We’ve already counted down the top ten biggest cats, so what’s next? Biggest dogs, of course! After combing through millions of records (ok maybe not that many), we came up with a list of the top ten biggest wild dogs.
We know that sometimes weight can be a little hard to understand so in addition to kilograms and pounds, we’ve also gotten help from something pretty heavy: a 16 pound bowling ball! That way, the next time you are out at a bowling alley, you’ll know that a coyote weighs the same as about 3 bowling balls!
10. Side-Striped Jackal (Canis adustus)
Flickr Credit: David Schenfeld
How big are we: Up to 12kg, 26 pounds, or 1.6 bowling balls
Join Earth Ranger Emma as she travels the world on a quest to solve some of nature’s greatest mysteries! With top ten countdowns, animal guessing games and epic animal showdowns, this is a journey you won’t want to miss!
If you are taking a swim off of the Eastern coast of Australia you’re likely to find the Great Barrier Reef. This 344,400km2 aquatic habitat is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, it is so big that astronauts can see it from space! The Great Barrier Reef is made up of nearly 3,000 individual coral reefs that, together, form a beautiful underwater ecosystem where a diverse suite of over 9,000 species of fish and other aquatic animals, corals, and sponges live. It is one of the planet’s most biologically rich aquatic habitats that not only provides homes for tons of animals but also protects shorelines.
Scientists at the Australian Institute of Marine Science recently looked at 2,258 surveys of the Great Barrier Reef over the past 27 years to see how this amazing ecosystem is doing and the news isn’t good. Between 1985-2012 coral cover has dropped by more than half, and two-thirds of that decline has happened since 1998 – that’s a loss of 30% of Great Barrier Reef coral habitat in just 12 years. What’s causing us to lose the Great Barrier Reef so quickly? The researchers that conducted this study found three major causes:
Tropical Cyclones
These storms form over bodies of water, creating really powerful winds, torrential rain, and high waves, which damage the reefs. When the winds reach speeds of over 120km/h (74mph), these storms are known as hurricanes or typhoons. Although tropical cyclones are normal, over the past few years there has been an increase in both the number of storms and the damage that they cause to the reefs. Some scientists have found that the rise in tropical cyclones is due to climate change. As human actions cause the planet and our oceans to become warmer we are creating ideal conditions for tropical cyclones to form.
Coral Bleaching
Climate change also affects weather patterns by making it more common for there to be extended periods of drought followed by heavy rains. During periods of drought the land tends to become hard with less porous soil, when this is followed by heavy rain more water runs off instead of soaking into the ground. These changes in rainfall patterns cause more pollutants, such as agricultural fertilizers, to runoff the land into the water. Nitrates from the fertilizers get into the water and create an ocean that is more acidic and warmer than usual, which damages the reefs through a process called coral bleaching.
So what is coral bleaching? Coral bleaching involves coral losing its colour. Corals are a special group of gorgeous, simple, marine animals (individually called coral “polyps”) that live in colonies on reefs in different parts of the world, including the Great Barrier Reef. These animals feed by filtering tiny particles out of the water. Healthy corals have a wide array of colour patterns such as blues, oranges, and reds. Some are soft-bodied while others have hard outer surfaces (“exoskeletons”) due to the accumulation of calcium carbonate. Coral is sensitive to changes in water temperature and acidity. In a warmer and more acidic ocean, coral spits out plant-like cells (algae called ZOO-XAN-THAL-LEA) that usually live in the coral polyps. These algae are essential for the coral to survive; without them, the coral turns white and starves to death.
Crown-of-thorns Starfish
As our oceans change due to climate change and pollution we are creating the perfect environment for big populations of Crown-of-thorns starfish. Crown-of-thorns are one of the world’s biggest starfish species, they can have up to 21 arms and are covered in long venomous spines. This starfish feeds on coral starting at about six months of age, and will spend about half their time feeding. Usually the Crown-of-thorns starfish will only eat portions of a coral reef, which allows the reef to quickly recover. But in a warming ocean with huge populations of Crown-of-thorns starfish, they are eating way too much coral, which doesn’t give the reefs a chance to recover.
Save the Reefs!
