SAVING THE AMUR LEOPARD FROM EXTINCTION
From the makers of
F r o m t h e m a k e r s o f
TM
THE TRUTH ABOUT
TH
U
TR
A
U
T
B
O
TH
E
BATS 150
OVER
AMAZING
FACTS
PLUS
SNAILS
WHALES
RHINOS
GECKOS
SMELLIEST
ANIMALS
THE STINKIEST CREATURES ON EARTH
SEA TURTLES
DISCOVER THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD’S OCEANS
A
A
MIG
C
MIG
R
R
N
O
N
S
S
T
T
I
O
I
E L
L
B
E
F
I
I
N
I
1 IN 1000 HATCHLINGS SURVIVE INCREDIBLE LIFESPANS EPIC MIGRATIONS
ED
R
C
S
P
E
E
P
C
I
I
A
P
N
S
BO
H
BIRD
W
E
R
THE RAINBOW BIRD
T
IN
A
WILDLIFE OF THE ALL ABOUT UNEXPECTED EXPLORE
GRAN CHACO MANTA RAYS COLOUR ICELAND
Meet the inhabitants Uncover the secrets Animal hues that will Journey to this
of the forgotten forest of these gentle giants blow your mind wildlife paradise ISSUE 34
001_WOA34_Digital.indd 1 25/05/2016 11:31
Meet Milo…
We’re delighted to introduce Milo Parker,
Durrell’s newest Ambassador. The 13 year
old actor portrays the young Gerald Durrell
in ITV’s hit series ‘The Durrells’. Milo says he
is honoured to join the Durrell family as our
Ambassador. Milo will be helping us raise
the profile of the pioneering conservation
work we carry out across the globe.
To find out more visit
durrell.org/thedurrells
find us on
saving species from extinction
Full Page.indd 1 20/05/2016 09:47
c
om
el
Welcome
W
e
Bats are probably
some of the most
misunderstood animals
on Earth, so in this issue
we’re here to bust some
myths and to highlight
just why these flying
mammals deserve some
positive attention! Turn to page 20 to read
our interview with Chris Packham, the Bat
Conservation Trust’s president, and to find
out all about these winged wonders.
Big cats and sea turtles may be more
charismatic, but we still need to raise
awareness about their plight. The Amur
leopard is critically endangered, and six of
the seven kinds of sea turtle are threatened
or endangered. On page 64, we take a look
at the work being done to protect the elusive
big cat and on page 12 we meet the seven
incredible species of sea turtle.
If you love aquatic animals like the turtle,
head to page 86 for everything you need to
know to master underwater photography.
We’d love to see your wildlife photos too!
Send them to photos@animalanswers.co.uk.
Zara Gaspar
Editor
Editor’s picks
SOS: snails in distress
While it is important to
safeguard the future of big,
charismatic animals like the
elephant, the smaller species
are just as vital. Find out all
about the work being carried
out to protect the Partula snail
on page 80.
Creature comforts
Here at World of Animals HQ,
we adore all things animal,
which is why I love our wish
10% of our profits help fight poaching list on page 84. Why not treat
Learn more and donate at yourself to a flamingo watering
can for the garden or make
www.animalanswers.co.uk some panda-shaped picnic
sandwiches this summer?
Meet the team…
Picture Editor
© Getty; Sam Aberdeen; Chester Zoo Designer Staff Writer Assistant Designer worldofanimalsmag Visit www.animalanswers.co.uk for
Meet the reptile that is older
Tim Hunt
Briony Duguid
Naomi Harding
Lauren Debono-Elliot
Meeting a mate is messy work if
All hail King Julien, ‘Lord of the
than the dinosaurs on page 70
Find out what’s making a stink in
Bats (page 20) really are
diamonds in the rough(age). A
Lemurs’, and friends on page
this issue, as we look at some of
you’re a toucan – they have food
34, as WOA explores some of
the worst offenders in the animal
fights to find the one! Meet the
diet of shiny insects means their
kingdom on page 56.
bird behind the beak on page 36.
poo sparkles in the moonlight.
Madagascar’s favourite natives.
Exclusive competitions Hilarious GIFs
Follow us at…
Upload your photos and win prizes!
@WorldAnimalsMag
3
003_Welcomepage.indd 3 24/05/2016 14:47
Welcome to Issue 34
06 Amazing animals 56 The big stink
The smelliest creatures on Earth 36
12 Sea turtles
Discover the seven amazing 64 Conserving
species of sea turtle Amur leopards
20 The truth about bats Find out what work is being
done to save this big cat
Uncover the secrets of these
flying mammals 70 Endangered tuatara
28 Wildlife of the Why this living fossil is in need
of our help
Gran Chaco
Explore this largely uninhabited 72 Explore the
South American territory Earth: Iceland
34 Meet the lemurs Journey to the one of the best
whale-watching destinations in
Get acquainted with some of the the world
most peculiar primates 56
80 Working for wildlife
36 Meet the bird An interview with a snail keeper
behind the beak
Find out all about the toucan 84 Creature comforts
Our must-have items for animal
41 Bizarre leaf-tailed lovers this summer
gecko 96 Lost forever: Black
The lizard disguised as a leaf
western rhino
42 All about the How this African treasure
went extinct
manta ray
e w
n
i
h
Meet the wings of the oceann
a
t
f t
e
h
c
e o
g
s o
50
50
50 Unexpected colour
50
U
o
ed c
t
r
ou
l
c
e
n
pe
x
A n i m a l h u e s t h a t a r e s u r e t o
Animal hues that are sure to
w y
d
o
r m
n
o
i
u
l
b
blow your mind
T
THE IUCN RED LIS
THE IUCN RED LIST
orld of Animals
Throughout World of Animals
oughout
hr
W
T
you will see symbols like the
you will see symbols like the
ones listed below. These are
ones listed below. These are
from the IUCN Red List of
from the IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species, the most
Threatened Species, the most
comprehensive inventory of
comprehensive inventory of
the global conservation status
the global conservation status
of animal species in the world.
of animal species in the world.
Here’s what they mean:
Here’s what they mean:
I
EXTINCT
EXT
N
CT
EXTINCT IN THE WILD
EXTINCT IN THE WILD
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
NEAR THREATENED
NEAR THREATENED 28
LEAST CONCERN
LEAST CONCERN
4 4
004-005_WOA34_Contents.indd 4 24/05/2016 15:59
Welcome to Issue 34 Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
86 Underwater
photography
Find out how to capture the
best shots underwater
12
SEA TURTLES 90 Keeping in touch
DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THESE UNDERWATER WONDERS
D I S C O V E R T H E S E C R E T S O F T H E S E UN D E R W A T E R W O N D E R S
34
94 Readers’ Q&A
94
20
72 50 Enjoyed
the issue?
the issue?
Save 25%
when you
subscribe!
Page 92
5
004-005_WOA34_Contents.indd 5 24/05/2016 16:00
The amazing world of animals
6
006-011_Amazing_Animals_WOA34.indd 6 24/05/2016 13:01
The amazing world of animals
© Stuart Price/Make it Kenya/REX/Shutterstock
Two young elephants lock their trunks together as
they play fight with each other on the savannah
Elephant calves are known for being playful with each other. Once
they have been weaned by their mothers, the males will wander
off while the female young stay close to mum.
7
006-011_Amazing_Animals_WOA34.indd 7 24/05/2016 13:01
The amazing world of animals
A polar bear gets ready for a swim as it hits the
water using its paws like oars to steer its body
© Getty; Henrik Sorensen Polar bears are excellent swimmers and can swim at speeds of up
to 10km/h (6.2mph). They have a thick layer of fat under their fur to
keep them warm in the cold water.
8
006-011_Amazing_Animals_WOA34.indd 8 24/05/2016 13:01
The amazing world of animals
This adult king penguin surrounded by a colony of
chicks definitely stands out from the crowd
King penguins develop a fluffy brown coat as chicks which they
lose a er a year. As adults they have a silvery-black coat with © Getty/GalloImages
bright orange and yellow markings on their head and neck.
9
006-011_Amazing_Animals_WOA34.indd 9 24/05/2016 13:01
The amazing world of animals
© Ian Reid/Solent News/REX/Shutterstock Two gannets make a huge splash as they battle it
out to see who gets the fish
These beautiful white seabirds hunt by flying high in the air and
circling the area before diving at speeds of 100km/h ( 62mph) in
to the water to catch their prey.
10
006-011_Amazing_Animals_WOA34.indd 10 24/05/2016 13:02
The amazing world of animals
11
006-011_Amazing_Animals_WOA34.indd 11 24/05/2016 13:02
Sea turtles
SEA
TURTLES
LOGGERHEAD TURTLE
Caretta caretta
Class Reptilia
Territory Mediterranean
Sea and Pacific, Indian and
Atlantic Oceans
Diet Molluscs, crabs and
sponges
Lifespan 50 + years
Adult weight Up to 135kg
(300lb)
Conservation status
ABOVE Loggerhead
turtles are the most
VULNERABLE common sea turtle in
the Mediterranean
12
012-019_SeaTurtles.indd 12 24/05/2016 16:01
SEA
TURTLES
They’ve been around since the dinosaurs’ time, but
modern day sea turtles face their toughest challenge
yet. Whether or not their story has a happy ending
depends on us
Words Matt Ayres
Sea turtles are among the most iconic animals in the The most obvious difference is in their size: sea
ocean. In a habitat dominated by fish, invertebrates and turtles grow significantly larger than pond- and river-
the occasional mammal, these ancient creatures are dwelling varieties. Their streamlined, fusiform bodies
some of the only marine reptiles. And while saltwater aid their long-distance swimming, although this
crocodiles, sea snakes and marine iguanas also call the difference in anatomy means that sea turtles are unable
sea home, no other ocean-based reptile occupies such to withdraw their heads and limbs into their shells like
a vast territory. other turtles.
Found in most of Earth’s oceans, sea turtles are only Human activity poses a significant threat to sea
absent from the frigid waters of the polar regions. They turtles. Predators that pick off helpless hatchlings on
swim incredible distances on migration routes between the beach pale in comparison to the ongoing dangers
feeding grounds and nesting sites – locations that are of fishing nets, pollution, coastal development and
often hundreds of miles apart. As a result, they have climate change. These man-made problems are by far
evolved differently from their freshwater relatives. the biggest cause for the decline in turtle numbers.
