Tag: wildlife

Snakes

~ joannerambling ~ 11 Comments

This week will look at snakes the legless reptiles, they are far more diverse and surprising than most people realise so here is some information about them.

It is believed that they evolved from four‑limbed lizards around 100 million years ago. Some species, like pythons and boas, still carry tiny vestigial leg bones — evolutionary leftovers.

They can be found everywhere except Ireland, Iceland, New Zealand, and the polar regions.

They live in some amazing habitats such as forests, deserts, grasslands, mountains but only up to 16,000 feet, oceans and even 800 feet underwater of Australia.

They don’t hear airborne sound well but detect ground vibrations with great sensitivity. Their eyes are covered by a transparent scale called a spectacle, which sheds with the rest of the skin. Many species use heat‑sensing pits to detect warm‑blooded prey.

When it comes to moving, they use several locomotion styles depending on the terrain there is the classic slithering which is called lateral undulation, then there is rectilinear movement which is for slow, stalking. Some can glide from tree-to-tree others are excellent swimmers and when on loose sand the do something called sidewinding.

Do you know what they eat, well they are carnivores so small snakes eat insects, frogs, lizards and rodents. Larger ones can eat deer, antelope, capybaras and even jaguars, not something I have ever they would eat. Mostly because they swallow prey whole thanks to flexible jaws. Also, some can go two years without eating due to extremely slow metabolism.

Most snakes lay eggs, but some give birth to live young, babies are independent from birth needing no parental care. A few species (like pythons and king cobras) guard their nests. Some females can store sperm for years. The Brahminy blind snake is all‑female and reproduces without males.

There are about 725 venomous species, and 250 can kill a human with one bite.


The most dangerous snake globally (in terms of human deaths) is the saw‑scaled viper.

Australia’s inland taipan is the most venomous by toxicity but rarely kills because it avoids humans.

About one‑third of adults have some level of snake fear. Scientists believe this may be an evolutionary instinct — early humans who avoided snakes were more likely to survive.

Chameleons

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This week we are looking at another reptile the chameleon.

Chameleons are believed to have been around for 65 million years. There are over 200 species across Africa and Europe and Asia, with Madagascar as the stronghold—home to more than half of all known species.

They range in size from very tiny, no bigger than a thumbnail up to 2 feet.

Their eyes can move independently, giving them nearly 360° vision. Many species can see ultraviolet light, which helps with communication and mate selection.

We all know that they are able to change colour, many may think this is done solo as a form of camouflage but that’s not the case, they also change colour to communicate and to regulate temperature.

A chameleon’s natural colour as in the one it displays when calm, unstressed, and not trying to communicate—is usually a blend of greens and browns, sometimes with muted yellows or greys depending on the species. These resting tones provide passive camouflage in their typical habitats.

These baseline colours are part of their camouflage strategy, helping them blend into vegetation without needing dramatic colour shifts.

The brighter blues, reds, oranges, and yellows only appear when they are communicating, regulating temperature, or reacting to stress.

Colour change happens through layers of pigment‑filled skin cells that expand or contract under neural control.

When it comes to feeding and hunting their tongues can shoot out at high speed—up to about 13 miles per hour—to snatch prey. They most eat insects although larger ones may eat small birds or lizards.

Many species have prehensile tails for gripping branches, they can be found in rainforests, deserts, and mountainous regions, depending on the species.

How long they live varies, but a typical wild chameleon lives around 12 years.

In Madagascar, chameleons appear in folklore and proverb’s, sometimes viewed as mystical or omens of luck.

Turtles

~ joannerambling ~ 5 Comments

This week we are looking at turtles, did you know they are cold blooded reptiles, which is why they are often seen basking in the sun.

Some feel they seem ancient and mysterious as well as strangely comforting. This may have something to do with the fact that they have been around for more than 220 million years, what the hell that means they were around during the time of the dinosaurs.

Their slow, steady way of life hides a surprising amount of diversity and evolutionary brilliance.

Their shells are part of the skeleton which means they can’t leave it and it grows with them.

There are three main species, sea turtles, freshwater turtles and tortoises, they often live a long time some giant tortoises can live over 150 years.

