How It Works. World of Animals - Issue 13 2014

50 AMAZING ANIMAL PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS INSIDE From the makers of

TM

POL BEA

THE EXTRAORDINARY L

RAISING CUB

WIN

A VIP WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE

NDITIONS SKILLS ST ALL ODDS

I

L

PLUS HEDGEHOGS CHIMPANZEE GIANT PANDA KILLER WHALE HARBOUR PORPOISE HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL

WHERE THEY ARE AND HOW TO GET CLOSE TO THEM

SECRETS OF HIBERNATION DISCOVER HOW ANIMALS SURVIVE THE MASSIVE WINTER FREEZE

CREATURES

USING TOOLS, LEARNING AND COMMUNICATION

MULTIPLE FACES OF AN OCEAN MIMIC

How an octopus uses imitation to survive

SUPER SENSES OF THE HAMMERHEAD

Electric abilities of an underwater maverick

ALL ABOUT THE RED KANGAROO

MEET THE WILD DOGS

The unbelievable traits The untamed cousins of an Australian icon of man’s best friend

ISSUE 13

'4+6#)' 170+10



ZZZZKIRUJXN

:LOGOLIH

 #007#.#&126+10'0#$.'5 ;1761*'.25#8'51/'1(6*' 914.&5/156'0�)'4'&+)#6 52'%+'5(41/':6+0%6+10X+6%1565 ,756OKITNNT

&126+10 )+(6 2#%- +0%.7&'5U '4510#.+5'&#&126+10%'46+(+%#6' &126+102#2'4#$176;174 +)#655614;#0& (#%65*''6  9+0&1956+%-'4

ELJFDW

$'237,216

174#&126+109+...#56(14 10';'#4+09*+%*6+/';17 %#0%1/'#.10)6110'1(6*' #&126'45#(6'401105&74+0) 6*'EF/106*2'4+1& j57))'56'&&10#6+10OFN2'4 #&&+6+10#.)7'56kT

+.&.+(' '4+6#)' 170+10X '#&%1401#&X/#4&'0X'06FKL T'037+4+'5u9*(T14)T7-TNEFGGKKEMEI

*#4+6;')1TEENHHFN

Welcome

Looks can be deceiving, as regular World Of Animals readers will have learnt by now. Take the polar bear: he looks cute and cuddly, but this month’s cover star is a formidable hunter, captain of his territory, king of the ice. Discover how this incredible animal has adapted to the world’s coldest climate on page 12. Similarly, orangutans don’t appear to be the smartest creatures, but did you know they can barter? That’s just one of the fascinating facts you’ll learn starting on page 22, as we explore how the cleverest creatures on the planet show off their intelligence. Then it’s a complete change of pace on page 76 as we look at how nature’s beautiful hibernators slow their heart-rate to survive dangerously harsh winters. If nothing else, this issue will teach you there’s more to animals than looks alone!

Charis Webster Editor

Tweets from our readers…

“This magazine has taught me so much in such a small amount of time. Fun and interesting facts!” @Wrighty1193

“I just subscribed and started reading the October issue. I enjoyed it a lot, keep up the good work :)” @Ricecooker33

© Thinkstock,

10% of our profits help fight poaching Learn more and donate at www.animalanswers.co.uk

Follow us at… @WorldAnimalsMag worldofanimalsmag

Which animal is the most-successful predator? Turn to page 86 to read more… visit www.animalanswers.co.uk for Fascinating facts Q&As Amazing videos Upload your photos and win prizes!

3

Welcome to issue13 06 Amazing animals

58 Wild dogs

From coyotes to the African

30

bush dog 12 The extraordinary lives of polar bears 60 Subscribe & save Walk with the world’s toughest bear and discover its survival secrets

22 Cleverest creatures The unbelievable truth about the cleverest animals on Earth

30 Red squirrel hot spots

Top places to see red squirrels across the world

36 Super senses of the hammerhead

Impressive sharks that can see with their skin and detect electric currents

42 Hawaiian monk seal

Learn about the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and what’s being done to save it

Never miss an issue and get a great deal today!

62 Wildlife of the European mountains

Uncover the rarest creatures hidden in the hills

66 Weird ways animals talk

Unbelievable ways animals talk to each other

70 How an ocean mimic works

Secrets of the mimic octopus

72 Clash of the titans Meet the majestic stag and learn what his competitive world is really like

76 How hibernation works 44 Echidna’s life cycle Follow the life cycle of an egglaying mammal

46 All about red kangaroos

Leap into the life of the springcharged kangaroo

Tiptoe through the winter hibernation habits of some of the world’s heaviest sleepers

97 Next month

Take a sneak peek inside next month’s World of Animals

22

56 Marwell Zoo

Take a tour of one of the UK’s leading animal parks

THE IUCN RED LIST

Throughout World of Animals you will see symbols like the ones you see here. These are from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of animal species in the world. Here’s what they mean:

EXTINCT EXTINCT IN THE WILD CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ENDANGERED VULNERABLE NEAR THREATENED LEAST CONCERN

4

62

82 Win! Feed big cats by hand

12

POLAR BEARS

90 Wildlife photography

Advice from the experts

WIN!

Annual p a Marwell sZses to oo

page 57

EXTRAORDINARY LIVES OF AN ARCTIC WONDERER 46

94 Your amazing

animal photos

58 72

76

5

The amazing world of animals

6

The amazing world of animals

This ancient breed of horse has roamed the river’s plains for thousands of years and it is known by locals as ‘the horse of the sea’.

© Rex Features

A herd of camargue horses gallop along a calm delta flat of the Rhone river located in the south of France

7

The amazing world of animals

This bizarre-looking antelope is called a gerenuk, and its spindly legs and neck make it an incredibly striking sight © Thinkstock

It has the unique ability to balance on its hind legs, helping it pick out only the very best leaves. The name gerenuk comes from the Somali language and means giraffe-necked.

8

The amazing world of animals

© Rex Features

Dormice need to fatten up to survive their winter sleep, and this young dormouse has developed a taste for blackberries These tiny mammals live in treetops and scurry up tree and plant stems to escape predators, and food at the top of the stem is a welcome bonus.

9

The amazing world of animals

10

The amazing world of animals

Orcas are unique in that male and female calves stay with their mother for their entire lives, and the adults in the group help them practice their hunting skills throughout their lives.

© Rex Features

An orca mother and calf breach the calm water’s surface in unison in southern Alaska

11

12

An animal synonymous with frozen winters and Arctic wastelands, these mighty hunters are perfectly equipped for life at the top of the world Words Ella Carter-Sutton

13

King of the ice

“The main threat to these majestic bears is the encroaching of human civilisation on their home and, most importantly, climate change”

Powerful senses of an arctic giant

Impeccable senses to conquer the most inhospitable environment on Earth Deceptively fluffy, the polar bear is the fearsome king of the Arctic and is top of the polar food chain. Found across the Arctic Circle, there are around 19 populations of polar bears living in four different ice regions of the Arctic. These bears freely roam the ice around the fringes of the polar basin, and although they stay in their home ranges, some can wander for miles. Polar bears depend on the sea and its ice for food. These bears eat a diet rich in fat, consisting mainly of seals – their favourite flavour being ringed or bearded seal, which are rich in blubber. However, bears will also take opportunistic meals, and feast on Arctic birds, eggs, sometimes whales, and even the odd caribou. These fierce hunters use their powerful sense of smell to locate

14

breathing holes that seals cut into the ice. The seals will surface every 5 to 15 minutes to, and this is when the bear strikes. Bears even stalk the seals as they bask on the ice, creeping closer and closer before pouncing on their prey. As primarily solitary beasts, polar bears differ greatly with their social interactions. Although not territorial, some will be very wary or aggressive to other bears when they approach, but others will greet the new bear like an old friend and play for hours. As such, these bears show distinct personality traits and individual preferences. The main threat to these majestic bears is the encroaching of human civilisation in their home and, most importantly, climate change. This is at its extremes in the poles, with the Arctic sea ice’s minimum summertime coverage reducing by 12 per cent per decade for the last 30 years.

Polar bear POLAR BEAR

Ursus maritimus Class Mammalia

Territory Arctic Circle Diet Seals Lifespan 25-30 years Adult weight 410-720kg / 900-1,600lbs Conservation Status

VULNERABLE

Dangers of growing up in the Arctic It’s a tough job being a polar bear cub, with a plethora of Arctic obstacles to overcome. Cubs rely on their mother and instinct to help them survive

Life at sub-zero

Cubs are born in November and December, and Arctic winter temperatures can drop to −50°C/−58°F. For a very little bear that’s a chilly start to life! Luckily, the snow den that the mother builds is insulated, creating a snug haven for cub development.

No choice but to swim in icy water

Bear cubs are introduced to water at a young age, but as the ice becomes sparse, cubs have to follow their mother on longer, incredibly exhausting swims. Small bears have less blubber, meaning less insulation and buoyancy in the chilly Arctic waves.

Predators on the prowl Once the bear cubs poke their tiny white snouts over the threshold of their mother’s snow den, they could face hungry animals much bigger than them looking for a quick meal. The main threat is from fully grown male polar bears.

Global warming melts polar bears’ homes

Retreating sea ice can mean a potential lack of food. Mother bears need to keep their energy intake up to provide very young cubs with rich, nutritious milk, while bigger cubs need to learn how to hunt. Without sea ice there’s less seal fishing to be done, which limits the bears’ diet.

15

King of the ice

Eating for survival

These arctic giants rely on the best-possible diet to help see them through such extreme conditions Polar bears need to maintain their thermal fat layer to battle the cold, and seal blubber contains 70 per-cent energy-packed fat, rich in healthy oils and vitamins. Seals are abundant in the Arctic circle so they are a logical choice, and with 42 sharp teeth the polar bear has little trouble killing a meal. The hunting skills of polar bears range from a silent sneak attack to an outright charge, so no seal is safe.

16

Polar bear What polar bears eat

11% other (e.g. whale carcasse)

13% bearded seals

63% ringed seals

13% harp seals

17

King of the ice

Arctic adaptations Polars are kitted to the brim with tools to tackle the harsh environment The polar bear’s adaptations to deal with the cold go beyond their furry outward appearance. Polar bears have evolved to have reinforced heart muscle that fights against vascular disease, much more so than their grizzly bear relatives. A strong heart helps pump warming blood around the body, which is insulated by more than thick fur. A polar bear’s skin, bone marrow and the space between organs is packed with adipose fat that is bursting with stored energy. This specialised fat can make up over 50 percent of the polar bear’s body weight and keeps their body functioning properly despite the bitter cold. Polar bears often have to fast when food is scarce or when raising cubs, so this energy store is essential to their survival. These bears can even control the activity of their cells to raise their body temperature. Nitric oxide found in the body converts nutrients from food into energy, but polar bears can opt to convert ingested nutrients directly into heat by controlling the level of nitric oxide in their cells. Every part of a polar bear’s body can be used as a weapon against the cold, and their unbelievable adaptations to dealing with plummeting temperatures are still not fully understood. As polar bears grow they’re able to eat a more varied diet of larger animals. Older bears eat enormous harp seals and even beluga whales to sustain their bulk. Males can grow to double the size of females, and the bigger they get the more they need to eat to keep their temperature up. The stomach can hold 20 per-cent of their body weight, which is 700 kilograms (300 pounds). That’s the equivalent of an average human eating 1550 loaves of bread!

Colourless hair The outer layer of a bear’s fur is actually colourless – these hairs are hollow and reflect visible light in their empty space, which makes the bear look white and provides a handy camouflage for hunting.

Black skin Beneath the white fur, a polar bear’s skin is actually black. This helps to absorb the Sun’s rays and retain the heat. White skin that would reflect heat off the bear’s body.

Furry feet The bottom of a polar bear’s paws is covered in fur. This helps to insulate and provide grip. Traction for charging about on the ice is also provided by small bumps on the pads, known as papillae.

Little ears and tail Having smaller extremities conserves heat and small ears and tail lie close to the body. This doesn’t affect their function though – they have very acute hearing!

Thick blubber A ten-centimetre layer of fatty blubber just under the skin acts as an insulator. It also provides buoyancy in the water to save energy when swimming.

Super-sized paws Huge oar-like paddles for paws are efficient and energysaving when swimming, and spread the bear’s weight while on the ice. Strong, sharp claws help to grip.

The bear family 1 metre

A glance at the biggest bears in the business

Giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca Length: 1.5m (plus 0.2m tail) Shoulder height: 1m Amount left in wild: 1,400

18

Sun bear Helarctos malayanus Length: 1.2m Shoulder height: 70cm Amount left in wild: no reliable data

American black bear Ursus americanus Length: 1.8m Shoulder height: 1m Amount left in wild: 850,000-950,000

Polar bear

“The polar bear’s huge paws act as oar-like paddles in the water for efficient, energysaving swimming”

Th

l

b

’

l

t

l ti e s

Streamlined form Polar bears have longer necks and narrower skulls than brown bears – an adaptation for their marine lifestyle making it an efficient and streamlined swimmer Long, curved claws Brown bears’ claws are much longer than the polars’; they can be the length of a human finger. Brown bears use these for digging dens and rooting out vegetation. Shoulder hump Brown bears have a prominent shoulder hump – muscle mass that allows it to be a powerful digger. While polar bears do dig dens in snow, they don’t have humps.

Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus Length: 1.8m Shoulder height: 1m Amount left in wild: 60,000

Spectacled bear Tremarctos ornatus Length: 1.5m Shoulder height: 80cm Amount left in wild: Less than 6,000-10000

Sloth bear Melursus ursinus Length: 1.8m Shoulder height: 90cm Amount left in wild: 7,000-10,000

19

King of the ice

Learning from the best When a female polar bear becomes pregnant she builds an underground burrow, where she will wait for two or three months to give birth to one or two tiny cubs. Weighing only 500 grams (one pound), cubs will suckle from the mother for the following four months until they reach weight of 10 kilograms (22 pounds). The milk the mother provides is 27 percent fat that helps the cubs bulk up for the day they leave the den. When the cubs have gained enough insulating weight the mother leads her cubs up to the surface, where she immediately begins to search for a meal. She will not have eaten since entering the den six to eight months previously, and she needs to teach her cubs how to survive in their first moments above the ground. The mother keeps her cubs by her side while they practice their hunting and survival

skills for up to three years until she is satisfied they are ready to fend for themselves, and sometimes that moment comes sooner than expected. Cubs can be left orphaned, and if this happens they need to be prepared to face the Arctic tundra alone. Cubs may flee from their mother is she is fatally attacked and go in search of food for themselves. If their mother has taught them well, the cubs are able to survive to go on to reproduce in the future. The area the mother first teaches her cubs how to hunt becomes their home for life, and future generations will raise their own cubs in the same place.

“The mother keeps her cubs by her side while they practise their hunting and survival skills” 20

©Thinkstock, Alamy, Rex Features

How a mother prepares her cubs for the cold reality of their extreme environment

NEW

FOR 2014

Visiit ou ur new w a rrriv vals in the onlly Antta rcttic c pen nguin exhibit in the e Nortth off England. See e spec cta acula a r sharks, VE E]WE E RHSZ ZIV ½WL

/thedeephull

ARCTIC ADVENTURES EXPLORE THE ICY NORTH

Discover the wild wonders of the Arctic on our expedition cruises and land-based holidays.

