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Join us as we explore the wilderness and share the beautiful scenery of nature! For all questions: @magellanvs
Sanaa Bush Cricket (Sanaa intermedia)
The Sanaa bush cricket inhabits the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, including Indochina, Vietnam, and possibly Indonesia. 🌿
Females have a wingspan of up to 135 mm, while males are significantly smaller. Like most true bush crickets, this species is likely polyphagous, feeding on various plants.
Interestingly, when threatened, Sanaa bush crickets don't flee. Instead, they open their front wings, rise up, and display their brightly colored hind wings while swaying menacingly. Although they can't harm their predators, this display can startle small birds and send them fleeing. 🐦
Despite their wide presence in collections and photos, little is known about this fascinating species.
Jack Snipe Dance Disturbs Earthworms
The Jack Snipe's dance is a fascinating sight! Its nerve endings at the tip of its beak can detect even the slightest movements underground. Once an earthworm senses danger, it's doomed.
The Jack Snipe is a small bird, measuring 17-19 cm in length, with a wingspan of 30-36 cm, and weighing between 40-70 grams. It's smaller than the Common Snipe and has distinctive yellow stripes on its back, reminiscent of a chipmunk.
During the summer, Jack Snipes nest in wetlands from Scandinavia to Eastern Siberia. In winter, they migrate to Europe, tropical Africa, India, and the Middle East.
These birds hide in dense vegetation and, if threatened on the ground, remain motionless. In autumn, a Jack Snipe might suddenly take flight right under your feet! Its flight is swift and bat-like, before it lands again.
Jack Snipes feed on small invertebrates and seeds found on the ground.
Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica) - One of the largest and thickest vipers, reaching up to 1.8 meters in length. Its body girth can be up to 47 cm.
The head is very large and wide, triangular in shape, and is separated from the body by a narrow neck. It is known for its calm demeanor, rarely reacting to external stimuli, which is why attacks on humans are rare. However, its bite poses a serious danger.
Its coloration mimics old fallen leaves and other decaying plant parts, allowing it to blend almost seamlessly with its surroundings. This camouflage aids in its hunting, as we can observe in this video, watching the demise of a guinea fowl.
Fun Fact: The Gaboon viper has the longest fangs of any venomous snake, reaching up to 5 cm in length! 🐍💥
Fun Fact: Wood ducks are one of the few duck species that regularly nest in tree cavities, and they are known for their unique, colorful plumage and crest. 🦆🌳
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Javan Mouse-Deer (Kanchil) - Tragulus javanicus
The world's smallest even-toed ungulate! 🦌
- Body length: 45-55 cm
- Shoulder height: 20-25 cm
- Weight: 1.5-2.5 kg
No horns, but males have enlarged upper canines that protrude like tusks. 🦷
Habitat:
Southeast Asia, including Israel. Ranges from southern China to the Malay Peninsula and islands of Sumatra, Borneo, and Java. Prefers forests with dense undergrowth, often near water bodies.
Behavior:
Extremely shy creatures, leading solitary lives. 🌙 Nocturnal, they sleep in rock crevices or hollow tree trunks during the day and forage at night, creating tunnel-like paths in the thickets.
Fun Fact:
In Southeast Asian folklore, these tiny deer are considered cunning, much like the red fox in Central Europe and China. In Indonesian tales, the kanchil often plays a role similar to Br'er Rabbit in Uncle Remus stories. 📖
Giant Stick Insect (Phasma gigas) 🌿
The giant stick insect, Phasma gigas, is native to Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia.
The order name "Phasmatodea" comes from the Latin "phasma," meaning "phantom" or "apparition." Most species camouflage themselves as sticks and leaves.
All known stick insects are herbivorous. Some species can eat leaves from a wide variety of plants, while others are quite picky.
In captivity, many species can be fed plants from the rose family (Rosaceae), such as raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and oak. Some species also enjoy lilac, St. John's wort, and eucalyptus.
Houseplants like tradescantia, Chinese rose, ivy, and violets can also be used as food.
Did you know? Stick insects are among the longest insects in the world, with some species reaching up to 33 cm (13 in) in length! 🐛
This is the Tree Kangaroo, Dendrolagus. Like a typical kangaroo, it has a long tail and a pouch for carrying young, but it's small in size and jumps from branch to branch instead of hopping on the ground.
