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19 Articles

Welcome to World of Animals Annual

The last few years have been a difficult time for planet Earth and its inhabitants with the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing climate change crisis. However, the animal kingdom is a resilient one and while there is still much to do to save the world’s endangered species, the past year has seen a number of reintroductions and animals bouncing back from the brink, highlighting what we can achieve when we care for the world. In the following pages we explore some of the threats faced by 25 of the world’s most endangered creatures and meet the animals that owe their continued existence to the vital Endangered Species Act of 1973. There are also in-depth features on animal behaviour, weird and wonderful pets and the natural world’s true survivors, while we…

Welcome to World of Animals Annual

2023 in the world of animals

JAN NEW YEAR, NEW SLOTH January London Zoo welcomed in the New Year with a new addition – a baby two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) aptly named Nova, which means ‘new’ in Latin. Despite already being able to eat solid foods, a baby sloth won’t leave its mother’s warmth for at least 12 months, giving them time to develop valuable muscles. A MOST FANTASTICAL FROG January Discovered in the ecosystem of the tropical Andes of Ecuador, the Rio Negro stream tree frog (Hyloscirtus tolkieni) is at home among the fauna and flora of the Rio Negro-Sopladora National Park. Named after the fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien, it has striking yellow-and-black markings, grey-green colouring and pink eyes. To date only one member of this species has been discovered. DAM GOOD NEWS January Ewhurst…

2023 in the world of animals

25 MOST ENDANGERED

Tigers There are currently 3,900 wild tigers estimated to be prowling the Earth. That’s 97 per cent fewer than existed a century ago. Of the nine tiger subspecies, three are extinct – the Caspian, Javanese and Balinese – and the South China tiger is known to be ‘functionally extinct’ with only a handful of individuals left in the wild, while the other five subspecies are endangered. So, in a bid to bring this beguiling big cat back from the brink, the governments of the world’s 13 tiger range countries made a plan. Through working with conservation experts, scientists, rangers and communities, they have pledged to double the tiger population by 2022 – the next Year of the Tiger in the Asian lunar calendar. These majestic creatures are apex predators and…

25 MOST ENDANGERED

SURVIVORS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

The phrase ‘survival of the fittest’ stems from the Darwinian theory of evolution, which states that those individuals best adapted to their surroundings will live to see another day. To survive, most life on Earth require three basic things: oxygen, water and light. For this reason, habitats that provide these in abundance are densely populated with a biodiverse ecosystem. However, as conditions worsen and resources become scarce, we see a shift towards more specialised populations who have adapted to survive under extreme living conditions. Extremophiles are animals and organisms that exist in conditions that would spell death for many lifeforms. From searing heat and freezing winds, to low oxygen at high altitude and crushing pressure at the depths of the oceans, there are plenty of habitats on Earth making their…

SURVIVORS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

THE WORLD’S DEADLIEST ANIMALS

WIDEST REACH Mosquitos Mosquitos are responsible for almost half a million human deaths per year These insects pose an unusual threat to mankind for a creature that is, on average, only five millimetres (0.2 inches) long. Around the world, mosquitos are carriers of a staggering variety of diseases. There are about 3,500 known species of mosquito in existence, and in most cases the females are the only ones to feed on the blood of live hosts. They possess a minute but sharp proboscis, which can pierce even the tough skin of an elephant. Mosquitos preserved in amber dating back to the Cretaceous period have been discovered, but it’s thought these tiny menaces have been around for more than 200 million years, since they first diverged from other insects. Malaria accounts…

THE WORLD’S DEADLIEST ANIMALS

CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS The word ‘circadian’ is a blend of two Latin terms, circa and diem, which mean ‘approximately’ and ‘day’ respectively. Circadian rhythms are the 24-hour daily cycles that most organisms experience. