Great Horned Owl - Tiger of the Woods

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum  : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Strigiformes
Family : Strigidae
Genus : Bubo
Scientific name : Bubo virginianus
Protection status : Least Concern
Diet : Owls are carnivores
Habitat : Forests, woodlands and shrublands.
Life span : 5 to 15 years

The Great Horned Owls are the largest owls in North America. They are also referred to as Cat Owls. They are nocturnal hunters. They can be easily identified by their large piercing eyes and their horn shaped ears.

These predatory birds are fearless and aggressive by nature and frequently attack prey that are large and heavy, including cats, rabbits, porcupines and even skunks. If their nesting areas are threatened, these birds will counterattack even when they are faced with large dogs or even humans. The male owls are smaller than their female counterparts and have a much lower-pitched call.

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Photo and Video were taken at Maymont Park, Virginia.

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Snow Fall

Snow Blanket ...

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Markhor - The Wild Goat

Kingdom : Animalia

Phylum :  Chordata

Class :  Mammalia

Order :  Artiodactyla

Family : Bovidae
Genus : Capra

Protection status : Endangered

Diet : Grasses, Leaves, Flowers and Fruits

Habitat :  Cliffs and Grassy foothills

Life span : 12-13 years

The name is derived from the Persian word Mar - Snake and Khor - Eating. Both Males and female Markhors have horns. Markhors are usually active during morning and late afternoon. They are excellent climbers. 

Markhor is the national animal of Pakistan.

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Photo was taken at Columbus Zoo, Ohio.

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Komodo Dragon - The Giant Lizard

The large, curved claws are used in self-defense as well as to eat food

Phylum :  Chordata

Class :  Reptilia

Order :  Squamata

Suborder : Lacertilia

Family : Varanidae
Genus : Varanus

Protection status : Vulnerable

Diet : Carnivore 

Habitat :  They live in hot and dry places, open grasslands and mostly in lowlands.

Komodo dragons are the  largest and heaviest lizards in the world. They are native to Indonesia and inhabit just four islands: Flores, Pandar, Rintja and the Komodo island. The scientific name of Komodo dragon is Varanus komodoensis. Komodo dragons are also called as Komodo monitors, Giant monitors, Land crocodiles and Oras. Their life expectancy is upto 20 - 40 years. Their sense of smell is the primary method of detecting food.

The Komodo dragon's saliva contains different strains of toxic bacteria that cause deadly infections in the prey. When it bites the prey, it injects the victim with a venom. Though the prey may not succumb to its injuries right away, the patient Komodo keeps following the animal with its immense sense of smell and eventually claims its victim.

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Photos were taken at Columbus Zoo, Ohio.

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Lemurs

A Lemur in contemplation

Phylum :  Chordata
Class :  Mammalia
Order :  Primates
Suborder : Strepsirrhini
Protection status : Endangered
Diet : Nuts, Fruits, Leaves, Insects and Flowers
Habitat : Most Lemurs lives in trees and only Ring-Tailed Lemur spends most of its time on the ground.

The word “Lemur” is Latin and means spirits of the night. Lemur is a very intelligent primate. There are many different species of Lemurs including Aye- Aye Lemur, Red Ruffled Lemur, Indri Lemur, Alatron Gentle Lemur, Black, White Ruffled Lemur and Ring Tailed Lemur. Female Lemurs are dominant. Lemur troops have one dominant female who leads the group, controls and has the first choice of food and mates.

During mating season, Male Lemurs battle for dominance by trying to outstink each other. Lemurs communicate through sound and smell. They make a variety of sounds to communicate with each other. They are able to identify family members through their scent. Lemurs can live up to 18-20 years.

Photos were taken at Cincinnati Zoo and North Carolina Museum of Life and Science.

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Reticulated Python

Reticulated Python can grow up to 20 feet in length

Kingdom : Animalia

Phylum : Chordata

Class : Reptilia

Order : Squamata

Family: Pythonidae

Genus: Python

Diet: Birds and mammals including domestic animals

Habitat: Can live near streams, rivers, lakes, on the grounds, in the trees and even in cities

Reticulated Pythons have complex color patterns

Reticulated Python is the world's longest snake and longest reptile. It is thin and not too heavy. Reticulated Pythons can be found in Southeast Asian countries. They are also called Java Rock Pythons and Regal Pythons. Their lifespan in the wild is up to 20 years and in captivity can live for more than 20 years. A large female can lay over 100 eggs at once. 

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Pictures were taken at Columbus Zoo, Ohio.

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Save the Mountain Gorillas – Part II

A Mother Gorilla with her baby

Please click here to read the first part of this blog series.

Mountain Gorillas face a variety of threats in their day-to-day lives. When two mountain gorilla groups cross paths, there is a chance for confrontations as Silverbacks try to acquire females from the other group. The same happens when an adult Silverback tries to overthrow the reigning Silverback to take over his group. But, in most of the instances, gorillas indulge in chest-beating and bluff charges, at which point, the confrontation is called off. Gorillas are very gentle by nature, quite contrary to movies like ‘King Kong’ and always try to avoid violent confrontation as much as possible.

Gorillas also face danger from leopards, which often prey on them.

But the Mountain Gorillas face their biggest danger from Man himself.