Its curved claws help it grip trees firmly, and its powerful tail balances its body during agile leaps.
On the ground, this animal moves slowly and clumsily: its tail is very heavy, and its hind legs are too short. It rarely descends, but when necessary, it can easily jump from a height of ten meters.
In the trees, it has almost no predators, and there's plenty of plant food!
Fun Fact: Tree kangaroos are excellent climbers and can leap up to 18 meters (60 feet) between trees!
Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) – not a true marten, despite its former name due to similar body shape. Once found in both Tasmania and Australia, wild quolls now only remain in Tasmania and Bruny Island, where they were introduced.
These small creatures, about the size of a cat (males 32-45 cm, females 28-40 cm), lead solitary nocturnal lives, hunting on the ground but capable of climbing trees.
Their diet mainly consists of insects, particularly beetle larvae, but they also hunt small animals, birds, lizards, and snakes.
Fun Fact: Eastern Quolls are marsupials, meaning they carry their young in a pouch! 🦘🐾
Madagascar Comet (Moon Moth) Argema mittrei – a beautiful nighttime moth from the family of Atlas moths. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan of 140-160 mm. It is also known as the Madagascar Saturniid.
The Moon Moth is even featured on the 5000 Malagasy ariary banknote from 1995.
A bittersweet fact: Both male and female moths have reduced mouthparts and do not feed. They live off the nutrients stored during their caterpillar stage, which means these beautiful creatures only live for 4-5 days.
In this short lifespan, they must find a mate and reproduce.
Desert Buzzard Hunting the White-tailed Antelope Squirrel. Notice that leisurely stroll among the cacti...
The Desert Buzzard (Parabuteo unicinctus) is a bird of prey from the family Accipitridae, found from the southwestern USA to Chile and central Argentina. This bird is known for its unique "cooperative hunting" practice, where family groups hunt together, unlike most other predators that hunt alone.
The White-tailed (Antelope) Squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus) is a ground squirrel native to the deserts of the western USA. Interestingly, these tiny creatures don't need to drink water as they get all the necessary moisture from their food. They primarily feed on seeds from desert plants.
I know you've been waiting to see a baby king cobra hatch from its egg... What do you mean you weren't waiting?! I don't know anything about it, just enjoy the view!
The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the largest of all venomous snakes, with an average size of 3-4 meters. It grows throughout its life, which can be over 30 years.
The king cobra's habitat is the tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia (India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines).
More often than not, when trying to scare off a human, the snake makes "dry" bites, not injecting any venom. This is likely because the venom is primarily needed by the cobra for hunting, and any accidental or unnecessary loss of it is undesirable.
Did you know? King cobras are the only snakes that build nests for their eggs. The female king cobra guards her nest and her hatchlings for about 2 months after they hatch.
Horned Anole (Anolis proboscis) - an endemic species of Ecuador. Males have a long growth on their head, resembling a rhino horn, used to attract females. These lizards reach lengths of 8-14 cm and have limbs adapted for climbing trees and grass.
Unique fact: The "nose" moves without muscles or bones—only through blood flow. Anoles lead a secretive lifestyle, thanks to camouflage and nocturnal activity.
The species was described in 1953 but was soon considered extinct. In 2005, the lizard was rediscovered in an Ecuadorian forest, and subsequently spotted twice more: in 2008 and 2013. 🦎🌿
Elf Owl (Cactus Owl) - Micrathene whitneyi
One of the world's smallest owl species, measuring just 12-14 cm in length and weighing around 44 g. Found in the southwestern USA (Arizona, California, New Mexico) and Mexico (Baja California).
Fun Fact: Despite their tiny size, elf owls have a big personality! They're known for their distinctive "who-who-who" calls that echo through the desert nights.
These owls have a relatively large head and lack ear tufts. Their weak beaks and legs make hunting challenging, so they primarily feed on insects like grasshoppers, crickets, moths, fly larvae, caterpillars, millipedes, cicadas, scorpions, and spiders.
Elf owls often nest in saguaro cactus cavities, previously used by woodpeckers. In this video, you can see a male bringing food to the female as she incubates their eggs.
Did You Know? Saguaro cacti provide excellent protection from predators.
Andean Cat: The High-Altitude Feline
We've seen many cats here, but we always find new ones for you!
