Chimpanzee Protection Association (ISYS100 video)

Dogs

We’ve seen posts about sharks to peacocks, but I think its time to mention the “mans best friend”.. Yes the dog.

1 in 3 families own a dog in America, so I think its safe to say that majority of us love dogs.. But who wouldn’t? There are more than 150 breeds of dogs around the world in which they are all primarily functional, acting as a guard, children’s playmate, or even just a walking companion. They are the only animal which will be loyal to its owner and protect him/her from any dangers that come their way.

Having a dog as a pet does have its major responsibilities though, taking a lot of time and effort. They need excessive attention, cleaning, grooming in which owners must be prepared to offer.

(image source:http://reigningcatsdogs.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/socializing-your-new-puppy.html)

Regardless, at the end of the day it is worth every second of your time just to have that companionship.

(MERVE GENEL)

Chimpanzee

Chimpanzees are mammals like humans.
And whats most fascinating about that is that they share a common ancestor with humans and have very similar features of humans. By analysing the hands and feet of a chimpanzee you can tell there are many similarities between humans and chimpanzees.
They also share about 98% of human genetic material which is the closest an animal is in relation to humans. Chimpanzees usually group themselves together of about a dozen or so, and are usually found in the African rainforest, woodlands and grasslands. From studying chimpanzees, they usually consume fruit and plants, but they can also consume eggs and insects.

(image source: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/mammals/chimpanzee/)

Things that interest me about chimpanzees are their methods of catching insects. They tend to use sticks to pick out insects from hole in trees or from holes in the ground. Chimpanzees can walk on their bare knuckles by clenching them into a fist and supporting themselves by pressing them into the ground. They are very athletic and are lot more agile than most other mammals. Chimpanzees have amazing upper body strength which allows them to swing from tree to tree.
Chimpanzees are also quite intelligent as they have the ability to memorise locations and patterns of numbers they have been previously shown.

(DANIEL CHAND)

Tigers

I have personally been interested in tigers since I watched the film ‘Life of Pi’. The tiger is one of the largest cat species, reaching a total length of up to 3.3 metres and weighing up to 306kg. It is most recognisable by its dark vertical stripes over its orange fur. Tigers are extremely territorial and generally solitary but social animals, often requiring large areas of habitat where food requirements can be supported. This, coupled with the fact that they are indigenous to some of the most densely populated places on Earth, such as India, has caused significant conflicts between tigers and humans.

(image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tiger_in_Ranthambhore.jpg)

In a poll conducted by Animal Planet of more than 50,000 viewers, the tiger was voted the world’s favourite animal, narrowly beating the dog. Animal behaviorists put this down to the fact that people can admire and relate to the tiger, as it is fierce and commanding on the outside, but noble and discerning on the inside. Callum Rankine, international species officer at the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) conservation charity, said the result of the Animal Planet survey gave him hope since if people are voting tigers as their favourite animal, it means they recognize their importance and hopefully the need to ensure their survival.

Click the following link for information about further information about tigers and conservation projects…
http://www.21stcenturytiger.org/ 

(BEN TAYLOR)

Indian Peacock (AKA Peafowl)

When it comes to beautiful, and colourfully vibrant animals nothing can even remotely compare to the Indian peacock. The Indian pea cock is known for its train, which when extended opens to show a semi circle of its colourful feathers, adult males train consist of feathers which are green and blue. The adult females train consists of feathers which are dull green, brown and grey, whereas a child peacocks train is dull green, and yellow. The India peacock is most commonly found in south Asia, and as the name suggests it is the official national bird of India, as it is intrinsic to the Indian province of Punjab.

The peacock is an omnivorous bird, however it mostly feeds on plants, flower petals, small insects and reptiles. The peacock is a sacred bird in Hindu culture, it is well known as the loyal bird of Lord Karthikeya ( The God of War) and son of Shiva, referenced to in the “Mahabharata”.

