recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Beaked Sea Snake

## Description

Enhydrina schistosa, commonly known as the beaked sea snake, hook-nosed sea snake, common sea snake, or the Valakadeyan sea snake, is a highly venomous species of sea snake common throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific. This species is implicated in more than 50% of all bites caused by sea snakes, as well as the majority of envenomings and fatalities.

## Appearance

The Beaked sea snake is a highly venomous species of sea snake common throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific. It is usually uniformly dark grey above; sides and lower parts are whitish. Young specimens are olive or grey with black transverse bands, broadest in the middle.

## Distribution

Beaked sea snakes are found in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf (off Oman), south of the Seychelles and Madagascar, the seas off South Asia (Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh), Southeast Asia (Myanmar (formerly Burma), Thailand, Vietnam). These snakes are generally found in shallow waters with muddy or sandy bottoms, estuaries, river mouths, and coastal lagoons and islands.

## Behavior

Beaked sea snakes are active both during the day and at night. They are able to dive up to 100 m and stay underwater for a maximum of five hours before resurfacing. Sea snakes are equipped with glands to eliminate excess salt. They are venomous and notably aggressive, with some herpetologists describing them as "cantankerous and savage". About 1.5 milligrams of their venom is estimated to be lethal.

## Venom

The venom of this species is made up of highly potent neurotoxins and myotoxins. This widespread species is responsible for the vast majority of deaths from sea snake bites (up to 90% of all sea snake bites). The LD50 value is 0.1125 mg/kg based on toxicology studies. The average venom yield per bite is approximately 7.9–9.0 mg, while the lethal human dose is estimated to be 1.5 mg.

## Diet

Beaked sea snakes are carnivores (piscivores) and feed exclusively on fish.

## Reproduction

Beaked sea snakes give birth to a large number of live young that can reach 30 or even more. Young snakes usually spend 6-12 months in the shallow water before they are ready to leave out to sea. Reproductive maturity is reached at around 18 months of age and females usually give birth to the first clutch of young when they are around 24 months old.

## Population

### Population threats

The main threats to Beaked sea snakes include pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, and collection for their venom and skins.

### Population number

According to IUCN, the Beaked sea snake is common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Checkered Keelback

## Description

The Checkered keelback is a medium-sized nonvenomous snake native to Asia. Its coloration is very variable; it consists of dark spots arranged quincuncially and often separated by a whitish network, or of black longitudinal bands on a pale ground, or of dark crossbands, with or without whitish spots. Two oblique black streaks, one below and the other behind the eye, are nearly constant. The lower parts are white, with or without black margins to the shields.

## Distribution

Checkered keelbacks are found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, West Malaysia, China (Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan), Taiwan, and Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi). These snakes live in or near freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, and marshes.

## Behavior

Checkered keelbacks are semi-aquatic and rarely venture far from water. They lead a solitary life and are active both during the day and at night. These snakes may be quite aggressive. Often they try to raise their head as much as possible and expand their neck skin mimicking a cobra hood and intimidate the threat. If they can't escape from a threat they will readily strike and bite fiercely. They may also lose their tail as an escape mechanism.

## Diet

Checkered keelbacks are carnivores (piscivores) and feed mainly on small fish and water frogs. Their diet may also include mice, lizards, birds, insects, and even small snakes.

## Reproduction

Checkered keelbacks are oviparous which means that they lay their eggs. Clutch size is usually 30-70 eggs, but may be as few as 4 or as many as 100. Eggs size vary in size and each egg may be 1.5-4.0 cm (0.59-1.57 in) long. Females guard their eggs until they hatch. Each hatchling measures about 11 cm (4.3 in) in total length.

## Population

### Threats

These highly adaptable snakes don't face any major threats at present.

### Number

Presently, the Checkered keelback is not included in the IUCN Red List and its conservation status has not been evaluated.
Bactrian Deer

## Description

The Bactrian deer (Cervus hanglu bactrianus ), also called the Bukhara deer, Bokhara deer, or Bactrian wapiti, is a lowland subspecies of Central Asian red deer native to Central Asia. It is similar in ecology to the related Yarkand deer (C. h. yarkandensis ) in occupying riparian corridors surrounded by deserts. The subspecies are separated from one another by the Tian Shan Mountains and probably form a primordial subgroup of the red deer.

## Appearance

Bactrian deer are usually ashy-gray in color with yellowish sheen and a grayish white rump patch. They also have a slightly marked dorsal stripe and a white margin of the upper lip, lower lip, and chin. Their antlers are light in color. These deer have short tails and do not have neck manes; males do have stronger and thicker neck muscles than females that may give the appearance of a neck mane. Females are slightly smaller than males. The calves are generally born spotted and most individuals lose their spots by adulthood. However, adult Bactrian deer may have a few spots on the backs of their summer coats. This phenomenon has also been observed in summer coats of their distant relatives Manchurian wapiti.