13
012-019_SeaTurtles.indd 13 24/05/2016 16:01
Sea turtles
u
c
r
t
f s
e
a t
s o
p
i
e
7 species of sea turtle
7 s
e
e
l
s
s r
o
l
o
s
o
m c
a
ac
e
b
p
m
’
t
ea
l l
r
e
h
y
s
o p
t
e
F
From colossal leatherbacks to pint-sized Kemp’s ridleys,
,
n
i
l
i
z
e
d K
ks t
d
-
r
i
s
our oceans are home to seven species of sea turtle,
o u r oc ean s a r e ho m e t o s e v e n s p e c i e s o f s ea t u r t l e ,
each with their own distinct evolutionary traits
eac h w i t h t h e i r o w n d i s t i nc t e v o l u t i o n ar y t r a i t s
Fourth heaviest reptile
F o u r t h h e a vi e s t re p ti l e
Unlike other sea turtles, the shells of leatherback
U n l i k e o t h e r s e a t u r t l e s , t h e s h e l l s o f l e a t h e r b a c k
LEATHERBACK SEA
h
e
e
l
a
e
r
k
d i
e c
s m
r
a
s a
n l
i
y s
n
r
r
v
i
o
k
u
s
; t
e
t
e
t
e
h
TURTLE t turtles are covered in leathery skin; this makes
s
i
f
i
t
r
i
k
o
e l
h
m t
h f
u
g
n
s o
s
e
i
m e
s
h
e
y t
a
o d
Dermochelys coriacea t them easy to distinguish from the likes of
t
r
l
e
h
e
n t
r
g
u
e
e
v
e t
Size 183cm (72 inches) l loggerheads and green turtles, which have tough
a
g
h
o
u
, w
o
g
s
c
h h
h
i
d
n
s a
a
d g
e
r
Diet Jellyfish bony carapaces.
Conservation status
h l
r
i
a
l
r
T
u
c
These turtles are also much larger than their
u
r
a
s a
h
h
t
n t
e
g
r
r t
e
e
o m
e a
h
e
s
e t
s
l
h a r d - s h e l l e d c o u s i n s . L e a t h e r b a c k s a r e t h e f o u r t h It is estimated that a
hard-shelled cousins. Leatherbacks are the fourth
a
n t
i
e
e
t
i
s
e
c
s
x
o
t
p
t r
o t
l
h
e t
i
h
e
e
n
v
s i
, b
e
t
n e
a
p
e
e
VULNERABLE heaviest reptiles in existence, beaten to the top third of all leatherback
d
e d
i
f
i
e
l
e
e
d
r
e
t
f
p
r
i
c
t k
o
r
y t
f c
s b
n
o
s o
h
n
s spots by three different kinds of crocodile. .
o
turtles have ingested
plastic – the animals
regularly mistake
plastic bags littering
the ocean for
jellyfi sh
Spends 85 per cent of
Spends 85 per cent of
the day underwater
the day underwater
HAWKSBILL SEA Well-equipped to spend life at sea, loggerhead turtles
TURTLE spend 85 per cent of their day underwater and can remain
Eretmochelys imbricata submerged for four hours before
Size 89cm (35 inches)
Diet Sponges and other coming up for air. LOGGERHEAD SEA
invertebrates The omnivorous swimmers TURTLE
Conservation status aren’t particularly picky about Caretta caretta
what they eat: their diets are the Size 110cm (43 inches)
most diverse of all sea turtles, Diet Invertebrates and plants
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED Conservation status
with meals ranging from squid
to sea cucumbers. Loggerheads
Stomachs venomous prey have even been known to eat VULNERABLE
hatchling turtles.
This turtle’s mouth is hooked like a Some of the invertebrates that the
hawk’s beak, hence the name. The hawksbill turtle eats are venomous,
plates on its back (known as scutes) and its own fl esh can become
overlap near the back flippers, poisonous as a result. Unfortunately
giving the bottom of its shell a this hasn’t stopped people from
serrated look. hunting and eating the reptiles.
Turtles by size
These reptiles come in all shapes and sizes
Leatherback sea turtle Green sea turtle Loggerhead sea turtle Flatback sea turtle
183cm (72 inches) 114cm (45 inches) 110cm (43 inches) 99cm (39 inches)
14
012-019_SeaTurtles.indd 14 24/05/2016 16:01
Sea turtles
un
s
s
s
eek
er
er
S S
-
-
s
t
ha
ha
t
un
eek
t
t
KEMP’S RIDLEY SEA Sun-seekers that
TURTLE
an
k o
a
n l
d
s
b
bask on land
Lepidochelys kempii
Size 65cm (25.5 inches) bask on land
Diet Crabs, jellyfish and shrimps
Conservation status
g
n t
e
e
e
G G r r e e n t u r r t t l l e s a r r e t h e l a r r g e s s t t
Green turtles are the largest
u
h
e l
e t
e
s a
a
a
m
m
f
o
t
he
he
C
be
ae
o
n
d
members of the Cheloniidae family.
me m be r r s s o f f t he C he l l o n i i i i d ae f a m i i l l y y . .
me
s s
e
y a
o
b
n
h
e t
h
o
e o
v
They are the only herbivorous sea
y h
u
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED T T h e e y a r r e t h e o n l l y h e r r b i i v o r r o u s s e e a a
o
e
t
o
t t turtles – while young green turtles will l l
e
l
l
e
t
t
e
n t
u
l
l
n t
h
h
i
i
s – w
e
e
s – w
r
e y
u
r
e y
t
e
u
u
l
i
i
r
s w
n
n
r
u
s w
e
r
l
r
g g
g g
u
l
l
e c
e c
k
n
b
e
a
i
e
a
r
r
k
b
t
t
e
s a
e
s a
a
a
n
a
r
r
a
b
t i
t i
n
e
e
e
e
a
a
s l
r
n
r
s l
t
e e eat invertebrates like crabs and sea
v
t
i
d s
v
d s
b
e
e
h
i
e
e
i
o
o
e
e
t b
i
r d
r d
i
c
e
e
c
m
t b
m
a
t
t
e
s p
s p
, t
g
s
s
, t
p
g
n
n
n
e
o
o
s s sponges, their diet becomes plant- - -
n
l
l
h
p
a
i
h m
h m
e
y
y r
y r
s
s
y
e
d w
d w
e
e
t
t
t
t
a
e
u
e
e
b b
based when they reach maturity. . .
a
a
a
n t
n t
u
a
r
c
c
i
h
h
h
h
e
r
a
in
u
Another distinguishing trait
h
A A n o t t h e e r r d i i s s t t in g u i i s s h in g t ra i i t t
g
n
h
o
in
ra
g
d
t
h
e
s i
t o
f g
n t
a
b
e
r h
u
s t
o o f g r r e e e n t u r r t t l l e e s i s t h e i i r h a b i i t o f f
of green turtles is their habit of
e
a t
a t
o
o
e
s
l
l
r
t
t
t s
t s
s
u
u
s
e
r
s
e
h
b
a
h
h
i
b
h
t
a
l
i
i
e m
e m
t
l
g
u
u
g
s s sunbathing. While most sea turtles
. W
. W
n
n
n
i
n
e s
g
v
, g
e t
h
g
n
e
y l
e
only leave the sea to lay eggs, green
o o n l l y l e a a v e t h e s e e a t o l a a y e g g s s , g r r e e n
n
o l
a t
y e
e
j
t t turtles enjoy basking on land. . .
j
u
n
o
o
s e
s e
n
t
r
r
l
l
t
n
u
d
d
n
e
e
n l
n l
k
s
a
a
s
g o
n
n
i
k
g o
i
a
y b
y b
a
GREEN SEA TURTLE
GREEN SEA TURTLE
Chelonia m
das
Chelonia mydas
y
Siz
e
Size 114cm (45 inches) )
114cm (45 inches
Diet Sea grasses and algae The shells and
Diet Sea grasses and algae
Conservation status
Conservation status
s
est
r
f
es
Rarest species of skin of green turtles
R
o
e
a
p
c
i
are usually brown.
sea turtle ENDANGERED Their name comes
sea turtle
ENDANGERED
from the green
coloured fat found
As well as being among the wild, mostly in the Gulf of beneath their
the smallest species of sea Mexico. The greatest dangers carapaces
turtle, the Kemp’s ridley is to dwindling populations
the most endangered. It is of Kemp’s ridley are over-
estimated that only 1,000 harvesting of eggs and
nesting females are left in fi shing nets.
Flatback turtles
lay fewer eggs
than other sea
turtles, but their
hatchlings have
Home-dwellers better chances of
survival
avoid long distances
Flatback turtles have flat carapaces,
FLATBACK SEA TURTLE distinguishing them from other species.
Natator depressus Mums gather to nest
Size 99cm (39 inches) They can also be recognised by their
Diet Invertebrates and sea pale grey-green colour and the upturned
grasses edges of their shells. This species has in numbers
Conservation status
the smallest geographic range of any
sea turtle. They do not undertake the Olive ridley sea turtles are famous for their mass nesting
DATA DEFICIENT lengthy ocean migrations associated instincts. The reptiles are the most abundant sea turtles in
with other sea turtles. the world and gather in huge
numbers on the same beaches
where they first hatched, with OLIVE RIDLEY SEA
thousands of mothers laying TURTLE
Lepidochelys olivacea
their eggs over the course of a Size 70cm (27.5 inches)
few days. Diet Invertebrates, fish and
These turtle gatherings are algae
Conservation status
known as arribadas (Spanish for
‘arrival by sea’). Kemp’s ridley
Hawksbill sea turtle Olive ridley sea turtle Kemp’s ridley sea turtle sea turtles also perform these
89cm (35 inches) 70cm (27.5 inches) 65cm (25.5 inches) VULNERABLE
nesting processions.
15
012-019_SeaTurtles.indd 15 24/05/2016 16:02
Sea turtles
Trouble at sea
The fact that six out of seven sea turtle species are classified
as threatened or endangered is almost exclusively down to
the actions of humans. Although different species are affected
by different issues due to their geographical and biological
diversity, some of the most devastating hazards to sea turtles
include entanglement in fishing equipment, poaching, coastal
development, marine debris, ocean pollution and global warming.
The incidental capture of turtles while fishing (known as
bycatch) is generally thought to be the greatest threat to sea
turtles. Turtle excluder devices (TEDs) attached to nets have the
potential to eliminate this problem. However, since there is no
legislation to ensure that shrimp trawlers and other fishing boats
use these devices, turtles continue to become entangled in nets
and drown as a result.
Climate change is another worrying phenomenon that
threatens sea turtles. Because turtle gender is dependent on the
temperature of the sand incubating their eggs, warmer weather
results in a disproportionate number of female turtles. Without
enough males for those females to mate with, overall turtle
numbers will inevitably continue to decline.
BELOW Loggerhead turtles
like this one and leatherbacks
face the greatest risk of
getting caught in nets due to
their feeding habits
Sea turtles in numbers
Sea turtle populations around the world might be low, but some of the other
figures documenting these remarkable reptiles are shell-shockingly high
2.6 1.44 110 9 1% 12,744 50,000
15mph metres MILLION MILLION MINUTES MILES sea turtles
Longest ever
Top speed of a Length of the Highest number of Number of years Time between Likelihood of migration journey, Number of sea turtles
a sea turtle
swimming sea largest sea turtle green turtle eggs laid that sea turtles have heartbeats of a surviving until achieved by a Pacific killed in Southeast Asia and
turtle ever recorded in a year been around resting sea turtle sexual maturity leatherback turtle the South Pacific every year
16
012-019_SeaTurtles.indd 16 24/05/2016 16:02
Sea turtles
WIN!