AURORA BOREALIS

WHALE SAFARI

Sail around islands to see the magic Northern Lights - 8 days

Spot whales whilst sailing among icebergs - 8 days

SKIING AND SAILING

POLAR BEAR SPECIAL

AROUND SPITSBERGEN

CANADA POLAR BEARS

Into the pristine wilderness of West Greenland - 8 days

Sailing among glaciers, icebergs and wildlife - 11 days

Meet polar bears from the safety of the deck - 8 days

Close encounters with Polar Bears on the tundra - 9 days

Tailor-made journeys and adventures

01962 737 647

chameleonworldwide.co.uk

CLEVEREST CREATURES

on Earth Brown rat

Honeybee 22

Capuchin monkey

Kodiak bear

These cunning creatures exhibit skills that will defy your comprehension Words Rick Jones

Carrion crow

Dog

Fringed Portia

Octopus

Orangutan

Orca

Cleverest creatures on earth The tued capuchin monkey gets its favourite food using specialist tools that equal early human inventions

TUFTED CAPUCHIN MONKEY

Cebus apella

Class Mammalia

Territory The Amazon basin, South America Diet Palm nuts, fruits bats Lifespan 15 - 20 years Adult weight 3.6Kg/8.5Lbs Conservation Status

LEAST CONCERN

Capuchin monkeys have transformed their town into a food production line Generations of tooled-up tufted capuchins have transformed sections of Brazil’s Boa Vista valley into a production facility for their favourite food. Using stone cutting tools, anvils and hammers – worn to the perfect shape over time – the monkeys de-shell, store and season, then ultimately hammer open their favourite palm-nuts. Using human-like hand-eye coordination, capuchins have been observed carrying water in containers,

sopping up spilled fruit juice for later with absorbent materials, and even performing stone-flaking – splitting off sharp fragments to use for cutting. All this denotes the ability to look at an object – say; a stone – and imagine ways that it could be modified to do a job. This is the exact brand of inventive thinking that our in own ancestors (pre-dating Homo habilis) evolved into the manufacturing methods we now possess.

The carrion crow drops walnuts onto zebra crossings so cars will crush them open Crows may have traditionally preferred trees to terraced houses, but it hasn’t stopped them from taking advantage of urbanisation – turning human technology to their advantage. One example is the resident crows at a Japanese university, CARRION CROW Corvus corone famous for picking walnuts Class Aves and placing them on a zebra crossing. The brilliant birds then wait for the traffic to resume – running over and Territory Across Europe and breaking open the tough nuts. eastern Asia Queuing with students for Diet Carrion, insects, earthworms, amphibians the next red light, the birds Lifespan 4-5 years patiently wait to retrieve their Adult weight 510g (18 oz) snack when the cars stop Conservation Status again. Over the last decade, crows all over Japan have begun to use traffic lights to LEAST CONCERN open hard-shelled foods.

Crows have an unusually large brain in comparison to their size

23

Cleverest creatures on earth Orangutans are very closely related to humans, sharing approximately 97.6% of our DNA

How we know orangutans are intelligent Sentience; more than a feeling Orangutans show care for chosen ‘loved ones’, jealousy and different levels of trust between individuals. These traits imply an ability to think beyond their own instincts and drives, and imagine the same feelings in others – a ‘mind’, not just brains.

SUMATRAN ORANGUTAN

Self conscious red apes When ‘Anette’ and ‘Dana’, captive orangutans, were filmed for a documentary, they were shown themselves on camcorders. When Anette was shown Dana, she would sulk. Shown herself, she would preen. Self awareness was once considered uniquely human.

Pongo abelii

Class Mammalia

Territory Island of Sumatra, Indonesia Diet Fruit, insects, bird eggs, bark, occasionally slow loris Lifespan 50-60 years Adult weight 60kg / 130lbs Conservation Status

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

Orangutans have learned how to barter More social than their solitary Bornean cousins, Sumatran orangutans make good use of their mirror neurons, which are electrically active parts of the brain that fire when watching others do things – allowing them to learn by copying. Furthermore, mothers teach their young to make tools for getting Neesia fruit seeds surrounded by irritating spiny hairs. Going by discarded skins, some groups are better at it

24

than others, but their techniques constantly evolve. Bornean and Sumatran orangutan species show amazing problem-solving abilities, self-awareness and even cultures that differ from group to group. Sumatran orangutans, however, seem to top the charts when it comes to actions that we humans consider to indicate intelligence, even beating their cousins, chimpanzees.

Doing deals; creating a currency When female orangutan ‘Gina’ managed to get hold of her keepers’ tools, she developed a sense of their worth, based on her keepers’ reactions. She would return a brush for a walnut, but a hammer ‘cost’ a pineapple. Passing knowledge down generations Gina’s version of value became a family trait, as she taught her son Jaya that dismantling stolen or craftily hidden objects meant more ‘currency’, to trade for more goodies from their keepers.

Cleverest creatures on earth

Orcas have a bigger capacity for emotion than humans Apart from the overall size difference, when compared to the human brain, Orcas possess a much larger limbic lobe – the part that, in mammals, relates to emotional life, emotionally reactive behaviour and memories. Additionally, the sections that correspond with speech and hearing in humans are over-developed in these mighty members of the dolphin family. All of the above, coupled with their incredibly complex (and varied) social culture, seems to point to a ‘shared sense of self‘. Neurobiologists are starting to believe that mass strandings happen because when a matriarch dies of what they perceive to be unnatural causes, the feeling of loss is so great for the collective, that they experience massive clinical depression. Many aspects of orca intelligence are, ironically, beyond our understanding.

ORCA

Orcinus orca Class Mammalia

Territory All oceans, highest densities found off Antarctica Diet Squid, fish, varied sea life Lifespan 30 - 80 years Adult weight 8,000kg / 17,500lbs Conservation Status

NOT EVALUATED

High levels of selfawareness in Orcas may be due to their larger than average limbic lobe

Brown rats feel empathy Almost anywhere on Earth where humans have travelled, the brown rat has hitched a ride, often without anyone noticing. Class Mammalia However, even on frontiers where people have struggled to survive, the brown rat has often adapted and prospered. This ability to overcome is partly due to its generalist nature, demonstrated typically Territory All continents except Antarctica in their ability to eat anything, but also Diet Cereals, anything edible down to their ability to solve problems, Lifespan 1 to 3 years often through teamwork. Adult weight 350g (12 oz) Conservation Status Rats in experiments, when presented with another rat in a cage and a supply of chocolate chips, would almost always LEAST CONCERN free their captive colleague first, and then share the food. Rats who had been freed themselves, were much more likely to help others. This display of altruism shows an ability to think beyond their individual needs, and possibly imagine how they themselves would feel in the same situation – considering outcomes beyond their own ‘here and now’. BROWN RAT

Rattus Norvegicus

We may take the brown rat for granted as an everyday pest, but some of its habits are remarkable

25

Cleverest creatures on earth Kodiak bears have cleverly adapted their hunting techniques to incorporate salmon movements

“Kodiak bears have been seen to seek barnacleencrusted rocks to use as combs, removing rotting blubber from their face”

Kodiak bears have learned many different fishing methods KODIAK BROWN BEAR Ursus arctos middendorffi Class Mammalia

Territory Islands of the Kodiak archipelago, Alaska, USA Diet Salmon, carrion, berries, seaweed, grass, wild vegetables Lifespan 25 years Adult weight 635 kg/1400 lbs Conservation Status

LEAST CONCERN

26

Bears have been known for their intelligence throughout human history and some researchers have compared bear intelligence to that of a three-year-old human. The Kodiak bear is no exception, and with one of the largest brains of any land carnivore it is widely regarded as a clever animal. Despite being mostly solitary, the annual salmon run tends to bring together large groups of bears, and Kodiaks have developed a complex language within their social structure. Bears take turns to fish using different fishing methods, and individuals

are thought to recognise oneanother from previous seasons. These bears have long term memory and are thought to have better navigation skills than humans, making them the true kings of the forest. Kodiak bears show kindness to others around them and even grieve the loss of one another. Orphaned cubs may grieve for weeks upon losing their mother, but often another adult female will take over the care of a lone cub. Eyewitness reports suggest that Kodiak bears will risk their own lives to save their cubs or siblings.

Cleverest creatures on earth

Honey bees can count to five Utilising a visual working memory bigger than most birds’, honey bees make a mental map of their surroundings. Returning from a successful foraging expedition, workers share the shortest route to the pollen. True team players,

they take turns in fanning their workmates in order to maintain the perfect working temperature and can even pass instructions over to each other when they are ‘changing shifts’.

Three amazing ways bees communicate

Dancing out directions to far-flung flowers When foragers find fertile flowers, returning bees perform a figure-eight ‘waggle dance’. This communication contains direction and distance information.

It’s all in the kiss Trophallaxis is a mouth-to-mouth exchange of fluids. Bees use this ‘kiss’ to tell outgoing foragers that the hive needs water, protein or cooling down with wing-fanning.

Shaking colleagues to stir up support When there’s lots to be done, older workers will grab other bees from above, shaking them quickly. This appears to deliver a set of instructions, sending youngsters off to work.

HONEY BEE

Apis mellifera Class Insecta

Territory Europe, Africa, Asia Diet Larvae; honey. Workers, drones; nectar and pollen. Queens and ‘future queen’ larvae; royal jelly Lifespan 3 weeks - 4 years Adult weight 100mg (0.0035 oz) Conservation Status

NOT EVALUATED

The honey bee proves that you don’t need to be big to be incredibly intelligent

27

Cleverest creatures on earth

Dogs are the only nonprimate that can remember human faces

Dogs communicate using tail movements, posture and a range of types of sound with different meanings

The relationship between people and dogs began more than 10,000 years ago when early hunters and wolves found that teaming up benefited them both. Over the process of domestication dogs have shifted their skills of communication and perception from relating to others in their pack to the humans they live with. Most dog owners will report that their dog can easily respond to their owner’s moods, gestures and verbal commands. Dogs communicate within the pack using tail movements, posture and various types of sounds, and group living comes with a social structure and understanding how to relate to others. Dogs are the only non-primate that has been demonstrated to remember different human faces and show preference for the face of their owner. Dogs have difficulty recognising their owner if their face is covered up, and researchers think that dogs have a similar ability to recognise human faces as other humans. Studies have shown that dogs process human voices in much the same way we do, taking tone and inflection into account, as well as being simultaneously able to differentiate names of objects from commands within sentences.

“Group living comes with social structure and understanding how to relate to others” Scarlet macaws can solve complex puzzles

DOMESTIC DOG

Canis lupus familiaris Class Mammalia

Territory Worldwide, following human distribution patterns Diet Meat, cereals, vegetables Lifespan 10 -13 years Adult weight 113g (4.0 oz) 155.6kg (343 Lb) Conservation Status

LEAST CONCERN

28

Scarlet macaws are famous for their ability to mimic human speech and perform problem-solving tasks, which help them survive in their natural habitat. They are able to distinguish colours and shapes, learn quickly and solve complex puzzles. In the wild macaws pair up for life and communicate by copying the sounds and movements of their mate, spending roughly 20 per-cent of their time playing. They can live to the incredible age of 80 and researchers have even proposed that macaws are as emotionally intelligent as two-yearold humans.

Cleverest creatures on earth GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS

Enteroctopus dofleini Class Cephalopoda

The Octopus’ entire body acts like a super brain Octopuses’ arms act autonomously – independent of the brain, and each other – yet all are plastic; i.e. capable of learning and feeding the new knowledge back to the central brain. That ‘main brain’ has exhibited amazing feats of long and short-term memory, learning and even individual personality. ‘Truman’, an octopus held at New England Aquarium, USA, took a dislike to one female volunteer. He would watch her, and squirt her whenever he got the opportunity. He had never hosed anyone else down. Eventually, the volunteer left for college, but she returned to visit months later. Truman, upon spotting the girl, immediately aimed a jet of salt water from his siphon organ at her. Wild octopuses even build complex fortresses, using coconut and clam shells – an advanced form of tool use. Their lifecycle doesn’t allow for parental involvement, so they aren’t able to ‘teach’ their young, unlike primates.

The jumping spider stalks prey for up to 10 hours All of the tiny jumping spiders of the genus Portia (family Salticidae) show remarkably advanced features, from colour-vision eyesight to elaborate, choreographed courtship rituals. However, the fringed jumping portia has been described by researchers as “an eight-legged cat; possessing hunting skills as versatile and adaptable as a lion’s”. Feeding almost exclusively on other spiders – including more dangerous species up to three times its size – this little Einstein earns its dinner through proper planning and preparation. Portias have even been known to study the movements of other spiders, sometimes watching them for 10 hours only to leave the scene, FRINGED PORTIA JUMPING SPIDER returning the next day Portia fimbriata for a carefully timed, Class Arachnida Mission Impossible style assault. Successful hunting tactics for up to 30 Territory Across South East different spiders Asia and Australia are learned and Diet Primarily other spiders Lifespan 1-2 years remembered, even Adult weight 3mg (0.106 oz) when the prey is a Conservation Status non-native species that portia’s ancestors could never have NOT EVALUATED encountered before.

Territory Pacific Ocean, from Japanese to American shorelines, to depths of 2,000m (6,600 ft) Diet Crabs and other shellfish, molluscs, bony fish Lifespan 5 years Adult weight 50kg (110 lbs) Conservation Status

NOT EVALUATED

The fearsome-looking Pacific octopus is capable of building a complicated fortress using objects it finds

The miniscule portia jumping spider is a stealthy attacker and can wait up to 10 hours sussing out its prey

29

12 places to see red squirrels

30

12 PLACES TO SEE

RED SQUIRRELS This elusive critter has several secret hideaways where it can be spotted scurrying through trees hiding nuts and seeds for the approaching winter Words Amy Grisdale The red squirrel was named ‘Sciurus vulgaris’ by the father of taxonomy Linnaeus in 1758, named ‘vulgar’ because it was so common. Squirrels had lived in the pine forests that swept over the entire United Kingdom for over 5,000 years, but less than 100 years after being named ‘vulgar’, red squirrel numbers began to decline. The pine forests that the red squirrels called home became subject to logging, and as human populations grew the demand for wood escalated. The pine forests began to disappear, and its residents became limited to a smaller area. Habitat loss was the first factor in red squirrel decline, but a new arrival accelerated the action. In 1876 a businessman returning from America released the very first pair of grey squirrels in England, and several

other people followed suit. The American squirrels were considered to be fashionable, but within 25 years they had populated an area of 500 square kilometres (300 square miles). It was first thought aggression from greys was forcing the red squirrel into hiding, but invading grey squirrels had a deadly secret that would advance the decline of the native red. They were carriers of the parapox virus, to which red squirrels are immensely vulnerable. Grey squirrels are immune, but the virus attacks the immune systems of the red squirrel and causes an outbreak of lesions that often results in death. These events led to a dramatic change in squirrel populations, and to this day grey squirrels outnumber reds 70 to one.

31

12 places to see red squirrels

Red squirrels of the UK

6

2

1. Brownsea Island

5

The largest island in Poole harbour is Brownsea, and the entire island is a Natural Trust reserve. The island has a lot of unique wildlife, and red squirrels populate the trees as the grey squirrel has never been introduced, and day visitors can journey across the harbour from Poole quay.