## Distribution

Bactrian deer are native to Central Asia. They are found in Russian Turkestan (West Turkestan) and adjacent areas in northern Afghanistan to the west of the Tian Shan Mountains. Bactrian deer live in lowland riparian corridors of mixed deciduous vegetation surrounded by deserts.

## Behavior

Little is known about the habits of Bactrian deer. They are social animals and associate in groups. These deer do not migrate but may disperse into adjacent desert areas at night or during the times when temperatures get cooler.

## Diet

Bactrian deer are herbivores and feed on grasses, forbs, and different plants.

## Reproduction

Little information is available regarding the mating system and reproductive behavior of Bactrian deer.

## Population

### Population threats

Bactrian deer are threatened due to extensive human activities. They suffer from habitat loss, hunting, pet trade, and other activities. These deer currently need urgent conservation. Aside from human, the wolf is probably the most dangerous predator that most Central Asian red deer encounter. Other predators include Brown bears, dholes, and Snow leopards. Eurasian lynx and Wild boars sometimes prey on the fawns.

### Population number

According to Wikipedia, the total population size of Bactrian deer is 1,430 individuals. There are estimated populations of the species in the following areas: in Karatchingil Nature Reserve, Kazakhstan - 320-350 individuals; in Badai Tugai Nature Reserve, Uzbekistan - 374 individuals; in Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve, Tajikistan - more than 150 individuals.
Cacomistle

## Description

The cacomistle is a shy arboreal relative of the raccoon. Its body consists of dark brown and grey fur, which stands as a stark contrast to the black and white striped tail. The tail stripes are the most defined near the animal's posterior end and gradually fade to a solid black at the end of the tail. The cacomistle is often confused with its cousin the Ring-tailed cat because of the similarity of their appearance, but unlike the Ring-tail cat, the cacomistle does not have retractable claws. The cacomistle can also be identified by its faded tail and the observation of ears that come to a point.

## Distribution

Cacomistles are found in North America and Central America, from south-central Mexico to Panama. They inhabit a wide variety of different forest ecosystems and prefer wet, tropical, evergreen woodlands and mountain forests; however, seasonally they will venture into drier deciduous forests. In Mexico, these animals tend to avoid oak forests, secondary forests, and overgrown pastures, but in Costa Rica, they favor those exact habitats.

## Behavior

Cacomistles are quite solitary and thus spread themselves out; each individual has a home range of at least 20 hectares (an area equivalent to 20 sports fields). They are typically seen in the middle and upper levels of the canopy and rarely come down to the ground. Cacomistles are nocturnal and feed at night. These are generally quiet animals but when threatened they will bark, snarl or scream. They will also use their loud calls in order to claim territorial boundaries. Young cacomistles communicate with the help of metallic squeaks.

## Diet

Cacomistles are omnivores and can survive on a wide variety of different foods. Their diet consists primarily of fruits, insects, small vertebrates such as reptiles, amphibians, and rodents.

## Reproduction

Cacomistles mate in spring and this is the only time the males and the females interact with each other. After the gestation period that lasts approximately 2 months, the female gives birth to a single cub. The young is born blind and open its eyes at 34 days. When the cub is 3 months old it is weaned, and then taught hunting and survival skills by its mother before going off to develop its own territory.

## Population

### Threats

Cacomistles are threatened by the deforestation and fragmentation of their native habitat. In Mexico and Honduras, they are also hunted for fur and for meat.

### Number

The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the cacomistle total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

## Fun Facts

The name cacomistle comes from the Nahuatl language (tlahcomiztli) and means "half cat" or "half mountain lion".

The cacomistle belongs to the family which includes other small omnivores such as the raccoon and the coati.

Cacomistles are agile climbers and leapers due to their semi-retractile claws and long tails which aid balancing.
Buff Striped Keelback

## Description

The Buff striped keelback is a small nonvenomous colubrid snake. It is generally olive-brown to gray in color and has keeled scales on the dorsal surface of its body. Two yellow stripes along the length and to the sides of the spine are the distinctive feature of this snake. These stripes are diffuse at the head and are especially bright on the second half of its body. The sides of the head are yellow, and the head tapers to form a distinctive neck. The nape is red during the breeding season. The chin and throat are white or sometimes orange. There are black vertical markings in front of and behind the large eyes of this snake. Its eyes have large round pupils with golden flecks on the iris.

## Distribution

Buff striped keelbacks are found throughout South and Southeast Asia. They inhabit well-watered lowland plains and hills and often frequent cultivated areas.