Win the chance to adopt
a turtle and help protect
them with the Marine
Conservation Society.
Enter by visiting
animalanswers.co.uk
“The incidental capture
of turtles while fishing is
generally thought to be the
greatest threat to sea turtles”
17
012-019_SeaTurtles.indd 17 24/05/2016 16:02
Sea turtles
Turtles under threat
Olive ridley turtle
Location: West Indian Ocean
In 2011, the International Union for the Conservation Key nesting sites: India and Oman
of Nature (IUCN) produced a report highlighting the
11 most threatened sea populations In the eastern Indian state of Odisha,
olive ridley turtles arrive in staggering
numbers, laying their precious eggs
Key along the Bay of Bengal coastline.
Location of sea
turtle populations
Loggerhead turtle
Location: Northeast Atlantic
Ocean
Key nesting sites: Cape Verde
The third largest loggerhead
turtle nesting population can
be found on Cape Verde. Turtle
watching tours here provide a Atlantic
humane alternative to income Ocean
from illegal poaching.
Indian
Leatherback turtle Ocean
Location: East Pacific Ocean
Key nesting sites: Mexico, Costa
Rica and Nicaragua
The far-travelling leatherback turtle
has established several important
nesting sites in Mexico and Central
America. Conservation work helps
to secure future generations of these
Pacific giants.
East Pacific
Ocean
Hawksbill turtle Location: East Atlantic Ocean Loggerhead turtle
© Getty; Thinkstock; NaturePL; freevectormaps.com A population of hawksbill sea turtles Key nesting sites: Congo and Sao Tome low number of mature adults (around
Hawksbill turtle
Location: East Pacific Ocean
Key nesting sites: El Salvador,
Location: Northeast Indian Ocean
Nicaragua and Ecuador
Key nesting sites: Sri Lanka,
and Principe
Bangladesh and Myanmar
was discovered hiding in the east
There are two populations of hawksbill
This sub-population is listed by IUCN
Pacific’s mangrove estuaries in 2011.
turtle, both of which are considered
as Critically Endangered due to the
critically endangered. It can take 20-40
Since then the habitat has been
years for these turtles to mature before
labelled an important site for the
18 survival of the species. they are ready to mate. 25-50 individuals remain).
012-019_SeaTurtles.indd 18 24/05/2016 16:02
Sea turtles
5 things you can do
Olive ridley turtle
Location: Northeast Indian Ocean to help sea turtles
Key nesting sites: India
This part of the world has a long Loggerhead turtle
history of commercial egg harvest Location: North Pacific Ocean
and an interest in turtle meat and
byproducts. This adds to the already Key nesting sites: Japan Spread the word
existing pressure of egg predation Yakushima Island in Japan is Become a turtle saviour by sharing their
from other animals. story through social media.
an important stronghold for
loggerhead turtles. After nesting,
they migrate the full length of the
Pacific to feed off the coast of
Mexico.
West Pacific
Ocean
Use natural
cleaning
Avoid plastic products
bags
Find
Plastic bags often biodegradable
end up in the alternatives
Olive ridley turtle sea, endangering to chemical-
Location: Northeast Indian turtles. Buy based cleaning
Ocean (arribadas) reusable bags products, which
contribute to
Key nesting sites: India and instead. ocean pollution.
Sri Lanka
This is one of the largest
arribada sites for the olive
ridley turtle in the world,
where females will gather
ashore to lay their eggs. Keep
So many eggs in one place beaches
leaves them vulnerable to the clean
threat of poachers. Organise
a seaside
tidy-up to
prevent
turtles
becoming
tangled in
rubbish.
West Pacific
Ocean
Choose ethically sourced seafood
Only buy seafood from companies who fi sh
according to wildlife protection regulations.
Hawksbill turtle Hawksbill turtle
Location: Northeast Indian Location: West Pacific Ocean
Ocean Key nesting sites: Malaysia, Indonesia
Key nesting sites: India, Sri and Philippines
Lanka and Bangladesh
The largest nesting area for this
Hawksbill turtles are heavily population is at Turtle Island in Sabah,
targeted by illegal wildlife traders where females make around 500-600
for their beautiful patterned nests per year. Although it sounds a lot,
shells. Marinelife Alliance in it actually isn’t many. Other species are
Bangladesh helps to safeguard able to produce hundreds of thousands
the critically endangered animals. of nests at some sites.
012-019_SeaTurtles.indd 19 24/05/2016 16:02
20
020-026_TheRealBatman.indd 20 24/05/2016 17:55
The truth about bats
THE TRUTH ABOUT
BATS
Without bats, we wouldn’t have sonar, ultrasound or
tequila. It’s time to dispel the negative connotations
associated with these flying mammals
Words Naomi Harding
Tales and myths about blood-sucking vampire Bats have also given us technological advances;
bats have contributed to their negative reputation, the development of sonar for ships and ultrasound
but bats are declining on a global scale, and it’s was inspired by bat echolocation. The ability to
now more important than ever to challenge public fly at full tilt while rapidly changing direction and
perception and publicise the crucial role they play. turning 180 degrees within three wing beats could
The world’s only flying mammals are extremely have potential applications in the aviation industry.
resourceful, making homes in a wide variety of In fact, these little creatures are arguably more
places, from subterranean haunts to cosy attic skilled than birds or insects at flying. The skeleton
hideaways. They are an essential part of many of a bat isn’t too dissimilar from our own and all the
habitats as varied as humid rainforests and dry bones present in a human hand can be found in a
deserts. We probably wouldn’t have tequila without bat’s wing, and then some. Humans have incredible
bats around to pollinate the agave plant. dexterity and control over their hands, but combine
Alongside the pollination benefits of nectar- this with the stretchy membrane of a bat’s wing
feeding species, insectivorous bats are estimated to and you are left with a shape-shifting structure
reduce the US agricultural industry’s pesticide bill by able to provide more lift, finer precision, and less
around $3.7 billion (£2.6 billion) a year. Fruit-eating drag than other flying animals. Delving deeper into
bats are known as architects of their landscape, due the mechanics of bat flight could help improve the
to their seed dispersal capabilities. manoeuvrability of airplanes in the future.
21
020-026_TheRealBatman.indd 21 24/05/2016 17:55
The truth about bats
Speaking up for bats
TV presenter and naturalist, Chris Packham, became the president
of the Bat Conservation Trust in 2006 after a lifelong interest in bats
“I like bats as much now as I with sound, to find tiny insects in the air they have become precious. And of
did when I was six and used and snatch enough of them for a meal. course historically they have often had
to paw over the pages of But I also worry, because in the 50 years negative press, the ingredients of witches
my Ladybird book dreaming of being fascinated by bats they have brews, vampires . . . and all the old wives’
nightly of glimpsing a become much rarer and, although we tales. So I urge you to ‘get into’ bats, to
pipistrelle flitting outside have made progress, we haven’t learned learn a bit more about them, maybe try
my window. And now these remarkable enough about their lifestyles to guarantee to get out to see some, maybe join the ABOVE
Vampire bats
mammals do swoop and pirouette around their conservation. But of course of all Bat Conservation Trust and help us to need to drink half
my garden and I stand entranced, trying the species to study, bats are among understand and protect these fascinating their body weight
to imagine what it is like to be them, the hardest. They are nocturnal, fragile, creatures, because our bats need us more in blood during
each 30-minute
what it is really like to fly that fast, to ‘see’ sensitive and some are so endangered than ever.” feeding session
Yin and yang
Megabats and microbats used to be classed by their
size but genetic testing revealed a new method
Yin
Yinpterochiroptera have larger eyes
and fox-like faces. These are most
o en fruit bats that do not echolocate
and rely on their sense of smell and
sight to find food.
Yang
Yangochiroptera use echolocation to
find invertebrate prey and as such,
they have smaller eyes and more
complex facial structures. These bats
use echolocation to find prey.
22
020-026_TheRealBatman.indd 22 24/05/2016 17:55
The truth about bats
ABOVE
Bats hang upside
down as this is the
best position for
them to take off
into flight
“They are nocturnal, fragile,
sensitive and some are
so endangered they have
become precious”
Echolocation explained
You may not be able to hear the bats around you but
there is a secret world of high-pitched chatter
Echolocation works in a similar way to sonar. Bats
emit high frequency calls and listen to the returning
echoes to build up a three-dimensional picture of
their surroundings. Echolocation allows the bat to
understand how far away an object is and how big
it is. Different species of bat echolocate at varying
frequencies, which is adapted to their prey type and
habitat. These calls are above the range of human
hearing but can be listened to using a bat detector,
which transforms the calls into an audible sound.
23
020-026_TheRealBatman.indd 23 24/05/2016 17:59
The truth about bats
Bats of the world
We would need the whole magazine
to tell you about the world’s 1,200 3
bat species, so here are eight of the
most amazing
The ears
of brown long-eared
bats are nearly as
long as their body
and they can curl
them back in a way
that resembles
rams’ horns.
1 The smallest bat
in the world is
also known as the
bumblebee bat
due to its tiny size.
It weighs just two
grams (0.1 ounces).
weight.
5
2
4
The need to feed
on blood is called
‘haematophagy’,
and such bats
are only found
in Central and
South America.
24
020-026_TheRealBatman.indd 24 24/05/2016 17:55
1. Lesser horseshoe
Rhinolophus hipposideros
35-45mm
This bat is a relatively rare sight in the UK and
is mostly confined to caves and roof spaces in
Wales and the southwest. The intricate flaps of
skin surrounding its nose are called a noseleaf
and act like a satellite dish.
2. Common vampire bat
Desmodus rotundus
7 70-90mm
Despite their reputation these bats are one of
the most caring animals. In times of adversity,
they will look aer one another and mothers
will feed pups of no relation to them. They
don’t ‘suck blood’ but rather lick the blood
from a small wound created on the back of a
sleeping horse or cow.
3. Spotted bat
6 Euderma maculatum
124-126mm
Found in the remote and arid regions of
western North America, during the day they
snuggle up in small cracks and crevices of
steep canyon walls and vertical cliff faces.
They sometimes fly up to ten kilometres (six
miles) when foraging at night, keeping their
large ears erect to hunt for moths.
4. Common pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellus
35-45mm
You can usually tell a pipistrelle by their jerky
and somewhat erratic flight pattern. They
dart around at high speed, rapidly changing
directions. They are a hardy species, adapting
and thriving in a wide range of habitats, from
forests to urban areas. They are one of the
most common bats in the UK and also the
smallest.
