An Animal A Day

last SG · 2005-03-09T00:11:15+00:00

Deepwater Arrowtooth Eel The Deepwater Arrowtooth Eel (Histiobranchus bathybius) is a cutthroat eel of the genus Histiobranchus, found around the world at d...

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Harris's Hawk

The Harris's Hawk or Harris Hawk (formerly the Bay-winged Hawk), Parabuteo unicinctus, is a medium-large bird of prey which breeds from the southwestern USA south to Chile and central Argentina. It is the only member of the genus Parabuteo (Ridgway, 1874).

Harris's Hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus

Its habitat is sparse woodland and semi-desert, as well as marshes (with some trees) in some parts of its range (Howell and Webb 1994). It nests in a tree and lays 24 eggs, incubated for 28 days to hatching.

It has blackish brown plumage with chestnut forewings (above and below) and thighs. The end of the tail and the rump are white. It has a length of 60 cm and a wingspan of 1.2 m; the average weight is about 900 g (2 pounds). Females are typically 10% bigger than males.

A Harris's Hawk can just about catch and kill a rabbit, but its natural prey are small rodents and reptiles.

Harris's Hawks' social behavior is unusual for raptors. Young may stay with their parents for up to three years, helping to raise later broods. They also hunt together, groups of two to six birds often cooperating to flush and then capture prey. In contrast, the vast majority of raptors are solitary hunters.

This social behavior gives Harris's Hawks an easygoing nature that makes them desirable captive birds. Since about 1980, Harris's Hawks have been increasingly used in falconry and are now the most popular hawks in the West (outside of Asia) for that purpose, as they are the easiest to train and the most affectionate.

Hunting with Harris's Hawks often works best with two or more birds. (In contrast most other raptors cannot be flown together, as they will attack each other.) When prey is flushed, the birds can work together to corner the animal compensating for their relatively low acceleration and speed. Harris's Hawks will happily treat the falconer as a hunting partner, and will follow from tree to tree and perch until the falconer flushes a rabbit from the bushes!

The Harris's Hawk is now widely used in European towns to scare pigeons and Starlings. Many airports use falconers to scare these birds away from the land around runways and reduce the risk of birdstrikes on planes.

John James Audubon gave this bird its English name in honor of his ornithological companion, financial supporter, and friend Edward Harris.

Issue #223

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Aldabra Giant Tortoise

The Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Geochelone gigantea) is one of the largest tortoises in the world. Similar in size to the famous Galapagos Giant Tortoise, its carapace averages 120 cm in length. The average weight of a male is around 250 kg, but one male at the Fort Worth Zoological Park weighs over 360 kg.

Aldabra Giant Tortoise, Dipsochelys dussumieri, from Aldabra atoll in the Seychelles, at Bristol Zoo, Bristol, England.

Physical Characteristics

The shell is a dark gray or black color with a high domed shape. It has stocky, heavily scaled legs to support its heavy body. The neck of the Aldabra Giant Tortoise is very long, even for its great size, which helps the animal to exploit tree branches up to a meter from the ground as a food source.

Females are generally smaller than males, with average specimens measuring about 90 cm in length and weighing around 150 kg.

Diet

Primarily herbivores, Aldabra Tortoises will eat grasses, leaves, and woody plant stems. They occasionally indulge in small invertebrates and carrion, even eating the bodies of other dead tortoises. In captivity, Aldabra Giant Tortoises are known to enjoy fruits such as apples and bananas as well as compressed vegetable pellets.

There is little fresh water available for drinking in the tortoises' natural habitat, therefore they obtain most of their mositure from their food.

Breeding

Aldabra Giant Tortoises reach sexual maturity when they attain about half their final size. Interestingly, it seems that reaching sexual maturity is determined by size, not by age.

After mating from February to May, Females lay between 9 and 25 rubbery eggs in a shallow, dry nest. Usually, less than half of the eggs are fertile. Females can produce multiple clutches of eggs in a year. After incubating for about 8 months, the tiny, independent young hatch between October and December.

Range and Habitat

The main population of the Aldabra Giant Tortoise resides on the islands of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. Another group of the animals resides on the island of Zanzibar. The tortoises exploit many different kinds of habitat including grasslands, low scrub, mangrove swamps, and coastal dunes.