• Poaching – Gorillas often fall victim to traps, intended NOT for them but other animals like pigs. In addition, baby gorillas are sought by poachers for the illegal pet trade and this leads to the entire Gorilla family getting massacred. 
• Civil Wars – The Civil Wars have led to mines being placed in the forests, leading to heavy fatalities among the Mountain Gorillas
•  Loss of Habitat – Right next to the forests frequented by Gorillas, there are human settlements. As humans take up more and more land for cultivation and other purposes, this leads to habitat loss and gorillas end up raiding the crops for food, leading to retaliation and further gorilla deaths.
•  Close contact with human beings – Gorillas are highly susceptible to human diseases. This means that in addition to the poachers, gorillas are at a very high risk even from volunteers and conservationists, who are dedicated to protecting the lives of Gorillas.

Senkwekwe's family of Mountain Gorillas was massacred by poachers in 2007

To counter these challenges, many organizations and individuals are putting in their best efforts to save this magnificent species. Despite increased patrolling against the poachers and regularly removing the snares/traps, expanding the national park areas to prevent habitat loss and educating school children about the importance and need to save the Gorillas, the current situation looks very grim.

A Silverback Gorilla ponders his grim future

Today, only 786 Mountain Gorillas survive in the wild.

ACT NOW. For more on how YOU can help save Mountain Gorillas, please visit the following sites:

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Inc

Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, Inc 

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Image Sources: The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, igorilla.org

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Save the Mountain Gorillas - Part I

A Baby Mountain Gorilla

Mountain Gorillas have captivated humans all over the world. Gorillas share more than 95% of our DNA and are one of our closest relatives.

Today, only 786 Mountain Gorillas survive in the wild.

My aim in this series of blog posts is to make people aware of the dire situation of this critically endangered species.

Introduction 

• The scientific name of Mountain Gorilla is Gorilla beringei beringei, in honor of Captain von Beringe, who discovered the species in 1902.

Physical Characteristics

•  Mountain Gorillas have the thickest fur among all the gorillas, as part of their adaptation to the severe cold climates high up in the altitudes.
•  Gorillas are identified by their nose prints, similar to how each human being has a unique fingerprint.
• Adult Male Gorillas are called Silverbacks, as silver-colored hair develops on their back as they age.
• Silverbacks can weigh around 400 pounds and are twice the size of females.

A Silverback Gorilla

Family and Social Lives

• Gorillas live in big groups, led by the dominant Silverback.
• Silverbacks are very protective of their family and will make the ultimate sacrifice (if needed) to defend their group. They are supported by other silverbacks and blackbacks (sexually immature male gorillas) in defending the group.
• Gorillas are shy, gentle and highly intelligent. They live emotionally rich lives and form complex social bonds. Scientists have also discovered that Gorillas laugh when tickled.
• Male Gorillas usually leave their natal group on reaching sexual maturity, to form their own groups. They do this by acquiring females from their other groups.
• Female Gorillas leave their natal group once they reach sexual maturity to avoid inbreeding.
• The gestation period for a female gorilla is approximately 9 months, very similar to humans.
• Mother Gorillas take care of their newborns for up to 5 years.
• Baby Gorillas are extremely playful and curious, similar to human babies.
• Silverbacks form very close bonds with the young members of their group and spend lot of time with them.
• Grooming is an important part in the lives of Gorillas and helps form close relationships.
• Gorillas sleep in nests built on trees.

Gorillas are social animals

Food

• Led by the dominant Silverback, Gorillas spend a considerable time foraging for food.
• Gorillas mainly feed on plant leaves, shoots and stems.
• They get most of their water from their food itself.

Please click here to read the next blog post, where I discuss the challenges and the threats they face today.

Mountain Gorillas need our active support. For more on how YOU can help save Mountain Gorillas, please visit the following sites:

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Inc

Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, Inc

If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to this blog by clicking here.

Image Sources: The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Virunga National Park

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Polar Bears

Anana & Aurora play-fighting with each other

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Taken at Columbus Zoo, Ohio.

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The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center

Grizzly Bears at The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, Montana

I consider myself extremely fortunate to have visited The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, situated at West Yellowstone, Montana. 

This is a paradise for all Grizzly lovers. As I entered the Center, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that 2 huge forms were lounging around in the hot sun. The size and magnificence of these creatures was truly jaw-dropping. To see a pair of immensely powerful creatures indulge in casual play is truly a sight to behold! I discovered these bears to be Sam and Illie, the twin brother-sister pair. Sam, weighing more than 1000 pounds and Illie, at 800 pounds, are truly giants in every sense of the word. 

In addition to Sam and illie, there were couple more set of bears that frequented the display enclosures. While I do not remember the names of the other bears, I do remember their playfulness and the amazing intelligence that makes these bears so curious about their surroundings. I remember the bears using their well-documented sense of smell to explore and analyze the world around them. 

It is a testament to the charisma of the Grizzly bear that I was so overwhelmed with awe at the sight of these magnificent creatures that I do not remember most of what I saw about their neighbors at the center: The wolves. 

My visit to The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center remains one of the cornerstones of my life-long fascination with Nature, as I discovered for the first time in person one of the most magnificent animals on Earth: Grizzly Bear. 

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