Sea Turtles are graceful ocean wanderers that migrate thousands of kilometres. Females return to the exact beach where they hatched to lay eggs, sadly many species of sea turtles are endangered due to fishing nets, pollution, and habitat loss. Examples are the Green Turtle, Logerhead, Hawksbill.

Then there are Freshwater Turtles, which are found in rivers, lakes and wetlands, with some of the most unique species being found in Australia. Examples are the Murry River Turtle, Mary River Turtle which has punk-rock algae hair.

Lastly, we have tortoises which are land dwelling, slow moving, long living with thick domed shells. They are herbivores a famous one is Jonathan who holds the recorded for being the longest living.

All turtles lay eggs on land, even sea turtles with hatchlings relying on moonlight to guide them to the ocean, sex is determined by temperature warmer nest produce more females.

They may not be fast, but they’re far from simple, as Sea turtles navigate using Earth’s magnetic field, Freshwater turtles recognise individual humans and some species communicate through low‑frequency sounds.

They play essential roles in ecosystems with sea turtles keep seagrass meadows healthy, freshwater turtles clean waterways by scavenging and tortoises shape landscapes by grazing and digging.

Emu

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This week we are looking at the Emu they are the second-largest living birds in the world, native only to Australia, and known for their speed, endurance, and unique breeding habits.

They stand up to 1.75–2 meters tall and weigh 50–55 kg (110–121 lbs), with brownish feathers with a shaggy texture; long legs adapted for running. They have three forward-facing toes, which help them sprint and manoeuvre quickly.

Some may know and some may not know but emus can run as fast as 50 km/h which is 31 mph, and they can jump up to 2 meters which is 7 feet and to that they are damn strong swimmer and move through water damn fast when they want to.

These birds are omnivorous with their diet consisting of seeds, fruits, flowers, shoots, and insects like beetles and grasshoppers. They will travel long distances to find food and water, often forming loose groups called “mobs.”

They will mate for life in the wild, the female will lay 7–10 large dark green eggs, each about 13 cm long, but it the male who incubates the eggs for ~60 days and raises the chicks, while the female often moves on to mate again.

Now are you wondering what they sound like, well the female makes a deep, low-pitched sounds that can sound like drumming and often described as a hollow and resonant sound. These calls can carry for long distances and are used for communication, especially during breeding season. Males tend to sound like a soft grunt.

These calls are used to attract mates, signal territory, or keep contact with other emus.

Have you heard of the Emu War of 1932 this was a war us humans lost, the Australian army tried to cull emus damaging crops, but the birds proved too elusive. Despite firing 10,000 rounds of ammunition, fewer than 1,000 were killed, and the “war” was considered a failure.

Cockatoo

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Last week I wrote about birds in general, this week I am writing about the Cockatoo.

Cockatoos are intelligent, expressive parrot’s native to Australasia, known for their dramatic crests, powerful beaks, and deep emotional bonds with humans. They’re among the most affectionate and long-lived pet birds.

There are around 21 recognized species, including the Sulphur-crested, Galah, Palm, and Major Mitchell’s cockatoos

They are native to Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands.

Typically white, black, or pink with dramatic crests; less rainbow-coloured than other parrots

Their beak is strong, curved with a unique “three-way bite” for cracking nuts and gripping objects

They live in flocks and form lifelong pair bonds, they are loud and expressive, you wouldn’t want one if you lived I an apartment due to their volume.

They like to eat seeds, nuts, fruits, roots, and insects; use their beaks and strong tongues to forage.

They have a lifespan: 25–60 years, with some living over 70 years in captivity, in the wild they live in tree hollows and both parents care for their young.

They reproduce through internal fertilization, followed by egg-laying and a dedicated incubation period of about 28–30 days. The female lays 1–3 eggs per clutch, typically spaced a few days apart. Eggs are laid in a nest cavity or nesting box lined with wood shavings or soft material. The eggs are white and oval, and both parents may take turns incubating them.

Incubation lasts 28–30 days, during which the eggs must be kept at a stable temperature (~37.2°C) and humidity (55–60%).

Eggs are turned regularly to ensure even development and prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell. They are born blind and featherless, relying entirely on their parents. Their feathers start appearing in a few weeks and by 10 to 12 weeks they are ready to leave the nest.

They are highly social and attentive parents, often forming lifelong bonds. They teach their young vocalizations, foraging, and social behaviours essential for survival.

