins!

Y
The yak is a herd animal found in the mountainous regions of central Asia. The yak tend to gather in herds from 10 yaks to 100 yaks, most of which are female. There are only a few male yaks per herd. Although there is a large domestic population of yak, there are only a few wild yak remaining . The yak is still used in many parts of central Asia, for pulling heavy farm machines and transporting large loads through the mountain passes. The average male yak can grow to about 2meters tall, with the female yak being about 1/3 the size of the male yak. All yak have very long hair to keep them warm. The yak belongs to the same cow family as the Asian water buffalo, the African buffalo and the American bison. However, the yak is slightly more like the American bison in appearance as both the yak and the

bison have long hair in order to withstand the colder climates, the bison of the North American winters and the yak of the mid-Asian mountains. The yak breeds in the warmer months of September and after a gestation period of nine months the female yak gives birth to a single yak calf. A female yak will occasionally give birth to twins but it is very rare. Some female yak give birth to a calf almost every year but it depends on the environment in which the yak lives and the yak individual. Yak babies are completely independent by the time that they are a year old and they are fully grown when they are between 7 and 8 years old. The average lifespan of a yak is about 20 years in the wild and slightly longer when in captivity. Like other species of cow, the yak is a herbivore and spends a great deal of time on grassy plains in the mountains grazing on grasses, herbs and wild flowers. In a similar way to other cow species the yak has more than one stomach which the yak uses to successfully get all of the nutrients out of the plants that it eats. The yak has firm, dense horns which the yak uses to break through snow in order to get the plants that are buried beneath it and the yak will also use it's horns in defence. They have long shaggy hairthat covers their bodies that keep them warm and dry.

Yak Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia

Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Bos Scientific Name: Bos Grunniens Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size: 2-2.2m (6.5-7.2ft) Weight: 300-1,000kg (661-2,200lbs) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 15-20 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Brown, Black, White Skin Type: Hair Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Alpine meadows and open hills Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grass, Herbs, Mosses Predators: Human, Bears, Wolves

Special Features: Thick, hairy coat and large horns

The yellow-eyed penguin is one of the few penguin species found north of the Antarctic Ocean, and as it's name suggests, this species of penguin is easily idenitfied by it's yellow coloured eyes and bright yellow band that runs from it's eyes round the back of the yelloweyed penguin's head. The yellow-eyed penguin is found off the coast of the south island of New Zealand where this species gathers in colonies along the beaches and boulder fields. The yellow-eyed penguin is also found on a few of the islands of the main island including Stewart, Auckland and the Campbell Islands. The yellow-eyed penguin generally searches for food up 10 miles offshore, and travels (on average) around 15 miles away from the colonies nesting site. The yellow-eyed penguinleaves the colony at dawn and returns the same evening during chick rearing, although may spend 23 days at sea at other times. The yellow-eyed penguin is one of the larger species of penguin with adult individuals reaching 75cm in height, with the males generally being slightly larger than the female yellow-eyed penguins. The yellow-eyed penguin was thought to have been closely related to the tiny little penguin found in a similar area, although recent research suggests that the two are actually fairly genetically different. The yellow-eyed penguin is a carnivorous animal, that like all other penguin species, survives on a diet that is only comprised of marine animals. Krill and small crustaceans make up the bulk of the yellow-eyed penguin's diet along with larger organisms includingsquid and various species of fish.

The yellow-eyed penguin is usually found nesting in the forests and scrub that line the New Zealand coast and although historically undisturbed, the yellow-eyed penguin now has a number of landdwelling predators including cats, dogs and foxes along with rats andweasels that hunt their eggs. On average, the yellow-eyed penguin breeds once a year, forming pairs that usually remain faithful to one another. The female yelloweyed penguin lays two eggs in her nest in the forest which are incubated by both parents for up to a couple of months, when only one of the eggs will usually hatch. The yellow-eyed penguin chicks are fed and kept warm by their parents and remain with them until the chicks are nearly a year old. Today, the yellow-eyed penguin listed as an endangered animal with an estimated wild population of less than 4,000 individuals. It is now the rarest penguin in the world due to deforestation and the introduction of mammalian predators.