Train Closed

(image source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Indian_Peacock_I3_IMG_9656.jpg) 

Train Opened

(image source: http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/shawnhempel/shawnhempel1006/shawnhempel100600025/7136089-beautiful-indian-peacock-with-fully-fanned-tail.jpg)

(MOHAMMAD AZHAR)

Redback Spider

Time for one of the creepy crawlys...yes it's the Redback Spider...
What is fascinating about the Redback spider is the fact that it is an Arachnid. An arachnid is defined as an animal that have exoskeletons. These are broken into 2 body sections which have no backbone and 8 legs attached to the body. 
Redback Spiders are considered one of the most venomous spiders in Australia. Interestingly, the redback spiders can be sexually cannibalistic.This involves the female consuming the male counterpart if he has not satisfied her during the males mating dance (which should presumably go for 100 minutes)

(image source: http://museumvictoria.com.au/spidersparlour/spider13.html)

After reviewing the Redback Spider, one thing that interests me about it the most is the obvious look of the spider; well known for the red stripe across the back, its very bright and obvious stripe on the back of the spider defines its deadliness. Redbacks are fairly aggressive. Their hunting methods and sexual cannibalism which I had mentioned earlier are one of the key reasons why I like the redback spider.

Here is a good video which shows you how the female can eat the male counterpart up if she is displeased.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojDCmlhBhxw

(DANIEL CHAND)

Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex)

It’s amazing to know that hundreds of years ago there were once giant reptiles, known as dinosaurs with tiny brains who “ruled the earth”.

Out of all the dinosaurs, the one who is at the top of the food chain is tyrannosaurus rex (also known as T-rex). T-rex was one of the largest carnivores ever, standing at 12m long and 6m tall and weighing at around 7000 pounds.  

(image source: http://www.cosmostv.org/2011/10/t-rexs-weight-topped-9-tons.html)

Through scientific research it is believed that the T-rex was so powerful it could eat up to 500 pounds (230 kg) of meat in one bite. Not only is that an excessive amount of food in one bite, T-rex also used to crush and break the bones of the animals it used to eat.

So if you are terrified of bears, sharks, lions or any other living animal in today’s society, then thank god that you were not alive during the time of T-rex.

Because many of these facts about dinosaurs are through their remains in fossils and through extreme scientific research, not many people believe in the existence of them. But personally, I think it is astonishing to know that there were such creatures that touched the same soil we do, everyday.

(MERVE GENEL)

Kangaroo

And now for the Australian superstar, the kangaroooooo!!
A kangaroo is a marsupial native to Australia. They have large, powerful hind legs and feet adapted for the hopping motion they use to move around. Their long, muscular tail also serves to help keep them balanced.
You might think they're cute and cuddly, if you ever cross by one... but watch out, because they have the ability to cause serious harm to people, when they feel threatened. Like most marsupials, females have a pouch in which children (joeys) complete their development.

(image source: http://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/discoverycentre/wild/victorian-environments/mallee/red-kangaroo/)

Larger kangaroos have adapted much better to changes brought to the Australian landscape by humans, and though many of their smaller relatives are endangered, there is still an abundance of all kangaroo species. They are not farmed at all, but wild kangaroos are shot for their meat, leather hides, and to protect grazing land for sheep and cattle.

The kangaroo as you can assume is a great symbol of Austrailia. You can see this as they appear on the Australian coat of arms, on some currency, and also by some of Australia’s well known organisations, including Qantas and the Royal Australian Air Force. The kangaroo is important to both Australian culture and our national image.

         

(image source: http://boardsandgovernance.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/ipads-for-qantas.html & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Australian_Coat_of_Arms.png)

Click the following link to see a video of kangaroos boxing : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiTG6T9pTcM

(BEN TAYLOR)

Swordfish

Sharks do not scare me; however the sea animal which does make me shiver is the Swordfish. The Swordfish derives its name from the shape of its ‘bill’ which resembles a sword, contrary to popular belief this sharp bill is not used to stab its prey but to slash and wound the prey making it weaker and easier for the swordfish to devour. 

Swordfish can reach up to 4.5 metres in length, and weigh up to 500kg, Swordfish mature at 4-5 years of age, and typically have a lifespan of 7-8 years of age meaning that they spend most of their time growing. Another interesting phenomenon about swordfish is that female fishes are larger than males. Swordfishes are in abundance and they have the lowest conservation status, as such they prevalent in large numbers.

Swordfishes typically do not threaten humans like sharks, as humans are not a source of food for swordfishes, however swordfishes have stabbed and slashed humans in the past, resulting in death.

