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The proboscis monkey Nasalis larvatus is a monkey, the only representative of the proboscis monkey genus. Nature has endowed the males of this species with a unique “decoration” - a huge drooping nose, which is why they look very funny. The narrow endemic, one of the wonderful animals of the island of Borneo, is a rare and endangered species.
This monkey is also known as "kahau". Kahau is an onomatopoeia, something like how proboscis monkeys shout when warning of danger.
The weight of an adult male is from 16 to 22 kg, the female is almost twice as small. The figure of the monkey is ugly, as if the animal is obese: sloping shoulders, a hunched back and a healthy saggy belly. However, she moves deftly and quickly, thanks to her long muscular limbs with tenacious fingers.
The adult male looks especially colorful. His flattened head seems to be covered with a beret made of brown wool, from under which calm dark eyes look, and his tanned cheeks are buried in a beard and the folds of a fur collar. The very narrow, hairless face looks quite human, although somewhat caricatured.
Takahe Porphyrio hochstetteri is native to New Zealand, a flightless bird from the rail family. Takahe was considered extinct since the last four birds were seen back in 1898. However, after an extensive search, they were rediscovered near Lake Te Anau (South Island) in 1948. The bird's name comes from the word takahi, which means to trample or trample. Takahe were well known to the Maori people, who traveled long distances to hunt them.
The takahe's body length averages 63 cm and weighs about 2.7 kg in males and 2.3 kg in females, with a range of 1.8–4.2 kg. The height is about 50 cm. It is a stocky, powerful bird with short strong legs and a massive beak. It is a non-flying creature that has tiny wings that are sometimes used to help the bird climb up slopes.
Takahe is found in the alpine meadow region, where it is found most of the year. She remains in the pastures until snow appears, after which the birds are forced to descend into forests or bushes.
Polar bears Ursus maritimus live in the Arctic zone of Canada, the USA (Alaska), Russia, Norway and Denmark (in Greenland). Adult animals can reach more than 2.5 m in length and weigh about 680 kg. Thick fur and a 3-4 centimeter layer of fat protects their bodies from hypothermia in the frosty air and icy water. In addition, fat makes the animal's body lighter, allowing it to better float on water.
The fur of a polar bear is actually not white, but transparent: the hair inside is hollow and filled with air - this helps the animal retain heat better.
These animals have an incredible sense of smell and can smell prey from a distance of up to 16 km! Polar bears are excellent swimmers. They are found more than 100 km from the coast. They swim easily at a speed of about 10 km/h, using their wide legs as oars.
Although bears are excellent swimmers, they are not agile enough to catch a seal in open water. Therefore, they hunt on the ice: most often they set up an ambush and wait until the seal appears on the surface to breathe air.
Corsac Vulpes corsac is also called the steppe fox. It is believed that the name of the animal is related to the Turkic word “karsak”, which is associated with someone short, short, or short. The corsac is smaller than the arctic fox, and in appearance it is very similar to the red fox, only in reduced sizes: the body of the steppe fox rarely exceeds half a meter, and its weight does not exceed six kilograms.
The summer coat of a corsac is not at all similar to the winter one - it is rough, sparse and short. Even the tail becomes sparse and plucked. There is no longer any silveriness observed; the entire robe takes on a dirty ocher uniformity. Against the background of an unsightly summer suit, the head becomes disproportionately large, and the whole body becomes lean, distinguished by thinness and long legs.
But in winter the tail of the steppe fox is very rich, noble and magnificent. Its length can be half the body or even more, it ranges from 25 to 35 cm. When the corsac stands, its beautiful tail falls straight to the ground, touching it with its darker tip.
Marmota bobak is one of the rather large marmots: body length up to 59 cm, tail length up to 15 cm; the weight of males that have eaten before hibernation is up to 5.7 kg.
The baybak inhabits the open spaces of Eastern Europe and Northern Kazakhstan. Now the habitat of the boibak is mosaic in nature; it has survived only where the unplowed steppe has been preserved. Living on lands occupied by vegetable and grain crops is not typical for boibak; Animals settle in such biotopes reluctantly and temporarily. They either quickly leave these crops or die.
The word “marmot” is formed using the suffix “ok” from the word “sur” borrowed from the Turkic language. The word is onomatopoeic, reminiscent of the sound made by an animal when in danger. The original Russian name is “whistle”.
