recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Red Deer

Red deers are mammals with antlers they live in North America they eat plants they like to be in groups they have enemies like bears they don’t belong in a cartoon called the milky and shake show they only from the little Einstein’s like I love to contacted do you think red Deers are acutely red like Mars
Squirrel Monkey

**Squirrel monkeys** are New World monkeys of the genus ***Saimiri***. They are the only genus in the subfamily **Saimirinae**. The name of the genus is of Tupiorigin (*sai-mirim* or *gai-mbirin* < *sai* 'monkey' and *mirim* 'small'), and was also used as an English name by early researchers. Squirrel monkeys live in the tropical forests of Central and South America in the canopy layer. Most species have parapatric or allopatric ranges in the Amazon, while *S. oerstedii* is found disjunctly in Costa Rica and Panama.

The common squirrel monkey is captured for the pet trade and for medical research but it is not threatened. Two squirrel monkey species are threatened: the Central American squirrel monkey and the black squirrel monkey are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

## Description

Squirrel monkey fur is short and close, colored black at the shoulders and yellowish orange on its back and extremities. Their throat and the ears are white and their mouths are black. The upper part of their head is hairy. This black-and-white face gives them the name "death's head monkey" in several Germanic languages (e.g., German *Totenkopfaffen*, Swedish *dödskalleapor*, Dutch*doodshoofdaapjes*) and Slovenian (*smrtoglavka*).

Squirrel monkeys grow from 25 to 35 cm long, plus a 35 to 42 cm tail. Male squirrel monkeys weigh 750 to 1100 g. Females weigh 500 to 750 g. They are equipped with a long and hairy tail, flat nail, curved small hallux and, pointed claws. Female squirrel monkeys have a pseudo-penis that they use to display dominance over smaller monkeys, in much the same way that the male squirrel monkeys display their dominance.

## Behavior and Ecology

Like most of their New World monkey relatives, squirrel monkeys are diurnal and arboreal. Unlike other New World monkeys, their tail is not used for climbing, but as a kind of "balancing pole" and also as a tool. Their movements in the branches can be very rapid. They live together in multi-male/multi-female groups with up to 500 members. These large groups can, however, occasionally break into smaller troops. They have a number of vocal calls, including warning sounds to protect themselves from large falcons, which are a natural threat to them. Their small body size also makes them susceptible to predators such as snakes and felids. For marking territory, squirrel monkeys rub their tail and their skin with their own urine.

Squirrel monkeys are omnivores, eating primarily fruits and insects. Occasionally, they also eat seeds, leaves, flowers, buds, nuts, and eggs. Squirrel monkey mating is subject to seasonal influences. Females give birth to young during the rainy season, after a 150- to 170-day gestation. Only the mothers care for the young. *Saimiri oerstedti* are weaned by 4 months of age, while *S. boliviensis* are not fully weaned until 18 months old. Female squirrel monkeys reach sexual maturity at age 2–2.5 years, while males take until age 3.5–4 years. They live to about 15 years old in the wild, and over 20 years in captivity. Menopause in females probably occurs in the mid-teens.

## Gallery

Squirrel Monkey FamilyBesties!Baby Monkey being cute
Muskox

**Musk oxen** live in the frozen Arctic and roam the tundra in search of the roots, mosses, and lichens that sustain them. In winter, they use their hooves to dig through snow to graze on these plants. During the summer, they supplement their diet with Arctic flowers and grasses, often feeding near water.

These animals have inhabited the Arctic for many thousands of years, and their long shaggy hair is well adapted to the frigid climate. The outer hairs, called guard hairs, cover a second, shorter undercoat that provides additional insulation in winter. This undercoat falls out when temperatures climb at winter's end. Female musk-oxen carry their calves during an eight-month pregnancy, but after birth there is little time to waste. The infants are able to keep up with their mothers and the rest of the herd within a few hours.

Musk-oxen are herd animals, and groups of two or three dozen animals are sometimes led by a single female. Herds use cooperation to deal with predation by wolves or dogs. When threatened, they "circle the wagons" and array themselves with their young in the middle and their sharp horns facing outward toward their foes. A cornered musk-ox can be a fearsome enemy, charging with its massive bulk and attempting to use its horns to deadly effect. Such defenses are not terribly effective against human hunters, who killed great numbers of musk-oxen for their hides and meat. Today, legislation protects herds in Alaska, Norway, and Siberia, where the animals live on preserves.

Mating season peaks in mid August when males compete for dominance. One dominant bull will drive the other males out of the herd. Non-breeding males will often for herds of 5 – 10 and wander the tundra alone. Males can get extremely aggressive during breeding season and chase off any other animal that approaches, even birds. To prove their dominance, males have confrontations known as ruts. During these ruts, males emit a lion-like roar and run towards each other, crashing their heads together. Females are sexually mature at 2 years of age. Males reach maturity much later at around 5 years. The gestation period is 8 – 9 months and almost all births are single calves. The young are nursed for around a year but may begin to eat grass as soon as a week after birth. The young huddle in its mothers long coat to keep warm.

