Uromastyx_Common lizard of Arabian Desert

Desert Lizard

The Uromastyx is a genus of lizard whose members are better-known as Spiny-tailed lizards, uromastyxs, mastigures, or dabb lizards. Uromastyx are primarily herbivorous, but occasionally eat insects, especially when young. They spend most of their waking hours basking in the sun, hiding in underground chambers at daytime or when danger appears.

Their size ranges from 25 cm (10 in) to 91 cm (36 in) or more. Hatchlings or neonates are usually no more than 7–10 cm (3–4 in) in length. Like many reptiles, these lizards' colors change according to the temperature; during cool weather they appear dull and dark but the colors become lighter in warm weather, especially when basking; the darker pigmentation allows their skin to absorb sunlight more effectively.

Their spiked tail is muscular and heavy, and can be swung at an attacker with great velocity, usually accompanied by hissing and an open-mouthed display of (small) teeth. Uromastyxs generally sleep in their burrows with their tails closest to the opening, in order to thwart intruders.

Uromastyx inhabit a range stretching through most of North Africa, the Middle East and across south-central Asia and into India. This area spreads across 5000 miles and 30 countries. They occur at elevations from sea level to well over 3000 feet. They are regularly eaten, and sold in produce markets, by local peoples. Uromastyx tend to bask in areas with surface temperatures of over 120 °F.

A female Uromastyx can lay anywhere from 5 to 40 eggs, depending on age and species. Eggs are laid approximately 30 days following copulation with an incubation time of 70–80 days. The neonates weigh 4–6 grams and are about 2 inches (5.1 cm) snout to vent length.

They rapidly gain weight during the first few weeks following hatching. A field study in Algeria concluded that Moroccan spiny-tailed lizards add approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm) of total growth each year until around the age of 8–9 years.

Wild female uromastyxs are smaller and less colorful than males. For example, U. maliensis females are often light tan with black dorsal spots, while males are mostly bright yellow with mottled black markings. Females also tend to have shorter claws. In captivity female U. maliensis tend to mimic males in color. Maliensis are, therefore, reputably difficult to breed in captivity.

These lizards acquire most of the water they need from the vegetation they ingest. Giving a Uromastyx a water bowl can lead to higher humidity in the cage and can cause problems for the animal. Captive uromastyxs’ diets must be vegetarian herbivorous, consisting primarily of endive, dandelion greens, bok choy, and escarole. Some lettuces have almost no nutritive value, but can be given once in a while as a water source. They can consume de-thorned cacti with their powerful jaws, especially if they need water.

The lizards' food can be dusted with a calcium and a uromastyx designed supplement to help prevent health problems. However, a special UVB bulb must be used in order for them to absorb the calcium from the gut. It is very important to avoid spinach, chard and flowering kale in the diets of all reptiles, since the oxalates in spinach prevent the uptake of calcium into the bloodstream. Insects should not be fed to an Uromastyx. The the high levels of protein can cause liver damage. These animals are herbivores, as stated above, that means they should only be fed plant matter.

Historically, captive Uromastyx had a poor survival rate, due to a lack of understanding of their dietary and environmental needs. In recent years, knowledge has significantly increased, and appropriate diet and care has led to survival rates and longevity approaching and perhaps surpassing those in the wild.

Though the lizards bask at very high temperatures, there must be a temperature gradient within the enclosure allowing them to cool off away from the heat lamps. A cooling-down period over winter months can trigger the breeding response when temperatures rise in the spring. The temporary slowing-down of their metabolisms also lengthens the animals' lifespans.

Uromastyx are burrowing lizards, and need substrate deep enough to burrow in, or a low structure under which to hide. In the wild, these lizards' burrows can reach 305 cm (10 ft) in length. Article Source: wikipedia

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Endangered Forest _ Symbolize of nature

Most endangered forest around the world

A typical forest is composed of the overstory (or upper tree layer of the canopy) and the understory. The understory is further subdivided into the shrub layer, herb layer, and sometimes also moss layer. In some complex forests, there is also a well-defined lower tree layer. Forest are central to all human life because they provide a diverse range of resources, they store carbon, aid in regulating our climate, purify water and mitigate natural hazards such as floods. Forests also contain roughly 90% of the world terrestrial biodiversity.

An endangered forest is one that has ecological importance in its environment and is being threatened by industrialization or human encroachment. Most of these forests have been part of their environment for many years and play a vital role in maintaining a natural balance of the eco system. Scientists have claimed that deforestation has played an important role in causing global warming.

1. Sumatra’s Rainforest

Sumatra is the largest island that is part of Indonesia. It is actually the sixth largest island in the world. Sumatra’s Rainforest has plant and animal life that are unique to it and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.