A peculiar kind of habitat has evolved due to the pressures of the tortoises: "tortoise turf," a comingling of 21 species of grasses and herbs. Many of these distinct plants are natually dwarfed and grow their seeds not from the tops of the plants, but closer to the ground to avoid the tortoises' close cropping jaws.

As the largest animal in its environment, the Aldabra Tortoise performs a role similar to that of the elephant. Their vigorous search for food fells trees and creates pathways used by other animals.

Behavior

Aldabra tortoises are found both individually and in herds, which tend to gather mostly on open grasslands. They are most active in the mornings when they spend time browsing for food. They dig underground burrows or rest in swamps to keep cool during the heat of the day.

While they are characteristically slow and cautious, they are capable of appreciable speed, especially when tempted with a treat. They are also known to attempt perilous acrobatic feats, rising precariously on their hind legs to reach low branches. They risk death by tipping onto their backs and being unable to right themselves.

They are also excellent swimmers, being neutrally buoyant. This allowed the spread and eventual speciation of many kinds of related (and now extinct) tortoises across the Indian Ocean.

The tortoises are not domestic or tame, but they are remarkably indifferent to the presence of humans. They do not seem to have any fear of people; some even seek them out for attention. Some like to have their heads patted, others enjoy having their necks scratched where they meet their plastron.

Life Span

Large tortoises are among the longest-lived animals on the planet. Some individual Aldabra Giant Tortoises are thought to be over 100 years of age, but this is difficult to verify because they tend to outlive their human observers.

Conservation

The Aldabra Giant Tortoise has an unusually long history of organized conservation. No less a figure than Charles Darwin worked with the government of Mauritius to establish a preserve at the end of the 19th century.

Issue #224

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Green-veined White

The Green-veined White (Pieris napi) is a well-known European butterfly, found in open country and woodlands.

Green-veined White, Pieris napi

Like other "white" butterflies, the sexes differ. The female has two spots on each forewing, the male only one.

Although its caterpillars feeds on crucifers, it normally selects wild species, and is therefore not the pest that some other white butterflies have become.

It can produce up to three broods in a year. Recent research has shown that when males mate with a female, they inject methyl salicylate along with their sperm. The smell of this compound repels other males, thus ensuring the first male's paternity of the eggs - a form of chemical mate guarding.

Issue #225

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Bluefish

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) are marine fish found in all oceans except for the eastern Pacific. They are the sole members of the Pomatomidae family.

Bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix

They have a grayish-blue coloration on the top part of the body, and a silvery coloration on the belly. They can grow to about 130 cm and can weigh up to 15 kg (31 3/4 lb). They have a reputation for being voracious predators, often eating squid and small fishes. There have been reports of bluefish eating until they regurgitate the contents of their stomachs, only to keep feeding until there are no prey remaining. Humans have been attacked by schools of bluefish in rare instances.

On the western side of the Atlantic, their range is from Argentina to Nova Scotia.

Bluefish lay eggs, the larvae of which become zooplankton and are largely at the mercy of the currents. In the western Atlantic, there are at least two populations, separated by Cape Hatteras in North Carolina. The Gulf Stream can carry larvae spawned to the south of Cape Hatteras to the north, and eddies can spin off, carrying the larvae into populations found off the coast of the Mid-Atlantic, and the New England states.

Bluefish are an important recreational fishery and are prized for their fighting ability. Their flesh is considered to be quite oily and fishy in taste.

Taxonomically, the gnomefish were formerly in Pomatomidae, but they are now in a separate family Scombropidae.

Issue #226

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Sydney funnel-web spider

The Sydney funnel-web spider, also called a funnel-web tarantula, Atrax robustus, is regarded by some to be the most dangerous spider in the world. Actually there are two related genera of very dangerous spiders, Hadronyche (which has the higher mortality rate) and Atrax (which has produced a higher number of serious bites).

Male Sydney funnel-web spider, Atrax robustus

Examination of bite records seems to indicate that wandering males have caused a large majority of fatal bites to humans. The female venom seems to be only about a sixth as potent to humans as that of the male. The venom is known to cause death within a period ranging from one hour to three days. There have been 26 deaths in Australia in the last 100 years from spider bites, 13 of these potentially from male venomous funnel-web spiders. Most victims will have been the young, ill and infirm before antivenom was developed in 1981 through a passionate team effort led by Dr Struan Keith Sutherland (b.17 June 1936 d. 11 Jan 2002) head of immunology at the Australian Commmonwealth Serum Laboratories in Sydney. Fortunately, the antivenom is highly effective and there have been no deaths since it has been available.

