ò Gray wolves once had the greatest natural range of any living mammal except man. Due to unregulated hunting, commercial exploitation, and habitat destruction, they became extinct over much of their former range. The reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho is an attempt to help wolves reclaim part of their former U.S. range.
ò Although most wolves live in highly ordered family groups or "packs," occasionally a wolf may leave its pack to live independently for a period of time. In most cases this "lone wolf" has been rejected by the group and will wander, sometimes for several months, before joining another pack or finding a mate to form a new pack.
ò Symbols of the wilderness, wolves inhabit mostly wild and inaccessible areas. Although they can live any place where there is large prey, wolves are a rarity in the United States and are endangered in all of the continental states except Alaska and Minnesota.
ò As one of the top predators in its range, the wolf plays a key role in maintaining the balance of the food chain. In the Northern Rockies of the United States and Canada, WWF-U.S. and WWF-Canada have launched a campaign to protect the habitat of wolves and other forest carnivores.
No:2
\HRed pandas \I(Ailurus fulgens)\i\h
ò The rare red panda bears little resemblance to its distant cousin, the giant panda.
ò The red panda is endemic to the Himalayas and southwestern China, living at altitudes of 7,000 to 12,000 feet.
ò Red pandas are most active at night and feed mainly on bamboo. A female red panda typically has two offspring. They can live as long as 14 years.
ò The WWF sponsored Sagarmatha Pollution Control Project in Nepal helped clean up expedition debris on Mt. Everest, home to important alpine wildlife such as red pandas.
No:3
\HAfrican elephant \I(Loxodonta africana)\i\h
ò The African elephant is the largest living land mammal, and can grow up to eleven feet in height and weigh more than six tons.
ò Elephants are very social and live in tight family groups where females share the task of rearing young calves.
ò African elephants may travel great distances to consume the 300 pounds of food and huge quantities of water they require each day. About 18 of every 24 hours are spent foraging for food.
ò The issues surrounding elephant conservation grow more complex each day as people and elephants are increasingly forced to compete for the same habitat.
No:4
\HSnowy owl \I(Nyctea scandiaca)\i\h
ò Snowy owls are large \I(20-27")\i and white with flecks of brown. They have round heads and yellow eyes.
ò The snowy owl's eyes are the same size as a human's and up to a hundred times more sensitive. Such keen eyesight aids it in hunting.
ò The snowy owl inhabits the arctic tundra, where it preys on lemmings and other small rodents.
ò Owls have particularly fluffy plumage, which gives them the predatory advantage of nearly silent flight. The snowy owl is primarily a day-flying bird.
No:5
\HSnow leopard \I(Panthera uncia)\i\h
ò Superbly adapted to life in cold, rocky regions, the elusive snow leopard inhabits the Tibetan plateau and neighboring mountains at altitudes of 10,000 to 18,000 feet. The snow leopard's pale coloring enables it to travel unnoticed over vast expanses of rocks and snow.
ò This member of the cat family can weigh up to 165 pounds and has a tail that averages three feet long.
ò Short legs, a muscular chest, long bodies and wide paws help them to leap almost straight down on their prey, and to travel along narrow ledges and rocky pathways.
ò Human population growth has put snow leopards and people in competing situations for habitat, and snow leopard numbers have suffered as a result.
No:6
\HGrasping frog \I(Phyllomedusa vaillanti)\i\h
ò When a frog is underwater, all respiration takes place through the skin. Frogs also drink water through this membrane. Because of the permeability of a frog's skin, the amphibian may be particularly vulnerable to water pollution.
ò Frogs are considered to be ectotherms. That is, they do not have an ability to generate internal body heat. Instead their body temperature is controlled by the environment.
ò One of the major benefits provided by amphibians is pest control. Amphibians are found everywhere with the exception of Antarctica and Greenland.
ò The world's population of frogs is declining at an alarming rate and it is suspected that a combination of environmental factors may be responsible for the decline. The frog is less protected from trade than either birds or mammals. Frogs are sold for food, pets, purses and wallets.
No:7
\HCaligo butterfly \I(Caligo eurilochus)\i\h
ò The caligo species belongs to a family of large butterflies identified by the large, eyespots marking the undersides of the back wings.
ò Butterflies and moths, from the order \ILepidoptera\i comprise approximately fifteen percent of the world's known insects. The tiny overlapping scales on a butterfly's wings form the intricate patterns that characterize each butterfly.
