'/> Amazing Animals: September 2012

Friday, September 28, 2012

The World’s Most Brilliantly Colored Lizards

"Yak! Those creatures are freaking slimy," I don't blame you if you too share a similar observation. But guess what, after running through some interesting facts about them -- you will surely love these guys.

There are about 3,800 different species of lizards worldwide. They inhabit all continents except Antarctica. Green colored and dull colored lizards are very common. Have you seen a blue lizard? How about a red or orange one? How about a red-violet-colored reptile? A red-violet-colored lizard will surely look beautiful and pretty.

Mwanza Flat-headed Agama

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The Mwanza Flat-headed Agama (Agama mwanzae) is probably the prettiest of all lizards. It looks stunning with its red-violet and blue color combination. It can be found in sub-Saharan Africa. This lizard that loves basking on rocks, hence it is also commonly known as Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama.

The Mwanza Flat-headed Agama is now a very popular and fashionable pet because of its bright coloration which resembles the popular comic book superhero Lizard-man … errr…Spider-man.

Cape Dwarf Chameleon

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As the common name of the Cape Dwarf Chameleon(Bradypodion pumilum) implies, it is a small but very vibrant species of chameleon. It is endemic to Western Cape, South Africa. Like many chameleons, it has a tongue twice as long as its body which it uses to catch insects some distance away. Including its tail, it can grow to a length of 15 cm.

Kenyan Rock Agama

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The Kenyan Rock Agama (Agama lionotus) is an attractive and colorful lizard species that can be found in Kenya, hence the name. it can be found also in Uganda and Tanzania. It is often mistaken for the Red-headed Rock Agama which is another species of Agama.

Lined Day Gecko

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Another brilliantly color lizard species is the Lined Day Gecko (Phelsuma lineata lineate). This pretty gecko can be found in Madagascar inhabiting different trees and houses. Insects and nectars are its favorite foods. This small lizard, reaching about 15 cm in length, is dark green in color with small red dots.

Sinai Agama

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The Sinai Agama (Agama sinaita) is a blue-colored lizard species commonly found in desert areas around the Red Sea. This agamid lizard is a good runner and climber and can grow up to 25 cm long. This omnivore feeds on plants, arthropods and insects. The male species turns to striking blue to attract females while in heat.

Emerald Tree Monitor

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The Emerald Tree Monitor (Varanus prasinus) is a brightly-colored arboreal lizard highly sought after by private collectors and zoos alike. This monitor lizard is popular for its unusual coloration, which consists of shades from green to turquoise. It can be found in New Zealand and Australia and neighboring islands. It can grow up to 100 cm in length. It is also commonly known as the Green Tree Monitor.

Blue-tailed Skink

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The lovely and attractive Blue-tailed Skink (Cryptoblepharus egeriae) is endemic to Australia which is recognizable for its blue tail and black body with yellow stripes. It can grow up to more than 8 cm in length. Male species lose the blue color of its tail as it matures while the female species retains the blue color of its tail for life.

Lined Plated Lizard

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The cool-looking Lined Plated Lizard (Zonosaurus laticaudatus) is not a very brightly-colored lizard but it is somehow unique in coloration and appearance. This particular lizard species was photographed at the Kirindy Forest Reserve in Madagascar.

Common Green Forest Lizard

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The colorful head of the Common Green Forest Lizard (Calotes calotes) is what makes it remarkable. This captivating lizard can be found in India and Sri Lanka. In addition to its striking appearance, its body is bright green in color with 5 or 6 whitish or dark, green transverse stripes. Its belly is pale green and its tail is light brown.

Blue-tailed Day Gecko

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The Blue-tailed Day Gecko (Phelsuma cepediana) is a beautiful and colorful gecko species of Mauritius. This medium-sized diurnal species can grow up to 15 cm long. The male species is bright blue in color with red spots and dashes while female species is bright green with rust-colored spots without the blue color.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

The Tiny But Mighty Finger Monkey

Interesting facts about finger monkey and some cute photos of them.

Finger Monkey

One for the Guinness Book of Records, a monkey the size of a human finger! Yes, you read it right. The name of this primate – Finger Monkey or the pygmy marmoset. Native to rain forests of South America, this tiny finger monkey or “pocket monkey” when fully grown measures only 5 inches (head and body) with 8-9 inches black-ringed tail.

