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Welcome
Whether it’s a tiger
prowling through the
jungle or a tabby curled
up on your sofa, we all
love cats!
In this issue of World
of Animals, we take a
look at the incredible
diversity of our favourite
felines and how the domestic cat evolved
from its wild ancestors. If you are a cat
owner, turn to page 12 to learn all about
your pet’s family and how its behaviour is
similar to that of a lion.
We all love watching YouTube videos of
mischievous cats, but they are not the only
animals outsmarting humans with their
wily ways. On page 34, uncover the crafty
creatures that trick their way into getting
what they want, from the cunning fox to
the thieving raccoon.
Also in this issue, discover what life is like
for the zebra on the plains of Africa, meet
the dhole – the Asian dog that whistles
instead of barking – and find out how high
the grasshopper can really jump.
We journey as far as Antarctica to explore
penguin habitat and head to the Sichuan
forest in China, home of the giant panda, to
discover a world of new facts!
Let us know what you think on Facebook
or Twitter, or send a photo of you and your
cat for the chance to win a free copy of the
next issue!
Zara Gaspar
Editor
Follow us at…
@WorldAnimalsMag
worldofanimalsmag
Meet the
beautiful but
endangered
cotton-top
tamarin on
page 72
Learn all about the elephant and its
©; Thinkstock amazing memory on page 74…
Visit www.animalanswers.co.uk for
Exclusive competitions Hilarious GIFs
Q&As Upload your photos and win prizes! 3
003_Welcome_WOA30.indd 3 03/02/2016 14:12
Welcome to Issue 30
r
st
b
h
a
i
e
g
h
t
est
06 Amazing animals 52 The brightest star
T
r
k a
e r
e
h
a
t t
l s
Take a look at the real stars
a
o
r
a l
s
o
t
12 Cats: from tigers of the sea
to tabbies 58 The dhole
Discover the incredible diversity Find out all about the dog
of the feline family that doesn’t bark
21 Bizarre 63 Working with rhinoss
w
t
o
i
h
hin
r
Find out all about the strange We talk to West Midland Safari
a
t
o W
e
l
k t
s
n
d S
l
a
a
ri
a
f
i
t M
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lowland streaked tenrec Park about a career with these
e
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i
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u
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k a
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42
22 Meet the lizards huge mammals 42
r
th
:
a
e
E
Get acquainted with six of these 64 Explore the Earth:
x
th
r
e
pl
E
o
stunning reptiles
Antarctica 80
80
24 All about the Meet the animals that call this
harsh habitat home
plains zebra
Learn what life is like in the herd 72 Endangered:
for these stripy equids
cotton-top tamarin
34 Nature’s most Why this tiny primate is
in need of help
cunning
The crafty creatures that could 74 Elephant
easily outsmart humans
conservation
41 Lost forever: We reveal the action being
taken to save this iconic animal
Madeiran large
white butterfly 80 Wildlife of the
Meet the large butterfly that Sichuan forest
suffered a catastrophic demise Explore the Chinese habitat that
42 Leaping legends shelters elusive animals
Meet the agile insects that can 96 Quiz
jump 20 times their own height Test your animal knowledge! 24
48 Education in zoos
What role do zoos play in
teaching visitors about wildlife?
THE IUCN RED LIST
Throughout World of Animals you will see
symbols like the ones listed below. These
are from the IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species, the most comprehensive inventory
of the global conservation status of animal
species in the world. Here’s what they mean:
EXTINCT
EXTINCT IN THE WILD
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED
VULNERABLE
NEAR THREATENED
LEAST CONCERN
4 4
004-005_WOA30_Contents.indd 4 03/02/2016 14:13
Welcome to Issue 30 Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
86 Readers’ Q&A
12
90 Wildlife
photography
Take stunning photos
on safari
FROM TIGERS TO TABBIES
64
94 Your amazing
animal photos
animal photos
34 22
74 Enjoyed
the issue?
Subscribe for one
year and get the
second year free
page 88
5
004-005_WOA30_Contents.indd 5 03/02/2016 14:13
The amazing world of animals
© John Mullineux/Solent News/REX Two birds battle it out in mid-air after one tries to
steal the other’s fish
A red-crowned crane fights off a white-tailed eagle as the rest of
the group watches from the sidelines. When this crane species
charges, the red patch on its crown becomes more pronounced.
6
006-011_AmazingAnimals_WOA30.indd 6 03/02/2016 14:13
The amazing world of animals
7
006-011_AmazingAnimals_WOA30.indd 7 03/02/2016 14:13
The amazing world of animals
A burrowing owl stares curiously at a
photographer with its bright yellow eyes
© Leonardo Casadei/REX Burrowing owls are able to rotate their heads around 270 degrees
horizontally and around 90 degrees vertically. The birds have 14
vertebrae in their neck that enable them to do this.
8
006-011_AmazingAnimals_WOA30.indd 8 03/02/2016 14:13
The amazing world of animals
You can’t get any better than a bear hug, as
demonstrated by these two grizzlies
The brown bear, also known as a grizzly, is usually a solitary
creature but pairs will start coming together to mate in May. Cubs
will stay with their mothers for up to four years.
© Getty
9
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The amazing world of animals
10
006-011_AmazingAnimals_WOA30.indd 10 03/02/2016 14:13
The amazing world of animals
A yawning seal appears to be laughing
uncontrollably as he lies on a beach
Grey seals are the largest carnivorous mammals in Britain. They © Michael Hutchinson/REX
spend most of their lives at sea hunting and feeding; however they
do come ashore to mate and breed, usually in the autumn.
11
006-011_AmazingAnimals_WOA30.indd 11 03/02/2016 14:13
C TS
TS
FROM TIGERS TO TABBIES
Whether they’re prowling through the jungle or chasing
flies around your living room, this diverse family of
feline hunters has gradually conquered the planet
Words Naomi Harding
12
012-020_Tigers_to tabbies.indd 12 03/02/2016 15:02
Cats: from tigers to tabbies
13
012-020_Tigers_to tabbies.indd 13 03/02/2016 15:03
Cats: from tigers to tabbies
Lineage: Puma
Species: Puma
The feline family puma lineage are found in
The three species in the
completely different habitats,
suggesting they are highly
Biologists only recently completed a family tree for adaptable. Pumas are closely
cats because of the difficulty in distinguishing species related to cheetahs, despite
being in a different genus.
Genetic research has placed cats into eight distinct
groups, or lineages, based on when they diverged
during evolution. The earliest ancestors of cats evolved
about 200 million years ago, but grouping the cats into
lineages had previously proved challenging. Fossil records
are sparse, and prehistoric remains are in short supply.
Physiologically, all cats share a number of common
features, such as a rounded head and a skeleton designed
for agility, suggesting all cats share a common ancestor.
But these common features have also made it difficult to
disentangle the cat’s evolutionary web into a family tree.
Lineage: Lynx
Species: Lynx
Most of the cats from the
lynx lineage are built for the
cold. They have thick fur
coats and paddle-like paws
to help them walk on snow
without sinking.
Lineage: Leopard cat Lineage: Ocelot
Species: Asian leopard cat Species: Ocelot
Leopard cats, along with fishing cats
The ocelot group consists of seven small
and flat-headed cats, are unusual in their cats in the genus Leopardus, all with spotted
swimming ability, living in wetlands and fur and found throughout the Americas.
feeding on fish. The Bengal cat is the
Interestingly, cats from this lineage only have
result of breeding Asian leopard cats with 36 chromosomes, instead of 38 like all others.
domesticated cats.
How cats evolved Panthera
Eight lineages evolved from a single ancestor ancestor
6.4 MYA Bay cat
ancestor
5.4 MYA
Felid
Caracal
ancestor ancestor
10.8 MYA 9.4 5.6 MYA Ocelot
MYA ancestor
2.9 MYA
8.5
MYA Lynx
ancestor
8.0 3.2 MYA
MYA Puma
7.2 ancestor
MYA Leopard cat 4.9 MYA
6.7 ancestor
MYA 5.9 MYA
(MYA = million years ago) 6.2
MYA Wildcat ancestor 3.4 MYA
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Today
14
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Cats: from tigers to tabbies
Lineage: Felis
Species: Wildcat
The wildcat was where
domestic cats began. Lineage: Caracal
Kept by farmers and Species: Caracal Lineage: Bay cat
gradually becoming Species: Asian golden cat
tamed, domestic cats The caracal is often known as The elusive Asian golden
the African lynx, despite not
have only recently cat is found in the forests of
diverged from wildcats. being a lynx at all. The three Southeast Asia. Belonging to
cats of the caracal lineage are the bay cat lineage, it is much
all similar in that they hunt the more closely related to the
same prey. They are found in
different habitats, which avoids smaller cat species than the
bigger panthers.
competition between them.
Lineage: Pantherine
Species: Tiger
The tiger is part of the pantherine lineage,
which is the only group containing cats that can
roar. It is the oldest cat lineage and is thought
to have emerged around 6.4 million years ago.
8 cat lineages
Panthera – Lion, leopard, jaguar, tiger, snow leopard, clouded leopard, Bornean clouded leopard
Bay cat – Asian golden cat, Bornean bay cat, marbled cat
Caracal – Caracal, African golden cat, serval
Ocelot – Geoffroy’s cat, kodkod, oncilla, Andean mountain cat, Pampas cat, margay, ocelot
Lynx – Iberian lynx, Eurasian lynx, Canadian lynx, bobcat
Puma – Puma, jaguarundi, cheetah
Leopard cat – Asian leopard cat, fishing cat, flat-headed cat, rusty-spotted cat, Pallas’s cat
Wildcat – Wildcat, sand cat, black-footed cat, jungle cat, domestic cat
15
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Cats: from tigers to tabbies
The diversity
of cats
Whether big or small, all cats share
a number of traits that shape them
into graceful hunters
The 36 species of wild cat all belong to the family
known as Felidae. Over their millions of years on this
planet, they have conquered every continent except
Australasia and Antarctica.