Researchers at the Australian Institute of Marine Science found that if the Great Barrier Reef continues to decline at this rate, there will only be 10% coral cover left by 2022. But there is hope! Their analysis also showed that without the impact of cyclones, Crown-of-thorns starfish, and coral bleaching, the coral reef can recover! It’s time for us to take action:
Learn about climate change and take steps in your life to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases you create by doing things like conserving energy and choosing to walk, carpool or take public transit instead of using the car.
We’re excited to introduce you to a 10-year-old that’s really passionate about protecting animals and their habitats. Meet Super Ranger Veronica! Not only did Veronica start a campaign in support of the Plains bison, but she also formed a club at school and took a trip to see the animals her fundraising efforts helped protect.
Veronica and Liam, her brother
It all started when Veronica saw an Earth Rangers’ clip on TV about how she could make a difference in the lives of animals that are losing their homes. Veronica was inspired and, with help from her dad, signed up to become an Earth Ranger. She started a campaign to protect the Plains bison. Picking this animal was pretty obvious since this project is in Saskatchewan, where Veronica lives, and she learned a lot about bison in her social studies class last year.
Thanks to lots of hard work collecting cans and bottles and sharing her campaign with friends and family, Veronica was able to raise donations to help protect the Plains bison! This was Veronica’s first major fundraising experience, and she plans to raise more in the next school year along with her brother Liam.
Creating the Earth Rangers Club
Earth Rangers Club animal show case
One recess at school Veronica and a small group of friends started doing research on endangered animals. It wasn’t long before a teacher overheard what the group was doing and expressed an interest in turning it into a real school club. A few weeks later, kids were meeting twice a week at recess to make posters and raise awareness about Earth Rangers, the Plains bison and many other featured animals. The students also made a presentation at the yearend school assembly to promote the Earth Rangers club to the student body. At the assembly Veronica was even recognized by the teacher supervisor for all her hard work.
While driving through Veronica’s hometown the Earth Rangers National Tour stopped by her school for a special visit where we met her classmates and shared with them the Bring Back the Wild School Show. After the show, Veronica got an up close encounter with one of our Animal Ambassadors, Echo the barn owl.
Seeing Her Donations in Action
On August 19th, Veronica and her family went out to meet the bison she helped protect at Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area, in southwest Saskatchewan. At the visitor centre Sue, from the Nature Conservancy of Canada, told them all about the Plains bison that live in the conservation area and gave them directions to the nearest pasture where they could see them. With a good pair of binoculars in hand, Veronica and her family set out to see the bison her Bring Back the Wild campaign helped protect.
Words from Veronica
Here’s what Veronica said about her bison saving adventure “One person can make a difference. I’m just one little girl that had an idea and it turned into a real club! The day I came home and told my mom that three friends had turned into this big group, it was very exciting.”
Has Veronica’s story inspired you? Start a Bring Back the Wild campaign to protect animals and remember to share with us how you’re taking action to help the environment because you could be our next Super Ranger
Earlier this year we asked you what colour you think a polar bear is? The answer is pretty surprising! Polar bear hair is actually mostly clear and their skin is black! So how come they look white? We asked some top scientific minds to explain it to us. Their answer takes us deep into the world of what Polar bear hair is made of and on an exploration of optics, which is the science of light and vision.
Flickr Credit: mape_s
What Makes Up Polar Bear Fur?
A Polar bear’s coat has two layers of hair: an outer layer, made up of long (5-15cm) guard hairs; and a thick undercoat, made up of shorter hair.
These guard hairs are mostly transparent or clear, but thanks to some special characteristics that work to create cool optical tricks, these hairs appear white. Here are the special characteristics of guard hairs: they are coarse, tapered (gradually come to a point) and have a hollow core filled with air; they are made of a protein called keratin; they have light scattering particles inside them; and have tiny salt particles that sit between each hair.
The Power of Optics!
All of these special characteristics of a Polar bear’s guard hair work with the power of light to make Polar bears appear white. Here’s how:
Luminescence
When the sun’s rays hit off of the Polar bear’s transparent guard hair, some of this light energy travels into the hair and gets trapped. This energy bounces around inside the hollow part of the hair causing a reaction called luminescence, which is an emission of light. This happens every time the beam of light makes contact with the side of the hair.
