Jumat, 17 Oktober 2008
jackie chan
Jackie Chan, S.B.S., M.B.E. (bahasa Tionghoa: 成龍; pinyin: Chéng Lóng; lahir dengan nama 陳港生; pinyin: Chén Gǎngshēng; lahir di Victoria Peak, Hong Kong, 7 April 1954; umur 54 tahun) adalah aktor, sutradara, stuntman, produser, aktor bela diri, aktor komedi, penulis naskah layar lebar dan penyanyi dari Hong Kong.
Dia adalah salah satu nama yang terkenal dalam seni bela diri (kun
Artikel pilihan
Jackie Chan, S.B.S., M.B.E. (bahasa Tionghoa: 成龍; pinyin: Chéng Lóng; lahir dengan nama 陳港生; pinyin: Chén Gǎngshēng; lahir di Victoria Peak, Hong Kong, 7 April 1954; umur 54 tahun) adalah aktor, sutradara, stuntman, produser, aktor bela diri, aktor komedi, penulis naskah layar lebar dan penyanyi dari Hong Kong.
Dia adalah salah satu nama yang terkenal dalam seni bela diri (kung fu) dari China dan aktor layar lebar dunia, yang terkenal dengan aksi pertarungan akrobatiknya, ahli penggunaan berbagai macam alat yang ditemui di sekitarnya sebagai senjata dan aktor laga yang memiliki banyak inovasi. Ia telah mendalami seni peran sejak tahun 1970an, dan sudah tampil tak kurang dalam 100 film, serta pernah menerima penghargaan di Hong Kong Avenue of Stars dan di Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sebagai seorang ikon kultural, dia telah menjadi referensi dalam berbagai lagu-lagu pop, kartun dan permainan video. Selain berakting, dia adalah seorang bintang Cantopop dan Mandopop, dan sudah menerbitkan tidak kurang dari 20 album sejak tahun 1984 dan menyanyikan banyak musik tema dari film-film yang diperaninya. Di tahun 2008, dia, bersama-sama dengan Andy Lau, Liu Huan dan Emil Chau, menyanyikan lagu perpisahan "Hard to Say Goodbye" pada upacara penutupan Olimpiade musim panas tahun 2008 di Beijing, China.
(Selengkapnya...)g fu) dari China dan aktor layar lebar dunia, yang terkenal dengan aksi pertarungan akrobatiknya, ahli penggunaan berbagai macam alat yang ditemui di sekitarnya sebagai senjata dan aktor laga yang memiliki banyak inovasi. Ia telah mendalami seni peran sejak tahun 1970an, dan sudah tampil tak kurang dalam 100 film, serta pernah menerima penghargaan di Hong Kong Avenue of Stars dan di Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sebagai seorang ikon kultural, dia telah menjadi referensi dalam berbagai lagu-lagu pop, kartun dan permainan video. Selain berakting, dia adalah seorang bintang Cantopop dan Mandopop, dan sudah menerbitkan tidak kurang dari 20 album sejak tahun 1984 dan menyanyikan banyak musik tema dari film-film yang diperaninya. Di tahun 2008, dia, bersama-sama dengan Andy Lau, Liu Huan dan Emil Chau, menyanyikan lagu perpisahan "Hard to Say Goodbye" pada upacara penutupan Olimpiade musim panas tahun 2008 di Beijing, China.
(Selengkapnya...)
jackie chan
Jackie Chan, S.B.S., M.B.E. (bahasa Tionghoa: 成龍; pinyin: Chéng Lóng; lahir dengan nama 陳港生; pinyin: Chén Gǎngshēng; lahir di Victoria Peak, Hong Kong, 7 April 1954; umur 54 tahun) adalah aktor, sutradara, stuntman, produser, aktor bela diri, aktor komedi, penulis naskah layar lebar dan penyanyi dari Hong Kong.
Dia adalah salah satu nama yang terkenal dalam seni bela diri (kun
Artikel pilihan
Jackie Chan, S.B.S., M.B.E. (bahasa Tionghoa: 成龍; pinyin: Chéng Lóng; lahir dengan nama 陳港生; pinyin: Chén Gǎngshēng; lahir di Victoria Peak, Hong Kong, 7 April 1954; umur 54 tahun) adalah aktor, sutradara, stuntman, produser, aktor bela diri, aktor komedi, penulis naskah layar lebar dan penyanyi dari Hong Kong.
Dia adalah salah satu nama yang terkenal dalam seni bela diri (kung fu) dari China dan aktor layar lebar dunia, yang terkenal dengan aksi pertarungan akrobatiknya, ahli penggunaan berbagai macam alat yang ditemui di sekitarnya sebagai senjata dan aktor laga yang memiliki banyak inovasi. Ia telah mendalami seni peran sejak tahun 1970an, dan sudah tampil tak kurang dalam 100 film, serta pernah menerima penghargaan di Hong Kong Avenue of Stars dan di Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sebagai seorang ikon kultural, dia telah menjadi referensi dalam berbagai lagu-lagu pop, kartun dan permainan video. Selain berakting, dia adalah seorang bintang Cantopop dan Mandopop, dan sudah menerbitkan tidak kurang dari 20 album sejak tahun 1984 dan menyanyikan banyak musik tema dari film-film yang diperaninya. Di tahun 2008, dia, bersama-sama dengan Andy Lau, Liu Huan dan Emil Chau, menyanyikan lagu perpisahan "Hard to Say Goodbye" pada upacara penutupan Olimpiade musim panas tahun 2008 di Beijing, China.