Yellow-Eyed Penguin Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae Genus: Megadyptes Scientific Name: Megadyptes Antipodes

Type: Bird Diet: Carnivore Size (H): 60cm - 75cm (24in - 30in) Weight: 5kg - 8kg (11lbs - 18lbs) Life Span: 10 - 20 years Lifestyle: Colony Conservation Status: Endangered Colour: Black, White, Grey, Brown, Yellow Skin Type: Feathers Favourite Food: Krill Habitat: Rocky Antarctic Islands Average Litter Size: 2 Main Prey: Krill, Fish, Shrimp Predators: Leopard Seal, Killer Whale, Sharks Distinctive Features: Bright yellow head-band and pink coloured feet

Although a toy breed, the Yorkie still retains much of its terrier ancestry in terms of personality. Individual dogs will differ, but they are generally intelligent, independent and courageous. Yorkshire Terriers are quick to determine where they fit in a household's pack. Their behavior towards outsiders will vary, they often will be inclined to bark at strangers, but some Yorkies are outgoing and friendly towards new people while others are withdrawn and aloof.

The differences in behavior in this regard are largely based on how the owner trains or conditions (and socializes) the Yorkie. A few individual Yorkshire Terriers may be timid or nervous, rather than bold, but the vast majority do seem to meet the breed standard for a confident, vigorous and self-important personality. The Yorkshire Terrier seems oblivious of its small size. It is ever eager for adventure. This little dog is highly energetic, brave, loyal, and clever, with above average intelligence. Affectionate with its master, it can become suspicious of strangers and aggressive to strange dogs and small animals, if not properly socialized.

Yorkshire Terrier Facts

Name: Yorkshire Terrier Origin: Great Britain Size: 22cm (9in) Weight: 3kg (7lbs) Life Span: 15 years Group: Terrier

Z
The zebra is best known for the black and white striping pattern unique to each of the 3 species of zebra . Within a species, the pattern of the stripes is unique to each individual zebra, like with a human's fingerprint. There is some evidence that zebras recognize herdmates by their patterns. The plains zebra grows to around 1.5m high and about 2 m long. The Grevy can be much taller, some up to 15 hh. The average zebra weighs around 300kg, which is a similar weight to a horse. There are 3 species of zebra, all three zebra species are found in Africa. The mountain zebra is sadly an endangered species and there are only a few left in the wild. The Hartman subspecies has a distinct dewlap on the throat. The striping pattern of a mountain zebra is similar to that of a plains zebra, but it has a unique gridiron pattern on the top of the rump. You would think that the zebra's stripes would make the zebra vulnerable to predators as it would be difficult to hide itself. If the zebra has to run away, the zebra's stripes actually help it to blend in with the rest of the fleeing herd, visually confusing predators who are trying to zero in on one specific animal. One extinct subspecies of the Plains zebra, which was once found in great numbers in SouthAfrica's Cape Province was the quagga. The quagga was distinguished from other zebras by having the usual zebra stripes on the front part of the body only. The stripes on the quagga gradually fade so its rear was only chestnut. The only quagga to have

ever been photographed alive was a mare at the Zoological Society of London's Zoo in Regent's Park in 1870. She was 28 at the time and died a year or two later. Only after she died did zoologists realize she was the very last of her kind. The zebra is a common target for large carnivorous animals that are found in the zebra'shabitat. The predators of the zebra include the lion, hyena and the crocodile along with other large mammals such as cheetahs and leopards that tend to hunt the smaller and more vulnerable members of the zebra herd. The zebra's defenses include its very powerful kick, which can break the jaw of a lion. It also has an explosive takeoff and can sprint at good speed for a short distance. Zebras live together on the African plains in large herds often with or close to other herbivorous mammals such as antelope and wildebeest. Along with the wildebeest , the zebra takes part in the annual great migration following the rains across Africa. Herbivoresdo this in order to get the best grazing as the grass is at its best after the rain has passed over it. The female zebra usually gives birth to just one zebra foal after a 12 month gestation period. Female zebras have been known to give birth to zebra twins but it is a fairly fair occurrence. Zebra foals are able to stand and run about just hours after birth and remain close the mother zebra until they are big enough to look out for themselves. It has been known for zebras to occasionally mate with donkeys and horses resulting in a zonkey foal. This is thought to happen extremely rarely in the wild and the zonkey is infertile meaning that it cannot produce offspring of its own. There has also been a documented case of a Grevy zebra mating with a Grant zebra in the wild, producing an interspecies zebra hybrid. The conformation is

intermediate between the two. It has Grevy pinstripes arranged in a Grantlike pattern. Like other interspecies hybrids it is sterile.