ò Adult butterflies feed only on liquids, including nectar from flowers and sap.
ò Today, because of dwindling numbers of butterflies, collection of rare species may be all it takes to send them into extinction. Habitat destruction and the use of insecticides in agriculture pose one of the largest threats to the survival of this fragile creature.
No:8
\HHumpback whale \I(Megaptera novaengliae)\i\h
ò Found in all oceans of the world, the humpback whale has extremely large pectoral fins, which can grow to be one-third of its body length. The humpback is one of the most massive yet slender-bodied whales, and because of its 29 ton body, it is also one of the slowest whales.
ò One of the most distinguishable characteristics of the humpback whale is its acrobatic ability to leap out of the water in a behavior called breaching. As the whale finishes its breach, it lifts its tail vertically before submerging back into the sea.
ò Humpback whales migrate every summer to polar seas to feed and then return to tropical waters in the winter months to breed. The humpback's upper jaws are fringed with baleen through which plankton and krill are filtered
ò First listed on the Endangered Species List in 1970, the humpback whale remains one of the most threatened whales in the world. To safeguard humpbacks and other species, WWF helped create the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary which protects the feeding grounds of 90 percent of world's remaining whales.
No:9
\HHippopotamus \I(Hippopotamus amphibius)\i\h
ò The hippopotamus, also known as the "river horse," lives along rivers and lakes in sub-Saharan Africa.
ò Weighing up to 8,000 pounds, the hippo is the second heaviest land animal, next to the elephant.
ò The hippopotamus seeks refuge from the heat by living in water during the day, and at night it comes ashore to feed on short, soft grasses and fallen fruit.
ò The eyes and ears of a hippo are on the top of its head, so it can keep watch for enemies -- mainly crocodiles -- while lying low in the water.
No:10
\HCheetah \I(Acinonyx jubatus)\i\h
ò Cheetahs are the world's fastest land animals, capable of sprinting at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.
ò A cheetah can tackle prey two to three times larger than itself.
ò A female cheetah has an average of three cubs in a litter. Females are solitary animals except when raising their cubs. Fewer than one-third of the cubs survive to adulthood.
ò The cheetah is found in the open savannah and grasslands in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Although once widespread in Asia and Africa, cheetah populations have been decimated due to hunting, habitat loss, and decline of its prey.
No:11
\HDall's sheep \I(Ovis dalli)\i\h
ò Found along high hillsides of Alaska and northwestern Canada, Dall's sheep specialize in cliff-climbing, aided by their hard and sharply rimmed hooves.
ò Dall's sheep are less affected by human activity than most other hoofed mammals due to the inaccessibility of their alpine and arctic milieu.
ò Dall's sheep range in color from white to almost black. They have horns that are yellowish and curved in form.
ò Dall's sheep live in small groups of about ten animals, and feed on a variety of plants.
No:12
\H American black bear \I(Ursus americanus)\i\h
ò American black bears are still abundant throughout most of their range, which includes the forested areas of the United States, Canada, and a small part of Mexico. Although the most widespread of all North American bears, the American black bear is sometimes a victim of illegal wildlife trade.
ò Black bear cubs are born in January or February, and may continue to live with their mothers for up to two years.
ò Black bears will eat almost anything, but are primarily vegetarians.
ò Black bear populations are being reduced in some areas because of illegal hunting for their gall bladders, which are used in the Asian medicinal trade.
No:13
\HGrevy's zebras \I(Equus grevyi)\i\h
ò Grevy's zebras, the largest of the three distinct species of zebra, are found on the semi-arid plains of Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya.
ò The Grevy's zebra has narrow, closely-spaced black and white stripes running down its legs to its hooves. The ears are large and trumpet-shaped and the belly is white.
ò Grevy's zebra stallions rule clearly marked territories that range in size from 1-4 square miles; mares and foals roam about freely. A territorial stallion may allow other males into his domain as long as they remain subordinate and do not interfere with his mating.
ò Female zebras are able to reproduce at three years of age. Gestation is for twelve months, after which a single calf is born. Zebra populations are decreasing in number largely due to human encroachment.
No:14
\HArctic fox \I(Alopex lagopus)\i\h
ò Arctic foxes live in the tundra regions of Europe, Asia, North America, and Greenland.