5. Golden crown flying fox
The golden Acerodon jubatus
crown flying fox is 178-290mm
one of the largest These large bats are endemic to the forests of
the Philippines, where they are suffering from
bats in the world. extensive deforestation and poaching. They
Its wingspan can are seen as agricultural pests, despite playing
reach up to 1.7 an important ecological role by dispersing the
metres (5.6 feet). seeds of fruit they eat.
6. Kitti’s hog-nosed bat
Craseonycteris thonglongyai
29-33mm
There are just two populations in Myanmar
and Thailand, totalling around 6,500
individuals. These tiny bats hide away in
limestone caves, only leaving to migrate
between sites and to forage for around 30
minutes at dusk and 20 minutes at dawn.
7. Brown long-eared bat
Plecotus auritus
37-52mm
It can be difficult to find a brown long-eared bat,
because their calls are extremely quiet and
aren’t always picked up with bat detectors. They
are part of a group called ‘whispering bats’,
which emit extremely so calls. They oen rely
on hearing the sounds insects make when
moving rather than echolocation.
8. Barbastelle
The barbastelle is Barbastella barbastellus
very rare across 40-55mm
most of its range Barbastelles usually hang out behind the
due to its preference 8 loose bark of trees in ancient or deciduous
for old deciduous woodland. They are so rare in the UK that
forests, which are their presence alone can designate a forest
as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI),
being cleared. awarding grants and protection to the area.
25
020-026_TheRealBatman.indd 25 24/05/2016 17:55
The truth about bats
Bats don’t like flying when it is
raining. The Honduran white bat
chews on leaves to shape them
into ‘tents’ to hide beneath
during the tropical rains
Bat myths busted
Bats are blind
Although some bats use echolocation to find
prey, their eyesight is just as good as ours.
Fruit bats are also able to see in colour.
Bats have rabies
Bats are a vector species, but so are cats,
Protecting bats What are the main projects and priorities for the Trust at dog, foxes, skunks, and many other animals
the moment?
Dr Joe Nunez-Mino is the director of We work on a number of different fronts, ranging from you come into contact with. In reality, less
communications and fundraising for the Bat educating more people so their perceptions of bats than one per cent of bats are infected.
Conservation Trust, the UK’s leading NGO solely change, providing advice to householders who have bats Bats will fly into
dedicated to bat conservation living in their houses, monitoring bat populations in the your hair
What is the Bat Conservation Trust and what does it do? UK and working with a number of partners to ensure the
Insects are attracted to the heat emitted
We are a national charity devoted to the conservation conservation of bats. above your head and will congregate. This
of bats and the landscapes on which they rely. We are probably attracts bats to swoop nearby, but
working to secure the future of bats in our ever-changing What have the main successes been so far? if their echolocation is sensitive enough to
world by tackling the threats to bats, from persecution to Thanks to the National Bat Monitoring Programme avoid a piece of thread, they can certainly
loss of roosts and changing land use. volunteer citizen scientists, we are able to monitor 11 out avoid your head and will not fly into your
of the 18 species found in the UK. The latest results show
hair. An experiment carried out by the Bat
Why is it important to protect bats? that all 11 are showing some signs of stable or increasing Conservation Trust couldn’t even get a bat to
© The Art Agency/Sandra Doyle; Getty; NaturePL; Thinkstock “Bats play an essential part in the natural world Aside from being as cute as mice, they have
One in four mammal species on Earth are bats and yet
populations. This does not make up for the historical
stay on someone’s head for seconds.
declines but it is very welcome news.
they remain undervalued and misunderstood. About 70 per
cent of bat species feed on insects, something which can
Bats are flying mice
How important is public perception in conserving bats and
be of great value to us in controlling insects that damage
are perceptions changing?
our crops and gardens. Bats play an essential part in the
little else in common. Bats are not rodents
Bats are oen portrayed negatively so it really is very
natural world and are indicators of a healthy environment.
and are in a separate family altogether:
important that more people understand just how wonderful
Their future is directly linked to our quality of life and the
Chiroptera, meaning hand-wing.
and useful bats are.
quality of our environment.
Bats suck blood
Only three of the world’s 1,200 bat species
and are indicators of a healthy environment”
others live on insects or fruit.
26 have a diet consisting of blood. All the
020-026_TheRealBatman.indd 26 24/05/2016 18:13
© KLEIN & HUBERT / WWF
ADOPTION
ADOPT HIM TODAY.
OR LOSE HIM FOREVER.
Will you help the snow leopard claw its
way back from the brink?
Snow leopards have survived in the Himalayas Your present. Their future.
for thousands of years. But right now, there are For as little as £3 a month, you or your loved
as few as 300 left in Nepal. The harsh reality is one will receive an adoption pack, an adorable
that they’re being slaughtered by poachers for cuddly toy and regular updates from people on the ground
working tirelessly to help save the beautiful snow leopard.
their bones and precious fur – and they urgently
need your help if they are to live on. What’s more, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re
helping us to train and equip courageous anti-poaching
By adopting a snow leopard today, you’ll help protect this rangers. And you’ll discover what it takes – and how it
endangered big cat for future generations. feels – to help save a species.
+ + = from just Adopt a snow leopard today by filling in the form
£3 a
below, visiting wwfsnowleopard.com
month or calling0845 200 2392
a gorgeous an adoption pack regular updates
snow leopard toy from the field
Yes, I would like to adopt a snow leopard today DIRECT DEBIT – WWF-UK
Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay Direct Debits.
Service User Number 99 1 47 3
Please indicate how much you would like to give each month
1. Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society Branch
I would like to give £3 £5 £7 £ 1 0
To the manager of:_______________________________________ Bank or Building Society
My choice £ each month (min. £3) Address:_______________________________________________________________
Purchaser details ___________________________________________ Postcode: ___________________
Title:_________ Initial:_________ Surname: ___________________________________ 2. Name(s) of account holder(s)
Address:________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________ Postcode: _____________________
Tel no: ____________________________________ Date of birth: ___________________ 3. Branch sort code - -
Email:* _________________________________________________________________ 4. Bank or Building Society account number
*Please supply if you would like to receive emails from WWF (you can unsubscribe at any time)
5. WWF-UK Reference Number (Office use only)
Gift recipient details (if applicable)
Tick this box if your adoption is a gift, then complete the details of the recipient below
Title:_________ Initial:_________ Surname: ___________________________________ 6. Instructions to your Bank or Building Society
Please pay WWF- UK Direct Debits from the account detailed on the instruction subject to the safeguards
Address:________________________________________________________________ assured by the Direct Debit guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with WWF-UK and, if so,
_________________________________________ Postcode: _____________________ details will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society. Banks and Building Societies may not accept
Direct Debit Instruction for some types of account.
Gift recipient’s date of birth: ______________________
Would you like us to send the adoption pack directly to the recipient? Yes No Signature(s): Date:
We’d like to keep you up to date with our projects and activities by post and telephone. If you’d prefer not to Your money will support our work to help save the snow leopard
receive information in this way you can email us at supportercare@wwf.org.uk or call us on 01483 426333. as well as other vital conservation projects.
Freepost RTSK-ZCLS-EEUZ, WWF-UK, York House, Wetherby Road, Long Marston, York, YO26 7NH
WWF-UK, charity registered in England number 1081247 and in Scotland number SC039593 and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England number 4016725. APU001082
Panda symbol © 1986. WWF World Wide Fund for Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund) ® WWF registered trademark. VAT number 733 761821.
Full Page.indd 1 20/05/2016 09:48
Wildlife of the Gran Chaco
28
028-033_WildlifeofGranChaco.indd 28 24/05/2016 13:02
Wildlife of the Gran
Chaco
The second largest forest in South America is rarely
heard of but less attention has led to unregulated
logging in an area that’s teeming with life
Words Naomi Harding
29
028-033_WildlifeofGranChaco_NH.indd 29 24/05/2016 15:39
Wildlife of the Gran Chaco
The forgotten forest
The Gran Chaco is often overshadowed by the neighbouring Amazon South American tapir
rainforest. But while it’s sometimes forgotten, it’s no less diverse The long prehensile nose of the
tapir allows it to grab vegetation
and scent out new food sources.
When they feel threatened they
Nanday enter bodies of water so that
parakeet Chestnut woodpecker their footsteps will be masked by
the sound of running water and
their scent will be washed away,
confusing any predators that may
be lurking nearby.
Wood stork
Common vampire bat
This species of bat is the only mammal
on the planet that feeds solely on
blood. Fear not, they have little interest
in humans; resting horses and cattle
are their prime target. The bats creep
up on their victims by landing on the
ground close by and crawling on all
fours to approach their prey.
Jaguar
Marsh deer
Giant armadillo
Little is known about the giant armadillo
in the wild as they are so secretive and
elusive. Studies in Peru have shown that
many other animals – small mammals, False water cobra
reptiles and birds – use their burrows to Also known as the Brazilian
hide in during the day. Giant armadillos smooth snake, the ‘false’ part
have therefore been described as comes from the snake’s ability
habitat engineers. to flatten its neck to imitate
Yellow anaconda the well-known cobra’s hood
Giant in an attempt to appear more
wood rail threatening in times of danger.
Knob-billed duck
Red-legged
seriema
Broad-snouted caiman
The females of this species lay an
incredible number of eggs. Nests
usually have 18 to 50 eggs, although a
Capybara record 129 eggs have been found in a
The largest rodents in the world are single nest. The sex of newborn caimans
Common semi-aquatic; although they live in areas will depend on the temperature the
moorhen of dense forest, they are never far from eggs are kept at, so females bury eggs
a body of water. Their feet are ever so at varying depths in order to maintain
slightly webbed and they have vestigial temperature difference and ensure a
tails le over from their aquatic ancestors. more equal ratio of males to females.
30
028-033_WildlifeofGranChaco_NH.indd 30 24/05/2016 15:39
Southern crested In the dry west…
caracara Jabiru
White quebracho
The quebracho is a commercially important tree.
Its high level of tannins are used to tan leather.
Blue jacaranda
Because of its beautiful, long-lasting flowers, it
has been cultivated all over the world.
Greater rhea
Related to ostriches and emus,
these big land-dwelling birds are
the largest in South America. They
particularly enjoy eating crops, which
has led to them being considered as
pests in many parts. As grassland is
converted to agricultural land, this
problem is likely to grow in the future.
Toothpick cactus
These plants are perfectly adapted to the drier
soils found in the west.
In the humid east…
Giant anteater
Specially adapted to feast on ants
and termites all day long, these
unusual creatures have unbelievably
long tongues and sharp claws for
tearing apart nests. Each adult
can eat 30,000 insects a day, which
they find using their strong sense
Maned wolf of smell.
