Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Endangered Lemurs

Madagascar is world-famous for its lemurs—primates that look something like a cat crossed with a squirrel and a dog. These animals are unique to the island and display a range of interesting behaviors from singing like a whale to sashaying across the sand like a ballet dancer. 
(You might have seen these behaviors in Madagascar with King Julian! They have very strange behaviors!)
Currently, all  Lemurs are endangered species, due mainly from habitat destruction and hunting.
Information from: Endangered Lemurs

Fossa

The Fossa ( pronounced foosa) is the largest carnivore on the island of Madagascar. It has no natural enemies, but is in danger of extinction because the forest is disappearing. The Fossa only lives on Madagascar, a big island located in the Indian Ocean. The Fossa is a meat-eater that eats small animals and birds, as well as insects and frogs. Sometimes it catches lemurs. The Fossa looks like a cat, but is actually a close relative of the mongoose. Scientists think that it was related to cats a long time ago. 
Information from: Endangered Fossa
Male Asian Elephants are hunted for their tusks, and their numbers are becoming smaller. Hunting them is forbidden, but their trouble goes on.
They live in the plains and forests of India and Sri Lanka. They eat grass and plant roots, fruit, and tree bark. They have to eat a lot every day, because their bodies are so big. Asian Elephants are very clever, so people have used them as helpers from long ago. They can even do math!
Information from: Endangered Elephants

Hippopotamus

The Hippopotamus is the second largest animal on land after the elephant. Today, they are in danger of extinction because an increase in hunters seeking their teeth and meat.
They live by water bodies from central to southwest Africa. From early evening to night, the Hippopotamus moves ashore and eat grass. Because of its physique, people falsely see the Hippopotamus as a sluggish and slow animal. Actually, it is quite ferocious. In fact, Hippopotamuses kill more people in Africa than any other animals.
Information found from: Endangered Hippos

Red Wolf

The Red Wolf almost vanished from wilderness due to habitat loss and because they were killed for being a beast that attacked domesticated animals and humans. Recent efforts to return them to the wilderness have helped to slowly bring their numbers back.There used to be a broad population of Red Wolf living in the southern part of the United States. Today, the only ones in existence are those in sanctuaries in North Carolina. They like to eat small animals like rats and rabbits. The Red Wolf has also been known to occasionally attack large animals such as deers and boars. They also eat crabs, insects, and carcass meat.The Red Wolf looks like a coyote except for its larger build. They live in families, or packs, and display excellent teamwork, working together with other wolves to hunt and to raise their offspring.
Information from: Endangered red wolfs

Spirit Bear

Spirit Bears (aka kermode bear) are endangered too! There are less than 400 alive! Found only in the central and north coast of British Colombia, around Princess Royal Island.
Scientists know how black bears are born white. They're just not sure why. The phenomenon, known as Kermodism, is triggered by a recessive mutation at theMC1R gene, the same gene associated with red hair and fair skin in humans. To be born white, a bear must inherit the mutation from both parents. The parents themselves don't have to be white. They just need to carry the recessive mutation. So it's not uncommon for white bears to be born to black parents.
You must watch the video!!!
This information was found in the video above and Endangered Spirit Bear: National Geograpphic

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Wild Bactrian Camel

There are currently about 2 million domesticated Bactrian Camels in the world. The remaining Wild Bactrian Camels are on the brink of extinction because domesticated camels are eating their food.
The Wild Bactrian Camel lives only in the Gobi Desert that straddles China and Mongolia. The Wild Bactrian Camel eats plants, including thorny dry plants that other animals do not eat. The lumps on their back store fat which they convert into energy when there is no water or food. Burning this fat causes the lumps to sag.
Information from: Wild Bactrian Camel