(Selengkapnya...)g fu) dari China dan aktor layar lebar dunia, yang terkenal dengan aksi pertarungan akrobatiknya, ahli penggunaan berbagai macam alat yang ditemui di sekitarnya sebagai senjata dan aktor laga yang memiliki banyak inovasi. Ia telah mendalami seni peran sejak tahun 1970an, dan sudah tampil tak kurang dalam 100 film, serta pernah menerima penghargaan di Hong Kong Avenue of Stars dan di Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sebagai seorang ikon kultural, dia telah menjadi referensi dalam berbagai lagu-lagu pop, kartun dan permainan video. Selain berakting, dia adalah seorang bintang Cantopop dan Mandopop, dan sudah menerbitkan tidak kurang dari 20 album sejak tahun 1984 dan menyanyikan banyak musik tema dari film-film yang diperaninya. Di tahun 2008, dia, bersama-sama dengan Andy Lau, Liu Huan dan Emil Chau, menyanyikan lagu perpisahan "Hard to Say Goodbye" pada upacara penutupan Olimpiade musim panas tahun 2008 di Beijing, China.
(Selengkapnya...)
Babyrousa babyrussa(babirusa)
Babyrousa babyrussa(babirusa)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Subphylum:Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order:Artiodactyla
Family:Suidae
Subfamily:Babyrousinae
Genus:Babyrousa
Species:Babyrousa babyrousa
Geographic Range
Indonesia: Sulawesi, the Togian and Sula islands, and Buru island in the Moluccas (the latter two apparently by introduction)
Habitat
The babirusa prefers moist forests and canebrakes near the shores of rivers and lakes. They avoid dense shrub vegetation.
Physical Description
Mass; 43 to 100 kg ( 94.6 to 220 lbs)
Length: Head and body, 85-110 cm; tail, 20-32 cm.
Height: 65-80 cm at shoulder
The babirusa has a rounded body, somewhat pointed snout, and relatively long, thin legs. Males are larger than females. Depending on the subspecies, the skin may be rough and brownish gray with only a few dark bristles (B. b. celebensis), brown to black coat, markedly lighter on the underside (B. b. togeanensis), or long, thick golden cream-colored and/or black coat (B. b. babyrussa). The skin often has large folds or wrinkles. (Parker, 1990)
The babirusa's most dramatic physical features are its tusks. The upper canines of males never enter the mouth cavity but rather grow upward, pierce through the top of the snout and curve backward toward the forehead. They may reach a length of 30 cm. In females, the upper canines are small or absent. These tusks are brittle and loose in their sockets, apparently useless as offensive weapons, but they may help to shield the face while the daggerlike lower tusks are used in fighting. There is also evidence that on some islands these tusks are used to interlock and hold an opponent's tusks, and on other islands they are used for butting.
Reproduction
The babirusa mating system has been described as a "roving dominance hierarchy" among the males in an area. (Macdonald, 1984) Males use their tusks to fight with other males for the right to mate with several females. (Houston, 1997) Babirusa have a gestation period of 150-157 days, and 1 or 2 young per pregnancy is typical (unusually few for suids). Young weigh between 380 and 1050 g. at birth. Young are usually born in the early months of the year. They are more precocial than the young of other suids, beginning to eat solid food 3-10 days after birth; weaned at 6-8 months. Young attain sexual maturity at 1-2 years. In captivity, babirusa have lived up to 24 years.
Behavior
The babirusa is apparently diurnal, active primarily in the morning. About half of their time is spent lying down, usually sleeping. They are swift runners, and often swim in the sea to reach offshore islands. They construct straw nests and wallow in mud. Unlike other suids, the lower tusks are not kept sharp by wearing against the uppers; male babirusa actively hone their tusks on trees. When excited, they clatter their teeth.
Adult male babirusa are primarily solitary, while adult females are often found in small family groups, with a few young and/or sub-adults. Like other suids, they are quite vocal, with a limited vocabulary of low moans or grunts.
Like other wild pigs, babirusa are not believed to be particularly territorial, although they will mark their home ranges in various ways. (Macdonald, 1984). For example, adult males in captivity have been observed to engage in "ploughing". When put into empty, sand-filled enclosures, they will put their snouts deep into the loose soil, kneel, and slide forward on their chests. They salivate copiously while "ploughing", suggesting that this unique behavior serves a scent-marking function. (Leus, 1996)
Food Habits
The babirusa, unlike most other suids, does not appear to use its snout to root for food. It is also a more specialized feeder than most suids, primarily eating foliage, fallen fruit, and fungi.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
None found.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Indonesian natives hunt the babirusa for food. They are also frequently captured young and tamed.
Babirusa are of interest to medical researchers, because the babirusa tusk is the only permanent natural percutaneus (passing through the skin, such as by puncture) structure. When percutaneus devices such as catheters are implanted in humans, the epidermis generally does not adhere well to the device, posing a risk of infection at the site. Researchers hope to learn how to avoid this complication by studying the babirusa, where the problem does not occur. (Knabe, 1999)
Conservation Status
Excessive hunting and habitat loss have caused a substantial decline in babirusa populations, despite longstanding legal protections. The wild population is estimated at about 4000 individuals, spread across several islands. In addition to humans, they are preyed upon by feral and domestic dogs.
The species has always been rare in zoos, but seems to breed readily in captivity. The largest breeding group is in the zoo in Surabaya, Indonesia. The Stuttgart Zoo coordinates a European Maintenance Breeding Program for the babirusa.
Other Comments
Despite the external resemblance, recent studies of fossils have suggested that the babirusa may in fact be more closely related to hippopotami than pigs. However, comparison of anatomical features (e.g., the heart) offers evidence to the contrary (MacDonald, 1994). It is often placed in its own subfamily, Babyrusinae. Its closest relative is believed to be a European pig that became extinct 35 million years ago. (Houston, 1997)
According to native legend, the babirusa hooks its tusks over a low branch at night, to support its head while it sleeps (or, in more imaginative versions, hangs itself from trees to sleep). The name "babirusa" means "pig deer", referring to the resemblance between its tusks and a deer's antlers.
References
Houston, B. 1997. "The Babirusa: Setting the Standard for Bizarre" (On-line). Accessed October 14, 1999 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/local/redirect.php/http:/www.stlzoo.org/content.asp?page_name=babirusa.
Huffman, B. 1999. "Babirusa" (On-line). Accessed October 6, 1999 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/local/redirect.php/http:/www.pathcom.com/~dhuffman/babirusa.html.