Zebra Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Family: Equidae Genus: Equus Scientific Name: Equus Burchelli Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size: 1-1.5m (3.5-5ft) Weight: 227-318kg (500-700lbs) Top Speed: 54km/h (35mph) Life Span: 15-25 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Black, White, Grey

Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Open plains and bushy grassland Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grass, Shoots, Flowers Predators: Lion, Hyena, Crocodile Special Features: Unique striped coat and long legs

The zebra shark is a medium-sized species of shark, that is found in the warmer coastal waters and around tropical coral reefs. Zebra sharks are most commonly found in the Indian and South Pacific oceans. Zebra sharks can grow to nearly 3 meters in length and can get to be 30 years old in the wild. Zebra sharks that are kept in captivity generally do not exceed 15 years of age. Zebra sharks can be identified by the yellow spots that are present on the back of the zebra shark. Zebra sharks have a long, flattened body which helps them to remain unnoticed on the seabed. The zebra shark also has a long tail which allows it to be more agile in the water.Zebra sharks move their tails from side to side when they swim, in an eel-like manner. Zebra sharks are omnivorous animals but tend to have a more meatbased diet. Zebrasharks feed on small fish, crabs, shrimp, snails and other small invertebrates along withsquid and sea snakes which they forage for in the coral reefs.

Due to their relatively large size, zebra sharks have few natural predators as they are fairly dominant predators in their environment. Larger species of shark such as tiger sharks andbull sharks are the main predators of the zebra shark, along with humans who hunt them for their meat and fins. The female zebra shark lays an average of ten large eggs which hatch after an incubation period of around 5 months. The baby zebra sharks are nearly half a meter long when they first hatch.

Zebra Shark Facts

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Orectolobiformes Family: Stegostomatidae Genus: Stegostoma Scientific Name: Stegostoma Fasciatum Origin: Indian and Pacific Oceans Diet: Omnivore Size: 0.6m - 2.5m (2ft - 8.2ft) Weight: 16-20kg (35-44lbs) Type: Salt

PH Level: 7.8-8.4 Life Span: 15-20 years Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Brown, Black, Yellow, White, Grey Skin Type: Smooth Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Tropical, coastal waters Average Litter Size: 10 Main Prey: Fish, Crabs, Snails Predators: Large Sharks, Humans Special Features: Flattened body shape and long tail fin

The zebu is a species of cattle that is native to the jungles of South Asia and the Zebu is the only cattle species that can easily adapt to life in the hot tropics. The zebu is also known as the humped cattle as the zebu has a very distinctive hump on its upper back, located behind the head and neck of the zebu. Today the zebu can also be found in Africa, as the zebu was transported there from Asiamany years ago. There are thought to be around 75 different species of zebu, with roughly half the zebu species found in Africa and the other half of the zebu species found in SouthAsia. The zebu has also been taken to South America from Africa, where zebu populations are continuously growing.