Adults weigh around 5 ounces. Finger monkey has almond-shaped eyes and a furry body. The finger monkey is an omnivorous, feeding on fruits, leaves, insects, small lizards, as well as small invertebrate. These highly sociable primates have a life span of 11 to 15 years.

Warning! Don’t be deceived by finger monkeys’ cuteness! If provoked, they will counter by using their extremely sharp claws on you. Enough of the introduction, it’s about time to present these tiny but mighty finger monkeys.

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B1: Hey brother, how do you feel? Are you alright?

B2: Not so well. I think Gulliver is tightening his grip on me.

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This is what we call Synchronized Gymnastic.

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Just be careful with me and don’t you ever dare to let go of me.

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A couple of centimeters more and I’ll be on top of this Skycraper.. Just like my idol King Kong.

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No matter what, I’ll try to cling on this finger with my dear life.

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Now I see more problems coming our way. The Boss wanted us to be the main course in their Exotic Food Festival.

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I’m dying of hunger. got to get hold of that big ripe banana.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Kittens on The Loose

Cats are such adorable companions at home. Aside from being friendly and sociable, cats have traits other house pets may lack, such as: affection, sweetness and loyalty to their masters. But how about kittens? Will they show the same behavior as their parents. The 10 cute photos of kittens below, give us an insight on what they can offer their masters.

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Help! Help! I’m stuck in this shoe. This is my punishment for being too naughty.

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Ah… poor pal. You’re just too naughty.. but not wise. Just loosen up the shoe lace.

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Kitten 1: Hear that.. just loosen up the shoe lace and will be free.

Kitten 2: What lace? We’re jammed in our own food can…


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Gosh! Such a lovely lady!

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Indeed! She might be new in our neighborhood. Got to know her name.

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Gee… I don’t like the way those two guys look at me. Hope Mario Dear is watching me.

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Don’t you worry Babe, I’am up to the rescue… C’mon guys, just lay a hand on my chic and you’re dead.

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This is what I get for being a Gramma’s pet. I look like a clown…

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My master always confuse me with his Teddy Bear.. Do I look one?

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How nice to have a celebrity master…I’m always on the spotlight.

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My master is the king of Catlandia, so it is just proper that I sleep on a Prince bed.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

We are Family: The Persian Cat

The Persian cat is considered the number one cat breed in terms of popularity. They have sweet and gentle temperament that suit well into most households. Persian cats feel more at home in an environment of security and serenity, however, with love and reassurance, they can easily adapt to the most boisterous households.

In a cat show or competition, Persian cats come in a number of colors that are divided into seven color divisions. Below are the color divisions:

Solid Color Division

In the solid color division, there are whites, creams, blacks, blues, reds, lilacs, and chocolates. All of these have brilliant copper eyes except for the white ones. Blue or copper eyes are found in white cats, or each eye may be a different color with one usually being blue and the other copper or yellow. The coat color of all solids should be sound to the roots and free from markings or shadings.

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Silver and Golden Division

In the shaded division, there are the chinchilla silver, goldens, cameos (white with red tips), as well as chinchilla and shaded versions of all the solid colors.

Chinchilla are white Persian with black tipping scattered on its body, tail legs and face. Shades are characterized by a layer of black on the back, shading evenly down the sides. Goldens are either chinchilla or shaded. Their ground color is a rich, warm cream tipped with black. Green or blue-green eyes rimmed with black are associated with Silvers and Goldens. Also, they have black paw pads and brick red or rose nose leather.

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Shaded and Smoke Division

There are six separate colors in the Smoked Persian patterns; black, blue, cream, cameo (red), smoke tortoiseshell and blue-cream smoke. Also included in this division are the shell and shaded cameos that have red tipping with a white undercoat. Persians with a white undercoat tipped with cream belongs to the cream shell and shaded. While those with layers of black tipping with well-defined patches of red tipped hairs fall under the shell and shaded tortoiseshells kind. A third group, the shell and shaded blue-creams have blue tipping with well-defined patches of cream tipped hair.

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Tabby Division

In the tabby class, there are blue, brown, cameo, chocolate, cream, lilac, red, silver, and patched tabbies. Each one comes in four tabby patterns. The patterns are classic (patched), ticked, mackerel, and spotted. Most tabby cats have copper eyes.