The rusty-spotted cat is the world’s smallest wild cat,
weighing a mere 1.6 kilograms (3.5 pounds), while the
biggest is the Siberian tiger at a hefty 300 kilograms
(660 pounds). The diversity within the family is huge;
cats are able to live in a wide range of habitats, from the
snow leopard living high in the chilly mountains, to the
jaguar living in the dense, humid jungle. Despite living
in different parts of the world, all cat species share an
incredible ability for hunting, which they are equipped
for with retractable claws, long tails for balance, and
low-slung bodies. Their eyes are perfectly adapted for
low light, which helps them to stalk prey at dawn and
dusk, while their muscular build gives them the power
needed for a successful attack. The leopard is by far the
strongest, able to carry prey twice its weight up a tree.
While their hunting prowess is similar, vocal
communication differs between species. Only the big
cats from the pantherine lineage are able to roar, and
a lion’s roar is so powerful it can be heard up to eight
kilometres (five miles) away. But the ability to roar
comes at a price. Lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars
have a length of tough cartilage in the neck preventing
them from purring. No cat in the world can both roar
and meow but no matter the species, cats mostly
communicate using subtle body language.
Unique paws
The cheetah has its unusual paws to
thank for its success
Cheetahs have been placed into their own
category, or genus, because of their unique
paws. While all other cats are able to retract
their claws to prevent getting stuck or caught
on objects, cheetahs are not able to. As the
fastest land mammal on Earth, it’s thought
that this helps them run at speed as the claws
dig into the ground. At one time, population
numbers were so low that cheetahs went
through a phase of heavy inbreeding and now
the genetic material of two unrelated cheetahs
is so similar, they could almost be twins.
16
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Cats: from tigers to tabbies
Cats in our culture
Wild cats have fascinated humans for
centuries. They have been both regarded
as gods and feared immeasurably
Lions are well known for living in prides,
but aside from these and groups of
feral cats, wild cats are usually solitary
creatures. Their secretive and elusive
nature has meant they have been
both worshipped and feared in equal
measures throughout history. In Mumbai,
tales have been told about the struggle
to live alongside the ‘living-ghosts’: the
elusive leopards who stalk through the
villages at night. Many live in fear in
China’s northeastern villages from the
increasing number of Siberian tigers and
panic is spreading across the Hazara
region of Pakistan, where man-eating
leopards are attacking those who
wander too far into the forests.
Yet it wasn’t just the Ancient Egyptians Fierce hunters
who considered cats as gods. In China,
the goddess Li Shou was depicted as The incredible hunter that makes up for its small size with bravery
a cat and considered the guardian of This cat is small, cute, and almost looks like their small size, there are accounts of black-
families and protector of crops. Black someone has let their pet out to roam the footed cats fiercely defending their territory
cats were believed to chase away evil savannah. But don’t be fooled. Legend has it from humans who stray too close. Come
ghosts and fairies in Poland, in Greek this kitty can take down a full-sized giraffe with nightfall, they keep busy by stalking rodents
mythology the goddess Hecate used the one swift bite to the jugular. This probably isn’t and small birds. They can take down 14 small
cat’s form to escape a monster, and the true, but goes some way to describing their animals in a night, making them one of the most
Norse goddess Freya rode in a chariot character. Courageous and confident despite successful feline hunters.
drawn by cats.
BELOW Fishing cats have a Fishing cats
short layer of dense hair near
the skin that stops water getting
through, keeping them dry in The water-loving cat that would
their swampy surroundings
put your fishing skills to shame
Most cats are renowned for their hatred of
water, avoiding it at all costs, and unwilling to
take a bath. The fishing cat is unusual in this
respect. As it relies on a diet of fish, it has taken
to swimming the wetlands of Southeast Asia,
northern India and Sri Lanka. A life spent in
the swamps has meant this cat has evolved to
become a strong swimmer. They wade through
the mangroves, catching fish by either scooping
them out of the water with their paws, or by
plunging their heads below the surface.
“A life spent in the
swamps has made this
cat a strong swimmer”
17
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Cats: from tigers to tabbies
Domestic cats
What started as a means of crop protection
turned into a 10,000-year companionship
Cats have captured the world’s hearts, a fact reflected in
the number of pet cats outnumbering dogs three to one in
the UK, and in the internet’s wealth of cat-related content.
They’re neurotic and fickle, yet despite their independent
nature we all love them. It seems the more standoffish our
kitties are, the more we want them to love us. But they can’t
help staying aloof – cats are only really semi-domesticated
despite a long history of living alongside humans.
It’s most likely that farmers welcomed cats as they
controlled the rodent population feasting on their crops. In
return, farmers probably offered the cats rewards and treats
to tempt them into sticking around. Humans would have
naturally selected their furry companions based on their
friendly and docile nature. The cats, clever enough to realise
that good behaviour meant food and security, were kept for
longer and fed more often.
The earliest evidence for wildcat taming comes from
9,500-year-old Neolithic graves excavated in Cyprus. It’s
thought farmers brought cats with them from the Middle
East, as there are no native cats in Cyprus. Fast forward
4,000 years to the Ancient Egyptians, and it seems by
looking at paintings and inscriptions that cats were somewhat
domesticated by this time. As all domestic cats evolved from
the African wildcat, this trend spread from North Africa, to
the Middle East, India, and China, but did not reach Europe
until the Romans introduced them much later.
“Cats are only really semi-
domesticated, despite a long
history of living with humans”
Wild at heart Y o u r c at m a y l i k e t o c u d d l e , o r r u n a w a y at t h e s i g ht o f a v a c u u m c l e a n e r ,
Your cat may like to cuddle, or run away at the sight of a vacuum cleaner,
but they have actually retained many of their wild relatives’ behaviours
but they have actually retained many of their wild relatives’ behaviours
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Wild cats hunt at dawn and dusk, meaning Domestic cats show hunting behaviour even In the wild, tigers and lions will often scratch
they are crepuscular. Domestic cats mirror this when they’re not hungry. Pouncing can release trees as a way of communication. They will
behaviour. Many cat owners report being kept feel-good hormones and they must do this to stand up on their hind legs and scratch the
awake at night or being woken up early by avoid frustration. The mechanics of creeping bark with their claws, to give the impression a
their pet mewing and scratching at the door, or up on a victim, whether its prey or a cat toy, much bigger cat has left the mark. So the next
running up and down the hallways. They’re most are very much the same, suggesting that even time your little lion is ruining your furniture,
active at these unsociable hours, just like their though domestic cats don’t need to hunt for remember they’re just following their instincts
big cat relatives. food, they still have the instinct. and protecting your home from bigger cats.
18
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The cat’s closest relatives
Wildcat
The wildcat is native to Africa, Europe,
India, and China, making it the most
widespread of the wild felids. The
future of the species is uncertain due
to breeding with domestic cats, which
has diluted their gene pool.
Sand cat
This cat is the only species found in
the dry deserts of North Africa and
Asia. It makes itself comfortable in
disused burrows to escape the heat
and uses its highly sensitive ears to
detect prey in the sand.
Jungle cat
Tearing through the undergrowth
aer prey, the jungle cat spends its
days chasing rodents, hares, wild
pigs and even birds. One of the more
cunning cats, it will take a dip in the
river to disguise its scent.
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P r e f e r e n c e f o r h e i g h t s Head-butting Kneading forepaws
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Have you ever wondered why your cat Marking you with the family scent Comforting behaviour for when they’re
loves climbing? Cats can often be seen head-butting each other, feeling kneady
All cats usually feel safer off the ground than on objects around the home, or you. This is known No one is completely sure why cats do this. It
it, which is probably why they love to clamber as scent-marking and is when they release their is seen in the wild with young cubs that paw
up on your cupboards and sleep perched on scent through glands in their face. In doing this at their mother for comfort or while nursing,
the sofa. Wild cats also have a preference for they are establishing a ‘family scent’, marking but it’s not seen in wild cats after adolescence.
heights as it gives them a good vantage point you as one of their own. Wild cats also do this It has been argued that perhaps years of
of their surroundings, and may help them to to welcome each other back from a hunt or to domestication have encouraged cats to retain
pinpoint their prey. mark their cubs. their kitten-like behaviour.
19
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Cats: from tigers to tabbies
C at s b y c o n ti n e n t
Cats by continent
Cats are found all over the world with the
exception of Australasia and Antarctica
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• Serval, Caracal serval • Flat-headed cat, Prionailurus planiceps
• Black-footed cat, Felis nigripes • Fishing cat, Prionailurus viverrina
• African golden cat, Profelis aurata • Asian leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis
• Tiger, Panthera tigris
• Cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus • Clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa
• Lion, Panthera leo © Alamy; Corbis; FLPA; Thinkstock; The Art Agency/Peter Scott/Sandra Doyle
• Bornean bay cat, Pardofelis badia
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co
d
r
e
•
o
e
r
O
,
t
• Andean mountain cat, Oreailurus jacobitus • Caracal, Caracal caracal
a
m
• Oncilla, Leopardus tigrinus
Leopardus tigrinus
• Pampas cat, Leopardus colocolo
Leopardus colocolo
• Jaguar, Panthera onca
Panthera onca
Puma concolor
• Puma, Puma concolor
Puma yaguarondi
• Jaguarundi, Puma yaguarondi
20
012-020_Tigers_to tabbies.indd 20 03/02/2016 14:17
Bizarre!