The zebu is one of the smallest species of cattle in the world with adult zebus reaching a height of just over a meter. The zebu is also about half the weight of a typical cow as the zebu is considered to have less meat. The small size of the zebu is thought to be the reason why the zebu is able to thrive in tropical climates, where other species of cattle do not fair so well. The zebu is a distinctive breed of cattle and besides the hump found on the shoulders of the zebu, the zebu also has a large flap of skin below its lower jaw, known as a dewlap, and the zebu also has long drooping ears. The hump-less cattle found throughout Africa today are considered to be a subspecies of the zebu that have adapted to life without their characteristic hump. Nevertheless, these hump free cattle are able to survive without complaint in their subtropical environment. Due to the manageable size of the zebu, and the ability of the zebu to cope with the tropicals climates, the zebu has been domesticated in both its Native home in Southern Asia and inAfrica as the zebu is predominantly used for lighter agricultural work. The zebu is also farmed for meat in some areas and the zebu is considered to be holy in India where the zebu is thought to have originated from. The zebu is thought to have both parasite and disease resistant properties which is another reason why the zebu are thought to thrive so successfully in their native tropical environments. The zebu has also been interbred with the native cattle of both Africa and Brazil, where the zebu is most common outside of Asia, and many farmers consider the presence of a hump and droopy ears to be a sign that their cattle is purely bred. There are thought to be nearly 4 million zebu in farms around the world today, with the highest number of these being found in India,

Brazil and the United States. The wild zebu can still be found in small herds in Southern Asia but the wild zebu populations are not nearly as high, mainly because of habitat loss due to deforestation.

Zebu Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Bos Scientific Name: Bos Primigenius Indicus Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Size: 86-106cm (34-42in) Weight: 150-200kg (331-440lbs) Top Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Life Span: 12-16 years Lifestyle: Herd Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Brown, Black, White

Skin Type: Leather Favourite Food: Grass Habitat: Tropical jungles and open plains Average Litter Size: 1 Main Prey: Grass. Seeds, Flowers Predators: Human, Bears, Wildcats Special Features: Small size and hump behind head

Zonkey Classification and Evolution The Zonkey is a hybrid animal that is created by cross-breeding two different species of animal that belong to the same genetic group. Technically though, an individual is only classed as a Zonkey if it is sired from a male Zebra and female Donkey, as one that has a male Donkey and female Zebra parents is known as a Zedonk. Like many other animal hybrids around the world including the Mule and theLiger however, the Zonkey is a sterile creature meaning that it cannot produce offspring of it's own. Unlike the Liger though, it is actually quite possible for Zonkeys to live in the wild as Zebras and Donkeys are naturally found in close proximity to one another in parts ofAfrica. Although they are very rare, cases of wild Zonkeys have been reported but the majority of them today are found in zoos around the world and are bred as tourist attractions. Zonkey Anatomy and Appearance The Zebra and the Donkey are closely related to one another and both belonging to theHorse family means these two species share a number of similar characteristics including their size. The Zonkey tends to be of a similar size to these animals but takes on a more definitive

Donkey-like appearance, with the obvious exception of inheriting the uniquely-striped pattern on their fur from their Zebra parent. Zonkeys tend to be either tan, brown or grey in colour with a lighter underside, and it is on the lighter parts of their body like their legs and belly where the Zonkey's darker stripes are most prominent (they are much harder to see on the darker parts). The Zonkey also has a black mane which extends along the ridge of their back to the tip if their black tail, and a large head and ears which makes the Zonkey look much more like a Donkey than a Zebra. Zonkey Distribution and Habitat Out of the three species of Zebra that are found living on the African continent, two are found in Eastern Africa whilst the other is found in more southern regions. Generally preferring to inhabit savannas and open woodlands throughout their historical range,Zebras are often found in enormous herds particularly on the Serengeti plains where they migrate thousands of miles following the rains that bring new grass. Some are also found in close proximity to Human settlements where they are known to have to compete with domestic livestock, such as Donkeys, for food. It is in these areas where Zonkeys are most likely to be produced naturally in the wild as it gives the two separate species the opportunity to mate. Sadly however, the world's Zonkeys tend to be found in zoos andanimal institutions where they are generally bred deliberately. Zonkey Behaviour and Lifestyle Despite being very similar animals both in appearance and behaviour, one of the biggest differences between the two is that unlike Donkeys which have been domesticated by Humansfor thousands of years, Zebras remain to be wild animals and therefore have a naturally more aggressive nature. Along with their stripes, the