Classic, Mackerel and Patch Tabby comprise this division. The classic tabby has the bull’s eye markings on the side of the body while the mackerel pattern is characterized by narrow penciling encircling the body. The patched tabby may have either the classic or mackerel pattern with the addition of patches of red.

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Parti-Color Division

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The parti-color division or bicolor division is made up of calicos (white with red and black splotches), blue calico, chocolate calico, and lilac calico. In addition, any of the solid, smoke, shaded, tabby, or tortoiseshell colors with the addition of white will fall in this category. Their eyes are typically copper to orange in color.

Tortoiseshell, chocolate tortoiseshell, lilac-cream and blue-cream consist this division. Black cats with great patches of red scattered evenly on its body to make up the tortoiseshell. The blue-cream is a solid blue cat patched with cream. The blue-cream and lilac-cream have muted colors. All four colors have brilliant copper eyes.

Calico & Bi-Color Division

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This group is composed of calicos, bi-colors, smoke and whites and tabby and whites. Calicos have white coats splashed with vivid patches of red and black, while the dilute calico is patched with blue and cream. The chocolate and lilac calicos have white coats splashed with vivid patches of chocolate and red or lilac and cream, respectively A maximum of two spots of color are allowed on the body. Bi-colors (black, blue, red, cream, chocolate or lilac with white) commonly exhibit white on the feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. All established colors and patterns of tabbies with white and smokes with white are shown in this division.

The Himalayan

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Himalayans fall into the newest division. This covers seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, red point, tortie point, and lynx point. All Himalayans should have blue eyes.

The Himalayan have these distinguish colors: chocolate, seal, lilac, blue, red, cream tortie, blue-cream, chocolate-tortie, lilac-cream, seal lynx, blue lynx, red lynx, cream lynx, tortie lynx, blue-cream lynx, chocolate lynx, lilac lynx, chocolate-tortie lynx and lilac-cream lynx. Color is restricted to the facial mask and extremities with the body of various shades of white to fawn.. All must have deep vivid blue eyes as eyes other than blue are a disqualification.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

10 Most Extremely Colorful Small Birds for Pet

Here’s a list of small species of birds with the most brilliant and brightest coloration.

All body parts of the birds on the list are extremely colorful. The bill, the feet, the head, the wings, the belly and all other parts are indeed brightly-colored.

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher

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The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca) is a surefire winner in terms of brightness of coloration. This small red and yellow kingfisher with yellow underparts and bluish upper parts inhabits lowland forests of South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is also commonly known as the Black-backed Kingfisher.

Regal Sunbird

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The magnificent-looking Regal Sunbird (Nectarinia regia) is a very colorful small bird species of the Nectariniidae family. It can be found in the African countries of Congo, Burundi, and few other neighboring countries.

Rufous-collared Kingfisher

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Kingfisher birds are well-known worldwide for their brilliant colorations. One of the most brightly-colored kingfishers is the Rufous-collared Kingfisher (Actenoides concretus). This beautiful and lovely-looking bird inhabits tropical and subtropical forest of Southeast Asian countries. This bird is threatened by loss of habitat.

Gouldian Finch

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Without a doubt, the Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae) is truly one of the most beautifully colored small birds in the world. This colorful passerine bird is native to Australia. Thousands of Gouldian Finches are being kept as pets. This pretty bird is also scientifically named Chloebia gouldiae or also commonly known as the Lady Gouldian Finch. It is widely bred in captivity, but classified as endangered in the wild with a remaining population of about 2,500 birds.

The male and female species are both brightly colored with black, green, yellow, and red markings. To determine a male from female, it should be noted that female’s chest is a lighter mauve while the male’s chest is purple. A Gouldian Finch’s head may be yellow, red or black. Other common names of this very beautiful bird are Gould’s Finch and Rainbow Finch.

Yellow-crowned Gonolek

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This brilliantly-colored bird that belongs to the genus Laniarius is a carnivorous bird species commonly known as Boubous or Gonolek. Yellow-crowned Gonolek (Laniarius barbarus)can be found in Africa inhabiting scrub or open woodland.