(image source:https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwhsetNs0W2o5WrnWGs8OsdGjYZAOI1CzJSiTayp4AloeOdGwJsB8qkb908VNHAWfPlN92ZN4zcIlussbu3aovZ4ufKMWU_scQYfMvhJf8zxCaK7v4Mbmk4YIzJhDKDDLNhvVYRJ7Qyg/s1600/swordfish.jpg)

(MOHAMMAD AZHAR)

Panda

When it  comes to cute and cuddly nothing beats The Panda, also known as The Giant Panda they are an endangered species with approximately 1600 to 3000 Pandas (hard for scientists to determine due to the Panda’s remote habitats) in the wild and 300 in zoos. Wild Panda’s almost exclusively residing in remote mountainous and snowy regions in China’s Sichuan province. The wild Panda’s diet consists primarily of Bamboo, however Panda’s also eat sugar cane, small insects, and other vegetables. Panda’s fulfil most of their water needs through the moisture of the bamboo which they consume.

A male adult Panda can reach up to 6 feet in height and weigh up to 250-300 pounds, cubs are between 3-5 Pounds at birth, and are born without hair (they are pink), and blind, as such they require significant attention from their mother. Panda’s importance in pop culture has significantly increased since the release of the movie ‘The Kung Fu Panda’. This has had a positive impact upon conservation of the Panda, so please help save the ever so cute and cuddly panda.

(image source: http://www.beijingxiantour.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Cute-Panda.jpg)

Please visit the following website to see how you can help save the Panda

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/giant_panda/panda/why_we_save_the_giant_panda/

(BEN TAYLOR)

Thorny Devil

The Thorny Devil is a lizard from the reptile class. It is mostly found in the remote desert landscapes of the Australian Outback where the weather is dry and humid. The thorny devil has a couple of other names it is known by, namely the Mountain Devil and Thorny Dragon. Being a fairly small lizard (it grows to about 20cm in length), it can be quite vulnerable to predators in the desert. For that reason, the thorny devil is a palette of shades between orange and brown. 


I like the thorny devil for its ability to camouflage into its surrounding environment and be able to hide throughout the day and become darker during the night. Because of this, it can avoid predators.

(image source: http://www.wild-facts.com/2010/wild-fact-858-a-thorn-in-my-side-thorny-devil/)

As the name suggests, the lizard is ‘thorny’; in other words, its entire body is covered in spikes or thorns which adds to its defence mechanisms. These thorns make it hard to be eaten and if attempted it won’t be a tasty meal. It looks a bit like stalagmites growing out of a crocodile (only smaller) 

(DANIEL CHAND)

Myrmecia (AKA Bulldog Ant)

Bull/Bulldog Ants are most commonly found in the Australian Outback, they are called bulldog ants due to their ability to severely bite, and sting anything which threatens them. The bite of bull ants if left untreated can be fatal for many individuals with anaphylactic reactions. Bull ants diet consists primarily of small insects, nectar, fruits, and gum.
Bull ants are very rarely collected into ant farms due to the danger they present to humans, however the behaviours of bull ants are very different to those of normal ants. For instance certain species of bull ants do not have any colony workers, the queen invades and kills the queen of another colony and becomes the queen. 

(image source:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/burtonandy/5387284840/)

Another interesting phenomenon about bull ants is that when cut in half, the head and the tail will begin to fight each other, usually both halves die within the first few minutes. However experiments conducted have shown these battles to last up to half an hour. Although an interesting animal, caution is required around Bull Ants, so if you wish to observe the behaviours of a bull ant please do so from a safe distance, as the bull ant can stalk its threat, and prey from up to a metre away.

(MOHAMMAD AZHAR)

Sharks

Most people are afraid of sharks, which is reasonable, due to their large mass size, ripping killer teeth and their constant media attention which categorise sharks as “vicious animals”.

The thought or even the sight of a fin gliding through the waters is enough to make people panic and cry for help.

However, I do believe that there is more to this ‘blood driving’ animal, than meets the eye…

Sharks are certainly not as dangerous as people believe they are. The main diet of sharks is seals and turtles (defiantly not humans). The reasons why sharks do attack humans are due to mistaken identity. The wet suit of surfer represents the shininess of a seal's skin while people lying on surfboards and paddling could to resemble a turtle to sharks.

However, when sharks do discover their mistake, they just swim away. It has been said that they do not like the taste of human flesh.

(image source: http://theconversation.edu.au/cull-or-be-killed-is-this-really-the-solution-to-stop-shark-attacks-3961)

A recent study has also shown that in one year there were 8 people attacked by sharks and there were more than 1 million sharks killed by people… So tell me who should be more afraid of who?

(MERVE GENEL)