ò An adult fox weighs only 6 to 15 pounds \I(12 or 13 pounds in winter)\i. Its fluffy coat makes it appear much larger. The soles of the fox's feet are covered with thick fur, which along with its sharp claws, keeps it from slipping on ice.
ò In the winter, this Arctic fox's coat is pure white. Its beautiful thick fur blends with the snow and ice of its home, keeping it safe from enemies such as wolves. Even though the temperature sometimes drop to -90░F \I(-70░C)\i, the foxes stay warm. In summer, its fur turns a light gray-brown color, blending in with the rocks and plants on the grassy Arctic plains.
ò During the winter, Arctic foxes can be seen floating on large chunks of ice that drift around the northern waters. While feeding chiefly on rodents and seabirds, the foxes also follow polar bears to scavenge on any uneaten prey.
No:15
\HGreat blue heron \I(Ardea herodias)\i\h
ò The great blue heron is an elegant waterbird commonly found in salt and freshwater marshes, mudflats, and shallow bays, or inland on the banks of small streams, ponds, and lakes. They live in all parts of North America, from Canada as far south as the Caribbean.
ò Herons are sociable birds, preferring to nest in groups of 100 or more.
ò The great blue heron, is a notoriously patient fisherman with long featherless legs suitable for wading. Herons will eat fish, frogs, reptiles, crustaceans, mollusks, or insects. The bird has a slow, formal gait and can step so gently that the surface of the water remains undisturbed.
ò The great blue heron has been able to survive in an increasingly hostile world because of its ability to nest in a variety of places including beaches, reed beds, or tree tops.
No:16
\HBeisa oryx \I(Oryx gazella beisa)\i\h
ò The beisa oryx, a large horse-like antelope found in Africa, is a hollow-horned ruminant mammal of the bovid family.
ò Ruminants have a complex four-chambered stomach which allows them to eat large amounts of food at one time. The food is stored in one chamber and is regurgitated and re-chewed one mouthful at a time. Unlike grazing animals, the oryx spends most of its eating time with its head upright, enabling the animal to be more alert to predators.
ò Oryx are gregarious, and live in herds of 10 -30 animals.
ò The beisa oryx is usually gray with black markings and sports long straight horns which they do not shed. It is thought that this animal may have been the inspiration for the mythological unicorn, because when viewed from the side, it appears to have just one horn.
No:17
\HBrown bear \I(Ursus arctos)\i\h
ò There was a time when the brown bear could be found throughout North America, most of Europe, and northern Asia. Today, large populations remain only in Russia, Canada, and in the United States where this bear is more commonly known as the Grizzly.
ò These massive bears will sometimes strike an upright pose when surveying their terrain or when attempting to intimidate. Otherwise, they travel on all fours in search of the plants and berries that make up much of their diet. They also ford streams and rivers in search of salmon.
ò The grizzly, or brown bear may weigh up to half a ton, and can charge at speeds over 30 miles per hour.
ò Brown bears can live 25-30 years in the wild; however, human encroachment into their territories generally lessens their life span.
No:18
\HSea otters \I(Enhydra lutris)\i\h
ò Sea otters are the heaviest member of the otter family and can weigh over 80 pounds and reach lengths of four feet.
ò Sea otters use tools, such as stones, to smash open shells while laying on their backs in the water.
ò Sea otters can stay submerged up to ninety seconds while foraging for food underwater.
ò Two layers of dense, soft fur enable the sea otter to spend most of its time in the cold ocean water. Long hunted for this valuable fur, sea otters were almost driven to extinction but are now protected by law.
No:19
\HDouc langur \I(Pygathrix nemaeus)\i\h
ò The rare douc langur is characterized by a vividly colored coat. The back is a dappled gray with a white rear and the face is dark with an orange or yellow muzzle and white whiskers.
ò There are two species of douc langur. The black-shanked douc langur lives in tropical rain forests in Vietnam, Laos, and Kampuchea. The red-shanked species is found in the same area, as well as on Hainan Island in the South China Sea.
ò Both species are endangered, largely due to destruction of habitat and excessive hunting by people for food and illegal trade.
No:20
\HBobcat \I(Lynx rufus)\i\h
ò Bobcats can be found in forests of southern Canada, the United States, and parts of Mexico.
ò A cousin of the lynx, the smaller bobcat is heavily built with a shorter tail and shorter ear tufts.
ò The bobcat's spotted coat blends in well with the background of rocks, brush, and other vegetation found in its North American habitat.