## Behavior

Buff striped keelbacks are diurnal, and although mostly seen on land, they can readily take to the water. They lead a solitary life and typically aestivate during hot weather and appear at the end of summer. They are abundant during the rains. In north India, they hibernate 25 to 45 cm (about 10 to 18 inches) under the ground in soil, amongst grassroots. Buff striped keelbacks are totally harmless. When alarmed, these snakes inflate their body exposing the bright interscale colors. Sometimes, they flatten and narrow their head to form a hood. This behavior sometimes causes the species to be mistaken by laypersons for a baby cobra.

## Diet

Buff striped keelbacks are carnivorous snakes. They mainly feed on small amphibians such as frogs and toads, and may also consume fish, earthworms, and geckos.

## Reproduction

Buff striped keelbacks are oviparous (egg-laying) and breed during the aestivation period. Gravid females have been found from April to August and eggs are laid in underground holes from May to September. Females lay a clutch of 5 to 10 pure white eggs and remain with their clutch till the eggs hatch. The young snakes are 13 to 17 cm at birth and are able to hunt small frogs, tadpoles, fish, earthworms, and insects.

## Population

### Threats

Buff striped keelbacks are common throughout their native range and don't face any major threats at present.

### Number

Presently, the Buff striped keelback is not included in the IUCN Red List and its conservation status has not been evaluated.

## References

https://animalia.bio/buff-striped-keelback
Arafura File Snake

## Description

The Arafura File Snake is a non-venomous aquatic snake species. This snake was first described by Samuel Booker McDowell in 1979 and its skin is used to make drums in New Guinea.

## Appearance

The most notable feature of file snakes is their skin and scales. The skin is loose and baggy, giving the impression of being several sizes too large for the snake, and the scales, rather than overlapping, are tiny pyramidal projections that led to their common names. Female Arafura file snakes are usually larger than males.

## Distribution

Arafura file snakes can be found in northern Australia and New Guinea. There they live in freshwater habitats such as lagoons, sheltered riverbanks and rivers, lakes, and swamps, floodplains, and may sometimes occur in brackish or inshore marine waters.

## Behavior

Arafura file snakes are entirely aquatic creatures but they can move on land if they need to. These snakes are ambush predators that hunt their prey at night. They lurk at the bottom of rivers, streams, and estuaries, and wait for fish to approach, which they grip with their coils. The rough scales allow them to hold the fish despite the mucus coating.

## Diet

Arafura file snakes are carnivores (piscivores) and eat almost exclusively fish. They are known to prey on large fish, such as eel-tailed catfish.

## Reproduction

Females of this species are viviparous and give birth to 6 and 27 live young. The gestation period takes about 3 months and females reproduce only every 8 to 10 years.

## Population

### Population threats

Arafura file snakes don’t face any major threats at present.

### Population number

The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Arafura file snake total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Asian Golden Weaver

## Description

The Asian golden weaver (Ploceus hypoxanthus ) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae.It is found in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, swamps, and arable land.It is threatened by habitat loss.

## Appearance

The Asian golden weaver is a medium-sized bird with yellow and black upper parts, along with yellow underparts. The breeding male is generally bright yellow with a black mask. Females, non-breeding males, and young birds are dull-colored and difficult to distinguish from the Baya Weaver, with their thicker bills being the only thing that sets them apart.

## Distribution

Asian golden weavers are found in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. They inhabit subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, marshes, swamps, and rice paddies.

## Behavior

Asian golden weavers do not migrate and are often found in their most comfortable locations. They are diurnal and social birds that often congregate in large flocks.

## Diet

Asian golden weavers are herbivores and feed mainly on seeds but during breeding, they supplement their diet with insects.

## Reproduction

It is widely believed that Asian golden weavers are monogamous and form pairs. They breed in small colonies, and the nest is initially created by the male, and completed with the assistance of the female. Their nest is a rounded structure with a side entrance and woven from thin strips of grass or palm leaves. Nests are firmly attached to vegetation over water or very swampy ground, often less than 1 m above the surface, usually in reeds or bulrushes. Sometimes nests are placed in trees or shrubs, and then higher than 2 m above the ground. The female lays from 2 to 3 eggs, and these eggs often have a greyish-white color. While being grown, the eggs can also grow to an average size of 188 mm by 13.5 mm. Incubation is done by the female only, and upon hatching, the chicks are fed mainly by the female, with occasional assistance by the male.

## Population

### Population threats

Asian golden weavers are threatened by habitat loss. They are also persecuted by humans and colonies of these birds are frequently destroyed.

