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Arctic Wolf

Plus Pets — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:10:40 +0000

The Arctic Wolf, also called Polar Wolf or White Wolf, is a species of mammal of the family Canidae, and a subspecies of the Gray Wolf. Arctic Wolves inhabit the Canadian Arctic, Alaska and the northern parts of Greenland.

The Arctic Wolf inhabits the northern part of Greenland, the Canadian Arctic and parts of Alaska. They have lived in North America for more than two million years. When they find a den, they make a couple of chambers for food and young. Arctic wolves live on the islands of the Canadian Arctic, and the north coast of Greenland, roughly north of 70° North latitude. The Arctic Wolf is the only subspecies of the Gray Wolf that still can be found over the whole of its original range, largely because, in their natural habitat, they rarely encounter humans.

Like all wolves, Arctic Wolves hunt in packs, preying mainly on Caribou and Muskoxen, but also Arctic Hares, seals, ptarmigan and lemmings, and smaller animals such as waterfowl. To eat rodents they must pick up their scent and find the entrance to their tiny dens to flush them out. Wolves almost never attack humans. Due to the scarcity of prey, they roam large areas, up to 2,600 km2 , and follow migrating caribou south during the winter. They are not fast runners, instead relying on stamina to take down prey

Safari in South Africa

Plus Pets — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 04:25:04 +0000

These photos were taken in the Kruger National Park and the nearby nature reserve in South Africa Eden photographer animalist Cameron Spencer. Kruger National Park – one of the largest reserves in South Africa, has spread on the territory of 19,000 sq. It is part of a large park Limpopo. Eden covers an area of 8498 hectares, on which there is a huge diversity of animal and bird worlds.

Animals In Formalin Preservation

Plus Pets — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:21:15 +0000

In the preservation of animal specimens for study, animals are usually preserved using formalin where the whole body would be immersed in the posture in which it is supposed to stay permanently because it will be hardened. The ratio of formalin to carcass must at least be 12 to 1 to ensure a good fixation.Here is a series of great specimens of animals submerged in formalin with more pics after the jump.

Top 5 Genius Animals

Plus Pets — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:25:18 +0000

We humans presume we’re smarter than animals, but are we really? Let’s take a closer look as we countdown the

5 Paul the Octopus

In at number 5, he was the eight legged star of the World Cup, I’m speaking of course about psychic cephalopod, Paul the Octopus.

Bookmakers William Hill lost almost $750,000 as Paul the Octopus correctly predicted the result of every Germany game at the World Cup. He signed off with a perfect eight out of eight record by picking Spain to beat the Netherlands in the final.

4 Homing pigeons

At number four, while we humans would be rendered inert without GPS or Google maps, homing pigeons can find their way home from some 1100 miles without any guidance systems.

That’s because these pigeons have iron-containing structures in their beaks, which help them sense the Earth’s magnetic field and identify their geographical position. Now that’s smart.

3 Termites

While the idea of energy efficient homes is a relatively new concepts for us humans, termites have been at it for eons. They’re at number three in our Top 5 Animals Smarter than Us.

A termite species in Zimbabwe has developed a precise technique to farm a fungus they feed on that grows at 87 degrees Fahrenheit. With volatile outside temperatures, the termites have learnt to adjust the inside temperature of their mounds by constantly opening and closing heating and cooling vents.

2 Chimps

In at number two, while Mozart and Monet can lay claim to a photographic memories, they are the exceptions amongst the human population.
Not so in the chimp kingdom where young chimpanzees show an extraordinary working memory capability for numerical recollection, better even than that of human adults tested with the same apparatus following the same procedure.

1 Ants

In at number one, sure we humans can make babies but can we do it without males? That jaw dropping skill is a cakewalk for ants.

A super feminist ant species from the Amazon has developed the ability to reproduce via cloning — dispensing with both s*x and males — to evolve into an all-female breed. Germaine Greer eat your heart out.

Orangutans Boxers

Plus Pets — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:09:51 +0000

Dressed in bright shorts and boxing gloves, these orangutans are exchanged kicks and punches in the boxing ring. This “fierce” fight takes place in an amusement park called «Safari World» on the outskirts of Bangkok.

These Funny Animals

Plus Pets — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:45:14 +0000

This is a selection of funny animals! Take a look and enjoy!