ò A female bobcat bears one to four young per litter after a pregnancy of 60-63 days.
No:21
\HSnowy owls \I(Nyctea scandiaca)\i\h
ò Snowy owls are large \I(20-27")\i and white with flecks of brown. They have round heads and yellow eyes. The snowy owl's eyes are the same size as a human's and up to a hundred times more sensitive. Such keen eyesight aids it in hunting.
ò The snowy owl inhabits the arctic tundra, where it preys on lemmings and other small rodents.
ò Owls have particularly fluffy plumage, which gives them the predatory advantage of nearly silent flight. The snowy owl is primarily a day-flying bird.
ò The snowy owl is usually silent, except when breeding.
No:22
\HGreen anol \I(Anolis spp.)\i\h
ò The green anol is a common native anol found throughout the southeastern United States.
ò This small tree dweller can turn brown or green, and enjoys shaded areas in palm fronds and on tree trunks.
ò These animals may be seen with a large pink throat fan extended.
ò Anols eat insects, spiders, and even small crustaceans.
No:23
\HHorned puffins \I(Fratercula corniculata)\i\h
ò Found along the rocky coastlines of Siberia and Alaska, the horned puffin uses its short, pointed wings to "fly" underwater.
ò Puffins are the northern hemisphere's ecological counterpart of penguins, but unlike penguins, puffins can fly.
ò Puffins spend most of their lives at sea and come ashore only to breed.
ò The horned puffin takes its name not from its colorful parrot-like bill but from the tiny fleshy growth over its eye which gives it a horned appearance.
No:24
\HRing-tailed lemur \I(Lemur catta)\i\h
ò The ring-tailed lemur is only found in southern and southwestern Madagascar.
ò Unlike most lemurs, the ring-tailed lemur spends most of its time on the ground.
ò Isolated on the island of Madagascar, lemurs evolved apart from all other species of primates and they are quite unique. Ring-tailed lemurs are the most social, and enjoy close physical contact. They often sit together in "clumps" with their long tails wrapped around each other.
ò All species of lemur are endangered. To help secure the future of lemurs, WWF and Malagasy conservationists work together to establish and manage parks and protected areas in Madagascar.
ò Mountain gorillas live in tight, social, family groups usually comprised of one or more adult males, several females, and their young.
ò Despite their ferocious reputation, mountain gorillas are really peaceful, shy vegetarians.
ò Mountain gorillas are endangered due to human encroachment, habitat destruction, and poaching.
ò The mountain gorilla is the most endangered of the three gorilla subspecies. Scientists estimate that only about 620 of these gentle giants survive in the montane forests of Rwanda, Zaire, and Uganda. WWF supports new parks that provide sanctuary to these docile primates.
No:26
\HScarlet macaws \I(Ara macao)\i\h
ò Scarlet macaws are one of the most brilliantly-colored birds of the Central and South American rain forests. Macaws sometimes move across the forest canopy in screeching flocks.
ò Highly intelligent, macaws mate for life and may live up to 70 years. In the wild, they fly in small familial groups which join with others to form flocks of 25 or more birds.
ò Macaws nest deep inside hollow trees, where they lay one or two eggs. The eggs are incubated for thirty days.
ò The destructive logging of the macaw's habitat and their capture for the pet trade have dramatically reduced the macaw populations.
No:27
\HGray wolves \I(Canis lupus)\i\h
ò In wolf packs, only the dominant or alpha pair will mate and produce offspring. The mating season usually lasts from January to March and litters of three to fourteen pups are typically born nine weeks later. To rear their pups, gray wolves build dens which are often used year after year.
ò When wolf pups reach eight weeks of age, they are moved from a den to a "rendezvous site." This site is an area where the whole pack is headquartered -- essentially a den above ground. Pups spend much of their time huddled together to keep warm, but are known to venture several hundred yards in various directions to explore their new surroundings.
ò When about two months old, wolf pups start growing adult hair around their noses and eyes, and their bodies begin taking on adult characteristics. By six months, wolf pups are nearly full grown, and by eight months they have almost reached their adult weight of between 60 and 100 pounds.
ò Wolf pups spend their first year with the pack learning hunting and survival skills along with the complex hierarchy of the pack from all pack members. This active play serves as exercise and helps pups maintain good muscle tone. Eventually, this training will be put to use when they need to defend themselves or prey on other animals.