Almost half of the Sumatra’s Rainforest has been destroyed as Indonesia’s economy benefits from legal and illegal logging and expanding oil palm plantations.

Such devastation has led to animals such as the Sumatran Tiger, Sumatran Orangutan and Sumatran Rhino to be placed on the Critically Endangered Species.

The Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

2. Congo Basin Forest

The world’s second largest tropical forest is the Congo Basin Forest and it covers six countries in Africa; Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

The Congo Basin Forest represents 70% of the continent’ vegetation and contains more than 600 species of trees and 10,000 species of animals.

This forest has suffered the highest deforestation in the globe as trees are cut for commercial purposes and cleared for farming.

Due to the civil wars and unrest that rock that particular region, many people have been forced to encroach and live in the forest.

3. Madagascar’s Rainforests

The island nation is the fourth largest island in the world. Madagascar’s rainforests, dry forests and thorn forests house 80% of plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

But unfortunately ninety percent of the forest cover in Madagascar has been stripped, most of which happened to clear land for small scale agriculture and mining, legal and illegal commercial logging and charcoal production.

The Madagascar government with the help of agencies like USAID and the European Union are working to improve conservancy efforts.

The military coup in 2009 put the deforestation at an all time high but the local communities are also fighting back against illegal loggers.

4. Colombia’s Rainforests

The fourth largest country in South America is Colombia, home to rich tropical rainforests that have one of the highest biodiversity in the world.

According to the United Nations, Colombia is quickly losing its natural forest cover due to legal and illegal logging, mining, energy development and clearing of trees for small and large scale agricultural projects like the illegal cocaine farming and oil palm plantations.

The Colombia government has taken a hands-on approach to conservation by participating in the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change CDM.

CMD: (Clean Development Mechanism) project whereby industrialized countries compensate Colombia for conservation of its rainforests.

5. Malaysia’s Rainforests

Much of Malaysia has mountainous terrains that are covered in dense rainforests which are among the world’s most biodiversity. The original forests were destroyed to clear land for agricultural purposes, mining and legal and illegal logging.

Some of the fall outs of this deforestation have been flooding, which has taken down some more trees in the forest with it. Wild fires have also taken their toll on these rainforests. It has even been predicted that Malaysia’s rainforests will be extinct by 2020.

The Malaysian government is making efforts to rebuild the forest ecosystem especially with the formation of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM).

6. The Mau Forest

The largest indigenous forest in the Rift Valley is the Mau Forest in Kenya. It covers 675,000 acres and is the largest water catchment area in the country.

Many rivers start flowing from the Mau Forest and feed many lakes in the region like the Lake Victoria, which lies in three East African countries, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The Mau Forest has been threatened by human encroachment as the Kenyan population looks to acquire more land, especially fertile land for agriculture, an important economic activity in the country.

The Kenyan government has taken steps to protect the Mau Forest and many Kenyan families have been evicted from the area.

7. Tasmania’s Kelp Forests

Kelp forests have large sea weeds, some growing to 80 meters in length. In Australia, Kelp Forests of Tasmania are on a heavy decline with only 5% of the original size remaining.

These forests are an important habitat for marine organisms. Products made from kelp are used to thicken foods like ice cream and jelly.

Scientists say that the destruction of the Tasmania Kelp Forests is caused by weather disasters like El Nino, over harvesting of kelp, the increase in Tasmania sea water temperatures and the decline of dissolved nutrient levels.

8. Papua New Guinea’s Rainforests

The Independent State of Papua New Guinea is in the Pacific Ocean, neighboring Indonesia and Australia. The highlands region of the country is covered with tropical rainforests, which is more than 70% of the country.

Over 950 species of birds and mammals, and over 20,000 plant species call these rainforests their home. Nearly a quarter of the country’s rainforests have been destroyed driven by commercial logging and clearing of land for large scale agricultural projects, like oil palm plantations.

The Papua New Guinea government is pushing wealthy nations to compensate the country for conserving its forests in order to reduce emissions from deforestation.

9. Sri Lanka’s Rainforests

Sri Lanka is an island country in the Indian Ocean and is another biodiversity hotspot. The nation’s Sinharaja Rainforest is the last viable one of its kind and is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Eighteen percent of Sri Lanka’s natural forest cover has been destroyed. Under British colonial rule, most of the forest was cleared to make way for coffee, tea, cinchona and rubber plantations. The civil war that followed brought with it more deforestation.

Government forces cleared the forests afraid that the rebels would hide out there and those who were displaced from their homes went to settle in the forest.

10. Chile’s Valdivian Rainforest

Along the Southern Chilean coast in South America, lies the Valdivian Rainforest. The nonprofit organization, Conservation International ranks this rainforest as one of the world’s top 25 biodiversity hotspots.