other thing that Zonkeys seem to inherit from their Zebra parent is their wild streak as they too are known to be fairly aggressive towards Humans and sometimes other animals. One of the Zonkey's most favourable characteristics is their sheer power which is made up of the stamina of theDonkey mixed with the speed and strength of the Zebra, which has led to them being used as work animals mainly to pull heavy loads. Zonkey Reproduction and Life Cycles For a Zonkey to be produced, a male Zebra must have mated with a female Donkey (if the parents are the other way round the offspring is known as a Zedonk). After a gestation period that can last for more than a year, the female Donkey gives birth to a single Zonkey foal that, like Zebra and Donkey foals is able to stand up just minutes after birth. The Zonkey foal would generally remain with it's mother until it was between five and six months old when it would become independent and join another herd. This kind of behaviour however, actually happens slightly later with Zebra foals as they can take up to four years to leave the herd. Like numerous other hybrid animals, the Zonkey itself cannot produce offspring of it's own, as the crossbreeding of two different species often results in their young being sterile and unable to continue a population. Zonkey Diet and Prey Like Donkeys, Zebras, Horses and their other relatives, Zonkeys are herbivorous animalsmeaning that they survive on a diet that is solely comprised of plant matter. The majority of their food is made up of grasses and herbs that grow on the ground and like all equines, the Zonkey has flat, broad teeth which are the perfect tools for grinding down the fibrous grass. Along with grazing, Zonkeys also like to browse for other types of food including fruits and berries which are

found growing more commonly in less arid areas. Due to the fact that Zonkeys are naturally found in the African wilderness there is always competition for both food and water from other animals inhabiting the same area and so they are always on the move in search of greener pastures. Zonkey Predators and Threats Despite their large size and the fact that they are long-living animals, both Zebras andDonkeys (and therefore Zonkeys) are important prey to numerous carnivores throughout their natural range. Lions and Hyenas are their most common predators, along with African Hunting Dogs and large felines like Leopards and Cheetahs. Even though they remain a stable food source for these large predators, they are often hard to catch and Zebras particularly are known to protect wounded individuals to prevent them from being hurt any more. Although rarer today, one of the biggest threats to both Zebras and Donkeys in Africa has been the fact that they have been subjected to hunting for both their meat and their skins. They are also being pushed into more isolated regions of the natural habitats meaning a decrease in the likelihood of wild Zonkeys. Zonkey Interesting Facts and Features Although we often only think of Donkeys as being domesticated animals, wild herds ofDonkeys can still be found living on the continent and in herds up to 100 strong in northernAfrica, but this is an area that is not inhabited by Zebras and so the chances of a Zonkey occurring under these conditions would be extremely rare. Zonkeys have been mentioned by naturalists for centuries including Darwin who mentioned the possibility of a fertile female Zonkey that was being exhibited at the London Zoo. The Zonkey is thought to be a popular work animal as they have an apparent resistance to certain

pests and diseases, something which is thought to have been inherited from their Zebra father. Zonkey Relationship with Humans Originally bred by Humans to pull heavy loads and thought to have appeared in zoos in the 19th century, the Zonkey first became really famous when one was accidentally sired in Colchester Zoo in the 1970s, and they have since continued to exhibit Zonkeys as a popular tourist attraction. Along with now being bred in zoos around the world, Zonkeys are also bred for riding and as work animals involved in transport and pulling heavy loads due to their strength and stamina. In the wild in Africa however, Zebras have come under particular threat from people due both hunting and loss of habitat for growing Human settlements or land clearance for agriculture. Zonkey Conservation Status and Life Today Due to the fact that the Zonkey is a cross-bred animal and that it cannot continue a population, it is not listed by the IUCN. The three Zebra species though are all listed with the Plains Zebra as Least Concern, the Mountain Zebra as Vulnerable and the Grevy's Zebra as Endangered. This means that the chances of Zonkeys occurring in the wild are becoming slimmer and slimmer, with the majority of them today found in zoos and used as workanimals.