When sunlight shines on Polar bear fur, it causes a reaction known as luminescence
This luminescence is accelerated by light scattering particles. If you were to look at a Polar bear’s guard hair really closely through a super microscope, you could see tiny little bumps – these are the light scattering particles. As the light bounces around in the hollow guard hair it hits these particles, which disrupts the beam of light causing it to break up into more beams that are sent off in different directions. The beams continue to bounce around, creating more luminescence until they reach another light scattering particle and the process happens all over again. All this bouncing light inside the guard hair causes whitish light to be given off by the hair, helping the Polar bear look white and blend into its Arctic snow and ice environment!
Light scattering particles aren’t only found on the inside of the hairs, there are also particles found on the outside. Polar bears pick up salt particles from swimming or being near the salty ocean water. These salt particles, along with the hairs’ coarse surface, also act as light scattering particles that cause even more beams of light to bounce around creating more luminescence.
UV light
Ultra Violet light is found after violet on the Visible spectrum. Photo Credit: Jirka
Light travels in waves that scientists call wavelengths. The human eye can only see certain wavelengths of light, like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet (making up the acronym ROY G. BIV). Each colour has a slightly shorter wavelength than the one that comes before it. This light is part of the visible spectrum, but there are more forms of light that we can’t see. The light that is important for helping us understand Polar bear fur comes after violet. It is called ultraviolet light, something you might know as UV light. UV light has a wavelength that is too short for humans and other mammals to see, but it is still found in sunlight which is one reason you get a sunburn and why having high UV protection in sunscreen is so important.
When sun shines on a Polar bear, the UV in the sunlight shoots down to the base of the guard hair, where it makes contact with the bear’s dark skin. When the UV light hits the skin it produces a whitish colour due to fluorescence.
Keratin protein
Planet Earth is rich with keratin. It is the most common protein in the world and is found in your skin, nails and hair. Just like you, Polar bears have keratin in their hair too. These protein molecules have a slight off-white colour, which further contributes to Polar bear fur appearing white.
Flickr Credit: em_j_bishop
So What Colour Are Polar Bears?
Polar bears are white, but their hair is mostly clear! To recap … when light shines on the Polar bear’s mostly clear guard hair, some light gets trapped in the hair and bounces around, creating luminescence. When it hits a light scattering particle on the inside or salt on the outside, the light breaks up even more and gets sent in all different directions. This light scattering gives off more white-coloured light due to luminescence. UV light also gets transmitted along the guard hairs onto the bear’s dark skin, causing florescence and don’t forget about the keratin protein whose molecules give off a slight white colour. Each of these elements brings you the white Polar bear you know and love.
Now that we know why Polar bears look white, we’re sure you are wondering why some Polar bears might look a little yellow or slightly brownish. Interestingly, with changes in habitat, their fur as it ages over the year, and the time of year, there can be slight differences in their fur’s colour, which helps them blend into their environment. In the late fall and winter, when Polar bears lose their old fur and grow new hair, they tend to appear more white than several months later in the summer when their hair can take on a yellowish tinge from wear on the fur. Those living on ice far away from open water appear whiter than bears that spend a lot of time swimming. On the other hand, Polar bears on land where there is little or no snow have slightly light brown fur.
Polar bear fur changes colour to help them blend into their environment. Flickr Credit: em_j_bishop
Polar bears are amazing animals that are so well adapted to their Arctic home! Today, Polar bears are facing threats and their incredible hair and optical tricks aren’t enough to save them. They need your help! Start a Bring Back the Wild campaign and take action to help save the Polar bear.
References:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_color_is_the_polar_bear’s_skin
Tributsch et al. 1990. Light collection and solar sensing through the polar bear pelt. Solar Energy Materials 21:219-236).
Join Earth Ranger Emma as she travels the world on a quest to solve some of nature’s greatest mysteries! With top ten countdowns, animal guessing games and epic animal showdowns, this is a journey you won’t want to miss!
There is something about spiders that makes people’s skin crawl; maybe it has to do with all those hairy legs? To get in the spirit of spooky Halloween, we are diving into the world of the top ten scariest spiders. After looking at this top ten list you may think that all spiders are scary but remember they rarely bite and very few are dangerous. Spiders are also really important to the environment because most eat other insects, which help control pest populations. If you do see venomous spiders, like the ones in this list, remember to stay away! Although they rarely bite it’s much safer to not test their mood.