The maned wolf’s long legs have
earned it the title ‘fox on stilts’. These
characteristic legs mean the wolf can run
through the tall grass of the Gran Chaco Pink trumpet tree
and still be able to see what’s around and In the Amazon rainforest, the harvest of this tree
spot any potential danger. Their long ears, has become a huge problem.
which they can rotate, are used to locate
prey hiding among the foliage.
Fulvous
whistling
duck
Water palm
Water palm is also known as wax palm. Candles
South American were once made by scraping wax off the leaves.
lungfi sh
Alnus tree
A water-loving species, it’s most commonly found
along watercourses in North and South America.
31
028-033_WildlifeofGranChaco_NH.indd 31 24/05/2016 16:22
Wildlife of the Gran Chaco
The Gran Chaco
under threat
The Gran Chaco seems to be the world’s forgotten
forest. It is tucked away covering corners of Argentina,
Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil, where it receives little media
attention and charity fundraising. Large areas are relatively
untouched – but not through lack of trying. The remote
location of this area means the Chaco is one of the last
frontiers of the logging industry. Much of the forest remains
underdeveloped and difficult to access as the roads aren’t
appropriate for heavy machinery and commercial vehicles
to travel on in all weather.
The east Chaco is characterised by savannahs dominated
by palm trees, interspersed with patches of jungle and
plantations of soya and sugar cane. In some parts, the rain
can be relentless, causing large areas to flood during the
wet season.
As you move further west the landscape changes
dramatically and becomes much drier. The rainfall reduces
and the habitat is peppered with thornscrub, cotton crops
and cattle. The area was once known as ‘The Impenetrable’
because of the lack of water that only the native indigenous
population knew how to cope with.
Although some areas have remained untouched, there
has been an increase in the rate of deforestation in the
areas that are accessible. This has mostly been attributed
to the rising demand for soy for both food and feed for
livestock. Large areas of accessible forest – particularly in
the Argentinean Chaco – are being cleared to make way for
soy plantations.
“The remote location of this
area means the Chaco is
one of the last frontiers of
the logging industry”
Six critters dependent on the Chaco
The diverse range of habitats across the region means a variety of species can take refuge here
Marsh deer Jabiru South American lungfish
These deer live in the marsh areas of the Chaco. With extremely long legs and a large beak, this Lungfish are known for their unusual ability
Their long legs allow them to gracefully walk bird is part of the stork family. They are the to breathe air using their developed lungs. It
and swim across waterlogged areas. The tallest birds flying bird in Central and South means they are able to survive in poor quality
long grasses give the deer good cover from America. Their diet mostly consists of fish, water with low-oxygen levels, which has enabled
predators; to make full use of this, they follow molluscs and amphibians, so they like to hang them to colonise uninhabitable areas and avoid
the rain and migrate with the seasons. out by watercourses and ponds. competition for resources from other species.
32
028-033_WildlifeofGranChaco.indd 32 24/05/2016 13:02
Where is the Gran Chaco? Vital statistics
The Gran Chaco is divided between Bolivia, Paraguay, Quick facts you need to know about the Chaco
northern Argentina and Brazil
500
Peru BIRD
Brazil
SPECIES
Bolivia
The Gran Chaco is
twice the size of
the UK
Paraguay
Chile Uruguay
Argentina
12-15%
Of land has been converted 150
BELOW The green into agricultural land
2 YEARS hectares to be cleared, three
monkey tree frog is
native to the Chaco MAMMAL
of Argentina, Brazil, It took two years for 823,868
Bolivia, and Paraguay SPECIES
quarters of this was in Paraguay,
giving it one of the world’s worst
deforestation records
220
REPTILE AND 3,400
AMPHIBIAN
SPECIES PLANT
SPECIES
Yellow anaconda Blue-fronted parrot Jaguar © Sol90; Thinsktock; Frank Vincentz; Rex Features; NaturePL; freevectormaps.com; Leandro Ciuffo
The yellow anaconda is endemic to South These birds are currently considered as being Unlike most other cats, jaguars are comfortable
America. It is one of the largest snakes in the of ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List, but in the water and are very skilled swimmers.
world. Sticking to the wetter areas, they can be widespread declines have been noted. Trapping They often enter rivers in search of prey such
found in riparian vegetation or lurking in slow for the pet trade is quite common throughout as caimans. They are able to approach silently
moving water on the hunt for large prey like deer their range and they have been heavily traded through the water, barely creating a splash in
or peccaries to constrict. for the last 30 years. order to ambush their unsuspecting prey.
33
028-033_WildlifeofGranChaco_NH.indd 33 24/05/2016 15:40
Meet the family
Lemurs
Madagascar and its small neighbouring
islands are home to over 100 of these
islands are home to over 100 of these
diverse and endearing primate species
diverse and endearing primate species
-
r
R
l
f
e
d
uf
em
d
ur
e
RED-RUFFED LEMUR Red-ruffed lemur
RED-RUFFED LEMUR
V
ecia rubr
ar
Varecia rubra a
Class Mammalia
Clas s Mammalia
y
These furry lemurs are
h
T
le
r
f
e
e
ur
s
ur
a
s
m
r
e
rainforest daredevils
rainforest daredevils
T h e r a u c o u s c a l l s o f r e d - r u f f e d l e m u r s fi l l
The raucous calls of red-ruffed lemurs fill
a
s
f
c
ar
e
s
e
g
or
a
e
t
r
nor
h
ea
t
s
a
s
d
t
M
n
o
f
h
t
ory
ory
Madagascar
Madagascar
ory
errit
T T T Territory Madagascar the forests of northeastern Madagascar. .
errit
errit
v
a
s 1
c
n
T
a
f
t
o
s m
a
t v
a
l
s
e a
i
n
i
s
e
h
e
o
e
n
y a
y h
f
2 d
r
i
Diet: Fruit, leaves, nectar, They have as many as 12 different vocalisations, , The red-ruffed lemurs rarely leave the A special claw on the
Diet: Fruit, leaves, nectar,
seeds
seeds ranging from low grunts to loud shrieks, with top layer of the rainforest canopy, and red-ruffed lemur’s
k
i
w g
r
a
n
o
u
o l
s
u
t
r
n
n
o
e
h
i
d s
g f
r
o
s t
m l
g
r
i
h
, w
t
Lifespan 15-20 years
Lifespan 15-20 years hind feet allows it
i
r
n
e
f
i
f
g
e
h o
s
e
n
a
n
e
a
t m
e h
n
g a d
a
. I
t i
v
i
n
c
Adult weight 3.5kg (7.7lb) each one having a different meaning. It is are particularly daring jumpers, flinging to brush its thick,
Adult weight 3.5kg (7.7lb)
e
s
y h
a
e m
t s
a
p a
o
o k
h
e
h
t t
g
e
u
e
h
l
f t
h
o
m
e o
p t
Conservation status
Conservation status t thought that some of these may help to keep a themselves from tree to tree and landing copper-coloured
g r o u p t o g e t h e r w h i l e f o r a g i n g , o r w a r n o t h e r s with dramatic crashes. When they spot a coat. Its bottom
group together while foraging, or warn others
c
ud
i
nc
l
b
oa
e
h
i
oac
,
or
r
w
t
g
n
i
s
p
h
a
f
o
d
ap
of approaching predators, which include boa piece of fruit nearby, they will hold on with teeth also form a
p
r
e
h
‘toothcomb’, which it
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED constrictors, eagles and hawks. . their feet and lean precariously outwards. uses to groom itself.
l
e
g
CRITICALL
ea
r
i
c
t
on
c
s
Y
s
,
t
or
ENDANGERED
a
w
d
h
ks
s
an
have an unusual courtship, Rufous
Rufous mouse lemurs
tail and squeaking so ly, mouse lemur
which involves the male
lashing the female with his
in an attempt to persuade The lemur with a lover’s tail
her to mate with him.
Rufous mouse lemurs inhabit the tropical rainforests
in the north and east of Madagascar. Like all mouse
RUFOUS MOUSE LEMUR lemurs, they are strictly nocturnal, emerging at night
Microcebus rufus to forage for fruit and insects. When food is scarce,
Class Mammalia
they will enter a deep sleep known as torpor, which
involves lowering their body temperature and slowing
their metabolism. They can remain in this state for
Territory Madagascar up to 24 weeks, and will lose a large amount of their
Diet Insects, fruit, flowers body mass.
Lifespan 6-8 years When a female mouse lemur gives birth, she will
Adult weight 50g (1.8oz) barely leave the nest for several weeks, and her
Conservation status
young are completely dependent on her for up to
two months. She will help to
VULNERABLE develop their locomotion skills
by playing with them.
Ring-tailed lemur
R i n g - t ai le d le m u r When travelling in their troops,
ring-tailed lemurs raise their tails
The stripy primates that love to sit high in the air, using them like RING-TAILED LEMUR
flags to keep the group together.
and soak up the sunshine Lemur catta
Class Mammalia
Their bold black-and-white striped tails make these
primates easy to pick out from a lemur line-up. Unusually
for lemurs, who mostly spend their lives in the trees, ring-
tailed lemurs spend around a third of their time foraging Territory Madagascar
for food on the ground. They are particularly fond of Diet Fruits, leaves, flowers,
snacking on the tamarind tree, which produces either fruit insects
or leaves all year round. If their body temperature falls, Lifespan 16-19 years
Adult weight 2.2kg (4.9lb)
ring-tailed lemurs will move into a bright spot to soak up Conservation status
the Sun’s warmth, an activity known as ‘sunning’. They
sit upright with their legs spread-eagled and their hands
resting on their knees, looking startlingly similar to a ENDANGERED
human meditating in the lotus position.