Although extremely toxic to primates, the venom of the venomous funnel-web spiders appears to be fairly harmless to many other mammals, including cats and dogs. 90% of bites to humans from this spider are judged not serious enough to warrant administration of antivenom. However, the remaining 10% of the bites demonstrate the importance of promptly securing medical advice in case emergency treatment should prove necessary.

These spiders construct a funnel shaped web and lurk for prey in the small end of the funnel. They frequently search for a place to nest under human dwellings, or under nearby rocks, logs, or other similar objects. They are most active at night. They are not extremely large, the largest being about 40 mm long, but they often bite aggressively and repeatedly and may envenomate enthusiastically. Most bites seem to occur when the male spiders wander about looking for receptive female of their kind for mating during the warmer months of the year. Male spiders are often found in swimming pools, yards, and garages.

It is said that these spiders are unable to climb well because of their body weight. However they can move quickly across the ground.

Although they are rather small compared to the true tarantulas, they should not be handled without taking substantial precautions because their fangs have been known to penetrate fingernails and soft shoes, resulting in dangerous bites.

Issue #227

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Stephen's Island Wren

The Stephen's Island Wren (Xenicus lyalli) is famous for being considered the only known species to be entirely wiped out by a single individual. The bird was a flightless, nocturnal native of Stephen's Island, New Zealand and fed on insects. It was only seen alive by Westerners on two occasions before the entire population was killed by the lighthouse keeper's cat named Tibbles in 1894. It is the most well-known of the extremely few (5 or less) flightless passerines known to exist in historic times, all of which were inhabitants of islands and are now extinct. The others were 2 or 3 relatives of Xenicus and the Long-legged Bunting from Tenerife.

Stephen's Island Wren, Xenicus lyalli

Archeological work has revealed, however, that Xenicus lyalli was widespread on the main islands of New Zealand in earlier times. Its disappearance from there was probably due to predation by the kiore (Polynesian Rat, Rattus exulans) which was introduced by the Mâori.

Conservation status: Extinct (1894)

Issue #228

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Chartreux

The Chartreux is an internationally-recognized breed of domestic cat. Chartreux cats are from France, reportedly originally bred by Carthusian Catholic monks at their monastery in Grenoble for the purposes of catching mice to preserve food storages from loss and damage. Legend has it the Chartreux's ancestors were feral mountain cats from what is now Syria, brought back to France by returning Crusaders in the 13th century, many of whom entered the Carthusian monastic order. The first documented mention of the breed was by the French naturalist Buffon in the 17th century. The first Chartreux were brought to the USA in 1971.

Chartreux

Physically, the Chartreux is large and muscular with short but powerful limbs, big paws and very fast reflexes. They are known for their blue (grey) double-thickness fur coats and gold- or copper-colored eyes. Chartreux cats are known for their "smile"; due to the structure of their heads and long, tapered muzzle, they often appear to be smiling.

Chartreux cats tend to be quiet, rarely making noises such as mewing or crying. Some are mute. They are quite observant and intelligent, with some Chartreux learning to operate radio on/off buttons and to open screen door latches. Chartreux cats are also fond of chasing and playing well into their adult years; some can be taught to fetch small objects in the same manner as a dog. Chartreux are good with children and other animals, are nonaggressive and affectionate, good travelers and are generally very healthy.

Historically famous Chartreux owners include the French novelist Colette and French general/president Charles de Gaulle.

The Chartreux breed was advanced to championship status in 1987 by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA.)

Country of origin: France

Issue #229

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Aardvark

The Aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is a medium-sized mammal native to Africa. The name comes from the Afrikaans for "earth pig" (aarde earth, vark pig), because early settlers from Europe thought it resembled a pig (although Aardvarks are not closely related to pigs).

Aardvark, Orycteropus afer

The Aardvark is the only surviving member of the family Orycteropodidae and of the order Tubulidentata. The Aardvark was originally placed in the same genus as the South American anteaters because of superficial similarities which, it is now known, are the result of convergent evolution, not common ancestry. (For the same reason, Aardvarks bear a striking first-glance resemblance to the marsupial bilbies and bandicoots of Australasia, which are not placental mammals at all.)