Knabe, C., C. Grosse-Siestrup, U. Grosse. 1999. Histologic evaluation of a natural permanent percutaneous structure and clinical percutaneous devices. Biomaterials, 20(6): 503-510.
Leus, K., P. Vercammen. 1996. Behaviour of a male and female babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa, Suidae, Mammalia) during the first five days after their move to a semi-natural enclosure. Zoologische Garten, 66(3): 133-155.
Leus, K., K. Bland, A. Dhondt, A. MacDonald. 1996. Ploughing behavior of Babyrousa babyrussa (Suidae, Mammalia) suggests a scent-marking function. Journal of Zoology (London), 238(2): 209-219.
Macdonald, D. 1984. The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York, NY: Facts on File Publications.
MacDonald, A. 1994. The placenta and cardiac foramen ovale of the babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa). Anatomy & Embryology, 190(5): 489-494.
Nowak, R. 1997. "Walker's Mammals of the World Online" (On-line). Accessed October 6, 1999 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/local/redirect.php/http:/www.press.jhu.edu/books/walkers_mammals_of_the_world/prep.html.
Parker, S. 1990. Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals, vol. 5. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Patry, M., K. Leus, A. MacDonald. 1995. Group structure and behavior of Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) in northern Sulawesi. Australian Journal of Zoology, 43(6): 643-655.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Subphylum:Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order:Artiodactyla
Family:Suidae
Subfamily:Babyrousinae
Genus:Babyrousa
Species:Babyrousa babyrousa
Geographic Range
Indonesia: Sulawesi, the Togian and Sula islands, and Buru island in the Moluccas (the latter two apparently by introduction)
Habitat
The babirusa prefers moist forests and canebrakes near the shores of rivers and lakes. They avoid dense shrub vegetation.
Physical Description
Mass; 43 to 100 kg ( 94.6 to 220 lbs)
Length: Head and body, 85-110 cm; tail, 20-32 cm.
Height: 65-80 cm at shoulder
The babirusa has a rounded body, somewhat pointed snout, and relatively long, thin legs. Males are larger than females. Depending on the subspecies, the skin may be rough and brownish gray with only a few dark bristles (B. b. celebensis), brown to black coat, markedly lighter on the underside (B. b. togeanensis), or long, thick golden cream-colored and/or black coat (B. b. babyrussa). The skin often has large folds or wrinkles. (Parker, 1990)
The babirusa's most dramatic physical features are its tusks. The upper canines of males never enter the mouth cavity but rather grow upward, pierce through the top of the snout and curve backward toward the forehead. They may reach a length of 30 cm. In females, the upper canines are small or absent. These tusks are brittle and loose in their sockets, apparently useless as offensive weapons, but they may help to shield the face while the daggerlike lower tusks are used in fighting. There is also evidence that on some islands these tusks are used to interlock and hold an opponent's tusks, and on other islands they are used for butting.
Reproduction
The babirusa mating system has been described as a "roving dominance hierarchy" among the males in an area. (Macdonald, 1984) Males use their tusks to fight with other males for the right to mate with several females. (Houston, 1997) Babirusa have a gestation period of 150-157 days, and 1 or 2 young per pregnancy is typical (unusually few for suids). Young weigh between 380 and 1050 g. at birth. Young are usually born in the early months of the year. They are more precocial than the young of other suids, beginning to eat solid food 3-10 days after birth; weaned at 6-8 months. Young attain sexual maturity at 1-2 years. In captivity, babirusa have lived up to 24 years.
Behavior
The babirusa is apparently diurnal, active primarily in the morning. About half of their time is spent lying down, usually sleeping. They are swift runners, and often swim in the sea to reach offshore islands. They construct straw nests and wallow in mud. Unlike other suids, the lower tusks are not kept sharp by wearing against the uppers; male babirusa actively hone their tusks on trees. When excited, they clatter their teeth.
Adult male babirusa are primarily solitary, while adult females are often found in small family groups, with a few young and/or sub-adults. Like other suids, they are quite vocal, with a limited vocabulary of low moans or grunts.
Like other wild pigs, babirusa are not believed to be particularly territorial, although they will mark their home ranges in various ways. (Macdonald, 1984). For example, adult males in captivity have been observed to engage in "ploughing". When put into empty, sand-filled enclosures, they will put their snouts deep into the loose soil, kneel, and slide forward on their chests. They salivate copiously while "ploughing", suggesting that this unique behavior serves a scent-marking function. (Leus, 1996)
Food Habits
The babirusa, unlike most other suids, does not appear to use its snout to root for food. It is also a more specialized feeder than most suids, primarily eating foliage, fallen fruit, and fungi.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
None found.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Indonesian natives hunt the babirusa for food. They are also frequently captured young and tamed.
Babirusa are of interest to medical researchers, because the babirusa tusk is the only permanent natural percutaneus (passing through the skin, such as by puncture) structure. When percutaneus devices such as catheters are implanted in humans, the epidermis generally does not adhere well to the device, posing a risk of infection at the site. Researchers hope to learn how to avoid this complication by studying the babirusa, where the problem does not occur. (Knabe, 1999)
Conservation Status
Excessive hunting and habitat loss have caused a substantial decline in babirusa populations, despite longstanding legal protections. The wild population is estimated at about 4000 individuals, spread across several islands. In addition to humans, they are preyed upon by feral and domestic dogs.
The species has always been rare in zoos, but seems to breed readily in captivity. The largest breeding group is in the zoo in Surabaya, Indonesia. The Stuttgart Zoo coordinates a European Maintenance Breeding Program for the babirusa.
Other Comments
Despite the external resemblance, recent studies of fossils have suggested that the babirusa may in fact be more closely related to hippopotami than pigs. However, comparison of anatomical features (e.g., the heart) offers evidence to the contrary (MacDonald, 1994). It is often placed in its own subfamily, Babyrusinae. Its closest relative is believed to be a European pig that became extinct 35 million years ago. (Houston, 1997)
According to native legend, the babirusa hooks its tusks over a low branch at night, to support its head while it sleeps (or, in more imaginative versions, hangs itself from trees to sleep). The name "babirusa" means "pig deer", referring to the resemblance between its tusks and a deer's antlers.