### Population number

The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Asian golden weaver total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.
Common Lancehead

## Description

The Common lancehead is a highly venomous pit viper species found in South America. Its color pattern is highly variable, including a ground color that may be olive, brown, tan, gray, yellow, or (rarely) rusty. The body pattern typically consists of a series of dorsolateral blotches, rectangular or trapezoidal in shape, which extend from the first scale row to the middle of the back. These blotches may oppose or alternate across the midline, often fusing to form bands. The belly may be white, cream, or yellowish-gray, with an increasing amount of gray to black mottling posteriorly that may fade again under the tail. The head usually does not have any markings other than a moderately wide postocular stripe that runs from behind the eye back to the angle of the mouth. The iris is gold or bronze in color, with varying amounts of black reticulation, while the tongue is black.

## Distribution

Common lanceheads are found in South America east of the Andes, including southeastern Colombia, southern and eastern Venezuela, the island of Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, Panama, northern Bolivia, and the northern half of Brazil. These snakes live in tropical wet forests and may also visit plantations in search of prey.

## Behavior

Common lanceheads are generally solitary creatures and prefer to be on their own. They are mainly terrestrial but are excellent swimmers and even climb trees when necessary to reach prey. These snakes are nocturnal and typically remain inactive throughout the day hiding under fallen logs, at the base of trees, below leaf-litter, or in dense vegetation. However, if necessary, they may forage at any time of the day. Common lanceheads hunt their prey using several techniques. They may use the sit-and-wait technique relying on their camouflage and suddenly attack prey that passes by or may actively forage searching on soil or among leaf litter. Common lanceheads are easily agitated. When threatened they prefer to rely on their camouflage hoping to stay undetected but may also flee, shake their tail against the leaf litter, or even attack.

## Diet

Common lanceheads are carnivores and eat mostly small mammals and birds, but also frogs, lizards, and tarantulas.

## Reproduction

Common lanceheads breed year-round and give birth to live young. After mating, gravid females with developing embryos travel in and out of sunlight to keep themselves and the embryos at a constant temperature. In equatorial regions, the gestation period lasts about 3 to 4 months, and the litter consists of 60-80 young. At birth, the snakelets are about 30 cm (12 in) in total length, more brightly colored than adults, and have yellow or beige tails. They are born venomous and are extremely dangerous right after birth.

## Population

### Threats

Common lanceheads are among the most numerous and common of pit vipers and are not endangered at present.

### Number

The Common lancehead population number is unavailable at present from open sources and its conservation status has not been evaluated.
Brown Snake

## Description

Storeria dekayi, commonly known as De Kay's brown snake, De Kay's snake, and simply the brown snake (along with many others), is a small non-venomous species of snake in the family Colubridae.

## Appearance

The Brown snake is a small nonvenomous snake native to North and Central America. Dorsally, these snakes are brown to gray in color with a lighter center stripe bordered by small black spots; ventrally, they are light brown or pink with small black dots at the ends of the ventral scales.

## Distribution

Brown snakes are native to Southern Ontario and Quebec, most of the eastern half of the United States, through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and possibly El Salvador. These snakes live in different habitats including forests, riparian woodlands, wet meadows, savannas, grasslands, and wetlands. They are also common in urban areas.

## Behavior

Brown snakes are generally solitary and can be found together only during hibernation or during the mating season. During cold winter months, they hibernate in communal dens usually in rocky outcrops or burrows of small rodents. These snakes are nocturnal and during the day they usually hide under logs, rocks, leaves and another cover. When they feel in danger, Brown snakes flatten themselves against the ground to appear larger and if picked-up release a foul-smelling musk.

## Diet

Brown snakes are carnivores; they primarily feed on slugs, snails, and earthworms. They may also consume other invertebrates such as sowbugs, mites, millipedes.

## Reproduction

Brown snakes are polygynous which means that males mate with more than female during a single breeding season. These snakes mate in spring after emergence from hibernation. Females give birth to 3-31 live young in the late summer. Snakelets are born fully developed but usually stay with their mother for some time. They become reproductively mature at 2-3 years of age.

## Population

### Population threats

There are no major threats to Brown snakes at present.

### Population number

According to IUCN, the Brown snake is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.

### Ecological niche

Due to their diet habits, Brown snakes control populations of slugs, snails, and earthworms. They also serve as important prey species for local predators.
Asiatic cheetah

The Asiatic cheetah is a Critically Endangered cheetah subspecies surviving today only in Iran. It once occurred from the Arabian Peninsula and the Near East to the Caspian region, Transcaucasus, Kyzylkum Desert and India, but was extirpated in these regions during the 20th century. The Asiatic cheetah survives in protected areas in the eastern-central arid region of Iran, where the human population density is very low. Between December 2011 and November 2013, 84 individuals were sighted in 14 different protected areas, and 82 individuals were identified from camera trap photographs. As of December 2017, fewer than 50 individuals are thought to be remaining in three subpopulations that are scattered over 140,000 km2 in Iran's central plateau. In order to raise international awareness for the conservation of the Asiatic cheetah, an illustration was used on the jerseys of the Iran national football team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Asiatic cheetah diverged from the cheetah population in Africa between 32,000 and 67,000 years ago. During British rule in India, it was called hunting leopard, a name derived from the ones that were kept in captivity in large numbers by Indian royalty to use for hunting wild antelopes.
Amsterdam albatross