3

BROWNSEA ISLAND FERRIES

WWW.BROWNSEAISLANDFERRIES.COM 1

4

Take one of Poole harbour’s famous yellow boats to Brownsea island where National Trust members can get in free, or tour the landscape of the second largest natural harbour in the world.

2. Northern Ireland Despite low forest cover, Northern Ireland has a population of red squirrels protected by public groups who organise events and help conservation efforts. Sightings are widespread in the region, but Glenariff is the best place for them.

GLENARIFF FOREST PARK SCENIC TRAIL WWW.WALKNI.COM

Take a walk in the beautiful Glenariff forest in Northern Ireland, choose a route and look out for red squirrels. Visitors can report sightings online.

3. Cumbria

The Lake District and surrounding areas are known for red squirrel sightings, its mountain landscape being a haven for the agile squirrel. Whinlatter forest, Keswick is a top spotting place.

32

WHINLATTER

WWW.FORESTRY.GOV.UK

Whinlatter is close to the centre of Keswick and has an activity for all the family. Visitors can walk, cycle or play in England’s only mountain forest.

Red squirrels

6. Scotland

The pine forests of Scotland are home to 75 percent of the UK’s red squirrel population and Cairngorms national park is one of the best places in the country to see them. Scotland’s 120,000 squirrels are protected by charities and conservation groups who raise funds and awareness.

ECOCAMP GLENSHEE

WWW.ECOCAMPGLENSHEE.CO.UK

This eco-friendly campsite in the heart of Cairngorms national park offers beautifully refurbished wooden pods, shepherds huts and tents at reasonable prices for your holiday in Scotland.

4. Isle of Wight The Isle of Wight is home to a population of 3,500 red squirrels. Grey squirrels are unable to populate the island, separated from the mainland by five kilometers (three miles) of sea.

THE RED SQUIRREL TRUST

WWW.THEREDSQUIRRELTRUST.CO.UK

This organization holds red squirrel walks and educational presentations across the Isle of Wight, so check their events calendar when planning a visit.

“Feeding stations and hides are ideal places to wait for a sighting”

5. Northumberland

The ancient woodlands of Northumberland attract thousands of visitors every year, as well as red squirrels that feed throughout the park. Feeding stations and hides are ideal places to wait for a sighting, and are scattered around the park and the rest of northern England.

WOODHORN MUSEUM

WWW.EXPERIENCEWOODHORN.COM

Not only can visitors enjoy interactive exhibits, but trips on the Woodhorn railway are notorious for sightings of red squirrels and other rare wildlife.

33

12 places to see red squirrels

Red squirrels around the world 10

7

11

9

8

12

7. North America

The Eurasian red squirrel’s transatlantic cousin is spread across the coniferous forests of USA and Canada. Both species look and behave extremely similarly except the American squirrel is smaller with white rings around each eye. The largest populations are in Canada and Alaska.

FLETCHER WILDLIFE GARDEN WWW.OFNC.CA

This long-term conservation project site is only a few minutes from the centre of Ottawa where American red squirrels are a common sight. The centre’s back yard shows visitors how to attract wildlife to their own garden.

8. Japan

The Eurasian red squirrel can even be seen in Tokyo, Japan, where it was introduced and now competes with native Japanese squirrels. It is a common sight and is seen most frequently in March when gathering materials to build their breeding dreys.

NOPPORO VISITOR’S CENTRE WWW.KAITAKU.OR.JP

With several kilometers of hiking trails and widespread forest, this is the ideal home for the red squirrel. In the winter snow the park becomes popular with skiers, too.

9. France

In France red squirrels are more common than greys because there are more red squirrel-friendly pine trees in mainland Europe than the UK. They are distributed throughout the country in both forested and suburban areas, and visitors should listen out for the high-pitched screeches during breeding seasons in February and early summer.

CAP CABANE

WWW.CAPCABANE.COM

Set in the heart of the Landes forest the glass-roofed tree houses accommodate travellers looking for red squirrels. Visitors need to bring bedsheets, towels and a swimsuit to enjoy the natural pool.

34

Red squirrels

10. Norway

Norway’s Rondane national park and surrounding areas are made of coniferous forests that are home to red squirrels and wild reindeer. With 10 mountain peaks, climbers can enjoy stunning views as well as red squirrel encounters, though these woodlands become extremely chilly during winter.

SORIA MORIA ADVENTURES

WWW.SORIAMORIADVENTURES.COM

The family-run lodge Aasaaren Nedre is in the outskirts of Otta close to Norway’s extensive pine forests has open fires where visitors can warm up aer a day of squirrel watching.

© Alamy, Thinkstock

“Climbers can enjoy stunning views as well as red squirrel encounters”

11. Portugal

Red squirrels have made a comeback to Portugal and can be found in the north east of the country. Serra de Estrela national park is the largest protected area and all red squirrel sightings should be reported to the red squirrels in Portugal project.

COVILHÃ PARK HOTEL

WWW.COVILHAPARQUEHOTEL.COM.PT

Just outside Serra de Estrela national park, Covilhã park hotel is a great place to stay where visitors can enjoy the picturesque town of Covilhã while looking for red squirrels.

12. South America The southern Amazon red squirrel can be seen in the rainforests of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil, but it’s hunted by big cats and humans. The best place to spot these squirrels are lowland forests of the Amazon around the Andean foothills.

ANDEAN EXPLORER WWW.PERURAIL.COM

Take a luxury train journey from Cuzco to the majectic Lake Titicaca, where passengers can watch the stunning wildlife.

35

Secret powers of an intellectual ocean beast that uses every part of its body as a powerful weapon – not least its bizarre elongated face Words Amy Grisdale

36

Hammerhead shark

Meet the expert DEAN FESSLER

Education officer Shark Research Institute www.sharks.org Divemaster and shark researcher Dean Fessler has been working at the Shark Research Institute (SRI) for over 20 years and has performed research across the globe. The institute has field offices in 11 different countries and they work to track sharks, study their DNA and behaviour and educate the public about shark conservation.

Sensitive touch Blood detection Electroreception 360° vision Discerning taste Sensing pressure 37

Super senses of the hammerhead

Sensitive touch Shark skin can detect much more than a simple touch, it can recognise a temperature change of as little as 0.1 degrees Celsius. Sharks use this sense to navigate to fronts of cold water which are nutrient-rich upwellings that attract prey. They can then track prey by following cold currents. Despite being so sensitive, shark skin is still very tough. Rather than

being covered in rounded scales like other fish, sharks have pointed scales called denticles that are only 0.01 millimetres wide. These are toothshaped and offer the shark important protection from their predators, as well as streamlining its body. This combination of armour and sensitivity helps the shark maintain its brilliant predatory advantage.

Blood detection The hammerhead shark’s sense of smell is one of the most important in their arsenal, and a shark is able to detect just a teaspoon of blood in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Hammerhead sharks achieve this amazing sensitivity by having two nasal cavities called nares, which each have an entry and exit openings. Inside the nares are a maze of chambers lined with skin folds covered with the all-important scent detectors. The cells that decipher smells send this information to the brain, where the shark decides what course of action they should take. Two thirds of a hammerhead’s brain weight is dedicated to decoding smells, making them some of the most advanced sniffers in the sea.

Nasal cavity

Sharks have one of the best senses of smell of any ocean animal

Scent- detecting cells Blood

Skin folds

Nerves

Tail The powerful tail is heterocercal (asymmetric), giving the hammerhead shark an edge as it turns quickly and beats the powerful tail to swim at a top speed of 40 kilometres per hour (25 miles per hour).

Streamlined The torpedo shape of the shark’s body is the ultimate in streamlining technology and helps propel the hammerhead through the water. It is this hydrodynamic shape that inspired the shape of aeroplanes.

38

“Sense of smell is one of the most important, and a shark is able to detect just a teaspoon of blood in an Olympic-sized swimming pool”

Hammerhead shark

Electroreception The face is covered with tiny black spots called the ampullae of Lorenzini, which “detect electric fields in the water” according to Fessler. They’re open pores filled with electrically conductive material. “The ampullae contain a jelly-like substance which vibrates when an electrical signal is detected.” The base of the pore is covered with tiny hair-like cilia, which respond to changes in electrical currents. Just like the hairs in a human ear detect the direction and volume of sound, the shark’s cilia can distinguish tiny changes in electric currents. “The ampullae can pick up electrical signals from muscle contractions of prey,” he continues. A great hammerhead shark has over 3000 receptive pores, making them masters of electroreception.

In low light a hammerhead shark can see 10 times better than a human could

Teeth The sharp serrated teeth of a hammerhead are constantly growing to replace any that become embedded in prey, and new teeth move forward like a deadly conveyer belt.

360° vision Hammerhead sharks have brilliant 360-degree vision. “Shark vision is very good,” explains Fessler. “They are able to scan over 180 degrees with a single eye, which means the visual fields of both eyes overlap”. This wide spacing of the eyes comes at a cost, however.

“Hammerhead sharks eyes are spaced so far apart, they have larger blind spots in front of them than other sharks” continues Fessler. Behind the retina are mirrored crystals called the tapetum lucidum, and when light hits this layer of crystals it is reflected several times.

Inside a shark’s eye

Sharks have an extra layer at the back of their eyes that helps with night vision Fins The dorsal and pectoral fins of the shark slice through the water acting as natural rudders and stop the hammerhead from rolling sideways or pitching forwards when in pursuit of prey.

Tapetum A layer of crystals reflects light towards the rods and cones to assisit with low light conditions

Cornea Light enters though the cornea

Light

Face The hammerhead’s wide T-shaped face helps it turn quickly in the water, and the large surface area is packed with electroreceptors, making it the most successful detector of electric currents.

Rods and cones Light sensitive cells send signals to the brain

Retina skin

39

Super senses of the hammerhead

Using taste A hammerhead’s sense of taste isn’t as well-developed because their other senses do most of the work. Once the shark has seen or smelled the prey the shark has to give it a good chew to discover exactly what it tastes like. Sharks do have taste buds, but they can only detect flavour once the item is inside the mouth and items that are foul-tasting will be spat out. This has been demonstrated by sea otter carcasses that are found floating out at sea that exhibit bite marks. Sharks don’t eat the otters, they simply have a taste and discard them. This also explains why many victims of shark attacks survive, as sharks bite before realising that a human is not suitable meal.

Hammerheads size up prey before taking a bite

Cupula

Sensing water pressure

40

line is made up of pores formed by modified scales and hair cells” explains Fessler. “These open into a canal just below the skin surface. Between the pores is a gelatinous mass called the cupula. As water flows past this, it causes it to bend modified hair cells located within a sensory patch under the cupula, firing off a series of nervous impulses.” Information sent to the brain tells the shark what is happening, even in darkness.

How shark’s skin sensory organs work

Water flowing

Lines of cells along the shark’s sides turn motion in the water into information about where their prey is.

Sense hair

Nerve

Brain

© Alamy, Nature Picture Library, Thinkstock

“Sharks have lateral lines,” Fessler tells us. “This lateral line works by detecting changes in water pressure and direction similar to the way human skin can feel or detect wind or changes in air direction. “All fish species have long grooves down their sides, made of receptive cells called neuromasts. These cells sense minute changes in water pressure and help build a mental picture of their environment. “The lateral

Wildlife holidays with the experts Whether you want to spot lemurs, see the Big-Five, commune with the gorillas or seek out endangered jaguars and giant otters in South America, Rainbow Tours can provide the best advice and the best guides. We are committed to working with partners on the ground who support biodiversity conservation and the support of the communities that live alongside these fragile ecosystems.

Call one of our specialists

020 7666 1280

Visit www.rainbowtours.co.uk AFRICA | MADAGASCAR | LATIN AMERICA | INDIA

Endangered

Hawaiian monk seal HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL

Neomonachus schauinslandi Class Mammalia

Territory Hawaiian Islands Diet Fish, crustaceans, cephalopods Lifespan 25-30 years Adult weight 180-275kg (400-600lb) Conservation Status

The Hawaiian monk seal is an ancient species and one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world. Extensive seal hunting during the 1800s decimated the population, and by the time detailed monitoring began in 1983, there were just 1,488 left. Today, numbers continue to plummet at a rate of around four per cent every year

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

The causes of extinction Hunting

Lack of food

Male aggression

What you can do

The history of Hawaiian monk seals is not well documented, and the original population size is unknown, but shipping records indicate that thousands of animals were slaughtered by seal hunters during the 19th Century for their skins and oil. Others were eaten by hungry islanders and shipwrecked sailors.

Adult male Hawaiian monk seals can be very aggressive during the breeding season, and in the frenzy to find a mate, females can be injured, or killed. Unusually, some males are also targeting youngsters, and their violent behaviour is contributing to the decline in Hawaiian monk seal numbers.

42

A major factor that is limiting Hawaiian monk seal survival in the northwestern islands is the limited availability of food. Seals eat fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods, but they seem to be losing out to other predators, like sharks. This poses a particular problem for juveniles, slowing their growth, delaying their reproductive maturity, and making them more likely to succumb to disease.

WWW.PIFSC.NOAA.GOV/HAWAIIAN_MONK_SEAL The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), based in the United States, are working hard to protect and support the remaining Hawaiian monk seal population, and have lots of suggestions for people who would like to get involved.

Hawaiian monk seal

“30% of the seals Decreasing numbers Despite many attempts to protect the Hawaiian that are alive today monk seal, the population continues to decline are here because of our recovery efforts.” Total in 2010

Total in 1983

1,060

1,488

Estimated total animal population in Hawaii

Estimated total animal population 30 years ago

The decreasing habitat

Hawaii

Hawaiian monk seals once flourished around all of the Hawaiian islands, but seal hunting in the 1800s damaged the population. Most seals are now found in the quieter Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, although numbers around the Main Hawaiian Islands are slowly increasing.

Territory in 1800 Territory in 2014

Dr Charles Littnan www.pifsc.noaa.gov As the lead scientist for NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, Dr Charles Littnan and his team focus on understanding the biology and ecology of Hawaiian monk seals, as well as identifying threats to their survival and strategies to mitigate them. “We are facing two very different fronts in our battle for the species survival,” says Dr Littnan. “The bulk of the population lives in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). This population has faced a chronic decline driven primarily by poor juvenile survival (only a fih of pups born live to adulthood). The primary threat is food limitation, though shark predation, entanglement, intraspecific aggression and other factors are contributing. We have seasonal camps in the NWHI that monitor the population and do a lot of our recovery work. We disentangle and provide medical care for seals, we translocate young animals from areas of low survival to higher survival, reduce shark predation and other things. “In the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI), the population has re-established itself and is growing rapidly. In the MHI we’re focused on developing strategies to allow seals and humans to coexist. We are developing strategies to minimise human-seal interactions and educate the public who are worried about the seals presence. “We are very hopeful for the species, though we have a long way to go. The decline in the NWHI has slowed and the MHI population is currently growing… [Around] 30 per cent of the seals that are alive today are here because of our recovery efforts.”