References
Houston, B. 1997. "The Babirusa: Setting the Standard for Bizarre" (On-line). Accessed October 14, 1999 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/local/redirect.php/http:/www.stlzoo.org/content.asp?page_name=babirusa.
Huffman, B. 1999. "Babirusa" (On-line). Accessed October 6, 1999 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/local/redirect.php/http:/www.pathcom.com/~dhuffman/babirusa.html.
Knabe, C., C. Grosse-Siestrup, U. Grosse. 1999. Histologic evaluation of a natural permanent percutaneous structure and clinical percutaneous devices. Biomaterials, 20(6): 503-510.
Leus, K., P. Vercammen. 1996. Behaviour of a male and female babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa, Suidae, Mammalia) during the first five days after their move to a semi-natural enclosure. Zoologische Garten, 66(3): 133-155.
Leus, K., K. Bland, A. Dhondt, A. MacDonald. 1996. Ploughing behavior of Babyrousa babyrussa (Suidae, Mammalia) suggests a scent-marking function. Journal of Zoology (London), 238(2): 209-219.
Macdonald, D. 1984. The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York, NY: Facts on File Publications.
MacDonald, A. 1994. The placenta and cardiac foramen ovale of the babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa). Anatomy & Embryology, 190(5): 489-494.
Nowak, R. 1997. "Walker's Mammals of the World Online" (On-line). Accessed October 6, 1999 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/local/redirect.php/http:/www.press.jhu.edu/books/walkers_mammals_of_the_world/prep.html.
Parker, S. 1990. Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals, vol. 5. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Patry, M., K. Leus, A. MacDonald. 1995. Group structure and behavior of Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) in northern Sulawesi. Australian Journal of Zoology, 43(6): 643-655.
Leopard
LeopardPanthera pardus
Leopards are one of the prize sightings on a safari. Stealthy and elusive, they are also surprisingly well camouflaged. The twitch of a tail may be the only give-away to a leopard resting in the branches of a tree.
SubspeciesAfrica: P.p.adersi, P.p.adusta, P.p.leopardus , P.p.melanotica, P.p.nanopardus, P.p.panthera, P.p.pardus, P.p.reichenowi, P.p.ruwenzorli, P.p.sindica, P.p.suahelica. Middle East: P.p.ciscaucasia, P.p.dathei, P.p.jarvisi, P.p.nimr, P.p.saxicolor, P.p.tulliana;Asia: P.p.delacouri, P.p.fusca, P.p.japonensis, P.p.kotiya, P.p.melas, P.p.millardi, P.p.orientalis, Pp.pernigra.
Life spanLeopards can live for 10-15 years in the wild, although in captivity, they can live for up to 20 years.
StatisticsBody length: 95-167cm, Tail length: 60-97cm, Shoulder height: 50-75cm, Weight: 30-80kg. There can be considerable variation in size depending on location. Mountain leopards are smaller than their savannah counterparts because prey is smaller in the mountains. Particularly large individuals of over 91kg have been recorded in South Africa's Kruger National Park, where prey is larger. Generally males are 20-40 per cent larger than females.
Physical DescriptionLeopards typically are a light tan colour with a rosette-patterned coat and a long tail. They have a large skull and massive jaw muscles. Some leopards are completely black and are known as panthers. They can be born in the same litter as normally marked cats. Observations indicate that these are most generally found in dense forest areas of India and SE Asia where the dark coat offers an advantage in camouflage. Panthers are mostly found in the dense, wet forested areas of India and south east Asia.The leopard is sometimes confused in appearance with the jaguar. Leopards are less stocky and have smaller rosette markings without internal spots. The base coloration of the coat varies depending on location.
DistributionThe leopard has the most widespread distribution of all the cats and can be found in India, Africa, China, Siberia and Korea.
HabitatLeopards are generalist predators and are able to live in any habitat where there is sufficient cover and prey, including open savannah, forests, jungles, cold mountainous regions and even on the outskirts of urban areas.
DietThey have a number of prey items, including gazelles, antelopes, monkeys, jackals, duiker, eland, impala, insects, wildebeest, rodents, hyraxes, hares, peacocks, snakes, sheep and goats. Leopards can live independently of water for long periods of time, obtaining liquid from their prey.
BehaviourLeopards lead a solitary lifestyle. Males inhabit territories of 5 to 40 square km, which may overlap with the territories of several females. They are very defensive of their territory and urinate around the boundaries of their territories to warn off intruders. They are most active between sunset and sunrise. Leopards often take their kills up into the safety of tree branches, to avoid the attention of hyenas and lions. They are incredibly strong and are capable of lifting carcasses three times their own body weight, placing them on branches over 6m high. There have been several reports of leopards hauling young giraffes into trees. They will kill small competitors such as jackals and wild cats; and the cubs of lions, cheetahs and hyenas.
ReproductionFemales give birth after a gestation period of 90-105 days. Litters usually amount to between 2-4 cubs. The cubs are born blind and are weaned at three months but stay with their mother until they are 13-18 months old. 40-50 per cent of cubs do not reach adulthood. The father plays no part in the rearing of his cubs.
Threats
Hunting for their beautifully spotted fur, habitat encroachment, and hunting have taken their toll on the leoaprd, making many subspecies endangered. They are killed by farmers because they pose a threat to their livestock. They can be easily poisoned because they feed on carrion.
Conservaton statusLeopards are on CITES: Appendix I. The north Chinese leopard (P.p.japonensis), Sri Lanka leopard (P.p.kotiya), Javan leopard (P.p.melas) and north Persian leopard (P.p.saxixolor) are listed as Endangered by the IUCN. The south Arabian leopard (P.p.nimr), Amur leopard (P.p.orientalis), north African leopard (P.p.panthera) and Anatolian leopard (P.p.tulliana) are considered Critically Endangered. They are hunted for their fur and suffer from loss of natural habit due to the spread of the human population.
