'/> Amazing Animals: July 2011

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Amusing Dogs and Cats

The phrase “fight like cats and dogs”, indicates that in general, dogs and cats are deemed mortal enemies. However, given the right conditions, dogs and cats can poster a good relationship.



Pride comes before a fall – Proverb

Proudie: See, I have mastered the Art of Balancing.

Kathie: Good, then why not do a front sommersault and see if you’ll land on all-four.

photo link

Honesty is the best policy

Shaggy: Hey pal, What do you think of my new $100 hairdo?

Kitty: To tell you frankly, You’re a mess!

photo link

The Narcotic Dog

Bruno: Hold it young fella, I’m not done checking you.

A stroll at the Mall

photo link

Bruce: Hey,Tubby, you seem to gain some extra pounds?

Tubby: Really? I guess not…

The law-abiding cat

photo link

Curly: What do you think? Should we now cross the street?

Whisker: Hold it friend, the sign reads” Stop, Look, Listen”.

Adopt a cat!

photo link

X: Are you really my dad?

Y: Definite not! but you are my adopted child.

Stethoscope

photo link

Cat: I guess you need to use a stethoscope to hear the purr.

Saying goodbye

photo link

Amor:Please, don’t leave me. I can’t face life without you.

The Christmas Party

photo link

Bjorg: Hope nobody recognize me.

Stan: Gosh.. Is that you Garfield?

Dinner Time

photo link

Speed: Get out of my way, it’s dinner time.

Pilar: Hey, you scare the hell out of me!

The Odd family

photo link

It’s so great when your family can get along together!

Perfect friendship

photo link

Now, judge for yourselves? Can dogs and cats live in harmony? My guess is as good as yours. They set a good example, we human can follow.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Amazing Animals Whose Names Start with The Letter J

Whether on land, water, or air, these J animals demonstrate amazing skills.

In search of food or just evading threats, these animals apply different means; sprint, glide, hop, or jump. Whatever the trick is, these J animals have amazing ways to finish the job.

Jabiru

photo link

The Jabiru (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) or the Black-necked Stork, is the largest and the only stork found in Australia. This black and white – bodied stork is about 1.4 m tall with a 30cm-long black bill. The neck and head are dark green in color, while its long legs are coral-red in color. Jabiru storks are found in wetlands, shallow swamps, and other waterways. Usually seen foraging alone, this wetland bird’s feeds on fish, mollusks, crustaceans and amphibians. It uses its large bill to seize prey.

Jackdaw

photo link

The Jackdaw (Corvus monedula), sometimes called Western Jackdaw, is almost a black-colored passerine bird. These birds are widespread across Europe, western Asia and North Africa. They live in villages and towns, cultivated lands, coastal cliffs and wooded steppes. The jackdaw is one of the smallest species in the crow family measuring at 34–39 cm in length with a wingspan of about 67-74 cm and weighs between 220-270 g. These sociable birds have grey neck, eyes, and shoulders. The bill and legs are black. A known omnivorous, jackdaws feed on insects, small invertebrates, worms, snails, mice, berries, seeds and fruits.

Jaguar

photo link

The Jaguar (Panthera onca) is the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion. It is widespread across Central America living in forested and open terrain as well as areas close to water sources. The jaguar has a short and stocky limb structure, whose weight ranges between 56–96 kilograms. At shoulder’s length, jaguar averages from 67–76 centimeters tall and a tail about 75 cm. A remarkable feature of this wily animal is its spotty coat. A solitary animal, jaguar hunts for prey, usually at around dawn and dusk. Its diet includes dogs, foxes, capybara, deer, tapirs, anacondas and caiman. Jaguar also feast on small animals like; birds, fish, monkeys, frogs, mice and turtles.

Jackal

photo link

Jackals are medium-sized canines widespread n Africa and southeastern Europe, except for the golden jackal which are found in Asia. There are three known species of Jackal, the Common Jackal (Canis aureus), the Side-striped Jackal (Canis adustus) and the Black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas). Depending on species, jackals are found in open savannas, grassy plains and desert. Though they differ in size range, jackal averages between 70 – 86 centimeters in length and weighs between 15 – 35 pounds. Jackals are highly-skilled hunters, thanks to their large feet, long legs and sharp canine teeth. Jackals are omnivorous scavengers and most active at dawn and dusk. They hunt animals such as birds, reptiles, rodents, hares, sheep, gazelles, antelope, gazelles and even livestock. Also, they feed on insects, fruits and vegetation. Jackals are monogamous. Females usually give birth to 2-4 pups.

Jellyfish

photo link

Jellyfish (jellies or sea jellies) generally refers to members of the phylum Ctenophora, which are fish-eating animals found in every ocean. However, some hydrozoan jellyfish is also found in fresh water. Several types of jellyfish are recorded, some a few centimeters across, while the biggest known jellyfish species is the Lion’s Mane Jellyfish measuring about a meter across. The adult jellyfish has a bell-shaped, soft bodies and long, stinging, poisonous tentacles used in capturing food. Jellyfish feed on fish and other sea animals. Jellyfish do not have a brain or central nervous system and is 98% water. Jellyfish can live for a few hours to several months, depending on the species. A group of jellyfish is called a bloom or a swarm.