The life span of a Musk Ox is around 20 – 24 years.

## Gallery

Musk Ox HerdMusk Ox Defensive RingMusk Ox Head-Butting BattleMusk Ox wool blowing in the windMusk Ox Mating RitualMusk Ox fending off WolfMusk Ox Resting with CalfMusk Ox FamilyMusk Ox SplashingBrother BearFantasia 2000The Wild ThornberrysWild KrattsTeen Titans
Ring-Tailed Mongoose

The **ring-tailed mongoose** (*Galidia elegans*) is a euplerid in the subfamily Galidiinae, a carnivoran native to Madagascar.

## Classification and Etymology

There is much disagreement about the placement of Madagascar's carnivores, including the ring-tailed mongoose, within the phylogenetic tree. A 2003 study reported evidence that the Malagasy Carnivora evolved from a single herpestid (mongoose) ancestor. A monotypic genus, *Galidia* literally means "little weasel", being a diminutive form of *galeē*, ‘weasel’ in ancient Greek. Its local common name is *vontsira mena*, ‘red *vontsira*’ in Malagasy.

## Description

The ring-tailed mongoose is relatively small but is the largest member of the subfamily Galidiinae. It is usually 32 to 38 cm (12.5 to 15 in) long and weighs only 700 to 900 g (25 to 32 oz). Its body is long and slender, and the rounded head has a pointed snout. The body is a dark red color and the feet are black. As the name implies, its bushy tail is covered with black and red rings and is similar to the red panda.

Ring-tailed mongooses are very agile, and good climbers. They are quite playful and are active during the day. Their habitat consists of humid forests. Their diet is mostly of small mammals, invertebrates, fish, reptiles and eggs, but they occasionally eat insects and fruit. The population of ring-tailed mongooses has decreased by 20% during the period 1989-1999 due to habitat loss. Another problem is competition with the Small Indian Civet (*Viverricula indica*).
Royal Penguin

The royal penguin is a medium to large sized species of penguin that is found inhabiting the freezing waters that surround the Antarctic continent. The royal penguin is best known for the yellow feathers that grow from its forehead to the back of its head and are not to be confused with the macaroni penguin which they are closely related to. Like other penguin species, the royal penguin spends the majority of its life hunting out at sea and are usually found in the nutrient-rich waters that surround Antarctica. However, royal penguins are known to only breed on Macquarie Island, a rocky south-western Pacific island that lies roughly halfway between New Zealand and Antarctica.

Until recently, the royal penguin and the macaroni penguin where thought to be the same species but there are a number of distinct differences between the two. Royal penguins have white chins and faces, where the face of the macaroni penguin is black. Royal penguins also breed exclusively on Macquarie Island, a place inhabited by no other penguin species.

All penguins are fantastic swimmers and the royal penguin is no exception. Royal penguins use their powerful flippers and streamlined bodies, aided by their webbed feet to soar through the water and are able to reach speeds of nearly 20mph. Royal penguins also dive to depths of up to 150m in order to catch food, with dives usually lasting for a few minutes. The royal penguin is a carnivorous animal, that like all other penguin species, survives on a dietthat is only comprised of marine animals. Krill and small crustaceans make up the bulk of the royal penguin's diet along with larger organisms including squid and various species of fish. Royal penguins can be at sea for days at a time whilst hunting.

The royal penguin has no natural land-based predators due to the fact that royal penguinsinhabit pretty harsh environments. Large leopard seals hunt the royal penguin in the water along with large sharks and killer whales. Royal penguin population have also been seriously affected by human hunting for the oil found in their feathers. Royal penguins nest on beaches or on bare areas on slopes covered with vegetation along the island's coast. Royal penguins are colonial birds, nesting in scrapes on the ground up to a mile inland (these sites are known as rookeries). The female royal penguin lays two eggs which are incubated for 35 days. The chicks leave the nest after a couple of months returning when they are 5 to 6 years old to begin breeding themselves.

Today, the royal penguin has been listed as a vulnerable species as populations were seriously affected by overhunting at the beginning of the 20th century. This species is now protected so can no longer be poached for its oil.
Moose

Moose are the largest of all the deer species. Males are immediately recognizable by their huge antlers, which can spread 6 feet (1.8 meters) from end to end. Moose have long faces and muzzles that dangle over their chins. A flap of skin known as a bell sways beneath each moose's throat.
Moose typically inhabit boreal and mixed deciduous forests of the Northern Hemisphere in temperate to subarctic climates. Moose used to have a much wider range but hunting and other human activities have greatly reduced it. Moose have been reintroduced to some of their former habitats. Currently, most moose are found in Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, Latvia, Estonia, New England and Russia. Their diet consists of both terrestrial and aquatic vegetation. The most

    common moose predators are wolves, bears and humans. Unlike most other deer species, moose are solitary animals and do not form herds. Although generally slow-moving and sedentary, moose can become aggressive and move quickly if angered or startled. Their mating season in the autumn can lead to spectacular fights between males competing for a female.