No:28
\HSaw-whet owl \I(Aegolius acadicus)\i\h
ò The saw-whet owl is a small owl \I(7-8 1/2")\i, without ear tufts. White eyebrows form a broad V above the bill.
ò The saw-whet owl is a nocturnal bird and roosts in dense young evergreens and in forests and thickets.
ò This owl's range is from southeast Alaska, Canada, west and northeastern U.S. down into central Mexico.
ò The saw-whet's call is a whistled note repeated over and over, sometimes 100-130 times a minute.
No:29
\HGuanacos \I(Lama guanicoe)\i\h
ò The guanaco, a close relative of the llama and the alpaca, is dark tan with a white underbelly and a black or gray face. It lives in the dry open country from southern Peru to eastern Argentina. The guanaco travels in small herds and can run at speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
ò Allegedly a good swimmer, the guanaco enjoys standing or lying in mountain streams.
ò Like a camel, the guanaco lies down by bending its front legs to the ground, collapsing its rear, dropping to its chest and then tucking its legs under its body.
ò When the Europeans first arrived in South America, guanaco populations numbered between 30-50 million. Today there are fewer than 500,000. These gentle animals are usually killed because they interfere with the grazing of sheep and because their skin has commercial appeal.
No:30
\HAfrican lion \I(Panthera leo)\i\h
ò Long referred to as the "King of the Jungle," the African lion actually lives on plains and open wooded areas in sub-Saharan regions of Africa. A lion's tawny coat helps keep it camouflaged against the tall grasses of the African savannah.
ò The most social of all felines, the African lion lives in close social units called "prides." Female lions do most of the hunting, while male lions defend the pride's territory.
ò A male lion can reach a shoulder height of four feet and weigh as much as 550 pounds.
ò Female lions bear three to four cubs after a pregnancy of 100-119 days. Eighty percent of cubs die before the age of two, mostly due to poor food supply.
No:31
\HCapybaras \I(Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)\i\h
ò The capybara, also known as a water hog, is the world's largest rodent.
ò The size of a small pig, the capybara grows up to four feet long and weighs between 100 and 120 pounds.
ò The capybara lives in bands along the banks of rivers and lakes in South America.
ò The capybara is more efficient at converting grass into pounds than either rabbits or sheep. A female can produce up to 36 offspring in a lifetime.
No:32
\HImpalas \I(Aepyceros melampus)\i\h
ò Impalas inhabit the savannahs from northern Kenya to South Africa. They are one of the few species flourishing on the degraded savannahs of Africa.
ò Cautious and ever-alert, impalas are often ready to explode into long, high jumps. Fear or excitement can send a herd leaping and bounding in all directions, confusing would-be predators.
ò The impala is one of the most graceful antelopes.
ò Impalas like being near water and avoid open country, preferring scrub and thornbush.
ò Black-browed albatrosses, of the Falkland Islands, are the world's greatest flyers. Able to stay aloft for weeks, they can travel hundreds of miles without flapping their wings.
ò The black-browed albatross is characterized by its large yellow beak and a pink hook at the tip of the upper mandible. Above one eye is a strip of dark feathers which gives the bird both a sinister look and its popular name.
ò Albatrosses are well suited to the high seas. They glide through strong air currents and can travel long distances without having to flap their wings. Like many sea birds, the albatross drinks salt water and eats squid and fish. They are also great scavengers and will follow a ship for several days, eating the remains of food thrown overboard.
ò An albatross may live to be 36 years old.
No:34
\HBengal tiger \I(Panthera tigris tigris)\i\h
ò Scientists estimate that there are fewer than 6,000 tigers remaining in the wild.
ò The Bengal tiger, one of five tiger subspecies, inhabits the forests of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and western Burma. These cats are solitary animals that need large territories in which to hunt successfully.
ò Tigers are excellent swimmers and have been known to swim as far as 18 miles without stopping to rest.
ò Habitat loss poses serious long-term problems for the tiger, but poaching is the most immediate threat to this magnificent cat's survival. Tigers are illegally hunted for their bones that are ground into traditional Asian medicines, and for their skins that are traded as souvenirs. TRAFFIC, World Wildlife Fund's wildlife trade monitoring unit, is working to shut down the illegal trade in tigers and other endangered species. WWF supports protected areas and funds antipoaching units that help provide safe havens for tigers.
No:35
\HGiraffes \I(Giraffa camelopardalis)\i\h
ò The giraffe is the tallest living land animal, reaching heights of up to 18 feet.