The Amsterdam albatross or Amsterdam Island albatross, Diomedea amsterdamensis, is a large albatross which breeds only on Amsterdam Island in the southern Indian Ocean. It was only described in 1983, and was thought by some researchers to be a sub-species of the wandering albatross, D. exulans. BirdLife International and the IOC recognize it as a species, James Clements does not, and the SACC has a proposal on the table to split the species. More recently, mitochondrial DNA comparisons between the Amsterdam albatross, the wandering albatross Diomedea exulans, the Antipodean albatross D. antipodensis and the Tristan albatross D. dabbenena, provide clear genetic evidence that the Amsterdam albatross is a separate species.
Barbados Threadsnake

## Description

The Barbados threadsnake (Tetracheilostoma carlae ) is a species of threadsnake. It is the smallest known snake species. This member of the Leptotyphlopidae family is found only on the Caribbean island of Barbados.

## Appearance

The Barbados threadsnake is the smallest known snake species in the world. It was first identified as a separate species in 2008 by S. Blair Hedges, a herpetologist from Pennsylvania State University. He named this snake in honor of his wife, Carla Ann Hass, a herpetologist who was also part of the discovery team. Barbados threadsnakes are said to be about as wide as a spaghetti noodle and are thought to be near the lower size limit for snakes, as young individuals need to attain a certain minimum size to find suitable food.

## Distribution

Barbados threadsnakes are found on the Caribbean island of Barbados. They inhabit tropical dry forests.

## Behavior

Barbados threadsnakes are solitary fossorial creatures adapted to burrowing. They are nocturnal and during the day usually hide under rocks. Due to their diet preferences, they are often found near ant and termite nests. The pheromones these snakes produce protect them from attack by termites.

## Diet

Barbados threadsnakes are carnivores and their diets consist mostly of termite or ant larvae.

## Reproduction

Barbados threadsnakes are oviparous meaning they lay eggs to reproduce. Females lay only one large egg at a time and the emerging offspring is about half the length of the mother.

## Population

### Population threats

Habitat loss is the main threat to the Barbados threadsnake. Essentially, Barbados has no original forest remaining and based on the small population number of this species and its distribution apparently being restricted to eastern Barbados, the continued survival of these tiny snakes is a concern.

### Population number

The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Barbados threadsnake total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List.

## References

https://animalia.bio/barbados-threadsnake
Cinereous vulture

The cinereous vulture is a large raptorial bird that is distributed through much of temperate Eurasia. It is also known as the black vulture, monk vulture, or Eurasian black vulture. It is a member of the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers. It is one of the largest two Old World vultures, attaining a maximum size of 14 kg,, 1.2 m long and 3.1 m across the wings.
Cantor's Giant Softshell Turtle

## Description

The Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii), also known commonly as Cantor's giant softshell turtle and the frog-faced softshell turtle, is a species of freshwater turtle in the family Trionychidae. The species is native to Southeast Asia. The species is critically endangered and in the 20th century has disappeared from much of its former range.

## Appearance

The Cantor's giant softshell turtle is a species of freshwater turtle that is native to Southeast Asia. It has been considered to be among the largest extant freshwater turtles. The species is endangered and in the 20th century has disappeared from much of its former range.

## Distribution

Cantor's giant softshell turtles occur in eastern and southern India, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, eastern and southern China, the Philippines (Luzon and Mindanao), Indonesia (Kalimantan, Java, and Sumatra), and Papua New Guinea. They inhabit inland, slow-moving, freshwater rivers, lakes, streams, and estuaries. Some evidence indicates that the range of these turtles extends to coastal areas, as well.

## Behavior

Cantor's giant turtles spend most of their life buried and motionless, with only their eyes and mouth protruding from the sand. They surface only twice a day to take a breath and capture their prey by sit-and-wait strategy using an element of surprise.

## Diet

Cantor's giant softshell turtles are primarily carnivores (piscivores) feeding on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. They may also supplement their diet with some aquatic plants.

## Reproudction

Females of these large freshwater turtles lay their eggs in February or March on riverbanks. The clutch size is usually 20 to 28 eggs around 3-3.6 centimeters (1.2-1.4 in) in diameter.

## Population

### Population threats

Cantor's giant softshell turtles are threatened by habitat destruction that disappears from much of their range. They are also heavily harvested by locals for meat and are often killed by fishermen when caught in fishing gear.

### Population number

The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of Cantor's giant softshell turtle total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.