Spider Family: New World Tarantula (Theraphosidae)
These spiders are known for being really big and really hairy. Some are excellent climbers and live in trees, while others are found primarily on the ground. Estimated number of species: 939
Goliath Birdeater. Flickr Credit: Smccann
Scariest Spider in this Family: Goliath Birdeater Tarantula (Theraphosa blondi)
Size: Leg span of 30cm.
Location: Northern Amazon rainforests of South America
Scary details: This is the world’s biggest tarantula and the heaviest spider, weighing in at about 170g. They have really big fangs and barbed hairs or bristles that they can flick at predators. However, they aren’t much danger to humans. When they are feeling threatened, they will send out a warning noise by rubbing the bristles on their legs. If you miss the warning and do end up getting bitten, the Goliath Birdeater Tarantula’s venom isn’t very toxic to humans.
Sources: P.D. Hillyard. The Private Life of Spiders. London: New Holland Publishers, 2007: page 69 http://eol.org/pages/1182372/details http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16582998_dHjbS#!i=1249290217&k=wRuKg
Spider Family: Jumping spiders (Salticidae)
These spiders, found all over the world, are known for their wicked jumping skills and their remarkable eyesight. These survival traits are so amazing that jumping spiders are considered one of the most evolved families of spiders. Estimated number of species: 5468
Zebra spider. Flickr Credit: Pim van den Heuvel
Scariest Spider in this Family: Zebra spider (Salticus scenicus)
Size: Has a body length of 5-7mm Location: These spiders are found in Europe, northern Asia and North America Scary details: The idea of a spider jumping at you is pretty scary. Zebra spiders can jump about 20x their own length which sounds terrifying, but being just 7mm, that means they can only jump about 14cm. After putting that into perspective, these guys don’t seem so scary after all. Besides, how can someone be scared of a face like that? Sources: http://www.arkive.org/zebra-spider/salticus-scenicus/image-A12958.html P.D. Hillyard. The Private Life of Spiders:page 34-35
Spider Family: Huntsman spiders (Sparassidae)
These spiders get their name from their speed and hunting skills. They tend to live in warm temperate regions. They do not build webs, but forage for food instead. Estimated number of species: 1123
Giant Huntsman Spider. Flickr Credit: Insecta62
Scariest Spider in this Family: Giant Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda maxima)
Size: Over 4.6cm in body length and has a 25-30cm leg span Location: Laos Scary Details: This spider has the widest leg span in the world which is enough to give anyone the creeps. While human encounters do occur, these spiders aren’t necessarily aggressive unless you disturb their nest or are considered a threat. They also give you a warning before biting. Sources: Peter Jaeger. A new species of Heteropoda (Araneae, Sparassidae, Heteropodinae) from Laos, the largest huntsman spider? Zoosystema 23.3 (2001): pages 461-465. http://zipcodezoo.com/Key/Animalia/Sparassidae_Family.asp
Spider Family: Wolf spiders (Lycosidae)
These spiders are amazing hunters and have really good eyesight. They rely on camouflage for protection and many live and hunt on the ground. Estimated number of species: 2388
Tarantula wolf spider. Flickr Credit: Óskar87jk
Scariest Spider in this Family: Tarantula wolf spider (Lycosa tarantula)
Size: Can grow to 3cm in body length Location: southern Europe, especially around Italy Scary details: During the 17th century, a bite from this spider was believed to cause “Tarantism,” a potentially fatal disorder that caused restlessness and excitability. However, now it is widely believed that tarantism was due to a relative of the black widow. The tarantula wolf spider rarely attacks humans and their bite is no more painful than a bee sting. Sources: http://zipcodezoo.com/Key/Animalia/Lycosidae_Family.asp MobileReference. First Aid Guide and Home Doctor for Smartphones and Mobile Devices. Mobi Health Series (2007): “Lycosa tarantula”
Spider Family: Wandering spiders (Ctenidae)
These spiders don’t catch prey in webs, rather they ambush prey on the ground. Estimated number of species: 468
Scariest Spider in this Family: Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria nigriventer)
