Wild Facts

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After studying the rare Falanouc yesterday, I thought we would end the week by examining their closest living relative, the Malagasy Civet. When you think about it, we are already visiting Madagascar so we might as well stick around for the weekend, right? Although the Malagasy Civet has a higher population density then the Falanouc, these beautiful creatures are also in jeopardy and have lost between 20-25% of their population in the last 10 years. I guess it is a good thing we are studying them today since they may not be around in another 10 years.

Small But Deadly

The Malagasy Civet is a light brown colour with a lighter coloured belly and four rows of dark spots on their back. They will typically range between 40 to 45 cm (15.5 – 17.75 “) in length and can weigh up to 2 kg (4.4 lbs). Overall, they are not the biggest animal in the world but that doesn’t stop them from being a deadly predator. Granted, they only feast on small animals such as birds, reptiles, frogs, rodents and insects but nonetheless they fill a very important role in the ecosystem. Basically, if they were in North America, they would be competing with animals such as the Red Fox, Coyote and other smaller mammals. I guess it is a good thing that the Malagasy Civet doesn’t live on this side of the ocean.

Photo by Ettore Balocchi (Wikimedia)

Hunter vs. Hunted

As a result of the unique food chain in Madagascar, the Malagasy Civet doesn’t have too many predators, as adults. When they are young though they need to keep an eye out for snakes, birds and dogs (which have been introduced to the island). Although the adults don’t have any natural predators, they still need to be on the lookout for humans since there are many that hunt this Civet for food. I am guessing this is why the Malagasy Civet tries to use their light coloured body and nocturnal habits to blend in with their environment.

Tourist Attraction

Unlike their distant relative, the Falanouc, you actually have a pretty good chance to spot the Malagasy Civet. In fact, they play an important role for tourism since they are attracted to bait stations. Is this something we should be doing? Probably not since it could lead to a whole slew of repercussions but at least you get to witness this beautiful creature in their “almost” natural environment.

Photo by Mariomassone (Wikimedia)

Earlier this week we looked at the beautiful Mongoose Lemur and today we are heading back to Madagascar to see if we can catch a glimpse of a rare mongoose-like animal known as the Falanouc. We can find this solitary animal hanging out in the rain forests in the central and northwestern portions of Madagascar. I can’t promise that we will see one of these odd animals as there are less than 2500 mature individuals remaining on the planet. But if you are up for a challenge, we will go back to the popular and diverse island to learn about the Falanouc.

Regular Dentist Visits

As mentioned the Falanouc is an unusual looking animal with their long and narrow head coupled with a large stocky body and a nice, bushy tail to top it all off. Unlike the Falanouc’s closest living relative, the Malagasy Civet, they don’t have anal glands, or retractible claws. As well, their canines and premolars actually curve backwards, which is an adaptation to eating insects, slugs, worms and larvae. I imagine it would be incredibly tough for this mongoose-like animal to effectively brush behind these backwards teeth.

Distribution Map - Photo by Chermundy

Hard to Find

Earlier I said that I couldn’t promise a sighting of the Falanouc during our visit to Madagascar due to their low population. Well, to make our chances even smaller this particular mammal is also nocturnal, meaning we won’t be seeing them during the day – unless you are snooping through their burrows and/or rocky crevices. The time of year we choose to visit may also play a role in our success rate. During the autumn, the Falanouc will gain weight in their tail, which indicates that they may hibernate throughout the winter. Although, we really don’t know since individuals have been observed during those winter months. I guess there is only one way to find out for sure, right?

On the Decline

So why is the population of the Falanouc on the decline? The usual reasons such as deforestation and the draining of important marsh lands. As well, the introduction of the exotic Indian Palm Civet, may have also impacted their population densities. Luckily, there are a few reserves in which the Falanouc can be found in, which should help protect them from habitat destruction. It is just one more example how humans can disrupt the surrounding ecosystems but with a little bit of education and positive action we can change the fate of many animals, including the Falanouc.