Zonkey Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia

Order: Perissodactyla Family: Equidae Genus: Equus Scientific Name: Equus zebra x Equus asinus Common Name: Zonkey Other Name(s): Zedonk, Zebrass, Zenkey Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 1 Location: Africa, Zoos Habitat: Savanna and open woodland Colour: Brown, Tan, Grey Skin Type: Fur Size (H): 1m - 1.5m (3.5ft - 5ft) Weight: 227kg - 318kg (500lb - 700lbs) Top Speed: 54kph (35mph) Diet: Herbivore Prey: Grasses, Herbs, Fruit Predators: Lion, Hyena, Leopard Lifestyle: Diurnal

Group Behaviour: Herd Life Span: 15 - 25 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 1 - 2 years Gestation Period: 12 months Average Litter Size: 0 Name Of Young: Foal Age Of Weaning: 5 - 10 months Conservation Status: None Estimated Population Size: Not known Biggest Threat: Habitat loss and commercial breeding Most Distinctive Feature: Unique stripes darkest on belly and legs Fun Fact: The offspring of Zebra and Donkey parents!

Zorse Classification and Evolution The Zorse is one of a number of equine hybrids that are known as Zebroids, which is the name given to an equine hybrid that has Zebra ancestry. The Zorse is the result of cross-breeding a generally male Zebra (stallion) with a female Horse (mare) to produce an animal that looks more like a Horse than a Zebra, but one that has stripes. The Zebra part also gives the Zorse resistance to certain pests and diseases that normally affect both Horses and Donkeys, meaning that they are not only sturdy but also very hardy animals. Due to the fact that there are not only three different sub-species of Zebra but also nearly 300 different breeds of domestic Horse, the Zorse can vary

quite dramatically particularly in size and colour, depending on it's parents. Zorse Anatomy and Appearance The Zorse is very Horse-like in appearance as it inherits it's shape, size, colour and temperament from it's mother. One of the Zorse's most notable features is the dark stripes that are boldest on their legs and rear, along with also commonly being found on the rest of the body, neck and head. The Zorse tends to have short, coarse fur that can range in colour from tan to brown to black, with a darker mane and tail (although the exact characteristics of the Zorse are dependent on the breed of the female Horse). Zorses have a large head with a long muzzle, pricked up ears and large, dark eyes with long eyelashes that help to stop things from getting in their eyes. Zorses have long, thin legs that are incredibly muscular and end in generally black (but sometimes white) coloured hooves that are made from horn and allow the Zorse to be more sturdy when moving through various different terrains. Zorse Distribution and Habitat Unlike the case with the Zonkey where there have been a number of wild Zonkey sightings reported, it is almost impossible for a fully wild Zorse to occur without Human intervention of some kind. There are three different sub-species of Zebra that are found in eastern and southern Africa on the vast open grasslands and savannah, but the incredibly rare wildHorse is historically native to parts of Europe and Asia meaning that the two species would not come together naturally in the wild. In parts of Africa though where Human settlements are either close to or intrude on the Zebra's natural habitat, it is possible for a semi-wild Zorse to occur with the mating of a wild Zebra with a domestic Horse. Nearly all of the

world's Zorses however, are found either in zoos or animal institutes around the world, with a number also being used as work horses particularly in parts of North America. Zorse Behaviour and Lifestyle In the wild, both Zebras and Horses roam throughout their natural environment in herds that can contain anywhere from two to more than two hundred individuals, making Zorses relatively sociable animals that prefer to live with other equines. Their temperaments however, are generally similar to those of their mother, including their strong flight response which is heightened by their Zebra side. Zorses are strong and muscular animalsthat spend the majority of their lives grazing and along with the fact that they are known to have better night vision than people, they are known to have almost 360 degree vision with the exception of a blind spot in front of their nose and directly behind them. The Zorse's large, pricked ears give it incredible hearing and their large nostrils mean that they also have a keen sense of smell. Zorse Reproduction and Life Cycles Zorses are produced when a male Zebra mates with a female Horse. After a gestation period that usually lasts for around 11 months, the female Horse gives birth to a single Zorse foal. Like the offspring of numerous other hoofed-herbivores, the Zorse is able stand up within an hour after birth and begins to canter a few hours after that. Although they are much smaller in size than their parents, the Zorse is born with incredibly long legs that are actually nearly their adult length already. As with other hybrid animal including bothZonkeys and Mules, the Zorse is sterile meaning that although they still display normal breeding behaviour they are unable to produce offspring of their own.