The Andean cat (Leopardus jacobitus) is extremely rare. Due to its habitat in the relatively inaccessible regions of the Andes, scientific knowledge about it is limited. For instance, the first video footage of this species only appeared after the year 2000.
This cat is about 70 cm long, with a 45 cm tail, and weighs between 4 to 7 kg. Its fur is quite long to protect it from the cold.
Its range stretches from southern Peru through southwestern Bolivia to northwestern Argentina. It prefers to live at high altitudes, from 3000 to 5000 meters above sea level.
Andean cats mainly feed on chinchillas and mountain viscachas, which are also part of the chinchilla family.
Scientists believe that the population of these cats is very small.
It does not bite or sting. This is a peaceful insect that does not show aggression towards other species of beetles and insects.
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Fun Fact: The Jack Snipe's scientific name, Lymnocryptes minimus, means "smallest marsh-hider," referring to its secretive nature and small size.
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Brazilian Jewel Tarantula (Typhochlaena seladonia) - A Unique Arboreal Spider
This fascinating tree-dwelling spider builds its home under tree bark, hiding under a "trapdoor" and pouncing on prey when they approach.
As you can see, these spiders are quite small: males are 3-4 cm, and females are 4-6 cm, including their legs.
Contrary to their name, these tarantulas do not eat birds but rather insects, and are named as such due to their relation to larger bird-eating spiders.
Known as the Brazilian Jewel Tarantula, their stunning coloration makes them truly unique. Their hues can include black, blue, yellow, red, pink, and more.
With their iridescent, two-toned legs, some consider them the most beautiful spiders in the world. 🌈🕷️
Fun Fact: The vibrant colors of the Brazilian Jewel Tarantula serve as a warning to potential predators, signaling that they are toxic and should not be eaten. 🚨
Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) Protecting Its Nest
Did you spot these 4 eggs right away? That's the point—they're speckled to blend in with the surroundings, looking just like little pebbles!
Now, the mother plover will pretend to be injured, luring you away with a convincing act: "Catch me, I'm so weak!" 🏃♀️
After leading you far enough, she'll chuckle at your expense, hide in the grass, and sneak back to her precious nest. 🌾
Fun Fact: Golden Plovers are known for their incredible long-distance migrations, traveling thousands of miles between their breeding and wintering grounds! 🌍
Wood Ducks (Carolina Ducks) Aix sponsa are close relatives of the stunning Mandarin ducks and have a slightly less vibrant plumage.
Mandarin ducks live in Asia, while Wood ducks are found in the USA, ensuring no one feels left out! For decorative purposes, Wood ducks are kept in many European parks, from where they sometimes escape into the wild. They feed on both plant and animal matter. They nest in tree cavities of deciduous trees.
Additionally, these ducks also nest in Canada and (to a lesser extent) in Cuba. Wood ducks inhabit small freshwater bodies - forest lakes, swamps, slow-moving rivers, backwaters, ponds, and beaver-built dams. They typically settle on shady banks densely covered with oak, willow, and poplar plantings.
For nesting, Wood ducks choose relatively old trees with cavities where the entrance diameter is at least 9 cm, and the depth is at least 20 cm. In captivity, nest boxes serve as substitutes for tree cavities.
Australian Magpies: The Silent Loud Terror!
Did you know that during Australian spring (our autumn), cyclists and scooter riders always wear helmets? 🚴♂️🛴
These magpies are not related to European crows (Corvidae family). In Australia, they used to name creatures based on familiar ones... 🐦
Fun fact: Australian Magpies are known for their intelligence and complex social structures, with some even recognizing individual humans! 🧠👥
African black cormorants (Egretta ardesiaca) have a unique hunting technique—they use their wings to create a false sense of security in fish.
They slowly walk through shallow water, then spread their wings around their bodies, creating an umbrella-like shade that blocks light, reduces glare, and lures fish into a trap.
Small fish, seeking shelter from predators, are drawn to the shadow created by the wings—and they swim straight into danger. Since the shade gives the bird a better view, it can easily snatch the fish from the water with its long beak.
Fun fact: This clever hunting strategy is called "wing-shading," and it's a rare behavior observed in only a few bird species! 🐦🌊
California Quail (Callipepla californica)
The California Quail is native to the western coast of North America. It has also been introduced to Hawaii, New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina.