In colloquial speech, the word “baibak” is used quite often. This is what they call a clumsy, baggy person, a lazy person and a sleepyhead. The long hibernation of all marmots, including boars, gave rise to the saying “sleeps like a marmot.”
Babyrousa is the most unusual member of the pig family. She is not at all like the pig we are used to. She has a small head, short ears, a tiny snout, an arched back and long slender legs. But the most memorable thing about her appearance is 2 pairs of large fangs, curved back. Their true purpose is still unclear. Zoologists suggest that this is just a secondary sexual characteristic of males.
The pig itself is of medium size with a body length of about 90-100 centimeters. Males are easily distinguished by their larger size and the presence of TWO pairs of fangs. The lower pair takes its usual place between the teeth of the lower jaw. But the upper one does not grow from the mouth, but sticks out right on the muzzle. In old males, their tips reach the forehead or bend 180 degrees and sometimes grow back into the skin of the snout. They reach 30-40 centimeters in length. In females, only the lower canines grow, and they are smaller in length.
This amazing pig lives in the mangrove and reed thickets of the northern part of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
The wild cat, Felis wiedii, looks like a toy leopard. This mustachioed predator captivates with her magnificent fur coat and bottomless, hypnotizing eyes.
The margay belongs to the subfamily of small cats and belongs to the genus Leopardus (South American cats).
The margay (or margay cat) is very similar to the ocelot, which is its closest relative. Often these cats live in the neighborhood. Their differences lie in size, body proportions and lifestyle. The ocelot is larger than the margay; it prefers terrestrial movement and hunting. The margay, although smaller, has longer legs and a tail, which gives it the opportunity to live and hunt well in the tree crown. The ocelot, margay and oncilla belong to the same genus Leopardus and are exotic inhabitants of the New World.
Female margays are slightly smaller than males. Their weight is from 2 to 3.5 kg, and the weight of males can reach 5 kg. The margay can be from 47 to 72 cm in length, not counting the tail.
Teledu (hog badger) Arctonyx collaris is a unique species found in the hilly and mountainous forests of Southeast Asia. Body length up to 70 cm, weight 7-14 kg.
Although similar in size to the more familiar badgers of Europe and North America, the teledu looks completely different. In particular, it has an elongated, pig-like snout and modified teeth that point forward and are used to turn over the soil.
The pig badger is common both on the plains and in the mountains. During the day, he hides in deep burrows or other shelters. When feeding, the badger digs not only with its claws, but also with its long, movable muzzle, like a pig, which is how it earned its name. It feeds on small animals and plants.
It is listed as Vulnerable and Endangered as the species' global numbers are believed to be declining due to high levels of poaching.
Squirrels Sciurus are a genus of rodents in the squirrel family. In addition to the genus Sciurus itself, a number of representatives of the squirrel family from the genera red squirrels (Tamiasciurus), palm squirrels (Funambulus) and many others are also called squirrels. As for the genus Sciurus itself, it unites about 30 species, common in Europe, North and South America and in the temperate zone of Asia.
The genus of common squirrels is included in the tribe Sciurini along with four other genera.
It has an elongated body with a fluffy long tail, long ears, dark brown color with a white belly, sometimes gray (especially in winter). Squirrels are found everywhere except Australia.
The cheetah acinonyx jubatus is the fastest animal on our planet; its speed can reach up to 130 km/h, and the cheetah accelerates to 75 km/h in less than 2 seconds. The animal needs this speed to feed itself. The cheetah belongs to the cat family - and therefore, like all cats, to the order of predators. Like all predators, the fast cheetah does not mind eating fresh meat.
It is precisely for food that he has such a huge acceleration speed, since this runner does not hunt from an ambush, he simply pursues his prey at enormous speed. The cheetah is very fast, but at the same time, it cannot maintain such speed for a long time; the maximum of such high-speed running is enough for it for two minutes. And after a run, he needs to recuperate for at least half an hour. And here it is important for him to remain unnoticed with the prey, since other predators, despite the fact that they are not so fast, are stronger and, as a rule, exceed the cheetah in size. Or they attack in a group - like hyenas, for example.
Antilope cervicapra is one of the fastest land mammals, reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h and capable of jumping 2 m in height and 6.5 m in length.
Garns live on the plateaus and plains of India and are found in Nepal. They used to live in Pakistan and Bangladesh, but are now extirpated from these countries.