Birds

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

Hello everyone, this week we are looking at birds, did you know there are over 11,000 species of birds throughout the world and 800 different species in Australia.

Now I expect everyone knows that all birds have feathers, beaks and wings but not all can fly. I will talk about those that don’t fly next week.

The country with the largest number of different species in Colombia with about 1,917.

This remarkable avian diversity is due to Colombia’s unique geography and climate.

The country with the fewest bird species is Vatican City, due to its extremely small size and limited natural habitat. However, if you’re considering larger countries with more ecological context, Iceland is often cited as having notably low avian diversity.

Do you know the diet of birds, most eat plants and seeds but there are some that eat meat, meat eaters are considered birds of prey. However, there are some that are not like the Butcher bird and the Magpie both are native to Australia.

Birds that have musical voices are called songbirds; they have specially developed vocal cords which are called the syrinx which they use to produced sounds resembling songs. They also have a special section in their brain which helps them learn their songs.

The birds that fly do so to find food and avoid predators; birds have a very light skeleton and strong muscles and wings. The shape and size of their wings determine the distance between and type of flight they can do.

Birds have feathers for flight, insulation, communication, camouflage, and protection—making feathers one of the most versatile and essential adaptations in the animal kingdom.

However, their feathers are not just for flight, they have bright, patterned feathers are used in courtship rituals to attract mates. Males often display more vibrant colours than females. Birds fluff, spread, or raise feathers to signal aggression, readiness to mate, or submission.

Many birds have feather colours and patterns that match their surroundings, helping them avoid predators or sneak up on prey.

Some species molt into different plumage depending on the season for better camouflage.

Feathers protect birds from UV radiation, wind, rain, and physical injuries.

Dense feather layers help shield sensitive skin from harsh environments.

Rodents

~ joannerambling ~ 4 Comments

Hello everyone, it is hot here and it is the type of day that I feel like doing stuff for an hour or so then I need to have a rest.

Anyway this week we are looking at rodents they are the largest order of mammals with hour many species there are. There are around 2,500 different species around the world.

Rodents are found everywhere except in Antarctica.

The character traits of rodents are incredibly diverse, as they are the largest order of mammals. However, they share several key physical and behavioural characteristics that define the group such as.

They have sharp incisor teeth which never stop growing and are kept short by gnawing.

They lack canine teeth and some premolars, leaving a distinct gap (diastema) between their incisors and their cheek teeth (molars/premolars).

While most are small (mice, hamsters), the order includes the largest living rodent, the capybara which weighs up to 70 kg.

They typically have robust bodies, short limbs, and a long tail although tails vary greatly—some are bushy like squirrels, others are nearly hairless like rats, and some are short or stubby.

They rely heavily on their long, sensitive whiskers to navigate and explore their environment, especially in the dark, as their vision is often less developed with many being colourblind or have poor eyesight.

Also they lack sweat glands and dissipate heat primarily through their tails and ears, making them susceptible to overheating.

They are one of the most successful mammalian groups, inhabiting nearly every environment on every continent except Antarctica. They are highly adaptable to new and human-disturbed environments.

The majority are herbivores, feeding on seeds, nuts, fruit, and plants, but many are omnivorous (like rats), and some are specialized predators (like grasshopper mice).

They are known for their high reproductive capacity, having large litters and short gestation periods, which helps compensate for high predation rates.

Apes

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Ok this week we are looking still at primates but the ones we generally think of as being much larger. Those being apes which belong to different families and have key differences in their physical characteristics, behaviour, and evolutionary lineage.

There are 20 species of apes the smallest is the Gibbon with the gorilla being the largest.

The physical differences are such an ape’s tail is one straightforward way to tell them apart, what is the main difference apes do not have tails, generally speaking,

Apes are generally larger and have a more robust build than monkeys. Apes have a broader chest, a larger brain-to-body size ratio, and more mobile shoulder joints that allow them to swing through trees (a form of locomotion called brachiation). Monkeys are typically smaller, with a narrower chest, and are better suited for running and leaping on top of branches.  

When it comes to movement monkeys are mostly quadrupedal, meaning they walk on all four limbs, often running along branches. Apes, because of their broad chest and flexible shoulders, can walk upright for short distances, and many are known for knuckle-walking.