ò In order for a giraffe to drink, it must spread its two front legs far apart so its neck can bend to the watering hole. This position makes it vulnerable to predators.
ò Like a fingerprint, the markings of a giraffe's coat are unique to each individual.
ò Native to the open savannah and wooded grassland of eastern and southern Africa, giraffes live in areas where acacia trees and shrubs are plentiful. Their long necks are an adaptation to feeding on foliage beyond the reach of other hoofed animals, which may be one of the reasons that giraffes are widespread and plentiful. Habitat destruction, however, continues to threaten their future.
No:36
\HElk \I(Cervus elaphus)\i\h
ò The second largest living deer \I(after the moose)\i, this ruminant animal was named "wapiti" by the Shawnee Indians and "elk" by the English settlers. Today the term elk is the more common of the two.
ò During breeding season, bull elk have the largest harem of females of any land mammal. Harems of up to 60 have been recorded, and the bull protects his herd fiercely. Because fighting among bull elk is so intense, males usually die earlier than females.
ò North America was once home to ten million elk. At the turn of the century, the animal was threatened with extinction due to big game hunting. Now the elk is protected in National Parks and refuges with a population of approximately 500,000.
ò The declining populations of elk are further threatened by habitat encroachment. Elk tend to cluster in large groups. Because they eat so much, it is common for a herd to run out of food, resulting in starvation for part of the group.
No:37
\HBlack rhinoceros \I(Diceros bicornis)\i\h
ò Hunted to near extinction, the black rhinoceros was once commonly found in the savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa.
ò The black rhino has a unique prehensile upper lip that it uses when browsing for food. Rhinos have poor vision and are much more dependent on their keen sense of smell.
ò The black rhino drinks daily and likes to wallow in watering holes. During the dry season, a black rhino will stay within three miles of a watering hole.
ò Due largely to the demand for rhino horn, used for medicinal purposes in some Asian countries, the black rhino's survival is threatened by poachers.
No:38
\HHoary marmot \I(Marmota caligata)\i\h
ò A bushy-tailed, heavyset rodent, the diurnal hoary marmot lives in burrows in well-drained soil. They are active above ground only when the sun is out.
ò Hoary refers to the animal's black coat which is accented by white tips, making it look very old. Their thick, luxurious pelts were once used by Eskimos for jackets and sleeping bags.
ò Deep hibernators, hoary marmots sleep up to nine months out of the year. During hibernation, they live on stored fat which accounts for 20-25% of their total weight. Like a cat, the marmot sleeps curled in a ball with a forepaw covering its face.
ò The hoary marmot can be found in western Montana, northern Idaho, southern Washington, and north to Alaska.
No:39
\HTiger \I(Panthera tigris)\i\h
ò Scientists estimate that there are fewer than 6,000 tigers remaining in the wild.
ò Tigers are excellent swimmers and have been known to swim as far as 18 miles without stopping to rest.
ò Habitat loss poses serious long-term problems for the tiger, but poaching is the most immediate threat to this magnificent cat's survival. Tigers are illegally hunted for their bones that are ground into traditional Asian medicines, and for their skins that are traded as souvenirs.
ò TRAFFIC, World Wildlife Fund's wildlife trade monitoring unit, is working to shut down the illegal trade in tigers and other endangered species. WWF supports protected areas and funds antipoaching units that help provide safe havens for tigers.
No:40
\HBurchell's zebras \I(Equus burchelli)\i\h
ò Burchell's zebras live in the savannahs of Eastern Africa. They are the most abundant of the three zebra species.
ò While the Burchell's zebras usually travel in herds, they will disperse and graze alone during the day only to gather again later to find water.
ò No two zebras look exactly alike because zebras' stripes vary between individuals.
ò Different zebra species have considerable variation in their stripe patterns, with some having "shadow striping", or lighter stripes between dark ones, on their hindquarters.
No:41
\HRockhopper penguins \I(Eudyptes chrysocome)\i\h
ò Most species of penguins, with the exception of the emperor, inhabit the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands, and rarely, if ever, range below the 60th parallel.
ò Penguins are flightless seabirds that have flipper-like wings adapted for swimming.
ò In a behavior consistent with their name, rockhopper penguins propel themselves out of the surf onto rocky headlands, where they nest and rear their chicks.
