WATCHING THE BIRTH OF TIGER CUBS AT LONDON ZOO
From the makers of f
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SLOTHS
HOW BEING SLOW HELPS THEM SURVIVE
AN ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM IN THEIR FUR
WHY DO WE LOVE THEIR LAZY WAYS?
THE FUTURE 200
OVER
OF THE RHINO ANIMAL
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO COMBAT POACHING? FACTS
CREATURES
OF THE NIGHT
THE ANIMALS THAT COME OUT WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN
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ALL ABOUT HUMPBACK FLAMINGO MEET THE MAGNIFICENT MOTHS
E
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GIRAFFES WHALES FACTS P E N G U IN S
PENGUINS
Uncover the secrets of The double life of Find out why this pink Get to know 6 of
Get to know 6 of
Earth’s tallest mammal these ocean giants bird stands on one leg these aquatic birds
these aquatic birds
PLUS GREVY’S ZEBRAS GIANT PANDAS STARFISH COYOTES PANGOLINS ISSUE 37
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Around 40% of amphibian species are threatened with
extinction. To prevent a catastrophe from unfolding,
Durrell has launched the Saving Amphibians from
Extinction (SAFE) programme.
Saving Amphibians We are committed to stopping the alarming decline of
From Extinction amphibians before it’s too late. Amphibian species are
vital to the health of the planet.
Boophis goudotii PHOTO Jeff Dawson
Help us secure the survival of threatened amphibians
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find us on
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c
om
el
Welcome
W
e
Sloths are notorious for
being slow, but it is a
misconception that they
are lazy. In fact, they only
sleep for around 9.5 hours
a day. Their lethargic
behaviour can instead be
attributed to their slow
metabolism. Did you know it takes 50 days
for food to pass through a sloth’s digestive
system? For this reason, it needs to conserve
energy. No matter how slow they are, we
love these furry rainforest mammals! Find
out all about them on page 14.
Also in this issue, enter the scorching hot
territory of the coyote and mountain lion
in our Wild West feature (page 22), and
spot animals like the bat and badger that
come out when the sun goes down in our
Life After Dark feature (page 36). There are
plenty of fun facts and stunning images too!
We’ll be asking for feedback in our reader’s
survey this month, but we are always keen to
hear from you, whether it is by letter, email,
social media or through sending us your
photos. Enjoy the read!
Zara Gaspar
Editor
Editor’s picks
Wildlife in black and white
Because animals come in such
a diversity of colours, when
taking photographs of them
we can quite easily forget how
dramatic and breath-taking
photos can be if they are shot in
black and white. Check out our
photography tips on page 84.
How starfish work
I think we o en forget how
many animals don’t actually
look like animals. Starfish are
beautiful, but how many people
know that they breathe, that
they’re not fish and they can
regenerate their limbs? Read
more on page 82.
Meet the team…
10% of our profits
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Find out what makes penguins
help fight poaching
Tim Hunt
Lauren Debono-Elliot
Naomi Harding
Check out a stunning selection of Learn more and
Did you know there are now
our favourite birds on page 54
We’ve all fallen in love with sloths
moths in this issue. They certainly donate at www.
more fake plastic flamingos in
and their quirky traits. Get to
the world than real ones? Find
have the ‘wow’ factor. You’ll be
know all six species and their
animalanswers.co.uk
surprised they’re not butterflies!
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003_Welcome_WOA_037.indd 3 16/08/2016 15:22
Welcome to Issue 37
08 Amazing animals 56 Conserving zebras
Read all about the work being
14 Sloths done to save the savannah’s
Earth’s slowest animal favourite ungulate
21 Bizarre 62 Magnificent moths
The winged creatures that
lobster moth make butterflies look boring
The winged insect that starts
life looking like a crustacean 68 The future
22 The Wild for rhinos
We interview Save the
Wild West Rhino about the arguments
Explore the home of for and against legalising
the mountain lion the rhino horn trade
74
30 Flamingos 74 Explore the
Why do these flamboyant birds Earth: China
turn pink and stand on one leg? Journey to the land
36 Life after dark of the giant panda
Meet the creatures that 82 You wouldn’t
come out at night
believe…
42 The double How starfish work
life of the 84 Wildlife
humpback whale photography
Find out all about how these How to master black
marine mammals live and white shots
A
l
l a
bout g
e
f
46 All about giraffes 95 Interview with
s
r
i
f
a
Discover how the world’s
tallest mammal has evolved a tiger keeper
to be so unique We speak to ZSL about
what it’s like to care for
54 Meet the penguins these big cats
Get acquainted with six of our
favourite feathered friends 62
THE IUCN RED LIST
Throughout World of Animals you
will see symbols like the ones listed 36
below. These are from the IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species, the most
comprehensive inventory of the global 68
conservation status of animal species in
the world. Here’s what they mean:
the world. Here’s what they mean:
EXTINCT
IN THE WILD
EXTINCT IN THE WILD
ENDANGERED
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED
VULNERABLE
THREATENED
NEAR THREATENED
LEAST CONCERN
4 4
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Welcome to Issue 37 Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
88 Keeping in touch
92 Readers’ Q&A
14
SLOTHS
GET UP CLOSE WITH THE WORLD’S SLOWEST ANIMAL
96 Quiz
Test your animal knowledge
42
42
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the issue?
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The amazing world of animals
8
008-013_Amazing_Animals_WOA37.indd 8 16/08/2016 14:03
The amazing world of animals
A kaleidoscope of butterflies come together to
extract much needed minerals from the soil
Butterflies can o en be found drinking nectar from flowers,
but they also need minerals in their diet, which is why they can © Getty/Arun Roisri
sometimes be found gathering to sip nutrients from the soil.
9
008-013_Amazing_Animals_WOA37.indd 9 16/08/2016 14:03
The amazing world of animals
A fearsome lioness peers out from behind a tree
as if she were ready to attack her prey
© NaturePL/Andy Rouse Lionesses do most of the hunting for the pride. Although they can
reach speeds of up to 81kph (50mph), they usually use the element
of surprise to hunt, as they are unable to run at high speed for long.
10
008-013_Amazing_Animals_WOA37.indd 10 17/08/2016 15:05
The amazing world of animals
This master of disguise mimics the appearance of
a leaf to hide itself from predators
There are around 30 species of leaf insects, most of which are
a greenish colour, but some like this one are a yellowish red to © Getty/kuritafsheen
camouflage themselves against the changing leaves in the forest.
11
008-013_Amazing_Animals_WOA37.indd 11 16/08/2016 14:03
The amazing world of animals
© David Fleetham/Bluegreen/REX/Shutterstock A Galapagos sea lion swims through a shoal of
black-striped salema fish off Santa Cruz Island
The Galapagos sea lion is endemic to the islands of the Galapagos
Archipelago. Despite its curiosity, this marine mammal doesn’t
stray too far from the shore in its search for fish and squid.
