5 OF THE BEST WILDLIFE-SAVING TECHNOLOGIES REVEALED From the makers of
TM
50
EXOTIC INDIA UNCOVER THE WILDLIFE OF THIS MAJESTIC LAND
FABULOUS
FROGS
THE PANDA PROBLEM IS THIS ICONIC BEAR
MEET THE PLANET’S COOLEST AMPHIBIANS
WORTH SAVING?
100 OVER
ILLUSTRATIONS & PHOTOS!
PLUS
TORTOISE SEAHORSE PANGOLIN GIRAFFE
ATTACK HIPPO GENTLE GIANT OR UNPREDICTABLE KILLER? OF THE
DISCOVER WHY THIS HUGE MAMMAL IS AFRICA’S MOST DANGEROUS CREATURE
THE SECRET LIFE OF THE
MEET THE CRABS
Get to know this family of crustaceans
TAKING FLIGHT
Capture shots of animals on the wing
WILDLIFE OF THE SWISS ALPS Explore life in this mountain habitat
CLEARLY BEAUTIFUL
Animals we can see right through
ATLANTIC PUFFIN ISSUE 29
Become A Wildlife Volunteer In Borneo
Volunteer with Orangutans in the wilds of Borneo for a truly life changing experience. The memories you create will last a lifetime for not only you, but the Orangutans too, so why not help make a difference now?
Volunteer with
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Welcome Despite what you’ve heard in fairy tales, a frog will not turn into a prince, no matter how many times you kiss it. But who needs a prince when you have such fabulous frogs? We love these big-eyed, leaping amphibians so much we’ve put together 50 of our favourites for you on page 28. From our favourite frogs to the brightest of seabirds, we take a look at the life and habits of the Atlantic puffin. Learn all about how its beak changes colour when seeking a partner and its incredible underwater flying skills on page 40. Amphibians and frogs may fascinate us, but it’s still mammals stealing the spotlight when it comes to conservation. On page 20 we explore whether or not we should be raising more funds and awareness for lesser known species that desperately need our attention. You can also discover some of the top life-saving wildlife technologies that are helping to safeguard the future of species across the globe on page 50. Also in this issue, find out why the hippo is so deadly (page 12), which animals we can see right through (page 52) and why the scaly pangolin is the most hunted animal on the planet (page 76). Enjoy the issue and as always, let us know what you think!
Zara Gaspar Editor
Follow us at…
@WorldAnimalsMag worldofanimalsmag
©; Thinkstock
Learn about the technology helping to save snow leopards on page 50
Find out how to capture the best shots of animals in flight on page 90…
Visit www.animalanswers.co.uk for Exclusive competitions Hilarious GIFs Q&As Upload your photos and win prizes!
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Welcome to Issue 29 06 Amazing animals
60 Wildlife of the Alps
Explore this diverse mountain range and its hardy inhabitants
12 Attack of the hippo What makes a hippo the most dangerous mammal in Africa?
18 Meet the crabs
Get acquainted with six of these fascinating crustaceans
20 Should we save the panda?
We take a look at whether iconic species like the panda should be a conservation priority
66 Lost forever: Pinta Island tortoise Find out how this giant reptile was wiped out by hunting
68 Explore the Earth: India
Journey to this distant land to discover its wildlife wonders
28 50 fabulous frogs
76 Conserving the pangolin
38 Interview with a marine scientist
81 Bizarre: pygmy seahorse
40 Atlantic puffin
82 Chessington Zoo
Meet the coolest amphibians on the planet
See what it’s like to research what lives in the hidden depths of the ocean Discover the secrets of this endearing seabird
28
Find out what is being done to save this scaly mammal
Meet the tiny sea creature that has mastered the art of camouflage Discover the zoo that lets you get face to face with some of the world’s rarest animals
50 Top 5 life-saving 98 Quiz wildlife technologies Test your animal knowledge! Take a look at the gadgets being used to safeguard the future of species across the globe
52 Clearly beautiful The incredible animals with translucent bodies
THE IUCN RED LIST
Throughout World of Animals you will see symbols like the ones listed below. 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
20 60
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
12
86 Readers’ Q&A
90 Wildlife photography How to capture animals in flight
ATTACK HIPPO OF THE
MEET ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST VIOLENT VEGETARIANS 81
68
94 Your amazing animal photos
76
40 52
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© John Mullineux/Solent News/REX
The amazing world of animals
A black-backed jackal leaps in to the air with its mouth wide open to grab hold of a morning snack This jackal, photographed at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in southern Africa, was successful in its chase aer taking these grouse by surprise while they settled to drink at a waterhole.
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The amazing world of animals
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© Mike Dexter/Solent News/REX
The amazing world of animals
This baby elephant enjoys a shower as one of the adults in the herd sprays water from its trunk This photograph was taken at Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana as a group of elephants splashed around in a mud bath. Elephants cover themselves in mud to protect their skin from the Sun.
8
Two squirrels are captured exchanging gifts in the Voronezh region of Russia A squirrel uses its strong hind legs for support as it passes a tasty pine cone treat down to its friend on the ground. The seeds inside a pine cone are a staple part of a squirrel’s diet.
© Vadim Trunov/Rex Features
The amazing world of animals
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The amazing world of animals
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A polar bear mother can be seen wrapping her arms around her cub in a loving embrace Polar bears form strong bonds with their mothers as they spend up to three years together while the youngster is weaned. The mother will teach her cub to hunt and survive on its own in the harsh Arctic conditions.
© Design Pics Inc/REX
The amazing world of animals
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Attack of the hippo
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ATTACK HIPPO OF THE
Beware of the herbivore that sharpens its own teeth and runs as fast as a galloping horse Words Amy Grisdale
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Attack of the hippo
What makes the hippo so dangerous? Responsible for more human deaths than any other, this mammal is one of the planet’s deadliest A hippo’s life is relatively peaceful. By day they wallow lazily in rivers and lakes, and then venture onto land to graze at night. They have few natural predators and rarely struggle to find food, with each hippo consuming 40 kilograms (88 pounds) of grass per evening. From afar, few would guess that a hippo presents any risk. Yet these water-dwellers kill almost 3,000 humans each year, making them one of the world’s most dangerous mammals. Despite their vegetarian status, hippos can easily take down a carnivore. Just a glimpse of the long, curved teeth can make a predator think twice. With their eyes and ears above the surface, hippos can emit warning calls about predators to each other that cannot be heard above the water. Male hippos fiercely defend territories and during a fight with a trespasser they will grip the opponent’s neck between the teeth – their teeth can grow to 50 centimetres (20 inches) in length. These battles can be fatal and even the smell of a dominant male’s dung is enough to send a featherweight challenger home. For females, the driving force for aggression is the urge to protect their young. Adult hippos will go to almost any length to keep their babies safe from predators such as crocodiles. A hippo has poor eyesight, so the best way to repel an intruder is to charge at full speed and hope for the best.
Hippos in numbers
10
KM
The distance a hippo can walk in an evening
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55 million
Years since the hippo diverged from its relatives
115 40 YEARS DECIBELS Intensity of sound in a hippo’s bellow
The average life span of a hippo
36 1% HUMANS TEETH
3,000
The number of teeth inside an adult hippo’s mouth
Percentage of its body weight a hippo eats per day
The number of humans killed by hippos each year
Attack of the hippo
1. Speed Underestimating a hippo’s speed could prove to be a fatal mistake
BELOW Hippo’s have fairly poor eyesight so will repel predators and intruders by charging at full speed
Hippopotamus Despite their leisurely appearance, hippos can charge faster than the average human can run. A fleeing human should attempt to climb out of the hippo’s path or run among trees or rocks.
30km/h (19mph)
Human The fastest runners in the world may reach speeds of almost 45km/h (30mph), but the average person can sprint at only half of that.
45km/h (28mph)
Horse As natural flight animals, horses run on instinct. Their hooves give them traction while on the move and powerful leg muscles help them run fast over long distances.
80km/h (50mph)
Cheetah In order to pick out single animals from tightly-packed herds, these cats have developed incredible speed. They tire quickly, however, and around 60 per cent of hunts are unsuccessful.
120km/h (75mph)
2. Size
BELOW With their eyes and ears above the water, hippos can emit underwater warning calls about predators to other hippos
Male hippos are called bulls, and they tend to be larger than females to establish their dominance.
Pygmy hippos live in the rivers that streak through the forests of western Africa but are now considered rare. Bull Cow
Pygmy
The name hippopotamus means ‘water horse’ in Greek, and it’s easy to see why. If being trampled by a horse is a frightening prospect, imagine coming face to face with an animal three times heavier. Their sheer size is what makes these animals terrifying, and they hold the title of third largest living land mammal. Despite their size, they can hold a fast running pace to defend against an attack. Even the sweetly named pygmy hippo can become aggressive if disturbed in its natural habitat of Liberia’s tropical forests. Like its larger counterpart, the pygmy hippo is too big to fit in a bathtub and has a mouth crammed with sharp teeth. At 175 centimetres (5.7 feet) in length and 270 kilograms (600 pounds) in weight, pygmy hippos are formidable fighters.
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Attack of the hippo
3. Bite The pressure of a bite relies on both the force exerted by the animal’s jaws and the surface area of the tooth. Hippo teeth have a small surface area, meaning that all the pressure from the clamping jaws is concentrated in just a few patches. This is what makes a hippo bite so dangerous. A female hippo’s bite delivers 130 kilograms of downward force per square centimetre (1,820 pounds per square inch), while males are too aggressive to test. However, hippos share their territory with the strongest biters on the planet. Crocodiles can subject their prey to forces of 260 kilograms per square centimetre (3,700 pounds per square inch), roughly twice as much power as a hippo. These two terrific enemies face one another on a daily basis, and while hippos can sometimes defend against the giant reptiles, crocodiles get the last word as they often scavenge from hippo carcasses.
How to avoid a hippo attack
Remember these steps to avoid upsetting a hippo if you’re ever lucky enough to come across one
Danger in numbers
Let a little bird tell you
Get off the ground
Location, location, location
Beware of babies
Advertise your position
On land, avoid entering thicket as hippos may be hiding out in vegetation. If in a boat or canoe, keep your distance and don’t enter rivers occupied with large hippo groups.
Beware of where you’re standing and don’t put yourself in the way of danger. Don’t stand between a hippo and water, and if you’re in a boat, don’t trap a hippo in shallow water.
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Oxpecker birds feed on skin fragments and parasites on the rhino’s hide, and their call may give away a lurking hippo. Familiarise yourself with their song at www.animalanswers.co.uk.
Mothers will defend their young to the death, and their teeth can easily rip through flesh. If confronted with a hippo and her young, retreat backwards and attract your guide’s attention.
Even though a hippo can run, it cannot climb. If you are being chased, find a tree or termite mite in which to take refuge. It’s unlikely that you’ll be out on safari alone, and your guide will help.
If on water, knock the hull to let submerged hippos know you’re there. If your vessel capsizes, you’re in danger. Don’t graze a hippo with your paddle as they will see this as a direct attack.
Attack of the hippo
More herbivores with a grudge Just because an animal doesn’t eat meat, that doesn’t mean it won’t attack; the vegan gorilla has teeth five times as long as ours
Baboon
Gorilla
American bison
Speed: 30-50km/h (20-30mph) Size: 40kg (90lb)
Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Size: 270kg (600lb)
Speed: 65km/h (40mph) Size: 900kg (2,000lb)
Rhino
Cape buffalo
Wild boar
Speed: 50km/h (30mph) Size: 1,360kg (3,000lb)
Speed: 55km/h 35(mph) Size: 680kg (1,500lb)
Speed: 50km/h (30mph) Size: 181kg (400lb)
Rather than being aggressive, rhino attacks are almost always in self-defence. With poor eyesight obscured by a massive horn and a predisposition to be wary of predators, a rhino’s charge can be very sudden. However, there are very few fatalities from rhino attacks, partially due to the speed at which their numbers are falling. Humans may die indirectly from activity involving rhinos. If a poacher is attempting to steal a horn they open themselves up to an onslaught from armed guards and rangers.
Biting up to 50 per cent harder than a human ever could, gorillas can be extremely dangerous. Their teeth are adapted to tear through tough plants like bamboo, and a gorilla wishing to threaten an intruder will display its intimidating gnashers for all to see. Unlike other animals, however, gorillas aren’t known for attacks on humans, and are gentle giants that don’t target people on purpose. Most gorilla attacks occur in captivity if an animal escapes or somebody enters the enclosure, but there are also accounts of gorillas protecting young children from harm.
One of the most dangerous animals in Africa, these ruminants are nicknamed ‘widowmakers’ by local people. They become even more deadly when injured, as they will do anything to ensure their survival. Humans can be trampled, charged at and gored by the horned beasts that even the kings of the jungle are afraid of. Large herbivores like buffalo prove they are more trouble than they are worth to predators, and are mostly avoided by big cats and other savannah hunters.
Said to be responsible for more human deaths than wolves or bears, these giant herbivores are not to be crossed. Not only can they trample animals beneath their hard, cloven hooves, but a bison can headbutt with almighty force and kill a human in seconds. Despite their deadly potential, Native Americans made easy work of herding and slaughtering bison by chasing them to the edge of cliffs, which was extremely wasteful and often entire herds would be killed when only a few animals were needed. The species is now under protection and in recovery.
Wild boar attacks on humans are on the rise, with around 70 per cent of reported attacks occurring since 2000. Although humans frequently hunt the pigs, these incidents are mostly unprovoked, and can cause serious injury. Even a survivor of an attack is at a high risk of infection from bacteria associated with the animal, from streptococcus to diphtheroids. A human accompanied by a dog is still vulnerable, and in some cases the dog may cause the wild boar to become more aggressive. © FLPA
Despite feeding mostly on grasses, baboons have a mouth full of sharp teeth longer than a lion’s and surprising body strength. They take the sight of bared teeth as a sign of aggression, steal from unsuspecting humans and have even been known to break into properties in search of an easy meal. These monkeys can also congregate in groups of hundreds, meaning that an unfortunate human could encounter dozens at a time. If you meet a baboon, stand up tall, surrender any food you may be holding and back away slowly.
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Meet the family
Crabs
With 6,700 species of true crab living in fresh water, the oceans and on land, leg spans range from tiny to huge. Here ARROW CRAB are the most diverse crustaceans
Stenorhynchus seticornis Class Malacostraca
Arrow crab
The long-legged spider of the crab world
With a long, triangular body, the arrow crab barely looks like a crab at all. It lives in saltwater coral reefs, equipped with legs that can be more than three times its body length and an elongated snout, or rostrum. It is extremely territorial and can be quite aggressive towards other animals (including its own species) on its turf. Interestingly though, it is quite tolerant of humans. Arrow crabs have two tiny claws on their front legs that are a bright blueviolet colour. These may act as camouflage, as they blend in with the colour of the coral and sponge on which they live.
Territory Atlantic Ocean Diet Small invertebrates Lifespan 1-3years Adult weight Unknown Conservation status
NOT EVALUATED
Red frog crab
These large, frog-like crabs lurk at depths of more than 100 metres (328 feet) below the surface
Also known as a spanner crab, this large and unusuallooking beast uses sneaky and underhand tactics to catch its prey. They lie down at the bottom of the seabed, bury themselves in the sand, and sit and wait for an unsuspecting victim to pass by. They leave their eyes and mouthpieces uncovered so that they can find the best time to catch their prey off guard. When the unsuspecting fish swims past, the red frog crab quickly ambushes it and catches itself a tasty meal. There have been overfishing concerns for this crab, as they have suffered high levels of exploitation from fisheries, and attempts to mitigate any damage through captive breeding have failed.
Boxer crab
This tiny cheerleader crab waves its pom-poms in the face of danger
When you’re small, you need to come up with clever ways to protect yourself. And that’s just what this tiny crab has done. Living in the warmer waters of the Indo-Pacific zone, the boxer crab’s weapon of choice is anemone. By clutching two small pieces in its claws, it deters any predators on the lookout for a crab dinner. If any potential aggressors get too close for comfort, the boxer crab waves the anemones around to try and ward them off. They love holding on to the anemone so much, they almost never put it down. Even when eating, they will use their front legs to sift food into their mouths, whereas other crabs usually use their claws.
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BOXER CRAB
Lybia edmondsoni Class Malacostraca
Territory The Indo-Pacific region Diet Plants and shrimp Lifespan 5 years (in captivity) Adult weight Unknown Conservation status
NOT EVALUATED
The boxer crab is free to wander the ocean while still making use of the anemone’s stinging tentacles. It is now so well adapted to holding anemone that its claws have become smaller and are almost useless for defence.
During mating, the male will simply hand a sperm package, known as a spermatophore, to the female for her to fertilise her eggs.
RED FROG CRAB Ranina ranina
Class Malacostraca
Territory Indo-Pacific region Diet Fish, crab, shrimp Lifespan 10 years (in captivity) Adult weight 400g (14oz) Conservation status
NOT EVALUATED
The red frog crab is easily distinguishable because of its large size, elongated mid-section, and ten white spots on its back. Unlike most crabs, it moves forwards and backwards instead of sideways.