Photo by Sara & Joachim (Wikimedia)

Today was another one of those days where I review the animals completed to date, only to be shocked that we have yet to explore the life of the Spotted Hyena. Here is an animal that is stunning in every sense of the word, I simply forgot about them. We will have to correct that oversight by taking a quick, mid-week trip to Africa to learn about one of the more famous carnivores found on the African continent. The Spotted Hyena is also known as the Laughing Hyena as well as the Tiger Wolf and if you ask me, all three of their common names are pretty cool sounding.

The Famous Carnivore

As mentioned the Spotted Hyena is one of the more famous carnivores in Africa, even if this reputation is built around their stealing capabilities. It is true that the Hyena is very proficient at stealing the prey of other predators; however, they are also efficient hunters themselves. The Spotted Hyena is known for taking down larger animals such as wildebeest or antelope. As well, they have been known to hunt a variety of smaller animals such as birds, snakes, lizards and even insects. I guess having a diverse diet comes in handy when you live in a harsh environment such as Africa.

Photo by New Jersey Birds (Wikimedia)

The Laughing Carnivore

The Laughing Hyena is also known for making a wide range of sounds, including their famous “laugh” that gave rise to this particular common name. Looking at this noisy, pack animal, you may think they are closely related to canines; however, they are actually more closely related to the dog’s nemesis….the feline. It is tough to believe but it is true. Evolution sure can be tricky sometimes, can’t it?

The Strategic Carnivore

We know that the Spotted Hyena is a pack animal and they can often be found living in large groups, referred to as clans, that can contain as many as 80 individuals. These incredibly large “clans” are lead by the female and play an important role in their hunting strategy. Yep, they will typically use their large numbers to isolate an antelope or wildebeest from their herd. Nothing like a little bit of teamwork when you are preparing dinner. Although, once dinner is caught, there tends to be quite a bit of bickering as to who should eat first. I guess the Spotted Hyena isn’t much different that 5 teenagers all living under the same roof.

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Great news – it is Lemur Tuesday! I am assuming everyone loves learning about these cute little primates as much as I enjoy writing about them.  We will all need to meet up in Madagascar one day to actually study them. You in? In the meantime, we are going to use our imagination to pretend we are wandering the dry, deciduous forests of Madagascar looking for the nifty, little Mongoose Lemur. Chances are you will need to be looking up as these Lemurs tend to spend much of their time swinging around the trees. So grab your boots and your hat and let’s go for an imaginary trip to Madagascar…unless you are actually there right now, then please feel free to go out and tell me all about your adventure.

Important Ecosystem Role

Like other Lemurs, the Mongoose species has a preference for fruit, however, they are willing to eat flowers, nectar and leaves but let’s face it, the fruit probably tastes the best out of those choices. As a result of their diet, the Mongoose Lemur plays an important part of the ecosystem as they are responsible for dispersion the seeds of the fruit they feast on.

Photo by Lea Maimone (Wikimedia)

Shift Work

Unlike other Lemurs, this particular one switches up their behaviour depending on the season. During the rainy season they tend to be diurnal, hanging out during the day; however, as the hotter, dry season rolls around they switch up. I guess it makes sense to spend most of the hot days hiding out in the shade, trying to keep cool. I guess it is sort of like shift work but on a larger scale. It makes me wonder how their body gets adapts so easily.  I stayed up pretty late this past weekend and I am still paying for it.

The Bearded Mongoose

You may notice that the Mongoose Lemur has either a red beard or white beard. This is a handy, dandy way to tell whether or not you are staring at an adult male or female. Although, both sexes are born with a white beard, the males develop a red beard with red cheeks. As well, the males tend to have a lighter face than their female counterparts. Provided the Mongoose Lemur you spot is older than 6 weeks, it should be fairly easy to distinguish if their sex. Unless of course it is during the dry season and you can’t actually see their face due to the darkness.