When it comes to facial features, Apes often have flatter faces with a wide range of expressive features, which allows for complex social communication. Monkeys tend to have longer snouts and less expressive faces.  

Apes are generally considered more intelligent than monkeys. They have larger brains and exhibit more complex cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, abstract thinking, and self-awareness (many can recognize themselves in a mirror).  

Both monkeys and apes are highly social, but apes tend to have more complex social structures with hierarchies and alliances. Great apes also form strong family units and display a high degree of empathy and social learning.

They usually have a longer lifespan then a monkey and usually only have one baby at a time.

Some people find it hard to get their head around the fact that chimpanzees are not monkeys but are part of the ape family.

More next week

Monkey’s

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

Today’s topic is monkeys, so what is a monkey, well a monkey is a tailed primate, excluding lemurs, tarsiers, and lorises. They are different from apes because apes do not have tails. Monkeys have narrow chests and specific skeletal features that distinguish them from apes. Most monkey species, of which there are nearly 200, reside in tropical forests and move on all four limbs.

Monkeys are divided into two main groups: Old World and New World monkeys. Old World monkeys belong to the family Cercopithecidae, while New World monkeys are platyrrhines, comprising five families. These groups are distinguished by their noses: New World monkeys have broad noses with wide septums and outward-facing nostrils, while Old World monkeys have narrow noses with thin septums and downward-facing nostrils.

Most monkeys have good problem-solving skills and can learn from experience, but they do not reach the cognitive levels of great apes. Monkeys are highly social animals that live in troops.

Monkeys are found in the wild in many countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. While they are most prevalent in tropical rainforests, some species have adapted to live in other environments, including snowy mountains and urban areas.  

How long do they live well that differs depending on the species, their environment (wild vs. captivity), and other factors. However, in general in the wild most live between 15-30yrs, baboons, can live up to 40yrs.

Monkeys in captivity often live much longer than their wild counterparts due to protection from predators, disease, and competition for food. It’s common for monkeys in zoos or research centres to live well into their 30’s or 40’s.

Monkeys are highly adaptable omnivores, and their diet can vary significantly depending on the species, their habitat, and the season. While the image of a monkey eating a banana is iconic, it’s not a primary food source for many wild species, and their diets are much more diverse.  

They are opportunistic eaters, and their diet reflects their ability to adapt to their surroundings and take advantage of any available food source. They eat a large variety of fruits and not just bananas, they also eat berries, mangos and figs to name a few. They also eat nuts and seeds, some are able to crack open hard nuts and seeds.

Many monkeys, especially larger species like howler monkeys and colobus monkeys, have specialized digestive systems to process fibrous plant material.  

They get crucial protein from a variety of animal sources, such as invertebrates like ants, termites, caterpillars, and spiders, as well as small vertebrates like lizards, frogs, bird eggs, and even small birds and rodents.  

Elephants

~ joannerambling ~ 4 Comments

Today we are looking at elephants which are the largest living land animals. Three living species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant.

African elephants are the largest land animals, with males reaching up to 13 feet tall and weighing up to 14,000 pounds. 

The trunk is a multi-functional organ, used for breathing, smelling, touching, drinking, and even as a tool for digging and grabbing.

They have tusks, which are actually elongated incisor teeth that grow throughout their lives. 

While their skin is thick, it’s also sensitive and elephants often use mud and dust to protect themselves from the sun and insects. 

They are known to have an exceptional memory and are known to remember individuals and locations for years. 

They live in close-knit herds, primarily led by older females, and communicate through various vocalizations and body language. 

They communicate using a range of sounds, including trumpeting and infrasound, which can travel long distances.

African elephants are pregnant for an average of 22 months, whilst for Asian elephants it’s 18 to 22 months.1 You might think such a long pregnancy is because of what huge creatures they are – but you’d only be partly correct. Baby elephants do develop slowly in the womb because of their physical size but also because of the size of their intellect.

Baby elephants can stand and walk within minutes of birth, and they stay close to their mothers for support and protection. 

Both African and Asian elephants are facing threats from habitat loss and poaching, leading to conservation efforts to protect them. 

They can live almost as long as humans, African elephants have a maximum lifespan of about 74 years, Asian elephants can live to about 80 and the oldest known elephant in the world is thought to be an Asian elephant who lived to be 89 in captivity.