Proceless Little Fella – French Bulldog

Plus Pets — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 10:00:35 +0000

The French Bulldog is a small companion breed of dog. The name suggests that France is the country of origin, but, in fact, the Americans and British may have played a larger role in the breed’s development. The dogs are commonly called the Frenchie and are nicknamed “clowns” and “frog dogs”

French bulldogs are a compact companion dog, active but not sporty. They are muscular dogs with a smooth coat, snub nose and solid bone structure. Their physical appearance is characterized by naturally occurring “bat ears” that are wide at the base and rounded at the top. Their tails are naturally short, not cropped, and can be straight or screwed, but not curly.

The French Bulldog is a gentle breed that typically has a happy-go-lucky attitude. Like many other companion dog breeds they require close contact with humans. They have fairly minimal exercise needs, but do require at least daily walks. Their calm nature makes them excellent choices for apartment dwellers, as does their usually sensible attitude towards barking. As a flat faced breed, it is essential that owners understand that French Bulldogs cannot live outdoors. Their bulk and their compromised breathing system makes it impossible for them to regulate their temperature efficiently. In addition, Frenchies are top heavy and therefore have a difficult time swimming. Precautions must be taken when exercising a Frenchie during hot or humid weather, as well.

French Bulldogs can play too roughly for some smaller children, and should be monitored at all times during play. As well, children should be cautioned not to pick French Bulldogs up, as the dogs’ small size can mask how heavy they are. They can look unmuscular but in reality they are very strong.

French Bulldogs are essentially a bull and terrier breed, and as such, it is not surprising to learn that canine aggression can sometimes occur. Generally, this takes the form of same se* aggression. Owners considering adding a second dog to their household are usually cautioned to choose one of the opposite se*. Spaying or neutering can do much to curb aggressive tendencies before they begin. The French Bulldog energy level can range from hyperactive and energetic to relaxed and laid back.

Animal Record Breakers

Plus Pets — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:54:46 +0000

Here is some really interesting animal record breakers. Take a look, it might be interesting to you.

African Elephant

For thousands of years, humans have utilized the brute strength of African and Asian elephants for everything from war to transportation. An elephant’s trunk alone contains around 100,000 muscles and can lift up to 600 pounds (270 kilograms).

Rhinoceros Beetle

Compared to an elephant, the rhinoceros beetle looks minuscule. But ounce for ounce, this insect is considered the world’s strongest creature Rhinoceros beetles, which get their name from the hornlike structure on a male’s head, are capable of carrying up to 850 times their own body weight. A human with this relative strength would be able to lift some 65 tons (59 metric tons).

Froghopper

The froghopper, or spittle bug, leaps into the record books as the insect world’s greatest jumper. This tiny insect reaches a mere 0.2 inches (6 millimeters) in length but can catapult itself up to 28 inches (70 centimeters) into the air. A human with this ability would be able to clear a 690-foot-tall (210-meter-tall) skyscraper.

Impala

The impala, an African antelope with long, slender legs and muscular thighs, also gets high marks for its leaping abilities. When frightened, an impala will spring into action, bounding up to 33 feet (10 meters) and soaring some 10 feet (3 meters) in the air. This skill is apparently more than just defensive. Impalas have been observed jumping around just to amuse themselves.

Bar-Tailed Godwit

In 2007, a bar-tailed godwit made the longest nonstop bird migration ever recorded. In nine days, it flew 7,145 miles (11,500 kilometers) from its breeding ground in Alaska to New Zealand without stopping for food or drink. By the end of the epic journey, the bird had lost more than 50 percent of its body weight.

Sooty Shearwater

The annual journey of the sooty shearwater bird rivals that of the bar-tailed godwit. These marathon migrators traverse nearly 40,000 miles (64,000 kilometers) each year, from New Zealand to the Northern Hemisphere, in search of food.

Great White Shark

In 2005, a great white shark entered the record books by completing the longest shark migration ever recorded. Named Nicole by researchers, the shark made a 12,400-mile (20,000-kilometer) marathon circuit from Africa to Australia. The journey, which lasted nine months, also included the fastest return migration of any known marine animal.Tracking systems showed that Nicole spent a lot of the time near the surface, leading some scientists to believe that sharks use celestial cues to navigate.

Sailfish

Officially the world’s fastest fish, sailfish can reach speeds of 68 miles an hour (109 kilometers an hour) in short bursts. They often hunt in groups and use their quickness and impressive dorsal fins to herd schools of sardines or anchovies.