More than 90% of the plant life and over 70% of the animal life in this forest cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Chile’s economy has benefited greatly from wood pulp manufacturing and forestry from the Valdivian Rainforest. This forest has suffered deforestation because of these economic activities as well as building of highways through it.

There is a plan by the Chilean forestry to clear the trees native and unique to the Valdivian Rainforest and replace them with pines and eucalyptus tree farms. Source: wikipedia & web

       

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Rarest Bird’s _ Almost extinct



Some of rarest bird’s around the world

Birds live and breed in most terrestrial habitats and on all seven continents, reaching their southern extreme in the Snow Petrel's breeding colonies up to 440 kilometers (270 mi) inland in Antarctica. The highest bird diversity occurs in tropical regions. It was earlier thought that this high diversity was the result of higher speciation rates in the tropics, however recent studies found higher speciation rates in the high latitudes that were offset by greater extinction rates than in the tropics.

There are many beautiful and fascinating birds in the world. Some species of birds are considered rare due to the threat of extinction. Specific bird populations are decreasing, but fortunately, there are measures being taken by governments and conservationists to protect endangered species so they can thrive in their natural habitats and captivity.



1. Spix’s Macaw

The Spix’s Macaw is one of the world’s most critically endangered species. The Spix’s Macaw is a parrot in shades of blue and named after German naturalist Johann Baptist von Spix. Its natural habitat is restricted due to its dependence on the Caraibeira tree for nesting.

The species was discovered in 1817 in Brazil and is speculated to have become extinct in the wild in 2000. There are currently 85 in captivity, some of which are participating in an international breeding program. The decline in the species is due to hunting and trapping, destroying its habitat and the Africanized bee.

2. Cebu Flowerpecker

The Cebu Flowerpecker is only found on Cebu Island in the Philippines. The Cebu Flowerpecker is stocky with a short, stout bill. The male has colors which include a black head, red mantle/back, yellow/green rear, blackish blue wings/tail and grayish/white under parts.

It was feared to have become extinct in the early 20th century. It was rediscovered in 1992 at Tabunan and was seen most recently in 2007. The population was estimated to be about 85-105 in 2005. The species is threatened by an extreme shortage of habitat and other man-made factors.

3. Western Ground Parrot

The Western Ground Parrot is an endangered species of parrot endemic to Western Australia and is a close relative of the Eastern Ground Parrot and the somewhat more distantly related and mysterious Night Parrot. It is one of the world's rarest birds with about 110 individuals remaining.

The Western Ground Parrot plumage is similar to the Eastern Ground Parrot, but feathers of the abdomen and under tail-coverts are bright yellow with indistinct black barring.

The fledgling Western Ground Parrot is grey/brown around the head, wing covets and across the back, while the Eastern Ground Parrot has bright green (adult) plumage in these areas. This plumage difference would provide better camouflage to mobile fledglings in the habitat typical of the southwest arid regions where they reside. In contrast the Eastern Ground Parrot lives in thick vegetation with little open ground.

4. The Imperial Amazon

The Imperial Amazon, aka Imperial Parrot, Dominican Amazon, August Amazon or Sisserou has a green back, purple neck, green-tipped red tail and purple under parts. The species is native to mountain forests of the Caribbean island nation of Dominica.

It is the national bird and featured on the Dominican flag. It has an endangered status and a population of 150-250 mature birds, of which 3 are in captivity at the Parrot Conservation and Research Center. The species is threatened by habitat loss, pet trade illegal trapping, deforestation/encroachment and competition with Red-necked Amazon/owls for nesting.

5. Hawaiian Crow

The Hawaiian Crow or Alala is considered by some natives to be the Family God. It is black and about 20 inches in length. Unfortunately, it has been extinct in the wild since 2002. As of July, 2010, there were approximately 78 birds in 2 separate breeding facilities.

In the past, it was only found in western and southeastern parts of Hawaii. Important tree species in its habitat were Ohi a lehua and Koa. Reasons for its extinction could be from diseases, or other contributing factors. In April, 2009, a 5-year plan to spend more than $14M was announced to prevent its total extinction.

6. The Kakapo

The Kakapo or Owl Parrot is native to New Zealand and has yellow-green plumage, a large grey beak, short legs, large feet, short wings/short tail. The bird resembles an owl by the fine feathers on its face. It is husky and the heaviest parrot, weighing 4.5-9 pounds. The Kakapo is nocturnal and the only flightless parrot in the world. It is an excellent climber and can descend like a parachute.

As of February, 2010, the Kakapo was critically endangered with only 120 known birds left. Predators such as cats, rats and stoats nearly destroyed the entire population. The Kakapo Recovery Plan was implemented in the 1980’s and survivors have been kept on 2 predator-free islands since January of 2009.