Size: Body length is about 3-5cm with a leg span of 12-15cm. Location: Southern South America Scary details: These spiders are fast, highly venomous and aggressive. Unlike most other spiders, they won’t run when threatened. In fact, 60% of all spider bites in parts of Brazil are caused by this P. nigriventer. Venom from this spider is lethal so steer clear of this species. Sources: http://www.minaxtarantulas.se/articles/brazilian-wandering-spider-phoneutria-nigriventer-keyserling-1891-in-terrarium/ Dr. Robert S. Anderson, et al. Insects and Spiders of the World: Volume 10. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2003: pages 580-582 P.D. Hillyard. The Private Life of Spiders:pages 117-119
Spider Family: Actinopodidae
These spiders are found in South America and Australia. Estimated number of species: 40
Scariest Spider in this Family: Mouse Spiders (Missulena)
Size: 10mm-35mm in body length Location: Mainland Australia Scary Details: These spiders look like the Sydney Funnel-web spider and can be just as toxic. However, they are not aggressive. Although they are often seen around mainland Australia, bites are rare. If bites do happen, funnel-web spider anti-venom has been proven as an effective cure. Sources: http://australianmuseum.net.au/Mouse-Spiders/ http://zipcodezoo.com/Key/Animalia/Actinopodidae_Family.asp
Spider Family: Recluse spiders (Sicariidae)
This family is known for being venomous. They are found around the world in warm climates. Estimated number of species: 125
Six-eyed Sand Spider with its prey
Scariest Spider in this Family: Six-eyed sand spider (Sicarius hahni)
Size: Body length of 9-19mm and a 50mm leg span Location: Western half of southern Africa Scary Details: This spider is a cousin of the brown recluse spider and can be just as toxic. It hides under the sand and waits for its prey to come too close. Currently there isn’t an anti-venom for the six-eyed sand spider, but there are very few recorded bites and they seem highly unlikely to bite humans. These spiders are very shy and timid. Rather than attack, it will run away and hide under the sand if it is disturbed. Sources: http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/arachnids/spiders/sicariidae/sicarius.htm http://eol.org/pages/181/details P.D. Hillyard. The Private Life of Spiders:pages 116-117
Spider Family: Funnel spiders (Hexathelidae)
Some species belonging to the Hexathelidae family are found in South America, Africa, but most live around Asia Pacific. Their name comes from the shape of their web. Estimated number of species: 105
Sydney Funnel Web Spider. Photo Credit: Londolozi
Scariest Spider in this Family: Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus)
They are known for their amazing, not to mention massive, webs that sometime span several feet in width. Estimated number of species: 61
Golden Silk Orb-weaver. Flickr Credit: Clicksy
Scariest Spider in this Family: Golden Silk Orb-weaver (Nephila clavipes)
Size: Usually grow to be 7.5cm in body length Location: Around the southern United States, Argentina and Peru. This is the only member of this family found in the Western Hemisphere, the rest live in the South Pacific. Scary details: These spiders build their webs with strong silk and are often found from 2 to 8 feet above the ground, so be careful when walking in Golden Silk Orb-weaver territory or you might stumble into one. Thankfully, while this spider is venomous, it is not lethal to humans. Like the tarantula wolf spider, their bite is comparable to a bee sting! Sources: http://bugguide.net/node/view/2023 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Nephila_clavipes/
Spider Family: Cobweb spiders (Theridiidae)
While many spider webs are beautifully designed and patterned, the cobweb spider is an exception to the rule. Their webs are known for looking tangled and unorganized. Estimated number of species: 2350
Black widow spider. Flickr Credit: theloushe
Scariest Spider in this Family: Black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans)
Size: Body length is about 9mm, with a 25-35mm leg span Location: Mostly around the United States, but some are found in southern Canada, Mexico and South America Scary details: This spider might be small, but it packs a powerful bite. Its venom is believed to be 15x more toxic than a rattlesnake’s. Thankfully, Black widows are timid and not aggressive. Its first defence method is to drop out of its web and pretend to be dead. Sources: http://bugguide.net/node/view/26336 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Latrodectus_mactans/
What animals do you think of when someone says “Africa”? Most people imagine lions, zebras and maybe a rhino or two but what about the greater kudu, the dwarf mongoose or the African civet?