© Thinkstock

Monk seal conservation in action

43

Life cycle of…

Echidna SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNA

Tachyglossus aculeatus Class Mammalia

Territory Australia and New Guinea Diet Ants, termites, beetles and insect larvae Lifespan Up to 45 years Adult weight 5kg / 11lbs Conservation Status

This Australian mammal begins life in a very unusual manner – inside an egg. As one of only two egg-laying mammals alive today, the insectivorous echidna experiences a very unique growth. Young echidnas are called puggles, and their lives are among the most peculiar on the planet. Laying an egg Day one

Just days waking up from hibernation, male echidnas form ‘echidna trains’ by following females in order to breed. Just 24 days after mating, a female lays an egg in her belly pouch.

LEAST CONCERN

Suckling Day ten

Maturity 7C?OăȯăSC

The egg hatches, and the mother produces milk for the baby echidna, called a puggle, to drink. As echidnas don’t have teats, milk is secreted through the skin and pools in the pouch.

Echidnas become sexually mature between the age of 5 and 12, and after waking from hibernation (February to June), mature echidnas enter their summer breeding season.

© Thinkstock, The Art Agency; Sandra Doyle

Weaning Month six

44

At six months old, the young echidna is weaned as it reaches a weight of around two kilograms (four pounds), leaving the burrow to forage with its mother.

In the pouch Month one

Burrow Month two

As the sharp spines begin to irritate the pouch, the mother tucks the puggle safely into an underground burrow. She will leave to forage for three to five days, returning to feed the puggle regularly.

The puggle is born helpless and hairless, and the fatty milk that the mother provides helps it to grow its hair and defensive spines rapidly.

FEED YOUR MIND www.howitworksdaily.com

Available from all good newsagents and supermarkets TM

ON SALE NOW > Cars of the future > Smartest animals > End of our Sun > Digestive system SCIENCE UP CLOSE

INSIDE GADGETS

COOLEST TECH

ILLUSTRATIONS

AMAZING FACTS

BUY YOUR ISSUE TODAY

Print edition available at www.imagineshop.co.uk Digital edition available at www.greatdigitalmags.com Available on the following platforms

facebook.com/howitworks

twitter.com/@howitworksmag

All about red kangaroos

All About

kangaroos

Red kangaroos are the largest living marsupials, and on a continent with no native deer or cattle, these bouncing grazers dominate the plains Words Laura Mears

46

Red kangaroos

47

All about red kangaroos One quirky method that red kangaroos use to cool down is to lick their forearms

Weird habits of an outback icon For an animal capable of such high speeds, the red kangaroo lives a surprisingly sedentary lifestyle, mainly remaining active at dusk and dawn Red kangaroos are the largest living marsupials, and are icons of the Australian outback. In a continent with no native sheep, cattle or deer, kangaroos fill their ecological niche, living on the plains and grazing on grass just as some animals do elsewhere in the world. However, unlike the fleet-footed, four-legged grazers found in other countries, these animals have evolved a very different method of locomotion. Kangaroos are not the only hopping animals, but what sets them apart from the others is their ability to stand upright. Frogs, rabbits, and grasshoppers all use their weaker front legs during each bounce, but this strategy is not very energy efficient. By using their muscular tails as a counterbalance, kangaroos can keep their front legs away from the ground, massively increasing the energy efficiency of their movements. A red kangaroo can maintain running speeds of 25 miles per hour (40 kilometres per hour), and can cover eight metres (25 feet) in a single bound. At a sprint, they can reach 35 miles per hour (56 kilometres per hour). Instead of hopping faster, red kangaroos hop farther with each stride, and as they jump up and down, the force acting on their internal organs helps to push air in and out of their lungs without any additional effort. Although their species are widely distributed across Australia, individuals don’t tend to move very far, and the home ranges of each animal are relatively small, encompassing just a few square miles, and including just a limited supply of food, shelter and water. In the blistering Australian heat, the outback regularly sees temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), and

48

red kangaroos do not move much during the day. Their home territories often include a few saltbushes, and they sprawl out beneath the leaves to wait out the intense heat. Panting helps to keep them cool, and they often lick the skin on their forearms, allowing the heat from blood vessels below the skin to escape as the saliva evaporates. Red kangaroos are mainly active at dawn and dusk, when the ambient temperature is lower. They have large eyes, and their ears can turn independently, allowing them to watch and listen for predators. As the largest species of marsupial, few animals dare attack an adult, but dingoes hunt in packs and the kangaroos must remain vigilant. When they are active, red kangaroos spend around half of their time searching for food or grazing. Their diet is entirely vegetarian, and the nutritional value of their food is low, so in order to obtain enough food to sustain their large bodies, they need to eat often. Finding water is also problematic, and red kangaroos are adapted to minimise water loss, enabling them to go for days at a time without drinking.

Red kangaroos

Kangaroo boxing Male red kangaroos throw kicks and punches to establish dominance Kangaroo boxing is more of a ritual than an all-out fight. Moves are carefully choreographed, and the tussle follows a set of rules. Males square off against one another, using their tails for balance, and hurling a combination of kicks, bites, and punches at their opponent.

Shoulder holding Boxing kangaroos hold on to each other’s shoulders, using their sharp front claws to swipe at the face of their opponent.

Wrestling Using their body weight to wrestle, kangaroos will tug and tussle with their opponent to knock them off balance.

Winning the fight The winner is declared when one kangaroo walks away or falls to the ground.

Five sharp claws The front legs are much weaker than those at the back, but they have five sharp claws. Kangaroos keep their heads back to avoid incoming swipes aimed at their face.

Issuing a challenge The fight begins when one kangaroo grabs the other by the neck.

Tail support Kangaroos use their muscular tails to support their body weight as they raise their legs for a kick, aiming at the abdomen in order to knock their opponent off balance.

Diet and feeding Red kangaroos are typically grazers, but eat different plants depending on the time of year 31% of their diet consists of grass

69% of their diet consists of saltbush and flowering plants

An average kangaroo needs

2kg/5lbs of food per day

Occasionally they supplement their diet with shoots and grains

They eat 2-3% of their body weight

49

All about red kangaroos

Inside a red kangaroo The Australian outback is one of the most inhospitable places on the planet, but red kangaroos have evolved some remarkable adaptations that have allowed them to thrive on the parched plains RED KANGAROO Macropus rufus Class Mammalia

Territory Australia Diet Herbivore Lifespan 23-28 years Adult weight Up to 90kg / 200lbs Conservation Status

Keen senses

Kangaroos have large, side-facing eyes, giving them a wide field of view. Each ear can swivel independently up to 180 degrees in the direction of the sound.

Small skull

LEAST CONCERN

Curved jaw

Molars for grinding

Kangaroos do have some weaknesses, and like other marsupials, they have relatively small and fragile skulls.

Short front limbs

Heat exchange

Incisors for cutting

Fore stomach

Mid stomach

Replacement teeth

The red kangaroo has four pairs of molars, but only uses the front pair. When these first molars wear out, the pair behind move forward to replace them.

To conserve water, kangaroos only sweat when they are hopping. When they are standing still, they wipe saliva onto their forearms, allowing the heat from large veins to dissipate as the liquid evaporates.

Split lower jaw

The bones of the lower jaw are not fused, allowing the bottom teeth to separate slightly, much like other grazing animals.

Hind stomach

Small intestine

Divided stomach

The stomach of a kangaroo is divided into three sections. Food is stored in the mid stomach, allowing resident bacteria to break down the tough plant material before it carries on to the intestine. Large intestine

JUVENILE

INFANCY Birth 0 days Red kangaroos are born aer just one month in the womb, and are barely even the size of a jellybean

50

Climb 0 days The newborn kangaroo uses its front legs to climb up the hairs on its mother’s abdomen to reach the pouch

Life in the pouch 0-190 days The tiny kangaroo remains firmly attached to its mother’s nipple for up to the first two and a half months of its life

Ready to leave 190 days Aer over half a year of suckling, the joey has grown fur and is able to start venturing outside of the pouch

Weaning 1 year Joeys return to the pouch frequently for milk, and are eventually weaned at around the age of one

Growing up 1-2 years Teenage kangaroos practice the skills that they will need in their adult lives, and the males will oen play fight

Bare nose

Grey kangaroos have a hairy snout, but red kangaroos look more like wallabies, with a smooth, hairless nose.

White stripe

Red kangaroos have a distinctive white stripe that runs from their mouth, up the side of their head and to their ears. They also have a series of black and white spots on their muzzle.

Red fur

Male red kangaroos can be distinguished by their large size and rust-coloured fur. Females are much smaller, and are often more of a blueish-grey colour.

Huge leg muscles

Short femur

Red kangaroos have incredibly powerful muscles in their legs and tails, which are attached to their skeleton by a series of stretchy tendons.

Tail for counterbalance

How a red kangaroo moves

At low speeds, red kangaroos walk with a strange five-limbed gait, using use all of their legs and their tail. At higher speeds, they li up their front legs and start to hop, using their tails as a counterbalance. When travelling at speed, a kangaroo can reach over 35 miles (56 kilometres) an hour, and they can vault eight metres (25 feet) in a single leap.

Spring-loaded legs

As a kangaroo’s back foot hits the floor, the Achilles tendon in the heel stretches like a rubber band, storing elastic energy.

Closest family Closely related to the red kangaroo are…

Long Achilles tendon

Oversized toe

The fourth toes on the back feet of a red kangaroo are large, sitting in line with the leg bones, contributing to the force that powers each hop.

Narrow feet

MATURITY Sexual maturity (female) 2.5 years Female red kangaroos mature slightly quicker than males, and are ready for their first pregnancy by the time they are two and a half years old

Sexual maturity (male) 3 years Male red kangaroos mature later and spend their adult lives as bachelors, fighting with other males to win the attention of the females

Reproduction 3-20 years Female kangaroos are receptive to mating almost as soon as they give birth, and can raise more than one joey in a year

Eastern grey kangaroo With an estimated 2 million eastern grey kangaroos in Australia, most inhabit the dense scrub and woodlands along the east coast. They are smaller than their red cousins, but sightings are much more frequent.

Common wallaroo Wallaroos are smaller than kangaroos, but larger than wallabies. There are three species, and common wallaroos are the most numerous. They can be found across Australia, and have relatively short limbs, adapted for a life in the rocks.

Agile wallaby Just a quarter of the weight of red kangaroos, agile wallabies live in woodlands rather than open plains. Their diet consists of foliage and fruit, and in the dry season, they use their claws to dig underground for watery roots.

51

All about red kangaroos

The safety of the pouch Kangaroos have an efficient mating strategy, and joeys are born all year round Red kangaroos are marsupials and have a reproductive system quite unlike our own. Like other mammals, they nourish their offspring with milk, but unlike other mammals, their developing embryos do not produce a placenta. Instead, during their time in the womb, red kangaroo embryos get their nutrition from a yolk sack. Pregnancy lasts for just 33 days, and when the baby kangaroo is born it weighs less than 1 gram (0.03 ounces). The newborn is only part-way through its development; it is hairless, its eyes and ears are not yet functional, and its back legs are little more than buds. The remainder of the joey’s development is completed inside the pouch: a specialist fold of skin that covers the female kangaroo’s nipples, providing a warm environment for the newborn kangaroo to continue to grow. The pouch opens upwards at about waist level on the female’s abdomen, and incredibly, the underdeveloped joey makes the journey all the way from its mother’s tail to her pouch entrance unaided. Joeys are born with strong front limbs, and use their tiny hands to climb through their mother’s hairs. A newborn joey reaches the safety of the pouch within minutes, and immediately latches onto a nipple, providing nutrient-rich milk that changes in composition as the joey grows. Even as newborns, joeys have large mouths, and they remain permanently attached to their mother for

52

70 to 90 days. The joey grows rapidly, and the female kangaroo diligently keeps it, and her pouch, clean by licking away any waste products. Life in the pouch is comfortable, but within 190 days the joey will have grown so large that it will eventually fall out, forcing it to take its first steps in the outside world. The move is not permanent, and the female allows the joey to return to the safety of the pouch between excursions – at least until it grows too large to fit. By that time, the female kangaroo may have already given birth to a younger sibling. Red kangaroos mate all year round, and it is the male that initiates courtship. When female kangaroos are ready to reproduce, hormone levels in their urine rise, and males are able to detect the change with a special organ in their noses. The scent of a receptive female attracts rival males, and before the female will submit, they must fight to mate with her. Males box fiercely to establish dominance, yet once the winner is decided and the mating is over, the male leaves, returning to the life of a bachelor, playing no part in raising his newborn joey at all.

The first years of life When a baby kangaroo is born, it is nowhere near having finished its development. Measuring barely 2.5 centimetres (one inch) long, a newborn joey has no fur, its eyes and ears have not yet fully formed, and its hind limbs are little more than stumps. The first few minutes of its life are absolutely critical. As soon as it is born, the joey must climb all the way up its mother’s abdomen and into her pouch. She leans backwards against a tree or rock, and the joey uses its forelimbs to climb through the hairs and up towards the pouch. The entire journey takes as little as three minutes, and after the joey is safely inside the pouch it will not emerge again for over six months.

Pouch entrance

The newborn has to climb all the way from the base of the tail up to the opening of the pouch.

Born early

Affectionately known as ‘jellybeans’, newborn kangaroos have spent just 33 days in the womb, and have not finished developing.

Holding on

Newborn joeys are not completely formed, but they have strong arms and large mouths, allowing them to reach the pouch and to begin feeding.

The kangaroo family By overlapping generations, a female kangaroo can raise a new joey every 240 days

Joey in the pouch

Pregnant mother

As soon as a kangaroo gives birth, she is ready to mate again. However, instead of allowing the fertilised egg to develop, the pregnancy is suspended until the older joey has vacated the pouch.

At less than one tenthousandth of the weight of its mother, the joey has a lot of growing to do. For the first 70 days, joeys remain firmly attached to a nipple, growing rapidly in size, and within just 190 days it will be ready to start venturing out of the pouch.

Tailored milk

The nutritional needs of a joey change as it grows, and the female kangaroo produces different kinds of milk for each of her offspring depending on their age.

Returning to feed

Young-at-foot

By the time they are 235 days old, joeys are too large to hop back in to the pouch, leaving space for a younger brother or sister.

Although it has left the safety of the pouch, the young joey remains close to its mother and continues to suckle until it is around a year old.

53

All about red kangaroos

The habitat of the red kangaroo Many kangaroo species, including the eastern grey and western grey kangaroos, live near the fertile Australian coastline, taking advantage of the abundant water and lush vegetation, but red kangaroos are tougher. These large animals are adapted for life in the desert, and are able to survive inland. Red kangaroos are adapted for life in hot, dry, infertile land, and can be found across in the arid and semi-arid regions of Central Australia. They live in habitat that ranges from desert to woodland, and they are most common in the sparsely wooded plains. Red kangaroos inhabit some of the harshest terrain on the planet, and require relatively little to survive. Each individual establishes a home territory measuring just a couple of square miles, preferring to remain within a small area rather than roam widely across the countryside. Choice of territory revolves around food and shade. Kangaroos can go for several days without drinking and are willing to travel a few miles outside of their territories in search of a drink if no local water is available, but food and shade are vital to their day-to-day survival.

Environmental factors Red kangaroos are thriving in one of the world’s most challenging environments Drought One of the biggest environmental pressures is a consequence of their desert environment. In times of drought, joeys struggle to survive and females become temporarily infertile. Dingo Fence These wild dogs are the only Australian predators prepared to tackle an adult red kangaroo, and there is a big difference in population sizes either side of the Dingo Fence. Road traffic accidents The majority of red kangaroo territory is uninhabited, but in areas where humans and kangaroos overlap there are oen injuries on the roads, with casualties on both sides. Hunting Red kangaroos are not a threatened species, and the authorities in Australia allow meat and skins to be taken by licensed hunters to keep population numbers under control.

