Day: April 24, 2010

Bornean Orangutan

The Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is fortunate to be one of two members that are exclusively Asian great apes. It is of the Primates order, Hominidae family, Poginae subfamily, genus Pongo. Its claim to fame is that it is the largest animal still living in an arboreal environment, although sadly, it is an endangered animal.

Colugo

The Colugo, also know as the “Flying Lemur” is neither a lemur nor does it fly. They are mammals from an ancient lineage, with only two species making up the whole order Dermopetra. They are the most excellent mammal gliders, with a thin membrane stretched from their nails to the tail. They live in jungles,

Giant Anteater

The Giant Anteater is the largest species of anteater found in Southern and Central America, from southern Belize to northern Argentina. Being one of the oddest looking animals in the world, the Giant Anteaters can grow up to 8 feet in length and 140 pounds in weight. The colour of their fur varies from dark

Saola

Amazingly, the Saola were discovered by the Western civilisation only in 1992, but they’re already endangered, and their numbers are estimated to be below one thousand. They’re found only in Vietnam and Laos, near the border of the two countries. The reason for it’s late discovery is their elusiveness and cautiousness and the ability to

Ring-tailed Cat

The Ring-tailed Cat is actually not a cat, but a mammal of the raccoon family. Why it is called a cat, is a mystery, because it doesn’t really bear a resemblance to cats. As the name suggests, this little mammal has rings on it’s tail. The body is elongated and raccoon-like, though the face is

Gulf Coast Jaguarundi

The Gulf Coast Jaguarundi are an extremely rare species of cat, found only in specific parts of Northern America – in the Western Gulf coastal grasslands of southern United States and Northwestern Mexico. These highly endangered weasel-like wild cats are on the brink of extinction, as more and more of their natural habitat is destroyed.

American Paddlefish

The American Paddlefish is an incredibly old species of fish, found only in the Mississippi River, therefore being also called the Mississippi Paddlefish. Being a fisherman’s feast for many years, their population is facing a decline. These 2 metre long and 50 kg heavy fish used to inhabit many large rivers and lakes in America, 

Budgerigar

The Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is a bird also known as a budgie or a parakeet of the Psittaciformes order, Psittacidae family, genus melopsittacus. Domesticated around the world as a common house pet, they are commonly found in the harsher, drier, inland environments in Australia for the past 5 million years. A Budgerigar sitting on a