The unusual insectivore that LOWLAND STREAKED
TENREC
Hemicentetes semispinosus
looks like a cross between a Class Mammalia
hedgehog and a shrew Territory Eastern Madagascar
Diet Worms and other
invertebrates
Lifespan 2-3 years (in
This black and yellow striped Madagascan captivity)
Adult weight 90-220g (3.2-
native uses its quills to communicate like 7.8oz)
Conservation status
no other mammal on the planet
LEAST CONCERN
It’s one
of a kind
The lowland streaked tenrec
rubs specialised spines
on its back together to produce
high-pitched sounds – a form
of communication known as
stridulation. Insects like crickets
are known for stridulating by
rubbing their legs together, but the
lowland streaked tenrec is the only
mammal with this ability.
Their family
is diverse
Tenrecs can only be found in
Madagascar, and are believed to have
evolved from a single ancestor on the
African mainland 60 million years ago.
The 25 or more species of tenrec make
up an incredibly varied family – it is
thought that this is because they were
one of very few mammals to become
established on Madagascar, so they
were free to diversify and fill many
different niches.
It communicates It likes to headbutt It can drop its
with tongue clicks its opponents body temperature
Stridulation is not the tenrec’s only form of This creature’s head is covered in a crown Lowland streaked tenrecs are active during the
communication. This feisty mammal will click of yellow spines. These can be used as day and at night. During the winter, they can
its tongue to make high-pitched sounds camouflage when the animal is foraging drop their body temperature so that it is almost
that ward off intruders, and has also been for food, but also act as a form of defence. the same as the environment they are in, but
observed doing this while foraging for food. The lowland streaked tenrec will warn off when it becomes too cold, these mammals go
This may be a form of echolocation, although predators by raising these spines, but if it into torpor. This means they can go in and out
more studies still need to be carried out to feels threatened, it will rush at its attacker and of a deep sleep to survive when temperatures © Thinkstock
determine if this is true. headbutt them at full force. drop and food is limited.
21
021_Bizarre_Tenrec.indd 21 03/02/2016 14:20
Meet the family
Lizards
Lizards capture the imagination with their
dragon and dinosaur-like looks, but out of
a group of over 6,000 species, which are
the most intriguing members? GREEN BASILISK LIZARD
Basiliscus plumifrons
Class Reptilia
Green basilisk lizard
A cute reptile renowned for making miracles
Green basilisks have Territory Central America
This lizard has a remarkable talent: walking rainforests of Central America. Males have long toes on their back Diet Plants, fruit, insects, small
(or, more accurately, running) on water, a distinctive crest on their heads, which feet, with strands of vertebrates
Lifespan 10 years (in captivity)
at speeds of around 1.5 metres (five feet) is used to impress females in the hope of skin that increase Adult weight 200g (7oz)
per second. While they are also strong mating. Eggs are laid in shallow trenches their surface area. Conservation status
swimmers and can spend up to 30 by pregnant mothers, where they are left They slap their feet
on the water, making
minutes underwater, they spend most of to hatch, and young are born with the small air pockets to
their time in the trees that make up the ability to run, swim and climb. keep them afloat. LEAST CONCERN
Frilled lizard
FRILLED LIZARD
Chlamydosaurus kingii
Class Reptilia This lizard’s extra skin is a
remarkable defence
The one and only member of the Chlamydosaurus
genus, this fearsome-looking lizard is truly
unique. It is characterised by the colourful flap of
Territory Northern Australia,
southern New Guinea skin around its neck, which is fanned out when
Diet Insects, small lizards, the frilled lizard feels threatened. To ward off
small mammals attackers, it will also open its mouth wide and let
Lifespan 20 years
Adult weight Unknown out a loud hiss. This is enough to scare off many
Conservation status of its predators, which include birds of prey, larger
lizards, feral cats and snakes. If that doesn’t work,
it will dash away with its mouth still open and
LEAST CONCERN frills still extended, running as fast as it can until
it reaches a tree, which it can climb to get out of
The multi-coloured ‘frill’ or flap of harm’s way. The fringe is also used as a display of
skin is present in males, females dominance by males.
and hatchlings. As well as being
used in defence and dominance,
the frill helps the lizard to keep its
body temperature constant.
Komodo dragon
Meet the world’s biggest lizard KOMODO DRAGON
Varanus komodoensis
The gigantic Komodo dragon is a reptilian record- Class Reptilia
breaker. Not only are they the largest lizards on
Earth, but they are also the heaviest, reaching
weights of 150 kilograms (330 pounds). They are
true omnivores, and will eat anything from corpses to
humans if it takes their fancy, as they can eat up to Territory Lesser Sunda Islands,
Indonesia
80 per cent of their own body weight in one sitting. Diet Carrion, pigs, water
Their size doesn’t stop them from reaching speeds of buffalo, smaller dragons
up to 18 kilometres (11 miles) per hour in short bursts, Lifespan 50 years
Adult weight 165kg (360lb)
making them truly effective predators. The Komodo Conservation status The saliva of a Komodo dragon
contains more than 50 types of
dragon’s tactic is to use its camouflage and patience bacteria. If prey escapes with a bite, it
to lie in wait for an unsuspecting victim, and when usually dies of blood poisoning soon
one appears, use its strong legs, serrated teeth and VULNERABLE aer. The dragon, following it, will
knife-sharp claws to take down its prey. then eat the poisoned prey.
22
022-023_Meet the family_Lizards.indd 22 03/02/2016 15:26
Lizards
Slow worm 2
This common legless 1
lizard is no snake
Many people who spot a slow worm
will assume that it is a snake, and they 4
could be forgiven for doing so. This is in
fact a legless lizard, and can be found in SLOW WORM 3
gardens across Europe and some parts Anguis fragilis
of Africa and Asia. Slow worms have a Class Reptilia
handy ability to shed their tail when they 1. Biggest 3. Fastest
are startled or attacked, and when this Komodo dragon Black spiny-tailed
happens, a new tail will grow back in a Weighing in at iguana
matter of weeks. Rather than laying eggs Territory Christmas Island 165kg (360lb) The world record
like many other lizard species, female Diet Slugs, snails, insects and reaching for the fastest
slow worms actually give birth to around Lifespan 20 years The tail of the slow worm can lengths of up to lizard goes to the
Adult weight 75g (2.6oz)
eight live young per fertilisation. This Conservation status disconnect when it is threatened, 3m (10ft), these black spiny-tailed
follows a courtship, initiated by a male in a process called caudal huge lizards are iguana, which can
biting a female’s neck. A slow worm autonomy. Once shed, the tail worthy of their reach 34.9km/h
wriggles for several minutes,
takes around eight years to reach its full NOT EVALUATED creating the perfect distraction to dragon names. (21.7mph).
adult length. keep confused predators away.
2. Smallest 4. Most
Horned toad HORNED TOAD Dwarf gecko venomous
Gila monster
The dwarf gecko
Not a frog but a misnamed lizard Phrynosoma hernandesi measures a One of just two
Class Reptilia
This lizard is widely known as a horned toad, but is also referred to by its miniscule 16mm venomous lizard
(0.6in) in length.
species, the Gila
more accurate name of ‘short-horned lizard’. Horned toads get their name It lives in just two monster bites
from having squat bodies and short snouts, which are unlike the slender remote locations quickly and takes
and slinky bodies of most lizard species. They are found across North Territory North and Central in the Caribbean hold, delivering
and Central America, and use their spikes as defences against their many America islands and was the venom via
predators, which include hawks, snakes, dogs and wolves. Their horns aren’t Diet Ants, grasshoppers, only discovered grooved teeth on
their only defence though – when attacked, they will inflate their bodies to spiders in 2001. its lower jaw.
Lifespan Unknown
twice their original size to look more alarming, and if that still doesn’t work, Adult weight 5g (0.18oz)
they have a sinister ability to squirt blood from their eyes. Horned toads Conservation status
can be yellow, grey or red in colour, depending upon their habitat. A salamander
Squirting blood at predators is not only meant to LEAST CONCERN
intimidate. The liquid also contains a chemical is not a lizard
that is harmful to dogs, wolves and coyotes. It
can travel up to 1m (3) towards a target.
Salamanders and lizards have much in
common (including slender and smooth bodies
across many species), but they also have
plenty of differences. Most important of these
is that salamanders are amphibious, whereas
lizards are reptiles. Salamander bodies are
moist as they spend a lot of time in water and
damp places. They also don’t have scales,
while lizards do.
Viviparous lizard Viviparous lizards vary greatly in © Thinkstock; Dreamstime;
colour. They are most oen brown on
top, with males sporting a brightly
This species proves that lizards coloured underside of yellow or orange,
or more rarely, red and black spots.
aren’t just for warm habitats
VIVIPAROUS LIZARD
Zootoca vivipara Also known as the common lizard, this is one of the
Class Reptilia most widespread of all vertebrate species, and
can be found in parts of the UK and northern
Europe, Russia, Japan and the Mediterranean.
There are a large number of subspecies of
Territory Europe, north Asia viviparous lizard, and there is some dispute
Diet Invertebrates, spiders, among experts as to whether some of these
larvae are separate species. As they are cold-blooded,
Lifespan 5-6 years
Adult weight 5g (0.2oz) these lizards spend time ‘basking’ in the sun to raise
Conservation status their body temperature from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius (59
to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). This happens mostly because
they need to warm up to be able to hunt. The versatile
LEAST CONCERN viviparous lizard thrives in many habitats, including
moorland, dry and wet heaths, sea cliffs and even tundra.
23
022-023_Meet the family_Lizards.indd 23 03/02/2016 15:07
Plains zebra
24
024-033_AA_Common Zebra.indd 24 03/02/2016 14:23
PLAINS ZEBRA
Equus quagga
Class Mammalia
Territory Eastern and
southern Africa
Diet Grasses
Lifespan 20 years
Adult weight 220-250kg
(485-550lb)
Conservation status
LEAST CONCERN
A l l a bou t t h e
All about the
b
r
a
P
Plains zebra
a
l
s
ze
i
n
These animals are the top item
on the menu of Africa’s most
dangerous predators, and that
dictates every move they make
Words Amy Grisdale
25
024-033_AA_Common Zebra.indd 25 03/02/2016 14:23
Plains zebra
Unbreakable bonds
What influences a zebra’s everyday decisions
Zebras live in permanent family groups and form strong bonds with
those closest to them. Each unit is made up of a male, or stallion, up
to six females and their young, all subject to a strict hierarchy. The
stallion takes the top spot, foals are at the bottom of the heap and
each female has her own rank in between, mostly determined by age.