Crabs CHRISTMAS ISLAND RED CRAB Gecarcoidea natalis Class Malacostraca
Territory Christmas Island Diet Leaves, fruit, dead animals Lifespan Unknown Adult weight 200g (7oz) Conservation status
NOT EVALUATED
Christmas Island red crab These colourful crabs dominate the forest floors of their island home
At the start of the wet season, these bright red crabs appear from the depths of their burrows in the forest and start their perilous journey toward the coast, crossing roads and traversing the rocky coastal terrain. The purpose of this mass migration is to reproduce and release millions of tiny eggs into the sea. The journey is timed to perfection; by travelling in the wet season and avoiding direct sunlight, they give themselves the best chance of surviving. Like most land crabs, these Christmas Island residents must be wary of drying out and take great care to keep their gills moist. The expedition is also timed to coincide with phases of the Moon; the females release their eggs during the last quarter Moon, when the tide is at its highest. Migrations don’t occur at the same time every year, but they do always follow the same lunar pattern. Like other crab species, if a Christmas Island red crab is unfortunate enough to lose a claw in battle, the missing limb will regenerate and continue to grow until both claws are the same size.
Soft coral crab
SOFT CORAL CRAB
This species is also known as the candy crab, and it’s easy to see why
ATLANTIC GHOST CRAB Ocypode quadrata Class Malacostraca
Territory Eastern coasts of North and South America Diet Turtle eggs, carrion, molluscs Lifespan 3 years Adult weight Unknown Conservation status
NOT EVALUATED
Class Malacostraca
Territory Indo-Pacific region Diet Plankton Lifespan Unknown Adult weight Unknown Conservation status
NOT EVALUATED
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4
2
1. Largest Japanese spider crab
3. Hairiest Orangutan crab
2. Smallest Pea crab
4. Most colourful Rainbow crab
It dwells in the dark depths of the ocean near Japan and weighs 19kg (42lbs). It has strong claws and a long reach.
Barely bigger than a garden pea, this crab species is the smallest in the world. Males measure 4mm (0.2in) wide and females are slightly larger at 8mm (0.3in).
Named after its thick orange hair that fluffs up underwater, the hair breaks up the crab’s outline to keep it hidden from predators.
A beautiful array of blue, silver, red, orange, and white, the bright markings of these crabs fade with age. They are aggressive and fight to the death.
A hermit crab is not a crab Hermit crabs are very similar to true crabs. They are decapods (which means ten-footed) just like crabs, but what separates them from true crabs is the number of limbs that are on show. True crabs always have five visible pairs of limbs, whereas hermit crabs only appear to have four pairs of limbs on show, as the last pair are tucked up inside their body. © Thinkstock; Dreamstime; Alamy
Not much is known about this colourful creature. It’s small, secretive, and knows how to hide. Covered in bright spikes on the carapace and legs and with a red and white pattern, the soft coral crab camouflages perfectly with its surroundings. But just blending in isn’t enough. To make sure it stays out of sight, it grabs additional polyps from the coral using its tiny claws and adds them to its body like armour. The crab’s colour changes depending on which coral it uses, and can be red, pink, yellow, and white.
Hoplophrys oatsei
1
By adding extra pieces of polyps to its body, the so coral crab is able to live in amongst the colourful coral without fear of being detected by predators.
Atlantic ghost crab This ghostly crustacean haunts the beaches under the cover of moonlight
Once referred to as “a secretive alien from the ancient depths of the sea”, ghost crabs scuttle across beaches once the sun goes down, digging burrows and searching for food. To attract a mate, the males thump the sand with their claws, rub their legs together, or make bubbling sounds. Although they need water to breathe, ghost crabs tend to stay away from the water’s edge, using the small hairs on their legs to suck up water from the sand to their gills.
The ghost crab has rather large eyes for its size. The eyestalks swivel, giving them panoramic views and 360-degree vision.
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Why save the panda?
GIANT PANDA
Ailuropoda melanoleuca Class Mammalia
Territory South-central China Diet Bamboo Lifespan 20 years Adult weight 136kg (300lb) Conservation Status
ENDANGERED
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WHY SAVE THE
PANDA? Pandas have become the face of conservation, used to gain funding and attract attention. But with more animals facing extinction than ever before, is it working? Words Naomi Harding The panda debate is a controversial one to say the least. Many argue that the amount spent on pandas could be better spent elsewhere and focusing on charismatic megafauna, like the panda, gorilla, tiger and elephant, only draws attention away from the lesser-known species that need our help more. Chris Packham made the headlines in 2008 when he said, “I’d eat the last panda if I could have the money we’ve spent on panda conservation back on the table for me to do more sensible things with.” This seemed to spark an international debate on the merits of pouring limited conservation resources into the furry species. The main argument is that animals like the panda are suffering so badly from habitat loss that spending large sums on captive breeding is a waste of resources, when there is no wild left to release these
animals into. Many conservationists believe adopting a habitat-based approach would be more beneficial in the long run, rather than focusing on a select few species. On the other hand, these species typically have large home ranges, meaning that by conserving them and their habitat, you also help secure the future of all the other species living there, even the smaller ones that may not otherwise be protected. Largely thanks to human activity and behaviour, we are losing species at an alarming rate; this includes amphibians, insects, reptiles, and birds, as well as mammals. At a time when funding is so limited, difficult decisions have to be made as to which animals we concentrate our efforts on. Saving the world is an impossibly huge task, so where do we start?
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Why save the panda?
The panda debate What do the experts have to say about whether the panda should be a conservation priority?
WWF
Nicola Loweth WWF UK Regional Officer for China and India The World Wildlife Fund is one of the largest and most recognisable organisations dedicated to protecting species
RZSS Edinburgh Zoo Iain Valentine Director of Giant Panda Project and Strategic Innovations
Edinburgh Zoo is the only organisation in the United Kingdom that houses giant pandas
The many benefits of panda conservation reach far beyond the bears themselves
Giant pandas are too important a species to be allowed to become extinct
The inspiration for our logo came from Chi-Chi: a giant panda that arrived at London Zoo in 1961 – the same year that WWF was created. Aware of the need for a recognisable symbol that would overcome all language barriers, WWF's founders agreed that the big, furry bear with her distinctive black and white coat would make a great logo. Sir Peter Scott, one of our founders, said at the time: "We wanted an animal that is beautiful, endangered, and loved by many people in the world for its appealing qualities. We also wanted an animal that had an impact in black and white to save money on printing costs.” The giant panda has now become an instantly recognisable symbol, not just for WWF, but also for the conservation movement as a whole. The Upper Yangtze basin where giant pandas are found is one of the most important global biodiversity hotspots. Although pandas remain threatened, panda conservation is about much more than just the giant panda itself. The status of the giant panda directly reflects the quality of habitat and the health of the entire ecosystem, so protecting wild pandas will also serve to protect many other species of rare plants and wildlife. Recent research found that 70 per cent of China’s endemic forest mammals, 70 per cent of forest birds and 31 per cent of forest amphibians all live within the panda’s range and the nature reserves set aside to protect them. Protecting pandas is also important for people. The forests where pandas live are important for controlling soil erosion and reducing the severity of flooding, so conserving giant panda habitat helps to protect water provisions for millions of people residing in and downstream of the panda’s range. Unfortunately we cannot save every threatened species in the world, but we hope to mitigate key threats. We are in this for the long term and have focused work on many iconic species such as tigers, pandas, and elephants. By conserving key ecosystems, we also provide benefits to all of these species that are found in those habitats, including those less-known or less attractive species. Iconic species can draw attention to the plight of others and help generate support to protect biodiversity that shares the same habitat.
As a result of a partnership with the China Wildlife Conservation Association – a large, non-profit organisation dedicated to giant panda conservation – the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is bringing skills in animal nutrition, genetics, embryology, immunology and veterinary medicine, which are vital areas of research for giant pandas, to the global effort to save the species. This will ensure a genetically healthy and diverse population exists ex-situ, as well as in the wild. We are also in the position to aid a fellow conservation body financially, with this money being targeted towards the restoration of bamboo habitat in China. People are normally very excited to see a giant panda with their own eyes. In many people it brings out a real childlike quality as they gaze at an animal that they’ve read about since they were children and perhaps even owned a cuddly toy of. For many visitors this will be the first and only time they have seen a giant panda without the medium of television. This iconic species is very easy to anthropomorphise – the way they eat sitting up while using their hands and their special pseudo thumb, which is a modified wrist bone. They also have distinctive black eye patches that make their eyes look even bigger and as humans we are programmed to respond to these features in our own young. Giant pandas act as ambassadors, raising awareness about conservation in general; when visitors come to see Tian Tian and Yang Guang they also learn about the plight of many other animals, the importance of preserving ecological diversity and how they can help.
“Protecting wild pandas will also serve to protect many other species of rare plants and wildlife that live within their range” 22
BELOW A display of 1,600 panda sculptures was installed in 25 cities to mark WWF’s 50th anniversary
Why save the panda? into captive breeding situations until we could resolve what the problem was. They finally worked out it was the impact of an invasive fungus, called chytrid fungi, resulting in a disease called chytridiomycosis. It’s a massive disease epidemic driving lots of frog species towards extinction very rapidly. We have already lost several iconic species. Yet it’s not just well-known species at risk; it’s lots of species, which is why we run other fundraising campaigns. We linked our bumblebee campaign to food security because they play a vital role in pollinating crops. People could buy into that and understand the importance of conserving bumblebees. It’s going to be a bigger challenge for us when we want to look at snakes or spiders, or things people don’t really like much. However, it can be amazing how quickly people’s perceptions can change – marketing is key. You’re competing with campaigns for all iconic species but it’s how you use and link those two things together. You need to get the balance right.
BugLife
Paul Hetherington Director of Fundraising and Communications BugLife are the only organisation in Europe dedicated to conserving and protecting all invertebrate species ABOVE Although they are still endangered, panda numbers have grown by 17 per cent in the last decade
BELOW Pandas are excellent tree climbers; cubs master the skill by the age of six months
IUCN
Craig Hilton-Taylor Head of the IUCN Red List The IUCN Red List is the world’s largest database of the conservation status of animals. It aims to assess 150,000 species by 2020
Pandas have been expensive to protect, but it may be a conservation success story Whether the money spent on tigers, elephants and pandas would be better spent across all biodiversity, is hard to say. In many ways spending huge amounts of money on elephants and pandas can be a huge benefit to conservation because those are iconic species; it helps to really get the conservation message home. Many flagship species, such as the African elephant, have wide-ranging habitats, so by conserving them you are conserving really large ecosystems and all the species that live there. The panda is more restrictive and it’s tricky to say that the investment has been worthwhile. But pandas appear to be recovering and we’re hoping in the next year or two we can down-list it and say all that effort has paid off. All of the money was going into ex-situ breeding. Achieving that breakthrough has been hugely successful and the lessons learned from that process can be applied to other species. The husbandry side of it is often ignored. Huge investment went into breeding and raising young panda cubs to adulthood. Valuable lessons have been learned that can be transferred to other species, which have similar problems. It’s often hard to measure all the benefits that go into these things. On the whole, the vertebrates tend not to be too bad. The most threatened are the amphibians; about 41 per cent are threatened with extinction. Until a global assessment was published in 2004, we had no idea what was happening. There was a massive campaign launched worldwide with zoos, to try and get vulnerable amphibians
The iconic species are cute, but they won’t survive unless we protect smaller creatures Invertebrates are difficult to fundraise for because people don’t see them as cute and cuddly. People tend to take them for granted and don’t realise how important they are to life as we know it. There is probably some awareness now for how important pollination is to our continued existence. As a result, public awareness about bees is very positive; however if you actually show most people a picture of a bee, with the exception of the bumblebee, they will call it a wasp or a hornet. Instead of relying on images, we have to talk up contributions that invertebrates like earthworms and dung beetles make to the planet. We’ve now got a costing on the dung beetle, which is just shy of £300 million per annum to the British farming economy. They have a real monetary value. Lions and rhinos are big and they’re very photogenic, but you can’t save them if you don’t save the smaller creatures. Without them, lions and rhinos wouldn’t be able to exist because their food would disappear. That’s the difficult thing that you have to try and get across to funders. If you want to do a promotion, you’d probably much rather put a cuddly orangutan on it than some sort of weird spider wouldn’t you? Having said that, raising money for the iconic species can be helpful if it leads to preservation of large areas, because it is likely to benefit all of the plants and animals that live there. Yet sometimes it can have a negative impact because they create a brand new reserve when an area is under threat and in doing so they destroy other habitats. One problem is with the Iberian lynx, which is quite endangered. Some great work is going on to try and preserve it, but all the captive bred lynx that are released into the wild have been flea-treated with different worming tablets. So even more endangered than the lynx are the parasitic invertebrates that live only on the lynx and they are facing extinction far faster. Why should we care? From a selfish perspective, we don’t know how that one little creature may benefit us in the future. An awful lot of things in medicine have come from invertebrates, such as hypodermic needles from looking at mosquitoes, and more recently the sting of a wasp in Brazil has been investigated as a possible cure for cancer. There is so much we have discovered and so much yet to discover.
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Why save the panda?
Conservation superstars These charismatic icons have become the ‘poster animals’ for conservation, but should they be?
Pandas are preparing for a powerful comeback number of pandas in zoos outside of China
pandas left in the wild
£680K
yearly rental for zoos per panda, payable to China
38KG
weight of fresh bamboo shoot an adult panda eats per day BELOW There are two species of gorilla: western (pictured here) and eastern. Mountain gorillas are a subspecies of eastern gorillas
The panda was first listed as endangered in 1990 and has since become an international symbol for conservation, winning the public’s affection thanks to their distinctive black and white markings and their clumsy but endearing, child-like behaviour. There is a general consensus that things are turning around for the giant panda. Populations have been steadily increasing largely due to an improvement in available habitat for wild pandas in China and breakthroughs in husbandry research. Currently there are 300 pandas in captivity with only 51 of those in zoos outside of China.
Gorillas could be saved by being in the conservation spotlight Humans feel an affinity with gorillas, who are some of our closest relatives. Mountain gorillas, a particularly threatened subspecies, cannot survive in captivity, but gorilla trekking is now an established ecotourism activity, so conservation efforts can benefit not just gorillas but local economies too.
One of the world’s last mountain gorilla troops came under threat when oil exploration began in 2014 at Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The exploration was halted thanks to coverage in a documentary called Virunga, which attracted international media attention.
880
mountain gorillas left in the wild
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20KG of leaves, grass and twigs eaten by a male gorilla daily
Why save the panda?
Tigers may still go extinct despite being conservation favourites
BELOW Today, tigers are confined to just seven per cent of their historical range
Tiger conservation has come on a long way and although there have been many local extinctions and the loss of three subspecies (the Caspian tiger, the Javan tiger, and the Bali tiger), there are now a number of strongholds for tiger populations, particularly in India. Nevertheless, the tiger remains listed as Endangered by the IUCN and populations are still decreasing, despite a concentrated effort and numerous charities fundraising for their survival. The main threats they face are poaching and habitat loss, and it is estimated that there are far more tigers moved through the illegal trade market than there are in the wild.
£40K
3,000 reduction of available habitat since 1951
subspecies of tiger now extinct in the wild
estimated cost to feed one captive tiger per year
tigers left in the wild
Asian and African elephants are facing very different fates The main threats elephants face are from hunting and habitat loss. The human-wildlife conflict is also destructive as elephants are considered pests in many parts of Africa and India and are persecuted due to their habit of destroying trees and trampling arable land – they have the ability to ruin the livelihoods of many farmers in a short space of time. Asian elephants are decreasing, with the most recent estimate placing population levels at around 52,000 individuals. African elephants, on the other hand, are increasing due to successful conservation efforts and protected areas.
elephants poached each year
MINUTES
how often an elephant is killed worldwide
20,000
number of elephants in captivity
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Why save the panda?
Which species should we be saving? By focusing on a select few species we are in danger of ignoring animals vital to our continued existence
The world’s only true flying mammals are in serious danger Bats help to shape the environments they live in. This is especially true of fruit bats, which feast on the fruits the rainforests have to offer and then disperse the seeds far and wide during flight. Insectivorous bats act as a natural pest control and even the smallest bat species in the UK can eat as many as 3,000 insects per evening, hugely benefiting the agricultural industry. While bats are a protected species in the UK, conservation efforts further afield are rather limited, and worldwide populations have been steadily decreasing for some time.
“Even the smallest bat species can eat as many as 3,000 insects per evening”
The butterfly’s less attractive cousins are at risk Moths make up some of the most endangered species in the UK and around the world. Most people like butterflies but are mildly horrified by moths. They’re actually quite similar and our repulsion seems to simply be down to a case of bad marketing. Not all moths fly at night, and some moths are more colourful than butterflies. On the whole, they are a hugely important part of many ecosystems, providing food for many other animals such as bats, birds and invertebrates. Unfortunately, moths have suffered widespread declines, mainly due to agricultural practices and climate change.