34
034-035_Meet the lemurs_WOA034.indd 34 24/05/2016 13:03
Lemurs
Coquerel’s sifaka
This lemur is a stand-up guy 1
Unlike other lemurs, sifakas remain 2
COQUEREL’S SIFAKA upright as they move, a technique
Propithecus coquereli called ‘vertical clinging’. They use
Class Mammalia their powerful back legs to leap
from tree to tree, sometimes over 3 4
distances as great as six metres (20
feet). They spend most of their time
Territory Madagascar in the trees, but do occasionally
Diet Leaves, flowers, fruit, descend to look for food. Here, 1. Smallest 2. Loudest
bark s s sifakas will jump sideways along the Madame Berthe’s Indri
bark
s w
h
w
w
s w
h
a
a
o
a
a
i
i
u
d
u
m
p s
p s
g t
m
g t
l
l
n
i
i
n
e
d
e
l j
l j
k
a
s a
s a
e
a
k
i
o
i
y
e
l
f
f
l
y
Lifespan 27-30 years
Lifespan 27-30 years
u
e
m
r a
g i
h
n t
h t
n
h
o
u
n
d
, w
ground, with their arms fl ung in the
s fl
Adult weight 4kg (8.8lb)
Adult weight 4kg (8.8lb) g g r r o u n d , w i i t t h t h e e i i r a r r m s fl u n g i n t h e mouse lemur The calls of
t t
Conservation status
h
Conservation status a a i i r f o r b a l l a a n n c c e – a b i i z z a r r r r e s i i g h t t h a a t t These miniature indris come from
a
o
g
air for balance – a bizarre sight that
e s
e – a b
a
r f
r b
h
i
looks a little like a celebratory dance. . . creatures have a their enlarged
k
a
i
k
k
a
k
c
e a c
e a c
l l
t
t
o
l
e
i
i
t
o
t
s a l
o
o
c
e
n
e l
l
e l
n
s a l
a
a
r
e
y d
e
b
o
o
b
t
t
l
l
e
r
r
e
r
y d
d a
e
a
o
o
n
r v
m
Named after their vocalisations,
N N a a m e d a f f t t e e r t h h e e i i r v o c c a a l l i i s s a t t i i o n s s , , body length of laryngeal sacs.
r t
ENDANGERED w w h i i c h s o u u n n d a l i i t t t t l l e l i i k k e ‘ s s i i f f a k k a ’ ’ , t h e s s e e just 11cm (4.3in), They can be
ENDANGERED
e l
c
, t
a
a
h
e
d a l
o
h s
h
e ‘
which sound a little like ‘sifaka’, these
l l lemurs also use facial expressions making them heard over a
p
e
e
r
p
r
r
r
x
s
s
s a
u
s a
x
u
s
c
s
o
i
i
c
i
e
e
a
e f
e f
s
o
a
s
s
s
m
m
l
l e
n
l
l e
a
i
s
s
o u
a
o u
n
n
n
i
r
i
g
g
r
e h
e h
l
l
h
h
n
n
a
a
e
e
d b
d b
s a
s a
a
a
c
c
k s
k s
k
k
g t
g t
a
a
i
i
n
n
. F
. F
o
o
e
t
a
e
t
r i
t
t
a
a
s
n
r i
s
n
m
o
m
m
o
t
t to communicate. For instance, jerking the head back signals an the world’s kilometre (0.6
o c
o c
m
c
i
a
c
i
u
u
n
n
n
, j
n
e
, j
c
c
e
e
e
u
g
mo
ho
g
e
e
n
an
s
n
oac
t
d
h
p
d
p
or
n
h
h
ap
d
e
approaching predator, and holding the mouth open shows the
ho
h
ap p r r oac h i i n g p r r e e d a a t t or , , an d ho l l d i i n g t h e mo u t t h op e n s ho w s s t h e smallest primates. miles) away.
op
w
t
l
a
k
s
sifaka wants to play..
y
o p
a
i
t
s t
a w
a
n
f
Coquerel’s sifakas will mark trees with their 3. Smelliest 4. Rarest
urine when looking for a mate. A male will Ring-tailed lemur Sportive lemur
also court a female by cowering in front of Male ring-tailed There are fewer
also court a female by cowering in front of
her or rolling his tail between his legs.
her or rolling his tail between his legs.
lemurs compete than 50 left in
for dominance the far north
-
A
ye
aye
Aye-aye by having ‘stink of Madagascar.
fi ghts’. They
Their numbers
al
h
t
i
n
w
An
l
o
d
a
db
An oddball with an smear a pungent have plummeted
unfortunate reputation
unfortunate reputation scent over their in the last 20
tails and then
years due to
d a
s o
h
e o
g
e
f t
e
O O f f t t e n r e e g a a r r d e e d a s o n e o f t h e wave them at hunting and
Often regarded as one of the
n
d
n r
ra
e
y
a
,
im
a
t
r
e
s
t
p
o
l
o
s strangest-looking primates, aye- - their opponent. habitat loss.
kin
n
s
e
-
t
g
g
ayes have come under threat due
to habitat loss. Many Malagasy
villagers also see them as an evil Not a monkey
AYE-AYE omen, and this has led to large
Daubentonia numbers being killed. Their bizarre Although they seem to have some traits
madagascariensis appearance is down to several in common with monkeys, apes and even
Class Mammalia
physical characteristics, including humans, lemurs actually diverged from a
incisors that never stop growing, and common ancestor with other primates around
huge ears that are each as wide as its 63 million years ago! Lemurs have lived in
face. Aye-ayes also have an unusually isolation on the island of Madagascar for 40
Territory Madagascar long, slender third finger, which is million years, which means they have many
Diet Insect larvae, fruit, nuts their primary sense organ. They walk adaptations that are unique to their suborder,
Lifespan 20 years along branches, tapping with their
Adult weight 2kg (4.4lb) which is known as Strepsirrhini.
Conservation status Aye-ayes are extremely good climbers. middle finger and listening out for
They are the only Old World primates the distinctive echo from an insect
to have true claws, which give them t tunnel. They then use the fl exible
e
e t
e
e fl
h
l
n u
. T
e
h
e
b
e
s
n
u
y t
x
n
h
i
l
excellent grip as they move quickly and
n
t
s
c
e
e i
n
t t
p o
o
e
u
r
r t
o s
d fi
o
c
g
h
i
h
ENDANGERED t third finger to scoop out the insect
nimbly through the trees. © Dreamstime; Getty; Thinkstock; NaturePL © Dreamstime; Getty; Thinkstock; NaturePL
l larvae inside. .
e
v
e
r
s
in
a
a
id
ur
l
b
b
den
o
o
m
o
em
G
Golden bamboo lemur
a
l
r t
d t
’
i
n
h
r
s
h
a
o s
c
a
k o
e l
f
T
n
a
m
The lemur that isn’t afraid to snack on
n
t i
e
t a
u
GOLDEN BAMBOO
cyanide-filled bamboo shoots GOLDEN BAMBOO
LEMUR
LEMUR
o l
s
h
b
d b
h
e
m
a
y t
s
i
i
o
t
e d
Bamboo lemurs can be distinguished by their round heads, , Hapalemur aur eus
d h
r
s c
B
n
g
a
n
d
m
u
e
i
n b
a
e
i
r r
s
u
u
o
e
Hapalemur aureus
Class Mammalia
r
d s
z
m
z
e
l
n
s a
r
a
t m
s
a
u
l e
l
s short muzzles and small ears, which are mostly hidden by Clas s Mammalia
d
h a
e
d
o
i
e m
h
l
r
n b
y h
o
s
, w
h
t
c
y
i
e f
e
. T
t
i
t their fur. The golden bamboo lemur’s favourite food is giant
t
n b
s g
d i
h
i
e g
a
l
d
o
o
o
n
r
s f
’
r
h
u
a
o
m
e
o l
e
r f
u
i
m
u
o
a
v
r
b
bamboo shoots, which contain high levels of cyanide. On
an average day, the lemur will eat 12 times the lethal dose
a n a v e r a g e d a y , t h e l e m u r w i l l e a t 1 2 t i m e s t h e l e t h a l d o s e
r o
h
f
o
t
r m
e
for other mammals of its size, yet experiences none of the T T T errit ory Madagascar
r
e
e
i
p
e
, y
x
t e
n
e
e o
h
f t
n
e
c
o
s n
t
m
s s
z
i
l
s o
f i
m
a
e
a
Madagascar
ory
ory
Territory Madagascar
errit
errit
negative effects. Researchers are unsure how it manages to
n e g a t i v e e f f e c t s . R e s e a r c h e r s a r e u n s u r e h o w i t m a n a g e s t o Diet Bamboo, leaves, fruit
Diet Bamboo, leaves, fruit
Lifespan Unknown
avoid being poisoned. Lifespan Unknown
Adult weight 1.5kg (3.3lb))
Adult weight 1.5kg (3.3lb))
Sadly, less than 300 golden bamboo lemurs are left in the Conservation status To help them munch through
Sadly, less than 300 golden bamboo lemurs are left in the
Conservation status
wild due to high levels of hunting. They have been protected
wild due to high levels of hunting. They have been protected fibrous bamboo shoots, the
golden bamboo lemur’s teeth have
to some extent by the establishment of national parks in the sharp, serrated edges, and their
to some extent by the establishment of national parks in the
1990s, but now slash-and-burn agriculture is encroaching on
1990s, but now slash-and-burn agriculture is encroaching on LEAST CONCERN premolars have additional cusps
LEAST
CONCERN
these areas. for added force.
35 35 35
034-035_Meet the lemurs_WOA034.indd 35 24/05/2016 13:03
TOCO TOUCAN
Ramphastos toco
Class Aves
Territory South America
Diet Fruit, insects, eggs
Lifespan 20 years
Adult weight 550g (19oz)
Conservation status
LEAST CONCERN
36
036-040_Toucans.indd 36 24/05/2016 13:05
Toucans
TOUCANS
THE BIRDS BEHIND THE BEAKS
Famed for their enormous bills decorated in vibrant
colours, these instantly recognisable birds are noisy,
playful and comically clumsy in the air
Words Katy Sheen
Throughout Central and South America, toucans fill can identify its own species by its call, as well as the
tropical forests with their barks, calls and croaks. The markings on its bill, which include spots, stripes and
family of birds consists of over 30 species, including bands in a rainbow of colours.
the large toco toucan – the iconic star of Guinness Toucans roost in the treetops, living in natural holes or
advertising campaigns – as well as many smaller woodpecker nests that seem impossibly small for birds
toucans, aracaris and toucanets. The birds live in with such big beaks. Females will lay a clutch of two to
gregarious groups, often rallying together with other four eggs each year, and toucan parents will take it in
species to look for good foraging sites and calling turn to incubate them. The hatchlings are born without
loudly to others when they find one. Larger species their famous appendages, but they will grow quickly
will accompany these vocalisations with repetitive and by the time the young toucans emerge from the
movements of their heads and beaks. Each toucan nest, they have the enormous beaks we know and love.
37
036-040_Toucans.indd 37 24/05/2016 13:05
Toucans
Toucans fl ick
food upwards
with their beak
and then catch it
in their mouths,
with help from
their long, thin,
grey tongues
DID YOU
KNOW?
Toucans are named after
the sound they make, which
could easily be confused with
the croaking of a large frog!
Their loud calls are used
to scare off predators
or warn others of
danger.
A beak with many uses
From grabbing fruit to keeping cool, this is a bill that pays for itself
The toucan’s appearance is completely dominated Another important role for the toucan’s oversized
by its beak, which is four times the size of its head appendage was revealed in 2009, when infrared
and makes up a third of its body length, so it might imaging showed the bill heats up and cools down
surprise you to know that experts have long been when the outside temperature changes. When the
puzzled by its purpose. Some have suggested that bird is hot, blood flow is directed to the beak. The
its bright colours help the birds to attract a mate, surface of the beak is not very well insulated, so the
while others believe it allows them to reach fruits heat is radiated and the bird cools down.
hanging from branches that are too delicate to On the other hand, when the toucan is cold,
stand on. They are certainly useful tools for grasping blood vessels in the beak constrict and heat is
slippery foods, and the serrated edges of the bill conserved. This clever temperature technique has
helps to break down food into bite-size pieces. not been observed in any other birds.