Photo by Berreu (Wikimedia)

After a weekend of fishing with the guys, I figured it was only appropriate to write about an unique fish species. Today we are heading to freshwater lakes, above 40 degrees latitude, throughout North America and Europe. It is here that we will find the weird looking Burbot, which is also known as the Ling-Cod or what we were calling it this weekend, a plain ol’ Ling. Surprisingly enough, the Burbot is the only gadiform (cod-like fish) found in freshwater systems, so I guess that is one thing that makes this fish special. Keep reading to find out a few more things that set this fish apart from others.

What Kind of Fish is That?!?

The Burbot is a cold water fish that prefers lakes in the 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) range, which is why you can usually find them at deeper depths during the summer months. I know I would never make it as a Ling since I would be heading to the beach to relax in the warm water. So how can you tell if the fish you just caught is a Burbot? Well, it is pretty easy since they have a very unique appearance. They have slim body with smooth (and slimy) skin to go along with their flat head. On this head, you will notice a couple of barbels, which is just those whisker-like filaments hanging off their chin. These barbels provide the Burbot with a sense of smell as well as touch. Finally, you will notice the large fin running along the back-end of the fish, which is a pretty distinctive feature that should help you identify your fish species.

Photo from Wikimedia

Tasty but Not Targeted

Although the Burbot isn’t necessarily sought after by anglers, their meat is delicious and even nutritious (in moderation). Nonetheless, anglers don’t seem to be too keen on targeting this bizarre fish. I am still surprised that more people don’t fish for them since they taste like lobster and are often referred to as “the poor man’s lobster”. If you decide try your luck at catching a Burbot, remember to check your local fishing regulations. Most places will allow you to catch these fish since they have a fairly healthy population. This is probably due to the fact that nobody is angling them and they lay about 1 million eggs every winter, so they are quite productive.

The next time you catch an odd looking fish, check it out to see if it is a Burbot before screaming and quickly throwing it back. You just may get a delicious meal out of it.

Photo by H. Krisp (Wikimedia)

Earlier this week we talked about the Rough Skinned Newt, so I think it is only fair to end the week with the appropriately named, Smooth Newt. This little amphibian is also known as the Common Newt and they happen to be one of the most common newts throughout Europe. Only Iberia, Southern France, Southern Italy and the Mediterranean Islands are missing this cute little salamander. The Common Newt can even be found in Russia and parts of Asia so apparently they are not afraid to travel. Well, it looks like we are heading to Europe to explore the Smooth Newt so grab your plane ticket and lets go see what we can learn about this amphibian.

On the Move

Outside of their breeding season, the Smooth Newt can be found in a variety of habitats including deciduous forests, bogs, marshes, parks, farmlands and you may even spot them hanging out in your personal garden. Basically, they are just looking for a nice damp place to sit back and relax in. During breeding season, which occurs in early spring, the Common Newt spends the majority of their time in or around standing bodies of water such as ponds, lakes and even roadside ditches. Nothing says romance like dirty ditch water!

Photo by Bogbumper (Wikimedia)

A Magical Transformation

During mating season, both the males and females transform from a brownish-green, dull colour into a magnificent brownish-green colour. Okay, maybe their transformation isn’t that spectacular but their spots do become more prominent. As well, the males develop a nice wavy crest from head to tail, which must go a long way with impressing the ladies. It is important that the Smooth Newt doesn’t get too attached to their skin since as they grow they pretty much shed it every week. I would be upset if I spent all kinds of energy transforming my dull skin into a slightly less dull skin only to lose it in a week!

License to Kill

The average lifespan for the Common Newt is roughly 5 years, however, some individuals have been known to live up to 20 years. I would think it is impossible for a Smooth Newt to live this long in the wild but there is legislation out there helping them live a little longer. For example, in Ireland, it is illegal to capture or kill a newt without a permit. This makes a lot of sense, considering the Smooth Newt is the only newt species found in Ireland so I guess they would want to do everything in their power to protect the little amphibian.