**Behavior**

Moose are so tall that they prefer to browse higher grasses and shrubs because lowering their heads to ground level can be difficult. In winter they eat shrubs and pinecones, but they also scrape snow with their large hooves to clear areas for browsing on mosses and lichens. These hooves also act as snowshoes to support the heavy animals in soft snow and in muddy or marshy ground.

In summer, food is far more plentiful in the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. When the ice melts, moose are often seen in lakes, rivers, or wetlands, feeding on aquatic plants both at and below the surface. Moose are at home in the water and, despite their staggering bulk, are good swimmers. They have been seen paddling several miles at a time, and will even submerge completely, staying under for 30 seconds or more. Moose are similarly nimble on land. They can run up to 35 miles (56 kilometers) an hour over short distances, and trot steadily at 20 miles (32 kilometers) an hour.

**Breeding**

Males, called bulls, bellow loudly to attract mates each September and October. The usually solitary bulls may come together at this time to battle with their antlers for mating supremacy. After mating, the two sexes go their separate ways until the following year. Though they may occasionally feed in the same grounds, they tend to ignore each other.

Females give birth to one or two calves in the spring—each weighing some 30 pounds (14 kilograms). These calves grow quickly and can outrun a person by the time they are just five days old. Young moose stay with their mothers until the following mating season.

## Gallery

A year old moose calf in Denali National ParkRare Albino MooseMoose KissesMoose Cow with Twins in Colorado2 Bulls FightingMoose Jumping over FenceMoose FamilyMoose Siiting in Kiddy PoolBrother BearPocahontasTotal DramaFantasia 2000The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005)Wild KrattsBaltoThe Wild ThornberrysCats Don't Dance
Sumatran Tiger

As its name implies, the Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) inhabits the Sumatra Island (the only island situated entirely in Indonesia). In the wild, in fact, this is the only place in the world in which this subspecies can be found. This is physically the smallest of all of the tiger subspecies. Its scientific name is Panthera tigris sumatrae, and there are fewer than 300 specimens left in existence in the wild today.

## Physical Characteristics

Being the smallest of the tiger subspecies, the Sumatran Tiger male is only about 120 kilograms (or 265 pounds) and 243 centimetres (or around eight feet) long from head to tail. The female is quite a bit smaller, at an average of 91 kilograms (equivalent to about 200 pounds) and 213 centimetres or seven feet long.

The Sumatran Tiger has thinner stripes on its coat than the other tigers, which helps it to camouflage itself as it darts with agile precision through the long grasses of its habitat. Male Sumatrans have particularly long fur around the faces, giving them a distinctive maned appearance.

## Habitat

The part of Indonesia in which these awe-inspiring creatures live is characterised by its swamps, rivers, lowlands and Montane and peat forests. These wet conditions are ideal for the Sumatran Tiger, which is a particularly good swimmer, and can pursue its prey in water quite efficiently.

## Diet and Hunting

The tigers prey depends very much on its habitat. All tigers are carnivorous (meaning that they only eat other animals, not vegetation). These two factors define the Sumatran Tigers diet of ungulates, birds, fish, monkeys and deer which are all conveniently found in the islands of Indonesia. The Sumatran Tiger does not climb very well, so prey that can get high up into the boughs of the surrounding trees are likely to be able to escape the predator. Interestingly, a female will only hunt within her own territory, while a male will have his own territory, but is also likely to overlap onto the hunting grounds of several other females.

## Family Structure

As is the norm with all tiger subspecies, the Sumatran Tiger has a gestation period of around 3.5 months, after which a litter of about three or four cubs is born. Within a few days, their ears and eyes have opened, and they leave the den for the first time at around eight weeks of age. After another four months, the cubs start learning to make their own kill.

Although they will stay with their mother until about two to three years of age, they will be making their own kills at about 18 months old. Across all of the tiger subspecies, the fathers do not have anything to do with the raising of the cubs.

## Conservation

The Sumatran Tigers numbers are depleting at a steady rate due to illegal hunting and the ever-increasing problem of deforestation. As the forests are destroyed by man, the natural habitat of the tiger and its prey disappears, causing them to die out steadily. New, more restrictive laws are necessary, as are harsher repercussions for illegal poachers.
San Diego Zoo

The **San Diego Zoo** is a zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, housing more than 3,500 animals of more than 800 species and subspecies. Its parent organization, **San Diego Zoo Global**, is one of the largest zoological membership associations in the world, with more than 250,000 member householders and 130,000 child memberships, representing more than a half million people.
Pale Chanting Goshawk

The **(southern) pale chanting goshawk** (*Melierax canorus*) is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. This hawk breeds in southern Africa. It is a resident species of dry, open semi-desert with 75 cm or less annual rainfall. It is commonly seen perched on roadside telephone poles.

This species is 56–65 cm long. The adult has grey upperparts with a white rump. The central tail feathers are black tipped with white, and the outer feathers are barred grey and white. The head and upper breast are pale grey; the rest of the underparts are finely barred in dark grey and white. Its eyes are yellow, the bill is mostly orange, and it has long orange legs. It is paler than the grey-rumped dark chanting goshawk, *Melierax metabates*.