The oldest known Tubulidentata fossils have been found in Kenya and date to the early Miocene. Although the relationships of Tubulidentata are unknown, they are probably Ungulates. They spread to Europe and southern Asia during the later Miocene and early Pliocene periods. Three genera of the family Orycteropodidae are known: Leptorycteropus, Myorycteropus, and Orycteropus, the surviving Aardvark. A genus from Madagascar may be related to them, called Plesiorycteropus.

The most distinctive characteristic of the Tubulidentata is (as the name implies) their teeth which, instead of having a pulp cavity, have lots of thin tubes of dentine, each containing pulp and held together by cementum. The teeth have no enamel coating and are worn away and regrow continuously. Aardvarks are born with conventional incisors and canines at the front of the jaw, but these fall out and are not replaced. In adult Aardvarks, the only teeth are the molars at the back of the jaw.

Aardvarks are only vaguely pig-like; the body is stout with an arched back; the limbs are of moderate length. The front feet have lost the pollex (or 'thumb')resulting in four toesbut the rear feet have all five toes. Each toe bears a large, robust nail which is somewhat flattened and shovel-like, and appears to be intermediate between a claw and a hoof. The ears are disproportionately long and the tail very thick at the base with a gradual taper. The greatly elongated head is set on a short thick neck, and at the end of the snout is a disk in which the nostrils open. The mouth is typical of species that feed on termites: small and tubular. Aardvarks have long, thin, protrusible tongues and elaborate structures supporting a keen sense of smell.

Weight is typically between 40 and 65 kg; length is usually between 1 and 1.3 m. Aardvarks are a pale yellowish gray in color, often stained reddish-brown by soil. The coat is thin and the animal's primary protection is its tough skin; Aardvarks have been known to sleep in a recently excavated ant nest, so well does it protect them.

In the past, several individual species of Aardvark were named, however current knowledge indicates that there is only one species, Orycteropus afer, with several subspecies; 18 have been listed but most are regarded as invalid.

Aardvarks are nocturnal and solitary creatures that feed almost exclusively on ants and termites. An Aardvark emerges from its burrow in the late afternoon or shortly after sunset, and forages over a considerable home range, swinging its long nose from side to side to pick up the scent of food. When a concentration of ants or termites is found, the Aardvark digs into it with its powerful front legs, keeping its long ears upright to listen for predators, and takes up an astonishing number of insects with its long, sticky tongueas many as 50,000 in one night has been recorded. They are exceptionally fast diggers, but otherwise move rather slowly.

Aside from digging out ants and termites, aardvarks also excavate burrows to live in: temporary sites scattered around the home range as refuges, and the main burrow which is used for breeding. Main burrows can be deep and extensive, have several entrances, and be 13 m long. Aardvarks change the layout of their home burrow regularly, and from time to time move on and make a new one. Only mothers and young share burrows.

After a gestation period of 7 months, a single young weighing around 2 kg is born, and is able to leave the burrow to accompany its mother after only two weeks. At six months of age it is digging its own burrows, but it will often remain with the mother until the next mating season. Aardvarks live for up to 10 years in captivity.

Aardvarks are distributed across most of sub-Saharan Africa, and although killed by humans both for their flesh and for their teeth (which are used as decorations), do not appear to be threatened.

The aardvark is a distant cousin of the giraffe. Aardvark is always the first noun in the English Dictionary.

Conservation status: Lower risk

Issue #230

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European Scops Owl

The European Scops Owl (Otus scops), also known as the Eurasian Scops Owl or just Scops Owl, is a small owl. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae.

European Scops Owl, Otus scops

This bird breeds in southern Europe eastwards into western and central Asia. It is migratory, wintering in southernmost Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. It is rare any distance north of its breeding range, usually occurring as a spring overshoot. It is unlikely that this nocturnal owl would be found outside the breeding season when it is not calling.

It breeds in open woodland, parks and gardens. It lays 3-6 eggs in a tree hole. This is a small owl, and at 19-21 cm length and a 47-54 cm wingspan is not as large as the Little Owl. It takes small prey such as insects and other invertebrates. It is largely nocturnal.

The Scops Owl perches upright and shows small ear tufts. It is predominantly grey-brown in colour, with paler face, underparts and shoulder line. This species has a strong direct flight on long narrow wings, reflecting its migratory habits.