Garns weigh 25-35 kg, height at the withers 60–85 cm. Males differ from females in color: their upperparts are dark brown, while those of females and young animals are light red; in both sexes, the underparts are white. In addition, adult males have horns up to 75 cm long, which are twisted in a spiral by 4 turns. There are ring-shaped growths along their entire length.
Garni antelopes live in herds of 5 to 50 individuals. They never enter forests or hilly areas. They cannot swim, and when lowlands are flooded, they often drown. Usually silent, garns make a hissing sound when threatened.
These animals are hardy and can go without water for a long time. They feed on grass and can pinch leaves of trees and shrubs. They eat fruit if they find it. Now the main enemy of the garn is man; they are also hunted by wolves and feral dogs, and occasionally by tigers and leopards.
During the rutting season, males are aggressive and fight for females in fierce fights, which sometimes even break their horns. The loser is expelled from the territory of the harem, the winner makes peculiar sounds, throwing his head back and touching his back with his horns, declaring his rights to the territory and the females located on it.
Garns once inhabited the entire Indian subcontinent, but are now found only in semi-desert and rocky areas of India. In the 20th century they were acclimatized in the USA and Argentina.
To save these beautiful antelopes from extinction, a center for breeding these antelopes was created in the USA. In 1955, the garn population in this center numbered 1,500 individuals, and by 1974 there were already about 7,000. However, garn continue to die in India - at the hands of poachers, from stray dogs, which foresters do not always have time to shoot, at the hands of farmers who kill animals wandering into cotton plantations.
Garna meat is considered a delicacy among the surrounding tribes. Garna horns are considered medicinal and supposedly treat asthma and other chest diseases. Livestock are displacing the garna from its usual habitats. In addition to stray dogs, the jungle cat, jackal, birds of prey - eagles, vultures, and even crows prey on young garnas
The blue-headed ifrita Ifrita kowaldi lives in New Guinea and is one of the few poisonous birds. The skin and feathers of this bird contain the poison batrachotoxin, which accumulates due to the consumption of poisonous beetles. The generic name comes from the Arabic ifrit - “genie” or “spirit”.
When a bird finds itself in the mouth of a predator, the poison enters the mucous membranes and tongue, causing severe burning and itching. But the effect of the poison does not end there. After irritation of the mucous membranes, the animal begins to actively secrete saliva, which it swallows. Once in the stomach, the poison is quickly absorbed and poisons the entire body. For example, a large representative of the cat family (lion, tiger or panther) only needs a small amount of poison to lose his life 5-8 minutes after it enters the body.
Due to the fact that this bird can only be found on the island of New Guinea, it is not considered very dangerous to humans. However, the inhabitants of the island never hunt the ifrit covaldi; they consider this bird sacred and severely punish for its murder
The White Tern is a very elegant and delicate seabird with immaculate white plumage. Small eyes surrounded by black rings make them appear much larger. These graceful terns fly in an undulating manner with deep, slow wing beats.
For all their beauty and elegance, white terns do not bother at all about building nests and lay eggs anywhere. A bird can lay a single egg absolutely anywhere, as long as it doesn’t roll away.
The saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus is the largest terrestrial or coastal predator. Males of this species can reach a length of seven meters and weigh up to approximately two tons. It is also called the "saltwater crocodile", "man-eating crocodile", "underwater crocodile" or "Indo-Pacific crocodile".
The saltwater crocodile can live in salt water - but, as a rule, lives in mangrove swamps, deltas, lagoons and lower reaches of rivers. It is much more widespread than any other modern species of crocodile: its range begins from the east coast of India, passing south through the territories of most states of Southeast Asia, up to Northern Australia.
Adult saltwater crocodiles can safely spend several months at sea without visible harm to themselves. There are even known cases where saltwater crocodiles were found in water twice as salty as ordinary sea water. However, they are unable to drink salt water and do not do so even when extremely dehydrated. Instead, crocodiles minimize water loss and can obtain it through food.
It occupies the top position in the food chain throughout its vast range. There are known cases of saltwater crocodiles attacking other top predators - sharks and big cats. Juveniles and females feed mainly on small animals, while adult males prefer to hunt large ones. The saltwater crocodile sometimes attacks humans, although the number of deaths caused by this is often exaggerated.
Since ancient times (like the Nile crocodile) it has been an object of fear and worship in many cultures due to its strength, danger and fearlessness.