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Scarab beetles are vital for a healthy forest Dung beetles play a primary role in nutrient cycling on the forest floor. By breaking down the faeces of other animals, they also contribute to seed dispersal and help to aerate soil. It is thought that a number of species are suffering because of land-use change, such as the conversion of
forest habitat to plantations or agricultural pastures in Southeast Asia. Dung beetles are very specialised – different beetles have evolved to live on the faeces of specific species. If dung beetles were to go extinct, we would soon notice the dung piling up, and the number of flies increasing significantly.
From Batman to batfish, can this hero save our coral reefs?
Species in peril
Eastern long-beaked echidna
These creatures are from the same group of ancient egg-laying mammals as the platypus. They have suffered from habitat loss as a result of logging, mining and farming activity, and are now critically endangered.
Purple pig-nosed frog
These frogs certainly do not look like princes. They inhabit a small area in the mountains of southeast India. With such a small range, the population could easily be wiped out by disease or catastrophic events.
It’s thought that batfish can come to the rescue of coral reefs. Scientists simulated the effects of overfishing on the Great Barrier Reef, by erecting structures to keep out larger fish. Once the area had been consumed by seaweed, they recorded the reef’s recovery. Within eight weeks the batfish had cleared the seaweed and algae, restoring the reef to a healthy state. Unfortunately, batfish are quite rare and have not yet been assessed by the IUCN Red List, so it is unknown how many exist in the wild.
Red uakari monkey
One of the world’s most successful animals remains a mystery to us Ants play a vital role in the ecosystems in which they live. By continuously digging, creating tunnels and moving through the soil, they are turning and aerating the soil and allowing oxygen to get to the roots of plants. There are more than 12,000 known species of ant on Earth, and there are likely to be many endangered species we don’t even know about. The ones we do know of are mostly under threat due to forest fragmentation, as a result of human disturbance and encroachment on woodland areas.
European eel
Eels begin their life at sea, making their way to freshwater as larvae and only returning to the salty waters once they are ready to reproduce. This means that most of the eels caught from the sea are juveniles, reducing the number of adults that go on to reproduce.
North American mussels
Freshwater mussels are increasingly harvested for their pearls, which has put many North American species in grave danger. Mussels have important roles in their ecosystems, such as filtering and cleaning freshwater.
© Alamy; FLPA; Getty; Nature PL; Rex Features; Thinkstock; Eric Engbretson; Karthickbala
The unfortunate-looking uakari, with its bright red face and bald head, is an intelligent and social creature. The monkeys are on the brink of extinction as they are hunted extensively for food in the Amazon rainforest.
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50 FABULOUS
FROGS From the most beautiful to the most deadly, discover 50 of the world’s most fascinating frogs and why they’re leaps and bounds ahead of the competition Words Adam Millward When it comes to the animal kingdom, there’s nothing we like more than to lump together creatures into clear-cut groups, each defined by ‘rules’ based on their biology and behaviour. Most of the 6,500 or so known frog species happily indulge our whim for instant categorisation. For instance, the majority will never venture far from a water source, owing to their permeable skin which means they require regular hydration. That said, there is one frog that can go for years without water in the Australian outback (see frog number 47). Most have smooth skin, apart from the non-conformist Vietnamese frog with spines (see number 42), or dry, bumpy-skinned toads, of course (yes, toads are just another class of frogs as far as taxonomists are concerned). Others cite that a preference
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to hop and jump rather than walk is another tell-tale sign of a frog, but where does that leave the ones that would rather fly (see number 36)? One thing that does hold true for all frogs is that they should never be underestimated. Take the cheerful chap on the opening page. Don’t be fooled by his sunny disposition; if you were to kiss this fella in search of a prince, it could be the last thing you ever did. The strawberry poison dart frog belongs to the Dendrobatidae family, a group which includes some of the most toxic creatures on Earth. So forget everything you thought you knew about frogs, as we introduce you to 50 that prove there’s far more to Kermit than meets the eye.
50 fabulous frogs STRAWBERRY POISON DART FROG Oophaga pumilio Class Amphibia
Territory Central America Diet Ants, mites Lifespan 4 years Adult weight 2g (0.1oz) Conservation Status
LEAST CONCERN
1. Strawberry dart frogs like to match their mates The vibrant colouring of poison dart frogs is a clear warning to predators that they are deadly toxic. There are 30 different phenotypes, or ‘morphs’, of the strawberry poison dart frog (Oophaga pumilio), each with a different set of markings. These may have evolved to increase sexual appeal; females usually choose male partners with the same colouring as themselves.
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50 fabulous frogs 3. Purple frogs spend 95 per cent of the year underground
2. Some frogs have eyes bigger than their bellies Anyone that’s played Pac-Man will immediately know why South American horned frogs are associated with the 1980s ghost guzzler. When it’s feeling peckish (which is most of the time), there’s not much this creature won’t try to eat. Lizards, fish, mice, insects and smaller frogs are all on the menu. Not to mention each other, if the mood takes them. However,
sometimes their voracious appetite can prove their downfall; if they try to chow down on something bigger than them, there’s a good chance they will choke to death. As territorial as it is greedy, even humans are not safe from this fearless frog. There are tribes in the Amazon who wear special high boots just to avoid falling victim to its mighty mouth!
Also known as the pignose frog owing to its unusually tapered snout, Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis is only found in a handful of sites around the Western Ghats in southern India. For a long time, the endangered species went undetected because it leads a largely subterranean life feasting on termites. It can seek out these tasty treats with its sensitive snout and then suck them up with its tongue. The only time it ventures out of its 3.5-metre (11.5-foot) deep burrow is to reproduce for a few weeks around May.
“As territorial as it is greedy, even humans are not safe from this fearless frog” BELOW The wood frog’s antifreezelike blood helps it to survive through cold winters
4. Wood frogs have mastered cryogenics While most animals hibernate or migrate to survive the winter months, Rana sylvatica has evolved to just chill out – totally. When temperatures plummet below zero, wood frogs find a sheltered spot and let themselves turn to ice. Everything stops – including their hearts. During experiments, Alaskan specimens were able to endure temperatures as low as -16 degrees Celsius (3.2 degrees Fahrenheit) and it’s expected that in the wild they may even surpass this! This enviable ability to freeze and thaw is thanks to high levels of cryoprotectants, such as glucose and urea, which essentially turn their blood into antifreeze. This prevents too much ice from forming in vital tissues, which otherwise would lead to cell death. Come spring, they are able to defrost in such a way that the fundamental systems like the heart and lungs begin to function first. It’s hoped that further study of these frosty frogs might help us develop more efficient ways of preserving and transporting our own organs for transplants.
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50 fabulous frogs 5. Prehistoric frogs were the size of beach balls
BELOW Penguins are able to consume salthave water, Goliath frogs nowithout vocal sacs, any adverse effectslong, whistling and instead make noises by holding their mouths open
The super-sized devil frog (Beezlebufo ampinga) of the Late Cretaceous is the largest frog ever discovered. It grew up to 41 centimetres (16 inches) long, weighed some 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds) and baby dinosaurs likely numbered among its prey.
6. One tree frog is the last of its kind
The only known surviving Rabbs fringe-limbed tree frog (Ecnomiohyla rabborum) is a male kept at Zoo Atlanta, Georgia. It has not been seen in the wild since 2007 and the last female died in 2009, so extinction seems sadly inevitable.
7. Rain frogs are born pip-squeaks
When the going gets tough, rotund rain frogs (Breviceps) from southern Africa don’t really have the physique to make a quick getaway. Instead, they inflate themselves into a ball shape and make a high-pitched distress call.
8. There are frogs as loud as lawnmowers A national icon of Puerto Rico, what the common coquí (Eleutherpdactylus coqui) lacks in size, it makes up for in volume. Its call can reach 80-90 decibels up close – about the same level as a vacuum cleaner.
9. Some tomatoes can fight back
If its bright orange body isn’t enough to deter potential predators, when threatened, Madagascan tomato frogs (Dyscophus) are able to produce a noxious, glue-like substance which acts as an irritant.
32cm
7.7mm
GOLIATH FROG Conraua goliath Class Amphibia
Territory Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea Diet Dragonflies, worms, smaller frogs Lifespan 15 years Adult weight Up to 3.3kg (7.3lb) Conservation Status
PAEDOPHRYNE AMAUENSIS ENDANGERED
10. Goliath frogs are the largest on Earth These frogs didn’t get their giant-sounding name for nothing. About the size of a domestic cat and around 40 times longer than the smallest frog (see right), goliaths are found by fast-flowing rivers and waterfalls in the tropical forests of western Africa. Unlike most frog species, the male is bigger than the female, and it’s thought this may be down to their habits during the mating season, when males battle for territory and construct nests out of small rocks. As well as being seen as a tasty meal for crocodiles and snakes, goliath frogs are also on the menu for local people. It’s thought a combination of over-hunting and capturing for the pet trade has led to its endangered status and efforts are now underway to protect it.
Paedophryne amauensis Class Amphibia
Territory Papua New Guinea Diet Mites Lifespan Unknown Adult weight Unknown Conservation Status
NOT EVALUATED
ABOVE The tiny Paedophyrne amauensis is dwarfed by a US dime
11. The smallest frog fits on a Smartie At the opposite end of the scale to the goliath frog is Paedophryne amauensis, native to Papua New Guinea. As well as being the most diminutive frog, it is also the smallest known amphibian. It wasn’t formally described until 2012, but considering that adults average a mere 7.7 millimetres (0.3 inches) long, that’s no surprise. They live well-hidden in the leaf litter of the forest floor, feeding on tiny bugs. Their peeping calls are akin to those of insects – this is thought to be another reason that they were overlooked for so long.
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50 fabulous frogs 12. Madagascan frogs have their ups and downs
Special shovel-like protrusions on their back feet as well as sticky toe-pads on their front feet mean that Malagasy rainbow frogs (Scaphiophryne gottlebei) are as adept at climbing vertical walls as they are at burrowing. These are two handy skills when you live in rocky canyons which are susceptible to flash floods.
13. Ecuadorian frogs help take away the pain
In 1998, a deadly toxin secreted by the poison dart frog Epibpedobates tricolor inspired the development of a new painkiller that could be up to 200 times more powerful than morphine – and without any of the negative side effects. Tests are still ongoing.
14. Banded rubber frogs have super-tongues
A member of the narrow-mouthed frog family, Phrynomantis bifasciatus has an incredible tongue, which can fire in almost any direction. This is the perfect tool for catching small, fast-moving prey like ants and termites.
15. A frog never changes its spots
The black markings on the back of the blue poison dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius) are unique, so like our fingerprints they can be used to identify specific individuals.
16. Farmland green tree frogs are not blowing bubblegum Despite what it looks like, the pink ‘bubble’ being blown by this Taiwan native is, in fact, its vocal sac. Rhacophorus arvalis shows off its candyfloss-coloured throat during courtship displays.
17. Australian tree frogs have plenty to smile about
It’s easy to see why the docile White’s tree frog (Litoria caerulea) has also come to be known as the smiling tree frog. It has managed to avoid a lot of diseases affecting other amphibians, perhaps thanks to anti-viral and anti-bacterial compounds in its skin. The same chemicals have been demonstrated to lower blood pressure in humans, so these frogs may soon put a smile on our faces too.
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10 top toads
They may have bumpy skin and stockier bodies than the rest of the froggy fraternity, but toads are all members of the Anura order too
18. Suriname toad mums back their kids all the way Believe it or not, this is how the common Suriname toad (Pipa pipa) is meant to look. It’s the perfect way of blending in with the leaf litter at the bottom of rivers and flooded forest floors in South America. Evolving such a streamlined body does mean it has had to forego a few things, like a tongue. Instead, this ambush hunter lies in wait. As soon as a small fish or crustacean unwittingly ventures too
COMMON SURINAME TOAD Pipa pipa
Class Amphibia
Territory Central and South America Diet Worms, small fish, insects, crayfish Lifespan 8 years Adult weight 100-150g (3.5–5.3oz) Conservation Status
LEAST CONCERN
19. Leopard toads do not know the Green Cross Code Despite their beautiful markings, many Western leopard toads (Amietophrynus pantherinus) go ‘unspotted’ every year, ending up the unfortunate victims of road traffic accidents.
close, the toad quickly opens its mouth, using the power of suction to gulp down its victim. While mating, females perform somersaults in the water, during which the fertilised eggs stick to her back. Her skin grows around the eggs, forming little pockets in which her young can safely grow. After a few months, the froglets perform an Alien-like escape, bursting through the skin and hopping out.
50 fabulous frogs 20. Harlequin toads talk with their feet
21. Liar, liar, belly on fire!
Sometimes known as clown frogs, these stunning Central American amphibians are eloquent communicators without even having to open their mouths. Between each other, they have mastered the art of semaphore, waving their feet in a behaviour known as ‘foot flagging’.
From above, the oriental firebellied toads have green and black speckled skin, but as soon they feel threatened, they rear onto their back legs, or even flip onto their backs and play dead, doing all they can to expose their fiery orange underbelly.
22. Golden toads suffered a rapid decline
23. The pest control that became a pest
First discovered in Costa Rica in the 1960s, Incilus periglenes bred normally until 1987, yet there have been no sightings since 1989, leading it to be listed as Extinct by the IUCN. This is thought to be due to habitat loss.
Owing to their voracious appetite, cane toads (Rhinella marina) were introduced to Australia in 1935 as a way of tackling bugs that were destroying crops. However, the plan backfired and the toad population has now sky-rocketed.
25. Natterjack toads like to move it, move it 24. For smooth-sided toads, attack is the best form of defence
Natterjacks (Epidalea calamita) are able to run much faster than most toad species, thanks to their short hind legs. On the flipside, this does mean they are poor swimmers.
The South American species Rhaebo guttatus can actively fire its poison from the parotoid glands behind its eyes, squirting its painful weapon as far as two metres (6.5 feet).
26. Kihansi spray toads are making a splash
27. Some toads offer daddy daycare
Only found in a single gorge in Tanzania, Nectophrynoides asperginis was declared extinct in the wild in 2009, having suffered from the building of a hydroelectric dam in the area. However, an international conservation effort has reversed this species’ fortune.
Midwife toads (Alytes) acquired their name because the males are very diligent dads. The fertilised eggs are laid in sticky strings which fathers then wrap around their back legs and carry until they hatch.
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50 fabulous frogs
28. The frog that acts like Xmen’s Wolverine The hairy frog (Trichobatrachus robustus) from western Africa knows all about standing out from the crowd. For one thing, during the breeding season, males develop hundreds of fine filaments of skin – that at first glance look like hairs – across its sides and legs. It’s believed these augment their lung power by absorbing more oxygen, enabling the devoted dads to remain underwater for longer to guard their eggs. If that weren’t incredible enough, these frogs have also evolved a unique defence mechanism: the ability to thrust the pointy tips of their own toes through the skin to act as claws. After a few days, the broken bones re-fuse and the skin heals over, once again concealing its superhero-like weapons.
30. Modest mossy frogs know how to disappear
While some species like to stand out, mossy frogs (Theloderma corticale) do everything they can to blend in. From their bumpy skin to their varied shades of green – even in their eyes – they are very hard to spot in their mossy habitat.
31. and 32. There are two marathon hoppers
A couple of European frogs may not have the bright colours or bizarre biology of some of their more tropical cousins, but they do share the distinction of performing the longest migration of any amphibian. Both green frogs (Rana esculenta) and pool frogs (Rana lessonae) have been documented travelling as far as 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) in search of mates.
33. Some frogs like to come out of their shells
If you’re ever in Western Australia and think you see a turtle missing its shell, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered a turtle frog (Myobatrachus gouldii). It sometimes even acts more like a reptile than an amphibian, burrowing forward with its short muscular legs, whereas most frogs dig backwards.
34. Four-eyed frogs are proud to be buttheads
29. Glass frogs have nothing to hide Although from above, glass frogs might be mistaken for just another green frog, from below it’s a whole different story. Indeed, the skin on their bellies is so translucent that you can see right through to their internal organs. There are some 140 species of glass frog, ranging from Argentina to Mexico, though the northern, or Fleischmann’s, glass frog pictured here appears no further south than Ecuador.
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Living in vegetation near fast streams, these frogs are extremely territorial and are willing to wrestle with any rival males that venture too close to their patch. Aer mating, females lay a clutch of around 30 eggs onto the underside of a leaf. Both parents tend to the young while they develop but for the father, duties include urinating on the eggs to ensure they don’t dry out. Once they hatch, the tadpoles drop into the water below.
The Pleurodema genus of frogs from South America has evolved a clever way of putting off predators. Two large yellow and black poison glands on their back look very similar to eyes, so when it feels under threat it simply raises its rear end to make it look like its head, giving the impression it is much bigger than it really is.