The call is a deep whistle given by both sexes. It is similar to the call of the Midwife Toad.

Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)

Issue #231

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King Cobra

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a large venomous snake of the family Elapidae. It is the only member of the genus Ophiophagus.

The King Cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world. It can reach a length of up to 5.5 metres (18 ft.), although around 3.5 metres (11.5 ft.) is more common; and can weigh up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds). The skin is black, greenish or brown, often with white or yellow bars; while the snake is young these lines are more distinct. It is a native of South-east Asia, inhabiting the forests of India, Malaysia and the Philippines, but not Sri Lanka. Its main diet is other snakes, but if it is desperate it will hunt for other small vertebrates. It only hunts during the day, by sight, and thus is classified as diurnal. As it lacks cutting teeth, it swallows its prey whole as is usual with snakes.

King Cobra, Ophiophagus hannah

The King Cobra is one of the few snakes that builds a nest and lays eggs and sits there until just before they hatch. The female makes its nest by taking dead bamboo leaves on the ground and scooping them up with her large body. Though many people say that there is nothing more aggressive than a mother King Cobra protecting her nest, it is an old wives' tale, and with a little coaxing it will leave the nest site. It lays somewhere between 20 and 40 eggs in the spring, two months after mating; the eggs hatch within 60 to 80 days. The hatchlings are between 45 and 50 centimetres long, and marked with black and white banding, and have lethal venom already. Since King Cobras are natural snake eaters, instinct causes the mother King Cobra to leave the young before they hatch, so as to prevent her from eating them, mainly because the adult has not eaten for two months. The King Cobra male is similarly unique in that it guards the nest until the young hatch, patrolling a large area around the nest for threats.

Though it is called a cobra, it is in a different genus. The scientific name Ophiophagus is derived from the Greek for "snake-eater". Though King Cobras are widely spread throughout India and southern Asia, there are no known subspecies;

The King Cobra has one of the longest lifespans among snakes (20 years). It is noted for its outstanding intelligence compared to that of other cobra species and other snakes in general. They also have excellent vision making it an expert hunter.

Drop for drop the King Cobra's venom is less lethal than many snakes including black mamba and common cobra, but the volume (7 ml) per bite is so overwhelming it can kill even an elephant or 20-30 humans. Currently anti-venom for its bite is not available readily. Its venom is a neurotoxin. It can stand in an upright threatening posture with its hood as high as 6 feet and even move in an upright stance; it can stare a human in the eye.

Adult King Cobras have no natural predators, though mongooses are known to attack young ones and steal eggs. However the greatest threat has been from human encroachment and the resultant habitat loss has resulted in dwindling numbers of this majestic snake.

Issue #232

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Asiatic Honeybee

The Asiatic Honeybee or the Eastern Honeybee (Apis cerana) are small honeybees of southern and southeastern Asia, such as China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea.

Asiatic Honeybee, Apis cerana

In the wild, they prefer to nest in small spaces, such as the hole of tree trunks. Like the honeybee (Apis mellifera), they are partly domesticated and used in apiculture, mostly in wooden boxes with fixed frames. Their size is similar or somewhat smaller than the Apis mellifera. They also have a more prominent abdominal stripes. Their honey yield is smaller, because they form smaller colonies. Their beeswax is used to treat and heal wounds.

Apis cerana is the natural host to the mite genus Varroa destructor, a serious pest of the European honeybee (Apis mellifera). Through a more careful grooming, they have a better defense mechanism against Varroa mites.

Thermal defense

When their hive is invaded by the Japanese giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica), about 500 Japanese honeybees (A. cerana japonica) surround the hornet and vibrate until the temperature is raised to 47°C (117°F), heating the hornet to death, but still under their own lethal limit (48-50°C).

Subspecies

* Apis cerana javana
* Apis cerana indica
* Apis cerana sinensis
* Apis cerana japonica

Issue #233

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Tarpon

The tarpons are large coastal fish notable as a prize of anglers. There are two species in a single genus Megalops in the family Megalopidae, one native to the Atlantic, and the other to the Indo-Pacific area.

The Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus (Valenciennes 1847), inhabits coastal waters, estuaries, lagoons, and rivers. It feeds on various fish and crabs. It is capable of filling its swim bladder with air and absorbing oxygen from it. Specimens have been recorded at up to 250 cm in length and weighing up to 161 kg. The Atlantic tarpon is also known as the "silver king".

Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus

In appearance, it is greenish or bluish on top, and silver on the sides. The large mouth is turned upwards, the lower jaw containing an elongated bony plate. The last ray of the dorsal fin is much longer than the others, reaching nearly to the tail.

The tarpon is considered one of the great saltwater game fish, not only because of the size it can reach and its accessible haunts, but because of its fighting spirit when hooked; it is very strong, making spectacular leaps into the air. The flesh is desirable but bony. In Florida, a special permit is required to kill and keep a tarpon, so most tarpon fishing there is catch-and-release.

The Indo-Pacific tarpon, Megalops cyprinoides is a lesser-known and smaller fish.

Species

Megalops atlanticus
Megalops cyprinoides

Issue #234

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Caribbean hermit crab

The Caribbean hermit crab (Coenobita clypeatus), also known as the tree-climbing crab and the purple pincher, is a species of hermit crab commonly sold in the United States. The last of its common names is due to their distinctive purple claw. Coenobita clypeatus is a member of the phylum Arthropoda and the class Crustacea. They have four walking legs, four tiny legs to hold the shell in place, a small pincher, a large pincher, and four antennae. The shell of the hermit crab is that of various marine snails. Once deceased, the snail body decomposes and the empty shell eventually washes onto shore. The hermit crab can then occupy the shell. Shell switching is not uncommon, and necessary as the crab grows.

A Caribbean hermit crab, Coenobita clypeatus, outside its shell

Coenobita clypeatus makes a good pet if taken care of properly. They require food and water dishes, and something to climb on. It is best to have two or more Coenobita clypeatus; having just one will cause it to become depressed and it may die. Depressed Coenobita clypeatus go through a process of losing their limbs one by one.

A Caribbean hermit crab inside its shell

Coenobita clypeatus along with all species of hermit crabs grow through a process called molting where the exoskeleton of the animal is shed and a new, soft exoskeleton is exposed from beneath. Over a period of several days, the new exoskeleton hardens and the old, shed exoskeleton is eaten by the hermit crab, in order to regain the calcium.

Issue #235

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Argentinosaurus

Argentinosaurus was a herbivorous sauropod dinosaur that is quite possibly the largest, heaviest land animal that ever lived. It developed on the island continent of South America during the Cretaceous period, after all of its more familiar Gondwanan Jurassic kin like Apatosaurus had long disappeared.

Argentinosaurus, Argentinosaurus huinculensis

Description

Not much of Argentinosaurus has been recovered: just some back vertebrae, tibia, fragmentary ribs, and sacrum. However, the spectacular proportions of these bones and the familiarity of the species' Sauropod relatives allows paleontologists to estimate that full-grown specimens reached some 35 to 45 metres (115 to 150 feet). Weight was perhaps 80 to 100 tonnes (90 to 110 tons). Vast wings on the vertebrae suited the attachment of massive muscles.

Classification and history

Argentinosaurus ("Argentina lizard") is a recent discovery. The type species, A. huinculensis, was only described and published (by the Argentinian palaeontologists José F. Bonaparte and Rodolfo Coria) in 1993. Its more specific time-frame within the Cretaceous is the Albian to Cenomanian epochs, 112.2 to 93.5 mya.

The fossil discovery site is in the Río Limay Formation in Neuquén Province, Argentina. Due to the enormous size of each bone, Rodolfo Coria apparently stated "God forbid we ever find a complete one" to National Geographic Magazine, who were covering the event.

Conservation status: Fossil

Issue #236

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small breed of dog usually considered one of the toy dog breeds.

Appearance

The breed has four recognized colors: Blenheim (rich chestnut on pearly white background), Tricolor (black and white with tan markings), Black and Tan (black with tan markings), and Ruby (rich red all over).

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Temperament

The breed is highly affectionate, and some have called the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel "the ultimate lap dog". However, they require a great deal of human companionship and do not do well if left alone for long periods of time. Most dogs of the breed are extremely patient and eager to please. As such, dogs of the breed are usually good with children and other dogs.