However, where a zebra is in her reproductive cycle can affect who
is in charge of the group. Females that are producing milk to support
babies need more energy than those without foals and have been
observed taking the leading role in transit. The group typically travels
in single file in a particular order; the dominant female leads the
harem followed by her lower-ranking friends and the male guard
walks behind. Zebra groups are vulnerable to predator attack and
it is the stallion’s job to protect his family.
Young male zebras live in bachelor groups after they leave
their families. These rarely grow to more than 16 members,
sometimes including older males that no longer live with
a family. Zebras are extremely social and rely on being
around others, so unattached males will stick together
in any eventuality.
These striped equids strengthen their family ties
by grooming one another, and this mostly takes
place between stallions and their favourite females
or mothers and their favourite foals. The pair
stand side by side and groom each other’s head,
neck and back.
Zebra families often come together during
their annual migration journeys that can reach
over 500 kilometres (300 miles) – the longest
migration of any land mammal. This round
trip spans several African countries
and involves thousands of individuals
searching for greener pastures. Such
a long trip means the herd must
get along. When males meet, they
perform a polite greeting ritual where
they sniff one another’s nostrils, bodies
and tails, but females aren’t so cordial,
and those from different harems can
be aggressive towards each other.
RIGHT
Young males will
o en play-fi ght, biting
each other’s knees
and manes
“Zebras are extremely social and
rely on being around others,
so unattached males will stick
together in any eventuality”
26
024-033_AA_Common Zebra.indd 26 03/02/2016 16:09
Read my lips
Zebras have expressive faces and use a complex system of sounds
Plains zebras regularly use a selection of 20 different facial situation to others around it. Zebras
expressions to communicate. They lower their head and and their relatives can whinny, squeal,
pull back their ears to display submission or bite the air snort and even roar, depending on the
with their ears forward to initiate a play session. Amazingly message they are trying to get across.
these animals can use this method of communication as The tricky part is working out which
a silent alarm, warning others that danger is close simply animal is piping up, as zebras have
by pulling a face. The distinctions of each expression is so difficulty pinpointing the source of a
slight that scientists had to use complex analysis methods sound and how far away it is. Typically,
to find subtle differences between them. zebras perform loud vocalisations if they
Zebras don’t stay quiet for long, however, and studies lose sight of their close friends. Stallions
have shown that horses and their relatives whinny roughly will squeal to assert their dominance and
every seven hours. Equine vocalisation can portray foals give out distress calls to get their
the animal’s health status, emotional state and present mother’s attention.
Life in the herd
Fight club
A zebra has a lot to fit in during a A male hoping to
typical day on the African plains mate with a filly may
have to battle her
We’ve all seen the horror of herbivores being Eat your greens father. These brutal
hunted by hungry meat-eaters on nature Energy is the most encounters begin
documentaries, but there’s so much more to a vital resource on the with a chase, but
zebra’s life. While avoiding becoming a meal is African plains, and to can end in death.
high on their list of priorities, a zebra also needs to get enough a zebra
bond with friends, keep clean and raise the family.
has to spend up to
half its time grazing.
Mother’s milk
Zebra foals rely on milk
for the first year of
their lives. It’s roughly
two per cent fat, two
per cent protein and
seven per cent lactose.
Hiding in plain sight
Predators walk openly
through the savannah
and zebras have to
be on constant alert.
The huddled mass of
stripes is confusing for
a predator.
Another one bites
the dust
Taking advantage of Daily drink
Typically drinking once per
the dry ground, zebras day, zebras quench their thirst
use the coarse dirt to
at water holes. In dry seasons
combat hard-to-reach they can dig up to 50cm (2ft) to
harmful parasites like reach the water table.
ticks or bot flies.
27
024-033_AA_Common Zebra.indd 27 03/02/2016 14:24
Plains zebra
A zebra mother’s love
Raising a child is dangerous when your home is an exposed plain and hungry lions are circling
Humans talk about saving activities for a rainy get to its feet. The first few days are spent the time their first foal is ready to be weaned
day, and that’s exactly what zebras do when it establishing a close bond between mother their second arrives. The interval between
comes to breeding. The rainy season provides and baby, memorising each other’s scent and births can be up to two years, however, and
an influx of lush greenery to support a female appearance. The 30-kilogram (70-pound) foal lower ranking females tend to wait longer
when she has a newborn to care for. Zebras soon trots along with its family and spends between pregnancies than dominant zebras.
usually have a single foal, and sadly, if twins the first year of its life suckling from its mother Males don’t play a hands-on (or hooves-
are conceived the mother will often miscarry and learning what it takes to survive. Almost on) role with female foals but interact with
before the end of the 12-month pregnancy. as soon as they are weaned, foals leave their young males. They provide an example as to
Like most other herbivores, zebra mothers natal group. Female foals are quickly snatched what leading a harem involves and learning
don’t take any chances when giving birth. A up into harems when they are a year old, but crucial male social behaviour. Thankfully, the
pregnant zebra separates herself from her herd males will spend up to four years play-fighting leading male gives parental care in the form
and finds a secluded spot to bring her baby and learning the skills it takes to set up their of protection from predators. The entire group
into the world. This is the most vulnerable to own harem. works to protect young zebras, and are known
attack she will be in her entire life. Zebra reproduction is so efficient that to form a protective circle around injured or
The new arrival emerges and crumples in a females are able to get pregnant again almost vulnerable members. This is especially true of
sticky heap on the ground. After a thorough immediately after giving birth. They are fertile plains zebras that kick and bite predators until
cleaning from its mother the foal is able to all throughout their lactation and sometimes by they retreat from a foal.
“A pregnant zebra separates
herself from her herd and finds
a secluded spot to bring her
baby into the world”
28
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Plains zebra
Copycat
Young zebras have
the same striped
colouration as their
mother to help
them blend in with
the rest of the herd.
Learning the
ropes
Mothers teach their
foals everything,
from their traditional
migration routes to
choosing the correct
grasses to eat.
High stakes One in, one out These hooves are
Sadly, only around Foals tend to leave made for walking
50 per cent of zebras their family when Within just 15
survive into adulthood, their mothers minutes, a baby
but those that do are have another baby zebra is able to walk,
able to pass on their so she is able to minimising its chance
strong genes to concentrate on the of being picked off
future generations. new arrival. by a predator.
29
024-033_AA_Common Zebra.indd 29 03/02/2016 14:24
Plains zebra
Inside the zebra
From its incredible striped hide to its mile- Strong stomach
long eyelashes, each and every part of a Though it’s a simple system, Large lungs
a zebra’s stomach contains
zebra’s body has evolved to help it dodge powerful enzymes that break Taking between eight and
14 breaths a minute, zebra
danger and thrive in its African habitat down the tough cellulose in lungs work hard to replace
grass into easily digestible carbon dioxide in the blood
molecules of simple sugars. with oxygen.
Who’s who? Bladder
The three species of zebra can be Pelvis Diaphragm
identified by their differing stripes
Plains zebra
Also called the common zebra, the
faint lines between the bold stripes
give this species away. It is found
across southern and eastern Africa.
Femur
Small intestine
Grevy’s zebra Large intestine Liver
Narrow, even stripes cover this
animal’s body. They are endangered
and only found in small, fragmented
populations in Kenya and Ethiopia.
Single-toed feet
The hoof is a modified Skinny legs
toe, and the leg bones Slim but super-strong, the
Mountain zebra are elongated to make muscular legs can propel
Capable of reaching 2,000 metres each stride longer and a zebra to run 64km/h
(6,500 feet) above sea level, nimble- to give the leg maximum (40mph) and deliver a kick
footed mountain zebras can be found capacity to swing. that can kill.
in Namibia and South Africa.
INFANCY JUVENILE MATURITY
Birth 0 weeks Bonding with baby 1-2 weeks Meeting the family 3 weeks Weaning 7-12 months Independence 1-2 years All grown up 1-2 years
Mobile as little as 10 Babies are kept away from the Soon the foal is united with the A er up to almost a full year of The young zebra prepares Females mature faster and
minutes a er birth, zebra herd initially to make sure they rest of its group, though spends suckling, the fast-growing foal begins to leave its mother. This are able to conceive a er
foals exit the womb recognise their mother by sight, most of its time following its to eat solid food in the form of grasses timing depends on when the just one year. Males can
shrouded in a placental sac. smell and sound. mother everywhere. like the common red oat grass. mother has her next foal. take four times as long.
30
024-033_AA_Common Zebra.indd 30 03/02/2016 14:24
Follow your nose
Zebras have to inhale through their
noses as there is no airway through
Erect mane the mouth. They even produce
e s
o
l
bark-like sounds from their nostrils
k
i
u
h
m t
e
r n
i
d
n
s f
o
r
Unlike a horse’s, a zebra’s b a r k - to alert others to danger. o s t r i l s
mane stands stiffly
upward. A predator
aiming a bite may miss Why so striped?
if they target the coarse
There are several strong theories for
hair rather than the neck. T h e r e a r e s e v e r a l s t r o n g t h e o r i e s f o r
why the zebra is striped. The stripes
w h y t h e z e b r a i s s t r i p e d . T h e s t r i p e s
could provide camouflage, act as
a mechanism to keep cool or deter
tsetse flies that spread fatal diseases.
