'/> Amazing Animals: December 2012

Friday, December 28, 2012

10 Extraordinary Looking Madagascan Creatures

The African island of Madagascar is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Here are 10 extraordinary looking creatures that inhabit the island.

Madagascar is home to hundreds of fascinating, colorful, bizarre, endangered , rare and extraordinary looking animal life. Read on to learn new facts about 10 extraordinary looking Madagascan creatures.

Aye-aye

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The Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) is a species of lemur native to the east coast of Madagascar. The species inhabit rainforest or deciduous forest. The world’s largest nocturnal primate, the bizarre aye- is currently classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

The Aye-aye has a black or brown thick coat. It has yellowish-orange eyes, large, sensitive ears, and a long, bushy tail. It has 5-fingered hands with a very long middle finger and curved, claw-like nails. It measures 36 to 43 cm (14 to 17 in) head-body length with a long tail that is 56 to 61 cm (22 to 24 in). It weighs about 2 kg (4 pounds). It has a strange method of finding food; it gnaws an opening in the wood, inserts its narrow middle finger and digs out its prey. Its diet includes; insects, insect larvae, nuts, fruits, nectar and seeds.

Giraffe Weevil

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The Giraffe weevil (Trachelophorus giraffa) is a newly found species of weevil native to Madagascar. This extraordinary looking Madagascan creature gets its name from an extended neck resembling that of a giraffe. The male’s neck, which is three times longer than the female of the species is used to fight for mates. This elongated neck is also useful in nest building.

Little is known about this bizarre creature. The beetle’s body is generally black in color with unique red elytra covering the flying wings. Males measure about 2.5 cm long. Since the species was only discovered in 2008, no conclusive findings are established whether the giraffe weevil is threatened or endangered.

Eastern Woolly Lemur

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The Eastern woolly lemur (Avahi laniger), also referred to as the Gmelin’s woolly lemur or eastern avahi is a bizarre looking woolly lemur found only on the eastern sides of the island of Madagascar. This nocturnal animal lives in monogamous pairs in tropical moist lowland and mountainous forest.

Eastern Woolly lemurs are generally typically reddish-brown or gray-brown in color with thick, tightly-curled fur. The appendages are white and the thin, elongated tail is reddish-orange. The species have a rounded head, large eyes and a short snout. Head-body length measures 25-30 cm with a tail about 32-37 cm long. Adults weigh 1-1.3 kg. Avahi laniger is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

Comet Moth

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The Comet moth (Argema mittrei) or Madagascan moon moth is a striking moth that lives in the rain forests of Madagascar. One of the most beautiful moths in the world, the species got its name after its long red ‘tails’. Although endangered in the wild, this extraordinary looking creature is being successfully bred in captivity.

Males have an average wingspan of nearly 8 inches and a tailspan of almost 6 inches. Adults can only live for 4-5 days, however, females of the species can lay from 120-170 eggs. Its caterpillars feed only on fresh Eugenia and eucalyptus leaves.

Flatid Leaf Bugs

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The Flatid Leaf Bug (Phromnia rosea) is a kind of Planthopper known for its piercing mouthparts , which it uses to suck sap out of plants. Another extraordinary looking Madagascan creature, adult Flatid Leaf Bug is pink-red in color with large wings that entirely cover the body. The nymph (young bug) looks a bit different from its parents. It looks like cotton wool –fluffy, hairy and lacks the wings of an adult. During the nymph stage, it emits a white wax-like substance that is actually for camouflage and protection against predators.

Lowland Streaked Tenrec

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The Lowland Streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus) is a medium-sized mammal that resembles a cross between a shrew and a hedgehog. The species is found in tropical lowland rainforest and scrublands in eastern Madagascar. When in danger, this creature will curl into a ball, leaving only sharp spines—exposed.

This slender tenrec is blackish-brown in color with yellowish longitudinal stripes running the length of the body. Also, it has a long snout and limbs. An adult can reach up to 20 cm (8 in) long and weighs up to 275 g (0.6 lb). This social animal feeds mainly on worms and grubs. The lowland streaked tenrec is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

Spiny Leaf Chameleon

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The Spiny Leaf chameleon (Brookesia decaryi) is a small chameleon restricted to the island of Madagascar and lives in dry deciduous forest. The species is diurnal and rest on small plants at night. Little is known about the species, but studies revealed that some individuals live up to two years. The spiny leaf chameleon is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.

Tomato Frog

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The Madagascan Tomato Frog (Dyscophus antongilii)is native only to forested areas in the northwest part of Madagascar. This extraordinary looking frog breeds in swamps, shallow pools and areas with stagnant water. Tomato Frogs rarely move and occasionally blinks. A nocturnal creature it burrows into the ground during daytime. At night, it stalks and ambush its prey.

Males measure to about 6 – 6.5 cm (2.0-2.5 in) in body length while females are larger measuring from 8.5 cm-10.5 cm (3.0 -4.0 in). Females are solid bright red or orange in color, males are duller yellow-orange. Some individuals have black spots on the throat. Its diet includes bugs, crickets and invertebrates. The tomato frog is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List.

Fossa

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The Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is a carnivorous mammal that resembles a cougar. It is native to Madagascar and prefers forested areas as habitat. The species has a slender body, a short fur, a mongoose-like head and powerfully built limbs. It has medium brown eyes, broad muzzle, large, but rounded ears, and a tail nearly as long as the entire body. Adults measure 70–80 cm (28–31 in) head-body length and weigh between 5.5–8.6 kg (12–19 lbs). This ferocious carnivores prey on small to medium-sized animals. The fossa is listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List.