38
036-040_Toucans.indd 38 24/05/2016 13:05
Toucans
Reluctant to fly
Toucans are not very good at flying as they have
small wings. They prefer to hop through the trees
Having evolved for life in thick forest, toucans
have relatively small wings for their size, and
their long tails and large beaks are cumbersome.
They can only travel a short distance in flight, but
that is usually enough to reach the nearby cluster
of trees they have in their sights. The birds will
take to the air with a flourish of their wings, flap
a few times in quick succession and then allow
themselves to glide and fall before flapping again
to regain altitude.
This clumsy, dipping motion may not look
elegant, but it is suffi cient to carry them between
treetops in close proximity. Toucans will avoid
flying when they can and rarely venture to the
forest floor, spending most of their lives in
the canopy. Instead, they prefer to hop along
branches, as their curved toes and sharp claws
give them a good grip even on narrow branches,
allowing them to stretch out and grab food with
their long bills. The birds eat a variety of fruits,
as well as nuts, seeds, eggs and small frogs and
reptiles, so food is rarely far away.
he
stn
u
c
Top toucan facts A A chestnut- t -
mandibled toucan
mandibled toucan
o en uses its sharp
o en uses its sharp
bill to break the thick
Size but not strength bill to break the thick
skin of a papaya
skin of a papaya
The toucan’s beak is
lightweight and hollow, so
it is useless as a defence
mechanism. The closest it
comes to being used as a
weapon is when the birds
play fight with each other
in the evenings. They can
sometimes be seen bill-
fencing with each other.
Weren’t you taught not
to play with your food?
A toucan mating ritual
will o en involve the birds
throwing food at each
other, in what looks like
a slightly messy game.
Once they have found a
partner, toucans are usually
monogamous and will
breed in the spring.
A tidy ball of toucan
In order to fit into their tiny
treetop hollows, toucans
can make themselves more
compact by tucking their
bills into their feathers and
folding up their tails . When
they are in this position,
they look like a ball of
feathers, with just the tip of
their tail sticking out.
39
036-040_Toucans.indd 39 24/05/2016 13:05
Toucans
Toco toucan
Keel-billed toucan
Collared aracari
Crimson-rumped
toucanet
© Francesco Veronesi; Ben Tavener; Charles J Sharp; Tobias Haase; Hans Hillewaert; Alamy; Dreamstime; FLPA; NaturePL; Thinkstock
Toucans can
sometimes be found
Red-breasted toucan passing fruit to each
other from their bills as
part of a mating ritual
No toucans are the same
These beautiful birds come in every size and colour
The toucan family inhabits the tropical forests of Thanks to these variations, most toucans are easy
Plate-billed South America and is found as far north as Mexico. Its to tell apart, but a few species deliberately aim to
mountain
toucan members are incredibly diverse, varying in size, colour confuse. The small yellow-ridged toucan is the same
and behaviour. All toucans have the legendary large colour and looks very similar to the white-throated
beak, but what they eat with it differs; while larger toucan, a much larger species, despite not being its
species feed on small lizards, frogs, birds and eggs, closest relative. This is known as social mimicry, which
smaller species tend to stick to fruit and flowers. Their benefits the smaller bird because it is less likely to be
calls vary too, in terms of pitch, length and style, and attacked and more likely to ward off others from a
the toucans will use these differences to pick out their good feeding site, simply because it is confused for
own species from a cacophony of sound. the larger model.
“The toucans will use these differences to pick out
Saffron toucanet their own species from a cacophony of sound”
40
036-040_Toucans.indd 40 24/05/2016 15:36
Bizarre!
The eye-licking SATANIC LEAF-TAILED
GECKO
Uroplatus phantasticus
gecko that looks Class Reptilia
like a decaying leaf Territory Madagascar
Diet Crickets, and moths
There are few creatures quite as Lifespan 2-9 years
Adult weight 10-30g (0.4-
strange as the leaf-tailed gecko. With 1.1oz)
Conservation Status
clever camouflage and light reflecting
modifications, it’s so well disguised, it may LEAST CONCERN
as well be wearing a cloak of invisibility
They have no eyelids
Eyelids serve to protect the eyes and keep them
moist but, like many other geckos, the leaf-
tailed gecko doesn’t have any. Instead, they
use their tongue to lick the surface of their
eyes to remove any dust or debris that
may be there.
Their sticky feet
help them climb
A life in the trees is very dangerous for an
animal as small as a gecko and any fall could
be fatal. To ensure they don’t accidentally
slip, their feet have countless tiny hair-like
structures seemingly providing the superpower
to stick to almost any surface with ease.
They don’t just look
like a leaf, they act They aren’t
like one too
really satanic
Not quite content with looking exactly like the
surrounding foliage, they spend most the their day Where the name ‘satanic’ came from,
motionless. Hiding away amongst a mass of dead we don’t really know. We do know that
leaves, they twist their tail around their bodies and when the gecko feels threatened, it
flatten themselves completely against tree trunks. opens its jaws as wide as it can to show
Looking like a leaf is extremely useful when your off its frightening bright red mouth. This
main predators rely on eyesight for hunting. along with bright red eyes can make it
look a bit scary, which doesn’t help.
They are masters Their Latin name
of camouflage means imaginary
Despite the name ‘leaf-tailed gecko’, it Naturalist George Albert Boulenger first
isn’t just their tails that mimic leaves.
Their bodies even have parts missing discovered these mysterious Malagasy
geckos in 1888. He thought these
and rough edges to look like decaying creatures were incredibly intriguing. He
leaves and to help them disappear into described the reptiles as ‘mythical’ and
their surroundings. Veins resembling subsequently gave them the Latin name © NaturePL/Bernard Castelein
those on leaves run down the tail and phantasticus’ which is Latin for imaginary.
cover their leaf-coloured body.
41
041_Bizarre.indd 41 24/05/2016 15:32
Manta ray
42
042-049_MantaRays_SDB.indd 42 24/05/2016 13:07
bou
a
l
t
t
h
All about the
e
l
A
M an t a r a y
Manta ray
Meet the gentle giants of the ocean;
leviathans so large that they could
cover your car with their fins, but only
to be feared if you’re plankton
Words Ella Carter
43
042-049_MantaRays_SDB.indd 43 24/05/2016 13:07
Manta ray
Wings of the ocean
The genus Manta contains two species: M. birostris the giant ovoviviparous, which means the eggs develop within the womb
oceanic manta ray, and M. alfredi the reef manta ray. Both species and the mother gives birth to one or two live young. The baby
are truly supersized, with wide, flattened bodies, long slender tails rays (often as big as over one metre across) will stay in shallow
and colossal undulating pectoral fins that glide through the water, water for several years until they’re large enough to face the big
looking like giant wings. wide ocean.
The giant oceanic manta ray is a migratory species, and can Their brains are some of the largest relative to size in the
travel vast oceans following ocean-current highways in search ocean realm, and as larger brains are commonly related to higher
of choice feeding grounds. The resident reef manta is more of a function this indicates that the manta are the complete opposite
homebody, preferring to stay closer to shallow waters. They are of ‘simple giants’.
solitary creatures, and only really come together to breed. These These brainy beasts feed on plankton – tiny microscopic
interactions can often begin at feeding areas, or at ‘cleaning creatures suspended in the water. The rays will open their mouths BELOW Mantas
can sense electric
stations’ – areas of coral reefs where cleaner wrasse and shrimp wide, and let the water pass over their gills as they filter out tasty fi elds in the
feed on parasites on the manta’s skin. morsels. Mantas will eat around 13 per cent of their body weight water, although
Mating seasons vary across the world, and after around 13 each week. Feeding can get super dynamic, with the rays making this trait is less
developed than in
months’ incubation period, the young ray is born. Manta rays are loop-the-loops and corkscrew spirals in the water. other species
The giant oceanic manta ray
Ocean habitat
This species of manta
is an open ocean
wanderer. They cruise
the tropics looking for
plankton-rich waters
to feed in, and can
cover huge distances.
Manta markings
The giant oceanic manta
Gentle giants ray has grey/brown and
The giant oceanic ray is the largest of white colouring, and oen
the two species. It has a ‘wingspan’ has a T-shaped marking
that, in the largest specimens, can on its back (known as the
reach over nine metres (30 feet) wide. ‘dorsal’ side).
The reef manta ray
Body pattern Smaller size
The dorsal side of the The reef manta
reef manta rays are ray is the smaller
mottled brown and of the two species,
grey like the giant but is still a huge
species, but they marine animal,
oen have Y-shaped with a wingspan
markings and spots. of up to 4.5 metres
(15 feet).
Reef dwellers
The reef manta
can be found
living in near- “Their brains are some of the
shore productive
environments in largest relative to size in the
the tropics, such
as reefs, atolls and
islands as well as ocean realm…the complete
continental coasts.
opposite of simple giants”
44
042-049_MantaRays_SDB.indd 44 24/05/2016 13:07
Conservation projects When they come up to feed and the tag is exposed to air,
Graham Hill is a science offi cer at The Deep they download info and we can analyse the data. We want to
‘submarium’ in Hull. The team are gearing up get as much info as we possibly can, so when we tag them
for Phase 2 of the manta conservation project we take measurements, and on the males we check their
in Sudan. claspers to see if they’re sexually mature.
The local dive operators are also really enthusiastic about
How are the manta populations in Sudan, and what threats our project. The divers take a survey of all the species they
do they face? see and collect a huge amount of data for us.
The red sea area in Sudan is very remote, and there is a
lot of fishing and illegal shark fishing. It has been illegal in Have you found anything significant from phase 1?