Skull
Keep flies at bay
Skin parasites are a serious
threat and the tail swats away
harmful flies. Zebras cannot
reach their own rumps to groom
themselves, so their tail takes on
the job for them.
Zebras have a degree Like most other prey animals,
of night vision as large zebra eyes are placed on each side
predators like lions are of the head to provide a wide field
known to hunt at night. of vision to watch for predators.
Trachea
Oesophagus
Rounded heart
The semi-spherical
heart is assisted by
structures called Long eyelashes keep the
‘frogs’ in the hooves. eyes free from dust and
With each step, debris to maintain the
these pump blood animal’s sharp vision.
up the leg, back
towards the heart.
Closest family
Closely related to the zebra are…
Quagga Horse African wild ass
Quaggas shared many Horses share an ancient This critically endangered
traits with modern zebras, ancestor with rhinos and species has banded legs,
including a section of bold tapirs. Zebras were one similar to its stripy cousin.
Female abduction 1-2 years Bachelor boys 2-3 years Establishing a harem 4 years stripes on their head and of the earliest species to Their range is limited to
Mature males jostle for the right Female zebras automatically Finally, male zebras gain the social neck. They lived alongside diverge from the lineage, northern Ethiopia and
to mate with a young female, and belong to a harem, but skills, strength and reproductive zebras in the southern tip with modern horses southern Eritrea, but
she is claimed by the male that can young, immature males band drive to recruit females into their of Africa but were hunted arising around five million once extended to Djibouti,
outcompete the others. together for protection. very own family unit. to extinction in 1878. years ago. Somalia, Sudan and Egypt.
31
024-033_AA_Common Zebra.indd 31 03/02/2016 16:20
Plains zebra
Where zebras roam
The long, stretching African grasslands are an unforgiving terrain. semi-arid shrublands that have permanent sources of water.
The dry season causes the land to absorb as much moisture as Unfortunately, these areas have become overgrazed with the
possible, and sources of water can shrink to nothing. After four influx of cattle and other grass-eating livestock and the entire
months without rain, the wet season begins in November, first ecosystem is under threat. Grevy’s zebras have cleverly found
with short showers, and then progressing into day-long torrents an alternative source of water and get up to 30 per cent of their
in March. It is one of the most changeable habitats in the world, daily intake from the leaves of acacia or fig trees.
but zebras have been prepared for such extremes by millennia of The least threatened plains zebra can survive in almost any
natural selection. African habitat, from sea level up to a 4,300-metre (14,000-
Such adaptable animals can live in a broad variety of habitats, foot) elevation. They are fairly fussy about their food, however,
from grassy planes to rocky mountains. However, it’s no and graze selectively on only a few different grass species.
coincidence that two of the three zebra species are listed as This cherry-picking actually helps maintain the diversity of the
threatened on the IUCN Red List. Mountain zebras were hunted environment by ridding the land of plants that would otherwise
because they were thought to kick down fences and let livestock dominate the landscape.
escape. To this day this zebra’s habitat is shaped by agriculture, The factor that most affects a zebra’s day-to-day movements
and extensive fencing often restricts their access to water. Their is water, and drought is thought to be directly linked to the
native country of Namibia contains around 4,000 commercial survival rate of young zebras. Even indirectly, lack of water can
farms spread over 825,500 square kilometres (320,000 square harm a zebra population. When fluids are scarce, more animals
miles), so only a handful of populations have survived. congregate at remaining water sources, which increases the risk
Grevy’s zebras are found in the driest habitat of the three of disease transmission. It’s a world away from the safety in which
species and feed on grasses so tough that even cattle can’t humans live, but it’s a harsh reality that can only be helped by
digest them. Deep in the ‘horn’ of Africa, they graze throughout conservation action to help secure the zebra’s future.
Zebras and humans
Aside from being a prized trophy and a competitor
for farming space, humans have been in awe of the
striped horses throughout history. Numerous attempts
have been made to domesticate the zebra, mostly
for the purpose of riding. These efforts have never
been completely successful, and even over multiple
generations zebras have proven extremely difficult to
break in. The Victorian zoologist Walter Rothschild did
train six zebras to pull a carriage and famously drove
a zebra-drawn trap to Buckingham Palace. However,
even horse and zebra hybrids are reported to be
aggressive and impossible to ride. It seems that fear is
engrained in the zebra’s DNA and contact with humans
oen elicits an aggression that can prove fatal.
Zebras are seen as a symbol of great beauty in some
African cultures; women of certain Ugandan tribes
paint themselves with stripes during village dances,
and the animal is featured proudly on the coat of arms
of Botswana. Zebra stripes are sampled
in fashion around the globe, and in
Thailand the animal
is represented in
various shrines.
32
024-033_AA_Common Zebra.indd 32 03/02/2016 14:24
Environmental factors Nearest
Africa’s herbivores navigate a threatened landscape neighbours
Agriculture Zebras are by no means the
Farmland requires space, food and
irrigation, and even just crops are only animal to make the African
damaging to the ecosystem. It’s a wilderness their home
difficult issue as indigenous people
rely on farming for their livelihood.
Settlement
A forecast published by the UN in
2015 estimates that the population
in Africa will have doubled by 2050.
This will create a huge demand for
housing and infrastructure.
Hunting
Whether it’s to prevent competition
with domestic animals or simply for
sport, zebras are oen hunted and
in several populations the damage
caused has been irreversible. Blue wildebeest
O en seen in herds alongside zebras,
Desertification wildebeest join in the mass migration
Without vegetation to hold the across the deadly Mara river. They live
ground together, topsoil can blow in small groups when on the move but
away and leave a dry, featureless rest in large herds.
desert. This happens if too many
animals feed on one patch of land.
BELOW
The highly adaptable
zebra can graze on
vegetation with very
little nutritional value
Oxpecker
This bird is a zebra’s best friend as it
feeds on invertebrates that attempt
to attach to its skin, getting through
up to 100 ticks each day. They also
warn the short-sighted zebras about
approaching danger.
Nile crocodile
Lying in wait for a moving mammal,
these deadly crocodiles snatch young
zebras when they come for a quick
drink. The crocodiles’ streamlined
bodies and strong jaws make them
powerful predators.
© Corbis; FLPA; Getty; Thinkstock; The Art Agency/Peter Scott
Lion
The king of the jungle is a zebra’s
worst enemy, and its favourite time to
hunt is in low light, when it can stalk
its prey without being detected. The
big cats cooperate to isolate an animal
and then go in for the kill.
33
024-033_AA_Common Zebra.indd 33 03/02/2016 14:24
NATURE’S MOST
CUNNING
In the competition for survival, animals don’t
always play fair; these crafty creatures have all
devised devious tricks to get what they want
Words Matt Ayres
34
034-040_Nature's Most Cunning.indd 34 03/02/2016 14:52
Nature’s most cunning
Raccoons have
remarkable memories
and expert burglary skills
Raccoons look like bandits with their In the early 20th century, raccoons were NORTHERN RACCOON
famous mask-like markings, and play up popular test subjects for scientists hoping Procyon lotor
to this notorious reputation with their to gain a better understanding of animal Class Mammalia
considerable talent for thievery. intelligence. It was found that they have
Although cute and innocent-looking, an incredible memory and are able to
you should take care of your things retain information for longer than dogs,
when these cunning critters are around, even after being distracted. However, the Territory North America
particularly if it’s food. As common animals were too wily for extensive testing Diet Fish, amphibians,
invertebrates, eggs, fruit, nuts
residents in American campsites, it’s not – escaped raccoons became a nuisance Lifespan 5 years
uncommon to find tents ransacked by after gnawing through their cages and Adult weight 6kg (13lb)
raccoons looking for an easy lunch. With hiding in ventilation shafts. Because Conservation status
their nimble and highly sensitive fingers, of these difficulties, there has been
some raccoons have even shown an surprisingly little research into raccoon
aptitude for lock picking. intelligence and behaviour. LEAST CONCERN
35
034-040_Nature's Most Cunning.indd 35 03/02/2016 15:49
Nature’s most cunning
Squirrels play mind games to
protect their food stores
Animals that are capable of adapting hiding food. Contrary to popular belief,
to their environment often show a high this goes beyond randomly burying
level of intelligence, and few woodland acorns; squirrels use their impressive
critters are more adaptable than the memory to remember reliable food
grey squirrel. stores year after year. They even
These nimble rodents can be a know how to stop other squirrels
nuisance in the garden, digging up from finding their favourite nuts. If a
seeds and stealing food from bird squirrel knows that it is being watched
feeders whenever they get the chance. by a rival, it will sometimes pretend
But rather than thinking of them as to bury its food before scampering
pests, we should admire squirrels’ off and secretly hiding it somewhere
opportunistic and determined nature – more private. To minimise the chance
their food-foraging skills help them to of thieves returning to regular hiding
survive in almost any habitat, making places, food is often buried and
them some of the most successful reburied in different spots. This helps
mammals around. to ensure that the squirrel always has
One of the most cunning behaviours something to nibble on during the lean
shown by squirrels is their talent for winter months.