Leopards are one of the prize sightings on a safari. Stealthy and elusive, they are also surprisingly well camouflaged. The twitch of a tail may be the only give-away to a leopard resting in the branches of a tree.
SubspeciesAfrica: P.p.adersi, P.p.adusta, P.p.leopardus , P.p.melanotica, P.p.nanopardus, P.p.panthera, P.p.pardus, P.p.reichenowi, P.p.ruwenzorli, P.p.sindica, P.p.suahelica. Middle East: P.p.ciscaucasia, P.p.dathei, P.p.jarvisi, P.p.nimr, P.p.saxicolor, P.p.tulliana;Asia: P.p.delacouri, P.p.fusca, P.p.japonensis, P.p.kotiya, P.p.melas, P.p.millardi, P.p.orientalis, Pp.pernigra.
Life spanLeopards can live for 10-15 years in the wild, although in captivity, they can live for up to 20 years.
StatisticsBody length: 95-167cm, Tail length: 60-97cm, Shoulder height: 50-75cm, Weight: 30-80kg. There can be considerable variation in size depending on location. Mountain leopards are smaller than their savannah counterparts because prey is smaller in the mountains. Particularly large individuals of over 91kg have been recorded in South Africa's Kruger National Park, where prey is larger. Generally males are 20-40 per cent larger than females.
Physical DescriptionLeopards typically are a light tan colour with a rosette-patterned coat and a long tail. They have a large skull and massive jaw muscles. Some leopards are completely black and are known as panthers. They can be born in the same litter as normally marked cats. Observations indicate that these are most generally found in dense forest areas of India and SE Asia where the dark coat offers an advantage in camouflage. Panthers are mostly found in the dense, wet forested areas of India and south east Asia.The leopard is sometimes confused in appearance with the jaguar. Leopards are less stocky and have smaller rosette markings without internal spots. The base coloration of the coat varies depending on location.
DistributionThe leopard has the most widespread distribution of all the cats and can be found in India, Africa, China, Siberia and Korea.
HabitatLeopards are generalist predators and are able to live in any habitat where there is sufficient cover and prey, including open savannah, forests, jungles, cold mountainous regions and even on the outskirts of urban areas.
DietThey have a number of prey items, including gazelles, antelopes, monkeys, jackals, duiker, eland, impala, insects, wildebeest, rodents, hyraxes, hares, peacocks, snakes, sheep and goats. Leopards can live independently of water for long periods of time, obtaining liquid from their prey.
BehaviourLeopards lead a solitary lifestyle. Males inhabit territories of 5 to 40 square km, which may overlap with the territories of several females. They are very defensive of their territory and urinate around the boundaries of their territories to warn off intruders. They are most active between sunset and sunrise. Leopards often take their kills up into the safety of tree branches, to avoid the attention of hyenas and lions. They are incredibly strong and are capable of lifting carcasses three times their own body weight, placing them on branches over 6m high. There have been several reports of leopards hauling young giraffes into trees. They will kill small competitors such as jackals and wild cats; and the cubs of lions, cheetahs and hyenas.
ReproductionFemales give birth after a gestation period of 90-105 days. Litters usually amount to between 2-4 cubs. The cubs are born blind and are weaned at three months but stay with their mother until they are 13-18 months old. 40-50 per cent of cubs do not reach adulthood. The father plays no part in the rearing of his cubs.
Threats
Hunting for their beautifully spotted fur, habitat encroachment, and hunting have taken their toll on the leoaprd, making many subspecies endangered. They are killed by farmers because they pose a threat to their livestock. They can be easily poisoned because they feed on carrion.
Conservaton statusLeopards are on CITES: Appendix I. The north Chinese leopard (P.p.japonensis), Sri Lanka leopard (P.p.kotiya), Javan leopard (P.p.melas) and north Persian leopard (P.p.saxixolor) are listed as Endangered by the IUCN. The south Arabian leopard (P.p.nimr), Amur leopard (P.p.orientalis), north African leopard (P.p.panthera) and Anatolian leopard (P.p.tulliana) are considered Critically Endangered. They are hunted for their fur and suffer from loss of natural habit due to the spread of the human population.
Elephas maximus(Asiatic elephant)
Elephas maximus(Asiatic elephant)
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Proboscidae
Family: Elephantidae
Genus: Elphas
Species: Elephas maximus
Geographic Range
Parts of India and Southeast Asia, including Sumatra and Borneo. Asian elephants were formerly widely distributed south of the Himalayas, throughout Southeast Asia, and in China as far north as the Yangtze River.
Habitat
Asian elephants mainly use scrub forest, although their habitat can vary. They can be found in the jungle, but generally on the edge where open, grassy areas are accessible. They prefer areas that combine grass, low woody plants, and forest. Elephants rarely forage in one area for more than a few days in a row.
Physical Description
Mass3000 to 5000 kg(6600 to 11000 lbs)
Length550 to 640 cm(216.54 to 251.97 in)
Head and body length is 550 to 640 cm and shoulder height is 250 to 300 cm. The skin is thick and dry, and the few hairs are stiff. Skin color varies from grey to brown. In contrast to the African elephant, the Asian elephant's ears are much smaller, the back is not as sloping, the head rather than the shoulders is the highest part of the body, the trunk has a single finger-like projection rather than two, and the hind foot has 4 nails rather than 3. The cylindrical feet consist of reduced phalanges resting on a pad of elastic tissue. The cerebral hemisphere is quite convoluted, resembling that of humans and dolphins. The elephant's teeth are unique. They have a limited number of very large teeth that move forward in the mouth as the animal ages; as the front teeth are worn away with use they are replaced from behind. If an elephant lives long enough to have used up all of its teeth it then starves to death. In males, a pair of incisors is elongated (growing 17 cm per year throughout the animal's life) into tusks. Unlike African elephant females, Asian females do not bear tusks.