50 fabulous frogs
35. Red-eyed tree frogs use colour to survive If you ran across this vibrant amphibian while trekking through the humid Central American rainforest, you’d be forgiven for stopping in your tracks, thinking you’d run across a poison dart frog. That’s exactly what the red-eyed tree frog wants you to think. In fact, it’s barely more toxic than your common garden frog. This creature has also learnt that there are times where less colour can be equally effective. During the day, when it sleeps, these frogs curl up into a tight ball on the bottom of a leaf, ensuring all of their limbs and body markings are tucked out of sight. That way, as soon as they close their eyes, all that remains visible is just another shade of green in a green world. Should their camouflage be rumbled, it’s time for another costume change. Using a technique known as startle colouration, they flash open their scarlet eyes, pull out their orange feet and expose their blue-and-yellow flanks all at once. This sudden display combined with nature’s innate fear of brightly coloured prey usually gives the red-eyed tree frog just enough time to leap to safety.
RED-EYED TREE FROG Agalychnis callidryas Class Amphibia
Territory Central America Diet Moths, flies, crickets Lifespan 5-6 years Adult weight 6-14g (0.20.5oz) Conservation Status
LEAST CONCERN
“They flash their scarlet eyes, pull out their orange feet and expose their blue-and-yellow flanks” 36. Wallace’s flying frogs are ace aviators Named aer British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who formally described the species, Rhacophorus nigropalmatus has found the perfect way of getting around the tropical forests of Indonesia: gliding. Loose flaps of skin on their sides and webbed feet essentially turn their bodies into parachutes, enabling them to travel as far as 15 metres (50 feet) between trees. The extra large toe pads also provide excellent grip for a so landing.
ABOVE The flying frog’s large, webbed feet allow it to glide between trees
37. The poison dart frog is beautiful but deadly toxic
The lethal secret of the golden poison dart frog is chemical warfare. The batrachotoxins secreted from its skin, which it gains from the insects it eats, rapidly paralyse muscles and cause organ failure. It’s a bio-weapon that local tribesmen have taken advantage of for centuries, coating the tips of their blow-darts with the deadly concoction – hence these frogs’ common name.
38. Southern cricket frogs can leap 60 times their own body length Found in the southeast of the US, Acris gryllus might not be the biggest of amphibians, but its jump is impressive in size. They can leap up to 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) in a single bound – that’s roughly equivalent to a human jumping the length of two Olympic swimming pools! It’s a great emergency getaway mechanism to evade enemies like snakes and birds. Southern cricket frogs come in a variety of colours, including brown, black, red or grey, but they all have a distinctive stripe that runs down their backs.
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50 fabulous frogs
39. This extinct frog had unorthodox child births The gastric-brooding frog would enter the world in a rather unusual way – through its mother’s mouth! After laying her eggs, she would gobble them up in order for them to develop in the relative safety of her stomach. Around 20–25 tadpoles could be accommodated at one time and they avoided being digested by secreting a substance that deactivated production of hydrochloric acid. After around six weeks, the fully formed froglets would emerge. But its unconventional child-rearing techniques are not the only notable thing about this amphibian. Although both species in its genus are believed to have vanished in the 1980s, in 2013, Australian scientists managed to create gastricbrooding frog embryos by combining frozen tissue samples with eggs from the related great-barred frog. The embryos only survived a few days, but the cloning experiment was deemed a huge leap in the field of deextinction. So when it comes to the gastric-brooding frog, who knows what the future will throw up? GASTRIC-BROODING FROG Rheobatrachus Class Amphibia
Territory Australia Diet Small insects Lifespan Unknown Adult weight 25-45g (0.81.5oz) Conservation Status
EXTINCT
40. Some frogs use natural umbrellas Although most frogs are water-lovers, even amphibians need to take shelter in torrential downpours. For this, they’ll oen take advantage of local flora, such as overhanging leaves or even mushrooms, like this European common frog (Rana temporaria), patiently waiting out the storm beneath a toadstool. Common frogs, like many other amphibian species, hibernate through the winter to avoid the harsh, cold weather. They settle down in damp refuges, such as compost heaps, or can even wait out the winter at the bottom of ponds, as they are able to take in oxygen through their skin.
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41. Southeast Asia is home to a salty sea frog Almost all amphibians are unable to tolerate seawater as they have no way of preventing their bodies from absorbing lethal levels of salt. However, the crabeating frog (Fejervarya cancrivora) has adapted to not just survive near the ocean but to thrive there. Predominantly found in coastal mangrove forests, swamps and sea marshes, it’s as comfortable in fresh water as it is brackish and, for short periods, salt water. It’s able to hop between these various salinities by regulating the levels of urea in its blood and thanks to specially adapted glands in its skin. Even tadpoles are able to survive in salt water, although they will head to fresh water to complete their metamorphosis.
50 fabulous frogs
Only discovered in 2014, the backs of male thorny tree frogs (Gracixalus lumarius) are covered in unusual spikes, which become more prominent in the breeding season. Made from keratin – the same material that forms our fingernails – these white-tipped spines give their skin a sandpaper-like texture. Restricted to a few mountains in Vietnam, it is thought that this feature may enable females to more easily spot a partner.
43. There’s a frog that can speak cow
At up to 46 centimetres (18 inches) long and weighing around 0.5 kilograms (1.1 pounds), the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) is North America’s largest true frog. The species gets its name from its deep, low croak that sounds a bit like cattle mooing.
44…and there’s another that speaks dog
The barking tree frog (Hyla gratiosa) of the southeastern US also gets its name from its strange call, which sounds uncannily like a dog woofing in the distance.
45. Shrinking frogs grow backwards
Found in Trinidad and across parts of South America, Pseudis paradoxa tadpoles are around three to four times the size of their own parents. In other words, this bizarre species actually gets smaller as it ‘grows up’.
46. Deadly dart frogs make perfect parents Reticulated poison dart frogs (Ranitomeya ventrimaculata) are some of the most dedicated parents of the frog world. Aer standing guard over their eggs for several weeks, the adults will ‘piggyback’ their young from the forest floor up to the treetops to deposit them in the nooks of trees or in air plants like bromeliads.
47. Waterholding frogs dig the heat Litoria platycehala can endure surprisingly arid conditions in southern Australia by burrowing underground and exuding a mucus ‘cocoon’, which hardens to trap in the moisture it needs to survive. To conserve energy, it then enters a state of dormancy known as aestivation – a summer equivalent to hibernation, which animals use to avoid warm, dry weather. The frogs can remain several years in this state waiting patiently for the next rainfall, when they will emerge to breed. Females will lay spawn in a large, thin layer so that it has an adequate supply of oxygen.
48. Darwin dads have a frog in their throats
A er female Darwin’s frogs (Rhinoderma darwinii) have laid their eggs, their parental duties are over. But the single dads have found a way to ensure they’re not tied down by their offspring. They gulp down their close-to-hatching eggs, and store them in their vocal sac. This will serve as the tadpoles’ nursery until the juvenile frogs are ready to move out.
ABOVE The water-holding frog inhabits grasslands and swamps
BELOW Darwin’s frogs are named a er Charles Darwin, who discovered them in Chile in 1834
49. Reed frogs can gender hop Common reed frogs (Hyperolius viridiflavus) from Africa are one of a few species which have been observed to change sexes – in this case, from female to male. There are several possible evolutionary explanations for this gender reversal, including compensating for a shortage of males in a given area, or increasing the average life span (young males have a higher mortality rate than females, so it makes sense to remain female for as long as possible).
50. Titicaca frogs are never short of breath Seldom venturing onto land, the critically endangered Titicaca water frog (Telmatobius coleus) is considered to be the largest truly aquatic frog in the world. Its unique physiology means it can stay submerged indefinitely, even with the thin air at Lake Titicaca’s high altitudes, circa 3,800 metres (12,500 feet). Its baggy skin may not do much for its looks, but the increased body surface area enables it to take in substantially more oxygen from the water. A high count of red blood cells also makes its respiratory system super-efficient.
RIGHT The Titiaca frog is adapted for a life underwater
© FLPA; Dreamstime; Corbis; Alamy; Nature PL; Karthickbala
42. New tree frogs are prickly by nature
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Interview with a…
Marine scientist
A biological oceanographer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Stace Beaulieu specialises in the mysterious animals of the deep sea What different habitats can be found in the deep ocean? The deep ocean is a vast, dark, cold habitat with an average depth of four kilometres (2.5 miles). Most of the seabed is covered in soft sediments but there are also underwater mountains called seamounts and long ridges, associated with volcanic activity along Earth’s plate boundaries. Hydrothermal vents are relatively small and distinct habitats can be found along these ridges. What are hydrothermal vents, and what lives there? ’Hydrothermal’ refers to the hot water spewing into the deep cold sea. Hydrothermal vents can reach temperatures over 350 degrees Celsius (660 degrees Fahrenheit)! Importantly, microbes are able to use the venting fluids as a source of energy. This allows for lush, dense communities to thrive in the dark, food-limited deep sea. The species that we find are unique to deep-sea vents and often have unique adaptations, such as the tube worm Riftia pachyptila. How does life survive at such depths? Interestingly, because most of the body tissue of animals is water, pressure is not the greatest challenge. Access to food and mates is not challenging at deep-sea vents as food is produced here and animals are densely packed together. A bigger challenge is maintenance of populations. Sometimes the vents shut off, and when that happens, for a population to persist, another vent habitat must be colonised. What techniques do you use to study the life this far down? Working in the deep sea is like working in inner space. Techniques for studying deep-
“A massive community of tube worms came into view in front of us” 38
sea life range from cabled instruments lowered or towed from a research vessel, to tethered or autonomous robots, to human-occupied vehicles (HOVs). There are also autonomous platforms called ‘landers’ that can be deployed for longer studies, with bait and time-lapse cameras. What is the most shocking thing that you have found at the bottom of the sea? In 2005, I had an amazing opportunity to dive in the HOV Alvin to hydrothermal vents at the Galapagos Rift. The mission was to relocate and sample the Garden of Eden vent, the first deep-sea hydrothermal vent discovered in 1977. The HOV Alvin has three passengers and many external lights and cameras, but still, it is difficult to see more than five to ten metres (16.4 to 32.8 inches) away from the vehicle. We followed a fissure, essentially a big crack at the sea floor, and then started seeing some crabs, which indicated that we were nearing a hydrothermal vent field. Then out my viewport, I caught a glimpse of something white against the dark volcanic basalt. It was the most exciting and rewarding moment when the pilot slowly and carefully turned Alvin, and the large white tubes and red plumes of a massive community of tube worms came into view in front of us.
How to begin your marine science career Stace says the best thing about her job can be summed up in a single word: “Discovery. Sometimes, when I am examining a sample or looking at photographs from the deep sea, I am excited to find an animal that I have never seen before,” she tells us. “And a couple of times in my career, I have found an animal that no one has ever seen before.” If you’re keen to get a slice of the action for yourself, Stace has this advice: “For aspiring marine scientists, I recommend a strong background in maths and sciences, but also writing and communication skills are important. I personally learnt a lot about the research process by participating in science fairs in school. Today, there are also opportunities to get involved in citizen science in your local community.”
Shrimp at a hydrothermal field on the Mid-Cayman Rise
Check out www.whoi.edu for more info about the amazing research being carried out at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Scientists tested the upgraded Alvin’s new capabilities on a cruise in the Gulf of Mexico in March 2014
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Atlantic puffin
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All about the
Atlantic puffin
Affectionately known as the ‘clowns of the sea’, these little orangebeaked puffins are icons of the North Atlantic coastlines Words Laura Mears
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Atlantic puffin
Life at sea Atlantic puffins spend most of their lives out on the waves Atlantic puffins are usually spotted on steep, inaccessible clifftops during the spring and summer when they come ashore to breed, but these vast colonies don’t remain together for long. Puffins are seabirds, and spend most of their time out on the Atlantic Ocean. During the winter, the puffins spread far and wide across the North Atlantic, landing on shores miles from their breeding grounds. Using a combination of swimming, flying and floating, they are able to survive far away from the coast. Tracking the birds after they disperse is challenging, so we know relatively little about their behaviour during this time, but they are well suited to their ocean environment. The puffins preen their feathers often, coating themselves in water-repelling oil, and their rounded bodies float easily on the surface of the water. They are adapted for swimming, and are exceptional underwater hunters, diving to depths of up to 60 metres (196 feet) in search of fish. The puffins fly underwater, using their powerful wings to streak through the ocean in search of food. They use their webbed feet as rudders, and are able to scoop up dozens of fish in their beaks before returning to the surface for air.
With their black and white colouring, puffins look a bit like penguins, but the similarities don’t end there. Puffins play a similar ecological role in the Northern Hemisphere to that of penguins in the Southern Hemisphere, both spending their time out at sea catching fish and returning to land to breed, often mating for life. However, a key difference sets the birds apart; unlike penguins, which cannot fly, puffins are smaller and more compact, allowing them to get airborne. Their stocky bodies and short wings make them clumsy in the air, but by rapidly beating their wings, Atlantic puffins can fly at speeds of 88 kilometres (55 miles) per hour. For a short period each year, Atlantic puffins become flightless. After the breeding season ends, the birds molt in preparation for the winter, beginning with their beaks and face, and followed by their primary and secondary flight feathers. Not much is known about this process in Atlantic puffins, but their close relatives, tufted puffins, become flightless for around a month while they wait for their new feathers to grow in. At this point, the puffins will be at the mercy of the sea, and particularly vulnerable to storms, oil slicks and water pollution.
Using their beaks and feet, Atlantic puffins build burrows where they will lay and incubate eggs
Most of our knowledge of sea turtles comes from egg-laying females and their hatchlings
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A puffin’s life With strong wings adapted to flight both above and below water, puffins are well equipped for a life at sea Fast flight
Atlantic puffins beat their wings around 400 times every minute, and can move quickly through the air.
Returning to the nest
When hunting for themselves, puffins will eat underwater, but when caring for young chicks they will carry fish back to the nest in their beaks.
Tricky take-off
Atlantic puffins are strong swimmers, but they are less agile in the air. To take flight from the sea, they need to run along the surface using their webbed feet.
Floating on the sea Puffins are ‘pelagic’ during the winter, spending all of their time out on the sea, floating on the surface, flying above, or diving below.
Flying underwater
The puffins’ wings are adapted for use both in and out of the water. Penguins, on the other hand, can only ‘fly’ in the sea.
Built-in waterproofing
Atlantic puffins spend their adult lives floating out on the ocean, and are protected from the chilly water by layers of waterproof feathers.
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Atlantic puffin
Colonies on the cliffside During the breeding season, large colonies of puffins get together to make their nests along the coastline The distinctive orange beak of the Atlantic puffin really comes into its own during the breeding season, with an unusual courtship display known as ‘billing’. In the winter, puffin bills are relatively muted in colour, but as the spring approaches, bright orange, yellow and blue plates start to grow, and the bill becomes larger and more prominent. Puffin courtship actually begins out on the water, and by the time the birds make it to shore they have usually chosen a mate. Once on land, the pairs start billing; rapidly tapping their beaks together in the puffin version of a kiss. This can attract the attention of other puffins in the colony, and it is not uncommon for nearby neighbours to try and join in. Puffins are normally quiet birds, but when they get together they can be very noisy. They
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call loudly to one another above ground, and under the cover of their burrows they make a low-pitched buzzing noise. In all the excitement, there can also be some conflict between the birds, beginning with aggressive posturing, and escalating to beak-to-beak wrestling. The puffins like to dig down into the ground to make their nests, constructing a safe burrow in which to hide a single egg each year. Raising a puffin chick, known as a puffling, is a full time job for both parents, and ensuring that the young bird is safe while the parents are out searching for fish is vital. Ideal chick-raising locations include offshore islands, rocky cliff edges and grassy slopes, where the number of predators on the ground is low. Many pairs mate for life, and will use the same nest site time and time again. Both
adults share parenting duties, but the tasks aren’t quite distributed evenly. The male is often more involved in nest building and defending the burrow, while the female takes more responsibility for incubating the egg and feeding the chick. The adults leave their young in the safety of the burrow during the day while they go out to hunt. The colony moves together, making it harder for predators in the air to single out individuals, and they bring back mouthfuls of oily fish to feed to their young. Around the British Isles, the birds mostly catch sand eels, but they are also fond of sprats and herring. When the pufflings are around six weeks old, the adult puffins return to the sea. They abandon their chicks, leaving them to fend for themselves until they are ready to fly.
Adult puffin
During the breeding season, the adult puffins are easily recognisable thanks to their brightly coloured beaks and feet. Both parents are involved in raising the chick.
Part of the colony
Lots of pairs of puffins gather together to nest and raise their chicks, taking advantage of safety in numbers.
Burrow entrance
While the adults are away hunting for small fish, the young chicks hide in burrows dug into the ground at the breeding site. Colonies can sometimes appear completely deserted.
Fattening up
The survival of the pufflings depends on the availability of small oily fish in the surrounding coastal waters. The adults take it in turns to hunt.
Puffling
Young puffins are known as pufflings. When they first hatch they are covered in fuzzy blackgrey down, and they gradually develop the distinctive colouring of their parents.