Photo by Thomas Ruedas (Wikimedia)

While all of the Newt’s this week have been great, I think today’s animal, the Emperor Newt, is my favourite so far. Why? Well, there are a couple of reasons but it all starts with their cool and powerful name. This Newt just sounds like it is better than all the rest, doesn’t it?  They are also known as the Mandarin Newt, and can typically be found hanging around water bodies in Yunnan, China or in homes all across the world as wild specimens are often collected for the pet trade industry.

Deceivingly Beautiful

One of the characteristics that makes the Emperor Newt so interesting is their beautiful yet revealing colour pattern. Not only do the bright orange / yellow spots look awesome, they also reveal the dangers of this particular Newt. Each and every one of those colourful spots are poison glads capable of excreting a toxin that can kill 7500 mice.  All the Emperor Newt has to do is expand their ribs and it is “Goodbye Predator”. This may be a cool feature but excreting poison is typically the last line of defence for this calm Newt.

Defense First

Typically the Emperor Newt will try to avoid predators, which is made possible due to their nocturnal habits and solitary lifestyle. If this doesn’t work, they may just rely on their extra thick skull to protect them from any attacks. Naturally, if this doesn’t work then they bring out the big, poisonous guns to end the threat once and for all. I guess at that point, it is the predators fault since the Emperor Newt tried to spare them their lives. I guess some predators will just never learn.

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What’s in a Name?

One last thought about the name of the Emperor Newt. Their scientific name is Tylotoritin shanjing is fun to say but also has an underlying meaning in Mandarin. The species name is derived from two Mandarin words, “shan” meaning “mountain” and “jing” meaning “spirit” or “demon”. I would have to think that any predator that has tasted the Emperor Newt probably agrees with the “demon” part. Oh and I forgot to tell you that the Emperor Newt is typically found at an elevation between 100 and 2500 metres (330 – 8200 feet), which explains where the “mountain” terminology came from. The next time you are walking through Yunnan, be on the lookout for the Mountain Demon also known as the Emperor Newt.

Photo by The High Fin Sperm Whale (Wikimedia)

To continue our week of Newts, we are heading to the west coast of North America to study the Rough Skinned Newt. I will let you choose whether you go to Alaska or California, since today’s creature can be found anywhere between these two locations. Personally, I am going to pick the sunny south since I figure we will have a better chance finding one if there is no snow. The Rough Skinned Newt is known for their high levels of toxicity. Remember I mentioned that how the Chinese Fire Belly Newt was toxic but it probably wouldn’t harm you….well, that isn’t necessarily the case for the Rough Skinned Newt.

A Poisonous Treat

While I haven’t heard of any reported human deaths at the hands of the Rough Skinned Newt, they do carry a harmful chemical that could cause paralysis or death, but you would most likely have to ingest one or more of these Newts to feel the full affects. I have said it before and I will say it again, I don’t recommend eating poisonous newts.  It is unfortunate that predators of small salamanders can’t read Wild Facts since I would tell them the same thing. Typically when a predator consumes a Rough Skinned Newt, it is the last thing they do. However, there are exceptions to every rule.

Photo by Jsayre64 (Wikimedia)

A Battle for the Ages

The Common Garter Snake has actually evolved an immunity to this particular toxin. Interestingly enough, scientists have discovered that it is actually a genetic characteristic that prohibits the toxin from binding to the snake. What does this mean? It means the Common Garter Snake and the Rough Skinned Newt are connected through co-evolution. Over time the snake enjoyed feasting on Newts until one day the Rough Skinned Newt became toxic in an attempt to prevent predation. In an effort to “one-up” the crafty little newt the Common Garter Snake evolved an immunity to higher levels of toxin. This back and forth battle has existed for many years and I am guessing the ball is now in the Rough Skinned Newt’s court. Perhaps evolution will slightly alter the deadly toxin so it becomes effective again. Of course, this will only happen if there is a need for it. Don’t you just love nature?