12
008-013_Amazing_Animals_WOA37.indd 12 16/08/2016 14:03
The amazing world of animals
13
008-013_Amazing_Animals_WOA37.indd 13 16/08/2016 14:03
THE WORLD’S
SLOWEST
ANIMAL
Ever feel like life’s moving too fast? Take
inspiration from the sloth, whose survival strategy
involves taking things as slowly as possible
Words Matt Ayres
14
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The world’s slowest animal
15
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The world’s slowest animal
Why are sloths so slow?
They’re famous for being the slowcoaches of the rainforest,
but there’s a good reason why sloths like to take their time
Sloths are named after the cardinal so to make the most of their
sin attributed to idleness and meagre meals, sloths have evolved
unwillingness to work, so it’s no a specialised slow-acting stomach,
wonder most people think of these with digestive processes that can
slow-moving South and Central take over a month to complete.
American mammals as being lazy. Consequently, the sloth’s metabolic
At first glance, you may agree that rate is exceptionally low: half the
sloths aren’t the most industrious rate expected for a mammal of its
animals. They’re usually found size. With energy being released so
inching their way casually through slowly, the sloth’s pace of life must
the branches, or hanging in the same be adapted to match, which explains
spot for hours on end. But rather their unhurried behaviour.
than laziness, it’s the sloth’s slow Although they’re slow, sloths are
metabolism that compels it to act in experts at avoiding danger. Apart
such a lethargic manner. from during their weekly toilet
This arboreal animal’s diet consists visits, where they come down to the
mostly of leaves, buds and shoots. ground to relieve themselves, they
These foods only contain a small remain hidden in the trees, away
amount of energy and nutrients, from predators.
Inside a sloth’s fur When the eggs hatch,
the larvae feed on
Sloths support an entire ecosystem within their sloth dung, eventually
fur, an amazing example of animal symbiosis metamorphosing into
moths and settling in
a sloth’s fur.
The presence of the
moths encourages Three-toed sloths
algae to grow in the defecate on the
fur, benefitting the ground once a week,
sloth by providing it providing a place
with camouflage and for the specially-
a nutrient-rich food adapted sloth moths
source to supplement living in their fur to
their leaf-based diet. lay their eggs.
The world’s slowest animals Like sloths, these animals from around the globe prefer a steady pace of life
Garden snail Giant tortoise Leather star
1m per hour/3.3ft per hour 0.27kph/0.17mph 9m per hour/30ft per hour
It would take a garden snail over 11 days to It would take a giant tortoise six and a half days to It would take a leather star five and a half hours
cross Tower Bridge in London. complete the distance of the London Marathon. to swim the length of an Olympic pool.
16
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The world’s slowest animal
BROWN-THROATED
SLOTH
Bradypus variegatus
Class Mammal
Territory South and Central
America
Diet Herbivore
Lifespan 20-30 years
Adult weight 4kg (8.8lb)
Conservation status
LEAST CONCERN
By moving so slowly,
sloths avoid being spotted
by the rainforest’s most
dangerous predators
Dwarf seahorse Manatee Koala
1.5m per hour/5ft per hour 8kph/5mph 10kph/6mph
It would take a dwarf seahorse 60 hours to It would take a manatee around 35 days to It would take a koala 145 hours to walk from
swim the length of a football pitch. swim from Great Britain to the United States. Land’s End, England to John O’Groats in Scotland.
17
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The world’s slowest animal
Sloths in numbers
They might be a bit dopey looking, but sloths are impressive animals
when you consider the wealth of adaptations that help them to survive
4,000kg
Megatherium, an elephant-sized ground sloth that lived
during the Pleistocene epoch, was 6m (20 ) long and
weighed approximately 4,000kg (4 tons)
…
9.5 HOURS
Wild sloths spend an average of 9.5 hours sleeping per
day. Captive sloths usually sleep for between 15 and 20
hours per day
100
There are fewer
than 100 pygmy
three-toed
sloths le in the
wild, making
them a critically
endangered
species
8 0.24kph 270
While most mammals have seven The average speed of a sloth clocks
vertebrate in their spines, three-toed in at 0.24kph (0.15mph). This means
sloths have eight to nine. Two-toed they’d take around 42 hours to Three-toed sloths can turn their
sloths have six to seven complete a 10km (6.2mi) run necks 270 degrees in both directions
18
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The world’s slowest animal
Where sloths live
66
PER CENT
Approximately 66 per cent of a well-fed sloth’s
body weight can be attributed to the food
digesting inside its body
“The sloth’s metabolic
ONCE
50 PER WEEK rate is exceptionally
low: half the rate
DAYS Sloths defecate once every 0 10cm © Shutterstock; Thinkstock; FLPA
The food inside a sloth’s body seven days, a risky toilet break A sloth’s claws grow to 10cm (4in) in length. expected for a
can take as long as 50 days that involves visiting the ground They’re useful for defence against predators
to pass through the and potentially attracting the and provide a tight grip for the long periods of mammal its size”
digestive system attention of predators time spent hanging from tree branches
19
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The world’s slowest animal The world’s slowest animal
Know your sloth Pygmy three-toed sloth
By far the smallest sloth, being 40
There are six extant species of sloth, each per cent lighter than its closest
sloth relatives
with their own unique evolutionary traits. Sometimes known as the monk
Here’s how to tell them apart sloth or dwarf sloth, the pygmy
three-toed sloth is exclusively
found on a small island off the
coast of Panama, known as Isla
Escudo de Veraguas.
Pale-throated sloth
A dark brown sloth from northern South
America with a pale yellow patch on its throat
Although similar in appearance to the
brown-throated sloth, genetic evidence
suggests that pale-throated sloths diverged
from their cousins approximately 6 million
years ago.
Linnaeus’ two-toed sloth
Longer hair, bigger eyes and a shorter tail
distinguish this sloth from three-toed varieties
As one of the two extant species of two-
toed sloths, Linnaeus’ two-toed sloths are
related to extinct ground sloths like the
elephant-sized Megatherium.
Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth
A nocturnal sloth named aſter German
naturalist Karl Hoffmann
Subtle skeletal differences distinguish
the Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth from
the closely related Linnaeus’ two-
toed sloth. Its range includes Brazil,
Honduras, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.
Brown-throated sloth
The most common three-toed sloth, found
throughout Central and South America
Brown-throated sloths are widespread,
with a range that sometimes overlaps with
the Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth. However,
they are diurnal and rarely interact with the
larger, nocturnal species.
© The Art Agency/Peter Scott The maned sloth prefers hot and humid
Maned sloth
A shaggy-bodied sloth found in the
coastal rainforests of Brazil
climates, such as those found in the
rainforests in southeastern Brazil. They
are a vulnerable species, threatened by
deforestation and hunting.
20 20 20 PB
014-020_Sloths.indd 20 16/08/2016 14:06
Bizarre!