“The colony moves together, making it harder for predators in the air to single out individuals”
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Atlantic puffin
Inside the Atlantic puffin
Mandible
Oesophagus
The distinctive feet and beaks of Atlantic puffins have earned them nicknames like ‘sea clowns’ and ‘sea parrots’, but beneath their colourful exterior is some incredible anatomy
Trachea
Lung
ATLANTIC PUFFIN Fratercula arctica Class Aves
Territory North Atlantic Ocean Diet Fish Lifespan 20 years Adult weight 500g (18oz) Conservation status
Spined bill
VULNERABLE
The puffins’ bright beaks don’t last for long Puffins use their bright, oversized beaks in courtship and to construct their nests. When they are away from the coastlines during the winter, they have no need for such prominent headgear and shed the blue-yellow plates. The bill becomes smaller and duller, with just a hint of orange at the tip. The feathers on the face also darken to grey.
Using its tongue as a clamp, an Atlantic puffin can catch several fish at a time, pinning them against backwardsfacing spines inside its beak.
Sternum
Puffins have a large breastbone, providing a solid anchor point for the powerful muscles that move the wings. These muscles pull the puffin through the water when it dives.
Wing muscles
Before molt
Puffin wing muscles contain slow-twitch fibres, which are good for endurance.
Webbed feet
Atlantic puffins spend most of their time at sea, using their webbed feet to steer as they dive underwater.
After molt
JUVENILE
INFANCY Egg laid Atlantic puffins burrow into the ground to create a deep nest, and lay just one egg inside.
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Hatching out 0 days The male and female puffin take it in turns to incubate the egg under their wings until it is ready to hatch.
Getting fat 0-6 weeks For the first few weeks, the adult puffins bring small fish back to the nest for their growing chick.
Left alone 6 weeks Aer around six weeks, the adult puffins leave their chick and return to the sea.
MATURITY Fledging 6-7 weeks The chick remains on the cliffs for around a week before it is ready to fly.
Sexual maturity 3-6 years Atlantic puffins spend several years at sea before they reach breeding age.
First nest 6 years onwards Pairs of puffins can choose to reuse an old nest, or to build a new one from scratch.
Triangular bill
Stocky body
The puffin’s bill is one of its most recognisable features. In the winter it is smaller and mostly blueish grey, but during the breeding season it is covered in bright plates.
Atlantic puffins are short in the body, and rounded in shape, with layers of insulating fat to keep them warm as they dive in and out of the sea.
Eye ring
Scapula (shoulder blade)
Atlantic puffins have distinctive colouration around their eyes, with a black triangular mark above and a red-orange ring around the eye itself.
White cheeks
During the summer, Atlantic puffins have white cheeks, emphasising their colourful beaks, but in the winter the feathers turn grey.
Shedding feathers
A puffin’s wings will molt between breeding seasons. Until the feathers grow back, the bird is unable to fly.
Short wings
Puffin wings are adapted for use underwater, but they can still fly at speeds of up to 88km/h (55mph).
Primary feathers
The first feathers to be lost are the primaries at the tips of the wings (shown in red). These provide thrust during flight.
Secondary feathers
Closest family
Two or three weeks later, the secondary feathers (shown in blue) are shed. These provide lift during flight.
Closely related to the Atlantic puffin are…
Intestine
Mate for life 6 years onwards Atlantic puffins mate for life, returning to the same breeding grounds year aer year to raise their young.
Old age 20-30 years Atlantic puffins live for a long time, some reaching into their 20s or 30s.
Horned puffin Horned puffins are found in Alaska and are named for the distinctive ‘horn’ above each eye. They look similar to Atlantic puffins, but have a different approach to breeding, making their nests on the rocks instead of burrowing.
Tufted puffin There are thought to be around 3.5 million tued puffins living in and around the North Pacific Ocean. They are similar in appearance and lifestyle to Atlantic puffins, but can be distinguished by the yellow tus on their heads.
Rhinoceros auklet These dark grey seabirds are named aer the horn at the base of their bill, but its function is unknown. They live in the North Pacific Ocean, and feed their young under cover of darkness, to avoid detection by predators.
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Atlantic puffin
Tied to the ocean Puffins depend on a supply of small, oily fish for survival Atlantic puffins live in and around the vast, choppy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, perching on wave-battered rocks and nesting on offshore islands. They spend the majority of their lives out at sea, and relatively little is known about where they go or what they eat when they are away from land. More than 90 per cent of the Atlantic puffins in the world live in Europe, and of those, around 80 per cent return to Iceland and Norway to breed. These puffin strongholds used to be home to thriving colonies, but over the last 15 years the populations have been declining. There are thought to be roughly five million breeding pairs of Atlantic puffins left in the wild, but according to the IUCN, numbers could decrease by half before 2065. In some places the birds have failed to breed year after year, and juvenile numbers have fallen dramatically.
Environmental factors
Atlantic puffins rely on the ocean for survival; puffin pairs lay just one egg each year, and raising the chick requires a steady supply of high-energy food in the form of small, oily fish like sand eels and sprats. The birds return to the same breeding areas every year, and can’t just move to new nesting sites when food is scarce, so changes in the local waters can hit colonies hard. Climate change and overfishing are changing the balance of species in the waters. For instance, even though sand eels (which are key prey species for puffins) aren’t eaten by humans, we are increasingly harvesting them for use in agriculture and fish oil products. In some places, the size of the small fish in the waters surrounding puffin territories has been decreasing over the last decades, meaning that the adults have to spend longer at sea to catch
Atlantic puffins depend on their ocean habitat for survival Climate change Changes in water temperature have altered the types of fish living near to puffin colonies. In some areas their normal food has le, and in others larger fish have moved in. Predators Large colonies of puffins are a tempting food source for predators. Species brought to isolated island shores by humans (like cats, rats and mink) can pose a serious threat. Breeding failure Since 2003, some puffin colonies in Europe have been repeatedly failing. Adults are abandoning their eggs, chicks are malnourished, and only a few juveniles make it out to sea. Human activity In some areas, breeding puffins have to compete for space with livestock, farmland and tourists. In Iceland, puffins are also hunted for meat and are a traditional delicacy.
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enough for their chicks. In other areas, larger fish have moved in and displaced the smaller ones, leaving little for the puffins to eat. Adult Atlantic puffins are also struggling out at sea. Much less is known about their feeding habits away from the shore, but the birds dive to catch their prey and are vulnerable to changes in the water. Puffins sometimes get caught up in gill nets hanging beneath the surface, and they are particularly affected by oil spills and water pollution. There are still millions of Atlantic puffins left, but they are living in a precarious environment. Puffin conservation scientists have started tagging the birds to find out where they go during the winter, and are coordinating with oceanographers and marine biologists to find out what is happening in the waters that might be contributing to their decline.
With their brightly coloured beaks stuffed full of fish, it is easy to see why Atlantic puffins have won the hearts of birdwatchers and cliff walkers across their territory, but despite their obvious likeability, they have a tense relationship with humans. Over half of the Atlantic puffin population live in Iceland, where hunting the birds for meat, skins, down and eggs has been a tradition for over 1,000 years. They are part of the local cuisine and culture, and despite the decline in their numbers, are still captured and killed during the annual hunting season. Traditionally, puffins are caught in nets; the hunters grab them as they fly beneath the cliffs, capturing mainly inexperienced juveniles. The breeding adults are much less likely to be caught, helping to prevent the hungry chicks being orphaned. In 2011 and 2012, puffin hunting was temporarily banned in the Westman Islands. In subsequent years the hunting season has been limited to just a few days. However, hunting doesn’t seem to be the root cause of the problem. It was actually hunters that first called attention to the drop in puffin numbers, and by looking back at hunting records, scientists linked the decline to changing sea temperatures. The puffins’ favourite fish are moving to colder waters, but the birds aren’t able to follow, leaving some chicks without enough food to survive.
Nearest neighbours Out on the ocean, Atlantic puffins are joined by plenty of bird and marine species
Fulmar These birds look like seagulls, but are more closely related to storm petrels and albatrosses. Like puffins, they feed far out at sea, diving below the waves to catch fish, jellyfish and squid.
Guillemot Another species of seabird, guillemots gather together in their tens of thousands to breed on the shores of the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. They like to nest on cliffs, out of the way of predatory mammals.
Pilot whale Pilot whales are related to orcas and dolphins, and are highly intelligent. They don’t have many teeth compared to their close relatives, and feed mainly on so
squid, hunting in teams to maximise their catch.
Sand eel Sand eels are an Atlantic puffin’s favourite food. There are lots of different species, and they tend to be found in the waters close to the shore, making them an ideal food source for chicks in nearby nests.
© Thinkstock; The Art Agency/Peter Scott; Nature PL; Rex Features; Dreamstime; Alamy
Atlantic puffins and humans
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Top 5 life-saving wildlife technologies As technology has advanced, it has become an essential part of animal conservation. Animal science ranges from monitoring critter numbers to restoring their DNA, and even everyday technology has become a crucial part of conservation. Organisations are increasingly using citizen science, where members of the public collect their own data, before pooling it all
together. For example, whale populations in UK waters are monitored by GPS devices in the hands of the general public. Accurately recording the location of whale sightings builds up a picture of which areas should be protected, thereby keeping whales safe. There are apps, toys and even objects in space that can be used to protect wildlife, giving all people the power to make a difference.
The Android app cracking down on the illegal pet trade Around half of the planet’s population owns a smartphone these days, and now the public can join the fight against wildlife crime. The WildScan app allows anyone that suspects an animal for sale or on the street has been taken from the wild, to report it to the authorities. Users can answer questions about the animal’s colour, size and species and even upload a photo of the animal in question to identify it. The illegal pet trade targets animals for their rarity and economic value, ranging from chimpanzees to black cockatoos. WildScan is a free app available in English, Thai and Vietnamese, and it means reporting a wildlife crime has never been so simple.
Infrared technology Numbers of sage grouse have been declining in their North American habitats since the 1990s. As part of the conservation effort to save these chicken-sized birds, it is important to keep an accurate count of them. Using a device that emits infrared light, small changes in temperature can be detected across an environment. Researchers fly a plane over the habitat to capture an aerial view, and the birds show up as coloured blobs. The GPS location is noted and the process is repeated later in the season to make sure the numbers are accurate. This technology allows conservationists to target the areas where they can most benefit the grouse.
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Wildlife technology
Unmanned aerial vehicles weighing whales The flying machine craze has swept the globe and animal researchers are making the most of this new technology. Elusive species that are difficult to observe – such as the giant mammals of the sea – can now be closely monitored. Drones can record video footage of whales, help determine how much they weigh and even collect samples of their breath. Scientists are now able to
record data over long periods of time and discover how the animals are affected by their environment. Whales aren’t the only animals benefiting from the surge of drones; the Kashmir World Foundation runs workshops and competitions to find new and creative ways of using the technology to save wildlife, from counting snow leopards to protecting rhinos from poaching.
Hubble telescope watches whale sharks
DNA tags identify struggling fish populations
Classed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, the filter-feeding whale shark needs protection. The markings on the world’s largest fish are unique to each animal, and scientists can track the lives of each shark if they can establish the identity of individual fish. The software that controls the space-based telescope can detect patterns in stars and galaxies, and the algorithm it uses can be applied to whale sharks. The pattern-matching ability of the software picks out individual spotted markings, allowing scientists to differentiate between animals that look identical at first glance. Each animal can be virtually tagged without the slightest disruption to their tranquil swimming, allowing the scientists that study their movements to learn more about the species.
Tiny segments of genetic material, known as molecular markers, are used to identify sequences of DNA in a pool of unknown genes. The molecular markers can be used to identify species and test genetic variation in groups of animals. If an animal population gets too small, its gene pool becomes less diverse, and many of the remaining
© Thinkstock; FLPA
individuals will be related. This can be dangerous because beneficial traits, such as resistance to certain diseases, can be lost. Molecular markers are especially helpful in the fishing industry to discover how genetically diverse a population is. This can determine the areas in which fish species are struggling, helping to avoid overfishing.
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CLEARLY BEAUTIFUL Some animals don’t need a cloak of invisibility to stay hidden. From see-through skin to translucent torsos, take a look at some of the world’s most transparent creatures Words Naomi Harding
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Clearly beautiful The otherworldly shrimp that just sit and wait Tiny ghost shrimp are particularly vulnerable to predation from wading birds, waterfowl, and some species of fish as they hide away at the bottom of freshwater ponds, lakes, and streams. Their transparent bodies mean they can stay well camouflaged and blend into their surroundings as long as they keep perfectly still, which they do during the day. At night time they come alive, emerging from the vegetation and foraging for plankton.
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Clearly beautiful It’s easy to tell what this frog had for lunch Found in Ecuador, this small glass frog has translucent skin, with its internal organs clearly visible from underneath. It’s possible to see the frog’s beating heart, liver, and intestines. There are 140 species of glass frog found throughout South America. It’s thought that they may have evolved this unusual trait for camouflage, but experts are still not sure.
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Clearly beautiful These beautiful butterflies have an amazing secret The ability to see colour and objects is dependent on the amount of light reflected from a given surface. However, the glasswing butterfly has found a way around that. Their wings have a completely random arrangement of nanostructures, meaning light can pass straight through the wing without being reflected. Almost like a cloak of invisibility, the butterflies are able to stay undetected by birds when in flight.
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Clearly beautiful The ghostly vertebrates with no backbone Salps are mysterious, gelatinous creatures that have been described as ‘balls of goo’. They are actually barrelshaped animals that propel themselves through the oceans by contracting their bodies. Although they look like jellyfish they are more closely related to humans. Labelled as vertebrates, juveniles have a spinal cord that disintegrates with age. The spiral is produced by chains of adults forming colonies.
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Clearly beautiful
Sea angels are effectively shell-less snails that have developed ‘wings’ to help them dart around catching prey, using their transparency to ambush other sea slugs and snails. When they aren’t chasing their next meal, they float effortlessly through the icy Arctic ocean. The largest sea angels only grow up to 8.5 centimetres (3.3 inches).
© Nature PL; Getty; FLPA
The colourless cunning predators of the ocean
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Wildlife of the Alps
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Wildlife of the Alps The largest mountain range in Europe is an unforgiving environment that has led to astounding adaptations in the animals that call it home Words Naomi Harding
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Wildlife of the Alps
The hills are alive The beautiful snow and ice-capped mountains of the Alps are home to countless amazing animals
Osprey
Chaffinch
Cattle
Red deer The red deer is the larger of the alpine species and a far cry from the usual shy deer. They are muscular and stout, and perfectly adapted to their habitat. Built for speed, they have strong, slender, agile legs allowing them to traverse steep terrain and evade predation.
Ibex The ibex is a breed of wild goat that lives above the treeline. The uneven landscape is no match for these skilled climbers. Their long, muscular legs make them agile, while strong hooves stop them slipping.
Marmot Part of the squirrel family, these large rodents are talented diggers. They are also fairly intelligent and will create complex burrows that are expanded by each generation. They can be heard whistling to each other as a means of communication.
Mountain hare
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Wildlife of the Alps
Golden eagle Golden eagles leave their nests in the tall trees and cliff edges to circle high above the mountains, looking for mammals and other birds to feed on. They have even been known to take on adult chamois. As they are too heavy to carry away, they cunningly kill the chamois by pushing them over cliff edges.
Chamois The chamois is almost the perfect mix of goat and antelope, making it highly adapted to life in the mountains, with the ability to roam over uneven ground and sprint with agility. They spend most of their time grazing on leaves from the alpine meadows.
Roe deer One of the smaller deer species, roe deer are far more cautious than their red deer cousins. When they are frightened they can be seen puffing up their hair, making them appear larger in size, and making a barking sound to try and scare off predators.
Alpine plants
These hardy flora species can thrive at high altitudes Edelweiss The edelweiss is perhaps one of the most iconic alpine flowers. Aer the release of The Sound of Music, it almost went extinct because of tourists picking it. It has a mutualistic relationship with muscidae flies; the flies drink the flower’s nectar and in return, pollinate the plant. Alpine milkvetch The purple and white alpine milkvetch is a favourite snack for marmots. The plant is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which help the marmots to build up essential fat stores that will sustain them through the winter, when they settle down to hibernate from October to April.
Black grouse The black grouse eats a varied diet, foraging in the grasses for bilberries, cranberries, buds and catkins. Males are black with red wattles, while females are more neutral in colour. The birds engage in unusual mating rituals called lekking, where males make noise and put on a show to attract females.
Arnica montana Arnica is used in lots of modern homeopathic remedies for its pain relieving properties. Folklore has it, the plant was used as a treatment aer people of the Alps noticed mountain goats were eating arnica and rolling around in it aer injury as a method of self-medication.
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Wildlife of the Alps
The Alps under threat The alpine mountains are under threat from all angles. Humans are having an impact on the Alps due to an expansion of urban areas. With the rise of urbanisation comes an increased need for connective road and rail networks, contributing to noise, light, and air pollution. All of these can disrupt animals and fragment their habitat, damaging their long-term survival and reproductive success. The mountain range is filled with thousands of glaciers – large expanses of ice that move very slowly downhill. The largest of these glaciers are found at the highest elevations, with smaller ones scattered throughout. They have been monitored over several years using aerial photography and are all receding at an unprecedented rate. As the Earth’s climate changes and the global temperature increases, the future of the Alps will come under threat. If the glaciers melt, it will cause flooding on a large scale and destruction of many animals’ mountain habitats. Additionally, as the climate has been warming, scientists have noted that plants have been shifting their range to further up the mountains. They are gradually growing in higher and colder ground in an effort to keep their surroundings at an optimum constant temperature; this means that the animals depending on these plants also have to move to higher elevations to survive, pushing them into even more extreme environments.