ò Countless generations of these yellow-tufted birds have created grooves in the rocks as they claw their way up steep cliffs.
No:42
\HCheetahs \I(Acinonyx jubatus)\i\h
ò Cheetahs are the world's fastest land animals, capable of sprinting at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.
ò A cheetah can tackle prey two to three times larger than itself.
ò The cheetah is found in the open savannah and grasslands in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Although once widespread in Asia and Africa, cheetah populations have been decimated due to hunting, habitat loss and decline of its prey.
ò A female cheetah has an average of three cubs in a litter. Females are solitary animals except when raising their cubs. Fewer than one-third of the cubs survive to adulthood.
No:43
\HMoose \I(Alces alces)\i\h
ò Standing 7 feet high at the shoulder and weighing up to 1,800 pounds, the moose is the largest of deer species. The largest documented antler spread is 6'9".
ò Moose occur in northern forests of North America, Europe, and Siberia.
ò Although primarily a solitary mammal, moose may group in winter, trampling areas to expose food.
ò Heavily hunted in the early 1900s, moose are now making a comeback due to the protection and preservation of its northern wild habitat. These efforts have also increased the moose's lifespan to nearly 27 years.
No:44
\HVerreaux's sifaka\I(Propithecus verreauxi)\i\h
ò Verreaux's sifaka, one of the larger lemurs, has a hairless black face and ears that are nearly hidden from sight.
ò It has short arms with long hands that can grasp branches but are unable to hold onto objects. The sifaka also has long legs and a long tail.
ò This lemur lives primarily in forests and scrublands, and subsists on a diet of leaves, fruit, and flowers.
ò Found only in Madagascar, the sifaka has joined the growing list of species endangered because of habitat destruction. The forest land in Madagascar is destroyed when the wood is collected to convert into charcoal. Forests are also burned to make room for grazing livestock.
No:45
\HAfrican elephants \I(Loxodonta africana)\i\h
ò The African elephant is the largest living land mammal, and can grow up to eleven feet in height and weigh more than six tons.
ò Elephants are very social and live in tight family groups where females share the task of rearing young calves.
ò African elephants may travel great distances to consume the 300 pounds of food and huge quantities of water they require each day. About 18 of every 24 hours are spent foraging for food.
ò The issues surrounding elephant conservation grow more complex each day as people and elephants are increasingly forced to compete for the same habitat.
No:46
\HBrown bears \I(Ursus arctos)\i\h
ò There was a time when the brown bear could be found throughout North America, most of Europe, and northern Asia. Today, large populations remain only in Russia, Canada, and in the United States where this bear is more commonly known as the Grizzly.
ò These massive bears will sometimes strike an upright pose when surveying their terrain or when attempting to intimidate. Otherwise, they travel on all fours in search of the plants and berries that make up much of their diet. They also ford streams and rivers in search of salmon.
ò The grizzly, or brown bear, may weigh up to half a ton, and can charge at speeds over 30 miles per hour.
ò Brown bears can live 25-30 years in the wild; however, human encroachment into their territories generally lessens their live span.
No:47
\HGray wolf \I(Canis lupus)\i\h
ò Gray wolves once had the greatest natural range of any living mammal except man. Due to unregulated hunting, commercial exploitation, and habitat destruction, they became extinct over much of their former range. The reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho is an attempt to help wolves reclaim part of their former U.S. range.
ò Although most wolves live in highly ordered family groups or "packs", occasionally a wolf may leave its pack to live independently for a period of time. In most cases this "lone wolf" has been rejected by the group and will wander, sometimes for several months, before joining another pack or finding a mate to form a new pack.
ò Facial expressions are an important part of the wolf's constant communication with the members of its pack. Taut, forward eyes and bared teeth signal a strong dominance threat, whereas lowered ears and a licking tongue indicates submission. Wolves also show a "happy" face when playing with each other.
ò Howling is a common form of communication for wolves. Scientists have surmised that there are several reasons why wolves are known to howl. Sometimes howling is used to reassemble a scattered pack, attract a mate, or advertise their presence to other packs. Contrary to popular belief, however, wolves do not howl at the moon.
No:48
\HBald eagle \I(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)\i\h
ò For centuries the bald eagle has symbolized strength, courage, and power. These impressive birds are unique to North America where they live along rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. An adult bald eagle can weigh from 8 to 13 pounds and have a wing span of 7 feet from tip to tip.