Sudan for quite some time, but there’s a strange quirk in the At the moment we are still in the early stages as most of the
legislation where you can still sell their meat at the market. monitors are still on the seabed! But we do have the tracks
The main threat in Sudan is the encroachment of large from the satellite tags. We know certainly that there’s very
recreational diving operations from the north. Because little change in their behaviour once they’ve been tagged,
there’s very little information about the manta population, which is great.
the first thing to do is obtain baseline data where there has We have also taken tissue samples of 35 manta rays, but
been relatively low impact by humans, which is a very rare one of the ones we looked at looked slightly odd – and it
situation. We can get that info and use it to manage the area. seemed to have some characteristics of the reef manta but
also of the giant oceanic manta. The two species of manta
What was involved in phase 1 of the project? ray were thought to reproductively isolated but we found
We are looking at the seasonal aggregations of manta that this individual (which is backed up by genetic analysis)
ray into Dungonab Bay in Sudan. We had two techniques is actually a hybrid of the two species – the first time it’s
in our first phase – one is using acoustic tags implanted ever been recorded in manta rays!
in the ray, alongside a seabed-monitoring network. Any
tagged rays will give a ping when they comes within 500 When is phase 2 happening, and what’s involved?
metres of a monitor, logging information about the time, We are hoping to do two fi eldwork sessions this year,
animal, direction, etc. We have 20 monitors in the bay, and one next month to get the seabed monitors back up and
20 monitors situated on seamounts along the coastline. We running – we need to locate them, bring them back up,
tagged 22 manta rays in phase 1, but we’ve not been back to clean them, download the data and then return them. The
collect the monitor data yet. socioeconomic side involves doing workshops with the
We also tagged three manta rays with satellite tags that Sudanese authorities and universities to maintaining the
can give us real-time info about where an animal is going. monitors and using GPS to locate the mantas.
45
042-049_MantaRays_SDB.indd 45 24/05/2016 13:07
Manta ray
Inside the
manta ray Gills
The gills are full of blood vessels
that absorb the oxygen from the
With sandpaper-like skin water as it passes over them,
and covered in a layer and let the water carry away
carbon dioxide from the blood.
of protective mucus,
manta rays have some
fascinating physical
properties. The slime
helps them to keep
parasites at bay and
ward off infections,
which is why you should Basibranchial
never touch a manta if Part of the manta ray’s
central skeleton that
you’re lucky enough to provides support to the
gill bars and gills.
come across one
Oesophagus
Seawater enters the mouth and
is pushed over the gill plates
– when the manta has filtered
enough plankton it closes its
mouth, coughs to dislodge the
plankton and swallows it.
GIANT OCEANIC Heart
MANTA RAY
Manta birostris
es
y
Class Chondrichthyes
Chondrichth
Gall bladder
Territory Tropical and
subtropical waters worldwide
Diet Zooplankton and Liver
phytoplankton As well as their
Lifespan Unknown, estimated light cartilaginous
40 years skeleton, an extra oily
Adult weight Up to 2 tonnes liver helps to keep the
(4,409lb) manta rays buoyant.
Conservation Status
VULNERABLE
INFANCY JUVENILE MATURITY
Live birth 0 years Infancy 1 year Shallow living 1-5 years Growth spurt 2-15 years Reproductive age 10-20 years Mating season 21 years
Having developed in an egg case The infant’s pectoral fins Manta rays show no parental In its first year the pup doubles in Mantas become sexually mature Mating season happens at
inside the womb, baby mantas are folded on its back when care, so once the 1.5m (4.5 size. The next few years are spent at over ten years, when they will be diff erent times across the
(pups) are born in sheltered it’s born, and so it must feet) long pup is born it fends feeding and growing in the shallows able to reproduce. Males develop world. Males will chase females
waters of a bay or lagoon. learn to use them instantly. for itself, living in the shallows. before venturing into the open ocean. extended, calcifi ed claspers. for long periods before mating.
46
042-049_MantaRays_SDB.indd 46 24/05/2016 16:53
Dorsal fin
A small dorsal fin is located just
above the base of the tail, thought
to aid in stability and streamlining
when the manta ray is swimming.
Tail
The mantas have long, tapering
tails that extend behind them
Cartilage skeleton as they swim. Unlike their
Mantas have stingray cousins, manta rays
skeletons of do not have a poison barb at
flexible, fibrous and the end of their tails.
lightweight cartilage
instead of the dense
bone of other fish. Cephalic lobes
Manta rays are sometimes called
‘devil rays’ because their cephalic
Filter plates lobes slightly resemble horns. The
These feathery looking plates flexible lobes can move to work as
surround all ten of the manta rays’ gill a funnel, channelling plankton-
slits. They are thin cartilage filaments rich water into the mouth.
that trap the plankton from the water
as it passes over the gills.
Pectoral fins
The colossal, super-flexible pectoral fins move almost
like wings, to propel the ray at surprisingly fast speeds
through the water. They can reach swi burst speeds
of 35 kilometres per hour (21.7 miles per hour).
Intestine
Manta dentition
Stomach Despite feeding by filtering plankton-laden water, manta rays
do have teeth. In fact, they have around 300 of them – tiny little
pinhead-like structures arranged on their lower jaw and oen
Rectal indistinguishable from the ray’s rough skin. As they’re not
gland used for eating, it’s thought that these teeth may play a role in
reproduction, as the male will bite down on one of the female’s
pectoral fins during mating.
Uterus
Ovary
Senses Closest family
Closely related to the manta ray are…
Manta rays have good eyesight with
a wide field of vision. They have tiny
pores on their heads that allow sound
waves to reach their inner ears, and
they also have nostrils and are able to
taste and detect chemical signatures in
the water. Mantas are also able to sense
electric fields in the water, although this Mobula ray Whale shark Eagle ray
trait is less developed in mantas than in Mobula rays belong Whale sharks are The eagle ray is
other species. to the same family part of the same closely related to the
manta, as a member
as mantas. There
subclass, the
are nine species of elasmobranchii, which of the superorder
mobula ray. They look includes sharks, ‘batoidea’ which
very similar and feed skates and rays. Like includes rays, skates
the same way, but are the giant oceanic and sawfish. Eagle
Pregnancy 22 years Maturity 20-40+ years Death 40+ years much smaller in size. manta they’re colossal rays are much smaller
Once pregnant, the female A female’s age can be guessed from It’s not known exactly how old manta They come together in open-water beasts, than mantas, and can
manta ray carries one pup, or her mating scars, where males bite rays live, but it’s hoped that they live huge groups, and can and they also feed by be found in shallow,
sometimes twins, for a gestation down on her fi ns. Females can have long lives and death is by natural be seen jumping high filtering plankton out tropical waters near
period of 13 months. one pup every two to five years. causes and not human threats. out of the water. of the water. coral reefs.
47
042-049_MantaRays_SDB.indd 47 24/05/2016 16:47
Manta ray
Habitat and threats
With numbers declining significantly, manta rays face an uphill struggle for survival
The clear waters of tropical atolls and decimating. Unregulated, unreported and huge problem. As such huge animals, once
equatorial coastlines are home to the reef illegal fishing methods catch thousands of they have become ensnared in litter and
manta ray, where it cruises through the manta rays to satisfy the demand for some rogue fishing nets it is very difficult for them
crystal blue shallows to find food. The giant traditional Eastern medicines, and thousands to get free. They can’t swim backwards,
oceanic manta ray frequents the deeper of rays per year are also entangled in nets and rays need to have a constant stream of
waters of the open ocean.There is plenty and caught as bycatch by other fisheries. This water flowing over their gills to survive. This
to be done to protect both species in their kind of human intervention can spell disaster means that severe entanglement can mean
aquatic homes. for the longevity of the species. the ray will drown. If the manta can swim
Illegal and unsustainable fishing is one Destructive fishing techniques such as gill free, nets can get caught on their bodies,
of the greatest threats to manta rays. They nets, drift nets and purse seine nets for tuna maiming them and making them vulnerable
are incredibly slow growing and it takes a and other commercially-fished species can to infection. There are many stories from
reef manta ray 10-15 years to reach maturity also spell disaster for mantas, because once manta conservation charities about rays
before it can even reproduce. To remove they become trapped, escape is impossible. approaching divers who are able to cut them
just one animal from the population can be Entanglement in marine debris is also a free of their entangled nets.
BELOW
Overfi shing of
manta rays has
increased over
the past decade
because of the
demand for gill
rakers in China
48
042-049_MantaRays_SDB.indd 48 24/05/2016 13:07
Manta ray
“Illegal and unsustainable Nearest
neighbours
fishing is one of the greatest Check out the other critters that
threats to manta rays” share the manta’s watery home
Suckerfi sh
Wherever the manta ray goes, the
suckerfish goes too. These fish, called
remora, attach themselves using a
suction plate on their heads. They
hitch a ride, and take advantage of the
protection and food that this offers.
Plankton
These microscopic organisms are the
manta ray’s favourite food. Plankton
can reproduce quickly and result in
large numbers known as ‘blooms.’
Rays suck in water and filter out the
tiny creatures for a tasty meal.
Tiger shark
Due to their huge size and passive
hunting strategies, mantas have few
natural predators. However, there are
some large fish that will try to take
them down, including the feisty tiger
shark, great whites and killer whales.
Environmental factors
Challenges facing the manta ray’s habitat
Habitat destruction Marine debris © Richard Ling; NaturePL; Getty; Dreamstime; Alamy; Thinkstock; The Art Agency/Peter Scott
Without their habitat, mantas have nowhere Floating fishing nets and other garbage
to go. Coral reefs face many threats, in the water spells out disaster for manta
including excess nutrient run-off and rays, and entanglement is responsible for
sedimentation from land, rising seawater the deaths of far too many rays worldwide,
temperatures and destructive fishing. whether it is intentional or not. Cleaner wrasse
Reef cleaning stations are an
Climate change Unregulated tourism important part of the manta’s life
Warming ocean temperatures and ocean If too many people visit and dive in the cycle, where they come into contact
acidification can cause coral reefs to manta’s habitat without understanding its with other rays. Fish like the cleaner
undergo ‘bleaching events’, where the heat fragility, and even touch or ride the rays wrasse nibble away any parasites on
stress kills off the coral. In turn this causes (which should never be attempted), it can the manta’s skin.
a huge decline in the reef ecosystem. have a severe impact.
49
042-049_MantaRays_SDB.indd 49 24/05/2016 13:08
UNEXPECTED
COLOUR
Whether it’s a genetic mutation or clever camouflage,
these animals are popping with colour in a way you’ve
never seen them before
Words Naomi Harding
50
050-055_Unexpected Colour_NH.indd 50 24/05/2016 16:07
The words you are searching are inside this book. To get more targeted content, please make full-text search by clicking here.
From the creators of How It Works, World Of Animals is an exciting animal magazine that features hundreds of Earth's most colourful and loved creatures every issue. Entertaining, spectacular and suitable for the whole family, you can download and enjoy World Of Animals today! With a new issue released 13 times a year, every edition of World Of Animals includes stunning photography and illustrations of the world’s favourite animal wildlife in action, alongside fun facts and captivating stories.
What you’ll find in every issue:
• Amazing Animals – a stunning gallery of images from around the globe showing the wild up close and in action
• Wildlife of... – a journey through the world’s most famous habitats, from rainforests to deserts, using world
-class photography and illustrations
• All About... – everything readers ever needed to know about a single creature including expert interviews,
facts and stats
• Explore the Earth – discover the best wildlife destinations to visit and the hidden wildlife gems you'll find
there
Discover the best professional documents and content resources in AnyFlip Document Base.
Search