Kangaroo 🦘
Rescue through speed
Most species move by hopping on their hind legs. The length of the jump reaches 10-12 m; At the same time, kangaroos reach speeds of up to 40 - 50 km/h, although for a short time.
The goliath tarantula Theraphosa blondi is the king of spiders. This tarantula is the largest arachnid on the planet. These heavyweights can weigh over 170g and stand up to 28cm across with paws spread. Tarantulas, contrary to their name, do not usually eat birds, but are large enough to do so - and sometimes do. The name "tarantula" comes from an 18th-century engraving showing another species of tarantula eating a hummingbird.
If these spiders are threatened, they will rub the bristles on their legs, making a buzzing sound. This is called "stridulation" and is used as an attempt to scare potential predators.
Like all tarantulas, the tarantula has fangs large enough to bite through human skin (1.9-3.8 cm). But this poison is relatively harmless if you are not allergic to it - its effect is comparable to a wasp sting. In addition, when threatened, they rub their belly with their hind legs and release hairs, which are a strong irritant to the skin and mucous membranes.
Cordylus belttails are small reptiles from the order of lizards. These animals are sometimes called "little dinosaurs" due to their external similarity to these reptiles.
These lizards received their unusual name due to the presence of ring-shaped scutes that seem to encircle their tail. When the belt-tail senses danger, it curls up, grabbing it with its teeth.
The home of these reptiles is the desert; they love hot and dry climates. These amazing creatures can most easily be found on the island of Madagascar; they are also found in Kenya and Tanzania.
These lizards place their nests in rock crevices; sometimes they dig small burrows that are located under boulders. They try to choose places with a narrow entrance so that predators cannot get into the home. They can live in piles of stones and caves. Sometimes belted tails climb mountains and can live there at a fairly high altitude, and the lack of oxygen is not a hindrance for them.
Belttails hunt in thickets of dry bushes, choosing places where they can be unnoticed. Belttails are very sociable creatures and live in small groups controlled by large males.
Lychee Kobus leche is a small antelope from the genus of waterbucks, its height is maximum 112 centimeters. Lychee has highly pronounced sexual dimorphism: the weight of a male can reach up to 118 kg, and a female can weigh up to 80 kg. They have practically no fat layer, since the bulk of this weight is occupied by muscles.
The horns of males can reach 92 centimeters in length; they are thin, strongly twisted and lyre-shaped. Females have no horns at all. The animal's hooves are well adapted for life in the savannah. They can easily overcome small swamps and gallop for a long time across flat terrain. Lychees do not have scent glands, but their fur, lubricated with fat, itself has an unusual odor.
Females with their offspring occupy the most humid places of the range. Males live in arid zones along the edges of the territory, at the same time protecting it - after all, they do not need water so much. Lychees are excellent swimmers. On the lower part of their legs they have special water-repellent fur, which appeared in these antelopes during the process of evolution.
This is power!
Elephants play a critical role in shaping the environment, particularly by uprooting trees. This behavior serves several purposes: it provides access to otherwise inaccessible foliage, branches and bark, which are important food sources, especially in times of scarcity.
In addition, by uprooting trees, elephants create open spaces, which increases habitat diversity. This is beneficial for other herbivores. Moreover, fallen trees themselves become mini-ecosystems, providing habitat and food for insects, birds and small mammals.
Thus, through this seemingly destructive action, elephants play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, demonstrating how a keystone species can significantly influence the structure and health of their ecosystem.
The rhinoceros Rhinocerotidae is one of the iconic animals of Africa, a kind of calling card of the “Dark Continent” - it is not for nothing that it is one of the “Big Five of Africa” along with the elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard, the same five animals that in the old days were the most honorable trophies hunting safaris.
The rhinoceros has rather poor eyesight, but given its size and power, these are no longer his problems, but the problems of those around him.
But rhinoceroses’ sense of smell, on the contrary, is well developed, and it is on this that they rely most. Interestingly, the volume of the nasal cavity in rhinoceroses is larger than the volume of their brain. The hearing of these giants is also well developed; the ears of rhinoceroses are like tubes that constantly rotate, picking up even the faintest sounds.
The rhinoceros is the largest land mammal after the elephant, its length is up to 4 meters, with a height of 2 meters and a weight of up to 5 tons.
The bird of paradise, a regal wonder of the forests of Papua New Guinea, boasts an unusual and spectacular mating dance. The male, adorned with elaborate feathers on his head, performs an enchanting dance to attract a female.