Squirrels move their food stores
regularly to prevent other
animals from stealing them
GREY SQUIRREL MARGAY
Sciurus carolinensis Leopardus wiedii
Class Mammalia Class Mammalia
“A squirrel will pretend
Territory North America, Territory Central and South
western Europe to bury its food, before America
Diet Nuts, seeds, flowers Diet Small mammals, birds,
Lifespan 12 years eggs, amphibians, reptiles
Adult weight 540g (19oz) scampering off and Lifespan 12 to 14 years
Conservation status Adult weight 3.5kg (7.7lb)
hiding it somewhere Conservation status
more private” NEAR THREATENED
LEAST CONCERN
36
034-040_Nature's Most Cunning.indd 36 03/02/2016 16:10
Nature’s most cunning
Margays mimic
baby monkeys to
trick the adults
a
e
ick
t
r
t
h
l
u
t
s
d
The margay, a small jungle cat, likely that this is why the felines
is known to use a rather cruel came up with their ploy to
trick while hunting for food. mimic the monkeys, emitting a
It pretends to be a panicked high-pitched squeal that sounds
baby monkey, alarming nearby enough like a baby tamarin to
parents and causing them to worry their relatives. When they
run straight into the path of the run down from the branches to
prowling predator. inspect the situation, the margay
Although they are skilled pounces. Scientists think that
climbers, margays find it tricky other cats, such as jaguars,
to chase agile creatures like might also mimic their prey in
s
h
w
. I
t i
g
u
h t
s
e
e
s
h
r
y.
e t
i
a
ro
a
r
m
t tamarins through the trees. It is t this way.
a
i
s t
n
h
“When the tamarin runs
down from the branches
to inspect the situation,
the margay pounces”
Black seadevils use luminous
fishing rods to tempt their prey
Some of our planet’s most bizarre depths, other creatures can
creatures live in the ocean, and only see a bobbing pinprick
the black seadevil is no exception. of light. Suspecting a tasty
This fiendish deep-sea dweller is a snack, they swim up to it – a
type of anglerfish, named aer the fatal error. The seadevil strikes
light-emitting organs attached to out with its extendable jaws,
their heads. The seadevil uses its swallowing the hapless victim.
glowing appendage (known as a Like a snake, it can gorge on
photophore) like a fishing rod, dangling creatures more than twice its size –
it temptingly in front of its enormous, useful in the deep sea, where meals
toothy mouth. In the dark ocean are oen few and far between.
37
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Nature’s most cunning
Chimpanzees use
amazing treetop
teamwork to ambush
colobus monkeys
colobus monkeys
Chimpanzees chase and kill red colobus monkeys using
teamwork and skill that’s comparable to a military
operation. Different members of a group are assigned
specific roles: driver, blocker or ambusher. Once the
chimps spot a group of monkeys high in the canopy,
the driver will climb up and begin the chase. As the
startled monkeys swing from tree to tree, blockers
begin to intercept and corral them towards a particular
point, where the ambusher is waiting to grab one of the
unfortunate primates for dinner.
This is a brilliant but blood-curdling example of
the chimpanzee’s considerable brainpower. As our
closest living relatives, these apes are capable of many
complex behaviours including tool use, deception and
understanding human language.
CHIMPANZEE
Pan troglodytes
Class Mammalia
Territory Equatorial Africa
Diet Fruit, leaves, insects,
medium-sized mammals
Lifespan 45-50 years
Adult weight 32-60kg (70-
130lb)
Conservation status
ENDANGERED
Packs of grey wolves plan their
hunts with precision to feast
on larger, faster animals
Grey wolves are masters of strategy, out successful hunts. Working in
using their impressive intelligence and packs, groups of wolves act as one
highly-developed social structures to in order to take down their preferred
ingenious effect while hunting. kind of prey: large ungulates. Elk,
These wily predators are closely moose and bison are among the
related to dogs, but research wolf’s targets.
shows that wolves surpass their The cunning canines patiently stalk
domesticated cousins in tests of their prey until the terrain plays to
logic. Dogs tend to follow human their advantage. Snowy ground is
commands regardless of whether ideal – no problem for the wolves’
they are rational, but trained wolves large paws, but troublesome for
will ignore instruction if it means smaller hooves. Agile female wolves
performing a task more efficiently. dart around the target to confuse
Tactical know-how helps wolves it, allowing the slower but more
make strategic decisions and carry powerful males to close in for the kill.
38
034-040_Nature's Most Cunning.indd 38 03/02/2016 15:50
Nature’s most cunning
Killer whales create powerful
waves to knock seals off the ice
Arguably the most successful hunters of killer whales swimming in formations to
in the ocean, killer whales use incredible create waves, knocking seals from floating
group dynamics to tactically catch animals ice in order to catch, kill and eat them.
ranging from seagulls to sharks. Not even This method demonstrates remarkable
the largest animals on Earth, blue whales, intellect; it involves spyhopping (vertically
are safe from these apex predators. rising out of the water) to locate a suitable
Different killer whale populations have ice floe and carefully assessing the type
developed their own hunting techniques, of wave required to wash an animal off it,
each specialising in a particular kind of before creating a deadly bow wave using a
prey. One of the cleverest involves groups tightly synchronised aquatic charge.
Crocodiles wait all year for
the perfect time to attack
One of the most patient and stealthy lurk in rivers, waiting for animals
assassins in the animal kingdom such as antelopes to cross on their
is the Nile crocodile. Amazingly, annual migrations. While the herds
these water-dwelling reptiles can approach the riverbanks for a much-
go for many months without eating, needed drink, the crocodile remains
slowing down their heart to just two perfectly still, imitating a log floating
or three beats per minute to slowly on the surface. When a vulnerable
consume the energy from their food. animal is within its reach, a sudden
When they do eat, it’s a lunge out of the water secures the
considerable feast. The crocodiles croc’s long-awaited meal.
39
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Nature’s most cunning
Red foxes use the
Earth’s magnetic field
to aid their hunting
Everyone’s heard the phrase ‘as cunning as a fox’, but do
these supposedly crafty canines live up to their reputation?
Certainly, if their remarkable hunting technique is anything
to go by. Unlike wolves, red foxes tend to be solitary hunters,
stealthily stalking their prey before leaping high into the air
and striking the clueless victim from above.
The fox’s recognisable pouncing technique is called
mousing, and it’s thought by some scientists to rely on the
Earth’s magnetic field. Other animals such as birds, bats and
sharks also use the magnetic field like a sixth sense.
As if using a built-in compass, the prowling predators tend
to jump in a northeasterly direction when catching their
food, and are much more likely to make a kill when they do
so. It’s believed that the fox can accurately target its prey
by comparing the angle of sound waves hitting its super-
sensitive ears with the axis of the Earth’s magnetic field. Once
these two curvatures match up, the fox is able to pinpoint the
exact distance it will need to jump in order to make a kill –
sometimes from as far as five metres (16 feet) away.
RED FOX
Vulpes vulpes
Class Mammalia
Territory Throughout
Northern Hemisphere
Diet Rodents, rabbits, birds,
reptiles, insects, fruit
Lifespan 2 to 4 years
Adult weight 9kg (20lb)
Conservation status
LEAST CONCERN
“As if using a built-in compass,
the predators tend to jump in a
northeasterly direction”
Alligator snapping turtles fool
fish with their worm-like tongues
There’s a good reason why fishermen camouflaged against the rocky riverbed,
use worms as bait: fish find them the turtle’s cylindrical pink tongue could
irresistible. Alligator snapping turtles easily be mistaken for a worm. This
also know this, and have developed a cunning illusion spells disaster for any
sneaky technique to take advantage of it. curious fish that is drawn to it – they
meet an untimely end when the turtle
The prehistoric-looking reptile tends
© Thinkstock; Corbis; FLPA; Nature PL “The cunning illusion spells disaster
clamps down its jaws, which are strong
to lurk at the bottom of murky waters
with its jaws wide open. With its mouth
enough to bite a broom handle in half.
for any curious fish drawn to it”
40
034-040_Nature's Most Cunning.indd 40 03/02/2016 15:50
L
L
L OST FOREVER
L
OST FOREVER
OST FOREVER
Madeiran large
white butterfly specimen measured 65
Wingspan
The largest recorded
millimetres (2.6 inches)
from one wing tip to
another – as wide as
your palm.
Once found in the humid forests of
Madeira, this butterfly suffered a
y suffered a
Madeira, this butterfl
tragic demise over recent decades
tragic demise over recent decades
Madeira
Tongue
Tongue
Like many moth
Spot the difference
Spot the difference Like many moth
species, this butterfl
Females were bigger and had a
Females were bigger and had a species, this butterfly
y
darker colouring to males, but
adult fed on nectar,
darker colouring to males, but adult fed on nectar,
using its long tongue to
still displayed the same spots
still displayed the same spots using its long tongue to
on the tips of their forewings.
on the tips of their forewings. dip into fl owering plants.
dip into flowering plants.
Isolated from mainland threats on its eastern cousins, cabbage white butterflies, females laid Last seen…
Atlantic island, the Madeiran large white their eggs in batches on leafy, vegetable-like
butterfly’s existence had gone completely plants known as crucifers, which the caterpillars Date: 1977
unthreatened for several million years, ever since then ate prior to their pupal stage. Location: Northern Madeira
they evolved during the Pliocene era. It inhabited Estimates of the butterfly’s population since The Madeiran large white butterfly was
the humid Laurisilva forests that characterise the 1970s have varied greatly. However, in recent considered rare when the last offi cial sighting
the highlands of Madeira, from around 400 to years it has completely disappeared, despite was made in the late 1970s, but unoffi cial
1,200 metres (1,300 to 3,900 feet) above sea concerted efforts to find it in its natural habitat. counts in the 1980s made it seem as if the
level. These lush, subtropical woodlands feature There are several factors that are likely to have population was making a recovery – or at least
relatively mild temperatures with broad-leafed, had a direct impact on this butterfly: logging, the was more widespread than it had appeared.
evergreen and hardwood trees, ferns and mosses. construction of buildings – particularly holiday However, despite more of a concerted search
They’re a relic of the Mediterranean forests of homes – that encroached on its habitat, the in the 1990s, not a single specimen has been
prehistoric times, before climate change saw spread of pollutants such as pesticides, a viral found since. Considering the small size of the
the region dry and then cool during the ice age, infection from an alien species of butterfly that island and the fact that it has not been seen for
restricting this butterfly’s habitat to an equatorial was introduced in the 1950s and even some over 20 years, it is most likely extinct.
archipelago, away from the advancing glaciers of small impact from butterfly collectors. Madeira’s “Females laid their
more temperate regions. Laurisilva forest ecosystem has since been
The Madeiran large white butterfly preferred recognised as one of particular beauty and has © freevectormaps.com; Alan Batley
the valleys of the Laurisilva forests to the north, now been made a protected UNESCO World eggs in batches
where nectar-rich plants that the adults could Heritage Site – but this came too late for the on leafy plants”
feed on were found in abundance. Like their Madeiran large white butterfly.