ò A bald eagle has keen eyesight and razor-sharp talons, which it uses to swoop down and capture its prey in one graceful motion. Fish make up most of a bald eagle's diet, but they also feed on other birds and small mammals, such as rabbits.
ò Bald eagles mate for life, and begin to nest and breed at the age of four or five. Eagles' nests, which they renovate and enlarge each year, are built in tall, sturdy trees and can measure 10 feet across and weigh over a thousand pounds.
ò Due to concerted conservation efforts, bald eagle populations in the lower 48 states have been downlisted to "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. Experts believe there may have been as many as 75,000 nesting bald eagles in the United States when the bird was made the national symbol in 1782. By the 1960s, scientists estimated only 2,000 or so survived. Today, after decades of federal protection, bald eagle numbers are estimated to be near 7,000.
No:49
\HJapanese macaque \I(Macaca fuscata)\i\h
ò Although the Japanese macaque feeds mainly on fruit, insects, and leaves, it has also been known to eat seaweed.
ò The Japanese macaque, sometimes called the "snow monkey," is found only in northern Japan.
ò The Japanese macaque's thick, gray coat protects it from the harsh winters of its native habitat.
ò Japanese macaques live in close-knit troops, and older males serve as the leaders and guardians of the troop.
No:50
\HPolar bear \I(Ursus maritimus)\i\h
ò One of the largest land carnivores in the world, the male polar bear can reach a height of up to nine feet, and a weight of over 1,100 pounds. The polar bear spends much of its time on the sea ice hunting seals, walruses, and other marine mammals.
ò The polar bear leads a solitary life except when mating and rearing cubs, and will occasionally hunt in groups.
ò Known as "Nanook" to native Alaskans, polar bears are well-adapted to the harsh Arctic environment. Their white fur camouflages them from their prey, and along with their black skin, helps retain body heat.
ò Polar bears, along with other Arctic animals, could be negatively effected by global warming, as their lives are dependent on sea ice.
No:51
\HEmperor penguins \I(Aptenodytes forsteri)\i\h
ò Emperor penguins thrive on the floating ice packs and islands of the Antarctic.
ò Known as the "giant of the penguins," an adult emperor penguin may be three feet tall.
ò Unable to fly and clumsy on land, the emperor penguin is most at home underwater.
ò When their breeding colonies assemble on the frozen Antarctic ice, the emperor penguin endures the coldest conditions faced by any bird on earth. After laying a single egg, the female emperor transfers the egg to the male. The male incubates the egg for two months, keeping it on top of his feet and using his lower body to shelter the egg from sub-zero temperatures and winds that gust to 50 mph. Once the egg hatches, both parents assume the job of feeding the growing chick.
No:52
\HAfrican lions \I(Panthera leo)\i\h
ò Long referred to as the "King of the Jungle," the African lion actually lives on plains and open wooded areas in sub-Saharan regions of Africa. A lion's tawny coat helps keep it camouflaged against the tall grasses of the African savannah.
ò The most social of all felines, the African lion lives in close social units called "prides." Female lions do most of the hunting, while male lions defend the pride's territory.
ò A male lion can reach a shoulder height of four feet and weigh as much as 550 pounds.
ò Female lions bear three to four cubs after a pregnancy of 100-119 days. Eighty percent of cubs die before the age of two, mostly due to poor food supply.
No:53
\HGray wolf \I(Canis lupus)\i\h
ò Although most wolves live in highly ordered family groups or "packs," occasionally a wolf may leave its pack to live independently for a period of time. In most cases this "lone wolf" has been rejected by the group and will wander, sometimes for several months, before joining another pack or finding a mate to form a new pack.
ò Facial expressions are an important part of the wolf's constant communication with the members of its pack. Taut, forward eyes and bared teeth signal a strong dominance threat, whereas lowered ears and a licking tongue indicate submission. Wolves also show a "happy" face when playing with each other.
ò Running is one of the wolf's most important abilities. Although most of the wolf's chases are relatively short, it can attain speeds of 35 to 40 miles per hour and have enough endurance to run for miles. The wolf's long legs enable it to wade through snow easily, bound through brush and fallen trees, and sprint while chasing prey.
ò As one of the top predators in its range, the wolf plays a key role in maintaining the balance of the food chain. In the Northern Rockies of the United States and Canada, WWF-U.S. and WWF-Canada have launched a campaign to protect the habitat of wolves and other forest carnivores.