54

Few other large animals can survive in the tough conditions that red kangaroos call home, and their only adversary, other than humans, is the dingo. Dingoes are wild dogs, and are thought to have arrived in Australia from Southeast Asia 3,000- 4,000 years ago. They are pack hunters, and in some areas red kangaroos make up a substantial percentage of their diet. Dingoes are certainly opportunistic hunters, and pose a potential threat to sheep farmers, so in the 1800s the Dingo Fence was erected across Australia, ringing off the southeastern corner, and protecting the Queensland sheep form dingo attack. The fence has been maintained ever since and in the protected area, the red kangaroo population is booming. Interestingly, the colour of red kangaroos varies depending on their location. In most places, the large males are red, while the females are a blueish-grey colour, but in some areas the females are also rust-coloured. It’s interesting to that in other areas, the traditional colouration is reversed, and the males are grey while the female coat is a vivid red.

Nearest neighbours

“Few other large animals can survive in the tough conditions that red kangaroos call home, and their only adversary, other than humans, is the dingo”

Red kangaroos share their dry, dusty home with these other incredible survivors

Dingo Introduced to Australia about 3,000 years ago, these wild dogs populate almost the entire country, adapting to mountains, desert, woodland and rainforest. As pack hunters, their usual diet is kangaroo and wallaby.

Wedge-tailed eagle As Australia’s largest bird of prey, the wedge-tailed eagle is a formidable predator. They hunt in groups, working together to tackle prey many times their own size, including goats, wallabies and even young kangaroos.

Red kangaroos and humans In many parts of Australia, kangaroos are considered a pest. Many species live in costal areas, surviving on the fringes of human civilisation. As the Sun drops, some areas will be inundated with hungry animals that cause damage to property and chaos on the roads. Red kangaroos live farther inland and are seen less by humans, but are capable of eating huge quantities of vegetation. In areas where farmers keep grazing livestock, they can compete for resources.

All species of kangaroo are doing well, and in order to control the population, the government allows regulated harvesting of their meat for sale in the commercial market. The animals are culled humanely by trained and licensed marksmen. Cattle aren’t native to Australia, and many argue that meat taken from thriving native animals is preferable, as it helps to control population numbers. Others insist that culling the animal is wrong, arguing that the species should be protected.

Thorny devil These strange, spiny lizards have an amazing way of gathering water in the desert. Channels between the scales of their skin divert any condensation towards the corners of their mouths using capillary action.

© Alamy; Thinkstock; Dreamstime; Frank Lane Picture Agency; Klaus Rassinger and Gerhard Cammerer; The Art Agency

Greater bilby These ground-dwelling bandicoots sleep in burrows during the day, and come out to forage during the cool of night. Incredibly, their diet provides enough water that they actually do not need to drink.

55

Zoos of the world

Marwell Zoo

Not just home to some of the world’s rarest animals, but a force for protecting endangered species everywhere From ring-tailed coatis to majestic giraffes, endangered tigers to playful penguins, curious meerkats and stunning snow leopards – the 140-acre park is home to an incredible range of exotic and endangered species, in beautiful, landscaped surroundings. Keepers say a visit to Marwell Zoo is a chance to get close to animals – and play a part in helping to save them. A broad portfolio of conservation activities includes managing individuals and populations of threatened species, and restoring endangered wildlife and ecosystems. In August, 2014, the zoo welcomed the arrival of Kanika, an Amur leopard cub - the world’s most Critically Endangered species of big cat. This little leopard is an important addition to the European Endangered species breeding Programme (EEP). Visitors are enjoying watching the youngster find her feet and playfully explore her new home. Other new arrivals at the zoo include meerkat pups, flamingo chicks and a pygmy hippo calf.

See it for yourself WWW.MARWELL.ORG.UK Location Hampshire

Admission Prices start at £12.72 for adults and £9.99 for children and £10.90 for concessions (winter price - excludes voluntary donation). Children under 3 are free.

How to get there

Marwell is in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, eight miles from Winchester and twelve from Southampton. The park is easily reached by two motorways and rail stations.

Marwell Zoo

It is estimated that there are as little as 30 Amur leopards le in the wild

Marwell’s meerkats have had new arrivals this year

56

Marwell Zoo

ABOVE In addition to conserving classified Endangered zebras in Africa, Marwell runs several breeding programmes at the zoo

“Marwell is home to many exotic species” ABOVE Marwell Zoo has 11 giraffes in its herd. Visitors can get up close to these spectacular animals indoors and outdoors

WIN!

Annual memberships to Marwell Zoo for 2 adults & 2 children!

How to ente

© Thinkstock, Marwell Zoo, Natasha Jefferies, Calum O’Flaherty, Neil Chandler

ABOVE Gloria the pygmy hippo calf has been finding her feet

Visit www.animalanswers.co.uk a answer this question: Kanika is a new arrival at Marwell but which species of cat is she? - Amur leopard - Amur tiger - Snow leopard

Marwell offers a range of ‘Keeper Experiences’ where visitors can meet the animals face to face and help to feed them

Participants must be aged 18 or over. Terms and conditions apply

Worth £200

57

Meet the family

Wild dogs There are 34 canine species, 21 of which are considered true dogs. Found in six continents, this is one vore groups

Dingo

The outback wolf

Dingoes use their tails to communicate. The position and movement of the tail indicates the mood or status of the dog, which is then understood by others.

The dingo originated in Asia and was introduced to Australia 4,000 years ago, though when it arrived it looked very different to the dingo we see today. The species is descended from wolves, and once the dingo arrived in Australia it was free to roam with no natural predators. Over time, this dog developed a sandy coloured coat and adapted to the tropical heat, and now lives throughout Australia and Southern Asia in its modern form. Domestic dogs have interbred with dingoes and DINGO Canis lupus dingo produced hybrid Class Mammalia puppies, which mostly scavenge from human settlements. Australian Dingoes Territory North Australia, help keep invading South Asia and Asian Islands red fox and European Diet Rabbits, rodents, birds rabbit populations Lifespan 10 years Adult weight 15kg / 33 lbs under control by Conservation Status hunting, but also prey on kangaroos, sheep and birds. NOT EVALUATED

A coyote’s teeth are incredibly sharp and their bite is powerful. Coyotes bite down on prey and shake it vigorously to break its neck.

COYOTE

Canis latrans Class Mammalia

This dog found success as bigger animals struggled to survive the last ice age Territory Central America, and to this day coyotes are North America and Canada Diet Rabbits, rodents, deer efficient hunters. During the Lifespan 14 years Pleistocene era coyotes were Adult weight 20 kg / 45 lbs bigger to take down large Conservation Status prey and compete with huge animals, but now ancient giants like the mammoth are LEAST CONCERN t n afford to e most wild e solitary, feeding on small mammals that . Pack hunting almost guarantees every on of the meal, but coyotes can keep every r themselves. Coyotes often breed in the ally, and both parents help raise the young.

Bush dog

The semi-aquatic nomad them stability when walking on waterlogged soil. The forests and plains are seasonally flooded and this webbing helps them propel through deep mud or water.

58

The wet rainforests of South America are no match for this semi-aquatic dog. It roams the forests and floodplains of South America in groups made up of a monogamous pair with their extended family. Their chosen prey is the armadillo, and with their excellent digging ability BUSH DOG Speothos venaticus even an armadillo sleeping Class Mammalia deep in a burrow is not safe. Bush dogs are always on the move and wander between burrows on Territory Panama to Southern a nightly basis and Brazil communicate over long Diet Armadillos distances with a series of Lifespan 10 years Adult weight 8 kg / 18 lbs whines, growls and screams. Conservation Status Bush dogs with young puppies will stick to using one burrow to keep young NEAR THREATENED dogs safe from predators.

Wild dogs Canis mesomelas Class Mammalia

Territory Southern Africa and East African coast Diet Insects, small mammals, gazelles Lifespan 12 years Adult weight 10 kg / 22 lbs Conservation Status

LEAST CONCERN

Black-backed jackal Super-charged hunters

Jackals trot idly along African plains at dusk, but when they spy a prey animal they immediately slow down and their ears prick up. Their senses of hearing and smell are extremely acute and they successfully hunt young gazelles in groups, but are capable of working alone. A blackbacked jackal can catch a healthy adult impala without any assistance by chasing it to exhaustion, but if the jackal doesn’t eat quickly enough it is likely to have its meal stolen by a hyena. Typically, over 50 percent of a jackal’s diet is made up of insects, and even though it is an accomplished hunter it is known to scavenge remains of big cat prey.

The jackal relies on its sense of smell to track down prey, and has better tracking abilities than a fully trained bloodhound.

Class Mammalia

Territory East Africa Diet Antelopes, wildebeest, rodents, birds Lifespan 11 years Adult weight 25 kg / 55 lbs Conservation Status

ENDANGERED

The racoon dog’s thick fur repels water and insulates it from the chilling winter winds, but was once highly prized by humans.

2 1. Grey wolf Biggest

The grey wolf is the largest wild dog at 85 centimetres (three feet) tall, and the biggest grey wolves can weigh 70 kilograms (155 pounds).

Weighing 800 grams (two pounds), and standing 20 centimetres (eight inches) tall, this Moroccan desert dweller is the smallest canidae.

Big packs that get big results Lycaon pictus

4

2. Fennec fox Smallest

African wild dog AFRICAN WILD DOG

3

1

These canines are endurance hunters, which means that packs of around 30 dogs pursue prey over long distances. Prey becomes tired or make a wrong move and the pursuing dogs get their meal. Hunting in such large packs gives wild dogs the best chance of catching prey, so even if some fall behind the strongest runners are still able to take down an animal. African wild dogs adhere to a strict hierarchy, where one breeding pair of dogs take charge and relatives are second in command. Females use an underground den to raise pups and large packs hunt efficiently to provide the mother and pups with good nutrition.

The ears of an African wild dog are tall and rounded to help it hear, but the large surface area also helps cool the dog down in the African sun.

3. Darwin’s zorro Rarest

This species lives in two small areas of Chile, Chiloe Island and Nahuelbuta national park, and eats small animals, fruit and seeds.

4. African wild dog Fastest

The hunting success of this dog is higher than any other species, catching 85 to 90 per-cent of the animals that they chase.

Not a dog Hyena Hyaenidae Despite their dog-like appearance, hyenas are actually more closely related to cats and emerged 10 million years ago, before any species of canine. They are classed in the feliformia sub-family along with cats and civets and they share many big-cat traits. Hyena clans differ from other groups like lion prides, as the female hyenas tend to be larger and are dominant over males.

Racoon dog

Back from the brink of extinction

Named after its resemblance to the North American mammal, the racoon dog lives in the woodlands of Asia and Eastern Europe, where dextrous front paws help them climb and catch wriggling animals such as frogs and fish. Every year in early summer, females give birth to up to 16 helpless pups. These are raised by both parents and the family stays together until pups reach maturity. Predators include wolves, wild cats and foxes, but humans were once the biggest threat as the canines were hunted for their fur.

RACOON DOG

Nyctereutes procyonoides Class Mammalia

Territory Asia and Western Europe Diet Fish, frogs, fruit, insects Lifespan 8 years Adult weight 10 kg / 22 lbs Conservation Status

LEAST CONCERN

©Thinkstock

JACKAL

59

Save 50%!

*

Subscribe today and pay only £2 per issue of World of Animals and save 5

Join us on a journey into the World of Animals Travel through planet Earth’s most famous wildlife habitats, from rainforests to deserts, and see the creatures that live there up close and in action. Learn how different species have evolved and where they sit in the food chain of life. As well as delighting you with so we promise to captiv interview

tography, nd expert

DON’T MISS OUT O THIS GREATN OFFER

The perfect gift A World of Animals magazine subscription makes the perfect gift for all occasions that will be ppreciated all ear round n’t miss... athtaking photos azing illustrations epth articles rt opinion g facts Q&A

Pricing will revert to our standard offer of £17.95 every 6 issues on the third payment made. UK direct debit offer only. Overseas subscription rates are available online. Subscribers can cancel this subscription at any time. New subscriptions will start from the next available issue. Offer code PAL143Q must be quoted to receive this special subscription price. Details of the direct debit guarantee are available on request. Offer expires 31st January 2015. Imagine Publishing reserves the right to limit this type of offer to one per household.

s al m ni a k/ 10 u o. 84 de c . s 48 co b u 4 8 ffer s e in 084 te o 3 Q g a ll o 4 i. m ca qu L 1 e w r w o eas PA w Pl

ER RD O

W O N

Wildlife of the European mountains

62

Wildlife of the European mountains From the rarest of rainbow beetles to the mountain pony, dramatic peaks are home to some astonishing wildlife Words Amy Grisdale The snow-capped Welsh mountains are full of life and despite the bitter winds and winter frost, many animals thrive on the craggy peaks of Snowdonia. The mountains of Wales were sculpted by glaciers during the last ice age, and the crystal-clear, ice-carved tarns supply the lush green peaks with water. Converging glaciers dug out deep ribbon-shaped lakes, shaping the dramatic pyramidal mountain peaks and pointed ridges over two million years ago. When the Earth began to thaw, the animals that could stand the cold started to populate the region and found a high-altitude paradise.

Snowdonia is the largest national park in Wales and this wildlife hotspot contains the highest mountain in the country. This thousand-metre-high peak is Snowdon, which is the namesake of the park, and many species are found almost exclusively on its rugged slopes. From the tiny rainbow leaf beetle and the rarest crow in Britain, the chough, the Welsh mountains offer wildlife that cannot be experienced elsewhere. The mountainsides and surrounding plains are filled with an array of scurrying mammals, soaring birds and bright butterflies that leave visitors in awe.

63

Wildlife of the European mountains Fallow deer Osprey

Muntjac

The fallow deer grazes across Snowdonia, and males have large palmate antlers that are much broader than other species’. Deer are thought to have personalities, and bolder ones have the most mating success.

Feral goat

Yellow-necked mouse Holly blue butterfly Badger

Salmon

Snipe

European otter Adult otters are solitary, but females raise up to four young for their first year of life. These powerful swimmers feed on fish and aquatic invertebrates during the night and sleep in a den camouflaged by thick vegetation, or an underground holt shrouded by tree roots.

High-climbing animals Snowdon stands at over 1,000 metres (3,281 feet) tall and only the toughest animals are built to survive its jagged peaks. The Welsh mountain pony has been grazing on the grassy mountainsides of Wales for hundreds of years and has grown to endure the cold of the unforgiving environment. As the spring approaches, these sure-footed ponies venture higher up the mountainside to graze. They are small and robust animals, much like the sure-footed feral goats that have been widespread across Snowdonia for 10,000 years. Although introduced by early settlers, goats have successfully colonised the entire park and eat almost any vegetation they find, from coarse grasses to tree bark. High up among the purple moor grass, males battle with their long horns and the victorious goats win the pick of the females. These feral goat herds can be seen

by climbers throughout the year. There’s one species, however, that is much harder to spot. The rainbow leaf beetle lives in the Snowdon uplands and feeds on wild thyme flowers during its annual visit. These beetles arrive on the mountain in spring and leave for the warmth of southern Europe once their eggs have hatched. At the same time, birds of prey circle the hillside in search of rodents, and red kites are beginning to visit the mountains of north Wales from further south. Mountain tarns that were formed by glaciers attract migrating ospreys that scour the waters for fish to feed their newborn chicks before flying south for the winter. During the cold months, many of the animals that cannot migrate seek lower ground to escape the snow at the summit and the icy slopes, which is reminiscent of the ice that shaped the mountains.