Earth Rangers has teamed up with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to shine a spotlight on some of the lesser-known animals that live in Africa. The conservancy is located in northern Kenya, with over 62,000 acres of protected land and is home to tons of animals, including the species on this top ten list.
Greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
Size and weight: Males can measure 195-245cm (6.4-8ft) and weigh up to 315kg (694lbs)
Habitat: Savannah, woodland, avoids open grasslands and forests
Status: From least concern to endangered depending on the location in Africa
Interesting facts
1. They might look big and clumsy but they are actually swift and excellent jumpers. They can clear a fence 2m (6.6ft) high!
2. They have long necks that they use to reach food on high branches. The giraffe is the only animal that beats their impressive reach.
3. Only the males have horns, which take a spiral shape and can grow up to 100cm (over 3ft)
Size and weight: Adults measure 100-110cm (3.3-3.6ft) from head to tail with a 180-200cm (5.9-6.6ft) wingspan. They weigh 3-4kg (6.6-8.8lbs)
Habitat: Wetlands and open grasslands
Status: Vulnerable
Interesting facts
1. They aren’t picky eaters; they will feed on insects, lizards, amphibians, fish, grasses and seeds. This has helped them adapt to changes to the landscape made by humans. In fact, they are often found around agricultural lands and man-made wetlands.
2. Thanks to their long hind toe, they are one of only two species of crane that perch and sometimes build nests in trees. Staying in trees helps these cranes avoid predators on the ground.
3. On average, they lay 2-3 eggs at a time. This is the largest average egg clutch of any crane.
Size and weight: Head and body length is 67-84cm (2-2.8ft) with an extra 34-47cm (1-1.5ft) for the tail. They can weigh anywhere between 9.5-20kg (20-44lbs), which is a huge range in size!
Habitat: Lowland, highland, forests, swamp, open savannah (with thickets or long grass for shelter)
Status: Least Concern
Interesting facts
1. Each African civet has a different pattern of brown and black spots on their coat. This colour combination provides excellent camouflage in the forest.
2. They produce a secretion that used to be a very important ingredient in perfume. Today, these additives in perfumes are made from synthetic alternatives.
3. They have a very broad diet that includes millipedes, small mammals, and crabs. Unfortunately as their habitat increasingly overlaps with humans they have been known to rummage through trash to find a meal. This flexibility in diet allows them to adapt to a wide range of habitats.
Size and weight: Can be 90-120cm (3-4ft) at the shoulder. Males tend to be bigger, weighing about 175kg (390lbs).
Habitat: Dry plains and scrublands
Status: Near threatened
Interesting facts
1. Both sexes grow horns but the females’ tend to be longer. Usually horns grow to about 73cm (2.4ft) but they can grow up to 110cm (3.5ft).
2. They have to make an effort to keep their spear-like horns away from each other while walking and lying down so that they don’t hurt other members of their herd.
3. They are well adapted to the dry habitats that they live in. They regulate their body temperature and have a great capacity to conserve the water that they get from the plants they eat.
Size and weight: They can grow 90-150cm (3-5ft), with over half belonging to the tail. They weight 3-15kg (6-33lbs).
Habitat: Closed forests
Status: Subspecies tend to be least concern, but one is endangered (Colobus guereza ssp. percivali)
Interesting facts
1. “Colobus” comes from the Greek word for “mutilated”, referring to the fact that these monkeys have no thumbs.
2. Like cows, these monkeys have stomachs that are divided into pouches, usually three or four. They prefer to eat young tender leaves but their specially designed stomach allows them to digest food other monkeys can’t, like mature or toxic foliage.
3. These monkeys rarely come down from the trees. Instead, they travel by jumping from branch to branch, sometimes leaping as high as 15m (50ft) in the air. The hair on their shoulders and their long tail help them keep balance and act as a parachute, slowing them down as they land on a branch.