Regent Bowerbird

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The Regent Bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus) is a small but colorful bird species with a golden orange-yellow crown, mantle and black-tipped wing feathers. The bill and iris of Regent Bower is yellow. It is endemic to Australia and feeds on insects, fruits and berries.

Red Lory

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Parrots are known for their bright coloration and their ability to mimic human voice. One of the most brightly-colored parrots is the Red Lory (Eos bornea). It is stunningly attractive for its very bright red coloration, hence the name. It is native to Moluccas and surrounding islands. This intelligent and playful bird is commonly kept as pet.

Orange-Bellied Leafbird

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The Orange-Bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) is a small but colorful bird endemic to Himalayas, China and Malay Peninsula. This brightly-colored bird with an orange belly, a green back, a blue tail and flight feathers, and a black and blue patch over its throat and chest feeds on insects, spiders and nectar.

Black-naped Oriole

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The Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) is a pretty bird of South Asia. This passerine bird species feeds on fruits and insects. This colorful bird species is resident in the Nicobar and Andaman Islands.

Masked Trogon

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The elegant-looking Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus) of South America is a colorful bird species that inhabits humid highland forests. Males are usually brighter in color than females. In addition, females of all subspecies have a partial white eye-ring.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Fascinating Birds: The Most Skilled Nest Builder

Even with birds, "Practice makes perfect." Learn and marvel how the Southern Masked Weaver, considered by scientists as the most skilled nest builder, do the trick!

Nature dictates that birds built nests as temporary refuge for eggs and young chicks. Many species just simply make one to meet this need. However, there is a bird species that build their nests in a highly-designed ones. Read on and marvel how the Southern mask-weaver built nests.

Southern Masked-Weaver

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The Southern Masked Weaver or African Masked Weaver (Ploceus velatus) is a species of bird that belongs to the family Ploceidae. This fascinating bird is widespread throughout southern Africa inhabiting open woodland, grassland, savannas, inland wetlands. It also frequents urban gardens as well as parks.

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The Southern Masked-Weaver measures about 11-14.5 cm (4.3 – 5.7 inches) long and weighs around 37 grams. It has an orange eyes, short, conical bill, black colored throat, and pinkish brown legs. The male plumage and colors are slightly different to that of the female bird. Adult breeding males sport red eyes; bright yellow head; black face, throat and beak; and a plain yellowish-green back while adult females have brown eyes, pinkish-brown bill, brown eyes, yellowish throat, and grayish belly.

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The Southern Masked Weaver is normally seen singly, or pairs, or in flocks. Just like other weavers, this fascinating bird creates harsh buzzes and chattering calls. It also makes a sharp alarm note. It forages for food on the ground, feeding mostly on insects including ants, bees, butterflies, and locusts. It also eats seeds and nectar.

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The breeding season usually stretches from September through January. Males are bigamous and will have up to 5 females per breeding season. These breeding males will create a succession of nests, usually numbering 25 nests per season. The male builds its nest high up in the tree canopy or on the ground woven from figs, straw and leaves. The female will adorn the interior of a chosen nest with soft grass and feathers while the male put on the entrance tunnel.

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A female bird will lay between 1-6 blue-colored eggs, which she will single-handedly incubate for about 12-14 days. Chicks will content themselves on a diet of soft insect larvae and grasshoppers. For about 16-17 days, chicks will stay on the nest and will leave afterwards.

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How do a breeding male makes the nest? From grass leaves, green strips of reeds, or palm blades, he will diligently weaves a well-designed nest. On average, it will take about 9 to 14 hours to complete one. Once completed, an imposing large entrance tunnel graced a kidney-shaped structure. So creative are these birds, that the nests rest on thin branches of freestanding trees, often over water to discourage predators.



Why do the Southern Masked Weaver birds is considered the most skilled nest builder? If we hold to long-established fact that nest-building is something that birds know how to do from birth, then we would expect all birds to build their nests in the same way each time. But not in the case of the Southern Masked Weaver! Based on studies done in Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews Universities and has been published in the Behavioral Processes journal, scientists say that these fascinating birds use experience to build better nests. The research noted that they displayed strong variations in their nest building, showing a skill they actually ‘learn’ and get better at. Experience takes a clear role in building highly complex nests. ‘Even for birds, practice makes perfect.’