“Although introduced by early settlers, goats have successfully colonised the entire park” 64

The plethora of fruit and seeds in Snowdonia feeds the tiny yellow-necked mouse. These mice nest in extensive tunnels or in tree holes and are excellent climbers.

Water vole

Red kite

Barbastelle bat Welsh mountain pony

Three animals hard to find anywhere else Osprey The ospreys that spend the summer in Snowdonia lay up to four eggs. Their nest can be viewed from a purpose-built hide, or via the hide’s livestream.

Black grouse Mole

This black beauty can be found among upland Welsh heather, and males take part in an elaborate group display to impress the females. Each male waves its tail and inflates its neck while emitting soft cooing sounds, while females watch among the grasses.

Weasel

Adder

Chough This member of the crow family is incredibly rare in Britain, but the variety of insects and grubs attract the chough to the peaks of Wales when autumn comes.

Greater spotted woodpecker

Brown hare

Rainbow leaf beetle

Between February and September, hares can be seen boxing in the glassy lands. These battles are between unreceptive females fending off males, but successful matches will result in litters.

These coloured beetles were once thought to be endangered, but there isn’t any evidence of a decline in numbers. Scientists now believe they are just rare.

Polecat Sika deer Wood mouse

A fifth of Snowdonia is covered with forests, and the mountain bases are rich in greenery. This area is home to a variety of animals that have adapted to fulfil a different niche. The rich, green foothills of the Welsh mountains welcome five species of deer, including the barking muntjac. This tiny deer forages for tree roots, acorns and berries between Snowdonia’s oaks, and its deep-brown coat becomes flecked with grey to help blend in with the winter frost. Similarly, the stoat turns white in winter so it can scurry through the snow undetected. With its bright-blue Polecats and weasels are widespread around wings and spotted Snowdonia. They’re growing in numbers due to underside, the holly blue butterfly is easy the enormous populations of rodents in the hazel to spot in Snowdonia shrubs at the base of the mountains. Numbers of mice, shrews and voles boom during the spring, which feeds barn owls that are raising chicks. Butterflies are a common sight during the summer months, as they feed on tree sap and lay eggs in flowers of holly bushes growing across Snowdonia.

Streams collect in lakes at the mountain’s foot, which are home to European otters and water voles, while Atlantic salmon make the journey upstream to reach spawning grounds. At the water’s edge you’ll find wading birds hunting for snails, while greater spotted woodpeckers flit between trees. Another insectivore is the mole, whose presence is only evident from the mounds it creates while burrowing for worms – though surfacing moles should be on the lookout for roaming badgers. With so many different habitats and sources of food available, there’s no question why so many animals call the Welsh mountains home.

See it for yourself WWW.NATURESWORK.CO.UK

Nature’s Work offer guided wildlife tours of Snowdonia National Park and provide complete package breaks to take the stress out of organising a holiday. Expertly trained local guides lead groups safely along mountain trails and help identify the stunning wildlife.

© Alamy, Thinkstock, The Art Agency; Peter Scott

The base dwellers

65

66

6ANIMALS WEIRD WAYS

COMMUNICATE Amazing examples of animals using vibration, signals and light to warn, greet and even find a mate Words Adam Lusher

AFRICAN ELEPHANT Loxodonta africana Class Mammalia

Territory Eastern, Southern and Western Africa Diet Grass and vegetation Lifespan Up to 65 years Adult weight 2,200-6,300Kg/ 4,850-13,889Lbs Conservation Status

VULNERABLE

How an elephant sends messages through the ground Scientists have long known that elephants use their huge voiceboxes to emit rumbles so low-pitched they are inaudible to humans. Such ‘infrasonic communication’ can be heard by other elephants miles away, and may explain how separated family groups stay in touch over long distances. Now, though, scientists are discovering another way elephants stay in touch: through the ground. Their low-pitched rumbling sends vibrations through the earth, as well as the air. And an elephant

can detect these ground movements through its body, putting its vibrationsensitive trunk to the ground. Special cells in the tip can detect the tiniest movements. Elephants will respond to alarm calls played through the ground. Since sound can travel further through the earth than the air, it’s even been speculated that thirsty elephants can detect vibrations generated by a thunderstorm 60 miles away.

Cells in the tip of an elephant’s trunk also detect tiny movements

67

6 weird ways animals communicate

Porpoises squeak, use vibrations and stroke fins Using their melon to ‘talk’ with their foreheads

Blasting rivals with their inbuilt ‘sound cannon’

Stroking fins for making friends and staying clean

Forget mouths and ears. Porpoises ‘talk’ with their foreheads and ‘listen’ with their jaws. They push air through vibrating structures near their blowhole, and the sound passes into an organ called the melon. Fatty substances in its melon help a porpoise focus sound into an ultrasonic beam, transmitted from its forehead. It ‘hears’ sound via a fatty organ in its lower jaw, transmitting to its middle ear.

Long before police forces started using the shrill beeps of a sound cannon against rioters, porpoises were blasting rivals with bursts of loud squeaks. You might worry that you talk too quickly when you are angry – but it will be nothing compared to an aggressive harbour porpoise, which can deliver an unpleasant torrent of loud, angry, ultrasonic clicks at rates of over 500 per second.

When in the mood for more friendly communication, porpoises stroke each other’s backs with their dorsal fins. The leading edge of the dorsal fin has little bumps along it, so the stroking probably has the added benefit of removing parasites. Much as it does with primates, this grooming may also serve a social purpose – helping to reinforce friendship with a bit of mutual backscratching.

HARBOUR PORPOISE

Phocoena phocoena Class Mammalia

Territory North Pacific, Atlantic, North sea Diet Small shoaling fish Lifespan 6-20 years Adult weight 55kg / 120 lbs Conservation Status

LEAST CONCERN

A loving glow: fireflies use light from their own bodies to find a mate

COMMON EASTERN FIREFLY

Photinus pyralis Class Insecta

Territory North Eastern America Diet Insects, worms, snails Lifespan 5-30 days Adult weight 0.15g (0.005oz) Conservation Status

NOT EVALUATED

68

When looking for love, fireflies, who are actually members of the Lampyridae beetle family, can light up the night sky with what look like tiny, flashing LED lights. Chemicals in the firefly’s abdomen react with oxygen to produce bioluminescence. In some species, females glow continuously to attract mates. In others, males and females flash at each other using their own code. Most spectacular are the males of some species who synchronise flashes in a co-ordinated light show. This prevents confusion with other firefly species.

ABOVE Some species synchronise flashes to create a co-ordinated light show

“Chemicals in the firefly’s abdomen react with oxygen to produce bioluminescence”

The secret language of frogs Frogs are in a world of their own when it comes to communication, from ultrasonic calls to the frogs that wave

PANAMANIAN GOLDEN FROG

Atelopus zeteki Class Amphibia

Territory Central Panama Diet Insects Lifespan 5-12 years Adult weight 5 grams / 0.2 oz Conservation Status

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

Saying it with semaphore: the waving frog

In case his croak alone is not enough to attract a passing female, the male Panamanian golden frog will back up his message of love with a slow, seductive wave of his front foot. The same gesture is used to warn off other males.

The male red-eyed tree frog shakes branches with its hind legs to frighten off rivals. Competing males don’t need to see each other to size

each other up. They can feel whether their opponent’s vibrations are more vigorous, and decide whether to fight or flee.

The ultrasonic chatter of the hole-inthe-head frog Borneo’s hole-in-the-head frog is the only frog to produce bat-like, completely ultrasonic calls. The super high-pitched croaks – which are inaudible to humans – ensure the frogs hear each other above

the noise of rushing streams. Unlike most frogs, hole-in-the head frogs have internal eardrums, inside an ear canal – hence the name. This set of ear-attributes makes them truly incredible communicators.

69

© Alamy, NAture PL

The tree frog that shakes the branches

HOW IT WORKS

MIMIC OCTOPUS The fascinating mimic octopus avoids many a danger lurking under the water with an unbelievably clever trick While other octopus species change their appearance to blend into the background, the mimic octopus is the only animal that can mimic specific animals. Even more impressively, it is the first species found to mimic more than one species of poisonous animal to avoid predators. It was only discovered in 1998, but it’s not surprising that it

stayed hidden for so long. This clever octopus changes its appearance to that of a different animal according to what is threatening it, taking on the appearance of an animal from which its attacker would flee. Scientists are still working hard to find out more about the mimic octopus, but what we know so far is almost beyond belief.

Nucleus

How they can change their colour Octopuses have pigment sacs in their skin called chromatophores. These are linked to the visual part of the brain and can be controlled by the octopus at will. Chromatophores can expand to 50 times their size, making the skin appear a lighter colour, or they can shrink to their condensed size to make the skin appear darker. This is how an octopus can change it’s colour or form patterns on its skin.

70

Pigmant granules

Glial cell

Mimic octopus

VS

REAL

Muscles at the skin’s surface turns skin texture from smooth to spiny. This helps octopuses match their background perfectly and become almost undetectable. If all else fails, the octopus can swim away and release a cloud of ink to cover its escape. Retractor muscles

LIONFISH

Erector muscles Skin

Eerector muscles contract, pulling skin into a new shape and retractor muscles relax, drawing up the skin.

MANTIS SHRIMP

Erectors then contract tightly to elongate the octopus’s skin upwards while retractors remain relaxed.

FLAT FISH

At this stage, erectors create skin texture, by expanding the shapes and areas of the individual muscles.

To flatten down again, retractors work by contracting, pulling the octopus’s skin flat once more.

© Getty, Peters and Zabransky, Thinkstock

FAKE

How their skin muscles work

71

Clash of the titans

72

A

Known for its proud and mighty highland stance, the stag is an impressive fighter with a crown of regal velvet Words Ella Carter-Sutton

73

Clash of the titans

Growing mighty The majestic stag is the male of the red deer species, a breed found all across Europe. With his colossal, elaborate antlers reaching skyward, the stag cuts a charismatic silhouette against a backdrop of rolling heather and misty highland moors. Behind every stag, however, is a herd of deer, with young fawns that all have the potential to become the next ferocious great hart of the hillside – and during the autumn rutting season, lurking close behind the female herd is a group of bachelor stags, poised and ready to challenge the leading male for dominance. Deer babies, known as fawns, are usually born around May and June. They will be dependent on their mothers (female deer are known as hinds) for up to four months, but are known to suckle for longer. Male and female red deer live in separate herds, and so the hinds will group together, often ruled by a dominant female. After about

one to three years with their mother, hormone-charged young male deer will break away from their maternal herd and join bachelor groups of royal stag wannabes. These young male deer go through various stages of growth before they will challenge another male for their harem. Antlers will begin to grow in their first year of age, fuelled by testosterone increases. Sprouting small spikes, a young stag is sometimes known as a knobber. Antlers get bigger every year, as does the stag’s bravado, and after two years, a young stag is capable of growing branching antlers. The antlers fall off when testosterone levels drop in March or April, but as soon as a new set grow, more spikes (known as tines) will appear. Once a male gets to around five years old, he becomes a fully-fledged stag, his antlers look no less than majestic, and he is ready to rut with the best of them.

RED DEER

Cervus elaphus Class Mammalia

Territory UK, Europe, grasslands, forests and open moorland Diet Grasses, shrubs, roots Lifespan Up to 18 years Adult weight 90-190kg / 200-420lbs Conservation Status

LEAST CONCERN

Fawn

Juvenile

Stag to great hart

Baby deer grow very quickly and stay with their mother’s herd for much-needed protection. Young males sprouting their first pair of stubby antlers are known as knobbers.

At around three years old, sometimes called a spayad, the young males are onto their third set of antlers, which can sport some impressive branching tines.

A male red deer becomes a fully fledged stag at five years old. After that, he will be known as a hart, or for the oldest and mightiest of males, a great hart.

Inside the antler crown The crowning glory of any stag is his full rack of mighty antlers. These are grown and shed yearly, with every new set bigger and better than the last. Composed of bone, antlers begin growth covered with skin, known as velvet, which contains blood vessels essential for healthy growth. Once the antlers have reached their full size, the velvet is shed. If you’ve ever seen a photo of a stag with his antlers in bloody tatters, the chances are that he’s shedding his vel and hasn’t actually disembowelled a rival! Onc velvet is gone, the bone hardens and dies stag’s smooth, strong set of head weap Growing tip Here is where cell division happens and the new antler grows, pushing the stag’s crown up towards the sky.

Velvet skin As antlers grow, the velvet skin covers the entire antler to provide much-needed oxygen and nutrients to the growing cells.

74

Cartilage mineralisation Here, minerals (such as calcium) are deposited. This is one of the steps that happens as the newly created cartilage tissue turns to the hard, rigid bone that antlers are made of.

Pedicle This is the attachment site of the antlers. The pedicles are a permanent part of the stag’s skull and contain all the cells needed for antler growth.

When a stag is ‘in velvet’, the so layer of sensitive skin can be seen over the antlers. The nourishing covering appears almost fluff y, and is shed by mid-summer

Stag A stag will obtain a harem of hinds and will defend it against any other males

Equipped to win the fight Five fascinating facts you never knew about stags

Tines mean glory

“Males will continually sniff the air to scent rivals and mates”

As antlers become more elaborate as the stag gets older, a dominant stag in his prime can be spotted easily by checking the number of tines (prongs) on his rack. A royal stag has 12 points, an imperial stag has 14 points, while a monarch deer has 16.

Expressions of dominance From the age of about ten years, the number of tines on stag’s antlers will start to decline, a stage known as ‘going back’. This can show other males that the stag is past his best, and less of a threat during the rut.

Other methods of combat

When testosterone rises… The onset of Autumn is the start of the mating season, known as the rut. As testosterone levels rise, the only thing on a stag’s mind is finding, defending and mating with females. Bachelor herds begin to break up and by this time of year, a stag’s antlers will be perfectly polished. Males of rutting age will be large and muscular, with a thick mane around the neck. Hind herds stick together, but during the rut they break into smaller groups, as a stag will attempt to obtain and defend his harem. Depending on the prowess of the male, this can be anything from one to around 20 hinds. The rutting season sees plenty of defensive, enticing and victorious behaviour from stags. They let out deep roars that serve as a challenge, show dominance or to signal victory. Males will sniff the air to scent rivals or mates and to gain information about sex and status. Often, a simple toss of the antlers and stomp of the hooves will deter any males from his harem, but when a suitable adversary does arrive, the antlers become brutal weapons. Only stags that are equally matched will engage in a tussle, which makes these skirmishes all the more tense. Approaching each other face on, stags lower their heads and clatter together in a smash of antlers, bulging eyes and snorting snouts. They force their entire muscular bulk against one another, and sheer determination, size and strength will determine the

winner. The battle only ends when one contender admits defeat, releases and backs away. The winner claims the females and is free to defend his ladies for another day. After the rut, the stag’s work is done and he is exhausted. Many won’t feed for the duration of the mating season, so will have lost lots of weight. The stag’s next job is to find food and ensure that he stays safe during winter.