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There are many amazing, even frightening creatures in the world. The latter include the star-nosed mole, which, if not at the top, is certainly included in the list of the most “ugly” animals on our planet. Star-nosed fish are also called star-nosed fish.
The star-nosed mole, Condylura cristata, is no ordinary mole. He not only loves to walk on the surface of the earth, but also loves to swim in the water. And the hard wool, which has a water-repellent effect, helps him in this.
The star-shaped growth on the muzzle of this animal is unique. Scientists have found that it can be called the most sensitive tactile system in the world. This organ contains more than one hundred thousand nerve endings. This figure is five times greater than the sensitivity of the human hand!
In addition, the star-shaped nose is able to perceive odors even under water. To do this, the animal releases bubbles into the water, then draws them back. According to scientists, it is these bubbles that allow the mole to smell prey in the water.
Just the sight of the moose Alces alces evokes a feeling of admiration in a person. A few centuries ago, moose were worshiped, so the image of this animal is found in the sarcophagi of ancient burials, as well as in the dwellings of primitive people. Moose have always represented strength and endurance. They were often called "elk" because the shape of the elk's antlers bears some resemblance to these ancient agricultural tools.
The scientific name “elk” comes from the Old Slavonic “ols” and is associated with the red color of the fur of baby elk. Siberians simply called moose “beast.” The North American Indians were distrustful of this “beast”, so they retold the legend of the treacherous moose, but the Canadian Indians considered the moose a noble animal.
In Vyborg there is a monument to an elk who saved lost hunters at the cost of his life.
Did you know that moose are big fans of fly agarics? Interesting fact - moose droppings are used by the Swedes to produce quite valuable, environmentally friendly paper!
The Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Reserve is the most popular tourist attraction in Sichuan, China.
Pandas Ailuropoda melanoleuca are so lazy that they are even reluctant to reproduce - and, as a result, their numbers are rapidly declining. Plus, rapidly developing China needs new lands, and bamboo forests are quickly being cut down, but bamboo is the main diet of these animals. Therefore, the task of the reserve is to preserve and increase bamboo bears.
Giant pandas have unusual front feet, with a "thumb" and five normal toes; at the same time, the “thumb” allows them to handle even thin shoots of bamboo. An adult panda eats up to 30 kg of bamboo per day, but on occasion, pandas can also eat insects and eggs.
Unfortunately, giant pandas are an endangered species in China. No wonder they are the symbol of the World Wildlife Fund. Outside of nature reserves, pandas live only in the mountains of Sichuan province and Tibet.
The Kuban (Caucasian) tur Capra caucasica lives on a strip of 4500 km² along the Russian-Georgian border. Since the 19th century, this already small area has shrunk even further due to human influence.
The Caucasian tur has a very short tail. The beard, as a rule, is also short and wide. The fur on the upper side of the body is reddish-brown, on the underside it is yellowish. In winter, the coat color changes to gray-brown.
Body length in males is 150-165 cm, shoulder height 95-110 cm, weight 65-100 kg. Females are noticeably smaller. The horns are relatively short, strong and fairly curved with a maximum length of 75 cm.
Their food consists of grasses and leaves, and leaves are more important in winter than in summer, when the main role is played by herbs
Elk.
Moose are the largest representatives of the deer family. Males can reach a height at the withers of up to 2.5 meters and a weight of 350 to 600 kg.
Moose are excellent swimmers. Their long and strong legs allow them to maneuver in the water, and their dense coat keeps them warm and buoyant. Moose can cross bodies of water and swim across small rivers.
The Blue Ambanya Chameleon is a colorful reptile native to Madagascar, known for its vibrant blue and yellow coloration. It is a popular pet due to its docile nature and unique appearance.
The Blue Ambanja chameleon is an arboreal species, meaning it spends most of its time in trees. It is an active hunter, using its long tongue to catch prey.
The flight of an owl is completely silent thanks to its special feathers. This beneficial property helps owls in their night hunting.
Most owls are nocturnal birds; they prefer to sleep during the day. However, some owls hunt at dawn or dusk, that is, at dusk.
An owl can turn its head 270 degrees, that is, make three-quarters of a full rotation.
Owls of different species hunt each other.
The eyes of owls are completely motionless, which is why nature has endowed them with such a mobile neck.
The only species of owl that also eats plant foods is the elf owl.
Toucan.
It turns out that overripe bananas make happy sounds when you stroke them.