31 May 2011
Bisons and Buffalos
Bisons and Buffalos come from the bovidae family and while the America Bison is often called the American Buffalo, it is not related to the true buffalo. Bisons are found in North America and Europe.
30 May 2011
Brown Bear
In North America, the brown bear usually refers to two sub-species - the grizzly bear and the coastal brown bear. The grizzly bear is perhaps the most well-known of the two.
Restful Brown Bear Wildlife Series # 10 Postcard
by FalconsEye
Restful Brown Bear Wildlife Series # 10 Postcard
by FalconsEye
The bear features as symbols for states within the US and also as national animals for some European countries. The gissly bear is the state animal for Montana and California. The brown bear is the national animal for Germany and Finland.
29 May 2011
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn sheep is a species of sheep from North America. It would be no surprise that they were named after their large horns, which can weigh up to 30 pounds (or 14 kilograms for those who use the metric system). The sheep first crossed over the land bridge from Siberia to the North American continent.
Bighorn sheep were known to be in Canada, United States and Mexico in very large numbers, but by 1900 the numbers had dwindled significantly to several thousand. The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep is the provincial mammal for Alberta and the state animal of Colorado.
28 May 2011
Birds, Birds Everywhere
Did you know there are over 10,000 species of birds? Now that's a lot and far too many to mention here - that would be a job for an ornithologist! So, here are just two of the amazing birds that grace our skies.
The Cardinals are a family of birds in North and South America and are named after their red plummage. They are small birds, ranging in size from approximately 12 to 25 centimetres.
The Northern Cardinal can be found in southern Canada, eastern US, Mexico, Hawaii and Oahu. It has a distinctive crest on the head and a mask on the face. The male has vibrant red plummage with a black mask, while the female's plummage is a dull red-brown with a grey mask.
Macaws are part of the parrot family and are native to Mexico, Central and South America. At one time, they could be found in the Caribbean. While most people consider macaws to be large birds, there are some that are no larger than parakeets.
The Cardinals are a family of birds in North and South America and are named after their red plummage. They are small birds, ranging in size from approximately 12 to 25 centimetres.
The Northern Cardinal can be found in southern Canada, eastern US, Mexico, Hawaii and Oahu. It has a distinctive crest on the head and a mask on the face. The male has vibrant red plummage with a black mask, while the female's plummage is a dull red-brown with a grey mask.
Macaws are part of the parrot family and are native to Mexico, Central and South America. At one time, they could be found in the Caribbean. While most people consider macaws to be large birds, there are some that are no larger than parakeets.
27 May 2011
Beautiful Butterflies
Butterflies are popular in artwork and photography and in many cultures all over the world are seen as an omen of good luck. Depictions of butterflies can even be found in Egyptian hieroglyphics from over 3,500 years ago.
The Monarch butterfly is a common yet beautiful butterfly and is found in many countries around the world. In Australia, it is known as the Wanderer and is one of the more common varieties to be found in many gardens. The Monarch is known for its incredible migration from Mexico to Northern USA and southern Canada.
There are more than 80 species of Morpho Butterflies and are generally found in South America, Central America and Mexico. Many of the Morpho butterflies have metallic shades of blue and green, where light is reflected. This iridescence only occurs on the dorsal side of their wings, with the ventral sides looking dreary in comparison. In the photograph of the Blue Morpho below, only a slight part of the dorsal wing is visible, showing a glimmering shade of blue. Other photos featuring the Blue Morpho in all of its shimmering glory are featured below.
The Tortoisehell Butterfly is found in Europe and is a small, colorful specimen. The adult has red and yellow wings, with a row of blue dots along the edge.
Even without the shimmering metallic shades, butterflies are beauiful no matter what colours and patterns they have. They represent rebirth and reinvigoration and are loved by many.
The Monarch butterfly is a common yet beautiful butterfly and is found in many countries around the world. In Australia, it is known as the Wanderer and is one of the more common varieties to be found in many gardens. The Monarch is known for its incredible migration from Mexico to Northern USA and southern Canada.
There are more than 80 species of Morpho Butterflies and are generally found in South America, Central America and Mexico. Many of the Morpho butterflies have metallic shades of blue and green, where light is reflected. This iridescence only occurs on the dorsal side of their wings, with the ventral sides looking dreary in comparison. In the photograph of the Blue Morpho below, only a slight part of the dorsal wing is visible, showing a glimmering shade of blue. Other photos featuring the Blue Morpho in all of its shimmering glory are featured below.
