Mammals

Category

The very unique (strange) ‘monotremes’

A previous post has explained why the platypus is so special.  This wild animal – often called a ‘freak of nature’ – and the echidna – together make up the ‘monotremes’ …. Monotremes are different from other mammals because they lay eggs and have no teats. The milk is provided for their young by being secreted by many pores on the female’s belly. The echidna The Short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus is the only species of echidna in Australia. There are...

All about dolphins

In the US, April 14th is National Dolphin Day when the focus is on these highly intelligent creatures. Here are some facts about dolphins you might not know… DifFerences between dolphins and sharks Although they’re commonly referred to as “cuties” by all who adore them, baby bottlenose dolphins are actually called “calves.” Male dolphins are called “bulls,” females are called “cows,” and a group is a “pod.” A bottlenose dolphin’s outermost skin layer may be replaced every 2 hours. This...

Creature Feature…Freshwater dolphins

We have featured dolphins – Hector’s dolphin of New Zealand, and the apex predator that is the Orca (or ‘killer whale’) …. introducing the very unique dolphins that live in freshwater systems – rivers! River dolphins are a polyphletic group of fully aquatic mammals that reside exclusively in freshwater or brackish water. They are an informal grouping of dolphins, which itself is a paraphyletic group within the Cetacea. . The baiji – Lipotes vexillifer, Lipotes meaning “left behind” and vexillifer...

Badgers, mustelids and the cull….

  National Badger Day focuses on all things ‘badger’,  so here are some interesting facts about badgers and their cousins…. image from Pinterest Badgers are part of the ‘mustelid’ group of mammals… The Mustelidae from Latin mustela, meaning weasel) are a diverse family of carnivorous mammals, including weasels, badgers, otters, Martens, and wolverines. . Otherwise known as mustelids, they form the largest family in the suborder Caniformia, of the order Carnivora with about 66 to 70 species in nine subfamilies....

Did you Know….about the monotreme

There are 5 mammals that lay eggs Platypus. The sleek and adaptable platypus makes its home on land and water and is odd enough that the first scientists to learn of the mammal thought they were being pranked. … For more on this amazing creature Eastern Long-Beaked Echidna. … Western Long-Beaked Echidna. … Short-Beaked Echidna. … Sir David’s Long-Beaked Echidna....

Africa’s endangered wild dog

Today – 26th August – is World Painted Dog Day   Some facts What is the difference between a painted dog and a hyena? African wild dogs are commonly mistaken for hyenas, but in fact, there are many differences, both physically and behaviorally, between these two beautiful animal species. Hyenas have a larger build with spotted markings, while African wild dogs are smaller and more slender in shape, and have mottled marked fur. The wild dog is one of the...

Creature feature | Strange animals – Australian platypus

The  “platypus” is indeed a weird, strange creature but / and … it IS real…. But when Europeans first encountered the odd-looking platypus, it became the centre of scientific debate: was it real or just an elaborate hoax? The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) has a puzzling array of features. Not only does it have that iconic duck bill, it lays eggs like a bird or reptile but feeds milk to its young like a mammal. Males also have a pair of venomous...

All about the Manatee

    Its manatee awareness month, so here’s some interesting items – and reality checks ( they are threatened) – about these unusual “sea cows”   Manatees v Dugongs Manatees have horizontal, paddle-shaped tails with only one lobe to move up and down when the animal swims; it’s similar in appearance to that of a beavertail. Dugongs have a fluked tail, meaning it is made up of two separate lobes joined together in the middle. The snout of a dugong...

Hippos… beware the water horse!

  It’s World Hippo Day So…. on an overland trip in East Africa in the 1990s, my wife and I learned that the hippo – not the lion or elephant or rhino – is categorised as the most dangerous wild animal in the continent! Why? Those teeth and jaws are ultra powerful Some more facts about the hippo… “Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius) are large, round, water-loving animals that are native to Africa. The word “hippopotamus” comes from the Greek word for...