“If the glaciers melt, it will cause flooding and destruction of many animals’ mountain habitat”
Six stars of the Alps The mountainous habitat is an unlikely refuge for a wide range of species. Meet some of the animals dependent on the Alps for survival
Mouflon
The mouflon is a striking species of wild sheep. They are wary creatures that keep their distance, so you probably won’t see one up close. They are thought to be the ancestors of modern sheep, but unlike the familiar farm animals, the males have long horns compressed into a spiral shape.
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Eurasian lynx
The lynx was declared extinct from the area until the early 1970s, when reintroduction programmes began in France and Switzerland. Since then, lynx populations have grown and their range has increased. The cats’ powerful legs are adapted for leaping over large distances.
Grey wolf
The grey wolf was once widespread throughout the Alps but extensive hunting brought them to the brink of localised extinction in the 1930s. However, numbers are now increasing. The wolves are skilled hunters, with a sense of smell 100 times more sensitive than a human’s.
Saving the Alps
Sergio Savoia is the programme director of the European Alpine Programme, the conservation initiative from the WWF to safeguard the landscape and the animals living there Why are the Alps so special? The Alps are one of the last strongholds of nature in Europe. Dynamic natural processes continuously reshape the landscape and are the driving force for biological diversity. Of about 4,500 vascular plant species in the Alps, nearly eight per cent are endemic, occurring in the Alps and nowhere else in the world. The exact number of animal species in the Alps is unknown, but estimates place that number at about 30,000. What are the major threats to the wildlife? Along with urban sprawl and unsustainable tourism, global warming is probably the most severe threat to alpine biodiversity. Climate change impacts mountain areas particularly hard. Changes in rain and snowfall patterns are predicted, with an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme events, such as floods and avalanches. What is the WWF European Alpine Programme doing to help? We conduct field projects in all alpine countries, currently focusing on freshwater issues (the Alps provide countries such as France, Italy, and Germany with drinking water and hydroelectric power) and large carnivores, along with ecological connectivity projects, aimed at countering the impact of climate change on biodiversity by making it easier for species to migrate. How will the landscape of the Alps have changed in 50 years? It is hard to say. I would imagine that valley floors will continue to be increasingly urbanised, while higher altitudes will see an increase in afforestation and abandonment of traditional agriculture. On the other hand, it is difficult to predict what changes global warming will cause. Glaciers will likely disappear, water supplies will be less reliable –a strategic problem for the concerned countries.
Bearded vulture
The bearded vulture is the largest bird found in any region of the Alps. It has distinctive colouration and black markings covering its eyes. The only animal in the world that feeds almost entirely on bone, it drops bones from a great height to break them into bite-sized pieces.
Mountain hare
They may look like our fluffy domesticated rabbit friends, but these animals are well adapted to the cold, harsh environment found further up the mountains. They are truly at home amongst the snow and ice with a thick fur coat to keep them warm and preserve body heat.
Alpine salamander
This small, glossy salamander is relatively long lived for its tiny size, and has a very small home range. They live for at least ten years and once they’ve found their favourite spot on the mountain they barely move at all, travelling no more than 12 metres (39 feet) in search of food.
© Alamy; Sol90; Dreamstime; Thinkstock; Daniel Schwen; Isidre Blanc; Jörg Hempel; Getty
What can ordinary people do to help? They can pressure decision makers at all levels so that the fragile alpine environment is taken into due account. They can also change some personal behaviours: use less private transportation, choose sustainable tourism and educate our children..
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L Pinta Island tortoise OST FOREV ER
Chink in the armour Although heavily protected around most of its body, the Pinta Island tortoise had a saddleback shell that le its neck exposed.
Santa Cruz Island
Heavyweight Weighing the equivalent of several adult male humans, these Galapagos tortoises benefited from gigantism by being able to float for long distances between islands and were able to survive extreme temperatures without difficulty.
Slowcoach Growing throughout their entire lives, the tortoises had very slow metabolisms and most commonly died of disease and injury rather than old age.
“Tortoises were a viable source of food for long, oceanic journeys”
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have been relatively easy for this subspecies until the arrival of intrepid whalers and hunters in the 17th century. Weighing up to 250 kilograms (551 pounds) each and simple to catch (if not to carry), Pinta Island tortoises were a viable source of food for long, oceanic journeys. Moreover, their slow metabolism meant they could survive up to a year without food or water, making them a good source of fresh meat, too. Anything from a few hundred to over a thousand could be taken away in large vessels and they made good ballast, easily dumped overboard during naval confrontations. Back on the island, competition for grasses and vegetation from voracious non-native herbivores like goats and pigs, introduced for local human inhabitants, piled on the survival pressure. By the late 19th century, the Pinta Island tortoise population was in a freefall it would not recover from.
Last seen…
Date: 24 June 2012 Location: Santa Cruz Island
Although the subspecies was thought to have died out in 1906, a Hungarian scientist studying molluscs spotted an adult male tortoise on Pinta Island in 1971. It was moved to the Charles Darwin Research Station on nearby Santa Cruz Island for its safety in 1972 and was named ‘Lonesome George’. Attempts were made to mate George with females of another subspecies but although eggs were laid, none of them hatched. Sadly, Lonesome George lived out the last 40 years of his life in captivity, surviving to an age estimated to be over 100 years. He died of heart failure in 2012 and during his last years was known as the rarest creature in the world.
© freevectormaps.com; Alan Batley
When Charles Darwin stopped off at the Galapagos Islands in September 1835 on his famous Voyage of the Beagle, he was awed by the diversity of life. In his field journal and memoirs he frequently talks about the giant tortoises, their complete lack of fear of humans and how hunting had put a dent in the population. “In the woods there are many wild pigs and goats,” he wrote, “but the staple article of animal food is supplied by the tortoises. Their numbers have, of course, been greatly reduced on this island… It is said that single vessels have taken away as many as 700...” Pinta Island tortoises, along with the other giant shelled reptiles of the Galapagos Islands, were the biggest in the world. Their size and armoured shell meant the adults had no natural predators. They ate mostly grasses, cacti and native fruit, and drank large quantities of water that they then stored in their shell during drought. Life must
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Explore the Earth
EXOTIC INDIA Alive with colour and culture, India is a country like no other – and thanks to renewed conservation efforts, the same can still be said about its enchanting wildlife Words Alex Dale
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Exotic India Travel expert
Asian elephant
Allan Blanchard is the owner and managing director of Wildlife Trails India is the most exciting and rewarding wildlife safari location in Asia. We at Wildlife Trails have travelled to India on safari more than 20 times since 1997 and pride ourselves on our meticulous research and custom safaris, where you have the chance to see India’s Big Five: the tiger, leopard, lion, sloth bear and rhino. Travel to the 12th century ruins of Ranthambore Fort in Rajasthan to watch tigers walking through the ruins of former palaces and temples, then head southwest to the dry, sun-bleached forests of Sasan Gir in Gujarat, where you have the chance to see the last Asiatic lions in the world. From here take a flight to the centre of India and visit prime sloth bear habitat in Pench National Park.
As well as their location, Asian elephants are distinguished from African elephants by their smaller, rounded ears. These greedy herbivores travel in herds, roaming large distances in their quest for fruit, grass and bark.
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Dhole
India is famous for its big cats, but the Central Highlands are also home to this pack-hunting wild canine. The dhole (pronounced ‘dole’) is endangered as a result of habitat loss and diseases transmitted from stray domestic dogs.
2 3
Chital
These spotted deer are a favourite snack for many predators, so they travel in large groups, sometimes numbering into the hundreds. They are often found under trees in which grey langur monkeys are feeding, feasting on dropped leftovers. Map key 1 Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand 2 Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan 3 Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh 4 Kaziranga National Park, Assam 5 Periyar National Park, Kerala
What you need to know When to go
Generally, aim to go between November and March, or April and November if you’re heading to the mountains. Many national parks are closed from July to October.
Indian cobra
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‘Charmed’ by many an Indian street performer, the cobra is actually responding to the charmer as a threat, by raising its front quarter off the ground and flattening its neck into a hood to appear bigger.
Gaur
The gaur, or Indian bison, is the largest member of the bovine family alive today, with some individuals standing over two metres (6.6 feet) tall. Most gaur herds in India are concentrated in a few forest reserves in the south of the country.
How to get there
The cheapest flights land in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai, which are good launch pads for onward travel. UK residents must apply for a visa before travelling.
What the weather will do
Avoid March to May, when it is stiflingly hot. June to August is monsoon season, and downpours are unpredictable. December to January is pleasantly temperate.
What to take
Stock up on sunscreen and insect repellent, and check if you need antimalarial tablets. Bring plenty of socks, as shoes are banned in many buildings. Earplugs are useful too!
What you’ll see
Book-ended between frozen mountains and tropical ocean, India’s geographical diversity is enviable, and so is the range of wildlife waiting to be discovered within.
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Explore the Earth Indian delights
Taj Mahal Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his late wife, the impossibly opulent Taj Mahal is widely considered to be the world’s most stunning building.
Celebrate Diwali The ‘Festival of Lights’ is the biggest and most beautiful celebration on India’s festival-packed calendar. Delhi, Jaipur and Kolkata put on the most eye-catching displays.
The Golden Temple A major pilgrimage destination for Sikhs, this gilded place of worship, located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, opens its doors to people of all religions.
Mountain trekking Visit grand monasteries and learn about ancient Buddhist traditions by signing up for an organised mountain trek in Sikkim or Ladakh, two of India’s northernmost regions.
Holi festival In March, India becomes a riot of colour as friends, neighbours and strangers hurl paint powder at each other to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
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Enjoy elephants ethically in India’s oldest national park Elephants and Indian culture are as tightly entwined as the trunks of two pachyderms in love. These highly intelligent creatures feature heavily in Hindu mythology, where the elephantine head of the god Ganesha is said to represent wisdom. They have been a part of everyday life for people on the subcontinent for thousands of years, their power and endurance making them suited to a range of tasks once tamed, from transport to warfare. But while the chance to ride one of these majestic mammals has long been a draw for tourists, this practice is in decline. Awareness is growing of the mental and physical toll that living in captivity has on these sociable animals. Fortunately, there are still spots where you can observe wild elephants. Jim Corbett National Park, in the foothills of the Himalayas, is India’s oldest national park, and one of 14 ecosystems in the region linked by restored corridors of forest, which allow the elephants to follow their migratory instincts. An important thoroughfare on their route, the park hosts hundreds of elephants during the summer months of March to June. Jeep safaris can be arranged from the town of Ramnagar, connected to Delhi by bus.
Exotic India
Step into the pages of the real-life Jungle Book The teak woodlands and sweltering jungle streams of Madhya Pradesh are famous for being the setting of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. Sure enough, the region’s national parks teem with the descendants of the villainous Shere Khan. The reserves in Kanha and Bandhavgarh have some of the highest densities of Bengal tiger you’ll find anywhere in the world. Sloth bears resembling Baloo also live out reclusive lives in the Indian forest. The scruffy animals are more dynamic than their name suggests – they are willing to pierce rock-hard termite mounds with their claws or scale trees to knock down bee nests in their search for food. Sadly, the black panther, characterised by the cunning Bagheera, can no longer be found in the region. Actually a colour variant of the leopard, panthers are now largely restricted to southern and northeast India. If you fancy soaking up the sights and sounds of Kipling’s stories at a leisurely pace, head northwest to Satpura, the only national park in the region to offer a walking safari.
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Explore the Earth
On the prowl for India’s big cats From lake bottoms to treetops, you’ll have to look far and wide to track down India’s five fabulous felines
Bengal tiger India’s national animal and the second biggest cat in the world (behind only its Siberian cousin), the Bengal tiger is the region’s most fearsome predator. While its distinctive striped coat is unmistakable on the pages of a magazine, it makes for excellent camouflage in its natural grassland habitat, sneaking up on prey until they’re within pouncing range. An excellent swimmer, the Bengal tiger often lies in wait by waterholes. They have been known to feed on water buffalo, oxen and even young elephants and rhinos. Because of their elusive, nocturnal nature, spotting a tiger in the wild is a matter of perseverance. It may take repeat visits before you get lucky. The compact Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, which has one tiger for every two square kilometres (0.7 square miles), offers the best odds. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan also has a good success rate, owing to the relative lack of cover. The latter also benefits from being easily accessible from both Delhi and Mumbai.
Asiatic lion Slightly smaller than its more wellknown African cousin, but no less noble for it, the Asiatic lion is one of the rarest cats in the world. Once found throughout the Middle East, habitat loss now restricts this subspecies to a single population of 500 in Gir Forest National Park in Gujurat. Although numbers are still worryingly low, this is a huge improvement over the dozen or so individuals alive at the turn of the 20th century. Jeep safaris run from midOctober to mid-June. Asiatic lions live in smaller prides than their African relatives, and the sexes generally live apart until it’s time to mate. A typical pride may consist of only two to five lionesses. Their unsociable nature is perhaps a result of the smaller prey available to them in the park; deer such as sambar and chital can easily be taken by individuals without the need to organise a group hunt.
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Birds of Bollywood
Indian leopard If you find yourself in an Indian forest, there’s a decent chance there’s a leopard lurking above you; these agile cats spend most of their time resting in the treetops. They also often bring kills up with them so they can feed undisturbed. Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka is a leopard hotspot; both jeep and boat safaris are available, and trained guides can help you to spot these beautiful creatures.
Indian peafowl
The male’s audacious courtship display has made this flightless bird one of the world’s most recognisable animals. It is oen found foraging in open forests.
Indian roller
The rollers, who are most closely related to the kingfisher family, are so named for their acrobatic midair courtship displays, which culminate with a series of impressive somersaults.
Snow leopard This stocky cat is specially adapted for life in the Himalayas, with its fur-covered feet acting like snow shoes. Its long tail gives it the balance needed to navigate steep rocks and is also used as a blanket when
Ring-necked parakeet the leopard is at rest. The big cats are rare across their range, but Hemis National Park in Ladakh, accessible by air, has the highest density of snow leopards of any protected area in the world.
ABOVE Snow leopards are usually solitary, only pairing for the breeding season
This bold and resilient bird thrives in any environment India can throw at it, from desert to woodland to inner cities. Highly adaptable, escaped pets have even formed colonies in London.
Clouded leopard Only distantly related to other leopards, the clouded leopard is considered the evolutionary missing link between big cats and wild cats. These elusive tree-dwellers are incredible climbers, with strong legs and ankles that enable them to scale down trees head first. The leopards are seen so rarely in the wild that much of their behaviour remains a mystery – this is certainly one for the ambitious cat-spotter. Namdapha National Park, in the remote state of Arunachal Pradesh, is a good place to start.
Sharp eyesight allows the clouded leopard to accurately judge distances
“Clouded leopards are incredible climbers, able to scale down trees head first”
Great hornbill
Native to the forests of Kerala, the great hornbill is distinguished by the yellow helmet or casque on top of the bird’s beak, which is believed to play a role in attracting mates.
Common myna
Famous in birdkeeper circles for its incredible ability to mimic human speech, this starling thrives in urban environments and is a common sight in Indian cities.
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Explore the Earth
Butt heads with the endangered Indian rhinoceros Distinguished from its African cousins by its small, single horn, the Indian rhinoceros was once widespread across the Indo-China region, but was almost hunted to extinction in the 1970s by poachers who coveted its horn for use in traditional Chinese medicine. Fortunately, conservation efforts in northeast India have been successful and the number of wild rhinos has rebounded to around 3,000, most of which are found in the protected marshlands of Kaziranga National Park. Here, these usually solitary mammals congregate in the midday heat to cool off in the lakes. Bird lovers heading on a rhino safari should also keep their eyes peeled for egrets, oxpeckers and mynas, who like to feed on horse flies and other insects on the rhino’s skin.
Sail the wildliferich waters of the world’s largest mangrove forest Beginning in the southwest corner of West Bengal and extending well into neighbouring Bangladesh, the mist-shrouded Sundarban (Bengali for ‘beautiful forest’) region is a wild, untamed oasis of swampland located in the middle of one of the most densely populated areas on the planet. The best way to explore its winding waterways is, of course, by boat. The 300 Bengal tigers prowling the area are the feature attraction, and your best chance of spotting one is to visit between November and February, where they can be seen sunbathing on the river banks. But there is plenty else to look out for as you float along, from macaque monkeys and chital to estuarine crocodiles and 250 species of bird.
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Exotic India
Safari so good Dress appropriately
Bring loose, comfortable garments in neutral colours. Some parks, such as Jim Corbett, can get cold in the mornings and evenings so pack layers. You can pack lightly though – most lodges have laundry services.