Jerboa

photo link

Jerboas (Jaculus jaculus) are hopping desert rodents belonging to the Dipodidae. Resembling a mini kangaroo, jerboas are widespread throughout hot deserts of Africa and Asia. There are about 25 extant species of jerboas including the Lesser Egyptian Jerboa and two threatened species namely: the Five-toed Pygmy Jerboa and the Thick-tailed Pygmy Jerboa. They have long, soft and silky fur. Jerboas measures between 5-15 cm long and with a 8-25 cm long tail. These nocturnal rodents have long ears, tails and hind legs. Jerboas spend the day in burrows and hunt for food at dusk. The diet includes seed, plants and small insects. This tiny mammal can jump as far as 3 m in a single leap.

Japanese beetle

photo link

The Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) is native to Japan. These green-bodied beetle is about 15 millimeters in length and 10 millimeters wide. It is oval-shaped with brown or copper-colored elytra. A remarkable feature of this beetle is the pronounced tufts of white hairs along its body and abdomen. Japanese beetles are mostly found in gardens, open meadows and woodlands. Though not mark as pest in Japan, these beetles are voracious eaters. They travel in packs, feeding on both the foliage and flowers of plants. Japanese beetles have a 2-year life span.

Jackrabbit

photo link

A common misconception is that jackrabbits are rabbits, but the truth is they are actually hares. Hares are bigger than rabbits, having longer ears and taller hind legs. There are five known species of jackrabbits scattered across central and western North America. These hares are found in grasslands, forests, prairies and deserts. They are shy but fast-moving animals with one species, the European Brown Hare, is capable of sprinting up to 72 km/h. Adult s can reach 60 cm in height and weigh between 1.4 to 4 kg. Jackrabbits are herbivores and feed on grasses, leaves, twigs, herbs, and bark. In their natural habitat, jackrabbits average life span is from 1 to 5 years.

Jumping spider

photo link

The jumping spider (Salticidae) is the largest spider family comprising of about 5,000 known species. They live in a wide range of habitat including; scrub lands, forests, deserts, and mountains. A remarkable feature of the jumping spider is its four big frontal eyes and four smaller ones on top of the head. They are brightly-colored, with sturdy bodies and short legs. Adults measure between 2 to 22 mm. Blessed with excellent vision, jumping spiders are active predators. Generally carnivorous, they stalk and pounce on small insects. There are few species who go after pollen and nectar.

Japanese Chin

photo link

The Japanese Chin, also known as the Japanese Spaniel, measures from 20 to 27 cm in height and weighs from 2 to 7 kg. It has a large head, large round eyes, short ears and a short broad muzzle. It has long white with patches of black, orange, lemon, or red. A very good companion dog, the Japanese Chin is an intelligent, loving and charming dog.

Check out the entire Animal Alphabet list here:
Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 1
Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 2

Sunday, July 3, 2011

The Zany Animals whose Names Start with Z

Just to enrich our knowledge about the animal kingdom; here are seven animals whose names start with the letter “Z”.

Zigzag Salamander

photo link

The Northern Zigzag Salamander (Plethodon dorsalis) is relatively small as compared to other salamander. It is only about six to 11 cm long. Zigzag salamander’s abdomen carries white and reddish orange markings with zigzag edges. It is widespread in some U.S states that includes: southern Illinois, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, central Indiana as well as Missouri. Zigzag salamanders are usually found in moist or wet habitats hiding in rocks, dead logs and leaf litters. This salamander feasts on small arthropods and earthworms.

Zenaida Dove

photo link

Zenaida Dove or Eared dove (Zenaida auriculata) is found throughout South America, inhabiting open fields, agricultural lands and savannahs. The Eared Dove can be distinguished by its brown upper feathers long wedge-shaped tail and black markings on its wings. It may grow to about 24 cm long and weighs about 112 g. Known to be agricultural pests, they feed on seeds found on the ground

Zorilla

photo link

Zorilla or the Striped Polecat (Ictonyx striatus), appears like skunk but actually is a member of the weasel family. It is widespread in southern and western Africa living in savannahs and grasslands. Striped polecats have black fur with white stripes, and white spots on the face. On average, they grow to about 26 cm long and weigh 1.21 kg. They are nocturnal and carnivores whose diet include: small rodents, insects, frogs, lizards, snakes and birds.

Zeren

photo link

Zeren or the Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa), is a fairly-sized antelope that is found abundantly in Mongolia, and some part of China. It grows to about 100 to 150 cm in body length and weighs 20 to 39 kg. During summer, Zeren’s coat shows a pinkish tone, but becomes paler during winter. Adult males carry lyre-shaped horns. Zerens are known to be fast runners and swimmers.

Zone-tailed Pigeon

photo link

Zone-tailed pigeon or The Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon (Ducula poliocephala),is a fruit-eating bird that is native to the Philippines. It has dark gray plumage, red eyes, pale gray head and tails and pink belly. Due to habitat loss, zone-tailed pigeons fall under the “near threatened” bird species, according to the 2000 IUCN Red List.

Zebu

photo link

Zebu (Bos indicus), is found in India, some parts of East Asia, and Africa. There are about 75 extant species of this so called “humped cattle”. Aside from the fatty humps, Zebu also has big dewlaps, long legs. curving horns and drooping ears. They come in different colors such as; black, gray, or bay. In India, Zebu is used as draught oxen and beef cattle

Zebra

photo link

Zebras are African horses whose distinctive marks are their white and black stripes that is unique to each individual. Zebras are known to be social animals that are found in savannahs, grasslands, and coastal hills living in herds. Zebras can grow up to 3,5 to 5 feet at shoulder height and can weigh between 200 to 450 kg depending upon the type of species. There are three known species of Zebra namely: Plains Zebra or Burchell Zebra, Grévy’s Zebra and the Mountain Zebra. Zebras are herbivore and feed mainly on grass.

Check out the entire Animal Alphabet list here:
Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 1
Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 2