## References

https://animalia.bio/cantors-giant-softshell-turtle
Chicken

The chicken is a domesticated subspecies of the red junglefowl originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adult male bird, and younger male may be called a cockerel. A male that has been castrated is a capon. An adult female bird is called a hen and a sexually immature female is called a pullet. Originally raised for cockfighting or for special ceremonies, chickens were not kept for food until the Hellenistic period . Humans now keep chickens primarily as a source of food and as pets. Chickens are one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, with a total population of 23.7 billion as of 2018, up from more than 19 billion in 2011. There are more chickens in the world than any other bird. There are numerous cultural references to chickens – in myth, folklore and religion, and in language and literature. Genetic studies have pointed to multiple maternal origins in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, but the clade found in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa originated from the Indian subcontinent. From ancient India, the chicken spread to Lydia in western Asia Minor, and to Greece by the 5th century BC. Fowl have been known in Egypt since the mid-15th century BC, with the "bird that gives birth every day" having come from the land between Syria and Shinar, Babylonia, according to the annals of Thutmose III.
Dugite

## Description

The dugite (; Pseudonaja affinis ) is a species of venomous, potentially lethal, snake native to Western Australia, a member of the family Elapidae.

The word dugite is an anglicisation of names for the snake in some dialects of the Nyungar language, including *dukayj* and *dukitj*. However, another, probably cognate name, *dobitj*, has become the common name for dugites in Nyungar. (This can cause confusion, because *dobitj* is also used in some dialects to refer to other kinds of venomous snakes.)

## Appearance

The dugite is a species of venomous, potentially lethal, snake native to Western Australia. It is colored grey, green, or brown. The colors vary widely between individuals and are an unreliable means of identifying the species. Black scales are relatively large with a semi-glossy appearance and can be scattered over the body. The most distinguishing characteristic of this snake is the head which can be rather small and indistinct from the neck.

## Distribution

Dugites are found in southern parts of Western Australia and in remote coastal parts of western South Australia. They live in a wide variety of habitats ranging from coastal dunes and heathlands to shrublands and woodlands. They also thrive in heavily degraded habitats such as golf courses, industrial areas, and open agricultural farmlands.

## Behavior

Dugites are found in southern parts of Western Australia and in remote coastal parts of western South Australia. They live in a wide variety of habitats ranging from coastal dunes and heathlands to shrublands and woodlands. They also thrive in heavily degraded habitats such as golf courses, industrial areas, and open agricultural farmlands.

## Diet

Dugites are carnivores and consume lizards, frogs, snakes, small birds, and mammals. However, the two largest groups of prey are lizards and house mice.

## Reproduction

The breeding season of dugites normally occurs between early September and late November. They are egg-laying (oviparous) snakes, and typically deposit around 30 eggs and abandon them to self-incubate. The eggs hatch after about 65 days. Under optimal environmental conditions, dugites have been known to lay two clutches during the same season.

## Population

### Population threats

Dugites don't face any major threats at present.

### Population number

According to IUCN, the dugite is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Golden poison frog

The golden poison frog, also known as the golden frog, golden poison arrow frog, or golden dart frog, is a poison dart frog endemic to the Pacific coast of Colombia. The optimal habitat of P. terribilis is the rainforest with high rain rates, altitudes from sea level to 200 m elevation, temperatures of at least 26 °C, and relative humidity of 80–90%. In the wild, P. terribilis is largely solitary and territorial; however, captive P. terribilis specimens can live in much larger groups. They may appear innocuous due to their small size and bright color, but wild frogs are lethally toxic. It's considered the most poisonous and toxic animal in the world.
Gayal

## Description

Gayal is a massive semi-domesticated bovine found in Southeast Asia. These animals are also known as ‘Cattle of Mountain”. Their head and body skin is blackish-brown, and the lower portion of the limbs are white or yellowish. Some domesticated gayals are parti-colored, while others are completely white. They have thick and massive horns with a blackish tint from base to tip. Females are much smaller than males and have smaller dewlap on the throat.

## Distribution

Gayals are found in Northeast India, Bangladesh, northern Myanmar and in Yunnan, China. They inhabit hill-forests. In India, semi-domesticated gayals are kept by several ethnic groups living in the hills of Tripura, Mizoram, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. They also occur in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. In northern Burma, they occur in the Kachin State, and in adjacent Yunnan are found only in the Trung and Salween River basins. These animals prefer cold and mild climate and are mainly found in the tropical rain forests.

## Behavior

Gayals are social animals and live in herds. From birth until the time of butchering or market, they remain in the herd and roam mostly freely throughout the forests. Females are usually aggressive when with calves, and there are instances known when people have been severely injured after being gored by one. Males are usually more docile. These animals are active during the day and prefer to rest in shades in the midday.