The unusual moth that LOBSTER MOTH
Stauropus fagi
starts out life looking Class Insecta
like a crustacean Territory Woodland
Diet The larvae feed on oak,
beech, birch and hazel
Lifespan Up to 6 weeks
As a caterpillar, the lobster moth resembles Adult weight Unknown
Conservation Status
a lobster, but as an adult it transforms into a
greyish-brown winged insect NOT EVALUATED
It is not in fact a
poisonous beetle
This little guy had trouble being identified at first.
Before people managed to rear it and watch what
one entomologist called ‘the crustaceous fish’ turn
into an ordinary looking moth, it was thought to be
a poisonous beetle related to the Devil’s coach-
horse beetle. But now it has a well-established
name for itself.
It looks nothing like
a lobster as an adult
The moth’s name celebrates its caterpillar
form, which is one of the most extraordinary
in the natural world. Its forelegs resemble
outstretched claws, while its body
swells and extends back on itself
like a lobster’s tail. It is also a
reddish-brown colour, and the
body is covered in dimples.
The larva eats It relies on It is not to be
its own shell woodlands messed with
While the larvae like to eat trees and Lobster moths reside mostly in During the early stages, the caterpillar
leaves, in the first instance the caterpillar woodlands, especially in the UK, but likes to be left alone and will become
feeds entirely on its own eggshell and is face losing their homes to development agitated when threatened. If disturbed, it
unusual in that it mimics an ant or small and tree diseases, such as dieback and spreads its front legs, and arches its head
spider. This is due to the long thoracic other bigger animals. Although not rare, back, possibly spraying formic acid at
legs and caudal appendages, which are the moths are often camouflaged and its enemy. However, as an adult moth, it
ever nervously twisting about. therefore protected by sticks and trees. simply flies away to avoid trouble.
© FLPA
21
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The
T he
WILD
WILD
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R a spin g r a t t l e sn a k e s , g a l l o pin g h o r s e s a n d s cr e e ch in g
Rasping rattlesnakes, galloping horses and screeching
eagles... These are sounds synonymous with any
eagles... These are sounds synonymous with any
c l a s s i c w e s t er n , a n d h u m a n s h a v e l o n g b e en f a s c i n a t e d
classic western, and humans have long been fascinated
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survive the heat. Species adapted to live with little
survive the heat. Species adapted to live with little
uses of the environment.
uses of the environment.
water and began to develop strategies to escape
water and began to develop strategies to escape
It seems Wild West wildlife continues to scuttle,
It seems Wild West wildlife continues to scuttle,
the deadly Sun. When humans arrived, they were
scavenge and survive as these animals have
scavenge and survive as these animals have
the deadly Sun. When humans arrived, they were
evolved to live under the unforgiving Sun.
evolved to live under the unforgiving Sun.
inspired to create totems and legends inspired by
inspired to create totems and legends inspired by
22
022-029_WildWildWest.indd 22 16/08/2016 15:37
The Wild West
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Contrary to their movie portrayal, many of these animals are
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ougar
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has to offer. The Wild West is no exception,
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down on prey from above. miles). These cats have serious power,
capable of transporting prey many times
Mountain lion habitat overlaps with wolf
Mountain lion habitat overlaps with wolf capable of transporting prey many times
their body weight. Carcasses are stored for
hunting grounds, and unfortunately these
hunting grounds, and unfortunately these their body weight. Carcasses are stored for
apex predators go head-to-head on a daily days on end, meaning a cougar only has to
days on end, meaning a cougar only has to
apex predators go head-to-head on a daily
hunt every ten to 14 days.
basis. Wolves strip the land of elk and steal hunt every ten to 14 days.
basis. Wolves strip the land of elk and steal
23
022-029_WildWildWest.indd 23 16/08/2016 15:37
The Wild West
Grey wolf
The ancestors of domestic dogs are ruthless killers
These wolves will do whatever miles) and contain as many as
it takes to survive, constantly 40 wolves. Each group is led by
adjusting their tactics to ensure a dominant pair, and the other
they secure their kill. The packs members are usually older
found in Wyoming’s Yellowstone offspring and the youngest pups
National Park take any prey, from that will stay with their family for
rabbits to young bison that are two or more years.
under the supervision of their Sometimes wolves do go rogue.
one-tonne parents. Outside of Creeping through territories of
Yellowstone, moose is the biggest established packs, these animals
game, and even a lone wolf can have turned their backs on group
take down the largest member of life. These mavericks rarely breed,
the deer family. and instead focus on getting
Apart from hunting, maintaining enough food for number one. As
territory is one of the most the animal ages, however, it may
important aspects of a wolf’s life. be adopted into a pack to replace
Packs can control up to 6,200 a fallen breeder, so it can begin to
square kilometres (3,900 square settle into family life.
GREY WOLF
Canis lupus
Class Mammal
Territory North America and
Northern Europe
Diet Mainly large ungulates
Lifespan 6-8 years
Adult weight 20-80 kg (40-
175 lbs)
Conservation status Lone wolves
do very well in
the Wild West,
picking off prey
LEAST CONCERN and stealing from
other carnivores
American badger
The brawny member of the weasel family
Rarely living longer than five years, up to 35 per which help them detect traces of movement in
cent of this badger species dies annually. Many the soil. They can excavate through concrete and
populations comprise 80 per cent yearlings or dig quickly to chase escaping prey. The burrows
younger animals. This species lives hard and they create when in hot pursuit then become their
fast, feasting on fast-moving mammals like home, oen boasting up to ten metres (33 feet)
prairie dogs and ground squirrels. of tunnels.
Like their European counterparts they These badgers have few natural predators
are exceptional diggers, but American but generally fall at the hands of humans. They
badgers take this even further. They have are feared by many and regarded as pests, but
sensitive nerve endings in their claws, thankfully they aren’t endangered.
24
022-029_WildWildWest.indd 24 16/08/2016 15:37
The Wild West
Coyote
Mostly solitary dogs, coyotes hunt by night
Occasionally seen in daylight, these dogs modify position. They are secretive animals and try their
badger burrows to provide shelter so they can best to go unnoticed by other nearby wildlife.
sleep through the baking heat. The dens are Coyotes generally avoid areas controlled by
used year after year, and the coyotes surface wolves, but when one is going it alone the two
to urinate and defecate. They create scent species will interact. Wolves are the coyote’s
posts with their waste – most likely to mark main natural predators, but without the pack’s
their territory – and to communicate with a support a lone wolf can fall prey to a group
wide range of sounds. They have three distinct of hungry coyotes. Clashes can be extremely
calls, but can also interpret one another’s body vicious, but there are documented cases of them
language, such as ear movements and tail teaming up to hunt and even interbreed.
Coyotes are unlikely to form
packs and spend most of
the day underground
GREY WOLF
Canis latrans
Class Mammal
Territory North and Central
America, , Canada and Mexico.
Diet Rabbits, rodents, deer,
frogs and fish.
Lifespan Up to 14 years
Adult weight 9-23kg (20-
50lb)
Conservation status
LEAST CONCERN
Coyote vs lone wolf
Find out how to tell these two canines apart Reddish-brown
A wolf can outweigh a
coyote six times over. fur is typical of
coyotes, whereas
Wolf ears are short and wolves are grey.
rounded, while coyotes
have long, pointed ears.