History

For many centuries, small breeds of spaniels have been popular in the United Kingdom. In the eleventh century, in the reign of King Canute, it was illegal to hunt with any dog that could not fit through a gauge that was eleven inches in diameter. Hence, the "birth" of the Toy Spaniel in the United Kingdom. Some centuries later, Toy Spaniels became popular as pets, especially as pets of the royal family. In fact, the King Charles Spaniel was so named because a Blenheim-coated spaniel was the children's pet in the household of King Charles I. King Charles II went so far as to issue a decree that the King Charles Spaniel could not be forbidden entrance to any public place, including the Houses of Parliament. Such spaniels can be be seen in many paintings of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. These early spaniels had longer, pointier snouts and thinner-boned limbs than today's.

Over time, the toy spaniels were replaced in popularity by short-snouted, dome-headed dogs of asian descent, such as the Pug and Japanese Chin. The King Charles Spaniel was bred with these dogs, resulting in the similar-shaped head of today's breed. The King Charles Spaniel remained popular at Blenheim Castle, home to the Dukes of Marlborough, where the brown and white version was the most popular - resulting in the name Blenheim for that color combination.

In the beginning of the 1900s, an American named Roswell Eldrige offered twenty-five pounds as a prize for any King Charles Spaniel "of the old-fashioned type" with a longer nose, flat skull, and a lozenge (spot) in the middle of the crown of the head, commonly called "the kiss of Buddha". So, the breed was developed by selective breeding of short-snouted King Charles Spaniels. The result was a dog that resembled the boyhood pet of the future Charles II of England ("Cavalier King Charles"), whence the breed derives its name.

Two breed clubs are found in the United States: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club (CKCSC) USA and the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club. The latter club is the breed club of the American Kennel Club.

Health

The breed suffers from a number of congenital defects, most significantly, syringomyelia, a condition affecting the brain and spine, causing symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain and partial paralysis. A major health issue that virtually all Cavaliers suffer from is mitral valve disease, causing progressively worsening heart murmurs leading to heart failure. This condition can begin to emerge at an early age, and is present in many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels by 5 years of age. It is extremely rare for a 10 year old to not have at least a slight murmur. Symptoms may only present as mild as heart murmurs, or the disease may progress rapidly, resulting in early death. Responsible breeders are attempting to breed only from dogs that exhibit a later onset of the disease.

Another common defect among Cavaliers is keratoconjunctivitis sicca, colloquially known as "dry eye". The usual cause of this condition is an autoimmune reaction against the dog's tear ducts, reducing the production of tears. The condition requires continual treatment and if untreated may result in partial or total blindness.

Miscellaneous

Puppy Mills

The increasing popularity of the breed has led to breeding of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in puppy mills. As for all breeds, prospective owners interested in purebred dogs should carefully research any potential puppy breeder.

Famous Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

* Rex, pet of Ronald Reagan
* Elizabeth Taylor, pet of Charlotte York in Sex and the City
* Hopper and Harley, pets of Courtney Cox

Country of origin: United Kingdom

Issue #237

poon cho tang SG

Guanaco

The Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) (sometimes spelled Guanco) is an elegant, fine-boned lamoid animal that stands approximately 3 ft 6" (1.06 m) at the shoulder and weighs about 200 lb (90 kg). Like the llama, the guanaco is double coated with a coarse guard hair and soft undercoat, which is even finer and thus more highly prized than that of the alpaca, although they carry far less of it. The colour varies very little, ranging from a light brown to dark cinnamon and shading to white underneath. Guanacos have grey faces and small straight ears. They are extremely striking with their large, alert brown eyes, streamlined form, and energetic pace. They are particularly ideal for keeping in large groups in open parklands.

Guanaco, Lama guanicoe

It is an endangered species; poachers hunt it for its meat, skin, and wool.

The guanaco is common to South America: in Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Argentina. Its average life span is 20-25 years.

When the Europeans first arrived in South America, there were an estimated half billion guanacos, but current estimates place their numbers at 500,000.

Guanacos can run with speed of 56 km (35 mi) per hour. The running is important for their survival, because in the open places where they live there is no place to hide.

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Issue #238

poon cho tang SG

Grey-crowned Crane

The Grey-crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) is a bird in the crane family Gruidae. It occurs in dry savannah in Africa south of the Sahara, although it nests in somewhat wetter habitats.