Reproduction
Breeding intervalUnder the best of circumstances Asian elephants give birth every three to four years.
Breeding seasonBirths may occur throughout the year.
Number of offspring1 (average)
Gestation period18 to 22 months
Time to weaning48 months (average)
Time to independence48 months (average)
Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)14 years (average)
Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)14 years (average)
Female Asian elephants bear a single calf (usually) after a gestation of more than a year and a half (18 to 22 months). Their estrus cycle is about 22 days, out of which they are receptive to copulation on only one day, the first day of estrus. There is no seasonality in their reproduction. Females on good quality habitats give birth every three to four years, while the interbirth interval can be much longer among females inhabiting poor quality areas. Newborns weigh about 100 kg and can stand soon after birth. The infant may nurse from its mother or from other lactating females. After a few days it can follow its mother as she goes about her normal activities. Young begin to eat some grass after several months but may continue nursing for 18 months. They also eat their mother's dung, which contains nutrients as well as the symbiotic bacteria that aid in the digestion of cellulose. Mothers continue to supervise their young for several years after weaning. Both sexes become sexually mature at about 14 years of age, but males cannot mate until they can dominate other adult males. Males leave their natal herd at this age, but females remain with their female relatives throughout their lives.
Behavior
Asian elephants are quite social. Cows form stable herds of about 20 or more of their female relatives. These matriarchal groups are led by the oldest female, who coordinates the herd's movements in search of food and water. Herds may temporarily break up into smaller subgroups, which maintain contact through low frequency long-distance vocalizations. Males are sometimes found with these herds, especially when a female is in estrus. Generally only the dominant male mates with the females. Males may travel alone or in temporary male groups. This species does not appear to be territorial. Males have home ranges of about 15 sq km, and herds of females of about 30 sq km (larger in the dry season). In the past these animals migrated seasonally, but human activities such as agriculture have now made this virtually impossible. Elephants use their tusks for a variety of purposes: to dig for water, remove bark from trees, maneuver fallen trees and branches, mark trees, rest their trunk on, fight with, and, in domestic animals, for various kinds of work. Elephants are left or right tusked, just as humans are left or right handed. Their trunks, which are formed by the combination of the elongated nose and upper lip, are also very useful. At the tip are two finger-like extensions which are very sensitive and can be used for precise manipulation of objects. They are used in eating, drinking, smelling and breathing, touching, vocalizing, washing, dusting (throwing dirt onto the back, possibly as a way of deterring insects), and fighting. The senses of touch and hearing are acute, but eyesight is somewhat poor. Like other large mammals, elephants are more tolerant of cold than of excessive heat. They spend the hottest part of the day in the shade, and dissipate heat through their ears, which they flap at different speeds according to how hot they are.
Young elephants follow their mothers or older sisters by holding on to their tails. When in danger, elephants run with their tails held up, which may signal the danger to the other members of the herd. At full charge, an elephant can run over 48 km/hr. When a potential predator such as a lion or tiger threatens a calf, the adults form a defensive circle with the calf in the middle. Adult elephants are probably not susceptible to predation by any species other than humans. The lifespan of the Asian elephant is about 70 years.
Food Habits
These elephants eat a wide variety of species of vegetation. They prefer grasses, but they also consume bark, roots, leaves, and stems of trees, vines, and shrubs. Most of an adult's activities involve moving toward and eating food. They eat in the morning, evening, and night but rest during the hottest part of the day. An average day's intake is 150 kg of vegetation, of which only about 44% is actually digested (with the aid of symbiotic gut bacteria). Elephants eat long grasses by plucking a "handful" with their trunk and putting the bundle in their mouth. To eat short grasses, they kick up a pile of dirt with their feet and sweep the grass into their mouth, again with the end of their trunk. Shrubs are eaten by breaking off twigs with the trunk and inserting them into the mouth. To eat the bark off larger branches, they hold the branch with their trunk and rotate it while scraping off the bark with their teeth - similar to the way people eat corn on the cob. Elephants also drink at least once a day (140 liters of water may be consumed in just one day) and so are never very far from a water supply.
Plant Foods: leaves; roots and tubers; wood, bark, or stems.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Elephants enjoy cultivated foods such as bananas and sugar cane, and so can become crop pests in some areas. Wild elephants are can be aggressive to humans and dangerous.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
The Asian elephant has been domesticated for centuries. Individuals can be trained to reliably perform a wide variety of tasks. They are used as draft animals, for hunting, and for transportation. Ivory from their tusks is used in the manufacture of a number of items, including jewelry.
Conservation Status
Asian elephants have a long history of being hunted by people, originally for food, later for domestic stock and ivory. Poaching for ivory continues to devastate wild populations. They also suffer due to habitat loss caused by agriculture and deforestation. Centuries ago they disappeared from southwestern Asia and most of China. Currently there are only an estimated 28,000 to 42,000 wild Asian elephants remaining. Asian elephants are kept as domestic animals, and can be successfully bred in captivity.
References
Nowak, R.M. and J.L. Paradiso. 1983. Walker's Mammals of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
Shoshani, J. and J.F. Eisenberg. 1982. Elephas maximus. Mammalian Species No. 182, The American Society of Mammalogists.
www.animaldiversity.com
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Proboscidae
Family: Elephantidae
Genus: Elphas
Species: Elephas maximus
Geographic Range
Parts of India and Southeast Asia, including Sumatra and Borneo. Asian elephants were formerly widely distributed south of the Himalayas, throughout Southeast Asia, and in China as far north as the Yangtze River.
Habitat
Asian elephants mainly use scrub forest, although their habitat can vary. They can be found in the jungle, but generally on the edge where open, grassy areas are accessible. They prefer areas that combine grass, low woody plants, and forest. Elephants rarely forage in one area for more than a few days in a row.