© FLPA: NaturePL; Thinkstock
The snout of a coyote
tends to be narrower Coyotes have
than a wolf’s. much smaller nose
pads than wolves.
Coyote paws are around half
the width of wolves’.
25
022-029_WildWildWest.indd 25 16/08/2016 15:38
The Wild West
Mustangs
Free-roaming horses that enjoy the American
desert in which they evolved millions of years ago
Around four million years ago, North for protection from predators. They are
America was attached to Eurasia via adapted for running, having just one
a land bridge. It was at this time that toe that absorbs the impact of each
prehistoric horses made their way from thundering step.
America to the rest of the world. They Male mustangs use manure to
were brought back by the expanding establish dominance, and herd leaders
Spanish Empire in the late 1400s and may fight for control of fertile mares.
many made their return to the wild. Young males are driven away from the
Mustangs are grazers, feeding on group and join bachelor bands before
plant matter and moving as a group working to establish their own harem.
MUSTANG
Equus ferus caballus
Class Mammal
Territory The American
Midwest
Diet Herbivore
Lifespan 25-30 years
Adult weight 340kg (750lb)
Conservation status
NOT EVALUATED
26
022-029_WildWildWest.indd 26 16/08/2016 15:38
The Wild West
Round-tailed squirrel
Adapted to the lack of trees, these
rodents take to the soil for protection
during the night. They can be seen
sunning themselves during daylight.
Horned lizard
Eight species of this reptile exist in
the USA and each has a characteristic
crown of horns. Many defend
themselves by spurting blood.
Eastern red bat
Feeding begins in the early evening,
and these bats typically catch their
prey mid-flight. They are well-adapted
for the cool desert night conditions.
Turkey vulture
Easily recognisable by their unsteady
flight, their sense of smell means they
can detect carrion from the air. Their
sharp bill is used to strip carcasses.
Porcupine
The herbivorous porcupine has spines
for protection, but it is a myth that they
fire out quills. They simply become
embedded in a predator’s body.
Long-tailed weasel
Its high metabolism demands that
the weasel eats 40 per cent of its own
body weight every day. They oen
hunt for more than they need. © FLPA
27
022-029_WildWildWest.indd 27 16/08/2016 15:38
The Wild West
Red-tailed hawk
Utah and its canyons are home to some incredible species
Wildlife of the Canyonlands
Bald eagle vision gives them a panoramic view of the unstable terrain and their specialised hooves have rough soles to provide additional protect young lambs that could
46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit). The area is an enormous
rainfall per year in the driest parts and temperatures can soar above
The state of Utah receives less than 20 centimetres (eight inches) of
mixture of desert, grassland, forest and shrubland. It is an incredibly
Bighorn sheep These sure-footed ungulates of the Rocky Mountains are America’s largest wild sheep species. Their wide-splayed grip. They fi nd success living in social groups, mostly to otherwise be targeted.
niche that the habitat range offers. diverse state in terms of wildlife, with different species occupying each
28
022-029_WildWildWest.indd 28 16/08/2016 15:38
The Wild West
Mule deer
Striped skunk Grasslands and wooded areas are the skunk’s home, and it scent-marks its entire home range. Famously smelly, the musky spray released by the anal glands can disperse over an area of nearly fi ve metres (16 feet). It’s thick and oily, making it difficult to be removed with water alone. These are likely to be found skulking through forests and shrub plains in the south of the state. This fox has an omnivorous diet, feasting on both fresh animal
Grey fox Kangaroo rat Named a er its hopping gait and long legs, this rodent uses its tail for balance in a similar fashion to its Australian namesake. They are extremely well adapted for life without water and extract as much moisture as possible from the seeds they eat using kidneys designed for maximal water re-absorption.
This protected species is found in Utah’s forests, and it may have the smallest population of all of the western states. Most of their diet is made up of berries and roots, but they may snack on fresh carrion they stumble upon. With such a strong sense of smell, little food gets past this bear. Snowshoe hare One of three hare species of Utah, the snowshoe hare is named a er its enormous feet that resemble snowshoes. Its pelt changes with the season; it hops through coniferous fores
Black bear Prairie dog The ‘language’ these animals use has been closely studied and many individual words have been isolated. These ground-dwellers emit diff erent calls depending on what kind of predator is approaching and can even distinguish between colours. The Canyonlands are the best place to see the Utah prairie dog, though feeding them is not advised.
Unfortunately, these cats have a bad reputation for sneaking into poultry farms, but their natural prey is mostly rabbits and hares. Bobcats can survive in almost any of Utah’s habitats, resting in caves or rocky shelters. They inhabit several dens, one main home and other secondary areas of protection.
Bobcat
© The Art Agency/Peter Scott
29
022-029_WildWildWest.indd 29 16/08/2016 15:42
A FLAMBOYANCE OF
FLAMINGOS
They may look as though they have jumped straight
out of someone’s imagination, but there is much more
to flamingos than meets the eye
Words Naomi Harding
30
030-034_Flamingos.indd 30 16/08/2016 14:32
Flamingos
Flamingos are one of the strangest looking, and most they flock together. The pinker the bird, the higher they During breeding season,
recognisable birds in the world. It’s difficult not to be rank in social status. Their colour is an outward statement flamingos can form flocks
fascinated by their long spindly legs, oversized beaks, and to others showing that they eat plenty and are skilled at of up to 50 birds. They then
dance in large groups to
bright pink feathers. finding food sources, making them the ideal mate. attract a mate.
Flamingos are found all over the world in large shallow Mating is certainly a spectacle to behold. Males dance
pools of water from lakes and lagoons, to swamps. There in large synchronised groups amongst the pink flapping
are four species in the Americas and two species found mess of birds to snare a female’s attention. But besides
in parts of Africa, Europe, and southwest Asia. These the dancing and the pink feathers, there are many other
birds adapt to both the hot climes of sub-Saharan Africa facts that make this bird interesting and set it apart from
and the chilly waters of the Andean mountains. The most the rest.
widespread species is the greater flamingo and the most From why they are such vibrant shades of pink, to how
numerous is the lesser flamingo. they are able eat with their heads tilted upside down,
One thing all species have in common is that they are and how they have puzzled scientists who couldn’t
extremely social and gather in the thousands forming understand why they stood on one leg in the water, find
colonies, and painting lakes and watercourses pink as out all about these incredible wading birds.
“They are extremely social and gather in the thousands,
forming colonies and painting lakes and watercourses
pink as they flock together”
31
030-034_Flamingos.indd 31 16/08/2016 14:32
F la mi n g o s
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
A flamingo’s
colouration
changes
depending on the
area they live in
and their diet
DID YOU
KNOW?
The word flamingo
comes from the Latin word
‘flamma’ which means fire.
It is a nod to their bright
feathers, which can look
almost red in some of
the bird species.