Cover your lenses
Jeeps kick up a surprising amount of dirt, which can scratch your binocular or camera lenses, so remember to bring protective covers.
Nature is unpredictable – you may not encounter tigers at all, and that’s not the guide’s fault. Go to appreciate the sights and sounds of nature at its rawest – anything else is a bonus!
Outback essentials
Nikon Coolpix P610
Bridge cameras like the Nikon Coolpix P610 are a good compromise if you’re torn between lightweight point-and-shoot cameras and the zoom functions of bulky DSLR models. £265 www.johnlewis.com
Celestron Granite 9x33 binoculars
You can go cheaper, but the Granite’s wide view range is ideal for scanning the grasslands – and getting undisturbed close-ups of India’s most brilliant beasts. £305 www.tringastro.co.uk
Rufiji Safari luggage range
This steady, neutral coloured range of compact bags comes with multiple easy-to-access exterior pockets, for essentials such as cameras, phones, insect repellent and wash wipes. From £35 www.thesafaristore.co.uk
Who to travel with Budget Responsible Travel
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Mid-range, affordable walking boots are waterproof, allow the feet to breathe and offer vital protection from nasties such as snakes and scorpions – remember to tuck your trouser legs in! From £65 www.karrimor.com
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© freevectormaps.com; Ken Wieland; Indrajit Das; Kalyan Varma; Thinkstock; Rex Features; Nature PL; Getty; Alamy; Dreamstime
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Conserving the pangolin MALAYAN PANGOLIN Manis javanica
Class Mammalia
Territory Southeast Asia Diet Ants and termites Lifespan Unknown Adult weight 7.5kg (16.5lb) Conservation status
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
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CONSERVING THE PANGOLIN These scaly, solitary, secretive animals have found themselves unfortunate victims of wildlife trade and are now one of the most trafficked animals on Earth Words Naomi Harding Covered in scales made of keratin, pangolins are curious little creatures. They scurry around the forest floors on a never-ending search for ants, consuming up to 23,000 of the insects per day – that’s more than seven million ants in a year. Although they’re commonly referred to as scaly anteaters and likened to armadillos, they actually have very little in common with either. The name pangolin comes from the Malay word ‘penggulung’ meaning roller, a nod to the animal’s defensive tactic of instantly curling into a ball when they’re frightened, in a bid to protect their un-scaled undersides. Pangolins are burrowing mammals and make their homes by using their long claws to sift through the soil and their stout bodies to rock from side to side, creating a space to settle down in. The illegal trade has mostly been driven by high demand and high profit. It’s estimated that demand in China amounts to 200,000 individual pangolins per year, earning them the not-so-glamorous title of the most trafficked mammal on Earth. The price of scales on the black market can fetch anything up to £500 per kilogram (around £227 per pound), and this figure is steadily rising. At present, pangolin conservation seems to be stuck in a vicious circle; as the number of remaining pangolins decreases, their commercial value on the black market increases, which further fuels the demand for pangolins as a status of wealth, and ultimately increases poaching efforts to fulfil the demand.
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Conserving the pangolin
Scaly species worth saving There are eight species of pangolin, all of which are vulnerable Pangolins are the world’s only scaly mammals, and are unusual in that they have no teeth and grind their food with keratin spikes in their stomachs. There are eight species of pangolin: four species in Asia, and four in Africa. There is a genetic difference between Asian and African pangolins, but it’s easy to tell them apart visually by the presence of bristles between the scales, found only on Asian pangolins. Regardless of where they are from, all pangolins bumble around on their hind legs, hunched over, tucking their fore claws underneath their body. They have amazingly sticky tongues, longer than their combined head and body length, which are attached to their pelvis and held in the
chest cavity when resting. They use this nifty tool to quickly and efficiently clean out ant and termite nests. In Chinese folklore, pangolins are said to be special, with the ability to travel around the world undetected using a network of tunnels. The Cantonese word for pangolin translates as ‘the animal that digs through the mountains’. It’s now more important than ever to find a way to save the pangolin. On the whole, we know very little about these nocturnal and secretive animals. They are mysterious and difficult to study in the wild; we don’t even know their life span. But, we do know they are extremely difficult to care for in captivity, so conserving them in the wild is vital.
“In Chinese folklore, pangolins are said to travel around the world undetected using a network of underground tunnels” Pangolin species
The eight species of pangolin are divided equally between Asia and Africa
Chinese pangolin Malayan pangolin
Cape pangolin
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Philippine pangolin
Eaten to extinction
Conservation heroes
With the constant threat of poaching, the life of a pangolin is uncertain
IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group
Undoubtedly, the main threat pangolins face is from hunting. Their shy nature and lack of defence mechanisms have left them vulnerable to poachers and the pangolin trade in 2013 was estimated at £66-100 million ($98-148 million). Most are caught to fulfil the demand in China and southeast Asia, where pangolin meat is considered a delicacy and the Chinese pangolin is in danger of being ‘eaten to extinction’. The meat is also believed to have medicinal properties and is used to treat a number of ailments, including gastro-intestinal problems, cardiac complaints and back pain. The scales are ground up as a cure for skin diseases, burn wounds, and used as a cure for pneumonia, despite no proven pharmacological qualities. The rate at which pangolins are being harvested is
Meet the organisations fighting for pangolin survival
particularly alarming because of their life history. Pangolins mate once a year, have a gestation period of 150 days, usually give birth to just one pangopup, and it takes two years for the young to reach sexual maturity and leave their mothers. This slow growth and low reproductive rate means poaching can have devastating effects and make recovery almost impossible. The true extent of the trade is yet to be determined and information is somewhat limited and inconsistent. This is partly due to the wide geographical range of the pangolin, and a targeted effort to uncover the magnitude of the problem is tricky to implement on such a large scale. Currently, estimates are only based on the few people caught trafficking the animals and the decline in the number seen in the wild.
3 things you should know about pangolins Pangolins mark their territory with urine, faeces, and a noxious chemical secretion, similar to a skunk’s spray. Some species live on the ground, while others have prehensile tails, which they use to climb and hang from trees. Pangolins curl up into a ball because they do not have any scales on their face, snout, or underbelly, so they need to protect these delicate areas.
White-bellied pangolin
Giant ground pangolin
Comprising a voluntary network of 65 members, including biologists, zoologists and geneticists, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Pangolin Specialist Group is increasing understanding of pangolins through world-leading research and action. It is the advisory group to the IUCN on pangolins and offers guidance to organisations around the world. Current projects include: estimating levels of the illegal pangolin trade, developing improved ecological monitoring methods, patrolbased monitoring at sites with a high abundance of the species and reducing demand for pangolin products in east Asian markets.
African Pangolin Working Group
The African Pangolin Working Group (APWG) was established in 2011 by a group of people who shared a passion for pangolins. The group is involved in a number of ongoing projects, such as mapping the distribution of pangolins in Africa, both in the past and the present, so it can closely monitor any unexpected changes in range. It is also researching the customs surrounding certain species in South African tribal communities, and the threats and effects of parasites. Aside from research, APWG is part of rehabilitation programmes and law enforcement to try and combat the rapid decline of African pangolin species.
Save Vietnam’s Wildlife
This nonprofit organisation is working on the front line to rescue, rehabilitate and release pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade back into the wild. Working in partnership with Cuc Phuong National Park, it is able to secure enough suitable habitat for rescued pangolins to roam free. The ultimate goal is to end poaching and reach a state of harmony between pangolins and local Vietnamese residents. The organisation also works to increase pangolin numbers by developing global conservation breeding programmes.
Indian pangolin
Black-bellied pangolin
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Conserving the pangolin
Stewart Muir is a director for the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust. He has passionately supported pangolin conservation for many years Why are pangolins so endangered? Pangolins are now the most heavily-traded wild mammal in the world. The scales covering their body are in great demand for traditional medicine in Africa, Asia and particularly in China. Pangolins are inoffensive, insecteating creatures that roll into a ball when threatened. This makes them very easy to catch by poachers using wire snares or trained dogs. Many of them are transported alive for many days until they reach their final destination. Even those that are rescued are lucky to survive. Their insect diet of live ants makes caring for them, until they are strong enough to be released back into the wild, difficult and complicated. What do you think makes pangolins so desirable to poachers, and can they ever be stopped? Ease of capture and transportation together with a high demand is proving fatal for the pangolins. The four African and four Asian species are all under a high degree of threat. Recently, the amount of protection through CITES (Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species) has increased – certainly all of the Asian species at least are now listed on the IUCN Red List as Endangered or Critically Endangered, therefore increasing their protection, if only by law. However, as the pangolins become less common, their price and the risks that poachers are willing to take goes up. Effective law enforcement is important but getting local people to support and protect pangolins is vital.
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What work and research are you currently involved in? I became aware of the serious problems facing the pangolin 15 years ago and we established the first conservation and rehabilitation centre at Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam. In the beginning, it was hard to get people to listen. Most people had never heard of a pangolin and were unaware of the scale of the problem. My own organisation and many other zoos have raised funds and worked together, supporting the Vietnamese team at the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Programme and, more recently, the newly-established Save Vietnam’s Wildlife. Over time, we have learnt a lot about keeping and maintaining the animals on their road to recovery. Just getting the pangolins to survive long enough to make a healthy return to the wild has been a major achievement that has taken many years. How do you think pangolin populations will fare in the next 50 years? As pangolins become more scarce, their commercial value will increase and their decline will become ever more rapid. Only through concentrated international efforts to protect them and educating people to reduce the demand will we save these charming and defenceless animals from extinction. How can World of Animals readers get actively involved with helping to conserve the dwindling pangolin populations? The best thing that World of Animals readers can do is talk about pangolins – have your friends even heard of them and do they know how much trouble they are in? Pangolins need friends. You can directly support a project in Vietnam through the Save Vietnam’s Wildlife website www.savevietnamswildlife.org and also support the work of the IUCN Pangolin Specialist Group.
© Alamy; FLPA; Nature PL; The Art Agency/Ken Oliver
Protecting pangolins
Bizarre! The most colourful miniature seahorse is as strange as it is small As bright as their surroundings and expertly hidden, these amazing creatures were only recently discovered
DENISE’S PYGMY SEAHORSE
Hippocampus denise Class Actinopterygii
Territory Coral reefs in Asia and the Pacific Diet Zooplankton Lifespan Unknown Adult weight Unknown Conservation status
DATA DEFICIENT
The males give birth Like most seahorses, it is the males that undergo pregnancy and give birth, but the female Denise’s pygmy seahorse deposits hundreds of eggs into the male’s trunk (instead of in their tail, as with other seahorses). Once safely inside dad’s body, the eggs are developed, and the male’s stomach swells until they are ready to be born.
A fish that can’t swim Because of their small size, they actually can’t swim very well and rely on their prehensile tails to stay rooted to the coral they spend their lives in. They do have a swim bladder and gills like other fish, but the relentless currents of the strong oceans are just too much for these miniature seahorses, and staying anchored helps to avoid any Finding Nemo-type situations.
Freaky feeders
Masters of camouflage
One of Earth’s smallest seahorses
No two seahorses look the same
These tiny horse-like critters have a sneaky way of staying hidden. Their bodies are covered in small tubercles to mimic the polyps of their coral hosts. They are so hard to spot that they were only discovered when scientists accidently captured them while studying gorgonian corals in 2003.
This tiny fish holds the record as one of the smallest of pygmy seahorses. They are so small that as adults they only grow to less than two centimetres (0.8 inches) in length. This is also another reason why they weren’t discovered for so long – their small size makes for a good disguise!
After birth, the little ones float around effortlessly in the ocean until they find themselves a host coral to call home. At this stage they are only 13 millimetres (0.5 inches) long. Once they are settled, they begin to take on the shape and texture of their preferred coral, with some more smooth than others.
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© Alamy
They feed very frequently as they don’t have a digestive system, and therefore nowhere to store food. They must eat continuously to get an adequate supply of nutrients. With no jaws, they use their snouts like straws, sucking food into their mouths.
Zoos of the world
Chessington Zoo Chessington’s flourishing animal park is emerging from the shadow of its theme park sibling See it for yourself
WWW.CHESSINGTON.COM/EXPLORE/ chessington-zoo Location
Chessington, Surrey
Admission
Adventurer ticket (12 years and above): £14 Young adventurer ticket (90cm in height to 11 years): £11 Visitors under 90cm: Free Family of two or more: £11 per person
Chessington Zoo
Creepy Caves Descend into the dark domain of creepy insects and lizards and say hello to tarantulas, poison dart frogs and more.
How to get there
Located just outside of London in the county of Surrey, Chessington Zoo can be reached by car (it’s just two miles off the A3 and the M25) or by rail (35 minutes from central London).
Since its founding in 1931, Chessington Zoo has evolved from a small attraction in the heart of Surrey to become a part of one of the most popular theme parks in Europe. As rides and attractions sprung up around it, the zoo also evolved – over 1,000 animals have been added to the collection in the last 84 years, including a brand new Sea Life Centre. The zoo has even launched its own charity, the Chessington Conservation Fund, which raises funds and awareness for wildlife preservation in the UK and overseas. In 2011, Chessington Zoo started offering VIP ‘Xtra Adventure’ experiences, where visitors can get even closer to some of the park’s animal residents, including Humboldt penguins, white rhinos and Rothschild giraffes. Assistant zoo manager, Jon Merrington, reveals, “In the Zoo itself guests can venture into Trail of the Kings and find themselves inches away from critically endangered animals such as our breeding group of western lowland gorillas or see Asiatic lions being fed. There are also animal presentations and feeds throughout the day conducted by an expert team of friendly zookeepers.” As you can see, Chessington Zoo is much more than just an annex of a popular theme park.
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Trail of the kings Enter the realm of royalty and meet the Sumatran tigers, gorillas and Asiatic lions.
LEFT With only 300 or so le in the wild, the breeding programme at Chessington Zoo is aiming to keep the Sumatran tiger from extinction
Chessington Zoo
“Visit the Trail of the Kings and find yourself inches away from critically endangered animals”
Children’s Zoo For the little ones, the Children’s Zoo has everything from African pygmy goats to chickens, sheep and guinea pigs.
Star animals of Chessington Zoo Damisi the western lowland gorilla Dominant alpha male Damisi has made quite the impression on the gorilla community at Chessington, including regular mate Asili.
Amazu Meet the weird and wonderful creatures of Amazu, including the golden-headed lion tamarins and military macaws.
Wanyama Village and Reserve Take a trip into the reserve and get to know the Grevy’s zebra, dwarf mongooses and fennec foxes.
Oscar the Rothschild giraffe One of two young males that arrived at Chessington earlier this year, Oscar and pal Napoli are already settling into their new home well.
Sibe the fossa Chessington recently welcomed an addition to its fossa community. The new face, Sibe, has arrived to improve fossa breeding programmes.
Chantico the spider monkey Poor little Chantico was orphaned at just two weeks old – thankfully the zookeepers were on hand to rear her into good health.
Sea Life Centre Get up close and personal with Chessington’s aquatic residents, including bonnethead sharks, cardinal tetra and jellyfish.
RIGHT Visit Bonzer and friends at the Penguin Bay attraction; these endearing birds will win you over instantly
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Zoos of the world
The evolving history of Chessington Zoo Adding new attractions and renovating facilities for some of the world’s rarest creatures Considering it was founded well over eight decades ago, in a time before the site bloomed into a full theme park, it’s not surprising to learn that the zoo has transformed and refreshed itself many times. However, it’s in the last decade that Chessington Zoo has really come into its own, adding new features and facilities that have transformed it into one of the biggest zoos in the UK. In 2005, the park added the Children’s Zoo and the Peking Heights observational wheel, which has become incredibly popular with young visitors (the occasional appearance of Dora The Explorer and Noddy probably having something to do with it). Three years later, Chessington Zoo added its very own Sea Life Centre, with over 20 displays of wonderful marine life on show to the public. In that same year, the zoo also welcomed another startling addition: the first binturong baby to be born in ten years. A few years on and the zoo created Azteca, an underwater area for its new blacktip reef sharks. Of all those fresh additions to the zoo, the introduction of Zufari: Ride Into Africa has proven to be hugely popular among visitors. “It’s an attraction where visitors hop on board a huge safari-style vehicle and venture through a 22-acre area of the park, themed like the African Savannah,” says Merrington. “This gives guests the opportunity to get really close to animals such as white rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, ostriches and Grevy’s zebras amongst others. This investment saw the zoo almost double in size and allowed us to bring in such a fantastic variety of large ungulate species.”