From March to June, when the growing antlers are covered in velvet, stags seem to have a mutual understanding of this delicate material. Any quarrels among bachelor groups are usually settled with boxing matches using their front hoofs, not by locking antlers.

A quick-growing arsenal Antler growth is one of the fastest types of tissue growth in mammals, and a stag’s antlers can grow at a rate of 2.5 centimetres (one inch) per day. A lot of bone grows on the deer’s head in approximately three months, which puts a huge demand on the stag’s energy requirements.

Dual-purpose antlers

When antlers are still in growth, stags will fight using their hoofs instead

As well as being a mean set of fighting tools, antlers also function as a foolproof lady magnet. Stags will toss their heads to show off their antler goodies to prospective mates and rival males alike, and the stags with the best set will usually end up with the most reproductive success.

75

The wonders of hibernation

76

THE WONDERS OF

HIBERNATION Hibernation takes many beautiful forms in our natural world Words Dom Reseigh-Lincoln

Black bears are resilient hibernators Despite previous thinking to the contrary, black bears are very proficient hibernators. An adult black bear can survive up to seven and a half months without food or water, overfeeding in summer to add body fat in order to weather the colder months. While in stasis, the bear produces the hormone leptin to dampen hunger.

77

The wonders of hibernation Perfect conditions for a dormouse A dormouse gains extra layers of fat during summer months and will store deposits of food around its nest. The extra weight is vital, as it can lose up to a quarter of its entire body mass during hibernation. Temperature is key – too cold and the slumbering critter will freeze to death, but too hot and the dormouse may wake up.

A caterpillar has many frost-fighting tricks As the middle stage of butterfly metamorphosis, caterpillars need hibernation that allows them to awake in the warmer months and begin the final stage of change. Such a period can last anything from a few months to almost 15 years. Some subspecies release cryoprotectants (a special antifreeze substance) to help it survive the fatal temperatures.

78

Hibernation The European hedgehog packs into leafy bundles Unlike its relatives in warmer climates, the European hedgehog usually hibernates during cold winters, packing itself into nest of leaves, grass and other natural refuse. They commonly build more than one nest, and can stir from their slumber in the winter to search for food between sites.

79

The wonders of hibernation When its inside freezes, the wood frog can thaw out The wood frog, along with its fellow subspecies of North America, forms a hibernation site near the surface of the soil, so it’s susceptible to cold winters. In order to survive such extreme conditions, the wood frog produces high amounts of urea and glycogen, acting as cryoprotectants to lower the freezing point of its body tissue.

Ladybirds adapt to suit almost anywhere With thousands of ladybird species in the world, 46 can be found in Britain. As such, you can find these beetles hibernating in almost every habitat. Ladybirds only hibernate as adults, and when the autumn months roll in, each one selects as warm a home as possible to sleep out the long winter. Suitable hibernation sites vary between species and range from tree trunks to fence posts.

80

Hibernation Snails can travel for miles

© Alamy; Corbis; Rex Features; Thinkstock

Despite its famously slow pace, the common garden snail can travel huge distances just to reach suitable hibernation sites – and when it gets there, it uses a special process to ensure it can survive the winter period. In a similar fashion to the wood frog, the garden snail alters the components of its hemolymphatic system (blood circulation in molluscs). This change enables it to survive freezing temperatures.

81

! IN W

The chance to feed big cats by hand

PRIZE WORTH £340

One lucky World of Animals reader can bring a guest for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Join a big cat keeper at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Kent, for a face-to-face encounter with a big cat. The winners will get a guided tour of the site while discussing cat conservation and what the WHF are doing to help, before meeting some of the cats. The guests will have the chance to get up close to the animals and even hand-feed the big felines. So what are you waiting for? Head over to our site www. animalanswers.co.uk now to enter. Terms and conditions apply.

The Wildlife Heritage Foundation is a 38-acre site in the Kent countryside, home to over 50 cats of all shapes and sizes from the most critically endangered big cat, the Amur leopard, to the Sumatran tiger and the snow leopard.

How to enter Visit www.animalanswers.co.uk and answer this question: Which big cat species can be found in South America? -Lion -Tiger -Jaguar -Cheetah

82

Participants must be aged 18 or over to enter the contest. Terms and conditions apply to the tour and bookings are subject to availability.

THE STORIES, STRATEGIES, HEROES & MACHINES www.historyofwar.co.uk

Available from all good newsagents and supermarkets

ON SALE NOW

> Lincoln vs the South > Northern Ireland erupts > Victory at Agincourt > World War I GREAT BATTLES

MILITARY MACHINES

HEROES OF WAR

SECRETS & INSIGHT

INCREDIBLE PHOTOS

BUY YOUR ISSUE TODAY

Print edition available at www.imagineshop.co.uk Digital edition available at www.greatdigitalmags.com Available on the following platforms

facebook.com/HistoryofWarMag

twitter.com/@HistoryofWarMag

nimal answers

Send your animal questions to us at:

[email protected]

Which animals use tools?

Sarah Neill Primates, whales, rodents and even fish have been found to use tools, and while tool use was once thought to be unique to humans it has been witnessed in all manners of animals. The most famous tool users are chimpanzees, the closest relative to humans. Chimpanzees use sticks to fish out termites from mounds and even to spear small mammals with sharp sticks. Chimpanzees regularly use twigs as cutlery and can use these makeshift tools to pick carcasses clean. Octopuses are a recent addition to the growing list of tool using animals and are the very first invertebrate. Octopuses have started to use discarded coconut shells as hideaways, and if they want to move they bring their shells with them. Several species of ant use pieces of leaf, mud and sand grains as tools to carry soft foods over long distances, and even drop stones to seal entrances of rival colonies. Some animals take it a step further and manufacture their own tools rather than using items they find. Crows make hooks to help snag food, and gorillas break sticks to the right lengths to test the depth of water.

Which bird flies the highest? Buddhika Wijerathne Rüppell’s vulture has the record for the highest flying bird, found at an altitude of 11, 300 metres (37, 000 feet). This vulture flies up to 150 kilometres (90 miles) from the nest to find food. Using high-altitude air currents helps the incredible birds conserve energy. The vultures have even been

reported at the dizzying heights of commercial aeroplanes, although it’s risky to fly so high due to battering winds and low oxygen levels. Blood cells of Rüppell’s vultures are adapted to absorbing as much oxygen as possible from low-pressure air and they have reinforced lungs to withstand extreme air pressure changes.

Follow us at... 84

The Rüppell’s vulture can fly as high as commercial aeroplanes

@WorldAnimalsMag

Rüppell’s vulture 11,300 metres Mount Everest 8848 metres

worldofanimalsmag

Animal answers

Why do animals learn to play? Isobel Stockhausen Young animals play to practice vital skills needed in adult life. There are three main types of animal play and these are locomotor play, predatory play and social play. Locomotor play consists of movement, so that involves an animal running or climbing for no reason other than play. This helps the animal learn how to use its body for every purpose, so monkeys that seem to be chasing one another through trees for no apparent reason are actually sharpening their fight and flight techniques. Predatory play is rehearsal for taking down prey in later life. Young animals practice

Play is an important part of learning and growing up, for pandas as much as for humans

How do ants navigate? Owen White In a similar way to the fabled Hansel and Gretel, ants leave chemical trails behind them when they walk so they can always find their way home.

They are also able to detect tracks le by other ants, so even if they are le behind or have no others to follow they can still navigate to find the rest of the colony.

stalking, pouncing and killing to perfect their hunting skills and are likely to learn what foods to avoid during this early stage of life. Domestic cats are a good example of predatory play as they are known to participate in aggressive play throughout their lives. Social play helps animals when they are still learning how to respond to the signals given by others and it teaches them how to interact with unfamiliar faces. Although play is more prominent in young animals, adults do engage in play too, but apart from the obvious fun involved scientists don’t currently understand exactly why adults play.

The immortal jellyfish is capable of regeneration every time it reproduces

How we know this – the lolly stick experiment

Is the immortal jellyfish really immortal? 1. Ants have two paths to choose from to access the food source across an obstacle, and the shortest route is usually picked.

3. If the path is moved, ants always follow the chemical trail and use the original bridge, regardless of its new position.

2. The ants head towards an area rich in food and as they walk they leave chemical trails along the path.

4. Following chemical trails ensures ants don’t get lost, but sometimes they can get muddled up and follow a circular path.

Dave Carter The immortal jellyfish (Turritopsi dohrnii) can theoretically live fore but its body is fragile and it can e succumb to disease or predation only a few months of life. It begins life as a tiny polyp an grows to a size of five millimetre inches) and once it has reproduc it transforms back into a polyp. There is no limit to how many times it can do this, so each time it reaches maturity its tentacles retract and its body shrinks as it sinks

Q.How big are emperor penguins?

animalanswers.co.uk

Why are some animals nocturnal? Michael Knight Only coming out at night helps prey animals avoid predators under cover of darkness. A lot of species have developed eyesight that works very well in the dark and have large ears so that they can hear an intruder coming. A nocturnal animal, such as a mouse, chooses to come out at night as it would be plainly visible during the day and therefore vulnerable to predators like cats.

However, some predators like the barn owl have also adapted for hunting in low light conditions. In the past, animals that were active during the night had a survival edge on similar animals that foraged during the day. Early lemurs developed to be nocturnal to reduce competition with early monkeys, and all of the lemur species that remained active in daylight became extinct while the nocturnal lemurs did not.

Do all species have males and females? Tim Willis There are 70 known vertebrate species that are all one sex, most notably whiptail lizards. These lizards are all female, and to reproduce they produce double the chromosomes they need and half are randomly selected. This gives their offspring genetic diversity and avoids them being direct clones of the mother lizard. Whiptail lizards can achieve this through parthenogenesis, where an egg is laid with DNA only from the mother. Many species can reproduce this way such as snails and sharks, but many can also reproduce sexually and only reproduce asexually if there is no other option.

What is the most successful predator? James Wheatley Going by numbers, the killer whale (Orcinus orca) is the most successful predator on Earth. They have a whopping 90 percent success rate which, when compared to the average success rates, is pretty good indeed! A group of lions, the ferocious hunters they are, actually only have a succes rate of 30 percent, and the great white shark’s success rate is around 55%. When orcas attack they only have a 10 percent chance of the prey escaping and the secret to their success is in their intelligence. The orca is the biggest species of dolphin and uses echolocation to find food that its eyes can’t see. They are highly social so they hunt in teams and communicate while hunting to ensure that prey has no chance of escape. Orcas swim towards ice patches and create a wave to force animals into the water, and they will purposely beach themselves when chasing an animal that can walk on land, such as a sea lion. Even more amazingly, young orcas learn these techniques from their elders who give youngsters opportunities to practice their skills over and over again.

Follow us at… 86

@WorldAnimalsMag

100 80 % success rate

Animal answers [email protected]

60 40 20 0

Tiger

Single Lion Polar lion group bear Species

Great white shark

Orca

The killer whale’s success rate of hunting prey is a whopping 90 percent

worldofanimalsmag

Animal answers The civet is not a true cat, though it may look and act like one

Which animals can see colour? Poppy Brunswick Millions of animals can see in colour, from the bumblebee to the humble pigeon. Some animals have even better colour vision than humans. Humans and other apes have three types of colour-detecting cone cell in the eye that process blue, green and red light. Most mammals only have two types, so they can’t tell the difference between red and green. Amazingly, some animals have four or even five types of cone cells in their eyes so they can detect wavelengths of light that the human eye cannot. Pigeons, for example, have five types of cone cells that help them see more colours than humans, including ultraviolet light.

Is a civet a cat?

Richard Thomas Despite its appearance, the civet is not a true cat. The cat family contains 37 true cat species but the other families found within the Feliformia suborder share several cat traits. True felines like lions and tigers purr, have short snouts, have the same arrangement of teeth and fully

retractable claws. Civets are small carnivores that live in tropical forests and have spotted markings to help them blend into the background when stalking prey. While they purr, have retractable claws, and bear a startling resemblance to cats they are still not considered to be true cats.

Why do starlings fly in formation? Joanna Wayne Flocks of starlings form these enormous groups called murmurations for many reasons. It is a good strategy to protect themselves from predators that emerge at dusk, while it also helps them to stay warm. It is also a chance for them to share information with starlings from up to 30 kilometres (20 miles) away. The timing of this congregation is so precise it can be predicted like clockwork and birds flying in groups of thousands form dazzling patterns by paying close attention to their six or seven neighbouring birds. These shapes are thought to scare away predators like owls that start to hunt at the time starlings flock together. Flocking together is a strategy to keep in contact with other starlings and the chattering sound they make is a massive exchange of information about the best spots to feed.

Q.What’s the difference between spider and a tarantula?

Find out at…

animalansw

Animal answers [email protected] When did modern crocodiles evolve? Felicity Clarke Modern crocodiles emerged 55 million years ago, and they evolved from a dinosaur ancestor that lived 200 million years ago. The earliest crocodile ancestor was called Xilousuchus, and they gave rise to many species of crocodile that are now extinct, like the enormous Deinosuchus with a two metre (six feet long) skull. The largest species of crocodile in

history was called Sarcosuchus and it lived 110 million years ago, growing to lengths of 12 metres (40 feet). Like modern crocodiles it lay in wait for terrestrial animals to come to drink, but ate small dinosaurs rather than gazelles. The crocodiles that still inhabit Earth have specialised to live in different environments such as oceans, rivers and estuaries. They may look prehistoric, but they are highly specialised.

How do oysters make pearls? Thomas Johnson Oysters coat a foreign object, like a grain of sand, with thin layers of shell material until a smooth round pearl is formed. To protect itself from infection or irritation oysters quickly coat an intruding object with nacre – the mineral that makes up their shell. The soft body of the oyster is protected by its calcium-rich shell, and just as mammals produce antibodies to subdue bacteria, oysters quickly immobilise potentially harmful objects into a smooth pearl. The shell of an oyster grows as the animal inside grows, so an organ called the mantle constantly produces pearly nacre to expand the shell. This is why pearls grow so big as they are being repeatedly coated with ever-present pearly protein.

Xilousuchus is a vital part of the modern crocodile’s lineage and lived over 200 million years ago

The shell always grows As the animal inside grows, so does the shell. The mantle constantly produces pearly nacre to expand

Foreign objects to pearls Antibodies immobilise potentially harmful objects fast, turning them into pearls

Why don’t slugs need shells?

© Alamy, Corbis, Thinkstock

Darren Portman Slugs blend in with their surroundings and as they oen burrow into the ground, shells would get in the way. Although having a shell does offer protection, there is a price that snails pay that slugs don’t have to. To maintain the hard shell snails must ingest a lot of calcium, and slugs are free to eat whatever they want. Technically slugs have shell plates on their backs underneath their skin, which indicates that slugs actually evolved from snails that did not need their shells in the niches they first began to occupy.