Zorses tend to be very healthy and hardy animals that can live to be more than 30 years old. Zorse Diet and Prey Like other equines including both Zebras and Horses, the Zorse is a herbivorous animalmeaning that it only consumes plants and plant matter in order to gain all of the nutrients that it needs to survive. They spend almost all of their time grazing and like Horses, the Zorse has an advanced sense of taste which allows it to sort through grasses and grains in search of it's most favourable foods. The Zorse primarily eats grasses, herbs and flowers that grow on ground level, along with leaves, fruits and berries that it has to pull from the trees or finds on the floor. Zorses generally will not eat plants that are poisonous, but are known to resort to eating plants that contain toxins when there is not an adequate supply of more nutritious food. Oddly enough the Zorse's digestive system is designed to have food flowing through it almost continually, allowing them to graze nearly all day if they can. Zorse Predators and Threats On the African plains, Zebras are an important source of food for a number of largecarnivores including large felines such as Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs along with HuntingDogs and also Hyenas. Zorses tend to be slightly larger in size than Zebras (depending on the size of their mother) and so would be a bit harder for these powerful predators to kill. In their native habitats, wild Horses are preyed upon by Wolf packs or Bears that try to single out a generally smaller or weaker individual from the herd. The biggest threat to both wildHorses and Africa's Zebra populations though is habitat loss either in the form of growingHuman settlements or to clear land for agriculture, with populations declining throughout much of their natural ranges.

Zorse Interesting Facts and Features The Zorse is a cross between a Zebra stallion and a domestic mare, but it is also possible to use a Zebra mare and a domestic stallion. This is not that common however because owners of valuable Zebra mares don't want to waste a year of their breeding life trying to produce a hybrid when they could be producing a Zebra foal instead. In Africa, Zebras and Horses are often cross-bred to create Zorses that are used as trekking animals to transport both people and goods up and down the mountains. As with their Zebra father, the pattern of the Zorse's bold stripes is unique to each individual animal (much like the fingerprint of Human), meaning that they can be easily distinguished between one another, and if they were found naturally in the wild it could give them some form of camouflage into their surrounding environment. Zorse Relationship with Humans The Zorse was originally bred in England and Africa to try and produce a domestic Horse-like animal that was resistant to diseases spread by the Tse Tse Fly in Africa (Zebras have a natural resistance where domestic Donkeys and Horses do not). The experimental crosses were actually becoming popular until early in the 20th century when the ever-improving car industry meant that fewer and fewer people were using Horses for transport. At that point cross-breeding was largely abandoned until a revival of interest came in the early 1990s, with just about every breed of domestic horse imaginable being tried. Zorses are bred and kept today for riding, as work animals and as attractions in zoos and animal institutes around the world. Zorse Conservation Status and Life Today Due to the fact that the Zorse is a cross-bred animal and that it cannot continue a population, it is not listed by the IUCN. The

three Zebra species though are all listed with the Plains Zebra as Least Concern, the Mountain Zebra as Vulnerable and the Grevy's Zebra as Endangered. The Przewalski's Horse which is the only species of wild Horse remaining, is actually Critically Endangered with populations falling so low that reintroduction schemes began reintroducing captive individuals back into their natural environment.

Zorse Facts
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Family: Equidae Genus: Equus Scientific Name: Equus zebra x Equus caballus Common Name: Zorse Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 1 Location: Africa, Zoos Habitat: Open grasslands and woodland Colour: Tan, Brown, Black, Red, White, Grey Skin Type: Fur

Size (H): 130cm - 163cm (51in - 64in) Weight: 227kg - 450kg (500lbs - 992lbs) Top Speed: 64kph (40mph) Diet: Herbivore Prey: Grasses, Herbs, Fruits Predators: Lions, Leopards, Wolves Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Herd Life Span: 15 - 30 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 1 - 2 years Gestation Period: 11 months Average Litter Size: 0 Name Of Young: Foal Age Of Weaning: 5 - 6 months Conservation Status: None Estimated Population Size: Not known Biggest Threat: Habitat loss and commercial breeding Most Distinctive Feature: Unique dark stripes are boldest on legs Fun Fact: The offspring of a Zebra and Horse parents!