Physical Description
Mass3000 to 5000 kg(6600 to 11000 lbs)
Length550 to 640 cm(216.54 to 251.97 in)
Head and body length is 550 to 640 cm and shoulder height is 250 to 300 cm. The skin is thick and dry, and the few hairs are stiff. Skin color varies from grey to brown. In contrast to the African elephant, the Asian elephant's ears are much smaller, the back is not as sloping, the head rather than the shoulders is the highest part of the body, the trunk has a single finger-like projection rather than two, and the hind foot has 4 nails rather than 3. The cylindrical feet consist of reduced phalanges resting on a pad of elastic tissue. The cerebral hemisphere is quite convoluted, resembling that of humans and dolphins. The elephant's teeth are unique. They have a limited number of very large teeth that move forward in the mouth as the animal ages; as the front teeth are worn away with use they are replaced from behind. If an elephant lives long enough to have used up all of its teeth it then starves to death. In males, a pair of incisors is elongated (growing 17 cm per year throughout the animal's life) into tusks. Unlike African elephant females, Asian females do not bear tusks.
Reproduction
Breeding intervalUnder the best of circumstances Asian elephants give birth every three to four years.
Breeding seasonBirths may occur throughout the year.
Number of offspring1 (average)
Gestation period18 to 22 months
Time to weaning48 months (average)
Time to independence48 months (average)
Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)14 years (average)
Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)14 years (average)
Female Asian elephants bear a single calf (usually) after a gestation of more than a year and a half (18 to 22 months). Their estrus cycle is about 22 days, out of which they are receptive to copulation on only one day, the first day of estrus. There is no seasonality in their reproduction. Females on good quality habitats give birth every three to four years, while the interbirth interval can be much longer among females inhabiting poor quality areas. Newborns weigh about 100 kg and can stand soon after birth. The infant may nurse from its mother or from other lactating females. After a few days it can follow its mother as she goes about her normal activities. Young begin to eat some grass after several months but may continue nursing for 18 months. They also eat their mother's dung, which contains nutrients as well as the symbiotic bacteria that aid in the digestion of cellulose. Mothers continue to supervise their young for several years after weaning. Both sexes become sexually mature at about 14 years of age, but males cannot mate until they can dominate other adult males. Males leave their natal herd at this age, but females remain with their female relatives throughout their lives.
Behavior
Asian elephants are quite social. Cows form stable herds of about 20 or more of their female relatives. These matriarchal groups are led by the oldest female, who coordinates the herd's movements in search of food and water. Herds may temporarily break up into smaller subgroups, which maintain contact through low frequency long-distance vocalizations. Males are sometimes found with these herds, especially when a female is in estrus. Generally only the dominant male mates with the females. Males may travel alone or in temporary male groups. This species does not appear to be territorial. Males have home ranges of about 15 sq km, and herds of females of about 30 sq km (larger in the dry season). In the past these animals migrated seasonally, but human activities such as agriculture have now made this virtually impossible. Elephants use their tusks for a variety of purposes: to dig for water, remove bark from trees, maneuver fallen trees and branches, mark trees, rest their trunk on, fight with, and, in domestic animals, for various kinds of work. Elephants are left or right tusked, just as humans are left or right handed. Their trunks, which are formed by the combination of the elongated nose and upper lip, are also very useful. At the tip are two finger-like extensions which are very sensitive and can be used for precise manipulation of objects. They are used in eating, drinking, smelling and breathing, touching, vocalizing, washing, dusting (throwing dirt onto the back, possibly as a way of deterring insects), and fighting. The senses of touch and hearing are acute, but eyesight is somewhat poor. Like other large mammals, elephants are more tolerant of cold than of excessive heat. They spend the hottest part of the day in the shade, and dissipate heat through their ears, which they flap at different speeds according to how hot they are.
Young elephants follow their mothers or older sisters by holding on to their tails. When in danger, elephants run with their tails held up, which may signal the danger to the other members of the herd. At full charge, an elephant can run over 48 km/hr. When a potential predator such as a lion or tiger threatens a calf, the adults form a defensive circle with the calf in the middle. Adult elephants are probably not susceptible to predation by any species other than humans. The lifespan of the Asian elephant is about 70 years.
Food Habits
These elephants eat a wide variety of species of vegetation. They prefer grasses, but they also consume bark, roots, leaves, and stems of trees, vines, and shrubs. Most of an adult's activities involve moving toward and eating food. They eat in the morning, evening, and night but rest during the hottest part of the day. An average day's intake is 150 kg of vegetation, of which only about 44% is actually digested (with the aid of symbiotic gut bacteria). Elephants eat long grasses by plucking a "handful" with their trunk and putting the bundle in their mouth. To eat short grasses, they kick up a pile of dirt with their feet and sweep the grass into their mouth, again with the end of their trunk. Shrubs are eaten by breaking off twigs with the trunk and inserting them into the mouth. To eat the bark off larger branches, they hold the branch with their trunk and rotate it while scraping off the bark with their teeth - similar to the way people eat corn on the cob. Elephants also drink at least once a day (140 liters of water may be consumed in just one day) and so are never very far from a water supply.
Plant Foods: leaves; roots and tubers; wood, bark, or stems.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Elephants enjoy cultivated foods such as bananas and sugar cane, and so can become crop pests in some areas. Wild elephants are can be aggressive to humans and dangerous.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
The Asian elephant has been domesticated for centuries. Individuals can be trained to reliably perform a wide variety of tasks. They are used as draft animals, for hunting, and for transportation. Ivory from their tusks is used in the manufacture of a number of items, including jewelry.
Conservation Status
Asian elephants have a long history of being hunted by people, originally for food, later for domestic stock and ivory. Poaching for ivory continues to devastate wild populations. They also suffer due to habitat loss caused by agriculture and deforestation. Centuries ago they disappeared from southwestern Asia and most of China. Currently there are only an estimated 28,000 to 42,000 wild Asian elephants remaining. Asian elephants are kept as domestic animals, and can be successfully bred in captivity.