In flight, the adult has black primary flight feathers, very pale grey (white from a distance) secondaries, and grey forewings. The wingspan is about 105 cm. Immatures have brown upperparts, with a white rump and black bars on the tail. From below, the flight feathers and tail are white with black barring, the throat is dark-streaked white, and the rest of the underparts are rufous. The pale chanting goshawk eats a variety of vertebrate prey, mainly lizards, but also small mammals and birds, and large insects. It often walks on the ground.

This is generally a rather quiet bird, but during the breeding season the male makes a series of tuneful whistling calls *kleeuu, kleeuu-ku-ku-ku* from a tree-top perch. Normally a female mates with a single male, but in "broken veld" vegetation, a female and two males may form a polyandrous trio. The relatively small stick nest is built in an acacia at a height of 3 to 10 m. The female lays and incubates one or two pale bluish or greenish white, unmarked eggs. Only one chick is normally reared from a nest of two. The breeding cycle begins in midwinter and takes over 115 days. The young after leaving the nest may be found near it for some months and in the following year may even display in the same area. Some pairs and especially trios raise a second brood, starting about 24 days after the first brood fledges.
Marine Otter

The marine otter is a charismatic marine mammal that lives along the Pacific coast of South America. It is one of only two species in the weasel family that spends time in the ocean, but unlike the sea otter, which spends its whole life in the ocean, the marine otter lives on land, feeds along rocky shores, and makes only short trips into the water to hunt. Though they both live in the marine environment, marine otters are more closely related to the three species of American river otters than to the sea otter, indicating that the coastal/marine lifestyle evolved twice in the weasel family.

Marine otters are foraging predators that eat a wide variety of prey. While they prefer invertebrates, including crabs, clams, and other hard-shelled groups, they are also known to eat some fishes, juvenile birds, and even other mammals. They also scavenge for garbage, bringing them into close contact with people. Unlike many species of weasels, scientists believe the marine otter to be monogamous. Mating, birth, and nursing take place onshore, in protected dens. Adult marine otters are quite small. They only reach about 13 pounds (6 kg) vs. 100 pounds (45 kg) in sea otters.

Unlike most marine mammals that rely on a thick layer of blubber to insulate them from cold ocean waters, marine otters rely on their extremely thick fur. Unfortunately, their fur also nearly led to this species’ demise. Excessive hunting reduced the numbers of marine otters significantly and now the species is endangered (highly vulnerable to extinction). The geographic range is also constricted compared to pre-hunting times, and it may still disappear from some places, as poaching continues to be a problem. Though the marine otter has complete or partial legal protection throughout its range, it continues to show decreasing populations. Without continuing conservation measures and legal protection, this charismatic species could be at risk of being lost forever.
Sloth Bear

The **sloth bear** (*Melursus ursinus*), also known as the **labiated bear**, is a nocturnal insectivores bear species found wild within the Indian Subcontinent. The sloth bear evolved from ancestral brown bears during the Pleistocene and shares features found in insect-eating mammals through convergent evolution. The population isolated in Sri Lanka is considered a subspecies. Unlike brown and black bears, sloth bears have lankier builds, long, shaggy coats that form a mane around the face, long, sickle-shaped claws, and a specially adapted lower lip and palate used for sucking insects. Sloth bears breed during spring and early summer and give birth near the beginning of winter. They feed on termites, honey bee colonies, and fruits. Sloth bears sometimes attack humans who encroach on their territories. Historically, humans have drastically reduced their habitat and diminished their population by hunting them for food and products such as their bacula and claws. These bears have been used as performing pets due to their tameable nature. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss and poaching.

Sloth bears feed predominantly on termites and ants and employ a well-evolved method to dig them out. Their long, curved claws are used for penetrating nest mounds, which can be rock-hard. Once they’ve opened a hole, they blow away excess dirt then noisily suck out the insects through a gap in their front teeth. To do so, they close their nostrils and use their lips like a vacuum nozzle. Beyond insects, sloth bears feast on a variety of fruit and flowers, including mango, fig, and ebony. They are also known to scale the occasional tree to knock down a bee honeycomb, which they will then enjoy on the ground below. It is this habit that’s given rise to their nickname, honey bears.

Sloth bears are solitary creatures and generally nocturnal. They grow up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length, and males can weigh up to 310 pounds (140 kilograms), while females weigh up to 210 pounds (95 kilograms). When threatened they respond by standing on their hind legs and displaying their formidable foreclaws. They wear an extremely shaggy black coat and a cream-colored snout, and their chest is usually marked with a whitish “V” or “Y” design. After a six- to seven-month gestation period sloth bears normally give birth to a litter of two cubs in an underground den. The cubs will often ride on their mother’s back, a unique trait among bears. Sloth bears are considered vulnerable animals. They are threatened by habitat loss and are sometimes captured for use in performances or hunted because of their aggressive behavior and destruction of crops.