Eating upside
down means
flamingos can
use their beaks
as a filter
Freaky eaters
There aren’t many animals that have
perfected the art of eating upside down, but
it’s a skill the flamingo couldn’t live without
Having long legs means flamingos are able to wade out into
deeper waters and find food other birds cannot. It allows
them to avoid competing with other species and exploit
harder-to-reach food sources.
Although their beaks certainly look odd, they are essential
to their survival. In order to eat, flamingos lower their necks
to the water, so much so that their head is almost upside
down. Once their beak is upended and submerged, they
disturb the waterbed with their feet to agitate the sediment.
They suck the water and mud through the front of the bill
and force it out of the sides using their tongue like a pump.
Small plates called lamellae act like a sieve, filtering out the
waste and keeping tiny aquatic animals such as shrimps,
flies, and mollusks inside the beak for the flamingo to eat.
32 32
030-034_Flamingos.indd 32 16/08/2016 15:48
Flamingos
Think pink
Flamingos are what they eat, and the shrimp
determines their shade of pink
Flamingos aren’t the only pink birds in the world
but they probably are the most recognisable.
They don’t start life pink however; in fact, they are
born with grey feathers, which gradually become
pink with age.
As you have probably heard, their pink feathers
are down to their diet, but it is a bit more complex
than ‘flamingos eat shrimp’. The red colour
comes from a pigment called a carotenoid. This
is acquired through eating brine shrimp and
crustaceans. These little aquatic invertebrates
survive by eating microscopic algae that naturally
produce the carotenoid pigment.
But it doesn’t stop there. In order to get from
food to feathers, the flamingos have an enzyme
in the liver that breaks down the carotenoids
into pink and orange pigments, which are then
deposited around the body.
Without this food source, flamingos quickly turn
grey again and in captivity, they are fed a special
diet to prevent this from happening. The variation
in colour between species is down to diet and
birds that eat algae will be darker in colour than
“The red colour comes those that get the carotenoid pigments second
hand, i.e. from shrimp.
from a pigment called or beta-carotenes, such as carrots and sweet
Humans also eat food containing carotenoids,
a carotenoid...through potatoes. If you were to eat too many of these
vegetables, you wouldn’t quite look like a
eating brine shrimp” flamingo, but you could end up with an orange-
hue, called hypercarotenemia.
Flamingo milk
Flamingos are not like other birds in the way
they feed their young once they hatch
Flamingos painstakingly construct their nests
on mudflats. Here they lay their eggs, and
sit on them to incubate, while chewing and
dribbling mud over the structure to increase its
height and protect the unhatched chick from
the watery surroundings.
By definition, only mammals feed their young
with milk, but a handful of birds buck tradition
and produce milk. Pigeons, penguins, doves
and flamingos are able to feed their young this
way. Once the eggs have hatched, parents feed
their chick crop milk for up to two months,
until their beaks are fully developed and they
are able to forage and feed themselves.
It is a little different to breastfeeding, though.
Crop milk comes from a pouch just below
the oesophagus and has high quantities of fat
and protein, providing all the nutrition young
flamingos need. A secretion in the digestive
tract produces the milk and they regurgitate
it when it’s time to feed their chicks. It is
somewhat different to mammalian milk; it’s
a pale yellow colour and is much thicker. The
milk’s production is stimulated by the chirping
of hungry chicks, and both male and female
birds are able to produce it.
33 33
030-034_Flamingos.indd 33 16/08/2016 15:46
Flamingos
Meet the family number of theories as
There have been a
They may all look the same, but to why flamingos stand
in the water on one leg
there are in fact six species of
flamingo and it takes a keen eye for
erentiate between them
detail to diff
detail to differentiate between them
Le
Lesser
s
e
r
s
fl amingo
fl a mi ng o
James’
fl amingo
DID YOU
A n d ea n KNOW?
Andean
fl a mi ng Flamingos are great fliers
fl amingoo
and can fly at speeds of up
to 64 kilometres per hour (40
Chilean miles per hour), although this
Chilean
fl amingo takes a lot of effort and
fl amingo
they need a running start
before they are able
to take off.
A leg to stand on
It may be comfortable to rest those long legs from time to time but
Greater
Greater there’s a better reason why flamingos spend so much time on one leg
fl amingo
fl amingo
The famous bending knee of the flamingo is actually The current school of thought is that it helps to
the bird’s ankle. The knees are found much further up conserve body heat and helps to regulate their
the leg and are hidden by the feathers. If you imagine temperature. Flamingos tend to spend more time
the way your ankle bends, it reveals that flamingos on one leg when they are in water than when they
are really tiptoeing around. are on land. Water draws heat away from the body
Perhaps more curious than their bendy ankles, faster than air, so standing on one leg helps to keep
is their habit to balance on one leg. No matter the
them warm for longer, while requiring less energy.
© Alamy; FLPA; NaturePL; Thinkstock Caribbean do this for hours on end. The reason for this puzzled were to stand on two legs constantly they would
weather, strong currents or high winds, they’re able to
Flamingos spend a lot of time in water and if they
researchers, but we might finally have an answer.
likely become too cold.
“Water draws heat away from the body so standing
fl amingo
on one leg helps to keep them warm for longer”
34
030-034_Flamingos.indd 34 16/08/2016 14:33
© 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
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Full Page.indd 1 12/08/2016 12:07
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
LIFE AFTER
DARK
When we turn in for the night, the day is
just beginning for some creatures. Meet the
animals with weird and wonderful ways of
surviving after the sun goes down
Words Naomi Harding
Humans aren’t the only animals to regulate their sleep-
wake cycle over a 24-hour period. Many other species
do this too, concentrating their peak activity at different
times during the day for survival. Some animals focus their
efforts at dawn and dusk; this is called crepuscular, or
solely during the night, as seen in nocturnal creatures.
These activity patterns are usually found alongside a
host of physiological adaptations, such as larger eyes,
enhanced night vision, or better hearing.
Being nocturnal is a strategy that can help an animal
avoid predation, find food, or even simply escape the
midday heat.
There is a general consensus that no two animals can
occupy the same niche in the same habitat in order to
avoid competition. This is what drives adaption and,
ultimately, evolution. It is one of the reasons why many
animals have learned to exploit the night.
Bats hunt the same prey as many birds. In order to
make the most of their time and ensure they get their fill,
living life after dark means they avoid competing directly
with birds for insects. The same can be said about owls
and hawks that prey on the same small rodents.
Whether it’s to escape the heat, avoid being eaten, or
prevent competition, there are a whole host of interesting
and bizarre ways animals behave and survive after dark.
