Safari Notes

The Kakapo Parrot If asked to choose which animal is their most favorite, most people's choice would be an animal that is common and known to most people. My choice is the elephant ; of all animals, for many reasons - I like and love elephants . ARkive , a charitable non-profit organization, recently asked people around the world to vote on and say what their World's Favourite Species is, and the result is surprising but very encouraging. Furthest from my thoughts, was a creature that very few people know of or have heard of; and even fewer, have seen: a critically endangered, flightless, heavy parrot found in the wild only in New Zealand. The Kakapo - scientific name Strigops habroptila . The magnificent kakapo stole 9% of the total votes. It’s a beautiful bird that cannot fly and is only found in New Zealand. But from the many thousands of creatures with which we share our precious planet, what made the kakapo stand out from the crowd? For most of you, tragically, it

Do you love penguins? Most of us do. And can there be a better way to express that love and support than helping in saving these very adorable creatures?  Right now there is an opportunity to protect these amazing animals by helping establish the world’s two largest sanctuaries at sea around Antarctica. Adding your voice will help protect countless penguins, whales, seals and nearly 10,000 other incredible species. *Despite the best efforts of the Happy Feet penguins, the Southern Ocean is not yet protected. That’s why Greenpeace is working with the  Antarctic Oceans Alliance , and lobbying governments to come together to protect areas like   the Ross Sea , which are vital for many penguins. You can help Greepeace, and the penguins, by  j oining their call for ocean sanctuaries around Antarctica , and by spreading the word about World Penguin Day.  Learn more  |  Sign the petition + Facts About Penguins: Defenders , World Wildlife Fund , World Conservation Society  and Liv

The Australian Inland Taipan looks graceful and in a way, beautiful; even though, it is generally agreed by most of those who know and understand snakes, that it is a snake with the most potent venom on Earth. But, because the snake lives in very sparsely populated areas; and being rather shy and reclusive they attack very few people; case in point - worldwide, more than 40,000 people die each year from venomous snakebite. But Australia only has 2 - 3 snakebite deaths each year . For more on the Inland Taipan go to these sites: users.esc.net.au , Reptile Park , Ezine , Manbir-online , Barefoot Bushman , ABC.net , Everthing2 , National Geographic , Toxinology , answers.yahoo , Reptile Knowledge , Echeat , Featherdale , kingsnake , Wikipedia , Books , Scholar , Images Image: Reptile Knowledge

When we see meerkats, even on pictures or films, who is not fascinated by them? The way they stand on their rear-legs and the way they 'keep watch' while their colleagues are busy looking for food, or playing or just resting is most fascinating. They live in groups. And are social and communal. They love living underground. Meerkats can be found in many parts of southern Africa: in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Angola. More on Meerkats: National Geographic , Animal Planet , WWF , Meerkats.com , Meerkats.net , depts.washington.edu , Kalahari Meerkats , Enchanted Learning , Wikipedia , Mongabay , Wonderclub , itech.pjc.edu , Books , Scholar , Meerkat Images , Video

It lived 200 million years ago; with. It has outlived dinosaurs. It still is here and still walks the Earth. Even the deadliest and most dangerous predator on Earth: Man, has not been able to endanger their survival. We hunt them for their skins and teeth. And meat. Yes: we eat them. But, crocodiles still live on. They thrive. More on Crocodiles: Crocodilian , Planet-Pets , Nile Crocodile , WWF , Animal Planet , iprimus.com , chevroncars.com ,   Wikipedia , Google Books , Google Scholar , Google Video Image: Britannica

Legendary. The largest predatory fish on Earth. Listed as an endangered species. They are: the Great White Shark. A name that many fear. Mistakenly fear. To the contrary, it is these extraordinary sharks that have been mercilessly hunted and slaughtered. By us. Mankind. We hunt them excessively and without any regulation. We humans have killed a great number of white sharks to get their teeth and jaws for trading and their meat for pills . More on The White Shark: Department of Environment, Australia , IUCN , National Geographic , Enchanted Learning , Sharks World , WWF , Live Science , Ocean Link , AASharks.com Image: World Wildlife

Gray wolves (scientific name: Canis lupus ) are gray as the name implies. But, they can also be black, white or red. They live in packs in the US, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In Africa, they once lived in Egypt. There are five subspecies of gray wolves in North America; whose coat colors can range from pure white to brown, gray, cinnamon or black. Today, worldwide, gray wolves are an endangered species. Summary:   Wolves are - mammals, carnivorous and are the largest members of the dog family and are the largest wild canid. Their average life span is 6 to 8 years (14 to 15 years in captivity). And they can weigh any thing from 40lbs. to 177lbs.  (18kg. to 80kg.). Their heights can be between 26 to 32 inches (660cm. to 813cm) and their lengths can be - that of males from nose to tip of tail, 5ft. to 6.5ft. (152cm. to 198cm.) and females from nose to tip of tail, from 4.5ft. to 6ft. (137cm. to 183cm.. Males are usually larger than females. Gray wolves travel in pack

The African ostrich is the World's largest bird and live in herds. They can not fly, but are fast and can run up-to 70 kilometers per hour. Beware of their kicks, they can kill a lion or even a human being.   More on the Ostrich: National Geographic , NDSU , Nature.ca , Enchanted Learning , Kruger Park , Suite101 , Enchanted Learning , Wild Watch

Thy live and thrive in some of the most difficult and desolate of places. They do survive in both extreme cold and hot places. They can survive for days without water. They have humps and are cud-chewers. They have three eye lids. Meat and milk from them are most healthy. They are CAMELS . More on Camels: FOHN.Net , Adaptation in Camels , National Geographic , Marisa Montes , BBC For more: on camel urine go here , here and here . And for more on camel milk go here , here , here , here and here .

"The parable of those who take protectors other than God is that of the spider, who builds (to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the spider's house;- if they but knew." (029.041 ) The Noble Quran  One of the most amazing creatures on Earth, is undoubtedly the Spider. It is also one of the most ancient living animal. And they are every where. Some, hate these four legged arthropods; still, most people can't help but be fascinated by them. Wherever you live, you're always close to a spider. More On Spiders: UWGB , Wikipedia , Habitat News , UIWEB , Insect Identification Image: Google

Desert Fox (Fennec Fox) Recognizable by their very large ears which are very useful in helpful radiating body heat and helping them keep cool; and in locating prey and avoiding danger - the fennec fox is the smallest of foxes and the dog family. It is a native of the Sahara Desert in Northern Africa (Morocco to Egypt, Niger, Sudan etc.), the Sinai Desert and even some parts of the Arabian Peninsular. Adults weigh about four pounds (about two kilograms) and are nocturnal. Very attractive. One of the smartest animals on Earth.  Extremely intelligent, patient and calculating. And they have extraordinary hearing capabilities. The desert fox survives in one of the harshest places in the world; they are adapted for that. The ears, the long thick hair, the hairy feet - all these help the fox survive well in the extreme temperatures of the desert, which can be very hot during the day and extremely cold at night. They live in underground dens; usually in communities of about ten.

Extremely graceful and a beauty to watch. Probably the most careless mother with its young. And tall. Very tall. That is the giraffe. Read more.........  Giraffes.com , Giraffes.org , AWF , National Geographic , Buzzle , Terra Naturals , WildAnimalsOnline Image: Google Images