## Gallery

Sloth Bear at Boise ZooSloth Bear Rubbing its back on Tree.Mother and CubBengal Tiger Fight Sloth BearSloth Bear vs GaurSloth Bear Piggyback RideThe Jungle Book (1967)Wild KrattsStanley
Sea Urchin

**Sea urchins** or **urchins**, archaically called **sea hedgehogs**, are small, spiny, globular animals that, with their close kin, such as sand dollars, constitute the class **Echinoidea** of the echinoderm phylum. About 950 species of echinoids inhabit all oceans from the intertidal to 5000 m deep. The shell, or "test", of sea urchins is round and spiny, typically from 3 to 10 cm (1.2 to 3.9 in) across. Common colors include black and dull shades of green, olive, brown, purple, blue, and red. Sea urchins move slowly, feeding primarily on algae. Sea otters, starfish, wolf eels, triggerfish, and other predators hunt and feed on sea urchins. Their roe is a delicacy in many cuisines. The name "urchin" is an old word for hedgehog, which sea urchins resemble.

Sea urchins also have little claw-like structure among their spines which the sea urchin uses for protection. These structures (known as pedicellarines) are small stinging structures that are not only used for defence and obtaining food, but are also vital in keeping the body of the sea urchin clean. The mouth of the sea urchin (known as the Aristotle's lantern), is found in the middle on the underside of the sea urchin's body and has five tooth-like plates for feeding. The anus of the sea urchin is located on the top of the body. As with other echinoderms, sea urchins do not have a brain and instead rely on their water-vascular system which is like a circulatory system and comprises of water-filled channels that run through the body of the sea urchin.

Sea urchins spawn during the spring, and the female sea urchin releases millions of tiny, jelly-coated eggs into the water that are then fertilised by the sperm of the male sea urchin. The tiny sea urchin eggs become part of the plankton and the sea urchin babies (larvae) do not hatch for several months. The sea urchin young will not become large enough to retreat from the plankton and down to the ocean floor until they are between 2 and 5 years old. Due to dredging on the ocean floor and pollution in the water, the sea urchin populations are declining and the sea urchin and today thought to be threatened with extinction.
Sable Antelope

The **sable antelope** is sexually dimorphic, with the male heavier and about one-fifth taller than the female. The head-and-body length is typically between 190 and 255 cm (75 and 100 in). Males reach about 117–140 cm (46–55 in) at the shoulder, while females are slightly shorter. Males typically weigh 235 kg (518 lb) and females 220 kg (490 lb). The tail is 40–75 cm (16–30 in) long, with a tuft at the end.

The sable antelope has a compact and robust build, characterised by a thick neck and tough skin. It has a well-developed and often upright mane on its neck, as well as a short mane on the throat. Its general colouration is rich chestnut to black. Females and juveniles are chestnut to dark brown, while males begin darkening and turn black after three years. However, in southern populations, females have a brown to black coat. Calves less than two months old are a light tan and show faint markings. The underparts, cheek, and chin are all white, creating a great contrast with the dark back and flanks. Long, white hairs are present below the eyes, and a wide, black stripe runs over the nose.

Both sexes have ringed horns which arch backward. In females, these can reach 61–102 cm (24–40 in), while in males they are 81–165 cm (32–65 in) long. The average lifespan of the sable antelope is 16 years in the wild and 19 years in captivity.

Sable antelope live in savanna woodlands and grasslands during the dry season, where they eat mid-length grasses and leaves. They visit salt licks and have been known to chew bones to collect minerals. They are diurnal, but are less active during the heat of the day. They form herds of 10 to 30 females and calves led by a single male, called a bull. Males fight among themselves; they drop to their knees and use their horns.

In each herd, the juvenile males are exiled from the herd around three years old. All of the female calves remain, however. When the herd gets too large, it divides into smaller groups of cows and their young. These groups form new herds, once again with only one adult bull. The young males, which have been separated from the herd, associate in "bachelor groups" of up to 12 individuals. Among the bachelors, the most dominant is the first individual to join a new group of females when the position is open. Seldomly, during their fights for dominance, they are able to inflict bodily harm to the contender.

When sable antelopes are threatened by predators, including lions, they confront them, using their scimitar-shaped horns. Many of these big cats have died during such fights. Numbers have been reduced severely as part of regional tse-tse fly control programs.

The grassland habitat of the sable is being reduced by habitat destruction for agricultural development. Antelope are important to their habitats as grazers and browsers. They are also important as prey for carnivores.

## Gallery

Artist rendering of 2 male Sable Antelope Head-ButtingMother Sable Antelope and New Born BabyBrown and Black Sable AntelopeSable Antelope RunningSable Antelope and KuduSable Antelope CalfMale Breeding FemaleFantasia 2000The Lion GuardThe Real Adventures of Johnny Quest
Mosquito

Few animals on Earth evoke the antipathy that mosquitoes do. Their itchy, irritating bites and nearly ubiquitous presence can ruin a backyard barbecue or a hike in the woods. They have an uncanny ability to sense our murderous intentions, taking flight and disappearing milliseconds before a fatal swat. And in our bedrooms, the persistent, whiny hum of their buzzing wings can wake the soundest of sleepers. Beyond the nuisance factor, mosquitoes are carriers, or vectors, for some of humanity’s most deadly illnesses, and they are public enemy number one in the fight against global infectious disease. Mosquito-borne diseases cause millions of deaths worldwide every year with a disproportionate effect on children and the elderly in developing countries.

