Month: March 2008

Atelopus Frog

The atelopus frog is known by many names such as the clown frog or the Costa Rican Variable Harlequin Toad. Whatever you call the frog, it is a neo-tropical toad that was once quite wide spread living throughout Costa Rica and Panama. The species is listed as critically endangered and is thought to be living

Southern Elephant Seal

Known for being the largest pinniped as well as the biggest member of the Carnivora order, the elephant seal is one of just two species of the animal.  This species was named for its massive size as well as the big proboscis that is seen on the adult males.  This proboscis is used to make

Florida Panther

The Florida panther is a relative of the cougar and as its name would indicate, it is found quite often in Florida. Though the species used to be available in larger numbers, the Florida panther is now critically endangered, with its numbers decreasing at an alarming rate. It’s thought that there are just 80 to

Caspian Tiger

The Caspian tiger is also known as the Persian tiger and was known to be a beautiful animal, thought it is thought to have become extinct by the late 1950s. There have been several supposed sightings of the tiger since then, but nothing has been proved, which means that the species is truly extinct or

Salps

Many people have never heard of salps until they come across them when they are in one of many oceans around the world. A salp is an unusual looking creature that is a free floating tunicate and is barrel shaped. The creature is able to move by pumping water through its body, which is jelly

Axolotl

The Axolotl is one of the Mexican neotenic mole salamanders. This species belongs to the Tiger Salamander complex and they are different from the other species because they never go through metamorphosis so even as adults they are gilled and aquatic. The species is well known in Mexico, and that is because they are thought

Alpaca

Most people are familiar with the Alpaca, though many confuse it with the llama at first glance. The Alpaca is actually a domesticated descendent of the Camelid, which is native to South America. These animals are often kept in herds that are able to graze on the lands in the Andes of Ecuador, northern Bolivia,

Hagfish

The Hagfish is not a species that a lot of people are all that familiar with. Because of this when most people see them for the first time they are certain that the creature is either a snake or an eel, but it is neither.  The Hagfish is indeed a fish; it just does not

Komondor Dog

The Komondor is a somewhat well known livestock guardian dog that originated in Hungary.  They have a very distinctive look with thick white corded fur.  The fur is often compared to a mop or even dreadlocks.  When the dogs are born they have very soft and fluffy hair but because of the natural wave the

Proboscis Monkey

Also known as the Monyet Belanda, Bangkatan, or even the Long-nosed Monkey, the Proboscis Monkey is an arboreal Old World monkey. The monkey is most well known for its very large nose as well as its reddish brown color. The nose is the first thing to be seen on this monkey and that is because

Pygmy Marmoset

The Pygmy Marmoset is one of the smallest known primates and is the smallest monkey.  The tiny primates measure just 14 to 16 centimeters in length and the males weigh about five ounces and the females weigh in at just over four ounces.  The primate is not only known by its small size, but also

Shoebill

The Shoebill is a very large bird that is often confused with the stork. While the bird is a different species than the stork, it is related to it. Also known as a Whalehead, the Shoebill measures about four feet tall and usually weighs more than 12 pounds! The birds are generally grey and white

Sun Bear

The Sun Bear was given the name because it appears as though a sun is rising on its beautiful golden face. Many of the bears also have a golden patch on their neck or chest area to match the golden color on the mask. These bears are related to all other bear species, though they

Saki Monkey

The Saki Monkey is one species of the New World monkeys, which is a part of the genus Pithecia. This species is thought to be very closely related to the bearded Saki monkeys, though they are their own separate species. These monkeys are recognized by their small size and their long bushy tails. They are