This sedentary bird lives in groups of 10 to 40 individuals, preferring to forage on the ground but roosting in trees at night.
California Quails primarily feed on seeds of grasses. Adults also consume small invertebrates in small quantities.
These birds are very popular as ornamental pets, as they coexist well with other bird species in aviaries. However, it's not recommended to keep them with other galliform birds.
Fun Fact: The California Quail is the state bird of California! 🐦🌞
King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is known for its primary diet of other snakes, making it a valuable ally to locals.
Indeed, it's better to deal with one large snake than a dozen small ones. In this video, its prey is a rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus).
Fun fact: The scientific name Ophiophagus hannah translates to "snake-eater"!
Did you know? King cobras are the longest venomous snakes in the world, with some reaching up to 18 feet in length! 🐍💥
Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) – a singing bird, symbol of Australia, inhabiting the east of the country and Tasmania. It can mimic the calls of other birds, mammals, and various sounds, including train signals and chainsaw noise.
The lyrebird can reproduce sounds of car engines, alarms, gunshots, dog barks, baby cries, and even music.
Males of this species have a particularly beautiful tail with sixteen feathers, two of which are curved like a lyre, with thin white feathers in between. Females, however, have a short brown tail.
Fun Fact: The lyrebird's mimicry is so precise that it can even replicate the sound of a camera shutter! 📸🐦
Egyptian Plover (Crocodile Bird) Pluvianus aegyptius doesn't clean the crocodile's teeth, but catches carrion flies that swarm over meat remnants. It probably doesn't mind the meat itself either!
Crocodiles don't need dental cleanings; their teeth grow and replace each other throughout their lives. They lie with their mouths open to cool down.
The idea of tooth cleaning comes from ancient Greeks, quite the storytellers!
Interestingly, we couldn't find a better quality video, even on YouTube 🤷♂️
Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) - the only bird in the world with a beak longer than its body! 🌟
Patience, please! The video starts with other hummingbirds for comparison.
This unique beak is a perfect tool for feeding. Sword-billed hummingbirds can reach nectar from long, funnel-shaped flowers that their relatives can't access.
Their tongue is incredibly long too - all the better to reach their food! This way, they occupy their own niche, don't compete with other hummingbirds, and help pollinate a specific group of plants.
Nectar isn't their only food. Despite their specialized beak, they can also catch insects.
These hummingbirds live in the Andes, between 1,700 and 3,500 meters above sea level, in the humid highland forests of South America. 🌳🐦
However, if a suitable cavity isn't available, these owls may nest in mesquite trees, oaks, sycamores, walnuts, or pines. Sometimes, they even use cavities dug by woodpeckers in telephone poles!
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Therefore, Andean cats are listed in the Washington Convention for the protection of species, which prohibits any trade in products made from Andean cats.
Fun Fact: The Andean cat is one of the least studied wild cats in the world, and its elusive nature makes it a fascinating subject for researchers. 🐱🏔️
Long-tailed Tyrannus forficatus
This fascinating bird inhabits open shrublands in the south-central United States, including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri. They also reside in northeastern Mexico. During winter, they migrate in flocks of up to 1,000 individuals.
Fun Fact: Their distinctive long, forked tail is a sight to behold! In males, it can reach up to 38 cm in length, while females have tails about 30% shorter. With a wingspan of 15 cm and an average weight of 43 g, these birds are agile hunters.
They primarily feed on insects like grasshoppers, flies, and dragonflies, often catching them mid-air. Their diet may also include berries. 🐦🍓
Giraffe Weevil (Trachelophorus giraffa) - a fascinating beetle from the family of weevils, one of the largest in its family. This unique creature is found only on the island of Madagascar (again, who isn't there...). In the dense forests of Ranomafana National Park, you can spot this amazing beetle everywhere - it has a vibrant color and loves to bask in the sun.
The giraffe weevil has wings and is a good flyer. Its body is bare, not covered with scales, and is black in color. The beetle can reach a length of 2.5 cm.
This weevil uses its long neck in battles with other males to win the attention of a female. During the mating "battles", the male swings its neck - just like a real giraffe, it tries to knock down its opponent and show its advantage.
Fun Fact: The giraffe weevil's neck can be up to three times the length of its body, making it one of the most unique and recognizable beetles in the world.
The giraffe weevil is not dangerous to humans.