36 36 37
036-041_LifeAfterDark.indd 36 16/08/2016 16:14
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Creatures that glow in the dark
It seems like an odd strategy to draw and allows the arachnids to work out if it
attention to yourself, especially when is time to search for prey.
so many other animals are trying hard Arachnocampa, also known as fungus
to stay hidden. But for some animals gnats, live tucked away in caves and
glowing in the dark is a way of life. forests but before they spread their
Scorpions can’t stand the sun, which wings, they begin life as larvae.
is unfortunate for a creature living in the They stay in the larval stage for up
desert, so coming out at night is their to 12 months spinning silk nets coated
only option. However, when they are with poisonous mucus that they hang
under moonlight, or a black light, their from tree branches and the ceilings of
armoured exoskeletons illuminate. No caves. They glow to attract insects to
one is entirely sure why glowing bright their traps. The more hungry the bug,
blue under UV light is necessary, and the more brightly they shine. Like stars
there have been numerous theories. in the sky, they shimmer and sparkle,
The most promising hypothesis thus far drawing moths, midges, mosquitoes and
is that glowing acts as a mechanism to many other flying insects toward them,
determine light levels above the surface, just as a street lamp does.
Keen eyesight gets some animals through the night Owls and hawks
compete for
the same food
In order to find their way around in some say an owl could spot a mouse source but hawks
hunt in the day,
the dark, nocturnal animals have eyes on a football pitch lit by a single candle. and owls at night
far better equipped to low-level light Humans can’t see in colour at night,
conditions than our own. so it was assumed for a long time that
Owls are one of the very few other creatures couldn’t, but we’re
nocturnal animals that do not rely starting to realise this may not be true.
upon either echolocation or a tapetum The elephant hawkmoth was the first
lucidum (a special reflective layer to animal found to have colour vision in
increase the amount of light entering 2002, when scientists realised they are
the eye). They have the largest eyes able to find flowers by colour just as
relative to body size on the planet; well as butterflies do, in darkness.
their eyes are even larger than their Colour vision is just as important
brain. Unlike our round eyes, owl eyes to nocturnal animals as it is to diurnal
are more tubular, which is why they creatures. They still need to carry out
cannot move them and have to move the same tasks such as finding food
their head in order to look around. and shelter, and for this they need to
But despite this drawback, they have be able to see the world in as much
incredibly powerful night vision and detail once the sun goes down.
An owl’s fi eld of view
Binocular vision only covers 110 degrees,
but 70 degrees of this is
binocular, allowing it to
see in three dimensions
36 37 37
036-041_LifeAfterDark.indd 37 16/08/2016 16:15
Life after dark
Large ears go
a long way
Rabbits are crepuscular, which means they are
most active in the twilight hours of dawn and
dusk as these are the safest times for foraging.
It’s a bit late for predators tired from a day’s
hunting, but too early for nocturnal hunters.
Being on the menu for so many larger
carnivores they wouldn’t survive long without
any tricks up their proverbial sleeves. Rabbits
are able to swivel their ears like satellite dishes
independently from one another, directing and
funnelling sound from all angles. Their hearing
is arguably the most important sense they have
and their ears are so sensitive they are said to
hear bugs and birds from 3.21 kilometres (two
miles) away.
Bats are a strong contender when it
comes to hearing and are usually considered
as having the best hearing in the animal
kingdom, but one animal has managed to
get one-up on them. The greater wax moths,
which incidentally are prey for common bats,
have evolved to hear the flying mammal’s
echolocation calls and evade capture.
Rabbits are
continuously
twitching their ears
and scanning their
surroundings
“Their ears are so
sensitive they are said
to hear bugs and birds
from 3.21 kilometres
(two miles) away”
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38
036-041_LifeAfterDark.indd 38 16/08/2016 16:15
Life after dark
Seeing with sound Shrews are
believed to
echolocate
to make up
for their poor
What shrews lack in size they make up for in noise. Shrews are eyesight
forever twittering and shrieking, they are extremely vocal creatures.
It is likely they make these supersonic calls to assess echoes and
reverberation. Shrews are most active at night, and using a form of
echolocation can help them to build a picture of their surroundings
using sound. They have poor eyesight and the small eyes they do
have are usually covered by fur. This form of echolocation, however
impressive, is somewhat unsophisticated when compared to
insectivorous bats.
Shrews seem to be scanning their close-range immediate habitat,
just to check they aren’t about to walk into a rock or a tree trunk,
rather than pinpointing tiny insects metres away.
Instead of using echolocation to supplement poor eyesight, bats
emit high frequency calls to compliment vision that is nearly as
good as ours.
They emit a mixture of low to high frequency sounds to
distinguish objects around them. These calls bounce back and help
the bat build up a picture of its environment, from how far insect’s
are and their size, to the location of objects they need to avoid while
flying at high speed.
The physics of
echolocation
The shrew’s calls
are reflected from
the insect’s body,
enabling the shrew
to discern the
insect’s size and
location, so it can
analyse whether
it’ll be a worthwhile
meal and how to go
and catch it.
Some animals wait
The lesser Egyptian
“It is far too hot in the jerboa waits until it until sunset to beat
is dark to leave the
day, so they wait until the safety of the burrow the heat
temperature is cooler to In parts of the world where the midday sun
scorches the ground, life is nigh unbearable
leave the safety of and many animals have adopted a night-
time strategy to beat the heat.
their hideaways” At night the desert comes alive. Small
mammals leave their burrows without the
risk of burning their feet on hot sand, and
in turn, predatory birds begin to circle the
skies. Amphibians rise from the cool under
layer to the surface to find insects to eat,
and reptiles that have spent most of the
day basking still on rocks, begin to hunt.
Most animals in the desert, particularly
mammals, burrow beneath the sand during
the day. Jerboas are small mammals that
live in the deserts across North Africa and
Asia. They construct complex burrows
below the surface featuring emergency
exits and tunnels. It is far too hot in the day,
so they wait until the temperature is cooler
to leave the safety of their hideaway to find
food. However, when small animals come
out at night, so do the predators. Jerboas
are equipped to jump three metres (ten
feet) in one leap and live without the need
to find water (they get all they need from
their food) to avoid being out in the open
for too long and escape predators.
39
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Life after dark
Predators come out
after dark on the hunt
for midnight snacks
While many animals choose to come out under the cover of
darkness to stay hidden, other clever creatures have learned to
exploit this habit. With so many animals coming out at night,
predators have responded by also being most active after dark
in the hope to catch a meal.
Take the badger, for example, they are relatively fearless. They
are one of the only animals able to take on a wasp nest, and
although they are intelligent enough to remain wary of humans,
they have no natural predators in the UK yet they are most
active at night. There is no real reason why badgers should be
nocturnal other than for hunting.
Badgers can eat several hundred earthworms each and
every night. Worms are particularly sensitive to light so will
generally only brave it above ground during the night and on
particularly cloudy days, and as they surface to wander about,
badgers are there waiting. But a nice, juicy worm isn’t the only
prize for staying up all night. Badgers are carnivores, technically
speaking, and make meals of rabbits, hedgehogs, shrews,
and moles, all of which can be found scurrying through the
undergrowth on an evening.
Night-time digging
Mainly nocturnal, American badgers also
come out a er dark to forage for food
Searching for prey
While American
badgers have few
natural predators,
they mainly hunt for
food at night-time
Carnivores
The American badger mainly
eats small mammals such
as ground squirrels which
also come out at night.