Size and weight: Measuring head and body, they grow to 85-141cm (2.8-4.6ft). They can weight 18-34kg (40-75lbs)
Habitat: Plains, bushy savannahs, woodlands, upland forests, semi-deserts, mountainous areas
Status: Endangered (current population estimated at 5500 individuals)
Interesting facts
1. Like the African civet, each of these dogs has a unique coat but they also stand out because of their interesting toes. While all other canid species have five toes, the African wild dog only has four.
2. One of the African wild dog’s most striking features are their ears. Their large and round ears are not only perfect for hearing calls over large distances, they also are important for heat loss and temperature regulation.
3. They are very efficient hunters capable of reaching speeds of up to 55km/h (34mph), which allows them to chase down their prey. They hunt in packs, led by the alpha male, and are capable of taking down huge animals, like wildebeest that weigh up to 250 kg (550lbs).
Size and weight: Measuring head and body, they grow to 160-215cm (5-7ft), with an extra 30-70cm (1-2.3ft) for the tail. They can weigh up to 218kg (480lbs).
Habitat: Savannahs and grasslands
Status: Endangered, fewer than 70,000 in 2008
Interesting facts
1. They might look large and bulky, but like the Greater kudu, they are actually nimble and really fast. When they really need to, they can reach speeds of up to 70km/h (43mph).
2. They have a very long and narrow head, which is perfectly suited for grazing on grass and avoiding eating the stems and stalks.
3. These animals live in herds, but the number of animals depends on the amount of fresh grass available. Sometimes there can be 20 in a herd and at other times they can number in the hundreds or thousands.
Size: Males can grow to an average height of 220cm (7.2ft)
Habitat: Plains and dense bush habitats
Status: Least concern
Interesting facts
1. Ostriches hold all kinds of bird records. They are the biggest bird in the world, have the biggest eyes of any land vertebrate (about the size of a tennis ball), and they lay the largest eggs of any bird. They are also the fastest two-legged animal in the world, reaching up to 70km/h (43mph).
2. Ostriches are also the only bird to have two toes. One of these toes has a claw that can grow up to 10cm (4in).
3. You can tell a Somali ostrich from a Common ostrich by their appearance and habitat. Somali ostriches are found in scrub areas, not open plains, and they live by themselves or in pairs instead of small flocks. They have darker plumage, with a blue-grey neck and legs instead of pink, and they are missing the white ring at the base of their neck that is seen in the Common ostrich.
Reference: http://www.arkive.org/ostrich/struthio-camelus/#text=All Nigel Redman, Terry Stevenson, John Fanshawe. Birds of the Horn of Africa: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia and Socotra. A&C Black, 2009. Page 34 Clive Roots. Flightless Birds. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006. Page 26
Size and weight: They measure 18-26cm (7-10in) with an extra 12-20cm (5-8in) for the tail. They weigh around 275g (10oz).
Habitat: Savannah, woodlands, mountain scrub brush country
Status: Least concern
Interesting facts
1. Dwarf mongooses co-exist with rough-scaled plated lizards (gerrhosaurus major), which live in the mongooses’ homes and eat their dung. They also have a symbiotic relationship with red- and yellow-billed hornbills. These birds eat the insects that the dwarf mongoose disturbs, and in return the hornbills will warn the mongoose when predators are approaching.
2. In many other species, the alpha male is dominant, but for dwarf mongooses, it is the female that is in charge. The group is made up of her relatives and they will stay together until she dies.
3. They are the smallest member of the mongoose family
Size and weight: They can grow 75-115cm (2-4ft) and weigh 8-18kg (18-40lbs)
Habitat: Rugged, rocky areas with short vegetation
Status: Least concerned, but endangered in Nigeria and Central African Republic
Interesting facts
1. Klipspringer pairs are monogamous; they stick together until one of the pair dies. They are rarely seen apart and spend the majority of their time within a few metres of each other.
2. They are the only antelope to walk on the tips of their hooves. This gives them extra grip so they can climb smooth surfaces and hop from rock to rock.
3. They have a very dense coat made up of hollow hairs. When they are threatened, sick or hot, their fur stands up which makes them seem bigger than they actually are.
What other animals live in Africa? Go crawling for critters online or at your local library to discover more amazing animals. And don’t forget to leave a comment to share what African animal is your favourite.