There are more than 3,000 species of mosquitoes, but the members of three bear primary responsibility for the spread of human diseases. Anopheles mosquitoes are the only species known to carry malaria. They also transmit filariasis (also called elephantiasis) and encephalitis. Culex mosquitoes carry encephalitis, filariasis, and the West Nile virus. And Aedes mosquitoes, of which the voracious Asian tiger is a member, carry yellow fever, dengue, and encephalitis.

Mosquitoes use exhaled carbon dioxide, body odors and temperature, and movement to home in on their victims. Only female mosquitoes have the mouth parts necessary for sucking blood. When biting with their proboscis, they stab two tubes into the skin: one to inject an enzyme that inhibits blood clotting; the other to suck blood into their bodies. They use the blood not for their own nourishment but as a source of protein for their eggs. For food, both males and females eat nectar and other plant sugars. Mosquitoes transmit disease in a variety of ways. In the case of malaria, parasites attach themselves to the gut of a female mosquito and enter a host as she feeds. In other cases, such as yellow fever and dengue, a virus enters the mosquito as it feeds on an infected human and is transmitted via the mosquito’s saliva to a subsequent victim.

The only silver lining to that cloud of mosquitoes in your garden is that they are a reliable source of food for thousands of animals, including birds, bats, dragonflies, and frogs. In addition, humans are actually not the first choice for most mosquitoes looking for a meal. They usually prefer horses, cattle, and birds. All mosquitoes need water to breed, so eradication and population-control efforts usually involve removal or treatment of standing water sources. Insecticide spraying to kill adult mosquitoes is also widespread. However, global efforts to stop the spread of mosquitoes are having little effect, and many scientists think global warming will likely increase their number and range.
Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise

The **Raggiana bird-of-paradise**, (*Paradisaea raggiana*) also known as **Count Raggi's bird-of-paradise**, is a large bird in the bird-of-paradise familyParadisaeidae. It is distributed widely in southern and northeastern New Guinea, where its name is ***kumul***. It is also known as ***cenderawasih***. As requested by Count Luigi Maria D'Albertis, the epithet *raggiana* commemorates the Marquis Francis Raggi of Genoa.

The Raggiana bird-of-paradise is the national bird of Papua New Guinea. In 1971 this species, as *Gerrus paradisaea*, was made the national emblem and was included on the national flag. 'The Kumuls' is also the nickname of the country's national rugby league team.

## Description

It's 34 cm long, maroon-brown with a greyish-blue bill, yellow iris and greyish-brown feet. The males has a yellow crown, dark emerald-green throat and yellow collar between the throat and its blackish upper breast feathers. It is adorned with a pair of long black tail wires and large flank plumes. The female is a comparatively drab maroonish-brown bird with no long tail feathers. The ornamental flank plumes vary from red to orange in color, depending on subspecies. The nominate subspecies, *P. r. raggiana*, has the deepest red plumes, while the subspecies *P. r. augustavictoriae* of northeast New Guinea, also known as the Empress of Germany's bird of paradise, has apricot-orange plumes.

## Behavior

### **Diet**

Its diet consists mainly of fruits and arthropods. The species is an important seed disperser of some fruiting trees in New Guinea, and is for some species of mahogany and nutmeg the main fruit disperser.

### **Breeding**

The breeding system of the Raggiana bird-of-paradise is polygamy. Males congregate in leks (display arenas for visiting females). Leks can be 30–100 meters in diameter. Within the lek there is a group of tall slender trees on which males compete for prominent perches and defend them from rivals. On these perches males do a display which involves clapping wings and shaking the head. The nest is a bowl-shaped structure composed of leaves and leaf pieces, stems, ferns and other plant fibres. It is lined with horsehair-like material and is situated 2–11 m above the ground on tree branches. The position of the nest may be higher in areas where humans disturb the nest. The female usually lays a clutch of one to two (usually two) pinkish buff eggs. The incubation period has been recorded as 18 days in the wild and 20 days in captivity. As in all polygamous birds-of-paradise, the female alone assumes all incubation duties.

## Status and Conservation

Widespread and common throughout the tropical forests of eastern New Guinea, the Raggiana bird-of-paradise is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red Listof Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES. Even though the plumes of this species are heavily cropped by natives for ceremonial headdresses, the practice is not a threat to their long-term survival.
Pink-Backed Pelican

The **pink-backed pelican** (*Pelecanus rufescens*) is a bird of the pelican family. It is a resident breeder in the swamps and shallow lakes of Africa, southern Arabia, southern India and is apparently extirpated in Madagascar.