Silky Sifaka

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The Silky sifaka (Propithecus candidus) is a large lemur found only in restricted areas in northeastern Madagascar. The species prefers rainforests as habitat. It is one of the rarest mammals on earth. Furthermore, the silky sifaka is well-known for its loud, sneeze-like “zzuss” alarm call.

This extraordinary looking Madagascan creature is characterized by its long, silky white fur, and distinctive chest patches. Its eyes are orange-red in color; the ears and face are hairless. Adults measure from 48–54 cm (1.6–1.8 ft) in head-body length with a tail growing to about 45–51 cm (1.5–1.7 ft) long, and weigh between 5–6.5 kg (11–14 lbs). It feeds primarily on leaves and seeds. The Silky sifaka is listed as Critically Endangered CE on the IUCN Red List.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Decorate Your Christmas Tree with Cats!

10 cute picture of cats that add spice on a Christmas tree.

Are you running short of Christmas tree decors? Why not hang or put a cat as deco, just for a change. Who knows, Santa might love the idea and in return put a bagful of toys underneath.

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My oh my.. free lunch…

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My dream is to scale Mt. Everest. This is a good training ground.

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Cat 1: I said “Don’t move… We are hired to act as stuff toys”

Cat 2: Sorry buddy, but I’m mesmerize by those bright blinking lights.


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No, I haven’t conquered Mt. Everest. The photo was just pasted upside down.

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Toy: Look into my eyes. you are now under my spell.

Cat: Stop that craft.. It ain’t gonna work for me.


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I love red, but my favorite color is blue.

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Thanks Master… Now, my lovely whiskers shine.

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It’s true.. I saw mommy kissing Santa Clause.

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What? You taught, I’m one of those Chinese New Year cats..

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I’m the only black cat on the list. Allow me to show you my favorite black magic stuff.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Monday, December 3, 2012

Ten Most Beautiful and Colorful Clownfish

Finding Nemo! have you seen that great animated film? If so then you, could you give me what kind of fish is Nemo? Don't no or not sure what to answer then read on to know where to classify Nemo...

Clownfish belong to the family Pomancentridae comprising about 28 known species from the subfamily Amphiprioninae. Clownfish are endemic on the temperate waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans, Red Sea and the Great Barrier Reef. They live side by side with sea anemones. Clownfish comes in different colors such as: gray, red, orange, yellow and some species may bear several patch patterns. Clownfish can reach up to 18 cm (7 in) in length while the smallest species is about 10 cm (4 in). In the wild or in an aquarium, clownfish are really colorful and fascinating ones. Listed below are 10 species of clownfish that will surely thrill you.

Maroon Clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus)

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The maroon clownfish, also known as spine-cheeked clownfish, is the only species of the genus Premnas endemic in the Great Barrier Reef and in the Indo-Pacific region. Maroon clownfish can reach a length of 17 cm and bears white strife across the body. Females are usually bigger and have a more darker color than males.

Barrier Reef Anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos)

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This species of clownfish lives in lagoons of the Great barrier reefs and Western Pacific including New Caledonia and Tonga. Adults can grow up to 9 mm in length and bear an orange-brown color mark with two white bars. The body is encircled with black edging. One bar runs along the head near the eyes and the other on the body below the dorsal fin.

Red Sea (or two-banded) clownfish (Amphiprion bicinctus)

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Found mostly on coral reefs besides sea anemones in the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean. Red Sea clownfish usually is yellow-orange in color with two black-edged white bands. They can grow up to 14cm. in length.

Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

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A very popular aquarium fish, Ocellaris Clownfish distinguishable mark is its orange color along with three white bars and the fins’ black markings. Adults can reach a length of about 8 cm. In the wild, these clownfish are found off the Indo-Pacific inhabiting coral reefs. One peculiar and rare melanistic variety are found in Darwin, Australia (see photo).

Fire Clownfish (Amphirion melanopus)

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This clownfish species is endemic in the Great Barrier Reef, Indonesia, the Philippines, Micronesia and southern Polynesia. It is dark red to orange in color bearing a reddish-brown “saddle” on its back. Juvenile clownfish has white head band and adults can grow up to 12 cm.

Orange Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion sandaracinos)

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Another species that is popular among aquarium hobbyist, Ocellaris clownfish is bright orange in color and bear a white stripe that runs across the mouth, between the eyes and ends at the dorsal fin. They can grow up to 5.5 in. In the wild, it is found in the western Pacific Ocean.

Saddleback Clownfish (Amphiprion polymnus)

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The saddleback clownfish is endemic in the western parts of the Pacific Ocean and eastern part of the Indian Ocean. Saddleback clownfish varies in color, from dark brown to yellow orange and a white bar runs behind the eyes. They can grow to about 12 cm in length.

Pink Anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion)

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This species of clownfish is easily be recognized by its pink to pinkish-orange color and a narrow white vertical headband. Also, a thin white stripe is visible on its head that begins at the head’s tip and runs on both sides and to the end of the dorsal fin. Pink Skunk clownfish is one of the smaller species that can reach a maximum length of about 4 inches. It is found off the waters of Christmas Islands and in the eastern Indian Ocean.

Yellowtail Clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii)

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It is one species of clownfish that is widespread; found inhabiting reef slopes and lagoons in the tropical waters in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Australia, Taiwan and Japan. Clark’s Anemonefish can easily be recognized by its two white bands, one at the back of the eye and the other above the anus. Also, the tail fin may be white or yellow.

Sebae Anemonefish (Amphiprion sebae)

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A rare clownfish species One clownfish species that is endemic in India, Sri Lanka and in some parts in the northern Pacific Ocean. It can attain a maximum length of up to 12 cm.

And here is Nemo... Orange Clownfish (Amphiprion percula)

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