As well as helping with its conservation overseas, Chessington Zoo also plays host to a number of southern white rhinos
“Of all the fresh additions to the zoo, the introduction of Zufari: Ride Into Africa has proven to be hugely popular” Investing in future habitats
Located in the Wanyama Village and Reserve, the Alaotran gentle lemur is a cute addition to the zoo’s collection
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Chessington’s own charity is making strides at home and abroad Like many zoos and animal reserves in the UK, Chessington Zoo has its own conservation charity, which enables it to sponsor and promote the preservation of endangered habitats and species both in the UK and internationally. While still very much in its infancy, the Chessington Conservation Fund (CCF) has become a vital part of the zoo and its desire to help stabilise areas of nature in need of assistance continues to grow. “One of the biggest projects we have been involved with so far is our partnership with World Land Trust,” comments Merrington. “This secured large amounts of land as part of nature reserves that had been specifically identified as being at risk of destruction. The first of these is in the south of Ecuador, South America and is a dry forest habitat.” This effort saw Chessington contribute £12,800 to save 128 acres of land in this area, as well as providing £5,000 a year to help fund the recruitment of a local ranger who can police these protected pieces of natural real estate and help protect them in the future. The Chessington Conservation Fund hasn’t stopped there either. Recently, the charity saved 137 acres of delicate tropical rainforest habitat in the north of Ecuador, which was at risk of being sold off for the purposes of gold mining.
Chessington Zoo
There are plenty of unusual faces to discover at the park, including curious critters such as the raccoon
Now classified as extinct in the wild, the scimitar horned oryx is benefiting hugely from breeding programmes such as the one at Chessington Zoo
The fight against poaching Conservation efforts don’t just include the preservation of land and habitats, but also the protection of those species at risk of being wiped out in the wild for good. And, while natural events and changing ecological factors can’t always be helped, there’s definitely a war to be waged against poaching and the illegal trade of endangered animal remains. In cooperation with the Dambari Wildlife Trust based in Zimbabwe, the CCF is helping fund and support rhino monitoring, conservation and protection efforts, including the purchase of a Land Rover to help rangers navigate one of the main sites: Matopos National Park in the Matopos Hills region. Even something as simple as buying reserves of equipment – such as binoculars, cameras and rhino identification cards – has made all the difference to the rangers working to prevent poaching of the threatened white rhino. Members of the team at Chessington Zoo also make visits to the sites in Zimbabwe, giving them first-hand experience of how conservation projects work.
© Chesington Zoo
Chessington’s conservation charity is doing everything it can to protect white rhinos in Zimbabwe
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Animal answers
Kittens are born with their eyes fused closed, a er a short gestation period
Send your animal questions to us at:
[email protected]
Why are cats and dogs born blind? A great deal of animals across the natural world are blind when they are born, ranging from rodents to birds – and the experience can last as long as a few months. In mammals such as rabbits, horses, dogs and cats, this usually involves the eyes still being fused together at birth. The animals are born this way because their mothers have short pregnancies, or gestation periods,
meaning the babies are born in a partially developed state. This is an evolutionary trade-off; the young are more at risk when they are born blind and helpless, but their mother is more likely to survive the pregnancy and birth, and therefore be around to look aer them. Dogs, for instance, only have a gestation period of around two months. At the other extreme, cows have
Why do we never see pigeon chicks?
a gestation period of nine months; the young are born fully developed and can walk within minutes. The choice between these two types of reproduction is influenced by the animal’s behaviour; for dogs, pregnancy is dangerous because the females are less able to hunt, whereas for cows, being able to run from birth is essential for keeping up with the herd and escaping predators.
Young pigeons are fed on a diet of regurgitated ‘crop milk’, which fattens them up quickly
© Thinkstock
Pigeons have become such a common sight in urban areas that we barely pay them any attention, but why don’t we ever see any babies? Like many birds, young pigeons stay in the nest until they are almost fully grown – a period of around 30 days. The nests tend to be hidden away on the ledges of tall buildings, so by the time the pigeons are visible, they are hard to tell apart from adults. You may have seen a fair few in your time and not even realised! Feral pigeons’ habit of nesting at great heights is inherited from their ancestors, rock doves, who make their nests in clifftops. The high altitude keeps them safe from predators such as sparrowhawks. Rock doves have been domesticated for thousands of years, and when these birds escaped, they became the feral pigeons we are so familiar with. However, rock doves and feral pigeons are still the same species.
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Animal answers
What is true flight?
Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight – their light bone structure reduces drag
When it comes to animal locomotion in the air, we can neatly divide it into two categories: powered (or true) flight and gliding. Only animals that use wings to take and, more importantly, maintain flight would be considered users of true flight. Unlike gliders, who travel passively through the air, true flyers flap their wings for thrust and speed. The ability for true flight is found in most types of flying insect and the majority of birds and bats. It is associated with a number of physical characteristics – true fliers tend to be warm-blooded, with shortened torsos and forelimbs that connect directly to their wings. It’s also not uncommon for winged creatures of this ilk to have enlarged hearts and sharp vision. However, both true flight and gliding have evolved several times in the animal kingdom, meaning that not all flyers are closely related.
A sick or weak baby is also a source of food and energy – a vital resource in harsher environments
Which animals have the shortest lifespans? Life is short, as the popular saying goes, yet our lifetimes last an eternity compared to the unfortunate mayfly. It lives for a mere 24 hours (or even as little as an hour in some of its 2,500 species). With such a small amount of time on Earth, the mayfly exists simply to mate and reproduce. The gastrotrich, a type of microscopic marine life form, comes in at a close second with a
lifespan of only three days, while the drone ant follows close behind, with its three-week long existence. One of the shortest lifespans on four legs belongs to the chameleon, which lives for just four or five months aer emerging from its egg. Back in the oceans, the brine shrimp has a lifespan of less than one year, while the mosquitofish (found in the Gulf of Mexico) lives for only two years.
Mayflies live for one day, their entire existence a rush to reproduce
Why do some animals eat their babies? Infanticide may sound extreme and distressing, but it’s actually a common part of some reproduction behaviours and can be found across the animal kingdom – bears, primates, birds, insects and fish are all known to kill their own offspring. But what drives a mother to turn from nurturing parent to killer? The most likely reason relates to an infant’s health and wellbeing. Since a wild animal has no access to medicine, only the
strongest young will survive. Even within the safety of a nest or den, if a mother senses that a baby isn’t likely to survive (due to illness or a birth defect) it will likely kill it outright. She simply sees the weak baby as a liability, taking up resources that could benefit her and her other offspring more. A mother may also kill her young if she is unable to find enough food to feed the entire brood. In that scenario, the babies become more viable as food than as family.
Q. How do bees make honey?
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Animal answers
[email protected] What are the most interesting collective nouns for animals?
A number of minerals, including sodium, are vitally important for butterfly reproduction
There’s nothing quite like an unusual or quirky collective noun and the animal kingdom is bursting with weird, unusual and downright hilarious examples. First off there are the rather simple ones including a gang of elk, an army of frogs, a herd of antelope, a bed of clams and a tower of giraffes (not to mention a cete of badgers or a smack of jellyfish). Then there are the ones bound specifically to physical traits of a given creature: the plural for flamingos? A stand, of course. How about a group of porcupines? That’ll be a prickle. And a group of hippos? A bloat, naturally. Finally, there are the downright strange and wonderful ones, including a shrewdness of apes, a streak of tigers, an ostentation of peacocks, a romp of otters, a business of ferrets, a charm of goldfinch and a deceit of lapwings. And the less said about an intrusion of cockroaches, the better. The collective noun for a group of cats is a clowder or a pounce
What do butterflies eat? Butterflies don’t eat in the conventional sense. Instead, they get almost all of their nourishment from drinking nectar and water. In order to fill up on tasty nectar, adult butterflies use a long narrow tube that extends from its mouth, known as a proboscis, which it uses to suck up liquids. Butterflies will eat almost anything that can dissolve in water, including tree sap, rotting fruit and even dung.
How do giraffes drink? With their elongated necks and spindly legs, it’s easy to assume most activities are pretty awkward for a giraffe, so how does it manage to keep itself hydrated without collapsing? First off, a giraffe’s neck might appear long but it’s actually a lot shorter than its torso and legs combined, so it can’t simply lean over and start gulping down water. Instead, a giraffe will perform an awkward manoeuvre where it splays its front legs out on either side and slowly lowers its mouth to a water source. However, this action puts the creature at great risk of being attacked by a predator – it will only drink once every few days.
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Wildlife photography
Get perfect shots of animals in flight Lift your shots up higher by mastering these tricks for photographing wildlife in motion
Freeze movement Master panning Perfect composition Photographing animals in flight is one of the hardest wildlife photography pursuits, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. Whether it’s a shot of a flying fox, a butterfly travelling between plants, starlings creating epic patterns in the sky or bats flying through the night, inflight shots capture some really interesting behaviour and movements. You need to do your research beforehand so you know where to find the species you’d like to photograph, as well as what behaviour to look out for. Also be prepared with the right kit, including a telephoto lens or a camera with a decent zoom on it, and a monopod is brilliant for keeping your camera stable while being able to move about. Follow the tips in this article to come away with some photos you’ll always be proud of.
In-flight kit
Binoculars A decent pair of binoculars will help you track your animal while it’s in flight. This pair of Vanguard Endeavor ED II 8320 binoculars (www.vanguardworld.co.uk, £330) feature extra-low dispersion glass that gives edge-toedge clarity.
Bird hide A pop-up bird hide will help to keep you dry during wet weather, but it also disguises you from the animal you are photographing. This means you are more likely to capture natural behaviour on camera.
Use a zoom lens to capture wildlife up close, while keeping back so you don’t disturb it
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Telephoto lens You’ll need a lens that will let you zoom in on the animal, such as this 70-300mm lens from Tamron (www.tamron.eu, £430). You also have the ability to zoom out with the lens to capture the animal surrounded by their environment too.
Wildlife photography Tip 1
Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the movements of animals in flight
Freeze the action Tips and tricks to help you eradicate blur from your in-flight shots
A lot of wildlife shots are ruined by the nuisance of blur, causing the animal to appear as just a streak of colour across the image. To capture intricate detail, you’ll want to freeze their movements. First of all, set your camera to Shutter Priority mode (S or Tv on the mode dial) and select a fast shutter speed – what you set exactly will depend on the speed the animal is moving, but you’ll probably want to use at least 1/800sec or faster to stop blurring. To get the exposure right at this speed, you may need to increase your ISO, but experiment here, as you ideally want it as low as possible to avoid noise appearing. You’ll also want to set your camera to a continuous shooting mode to increase your chances of getting the perfect shot. If your camera doesn’t have these settings or you aren’t used to these modes yet, use a Sports mode to tell the camera you want to freeze any movement.
Continuous shooting mode will allow you to take a rapid burst of images with just one press of the shutter
Tip 2
Keep in focus
Get pin-sharp shots with a bit of focusing trickery
When butterflies fly between plants and you can predict their movements, pre-focus on the plant and get ready to snap when it moves into the same area.
Getting your camera to focus on a moving subject can be tricky, but continuous focusing mode helps. With this selected, your camera will keep focused on the moving animal as long as your shutter is half-pressed. This is called Al Servo on Canon models or AF-C on Nikons. Alternatively, pre-focus if you know the area of the frame the animal is likely to fly into. To do this, select manual focus and adjust it by turning the ring on the front of your lens. When the animal flies through the area you’ve focused on, quickly take the shot.
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Wildlife photography Tip 3
Panning will create a lovely blurred background while leaving the animal nice and sharp
Master panning
Introduce some creative blur into your images to make the animals really stand out To add a sense of movement to your shots, why not try and include some blur intentionally? When controlled, this blur can help to add a sense of motion and action to inflight images. To keep your subject sharp but your background full of directional blur, you’ll need to master panning. This technique simply involves using a slower shutter speed and moving with the animal as you take the shot.
It takes some practice to master it, but it can leave you with some really stunning effects, and wildlife images that feel much more dynamic. While you can do this handheld, using a monopod will stop the up and down movements you can make when you twist around, keeping the blur only moving across the frame. Follow our step-by-step guide below to start taking great panning shots.
Step-by-step to perfect panning
Get set up Make sure your lens is set to autofocus and your camera to continuous AF, and then select a slightly slower shutter speed than you would normally. For fast moving birds you’ll need about 1/400sec, for instance.
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Position yourself Place yourself in front of your subject with your feet planted firmly, about shoulder width apart. Lock in your elbows and support your long lens by cupping underneath it. This will help to keep you stable if you’re not using a monopod.
Take the shot When the animal comes into view, press the shutter halfway to focus then twist your torso to follow it as it crosses the frame. As you ‘pan’ around, fully press the shutter and continue to turn until the animal leaves the frame.
Wildlife photography Tip 4
Use soft lighting Light up your shots to get the most flattering results
Shooting in bright midday sunlight will blow out all the details in your shot, so wait for the sun to be lower in the sky. The sun is a lot softer around the golden hours of sunrise and sunset, so try shooting during these times for a warm, golden glow. Also think about the direction of the sun; backlit shots may result in your animal appearing as a silhouette so try and get the animal lit from the side or front. For smaller animals like butterflies and bees, try shooting in a shaded area or use your body to block out the sun.
Waiting for soer light will produce images with a lot more detail in them
Tip 5
Perfect composition The composition of your shot can make or break your image, and a simple aspect such as the position of the animal in the frame can really affect the impact that your image has. Simplicity is often key, so think carefully about what to include and exclude from your shot. While it’s difficult to control your composition entirely – the animal won’t slow down to pose for you as it passes by after all – our tricks here can help to make your shots feel more dynamic. Know the result you’re after before you press the shutter, and learn to anticipate their movements to get them in the right spot in your frame.
The clean blue sky as the background keeps your attention fixed on the eagle Against the cluttered backdrop of these trees, the eagle gets a bit lost
The image looks better with no body parts cut off at the edges
✗
This feels ‘active’, giving the impression the hoverfly will move into the empty space
✗
With no space for the bee to look into, the image feels very static
✗
With the wing tips cropped out, this image looks a little cramped and awkward
Keep backgrounds clean Make sure the image isn’t too cluttered, as a simple image can oen work better to draw the viewer’s eye towards the animal rather than to other distracting elements. To make sure you are shooting against a clean background, you may have to change your location, or change your shooting angle so that you shoot from below looking up to the sky.
Don’t crop the wings When an animal is flying through the air fast it can be hard to get it right every time, but an image with the tips of wings or feet cropped out isn’t ideal. Be aware of this and try and include them, and to decrease the chance of this happening accidentally when things are moving at a fast pace, zoom out a little and crop in closer later.
Leave active space For a shot with more impact, don’t have the animal really small in the frame with lots of empty space around it. However, if a subject doesn’t have any space around it at all it can feel cramped, so leave a small amount at the top and bottom of the shot. An image will feel stronger, too, if you leave some space off to one side for the animal to look into.
© Thinkstock
Use these simple tricks to give your shots more impact
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Lay your head on my shoulder Barry O’Sullivan
“A er a long day on the plains, everybody needs a resting place. This photo was taken at the Etosha National Park in Namibia.”
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Wild deer feeding Elizabeth Butler
“This photograph was taken near Aviemore, Scotland. The wild red deer sadly live within a shooting estate, where the land is managed and conserved purely for sport.”
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Hello world!
Steve Weaver “This is one of the otters born at Dudley Zoo in 2015. I took the photo with a Nikon D7100 and a Nikon 18/300mm lens. His mum kept carrying him back to the den but he kept coming out to see the world for himself.”
Your animals Open wide
Mike Wilson
“One morning in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, my wife and I drove past a beautiful lake where there were dozens of hippos playing. This made for some great photo opportunities.”
Caroline Louise Miller Sleeping sloth
Billy Evans “This is a photograph of a two-toed sloth, taken in Costa Rica. The sloth was in a tree just waking up from its sleep.”
Flutter by butterfly
“The photo was taken at Tropical World in Leeds. Creeping up quietly on this butterfly, I captured a little sunshine in winter.”
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Animal trivia
Test your animal knowledge 1. A SCALY ISSUE
3. PICK A PUFFIN
What does the Cantonese word for pangolin translate to?
Can you name the puffin species?
2. MEET THE CRABS Do you know which is the largest, hairiest, smallest and most colourful?
a.
b.
Pea crab
a.
b.
c.
d.
Orangutan crab
4. KILLER HIPPOS How many humans do hippos kill a year?
c.
d.
Rainbow crab
Japanese spider crab
a. Up to 3,000
b. Up to 4,000
c. Up to 2,000
d. Up to 1,000
5. WHO AM I? b. “I spend 95 per cent of my life underground”
“I am so small that I fit on a Smartie”
Purple frog
Banded rubber frog
“I make a low croak that sounds like a cow mooing”
Crab-eating frog
“My tongue can fire in almost any direction”
Paedophryne amauensis
e. “I can survive in salt water”
American bullfrog
Answers 1. The animal that digs through the mountains 2. a) Smallest b) Hairiest c) Most colourful d) Largest 3. a) Atlantic puffin b) Horned puffin c) Tufted puffin d) Rhinoceros auklet 4. a) Up to 3,000 5. a) Purple frog b) Paedophryne amauensis c) American bullfrog d) Banded rubber frog e) Crab-eating frog
98
© Thinkstock; Karthickbala
a.
Match the frog to their characteristic c. d.
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2016 Early booking offer Book three nights or more between March and 30th June 2016 and receive a 10% discount on our best available rate, based on 2015 rates* Please quote ‘WOA CAMP’ when booking
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For all offers please check:
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