Nature

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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...

New report: Rising slaughter of small whales and dolphins

Killings of small whales, porpoises and dolphins are rising, with more than 100,000 of these marine mammals slaughtered each year, according to a new report from German and British NGOs. Many regions report increased catches driven by demand for dolphin meat as food and shark bait in areas impacted by economic crisis and dwindling fish stocks. Failure to address unsustainable exploitation of small cetaceans exacerbates ecological imbalance and heavy metal toxicity risks to humans who eat them, according to the...

return of the Easter Bilby

Last year we had the BILBY instead of the Easter bunny – this was successful in proving a chocolate treat as well as highlighting the plight of the endemic Australian Bilby    This year, 2024, the Bilby is back – in red!...

Manatee Appreciation Day

Manatee Appreciation Day (last Wednesday in March) focuses the world’s attention on an herbivore with no known natural enemy. Also known as the sea cow, manatees are a vulnerable species due to their contact with humans. Boating and pollution, as well as other external forces, threaten the manatee. Manatees are sometimes called sea cows, and their languid pace lends merit to the comparison. However, despite their massive bulk, they are graceful swimmers in coastal waters and rivers. Powering themselves with...

Creature feature | striped possum

  The striped possum is most commonly found in New Guinea and several small islands including the Solomon Islands. In Australia, it lives in Australia, in tropical rainforests and eucalypt eucalypt woodland along the east coast of Cape York Peninsula and as far south as Townsville, but is otherwise uncommon and rarely seen elsewhere in Australia. Like many species of wildlife in Australia – no-one knows how many there are / might be, since surveying the areas where they live...

World Water Day 2024 – “Water for Peace”

This year’s theme is ‘Water for Peace’, which focuses on the critical role water plays in the stability and prosperity of the world. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries. More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, out of 153 countries that share rivers, lakes and aquifers with their neighbours, only 24 countries report having cooperation agreements for all...

Pandas actually have unique features

March 16th is National Panda Day ; March 23rd is World Bar Day Here are some things about these iconic creature you might not  know…… The giant panda’s distinct black-and-white markings have two functions: camouflage and communication. Most of the panda – its face, neck, belly, rump – is white to help it hide in snowy habitats. Like domestic cats, giant panda bears have vertical slits for pupils. Cubs are very well protected in their first month – Mother pandas...

Botany on Tuesday | The Tarkine

Australia habitat with close links with New Zealand What is special about the Tarkine? The Tarkine is the largest wild natural region in north west Tasmania and is a vital haven for flora and wildlife. There are more than 60 species of plants and fauna that are either endangered or rare. The Tarkine (Indigenous name: takayna), officially takayna / Tarkine, is an area in the north west Tasmania, Australia, which contains significant areas of wilderness. The Tarkine is noted for...

Brilliant marine mammal guide in updated ‘Encyclopaedia”

The Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises Eric Hoyt, Principal photography by Brandon Cole, Illustrations by Uko Gorter  A Firefly Book  ISBN 13-987-0-2281-0435-3   “Back on the sea, the wind in my face, the smell of salt water, the crack an explosive spout off the bow, the rapid-fire of cameras clicking cameras as the broad back and dorsal fin appear, the plop of a hydro-phone to eavesdrop on the whalesong…..’    We enter the world of whales, dolphins and porpoises – the so-called...

Parrots of…. Australia & New Zealand

Australia is often referred to as the ‘land of parrots’ however the are some important parrots inhabiting Aotearoa / New Zealand …. Kakapo – flightless parrot ….. Kea – see my other posts on this magnificent alpine parrot   Kaka – endemic (occurs nowhere else) forest parrot  This from Department of Conservation : Threats Kākā require large tracts of forest to survive. Habitat loss from forest clearance for agriculture and logging have had a devastating effect. Browsing by introduced pests...

Mapping of Sharks to better protect them

To protect endangered sharks and rays, scientists are mapping these species’ most important locations “Sharks and their relatives are some of the most imperiled animals on Earth: More than one-third of all known species are threatened with extinction. Many of these animals play vital roles in their ecosystems. Losing marine predators can destabilize entire food webs and the ecosystems that these food webs depend on. In recent years, the management of sharks and their relatives, rays and chimaeras, has largely focused...