## Description

It is a relatively small pelican, although by no means is it a small bird. Its length is from 125 to 155 cm (49 to 61 in), wingspan is 2.15–2.9 m (7.1–9.5 ft) and body mass is from 4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lb). The bill is 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) in length. The plumage is grey and white, with a pinkish hue on the back occasionally apparent (never in the deep pink of a flamingo). The top of the bill is yellow and the pouch is usually greyish. Breeding adults have long feather plumes on the head. It shares its habitat with the the Great White Pelican, which is generally larger and has white instead of greyish plumage.

## Habitat and Breeding

The pink-backed pelican is found in a range of aquatic habitats, but prefers quiet backwaters with shallow water, avoiding steep, vegetated lake banks. It prefers for freshwater lakes, swamps, large slow-flowing rivers, and seasonal pools but also frequents reservoirs, seasonally flooded land and flood-plains near river mouths. It may occur on alkaline and saline lakes and lagoons, and can sometimes be found along the coast in bays and estuaries (although seldom on open seashore). The species tends to roost and breed in trees (e.g. mangroves), but will also roost on sandy islands, cliffs, coral reefs and sand-dunes.

Nesting trees have many nests built close together. These nests are re-used every year until the trees collapse, although the birds will normally remain in the area. The species nests colonially in trees, reeds or low bushes along waterfronts as well as (less often) on the ground on sandy islands and in mangroves Its nest is a large heap of sticks and may be 10–50 m above the ground. The female lays two to three large white eggs and later the chicks feed by plunging their heads deep into the adult’s pouch and taking the partially digested regurgitated fish.

## Diet

Food is usually fish (of any size up to 450 g, usually in the 80-290 g range) and amphibians, and is usually obtained by fishing in groups. Among the fish preyed upon are cichlids like *Haplochromis* and *Tilapia*.
Markhor

The Markhor (Capra falconeri) is the largest of the goat family and is found in the rugged mountains of central Asia, from Southern Russia to the sparse woodland of the West Himalayas. The markhor is largely found in the Northern Areas of Pakistan especially in Chitral, Ghizar and Hunza regions. Markhors live at altitudes of 500 to 3,500 metres (1,600 to 11,000 feet) depending on season, summer is spent at higher altitudes and winter at lower altitudes. The Markhor is the national animal of Pakistan.

## Description

Markhors measure 132 – 186 centimetres in length, stand 65 – 115 centimetres (26 – 45 inches) high at the shoulder and weigh around 40 – 110 kilograms (88 – 240 pounds). They have a tail length of 8 – 20 centimetres (3.2 – 8 inches).

Male and female markhors are similar in appearance with a tan coloured coat with white underparts and a black and white pattern on their legs (males are a lighter tan colour). They have long, shaggy, white fur on their necks and chest which can grow quite long, and a black coloured face.

Both male and female markhor have corkscrew shaped horns that can grow to 160 centimetres (63 inches) on the males and up to 25 centimetres (9.8 inches) on the females.The horns on a markhor may be straight or flare outward, depending on the subspecies. The males have a long beard on the chin.

## Habitat

The markhor prefers arid cliffside habitats in sparsely wooded mountainous regions as well as the Middle Asian Mountains Temperate Forests. Markhors try to avoid deep snow.

## Diet

Markhors are grazing animals in the summer and browsing animals in the winter. The markhors diet consists of tussocks of grass, leaves and other vegetation. Like the Ibex, they stand on their hind legs to eat leaves and shoots from trees. The markhor forages 8 – 12 hours daily and it is usually active all day except for several hours in the middle of the day, when it rests and chews its cud.

## Behavior

Markhors are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), active early in the morning and late afternoon. Male markhors are generally solitary while females gather into herds of up to 9 individuals. Population densities in Pakistan range from 1 – 9 animals per square kilometre. The markhors alarm call resembles the call of the common domestic goat. Markhors are agile and nimble creatures that can climb and jump over rocky terrain with ease. In the winter months the markhor descends to lower altitudes to avoid extreme cold. Main predators of the markhor include the wolf, snow leopard, leopard, lynx and humans.

## Reproduction

Mating season begins when the male markhors enter into ‘rut’ and fight for the attention of the females. Fights involve horn locking and then twisting and pushing until one male falls over. Markhors reach maturity at around 18 – 30 months. Mating season occurs during winter. The females gestation period lasts 135 – 170 days after which 1 to 2 young (kids) are born. Markhor kids are weaned at about 5 – 6 months. The life span of a markhor is at least 12 – 13 years.
Shoebill

**Shoebill**, (*Balaeniceps rex*), also called **shoe-billed stork**or **whale-headed stork**, large African wading bird, a single species that constitutes the family Balaenicipitidae (order Balaenicipitiformes, Ciconiiformes, or Pelecaniformes). The species is named for its clog-shaped bill, which is an adaptation for catching and holding the large, slippery lungfish, its favourite food. This big bird also eats turtles, fish, and young crocodiles. Shoebills stand about 115 cm (3.8 feet) tall. They are entirely gray, with broad wings and long legs. The head is large in proportion to the body, and the eyes are also exceptionally large. The shoebill claps the mandibles of its bill together as a display, producing a loud, hollow sound. Like herons and pelicans, shoebills fly with the head held back against the body. They nest on either floating vegetation or solid mounds and lay one to three white eggs, which hatch in about 30 days. Shoebills inhabit swampy regions in and around the White Nile area of northeastern Africa.