Photo by Richard Bartz (Wikimedia)

Another day…..Another Newt. Today, we are heading over to Europe to learn about the very interesting, Alpine Newt. Originally, this little salamander could only be found in Central Europe and the mountainous regions of Southern Europe; however, during the 1930′s someone thought it would be a great idea to introduce the Alpine Newt to southern England as well. This introduced population is doing well and is luckily not causing an issue with the native wildlife…..yet. So let’s grab our gear and head across the pond (unless you are already on that side of the ocean) to study the Alpine Newt.

Different Season – Different Colour

What makes the Alpine Newt so fascinating is their colouring, which is linked to their unique lifestyle. You see, this particular aquatic salamander is only aquatic during the mating season. At this time of the year the males will exhibit a beautiful blue colouring on their backs with black and white stippled sides and the amazing bright orange belly (remember when I said the Chinese Fire Belly Newt wasn’t the only one that had this feature?). Naturally, this bright colouring of the male is used to attract a romantic partner. The female on the other hand is a mottled brown colour camouflaging herself with the water. Once mating season is over, the Alpine Newts will head to land where their colours change back to a dark brown/black colour, which helps them blend into their new surroundings.

Photo by Anevrisme (Wikimedia)

Diverse Habitats

As you might expect, the Alpine Newt generally prefers to live in mountainous or hilly regions that are well forested and have access to clean water. Now, I see why someone thought it would be a great idea to introduce them to England. During their terrestrial life stage this little newt can be found hiding in the undergrowth of the forest. Throughout the winter months they will lie dormant (smart little creatures) before emerging in the spring and heading straight to the clean, cool waterbodies for mating season.

Importance of Ecosystems

It is nice to see that the Alpine Newt utilizes every possible feature of their habitat. I guess this just goes to show the importance that the overall ecosystem has on an animal species. What would happen to this salamander if the forest undergrowth was removed? What about if the ponds and streams were polluted and destroyed? We may not always realize that destroying a forest would impact an aquatic salamander but that is the beauty of an ecosystem….everything is intertwined.

Photo from Wikimedia

I was absolutely shocked when I realized that our list of Wild Facts does not contain a single Newt. I don’t know how I have neglected these cute, little, aquatic salamanders for so long but I will make it up to them this week. Yes, since I was so inconsiderate to the Newt’s feelings, I am going to devote this entire week to aquatic salamanders. It is important to note that not all aquatic salamanders are Newts but all Newts are aquatic salamanders. We are going to kick off our amphibious week by heading to China to explore the life of the Chinese Fire Belly Newt.

Mistaken Identity

The Fire Belly Newt is a small salamander with a length ranging between 6 and 10 cm (2.2 – 4″). They are typically dark brown or black in colour but have a beautiful orange, or red belly (hence the name). This belly does make them easier to identify but it is important to note that they are not the only newt’s in the world to have this fashionable feature. In fact, the Chinese Fire Belly Newt is often mistaken for their similar looking cousin, the Japanese Fire Belly Newt – which you will often see in pet stores around the world.  I am still not sure how this mistake happens considering the Chinese Fire Belly Newt has relatively smooth skin and a rounded tail while their Japanese cousin has rough skin and a pointed tail. 

Do Not Eat……Obviously

Did you know that the Chinese Fire Belly Newt is actually poisonous? Yep, they are capable of excreting a toxic substance through the pores on their skin. The good news is this excretion is fairly harmless to humans, unless you eat the entire Newt. My recommendation is to wash your hands after handling the Chinese Fire Belly Newt. Oh and please don’t eat these Newts as their toxins will become more dangerous in large quantities. Now that I have scared you from ever wanting to own one of these as a pet, I should tell you that they are fairly common and nobody on record has ever died at the hands of the Chinese Fire Belly Newt, but I still don’t recommend eating them .