Cheetah

The cheetah, holder of the animal kingdom’s land speed record, can run at more than 60 miles an hour (96 kilometers an hour) and can reach its top speed in just three seconds. These champion sprinters rely on long, muscular legs to propel their lithe bodies. But cheetahs expend a tremendous amount of energy during a chase and can only run all out for about 900 feet (274 meters).

T. Rex

Scientists have long debated the speed and agility of this prehistoric giant. While some propose that T rex. was capable of nothing more than a leisurely jog, other investigations have shown that the six-ton (5.4-metric-ton) predator could possibly have outrun an Olympic sprinter, reaching a top speed of 18 miles an hour (29 kilometers an hour).

Peregrine Falcon

The peregrine falcon holds the title of the animal kingdom’s fastest flier. Using a dive-bomb hunting technique called a stoop, this raptor attacks prey—usually a pigeon or dove—at speeds of up to 200 miles an hour (322 kilometers an hour). It seizes its victim in midair with its sharp talons, then takes it to the ground to eat.

Source: National Geographic

Kamchatka Bears

Plus Pets — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:12:29 +0000

The Kamchatka Brown Bear , also known as the Far Eastern Brown Bear, is a subspecies of brown bear, native to the Anadyrsky District, the Kamchatka Peninsula, Karaginskiy Island, the Kuril Islands, the coastal strip west of the Sea of Okhotsk southward to the Stanovoy Range and the Shantar Islands. Outside the former Soviet Union, the subspecies occurs in Saint Lawrence Island in the Bering sea. It is closely related to brown bears in Alaska and northwest North America, and is thought to be the ancestor of the Kodiak bear.

It is a very large subspecies, the largest in Eurasia, with a body length of 2.4 metres, to 3 metres tall on hind legs and a weight of 650 kg or more. It is nearly the size of the Kodiak Bear The skull is broader than that of the Ussuri Brown Bear, and compared to that of the Kodiak bear, the breadth of the skull is much greater in proportion to its length, the anterior narial opening is much shorter, and the molars differ in relative size and form[4]: The greatest skull length for males is 40.3-43.6 cm and 25.8-27.7 cm wide. The skulls of females measure 37.2-38.6 cm in length and 21.6-24.2 cm in width. Fur colour is predominantly dark brown with a violet tint. Light coloured individuals are rarely encountered.

In the summer period, they feed on blueberries, crowberries, humpback salmon and salmon trout. In autumn, they eat nuts from nut-pines and mountain ash, and fish. In times of famine, they eat dead fish or marine mammals, berries and graminoid vegetation

Kamchatka brown bears are generally not dangerous to humans, and only 1% of encounters result in attack. The first Europeans who went to Kamchatka in the 19th century, although surprised by the number and size of bears there, observed that they were relatively harmless compared to their Siberian counterparts. However, in July 2008, a platinum mining compound in the Olyotorsky district of northern Kamchatka was besieged by a group of 30 bears who kiled two guards and prevented workers from leaving their homes.

Kamchatka brown bears are among the most prized trophies for the Russian hunting industry. In 2005, the Kamchatka Department of Wildlife Management issued 500 hunting permits. Clients paid up to $10,000 to hunt bears. Thus, the economic impacts from recreational hunting of Kamchatka brown bears are significant

Magnificent Shark Photos

Plus Pets — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:50:01 +0000

Sharks are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago, before the time of the dinosaurs.Since that time, sharks have diversified into 440 species, ranging in size from the small dwarf lanternshark, Etmopterus perryi, a deep sea species of only 17 centimetres (6.7 in) in length, to the whale shark, Rhincodon typus, the largest fish, which reaches approximately 12 metres (39 ft 4 in) and which feeds only on plankton, squid, and small fish by filter feeding. Sharks are found in all seas and are common down to depths of 2,000 metres (6,562 ft). They generally do not live in freshwater, with a few exceptions such as the bull shark and the river shark which can live both in seawater and freshwater. They breathe through five to seven gill slits. Sharks have a covering of dermal denticles that protect their skin from damage and also have parasites that improve their fluid dynamics so the shark can move faster. They have several sets of replaceable teeth.

Blacktip Reef Shark

Hammerhead Shark

Nurse Shark

Juvenile Lemon Shark

Sharks in Tahiti

Lemon Shark

Lemon Shark Bora Bora

Shark With Fish

Shark in Cuba

Silky Shark

White Tip Shark