## Diet

Gayals are herbivorous animals that feed on tree fodders, shrubs, herbs, and other natural vegetations.

## Reproduction

Little is known about the mating system in gayals. These animals breed throughout the year. Females usually give birth to a single calf and the gestation period lasts around 270-290 days. Little information is also known about parental care and raising the young. Females become reproductively mature at 40-48 months of age, while males are ready to breed when they are 3-4 years old.

## Population

### Threats

The number of the gayal global population is not currently known.

### Number

There are no major threats to gayals at present. However, crossbreeding with the local cattle and hunting for meat can be threats for these animals in the near future.

## Domestication

Gayals have originated more than 8000 years ago and are thought to be descendent from wild gaur. These animals play an important role in the social, cultural and economic life of local people. To own a gayal is considered to be the sign of prosperity and wealth of the family. Farmers mainly rear these animals for meat. Besides this gayals are also used as a marriage gift and sacrificial animal for different social and cultural ceremonies.
Mourning Gecko

## Description

Lepidodactylus lugubris, known as the mourning gecko or common smooth-scaled gecko, is a species of lizard, a gecko of the family Gekkonidae.

## Appearance

Mourning geckos are small lizards typically light to dark tan in color with dark spots down the length of their back and a brown stripe from the ear to the tip of the nose. These little creatures are capable of firing up/down to change their color, and so the same individual may appear light or dark at different times during the day.

## Distribution

Mourning geckos are found in coastal regions of the Indian and Pacific oceans, including the Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Hawai'i, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Australia (Cocos Island), Western Samoa, Guam, the Society Islands, Pitcairn, and the Mascarene Islands. They live in a wide range of lowland habitats including rainforests, deserts, plantations, and other human-modified areas.

## Behavior

Mourning geckos are social reptiles. They are cathemeral and can be heard and observed chirping at and chasing one another at virtually any time of day or night. Geckos are very agile climbers; this is due to specialized toe pads that enable them to climb smooth and vertical surfaces, and even cross indoor ceilings with ease. When threatened, they usually flee and hide under the nearest surface objects or in crevices. If captured, they will lose their tails in defense, a process called autotomy.

## Diet

Mourning geckos have an omnivorous diet which typically consists of insects, fruit, and pollen.

## Reproduction

Mourning geckos are parthenogenic, which means that males are not necessary for reproduction. As such, while males do exist, they are very rare and often sterile. Females lay 1-2 eggs at a time and glue them to surfaces in protected locations. Clutches are usually laid every 4 to 6 weeks and the incubation period lasts 65-103 days.

## Population

### Population threats

This species is very widespread across its native range and doesn't face any major threats.

### Population number

Presently, the Mourning gecko is not included in the IUCN Red List and its conservation status has not been evaluated.
Fieldfare

The fieldfare is a member of the thrush family Turdidae. It breeds in woodland and scrub in northern Europe and across the Palearctic. It is strongly migratory, with many northern birds moving south during the winter. It is a very rare breeder in the British Isles, but winters in large numbers in the United Kingdom, Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of molluscs, insects and earthworms in the summer, and berries, grain and seeds in the winter. Fieldfares often nest in small colonies, possibly for protection from predators. The nest is built in a tree where five or six eggs are laid. The chicks are fed by both parents and leave the nest after a fortnight. There may be two broods in southern parts of the range but only one further north. Migrating birds and wintering birds often form large flocks, often in the company of redwings. The fieldfare is 25 cm long, with a grey crown, neck and rump, a plain brown back, dark wings and tail and white underwings. The breast and flanks are heavily spotted. The breast has a reddish wash and the rest of the underparts are white. The sexes are similar in appearance but the females are slightly more brown. The male has a simple chattering song and the birds have various guttural flight and alarm calls.
Kodiak bear

The Kodiak bear, also known as the Kodiak brown bear, sometimes the "Alaskan brown bear", inhabits the islands of the Kodiak Archipelago in southwest Alaska. It is the largest recognized subspecies or population of the brown bear, and one of the two largest bears alive today, the other being the polar bear. Physiologically, the Kodiak bear is very similar to the other brown bear subspecies, such as the mainland grizzly bear and the extinct California grizzly bear, with the main difference being size. While there is generally much variation in size between brown bears in different areas, most usually weigh between 115 and 360 kg . The Kodiak bear, on the other hand, commonly reaches sizes of 300 to 600 kg, and has even been known to exceed a weight of 680 kg . Despite this large variation in size, the diet and lifestyle of the Kodiak bear do not differ greatly from those of other brown bears. Kodiak bears have interacted with humans for centuries, especially hunters and other people in the rural coastal regions of the archipelago. The bears are hunted for sport and are encountered by hunters pursuing other species. Less frequently, Kodiak bears are killed by people whose property or person are threatened. There is increasing focus on conservation and protection of the Kodiak bear population as human activity in its range increases. The IUCN classifies the brown bear, of which the Kodiak is a subspecies, as being of "least concern" in terms of endangerment or extinction, though the IUCN does not differentiate between subspecies and thus does not provide a conservation status for the Kodiak population. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game however, along with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to a lesser extent, closely monitor the size and health of the population and the number of bears hunted in the state.
Indian Sand Boa