The taxonomic placement of the shoebill is a matter of some debate. It has traditionally been grouped with the herons, storks, and ibises (order Ciconiiformes) on the basis of behavioral and morphological studies. However, other morphological and genetic analyses suggest a closer affiliation with pelicans (family Pelecanidae) and with the hammerhead, another African waterbird whose taxonomic position is unclear. The composition of both the Ciconiiformes and the Pelecaniformes is, in any case, contested as well. Shoebills are sometimes placed in their own order, Balaenicipitiformes.
Philippine Mouse-Deer

The Philippine mouse-deer is a member of the Chevrotain family. It is referred to as “little goat” because of the horizontal pupils which allow peripheral depth of sight. It has an overall brown and black coat with three white stripes down its throat towards the chest.

Its dark color differentiates the Balabac Chevrotain from other members of the same genus. The mouse deer’s length is between 40-50 cm from head to tail, and its average height is 18 cm up to the shoulders. The male pilandok has no horns and uses only canine teeth on the upper jaw to fight other males. This solitary and nocturnal animal is primarily vegetarian but there is no formal study done on its diet. It is said to eat leaves and flowers in the dense forest.

Classified under R-selected species, it lives in an ever-changing unstable environment. At five months, it is ready to mate. Its small body size has a life span of about fourteen years.  This mammal is found in folklore such as the story of it being protected by pythons. It is also in the Maranao literature where it tricks a prince. There is no indication that it is associated with any indigenous group, not even the Molbogs who live on the same island, Balabac. Molbogs are farmers, fishermen or traders. There must be some encounters with the pilandok, which frequents shorelines and mangroves.

Under the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), in 1994, it was considered vulnerable and by 1996, as endangered. There is no study as to how many are remaining in the wild, except from observations of the hunters that it’s harder to find one.
This mammal is hunted for its meat. While there are laws protecting it, actual practices show otherwise. The natives are lenient with hunters with the condition that the female is spared. Poaching is so common and in some instances it is caged, where the delicate legs are injured during transfers resulting in death. The habitat is also threatened due to conversion to coconut and other plantations.

Currently, eighteen priority sites are funded by Global Environment Facility/World Bank and the European Union. Unfortunately, T. nigricans does not occur on any of these sites. More research and better protection of their habitat are suggested to help with the survival of these species.
Siberian Tiger

The **Siberian Tiger** (*Panthera Tigris Altaica*), also known as the **Amur**, **Ussuri**, '**Russian**, **Far Eastern**, or **Korean Tiger**, is the world's largest living cat. This subspecies of tiger lives primarily in eastern Russia's birch forests, though some exist in China and North Korea. There are an estimated 400 to more than 500 Siberian tigers living in the wild, and recent studies suggest that these numbers are stable. Though their northern climate is far harsher than those of other tigers, these animals have some advantages. Northern forests offer the lowest human density of any tiger habitat, and the most complete ecosystem. The vast woodlands also allow tigers far more room to roam, as Russia's timber industry is currently less extensive than that of many other countries.

## Population and Conservation

Tigers are the largest of all wild cats and are renowned for their power and strength. There were once eight tiger subspecies, but three became extinct during the 20th century. Over the last hundred years, hunting and forest destruction have reduced overall tiger populations from hundreds of thousands to perhaps 3,000 to 5,000. Tigers are hunted as trophies and also for body parts that are used in traditional Chinese medicine. All five remaining tiger subspecies are endangered, and many protection programs are in place. Poaching is a reduced—but still very significant—threat to Siberian tigers.

## Behavior

Some tigers live alone and aggressively scent-mark large territories to keep their rivals away. They are powerful hunters that travel many miles to find prey, such as elk and wild boar, on nocturnal hunts. Tigers use their distinctive coats as camouflage (no two have exactly the same stripes) and hunt by stealth. They lie in wait and creep close enough to attack their victims with a quick spring and a fatal pounce. A hungry tiger can eat as much as 60 pounds (27 kilograms) in one night, though they usually eat less.

Despite their fearsome reputation, most tigers avoid humans; however, a few do become dangerous man-eaters. These animals are often sick and unable to hunt normally, or live in areas where their traditional prey has vanished. Females give birth to litters of two to six cubs, which they raise with little or no help from the male. Cubs cannot hunt until they are 18 months old, and remain with their mothers for two to three years, when they disperse to find their own territory.

## Gallery

A Siberian Tiger in captivity at the Mesker Park Zoo; Evansville Indiana.Splash Time!Mother and Cub in SnowTiger Family ReunionStanleyThe Lion Guard (2016 - 2019)