“The crocodiles that still inhabit Earth have specialised to live in different environments”

88

ABOVE The shell plates on their back indicate that slugs evolved from snails, but didn’t need portable homes

WHO’S THE DADDY? BADONGO’S THE BOSS... THE BIG DADDY AND THE CURRENT KING OF OUR FAMOUS GORILLA FAMILY. BUT BEING BIG, BRAVE AND STRONG DOESN’T MEAN HE DOESN’T NEED LOVE AND CARE, AND ALL GORILLAS NEED THEIR ‘FAMILY’ TO FEEL COMPLETE.

HELP US TO TAKE CARE OF HIM, AND JOIN THE GREAT APE FAMILY... WWW.DURRELL.ORG/BADONGO

saving species from extinction

Wildlife photography An expert guide… Take stunning photographs of your favourite creatures with these tips and tricks from wildlife experts

Marie Warwick

www.marieliannewildlifephotography.co.uk Animal lover Marie Warwick photographs wildlife around the UK and experiments with light to express her unique style. “The golden hour – first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening – is the best light you can use. It gives so much atmosphere to your images and I think it can make or break your shot.” She takes striking photographs without spending a fortune on equipment: “You don’t have to have a lot of kit in your bag to get great images. There are a lot of other important factors, like composition. You want your images to be powerful and to tell a story. If you’re on a budget then hiring kit is the next best thing. You can start off in your own garden, then move on to your local wildlife reserves. You don’t have to travel to far-off locations.”

Marie’s three tips for success Know your equipment inside out. Learn about your subject. Sit and enjoy the animals, as we sometimes get lost behind the viewfinder.

RIGHT Capturing stunning shots is reliant on good lighting, so be sure that you head out at the right time of day

90

Tracking animals and learning the patterns of your subject’s movements gives you a photographic advantage

Lisle Gywnn www.lislegwynn.com

Wildlife guide and photographer Lisle Gywnn travels the world making the most of his kit in extreme situations. “Learning when it’s appropriate to use flash and how to make a photo look like flash hasn’t been used is key. Modern flashes are clever, so if

you wanted to get with the basics of it, you could buy a modern Canon or Nikon flash and stick it on the top of your camera. The real challenge comes when you’re working in the deep, dark rainforest and your flash is your only source of light.”

A closer look

U1 U2

Scene modes Automatic photography to specific shots, such as portraits or close-ups Auto flash off The automatic mode, but without flash

E EN SC

User modes User creates custom exposure modes

M

Effects Adjustable special effects, such as selective colour, night vision

S ECT EFF

The Nikon D7100 is Lisle’s go-to camera body

A S P

Exposure modes These modes put the photographer in control of how much light the camera lets in and how long the shutter stays open. Beginners should experiment with these to get the best from their camera.

Movie record Metering mode button Control panel

A UT O

Auto Completely automatic photography

Viewfinder

Mode dial Delete button

Main command dial

Playback button

Lisle’s advice

“You don’t need several thousand pounds’ worth of cameras and lenses. You can get yourself quality kit for £400 or £500 on the second-hand market – 90 per cent of the battle is being in the situation and having the opportunity to take photos”

Multi selector

Focus selector lock switch Live View switch Screen

91

Wildlife photography Mike has a good idea of how he wants the image to look before he starts taking photos, and waits for the perfect scene to occur

Mike Lane

www.nature-photography.co.uk Zookeeper turned photographer Mike Lane changed careers to pursue his passion. He values spending time researching his subjects. “You’ve got to know your subject. Most of the time I don’t even carry cameras with me, just a pair of binoculars, and I’m out there walking around and keeping an eye on what’s going on.” He is always looking ahead for new developments in technology, stating, “There’s a new lightweight camera system called Micro Four Thirds, which has a two-times chip factor, meaning a 300mm lens becomes a 600mm lens. It’s totally silent too, which is a huge advantage for wildlife imagery. I wouldn’t be surprised if it became the future of photography.”

Mike’s top three photography secrets “ISO is a measure of the camera’s sensitivity to light, and in dark conditions ISO helps brighten the image while keeping the shutter speed fast. Ideally you should keep your ISO low, as increasing ISO makes the picture more grainy.”

92

“A good starting point for shutter speed is 2500th of a second. If you’ve got a bird that is slow in flight, you can slow shutter speed down, and if you’ve got a bird like a hummingbird you’re going to have to go faster.”

“Consider your composition. When people start off, they go for the animal and don’t consider the background. I want the picture to be right – the background is often more important to me than the animal.”

Top kit bits

Matthew Lissimore www.matthewlissimore.com

Completely self-taught, Matthew Lissimore began photography while studying wildlife art and illustration. “It was just reading articles, looking at internet videos, slowly saving up and buying the equipment and then just teaching myself.” He works hard on getting his images composed

perfectly. “I mainly shoot on Aperture Priority mode, as the camera will shoot at the optimal settings for the lens that you’re using… Rather than just focusing on the animal and photographing in the middle of the frame, try to incorporate some of the environment.”

“Shoot on Aperture Priority mode, as the camera will shoot at the optimal settings”

Digital SLR camera Nikon D7100 WWW.EUROPENIKON.COM/EN_GB £1,099 / $1,200

Wide-angle lens Zeiss Distagon 25mm F2.8 WWW.WEXPHOTOGRAPHIC.CO.UK £910 / $1,004

Macro lens Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Macro WWW.JESSOPS.COM £139 / $200

Extension tube Kenko DG AF Extension tube set: Nikon fit WWW.JESSOPS.COM £125 / $180

Get down at eye-level to capture reptiles and insects for stunning macro photographs

Use a remote shutter A remote shutter release is essentially a button on a wire. It allows you to take a photograph by pressing the button from a distance. These can be wireless, or you can opt for a cable depending on your budget

STEP 1 Assemble your kit Gather your photography kit and get yourself a remote shutter release. These are oen made for specific camera models, so choose carefully. Pick out a good spot with a picturesque background and place your camera accordingly.

STEP 2 Set up your camera Get your camera on the level of your target subject. For example, if you were photographing squirrels the camera can go on the ground or use a tripod for a higher shot. Plug in or switch on your shutter release, then find a spot to hide.

Flash Nikon SB-910 Flash WWW.WEXPHOTOGRAPHIC.CO.UK £450 / $550

STEP 3 Release the shutter Make sure that you can see your camera from your hiding place and release the shutter when the target subject approaches. Practice your technique and find a spot with frequent animal visitors, even if it’s just your back garden.

93

Y

UR

d your photos

@animalanswers.co.uk

WINNER Everything is patience

Stefan Mladenov ”At Crocodiles Of The World… I knelt before one of the caiman pools and waited until there was no one else around.”

S us your est animal photographs and you could win a FREE 12-month subscription to World of Animals magazine, too!

Snow tiger

Samantha Weaver “A once-in-alifetime experience to photograph an Amur tigress in the snow.”

94

I got there first!

Rachel Hunter “At Cotswold Wildlife Park, [these lemurs] were enjoying themselves so much that at one point I put my camera down and just watched them.”

Your animals

Elegance

Gary Chisholm “The gracefulness, elegance and beauty of the zebra was a joy to behold.”

Grey heron

Paul Spear “I saw the grey heron from a hide at Venus Pool Nature Reserve, Shropshire… The heron stayed near the hide, catching five fish in quick succession.”

Prairie Dog

Gary Chisholm “I took this image of a prairie dog at Cotswold Wildlife Park, [which] enables great opportunities for close-up pictures, especially [during] feeding time.”

WIN

A YEA SUBSCRIPR’S TION Send us yo photos no ur w!

95

Read anything good lately? Shop for quality magazines, books and DVDs from Imagine Publishing

Horse Fighting: Gambling and brutality meet face to face.

MAGAZINES

BOOKS

Join our battle to end this vile bloodsport.

DVDS

DOWNLOADS

GIFTS

for the finest British Alpaca socks

To advertise here please contact us on 01202 586442

www.networkforanimals.org

FOLLOW THE PATH LESS TRAVELLED FOR EXTRAORDINARY WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES www.wildlifetrails.co.uk

0800 999 4334

NEXT ISSUE Explore even more amazing animals in World of Animals issue 14

Imagine Publishing Ltd Richmond House, 33 Richmond Hill Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6EZ  +44 (0) 1202 586200 Web: www.imagine-publishing.co.uk www.greatdigitalmags.com www.animalanswers.co.uk

Magazine team Editor Charis Webster [email protected]  01202 586220

Editor in Chief Dave Harfield Staff Writer Amy Grisdale Designer Megan Davis Senior Art Editor Helen Harris Assistant Designer Hannah Parker Production Editor Tim Williamson Photographer James Sheppard Publishing Director Aaron Asadi Head of Design Ross Andrews Contributors Philippa Grafton, Alex Hoskins, Rick Jones, Adam Lusher, Laura Mears, Dom Reiseigh, Ella Carter Sutton

Cover image Alamy, Dreamstime, Rex Features, Thinkstock

Images Alamy, Nature Picture Library, Rex Features, Corbis, Thinkstock, Dreamstime, Peter Scott , Sandra Doyle, Robin Budden, Getty

Advertising Digital or printed media packs are available on request. Head of Sales Hang Deretz  01202 586442 [email protected] Account Manager Jennifer Galvin  01202 586436 [email protected] Account Manager Lee Mussell  01202 586424 [email protected] Sales Executive Luke Biddiscombe  01202 586431 [email protected]

PLUS PANGOLIN FLYING SNAKE BURMESE PYTHON ASIAN FISHING CAT *$$+̏!(++$# 3.4" "2/7.̬4(2/!4%$ 3,/4(

International World of Animals is available for licensing. Contact the International department to discuss partnership opportunities. Head of International Licensing Cathy Blackman  +44 (0) 1202 586401 [email protected]

Subscriptions

 0844 848 8410 Overseas +44 (0)1795 414 611 Email: [email protected] 13 issue subscription (UK) – £41 13 issue subscription (Europe) – £50 13 issue subscription (USA) – £50 13 issue subscription (ROW) – £60

GREATEST CARNIVORE ON THE PLANET

FOX

Circulation

ON SALE 27 NOVEMBER

12 incredible species, adapted and thriving across the entire Northern Hemisphere

Head of Circulation Darren Pearce  01202 586200

Production

Production Director Jane Hawkins  01202 586200

Founders

Group Managing Director Damian Butt Group Finance and Commercial Director Steven Boyd

Printing & Distribution Wyndeham, Peterborough, Storey’s Bar Rd, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE1 5YS Distributed in the UK, Eire & the Rest of the World by: Marketforce, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0SU  0203 148 3300 www.marketforce.co.uk Distributed in Australia by: Network Services (a division of Bauer Media Group), Level 21 Civic Tower, 66-68 Goulburn Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia  +61 2 8667 5288

Disclaimer The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the magazine has endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein. If you submit material to Imagine Publishing via post, email, social network or any other means, you grant Imagine Publishing an irrevocable, perpetual, royalty-free licence to use the material across its entire portfolio, in print, online and digital, and to deliver the material to existing and future clients, including but not limited to international licensees for reproduction in international, licensed editions of Imagine products. Any material you submit is sent at your risk and, although every care is taken, neither Imagine Publishing nor its employees, agents or subcontractors shall be liable for the loss or damage.

© Thinkstock;

© Imagine Publishing Ltd 2014

SECRETS OF THE %!24(3¨7),$¨(/23%3

MYSTERIOUS LIFE OF THE BLACK PANTHER

ISSN 2053-7727

MEET NATURE’S GREATEST ARCHITECT 97

Bizarre! Able to re-grow limbs and regenerate organs, the axolotl is an amphibian with a difference This odd-looking amphibian can only be found in Mexico, and the ancient Aztecs believed it was a manifestation of the god of the underworld, Xolotl, due to its amazing regeneration abilities

They can detect electric fields

Axolotls can detect the weak electrical charge produced by movement of other animals or even just droplets hitting the water’s surface above. This is similar to electroreception in sharks, but axolotls don’t use it to hunt. It helps them to navigate murky Mexican canals.

They regenerate complex organs

Axolotls can heal wounds, re-grow limbs or even generate new organs if they become damaged. Two compound proteins, both of which are found in humans, work together to form a mass of regenerative cells that can produce an entire limb in 40 days.

AXOLOTL

Ambystoma mexicanum Class Amphibia

Territory Mexico Diet Algae, small invertebrates Lifespan 5-10 years Adult weight 150g / 0.3 lbs Conservation Status

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

Male axolotls dance to attract females To initiate courtship, males perform a ‘hula’ dance with their tail, nudging the female. He then deposits several cone-shaped packages of sperm on nearby rocks and plants, for the female to then fertilise her eggs. A female axolotl can lay up to 400 eggs a day.

They never grow up When other salamanders reach adulthood they lose their gills and fins to make the transition from water to land. An axolotl retains its juvenile characteristics because it doesn’t produce certain growth hormones and despite having lungs ready for land, axolotls never leave the aquatic larval stage.

Axolotls can’t chew their food because they only have rudimentary teeth. This means that they grip squirming prey with their teeth while sucking food into the mouth like a vacuum. Axolotls hunt worms, insect larvae and small fish and swallow them whole.

98

© Alamy

They vacuum up food

Visionary

the clear choice

binoculars & telescopes

meet the

HD family...

The Visionary HD range has a model to suit most applications from wide angle landscape viewing, birdwatching to astronomy and long range observations. Every model features BAK4 prisms, fully coated lenses and long eye relief. High quality optics at a great price point. A reassuring, tough rubber armour body protects the optics and offers a comfortable grip in the hand. The HD range include fold down rubber eyecups, case, caps, strap and a 10 year guarantee.

The full range of HD binoculars consists of an 8x42, 8x56, 7x50, 10x50, 12x60, 15x70, 20x80 and T-20x80.

Visionary binoculars and telescopes are manufactured and distributed by Optical Hardware Ltd and are available from your local stockist. )RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQDQGWR¿QG\RXUQHDUHVW9LVLRQDU\VWRFNLVWYLVLWwww.opticalhardware.co.uk/stockists

Follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/opticalhardware

$OOPRGHOVDQGRIIHUVDUHVXEMHFWWRDYDLODELOLW\3ULFHVDQGVSHFL¿FDWLRQVDUHVXEMHFWWRFKDQJHZLWKRXWQRWLFH( 2(
)RUJUHDWH[SHULHQFHV H[SHULHQFHWKHVPDOOHVWGHWDLO This is the moment we work for.

&2148(67 =(,663,21((56,1&(

7KHQHZ&2148(67+'WKHPRGHUQREVHUYDWLRQRSWLFV 3HUIHFWPRPHQWVVWDUWZLWKSHUIHFWRSWLFV&2148(67+'7KHDSSHDORIWKLVPRGHUQ DOOURXQGHUOLHVLQLWVQHZ+'OHQVV\VWHPLWVFRPSDFWDQGOLJKWZHLJKWFRQVWUXFWLRQ LWVbń0DGHLQ*HUPDQ\ńTXDOLW\DQGGHVLJQDQGDWUDQVPLVVLRQLQH[FHVVRI$OORI WKHVHTXDOLWLHVPDNHIRUDQXQFRPSURPLVLQJHQWU\LQWRWKHSUHPLXPFODVVRI&DUO=HLVV $YDLODEOHLQ [DQG [ ZZZ]HLVVFRPVSRUWVRSWLFV7HO

9LVLWRXUQHZZHEVLWH ]HLVVFRPVSRUWVRSWLFV