41
041_Lost Forever_Maderia Large White Butterfly.indd 41 03/02/2016 16:21
L EA I G
P
N
LEGENDS
Some of the most diverse groups of insect
on the planet, grasshoppers can catapult
themselves into the air, reaching heights 20
times the length of their own body
Words David Crookes
From the moment any one of the 11,000 species But they do seem to make the most of life.
of grasshopper hatch from their egg, they begin Grasshoppers like to feast, eating up to 16 times
a remarkable life on Earth. Shedding their outer their own body weight in grasses, cereal crops
layer five times on their way to adulthood, they and leaves (although this can make them the
develop amazing talents, including the ability to scourge of farmers). The males also like to play
leap great distances – the equivalent, in fact, to a tunes to attract females, by rubbing a row of
human being able to clear the entire length of a pegs on their lower back legs against their
basketball court in a single bound. forewings or by rubbing their wings together.
Grasshoppers are designed to avoid being And even though they are found in every
eaten. Their jumping allows them to escape from corner of the globe except for the particularly
predators; their colouring helps them camouflage cold regions close to the Earth’s poles, new
within differing environments and the toxicity of discoveries are still being made. Whether it’s
some species makes them very unpleasant to be learning how they make their magnificent
around, never mind to eat. Their two compound leaps, or spotting parasitic worms that force
eyes can spot danger metres away and their them to commit suicide underwater, these
three simple eyes distinguish dark and light. are insects that continue to astound.
42
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Leaping legends
Rainbow grasshopper
A snazzy species that can’t fly
RAINBOW
GRASSHOPPER Rainbow grasshoppers are so-called
Dactylotum bicolor because of their psychedelic colouring.
Class Insecta
As with many such insects, this kind of
bright banding is an important deterrent
and acts as a visual warning to the lizards
and birds that tend to prey on them. This
Territory North America,
Mexico is particularly important because the
Diet Leaves, grasses grasshoppers’ wings are so small and under-
Lifespan Unknown developed that they cannot fly, making
Adult weight Unknown
Conservation status a swift getaway more difficult. Even so,
they have a trick up their sleeve if they are
caught: a rich diet of grasses and broad-
NOT EVALUATED leafed herbaceous plants makes them very
unpleasant to taste.
“The bright banding is an important
deterrent and a visual warning to the
lizards and birds that prey on them”
43
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Leaping legends
What is a grasshopper?
Grasshoppers, locusts, crickets and katydids are all insects belonging to the
group Orthoptera, but how can you tell them apart?
Grasshopper Locust Cricket
Grasshoppers usually have a short pair of Locusts are grasshoppers that are able to fly in Crickets and katydids are part of the suborder
antennae and a total of five eyes. They have two swarms and migrate over long distances. Their Ensifera (whereas grasshoppers and locusts
pairs of wings and three pairs of legs, including wings grow larger and they may change colour are Caelifera). They tend to be darker coloured,
relatively large hind legs. in preparation for swarming. unable to fly, and have long antennae.
Horsehead grasshopper Tobacco
juice
A twig-like species with no wings Grasshoppers spit a brown
HORSEHEAD liquid from their mouths when
GRASSHOPPER Although they bear an uncanny resemblance to stick
Pseudoproscopia scabra insects, horsehead grasshoppers are actually super- they are picked up and this is
Class Insecta sometimes referred to as tobacco
skinny members of the Caelifera suborder. These wingless juice. It’s a harmless substance
insects with their narrow, tubular bodies have evolved made of saliva and enzymes
to look just like sticks and can reach lengths of up to and is used as a defence
20 centimetres (eight inches). The females are larger
Territory Ecuador, Peru mechanism to startle a
Diet Leaves than the males, although both reach maturity within would-be predator.
Lifespan 7-12 months four months of hatching. They spend most of their time
Adult weight Unknown climbing or camouflaged among branches and twigs.
Conservation status
Like all other grasshoppers, they have very long hind legs
and the ability to jump. What’s more, scientists say they
use their compound eyes to detect gaps, allowing them
NOT EVALUATED
to safely and nimbly scuttle through small openings.
44
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Leaping legends
Large marsh
LARGE MARSH
GRASSHOPPER
Stethophyma grossum grasshopper
Class Insecta
Britain’s largest grasshopper species
Territory Europe Easily distinguishable by its typically bright
Diet Grasses green-yellow colouring, the female large marsh
Lifespan Unknown grasshopper can grow up to 36 millimetres
Adult weight Unknown
Conservation status (1.4 inches) in length. The slightly smaller male
compensates for his size by making himself
heard. Tapping the tip of its forewing with a hind
NOT EVALUATED tibia, the male produces a distinctive pattern of
eight ticks every three to four seconds.
Blue-winged grasshopper
The grasshopper that baffles by becoming a butterfly
When the blue-winged grasshopper the direction it has come from and
senses danger, it leaps into the if that wasn’t confusing enough for
air with impeccable timing and a predator, the colouring vanishes
its hindwings flash a brilliant blue, from view when the grasshopper
making it appear very much like a comes to rest. This is a useful
butterfly. But the magic really takes defence mechanism for an insect
place when it lands. As it touches that is otherwise vulnerable, due to
the ground in what is called a hook being commonly found in flat and
landing, it swings around to face open land.
“When it senses danger, it leaps into RIGHT
A blue-winged
the air with impeccable timing and grasshopper
gliding through
the air, displaying
its hindwings flash a brilliant blue” its amazing
colouring
45
042-047_Grasshoppers.indd 45 03/02/2016 15:09
Leaping legends
Hooded grasshopper
HOODED
GRASSHOPPER
Teratodes monticollis
Class Insecta Bodies that look like leaves
These highly striking grasshoppers
bear a close resemblance to leaves,
camouflaging themselves against trees
Territory India, Sri Lanka
Diet Leaves as they feed. Their distinctive shape is
Lifespan Unknown formed by the pronotum – the plate-like
Adult weight Unknown structure that covers the thorax – acting
Conservation status
as a sizeable hood over the insect’s body.
These green grasshoppers are native
NOT EVALUATED to India and Sri Lanka, where they are
generally regarded as pests.
What’s a
pronotum for?
The pronotum is a
saddle-shaped, hard
shield, which protects the
middle thoracic segment and
part of the abdomen of a
grasshopper. Many insects
have pronotums but they are
particularly prominent on
grasshoppers.
The world’s highest jumpers
Grasshoppers are able to jump 20 times their own body length but how does that compare to other animal athletes?
140x 120x 50x
ITS OWN ITS OWN ITS OWN
HEIGHT HEIGHT LENGTH
Froghopper Flea Tree frog
140 times its own height 120 times its own height 50 times its own length
According to University of Cambridge research, As well as leaping high into the air, fleas can Just before they leap, tree frogs shorten their
froghoppers have bow-like structures between jump long distances – some 200 times their leg muscles for around 100 milliseconds, which
their hind legs and wings, which can be flexed own body length. Scientists at the University of stretches their tendons and builds up a store
to release energy. This, in turn, powers a jump. Cambridge found fleas transmit force from a of energy in them. When the frog leaps from
This action catapults the froghopper forward spring in the thorax through leg segments that the ground, the tendons recoil like springs –
with a force that is more than 400 times greater exert pressure on the toe. When pushing off propelling it into the air with a much greater
than gravity. with their feet, energy is released. force than if it used muscle strength alone.
46
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Leaping legends
BOW-WINGED Bow-winged How grasshoppers
GRASSHOPPER leap into the air
Chorthippus biguttulus
grasshopper jump depends on three main factors –
Class Insecta How far and how high a grasshopper can
their size, sex and species – but all make
Loud singing in the city their leaps in the same way. The insect
Territory Europe crouches down with its larger back legs
Diet Plants A study of common bow-winged gripping the floor but folded beneath it
Lifespan Unknown grasshoppers found that the male insects
Adult weight Unknown (they are around twice the size of the front
Conservation status altered the frequency of their calls when legs). It then uses its hind leg muscles to
in cities, emitting a higher pitch so that the push against the ground at just the right
females could hear them over the hustle and speed and force to propel it forward.
NOT EVALUATED bustle of the urban environment.
Mottled grasshopper
The master of disguise that looks nothing like its friends
The mottled grasshopper is highly variable in dry grasslands and heathlands. Found across
its appearance, combining green, grey, brown Europe, this species can be identified by its
and white to blend with its environment of slightly club-like antennae.
50x 10x 8x
ITS OWN ITS OWN ITS OWN
LENGTH HEIGHT LENGTH
Jumping spider Klipspringer Red kangaroo
50 times its own length 10 times its own height 8 times its own length
When jumping spiders contract the muscles in This petite species of African antelope walks Red kangaroos are able to cover up to eight
their body, blood pressure is increased in the around on its toes but can leap skilfully from metres (25 feet) in a single leap and jump to a
third or fourth pair of legs. This causes them one rock to another, absorbing the shock of huge height of 1.8 metres (six feet). That’s no © Alamy; FLPA; Getty; Nature PL; Thinkstock
to expand very quickly and the resulting act of a jump with its four hooves, which are the mean feat for an animal that weighs as much
extending the legs then launches them into the consistency of hard rubber. Klipspringers can as 90 kilograms (200 pounds) and is up to 1.6
air. A strong silk thread is released as a tether to stand on an area of rock as small as three metres (5.3 feet) tall. The secret is the immense
control the jump. centimetres (1.2 inches) in diameter. power in its hind legs.