40
036-041_LifeAfterDark.indd 40 16/08/2016 16:15
Life after dark
“They are one of the only animals able
to take on a wasp nest, and although
they are intelligent enough to remain
wary of humans, they have no natural
predators in the UK”
© Alamy; FLPA; NaturePL; Shutterstock; Thinkstock
41
036-041_LifeAfterDark.indd 41 16/08/2016 16:15
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The double life of the
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The double life of the
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HUMPBACK
WHALE
The giant mammals of the ocean lead two parallel
existences; peacefully feeding during summer but
engaging in hormone-fuelled battles in winter
Words Amy Grisdale
42
042-045_Humpack whales.indd 42 16/08/2016 14:35
Humpback whale
Summer
feeding frenzy
Humpbacks fill their summer months
with finding as much food as possible
to sustain them through the winter
Humpback whales love to pig out on the
ocean’s fishy fare. They are a cosmopolitan
species, meaning they can be found in any
major ocean on the planet, and travel the
world in search of top-quality cuisine. Polar
regions are the most popular as they have
nutrient-rich deep waters, and the low
temperatures are combated by the whale’s
crucial blubber layer.
These animals undertake the longest
migration recorded in any mammal with
an 8,300-kilometre (5,160-mile) journey
tracked from Costa Rica to Antarctica. The
route between Hawaii and Alaska is well-
known by whales and despite being almost
5,000 kilometres (3,000 miles), it takes
only 36 days. What’s even more impressive
is how the whales work together to find
their way to the winter breeding grounds.
Rather than take their chances alone,
whales form feeding groups to scoop up
as many fish as possible. One technique is
known as ‘bubble-net’ feeding, in which a
group collaborates to trap fish. The whales
dive to a depth of around 50 metres (164
feet) and slowly swim upwards in a spiral
motion while blowing bubbles. This creates
a circular wall of bubbles, meaning that
fish trapped within the wall cannot escape.
Once the whales reach the surface with
wide-open mouths, the fish have no option
but to enter the bellies of these beasts.
Humpbacks don’t have teeth, but filter-
feed through fibrous plates of baleen.
Up to one metre (three feet) in length,
these protein plates act as a sieve to allow
water to escape the mouth while trapping
the animals inside. They are made out of
the same material that makes up human
fingernails and are lightweight and flexible.
After summer, the whales head back
to warmer waters. Their behaviour in the
shallow waters of the tropics is a world
away from their summer scoffing, and they
won’t eat another bite until next year.
HUMPBACK WHALE
Megaptera novaeangliae
Class Mammalia
Territory All oceans
Diet Plankton, krill and small
fish
Lifespan 40-50 years
Adult weight
27,000-36,000kg
(60,000-79,000lb)
Conservation Status
The blubber that a humpback
builds during the summer
determines its survival over
LEAST CONCERN the following winter
43
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The double life of the humpback whale
Winter of love
After filling up on food, humpbacks rely on stored
energy to make it through the breeding season
The frantic feasting at the poles fuels these whales
from late autumn until the following spring. In this
time not only do the whales migrate, but they battle
it out for the right to mate in ‘heat runs’. Males chase
one another, aim swipes with their powerful tail
flukes and even slam themselves on to the bodies
of others. These fights can end in death, and more
often than not draw blood.
When they aren’t trying to kill one another, males
spend their time in the winter singing. All males in
the same population sing the same song, but over
time the song evolves. A whale can sing for hours
at a time, with repeated sections that each last up
to 20 minutes. This impressive chorus can be heard
from 30 kilometres (20 miles) away, and while it
has a social function of some kind, the scientific
community is still largely in the dark about its
function. It’s not even clear how the whales produce
these noises as they have no vocal chords and don’t
release any air while singing.
After mating females have around 11 months
until their calf arrives. When it’s time to give birth,
females seek out the warmest water possible and
prefer it to be shallow. A mother whale has to teach
her calf everything, starting with how to breathe.
Calves are encouraged to surface regularly with
gentle nudges and instinctively know how to suckle.
Six months are spent drinking only the mother’s
milk, followed by a mixed diet of milk and solid food.
Throughout the season adult whales abstain from
eating, saving their appetite for the summer. In a
typical year a humpback can lose up to a third of its
body weight during winter. These animals have been
shaped to survive by millions of years of evolution
and found success living two different lives.
“When they aren’t trying
to kill one another,
males spend their time
in the winter singing”
The reason why whales breach
is not fully understood, but it is
believed that it is used as a form
of communication during mating
44
042-045_Humpack whales.indd 44 16/08/2016 14:35
Humpback whale
How
humpbacks
fall in love
Scientists think that the humpback’s
song is some kind of sexual signal,
either used in male-on-male
competitions or to influence the
female’s choice of mate.
Humpbacks slap the ocean’s surface
with their fins, and it’s thought to be
a form of communication. Evidence
suggests that females fin slap in
the presence of eager males to
encourage mating.
Before mating can even cross a
whale’s mind it first has to reach
sexual maturity. This takes four to five
years in both males and females.
Rather than have the same partner
each year, males compete to have
access to fertile females and only
winning males get the reward of the
chance to copulate.
When in the womb, calves can
grow by up to 35cm (14in) per
month, and continue to swell
rapidly a
er birth
5 incredible humpback facts
Humpbacks have the Whales can catch Females outgrow males They eat over 1,500 Humpback milk is 50
longest pectoral fins ‘crabs’ or whale louse as they grow up kilograms per day per cent fat and pink
Relative to their body size, Despite their lack of body Unlike a lot of mammals, During the summer feast Baby whales are just five
no other whale has longer hair, the whale louse the female humpback is a humpback can eat the metres (16 feet) long at
fins and no one is sure why. Cyamus boopis thrives larger than the male. This equivalent of three dairy birth and need to grow
It could assist the whales exclusively on these is probably to help support cows in a 24-hour period. quickly to keep up with
in slapping the water’s animals. It is concentrated the body during pregnancy, Astonishingly, that’s only their giant relatives. They © Shutterstock; FLPA
surface to attract the around the genital region as baby whales take up a four per cent of their total suckle from mammary slits
attention of others. and attaches to the skin. lot of room. body weight. on the female’s underside.
45
042-045_Humpack whales.indd 45 16/08/2016 14:35
bou
A
l
t
e
h
t
All About the
A
l
Re t i c u l a t e d g i r af fe
Reticulated giraffe
The reticulated giraffe is possibly the
most recognisable subspecies, but how
do these curious creatures survive the
savannah living life at dizzying heights?