7. The Mauritius Kestrel

The Mauritius Kestrel is native to the forests of Mauritius. It is a small falcon with a long tail and short wingspan of about 1.5 feet. The tiny population was most likely caused by deforestation in the 18th century and cyclones. The most severe decrease was in the 1950’s and 1960’s due to the use of DDT, cats, mongooses and macaques.

In 1974, the population dropped to near extinction, a mere 4, but increased to 50 in 1984. Since there are now more than 800 mature birds, the species was down listed to Vulnerable in 1994.

8. The Pink Pigeon

The Pink Pigeon is native to Mauritius and was down listed from critically endanger to endangered in 2006. It has pale pink plumage on its head, shoulders and underside with pink feat/beak. The wings are brown with a reddish-brown and broad tail. It most closely resembles the Madagascar Turtle Dove.

Habitat destruction and non-native predators caused the population to severely drop in 1991. In 2005, there was a stable amount of about 360 in the wild due to the captive breeding and reintroduction program.

9. The Black Shama

The Black Shama is a lively black bird that is endemic to the island of Cebu which is located The Philippines.

It is threatened by habitat loss on this island as it lives in various types of forests and shrub land.

10. The Mauritius or Echo Parakeet

The Mauritius or Echo Parakeet is known locally as Katover and considered endangered. It is similar to its closest living relative, the Rose-ringed Parakeet, except stockier with a shorter tail and more emerald-green in color.

This bird was close to extinction in the early 1980’s due to lack of suitable trees for breeding, threats by humans, feral pigs/deer and competition with other bird species. By the late 1980’s, the predicament had stabilized and by the mid-1990’s, there were 50-60 birds. Total wild population is currently 280-300. Captive population exists at a wildlife sanctuary in Western Mauritius.

11. Red Goshawk

The Red Goshawk is probably the rarest Australian bird of prey. It is found mainly in the savanna woodlands of northern Australia, particularly near watercourses. It takes a broad range of live prey, mostly birds.

The Red Goshawk used to be regarded as a very large member of the goshawk subfamily, Accipitridae, but it is now believed that the resemblance to these other birds is convergent.

Experts now group the Red Goshawk with the superficially dissimilar Black-breasted Buzzard and Square-tailed Kite as one of the Australasian old endemic raptors. It is believed that the ancestors of these birds, possibly together with a handful of species from South-east Asia and Africa, occupied Gondwana and over the millennia have diverged into their current forms.

12. Flightless Cormorant

Like all cormorants, this bird has webbed feet and powerful legs that propel it though ocean waters as it seeks its prey of fish, eels, small octopuses, and other small creatures.

They feed near the sea floor and no more than 100m offshore.

The Flightless Cormorant is the largest extant member of its family, 89–100 cm (35–40 in) in length and weighing 2.5–5.0 kg (5.5-11 lbs), and its wings are about one-third the size that would be required for a bird of its proportions to fly. The keel on the breastbone, where birds attach the large muscles needed for flight, is also greatly reduced.

The Flightless Cormorants look slightly like a duck, although they have some slight differences (except for their short, stubby wings.)The upperparts are blackish and the under parts are brown. The long beak is hooked at the tip and the eye is turquoise. Like all members of the cormorant family, all four toes are joined by webbed skin. Males and females are similar in appearance, although males tend to be larger.

13. The Black Stilt

The Black Stilt or Kaki is exclusive to New Zealand. Adults have long slender red legs, a fine black bill and black plumage. The species has been protected for 20 years but still remains very rare and critically endangered.

As of February, 2010, the population is estimated at 85 adult birds with about 12 in captivity. The 3 major threats to this species are drainage and hydroelectric development, which disturbs their braded river beds, predators such as cats, ferrets and stoats and hybridization with the closely related Australian Pied Stilt.

14. White-chested White-eye

The White-chested White-eye also known as White-breasted White-eye or Norfolk White-eye is a passerine from the family Zosteropidae. It is endemic to Norfolk Island between New Caledonia and New Zealand and it is regarded as one of the rarest birds in the world. Since 2000 the Australian government has considered the species extinct.

It reaches a length up to fourteen centimetres and therefore it is one of the largest white-eyes. The wingspan is 7.5 cm and the weight is about 30 grams. Its appearance is characterized by a pale green head, an olive green coloured neck and white throat and belly parts.

A further feature is a conspicuous eye ring of white feathers. Males and females are colored similarly. Its diet consists of fruits, berries, nectar, and insects. Its only habitat is a 5 km² large forested area around Mount Pitt on Norfolk Island where it lives solitary. In the breeding season from October to December the couple build a cup-shaped nest in which two white eggs are laid. The incubation time lasts eleven days and another eleven days later the juveniles became fully fledged. Article Source: wikipedia & web

        

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