The Tortoisehell Butterfly is found in Europe and is a small, colorful specimen. The adult has red and yellow wings, with a row of blue dots along the edge.
Even without the shimmering metallic shades, butterflies are beauiful no matter what colours and patterns they have. They represent rebirth and reinvigoration and are loved by many.
26 May 2011
Anaconda Love
For those who love reptiles, the anaconda has to be one of the most amazing snakes known to man. It is mysterious... large... and just a little frightening.
Anacondas subdue their prey by coiling around them and constricting. While there is a popular belief that anacondas eat people, there is very little evidence to suggest this does actually occur.
Green anacondas are one of the longest snakes in the world and are the heaviest snakes in the world, which makes them one of the most feared snakes in the world!
Anacondas subdue their prey by coiling around them and constricting. While there is a popular belief that anacondas eat people, there is very little evidence to suggest this does actually occur.
Green anacondas are one of the longest snakes in the world and are the heaviest snakes in the world, which makes them one of the most feared snakes in the world!
25 May 2011
A is for Antelope
Did you know there are 91 species of antelope? No, neither did I... but I did realise that most species of antelope are native to Africa.
The term antelope is used to describe all other members of the Bovidae family which do not fall in the category of cattle, sheep or goat.
Exotic game hunting has led to many species of antelope being imported all over the world, particularly the United States. There are wild populations of a number of different species of antelope in Texas, although not native to that area.
The term antelope is used to describe all other members of the Bovidae family which do not fall in the category of cattle, sheep or goat.
Exotic game hunting has led to many species of antelope being imported all over the world, particularly the United States. There are wild populations of a number of different species of antelope in Texas, although not native to that area.
24 May 2011
A is for Alpaca
Alpacas are a species of camelids, along with llamas and camels. They have been domesticated for thousands of years for the fibre they produce and are smaller than llamas.
Alpaca Love Poster
by twopurringcats
The fibre from alpacas is used to make a wide variety of knitted and woven items all over the world, such as blankets, gloves, scarves, socks and sweaters.
Alpaca Love Poster
by twopurringcats
The fibre from alpacas is used to make a wide variety of knitted and woven items all over the world, such as blankets, gloves, scarves, socks and sweaters.
The alpaca is a social heard animal and live in family groups, comprising of an alpha male, females and their offspring.
23 May 2011
Axolotl - Strange or Fascinating?
Axolotl's are popular pets in many countries around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan and I would put them them in the weird but fascinating category!
They are part of the Salamander family. As the young do not go through metamorphosis, they keep their gills and continue to be aquatic into adulthood.
Axolotls originate from Lake Texcoco in Mexico City. Today they are near extinction in Mexico due to increasing urbansiation and the pollution of the water. Also, other species of fish have been introduced to the waters, who eat the same food as the axolotls as well as eating the axolotl's young.
They are part of the Salamander family. As the young do not go through metamorphosis, they keep their gills and continue to be aquatic into adulthood.
Axolotls originate from Lake Texcoco in Mexico City. Today they are near extinction in Mexico due to increasing urbansiation and the pollution of the water. Also, other species of fish have been introduced to the waters, who eat the same food as the axolotls as well as eating the axolotl's young.
22 May 2011
The Feathery "A" - American Avocet
The American Avocet is a wader bird, often called "blue shanks" because of its long, thin, grey-coloured legs. It has black and white feathers on its back and white on its belly. One of the interesting things about the American avocet is that in summer its neck and head are cinnamon coloured and in winter they are grey.
21 May 2011
A is for Armadillo
I have a fascination of all unusual things and the Armadillo certainly fits into this category. Armadillo is a spanish word which means little armoured one and was known by the Aztecs as the turtle rabbit.
Armadillos have a leathery armour shell and are distant relations of the anteater and sloths (now that's an interesting extended family!)
Colorful Armadillo Button
by ShouShou
Did you know that the Nine-banded armadillo has an unsual reproductive system? They have four genetically identical quadruplets in each litter. This is the only mammal which has this capability.
Armadillos have a leathery armour shell and are distant relations of the anteater and sloths (now that's an interesting extended family!)
Colorful Armadillo Button
by ShouShou
Did you know that the Nine-banded armadillo has an unsual reproductive system? They have four genetically identical quadruplets in each litter. This is the only mammal which has this capability.
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