During March Break, 2012, Earth Rangers was at the Royal Ontario Museum where we met some fantastic audiences that came to see the Bring Back the Wild™ show. One day we had an awesome visitor named Emily, who stood out from the crowd thanks to a cool homemade sash that she covered in all the Earth Rangers buttons she had earned. Not only is she a proud Earth Ranger, she has all the buttons to prove it! Here’s what Emily has to say about being an Earth Ranger.
My name is Emily, I am 10 years old. I like anime, music, webkins and I am an Earth Ranger. My Dream one day is to one day become an obstetrician (a doctor who helps deliver babies) but I also want to help animals in any way I can.
I heard about the earth rangers when they were at Ontario Place during the summer and I learned so much about all the animals I like learning and reading about.
But then I began to get scared that all the animals that I love could be gone in a few years and it saddened me to know that all these animals are suffering and not many people know or care so I decided to become an earth ranger and help spread the word and raise awareness to help the animals of the world!
So that’s when I had my Parents and my sister, bring me door to door, and start campaigning in my neighborhood. And I will continue to campaign until I help all the animals I can.
Emily is really passionate about helping people and the environment and that’s why she became an Earth Ranger! Great job Emily and keep up the amazing work protecting animals.
Are you helping to protect the environment? Tell us your story and you could be the next Super Ranger!
The world is a buzz with the Olympics and world record holder Usain Bolt. While Usain Bolt might be the fastest human, he doesn’t hold a candle to Sarah, an 11-year-old cheetah living at the Cincinnati Zoo. She broke the running record in July, making her the world’s fastest mammal!
To put her speed into perspective, Usain Bold ran the 100metre dash in 9.63 seconds while Sarah ran it in 5.95 seconds. She reached a speed of just under 100km/h. Now that’s one fast cat!
Many of us love animals and sometimes it can be hard to try and find ways to help protect the planet’s amazing creatures. Natalie and Haley experienced that frustration and that’s why they founded Friends for Wildlife and became Earth Rangers to help Bring Back the Wild™. Here’s a letter from Natalie and Haley about how they are helping animals thanks to a little hard work and some tasty beach cakes!
Dear Earth Rangers:
Hi! It’s Friends for Wildlife Natalie and Haley speaking. We love animals and we love to help them but we don’t like seeing them becoming extinct. We also don’t like seeing them hurt or in pain. This is what happened on our school yard. A deer tried to jump over a picketed fence and injured her stomach.
We heard of the Bring Back the Wild program through our school. Last summer we started fundraising by selling cakes on our street. We baked and decorated beach cakes to fit the summer season. After fundraising for a day, we created a commercial to send to family and friends. Everybody was so generous. Some people even donated extra money to support the cause!
We think that kids around the world should think about these words: we are friends with you so why can’t you be friends with animals too?
These words are FFW’s slogan. It means that we want equality for animals too. We also feel that Earth Rangers is a great organization because it encourages everyone to help different animals not just the animals they know like cats and dogs but animal like pine martens, ring-tailed lemurs and black and white tegu.
We are beginning to plan our next summer fundraiser. Hopefully it will be just as successful as our first one. Our goal is to raise more than our first fundraiser.
From, Haley and Natalie
Thanks Haley and Natalie for sharing with us your thoughts on animals and what inspired you to help protect them. Whether you form a group like Friends for Wildlife or you go solo, every action you take makes a difference and you too can protect animals and help Bring Back the Wild™!
As our oceans change due to climate change and pollution we are creating the perfect environment for big populations of 
Save the Reefs!
Size and weight: Males can measure 195-245cm (6.4-8ft) and weigh up to 315kg (694lbs)
Size and weight: Adults measure 100-110cm (3.3-3.6ft) from head to tail with a 180-200cm (5.9-6.6ft) wingspan. They weigh 3-4kg (6.6-8.8lbs)
Size and weight: Head and body length is 67-84cm (2-2.8ft) with an extra 34-47cm (1-1.5ft) for the tail. They can weigh anywhere between 9.5-20kg (20-44lbs), which is a huge range in size!
Size and weight: Can be 90-120cm (3-4ft) at the shoulder. Males tend to be bigger, weighing about 175kg (390lbs).
Size: Males can grow to an average height of 220cm (7.2ft)