47
042-047_Grasshoppers.indd 47 03/02/2016 15:24
Education in zoos
What can
zoos teach us?
Whether zoos play a role in educating visitors about
wildlife has been heavily debated, but there is no
doubt they have the opportunity to influence millions
Bringing textbooks to life BELOW Education is one of the main
Zoos receive millions of visitors each year, putting them objectives at Bristol Zoo Gardens
in a strong position to teach and inspire a wide range of
people from all ages and backgrounds. For many visitors,
zoos offer a way for people to see their favourite animals
in the flesh and interact with creatures they may not
otherwise get the opportunity to see. Allowing people time
to experience living animals is arguably their strongest
resource. As David Attenborough said, “Today more and
more of us live in cities and lose any real connection with
wild animals and plants.”
Zoos aim to raise awareness, increase respect and
knowledge, and engage people with the natural world.
It is argued that we cannot conserve what we don’t
understand. By teaching visitors why we need to protect
our planet’s wildlife, zoos aim to inspire people to change
their habits, get involved in conservation and help raise
funds to safeguard the future of these species.
Natural history television presenter and zoologist,
Miranda Krestovnikoff, is a strong advocate of zoos playing
an important part in educating conservationists of the
future. She is currently supporting Bristol Zoological
Society’s giraffe house appeal.
Miranda said: “The role and purpose of zoos has
changed enormously in recent decades, with conservation
and education now a key focus of their work. Zoos and
other wildlife visitor attractions are in a unique position
to teach people about biodiversity, and zoo school trips
provide children with an opportunity to develop emotional
ties to wildlife, foster an appreciation for the natural world
and engage in conservation initiatives. Lively and varied
education programmes for schools bring subjects to life
and inspire children to care about the world around them.”
BIAZA
The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums
WAZA
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Zoo education in numbers
700 OVER OVER 1.2 700 24
71%
MILLION 7,000 of people surveyed 100 million projects involving MILLION
an increase in
people visit WAZA species in by WAZA showed BIAZA zoos and trips to BIAZA zoos research and training visitors to BIAZA
are pre-arranged
run by BIAZA
aquariums in
understanding of
zoos annually BIAZA zoos biodiversity the UK educational visits members every year zoos each year
48
048-049_Education in zoos.indd 48 03/02/2016 15:11
Changing
BELOW Zoos
and aquariums behaviours
aim to inspire
their visitors by How zoos are altering
giving them the people’s attitudes
opportunity to get
up close to real
animals
Recycling phones to save gorillas
Houston Zoo in Texas encourages
people to recycle their electronic items.
Many devices contain coltan, mostly
mined from prime gorilla habitat in the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
Sustainable seafood
Monterey Bay Aquarium in California
is promoting Seafood Watch, a
programme to empower and
encourage their visitors to learn about
Education at home Education abroad sustainable seafood sources and to
Millions of schoolchildren visit the zoo on educational In recent years, the idea that zoos have a responsibility to purchase seafood from businesses
supporting healthy oceans.
trips every year. They not only link learning in the zoo positively impact ecosystems and animals in the wild has
to national curriculums, but they also hold workshops been gaining momentum. When animals are released into
and outreach programmes to raise awareness and the wild, a lot of planning, coordination and education is
understanding in their community. inevitably involved. Lasting conservation success usually
A number of animal collections have introduced comes from the recruitment of wildlife rangers, long-term
courses to teach people that all species deserve our care support, and ongoing training in biological science. There
and protection. Bristol Zoo’s ‘Living with Spiders’ course is will always be a need to train staff and rangers in countries
designed to help people overcome their fear of the eight- where educational resources are scarce. The participation
legged invertebrates through hypnotherapy and talks of local communities is also vital and much work goes into
about the spider’s anatomy, behaviour, and role in nature. developing and maintaining long-lasting relationships.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Chester Zoo’s Act for Wildlife campaign is working with
Edinburgh Zoo’s Wild About Scotland bus is an outreach communities around the world, and involves a broad range Community-based approach
Persecution of snow leopards in
programme which aims to engage young people and of work, from training rangers in Africa to helping with the Russia is rife. To change attitudes, the
communities with Scotland’s natural history and deliver elephant-human conflict in Assam, India. Meanwhile, Bristol Snow Leopard Conservancy created
free wildlife education sessions in a fun and practical way. Zoo is actively working in 15 countries to protect wildlife the Snow Leopard Day Festival, a fun
The goal is to inspire and nurture a lifelong appreciation and people. For example, there are currently projects event for children involving art, dance
and other activities.
for animals and the environments they live in, so that focusing on lemurs in Madagascar and western lowland
future generations can help to protect the natural world. gorillas in Cameroon, both of which are community-based.
Zoos also help to educate and train future vets, Aside from direct conservation work, ZSL London
zookeepers and field conservationists with courses like Zoo has been working in Equatorial Guinea
the Zoological Society of London’s (ZSL) Zoo Academy. to find viable alternatives to bushmeat,
And it is not only in the zoo that education takes place. which is currently a source of food and
Raising awareness about the role people can play in their income to local people. Through
own communities to protect native species is something working with communities, it has
zoos are heavily involved in, organising activities such established projects to evaluate,
as bug safaris and pond dipping. This is a great way for test, and implement culturally
people to get involved in conservation, gain new skills, acceptable and economically
and learn about native species from experts. viable alternatives. The hope is
that by slowly changing the © Epic Photography; Bristol Zool; The Deep; SLC Lyubov Ivashkina
“The goal is to inspire way bushmeat is viewed,
threatened species can be
and nurture a lifelong saved from poaching.
appreciation for animals” RIGHT The Living with Spiders
course at Bristol Zoo helps visitors to
overcome their fear of spiders
49
048-049_Education in zoos.indd 49 03/02/2016 16:50
Advertorial
Education in zoos
Zoos in the UK receive over 24 million visitors every year, putting
them in a unique position to teach and inspire both adults and
children about the natural world. These are just some of the zoos
doing their bit to educate the nation about conserving wildlife
Chessington World of Beale Park
Adventures Resort www.bealepark.co.uk
The importance of education is paramount
www.chessington.com at Beale Park. We are dedicated
Conservation is one of our biggest passions at Chessington to inspiring the next generation of
conservationists, keepers and those who
World of Adventures Resort, so in 2011 we set up the just want to make a difference in their own
Chessington Conservation Fund (CCF) to raise awareness and back garden.
funds for environmental issues locally and worldwide. The zoo The park is making great strides in
hosts exciting and informative workshops for schoolchildren, helping native species, and we love to share
focusing on conservation, habitats, the animals at our zoo and our enthusiasm by offering educational
much more. Chessington will be running additional educational workshops like building bat and bird boxes,
workshops during Science Week from the 21 to 24 March butterfly feeders, and bug hotels. We also
2016 as well as hosting a fundraising Conservation Evening offer self-led worksheets that help provide
in the summer. CCF also takes its educational programme a wild and informative day out.
worldwide. We partnered with the Dambari Wildlife Trust on More exciting times lie ahead in 2016,
their ‘Mapotos Biodiversity Monitoring Project’ in 2015. This with our brand new education building
project aims to encourage long-term, community-driven opening soon. This will be the park’s first
biodiversity by starting education programmes in five schools dedicated education classroom, and will
close to Matopos National Park.
help us to educate visitors that by being
responsible for our own actions, we are
Cotswold Wildlife Park able make a real contribution to species
and habitat survival on both a local and
www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk global scale.
We believe that the Cotswold Wildlife Park is one of the UK’s best learning
environments. With over 250 animal species, a narrow-gauge railway, an
exciting playground and 160 acres of beautiful parkland, what better way to
bring the national curriculum to life? Instead of using a classroom to teach
children about animals and conservation, there is nothing more effective than
using zoo animals to illustrate your point. From Science to Maths, English to
Art; the zoo can teach and inspire children and young people. By getting out
and about in the park, we can fill them with awe and excitement for nature.
Wildlife and conservation becomes a real thing and with Ofsted encouraging
learning outside the classroom, zoos can offer a unique opportunity to
educate the next generation on the importance of these issues.
Paradise Wildlife Park The Deep
www.thedeep.co.uk
www.pwpark.com Dive in to The Deep with a visit to Hull’s
Paradise Wildlife Park is set in the beautiful surroundings of Broxbourne award-winning aquarium. Explore the
Woods, in the heart of the Hertfordshire countryside. It is the leading depths of the oceans from the beginning
zoo in Europe for animal experiences, offering over 30 different of time to tropical lagoons, chilly Antarctic
pre-booked exotic animal experiences, including Feeding the seas to the endless oceans and the life-
Big Cats, Shadowing a Keeper, Meeting the Meerkats and giving rivers of the world. It’s perfect for a
Tickling a Tapir, to name a few. This family-run wildlife park fantastic educational family day out.
is also renowned for getting close to the animals and Learn more about our role as an
education through fun. education and conservation charity
The success of Paradise Wildlife Park has allowed through our valuable research and
us to make contributions of over £3 million to projects including protecting manta rays in
conservation projects at home and around the Sudan, working with the Galapagos Trust
world. We are the first zoo in Europe to receive a to monitor the endangered Galapagos
double Platinum Award for funds raised for the penguin, EAZA studbooks, breeding and
EAZA Tiger Conservation Initiative and fourth monitoring programmes and being the
out of all the zoos in Europe. Second in the UK first aquarium in the UK to successfully
and Platinum Award winner for funds raised breed zebra sharks. This is a fantastic
for the Lemur and Madagascan EAZA appeal, achievement as part of a worldwide
the park is an active member of the British, breeding programme to protect this
European and World Association of Zoos. vulnerable species.
050-051_ZooAdvertorial.indd 50 03/02/2016 15:11
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