Words Naomi Harding
46
046-053_AllAbout Giraffes.indd 46 16/08/2016 16:17
The reticulated giraffe
“Giraffes need the least sleep of
all mammals; just 30 minutes a
day, although they only sleep
for a few minutes at a time”
47
046-053_AllAbout Giraffes.indd 47 16/08/2016 16:17
Mating habits
explained
The dating scene of the sociable giraffe has been
compared to a never-ending cocktail party
LEFT Giraffes live in an ever-changing society. It’s quite a relaxed
Newborn way to live with a loose social structure and little in the
giraffes are
taller than way of hierarchy, aside from the occasional ‘necking’
most humans, display to display dominance.
standing at 1.8 Reticulated giraffes live in what is known as a fission-
metres (six
feet) tall fusion society. They come together, and break apart
depending on environmental conditions. There is always
one main group, called a parent group, but how often
they come together depends on the circumstance. If food
BELOW is scarce, for example, they split off into smaller factions
Necking is the to go foraging for the day. Usually parent groups will
most aggressive
behaviour you overlap in territory also, leading to a group of animals that
will ever see are highly flexible and gregarious. It’s even been likened
from a giraffe to being at a never-ending cocktail party as
they are forever mingling and socialising
with different individuals within
the group. It’s common to see
a small number of giraffes
together, but it’s likely that
they are a smaller sub-
unit of a larger herd
spreading as far as
a kilometre (0.62
miles) in distance.
Their long necks
mean they can
always keep an
eye on each other
from afar.
Males tend to
move around on
.
Nuzzling Flehmen response
Adult females will often nuzzle This is when giraffes curl their
their young by rubbing them with upper lip and draw air into their
the side of their face, or stroking mouths to get a better smell
their back to show affection.
Giraffe behaviour Giraffes can make sounds, but this stance for a few minutes to
of something. They can hold
they tend to be quite quiet. determine other animal smells, to
Whether it’s a reticulated giraffe or a Rothschild, Instead, they use body language locate a food source, or work out
most subspecies display these basic behaviours as a way of communicating with whether or not a female is in heat
each other. during mating season.
48
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The reticulated giraffe
“ How do male giraffes BELOW
know when to make In captivity,
giraffes feel safe
enough to lie
their move? The female down and curl
their head round
onto their backs
will urinate in the male’s to sleep
mouth. Unfortunately it’s
a bit unpleasant by our
standards, but necessary”
their own much more often than females, who often stay
in groups, and mothers may stay with their daughters for
years. As for their sons, after about three years mature
males leave the safety of the herd and wander the open
plains in search of a female in oestrus. They have a small
window of opportunity. Females are on a two-week cycle,
and are only able to conceive for fewer than four days.
But how do male giraffes know when to make their
move? The female will urinate in the male’s mouth.
Unfortunately it’s a bit unpleasant by our standards, but
necessary. Giraffes have a sensory organ in their mouth
called the Jacobson’s organ. They curl their lips back,
seal their nostrils and inhale deeply, a reaction seen in
many other animals such as horses, cats, giant pandas, How do giraffes sleep?
and hedgehogs, to name a few. It gives the giraffes an
incredible sense of smell and also helps the male to tell if a Lying down and having a snooze leaves this large creature vulnerable
female is fertile. If the male is in luck and a female is ready to predation so they rely on power naps to get through the day
to mate, he will follow her as she walks around weighing
up her options and the availability of other males in the That long neck is as cumbersome as it looks. down with ease. In the wild, this is less common
area. Once she accepts a male, mating lasts just a couple Lying down and getting up again takes some and they tend to catch 40 winks while standing.
of minutes and a 15-month pregnancy follows. She will give time, probably enough time for a lion to sneak up Giraffes need the least sleep of all mammals,
birth to just one calf at a time, returning to the place she from behind. For that reason, you’ll rarely see a snoozing for just 30 minutes each day, although
was born to give birth each year. A female can give birth giraffe lying down. In captivity, life is much easier they only sleep for a few minutes at any one
to eight young during her lifetime, and with no specific of course, and individuals tucked away within the time. It wasn’t until the 1950s that scientists even
breeding season, there are always new arrivals being safe confines of a zoo are able to lay their heads discovered they sleep at all.
breeding season, there are always new arrivals being
welcomed to the herd.
welcomed to the herd.
.
in
r
k
in
g
ing
D
Walking Chewing the cud Drinking Long tongue
W
lk
a
G i r a f f e s h a v e a u n i q u e w a y o f When they aren’t eating, lumps Giraffes are arguably at their One of the giraffe’s favourite
Giraffes have a unique way of
walking. Unlike other four-legged of fermented food travel from the most vulnerable when they plant species to eat is the
animals that move one leg at a first part of the stomach (giraffes assume this position to drink. infamously thorny acacia tree
time, giraffes move both legs on are ruminants and have four- They don’t need to drink often but this is no problem for this
each side of the body at the same chambered stomachs) back into as they get most of their water tall ungulateas they have long
time. For example, both the front the mouth. The lumps are called from their diet of leaves. They and rough tongues to help strip
left leg and the hind left leg will cud, and they chew on them to drink once every few days and branches of their leaves, and to
move forward in unison and then help break them down and aid are cautious, surveying their grip onto twigs to break them off
the right side follows. the digestion of their food. surroundings beforehand. before eating them.
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046-053_AllAbout Giraffes.indd 49 16/08/2016 16:17
All about the reticulated giraffe
Giraffes have incredibly long tongues that can stretch for 45 centimetres (18 inches) to grab leaves. The tongue is black, probably to help protect it from the sun’s rays.
Tongue
Jaw Vertebrae Giraffes have seven vertebrae, the same number we have in our necks. However each one is significantly larger than ours and can be 25.5 centimetres (ten inches) long.
Anatomy of a reticulated giraffe
Ossicones Almost like antlers, these horn-like structures are fused to the skull. They are covered in skin and fur. The fur is often worn away at the tips in male giraffes from violent necking. Rete mirabile Giraffes have sponge-like vessels at the base of their brain. When they lean forward, to drink for example, it contains the extra blood rushing to the head and expands like a sponge to prevent the animal from becoming dizzy or passing out from a rush of blood t
proportions, find out how giraffes survive at great heights
These creatures have the most fascinating physiology of
all mammals. With long necks, giant hearts, and unusual
Reticulated giraffes have a four-chambered stomach. Food goes to the first means the tough food they down and all nutrients are
Stomach compartment and water goes directly to the second. Having four chambers eat is completely broken successfully extracted. Intestine
Unique patterns bushes and acacia trees. RETICULA TED GIRAFFE Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata Class Mammalia Territory Somalia, southern Ethiopia, northern Kenya Diet Acacia trees, leaves, branches, insects Lifespan 25 years Adult weight 794-1,270kg (1,750-2,800lb) Conservation Status LEAST CONCERN
No two giraffes have the same spot-pattern, similar to how no two humans have the same fi ngerprints. Scientists aren’t really sure exactly why they have spots at all, but the best guess is that it helps the animal to camoufl age and blend in with the savannah. The varying orange coloured-fur and dark spots probably imitate the dappled effect of the sun shining through the vegetation onto the red savannah soil and the shade produced by the
50
046-053_AllAbout Giraffes.indd 50 16/08/2016 16:17
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