Jumat, 30 Oktober 2009

African Bull Frog on Tanzania stamp


Rana goliath is one of species of true frogs, genus from Sub-Saharan Africa, known as African Bull Frogs. It is the largest frog in South Africa. They lives in open grasslands, can be found in puddles. Also in the dry season they burrow under ground. The species is found mostly in open grasslands and at low elevations in the sub-Saharan African countries of Malawi, Zambia, Nigeria, Somalia, Mozambique, Angola, South Africa (except for the south-western Cape Province), Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and the Sudan.

The individual frog can weigh up to 2 kilograms .The male can be up to 24 cm long and the females are about 12 cm .Their skin colour is a dull green; the males have yellow throats and the females’ throats are cream-coloured. Juveniles differ in that they are bright green and have a yellow stripe down their back. This stripe fades away as they mature in about one and a half to two years. The bullfrog lays about three thousand to four thousand eggs in shallow water.The body of the frog is very broad, with a short rounded snout, protruding jaw, and tooth-like projections in its lower jaw. The frog has a large mouth, sharp teeth and very little webbing on its feet. This bullfrog differs from other frogs; it has very strong hind legs used to dig holes in ground, so that it can estivate during the dry season.

The African bullfrog is carnivorous. It will feed on anything it can fit into its mouth, including insects, small rodents (such as mice), reptiles, birds, and amphibians (including other frogs).It is quite aggressive. Its sharp teeth cause its bite can be quite serious. The male bullfrog will also aggressively defend his eggs if an animal or a human should approach.

Summarized and adopted from source: http://www.honoluluzoo.org/african_bullfrog.htm

Rabu, 28 Oktober 2009

Samoan White-eye as endangered bird of Nauru


Samoan White-eye (Zosterops samoensis) is a species of bird in the Zosteropidae family. It is endemic to Savai`i, Samoa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist mountain forests and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss. The population estimated 1,000 – 2,499 birds, but it is it is restricted to one island only where it occupies a very small area of forest. Therefore Bird Life International evaluated as Vulnerable Birds.
The species has characteristics are small warbler-like bird size only 10 cm, Olive-green above, dingy white below with yellow tinge to throat and conspicuous, completely white eye-ring and pale iris.

Bridled White-eye as endangered bird of Nauru

Bridled White-eye (Zosterops conspicillatus) is a species of bird in the Zosteropidae family. It is endemic to the Mariana Islands, where it is today restricted to the islands of Tinian, Saipan and Aguijan in the Northern Mariana Islands. The species formerly occurred on the island of Guam, but that population is almost certainly now extinct. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, plantations, and rural gardens.

Long-billed White-eye as endangered bird of Nauru

Long-billed White-eye (Rukia longirostra) is a species of bird in the Zosteropidae family. It is endemic to the island of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. Their natural habitats are subtropical and tropical moist forests, and plantations. This species is threatened by habitat loss.
The species has a curious nuthatch-like behavior of creeping along large tree limbs, and especially seems specialize in using its long slightly-decurved bill to extract insects from the severed ends of branches.

Faichuk White-eye as endangered bird of Nauru

Faichuk White-eye, (Rukia ruki) is a species of bird in the Zosteropidae family. It is endemic to the summit of Mount Winipat on Tol, in the Faichuk group of islands within the Chuuk (Truk) atoll in Federated States of Micronesia.
Its habitat is mountain rainforest dominated by the endemic Chuuk Poisontree. Due to it restricted range on one small mountaintop and the locals' disdain for the native poisontree, it is severely threatened by habitat loss. This species qualifies as Critically Endangered because Population estimated in the hundred, 530 birds, which is likely to be declining owing to continuing habitat loss. A large typhoon could plausibly lead to its extinction.
The species has characteristics are medium-sized 14 cm, all-dark, warbler-like bird, uniform dark-brown with black bill, orange legs and conspicuous white "teardrop" below the eye. The voice lively song and lilting warble very similar to song of Golden White-eye of the Marianas. Some advocate that it is the only true member of the genus Rukia, or the "Great White-eyes". It feeds by foraging for insects in the foliage.

Rota bridled White-eye as endangered bird of Nauru

Rota Bridled White-eye (Zosterops rotensis) is a species of bird in the Zosteropidae family. It is endemic to Rota in Northern Mariana Islands (USA).Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It feeds on insects, seeds, and fruit, and perhaps nectar.
The species has characteristics are Small, warbler-like bird , 10 cm in size, yellowish-olive above, saffron-yellow lores and underparts. This is special characteristic of bold white eye-ring .The bird moves about in small groups.
This species qualifies as Critically Endangered due to small population has declined very rapidly as a result of this habitat loss in combination with other factors. It may decline even more rapidly in the near future if brown tree snake Boiga irregularis becomes established on the island. Population estimated 1,100 birds.

Faichuk White-eye, (Rukia ruki) is a species of bird in the Zosteropidae family. It is endemic to the summit of Mount Winipat on Tol, in the Faichuk group of islands within the Chuuk (Truk) atoll in Federated States of Micronesia.
Its habitat is mountain rainforest dominated by the endemic Chuuk Poisontree. Due to it restricted range on one small mountaintop and the locals' disdain for the native poisontree, it is severely threatened by habitat loss. This species qualifies as Critically Endangered because Population estimated in the hundred, 530 birds, which is likely to be declining owing to continuing habitat loss. A large typhoon could plausibly lead to its extinction.
The species has characteristics are medium-sized 14 cm, all-dark, warbler-like bird, uniform dark-brown with black bill, orange legs and conspicuous white "teardrop" below the eye. The voice lively song and lilting warble very similar to song of Golden White-eye of the Marianas. Some advocate that it is the only true member of the genus Rukia, or the "Great White-eyes". It feeds by foraging for insects in the foliage.





Golden White-eye , endangered bird of Nauru




Golden White-eye (Cleptornis marchei) is a species of bird in the white-eye family Zosteropidae. The species is restricted to the islands of Saipan and Aguijan in the Northern Mariana Islands. This bird has golden coloured plumage and a pale eye-ring. It is a large white-eye, 14 cm long and weighing around 20 g .The species has bright, unmistakable plumage, with: a orange yellow head coupled with a pale eye-ring; a yellow-green back, wings, and tail; and golden orange undersides. Both the bill and legs are orange as well. The Golden White-eye is a generalist, feeding on fruit, berries, insects and nectar, forages in pairs or small family groups.The species is monogamous and lays two eggs in a small cup nest. They usually make a variety of calls. The species makes rasping shorter calls and whistles when in flocks and in flight.