References
Nowak, R.M. and J.L. Paradiso. 1983. Walker's Mammals of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
Shoshani, J. and J.F. Eisenberg. 1982. Elephas maximus. Mammalian Species No. 182, The American Society of Mammalogists.
www.animaldiversity.com
Giraffa camelopardalis(giraffe)
Giraffa camelopardalis(giraffe)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Subphylum:Vertebrata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Artiodactyla
Family:Giraffidae
Genus:Giraffa
Species: Giraffa camelopardalis
Geographic Range
Tree-dotted grasslands south of the Sahara in Africa.
Habitat
Dry, hard land. Because of their infrequent use of water, they can range widely and are sometimes found hundreds of kilometers from water.
Physical Description
Giraffes have buff background coloration broken by brown blotches; this helps them blend in with shadowy tree branches.
Their color grows darker brown as they age, and each giraffe has unique markings.
Giraffes are the tallest of all animals, reaching as much as 18 feet in height, with a shoulder height of up to 12 ft.
Both male and female giraffes have horns.
Giraffes have seven vertebrae in their neck, just like most other mammals.
Reproduction
Giraffes reach sexual maturity at 3 to 4 years. Males fight for females during mating season by butting heads. The gestation period for giraffes is about 15 months. A single calf is born, rarely twins. Calves are usually 6 ft. tall and can stand up 20 mins. after birth. Their lifespan is 15-20 years.
Behavior
Females stay in their mothers' territories, males leave in all-male groups to search for females in heat. Males are distinguishable at a distance from females because of their different grazing habits. Males tend to stretch their necks to reach the tops of taller trees, while females tend to bend over smaller trees. Giraffes can usually be found together in groups of 12-15. There are no permanent members of the group. Herds are lead by an adult male (bull) and are composed of adult females (cows), calves, and sexually immature males. Females are usually the most alert to danger.
When startled, a giraffe can gallop at speeds up to 30 mph. The hind feet of a galloping giraffe reach in front of the fore feet, and the animals swing their necks from side to side, producing a slow-motion appearance.
Giraffes vocalize by emitting moans or low notes. To avoid predators (chiefly lions), giraffes sleep standing up. They protect themselves by kicking.
Food Habits
Giraffes' long, flexible tongues and muscular upper lips are used to rip leaves from the branches of acacia and mimosa trees. Giraffe don't migrate during the dry season but get their food and most of their moisture from leaves. Giraffes can go for over a month without drinking and do so often, perhaps because of the vulnerable position they must assume in order to drink. This also may be the reason giraffes do not graze on grass.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Giraffes serve as an attraction in many zoos and other wildlife parks. They have been hunted for their meat and hides.
Conservation Status
Giraffes have a keen sense of smell and very good vision. Their well-developed senses have caused them to be considered one of the most vigilant of the big game species. Once hunted for their thick, leathery skins, giraffes are now protected by hunting laws.
Other Comments
Because giraffes' necks are so long, their vascular systems are specially equipped with valves to prevent blood from draining from their brains.
References
Dagg, Anne I., and Foster, J. Bristol. 1979. "The Giraffe: Its Biology, Behavior, and Ecology." Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc.
Encarta. 1994 ed. "Giraffe." Funk and Wagnall's Corporation.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Subphylum:Vertebrata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Artiodactyla
Family:Giraffidae
Genus:Giraffa
Species: Giraffa camelopardalis
Geographic Range
Tree-dotted grasslands south of the Sahara in Africa.
Habitat
Dry, hard land. Because of their infrequent use of water, they can range widely and are sometimes found hundreds of kilometers from water.
Physical Description
Giraffes have buff background coloration broken by brown blotches; this helps them blend in with shadowy tree branches.
Their color grows darker brown as they age, and each giraffe has unique markings.
Giraffes are the tallest of all animals, reaching as much as 18 feet in height, with a shoulder height of up to 12 ft.
Both male and female giraffes have horns.
Giraffes have seven vertebrae in their neck, just like most other mammals.
Reproduction
Giraffes reach sexual maturity at 3 to 4 years. Males fight for females during mating season by butting heads. The gestation period for giraffes is about 15 months. A single calf is born, rarely twins. Calves are usually 6 ft. tall and can stand up 20 mins. after birth. Their lifespan is 15-20 years.
Behavior
Females stay in their mothers' territories, males leave in all-male groups to search for females in heat. Males are distinguishable at a distance from females because of their different grazing habits. Males tend to stretch their necks to reach the tops of taller trees, while females tend to bend over smaller trees. Giraffes can usually be found together in groups of 12-15. There are no permanent members of the group. Herds are lead by an adult male (bull) and are composed of adult females (cows), calves, and sexually immature males. Females are usually the most alert to danger.
When startled, a giraffe can gallop at speeds up to 30 mph. The hind feet of a galloping giraffe reach in front of the fore feet, and the animals swing their necks from side to side, producing a slow-motion appearance.
Giraffes vocalize by emitting moans or low notes. To avoid predators (chiefly lions), giraffes sleep standing up. They protect themselves by kicking.
Food Habits
Giraffes' long, flexible tongues and muscular upper lips are used to rip leaves from the branches of acacia and mimosa trees. Giraffe don't migrate during the dry season but get their food and most of their moisture from leaves. Giraffes can go for over a month without drinking and do so often, perhaps because of the vulnerable position they must assume in order to drink. This also may be the reason giraffes do not graze on grass.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Giraffes serve as an attraction in many zoos and other wildlife parks. They have been hunted for their meat and hides.
Conservation Status
Giraffes have a keen sense of smell and very good vision. Their well-developed senses have caused them to be considered one of the most vigilant of the big game species. Once hunted for their thick, leathery skins, giraffes are now protected by hunting laws.
Other Comments
Because giraffes' necks are so long, their vascular systems are specially equipped with valves to prevent blood from draining from their brains.
References
Dagg, Anne I., and Foster, J. Bristol. 1979. "The Giraffe: Its Biology, Behavior, and Ecology." Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc.
Encarta. 1994 ed. "Giraffe." Funk and Wagnall's Corporation.
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