Grey-crowned Crane, Balearica regulorum

This species and the closely related Black-crowned Crane are the only cranes that can roost in trees, because of a long hind toe that can grasp branches. This habit, amongst other things, is a reason why the relatively small Balearica cranes are believed to closely resemble the ancestral members of the Gruidae.

The Grey-crowned Crane has a breeding display involving dancing, bowing, and jumping. It has a booming call which involves inflation of the red gular sac. It also makes a honking sound quite different from the trumpeting of other crane species.

The nest is a platform of grass and other plants in tall wetland vegetation. The Grey-crowned Crane lays a clutch of 2-5 eggs. Incubation is performed by both sexes and lasts 28-31 days. Chicks fledge at 56-100 days.

The Grey-crowned Crane is 116 cm tall and weighs 3.5 kg. Its body plumage is mainly grey. The wings are also predominantly white, but contain feathers with a range of colours. The head has a crown of stiff golden feathers. The sides of the face are white, and there is a bright red inflatable throat pouch. The bill is relatively short and grey, and the legs are black. The sexes are similar, although males tend to be slightly larger. Young birds are greyer than adults, with a feathered buff face.

Grey-crowned Cranes at Edinburgh Zoo

There are two subspecies. The East African B. r. gibbericeps (known as the "Crested Crane") occurs from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo through Uganda and Kenya to eastern South Africa. It has a larger area of bare red facial skin above the white patch than the nominate B. r. regulorum which breeds from Angola south to South Africa.

The Crested Crane is the national bird of Uganda and features in the country's flag and coat of arms. Like all cranes, it eats insects, reptiles, and other small mammals.

Although the Grey-crowned Crane remains common over much of its range, it faces threats to its habitat due to drainage, overgrazing, and pesticide pollution.

Issue #239

poon cho tang SG

Chinese Alligator

The Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinesis) is a small relative of the well-known American Alligator. Unlike its US cousin, the Chinese alligator rarely excedes 7 feet long, with 5 feet being a more common size.

Chinese Alligator, Alligator sinesis

While it originally ranged through much of China, this species' wild habitat has been reduced to little more than a few ponds containing a handful of animals, mostly due to conversion of its habitat to argicultural use. Poisoning of rats, which the alligators then eat, has also been blamed for their decline. In the past decade, only one wild nest has been found.

However, the species is prolific in captivity, with estimates of the total captive population at over 10,000 animals, mostly an the Anhui research center and the Madras Crocodile Bank, as well as numerous zoos.

Physically, this species is an almost perfect miniature of its American cousin. Chinese alligators have proportionally larger heads than young American alligators of the same size, as well as having scales that are more granular and a pattern of faint, light bands against their dark background.

This species is widely regarded as quite docile, but, as with any crocodilian, it is capable of inflicting immense damage on an unwary keeper and should thus be treated with caution.

Issue #240

poon cho tang SG

Codling moth

The Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) is an agricultural pest of the Lepidopteran family Tortricidae. Its larva is the common apple worm. It is native to Europe and was introduced to North America, where it has become one of the regular pests of apple orchards. It is found almost worldwide. It also attacks pears, walnuts, and other tree fruits.

Codling moth, Cydia pomonella

The codling moth is grayish with light gray and copper stripes on its wings, and has an average wingspan of 17 mm. The females lay eggs on fruit trees and the black-headed yellow larvae attack the fruit immediately upon hatching. Each larva burrows into the fruit, eats for around three weeks, then leaves the fruit to overwinter and pupate elsewhere.

Codling moth infestations are often prevented with pesticides. Many other methods of control are being utilized as techniques are refined. Pheromone traps are used to prevent successful mating by capturing male moths using female pheromone as an attractant. Mating disruption devices emit female pheromone in higher quantities so that males are not actually trapped, merely confused and unable to locate females. The unmated females then lay unfertilized eggs. Codling moth is also a good candidate for biological control by Trichogramma wasps. The wasps deposit their eggs into codling moth eggs, and the developing wasp larvae consume the moth embryo inside.

Issue #241

Ghost Rider SG

Silky anteater (Cyclopes didactylus)
Range: Southern Mexico to Bolivia/Brazil.
Primarily nocturnal and arboreal.
Eats termites and insects.
Possibly biparental care with both parents regurgitating insects to young.
Often found in silk-cotton trees (Ceiba) trees, which produce large silky seed pods very similar in appearance to the anteaters.

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