## Description

The Indian sand boa is a nonvenomous snake native to Western and South Asia. Adapted to burrowing, the head of this snake is wedge-shaped with narrow nostrils and very small eyes. The body is cylindrical in shape with small polished dorsal scales. The tail, which is blunt, rounded, and not distinct from the body, appears truncated. Coloration varies from reddish-brown to dull yellow-tan.

## Distribution

Indian sand boas are found from Iran through Pakistan into western, southern, and northwestern India. They live in dry, semi-desert scrub plains and rocky dry foothills.

## Behavior

Indian sand boas are solitary and live underground. They spend much of their time basking below the surface of the sand, with only their eyes or head exposed waiting on potential prey. When a catch approaches, sand boas erupt out of the sand, bite, and employ constriction to subdue an animal.

## Diet

Indian sand boas are carnivores. They feed mainly on mammals such as rats, mice, and other small rodents. Some specimens have apparently fed exclusively on other snakes.

## Reproduction

Indian sand boas are ovoviviparous, meaning that the females give birth to up to 14 young at a time.

## Population

### Threats

Indian sand boas have many superstitious beliefs attributed to them because of their double-headed appearance, such as bringing good luck, curing AIDS, etc. Such blind faith has resulted in endangering these snakes, and in illegal trade in India.

### Number

The Indian sand boa lizard population number is unavailable at present from open sources and its conservation status has not been evaluated.

## Fun Facts

The specific name of the Indian sand boa, johnii, is in honor of German naturalist Christoph Samuel John (1747-1813), who was a missionary in India from 1771 until his death.

In western India, specifically the state of Maharashtra, this rare boa is known as a Mandul snake.

Indian sand boas have small eyes and hard, small scales to protect their skin from the grit of sand.

Indian sand boas are frequently available in the exotic pet trade and are often captive bred. They are usually not aggressive species, though they sometimes have a tendency to bite, and also spend the vast majority of their time hiding.
Hooded Skunk

## Description

Hooded skunks are small mammals known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong, unpleasant smell. They can be distinguished from the similar striped skunk by their longer tail and longer, much softer coat of fur. A ruff of white fur around their neck gives Hooded skunks their common name. There are three color phases and in all three, a thin white medial stripe is present between the eyes: black-backed with two lateral white stripes, white-backed with one dorsal white stripe, or entirely black with a few white hairs in the tail.

## Distribution

Hooded skunks can be found from the Southwestern United States to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northwest Costa Rica. They live in forests, grasslands, shrublands, deserts, and in the foothills of mountains, avoiding high elevations. These animals are often found near a water source, such as a river.

## Behavior

Hooded skunks are solitary creatures; however, they may gather in small groups at a feeding ground without showing any signs of aggression. They shelter in a burrow or a nest of thick plant cover during the day and are active at night. Like other skunks, for self-defense, they spray bad-smelling oily musk from two glands located near the base of their tail.

## Diet

Hooded skunks are omnivores. Their diet consists mostly of vegetation, especially prickly pear, but they also eat insects, small vertebrates, and bird eggs.

## Reproduction

The mating system of Hooded skunks is unknown but similar to the Stripped skunk they may be polygynous; this means that during the breeding season one male mates with several females. Hooded skunks usually breed from February to March and after the gestation period of 60 days, females give birth to 3-8 kits.

## Population

### Threats

Hooded skunks are currently not endangered. They are very abundant in Mexico and can live in human suburban areas mostly on pastures and cultivated fields. Their fur has low economic value. However, their fat and scent glands can be used in local folk medicine. In some parts of their range, Hooded skunks are hunted for food as their meat is considered a delicacy.

### Number

According to IUCN, the Hooded skunk is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are increasing.

## Fun Facts

The scientific name of the Hooded skunk comes from Latin and Greek languages. Name 'mephītis' is Latin and means 'foul odor' while 'μακρός' (makrós) is Greek and translates to 'long' and 'οὐρά' (ourá) translates to 'tail'.

Other common names for the Hooded skunk include: mofeta rayada (Spanish), moufette à capuchon (French), pay (Maya), southern skunk, white-sided skunk, and zorillo.

Hooded skunks are true ground dwellers and can't climb at all.

The only true predators of Hooded skunks are Great horned owls as they have a very poor sense of smell and don't feel the odor powerful musk sprayed by skunks.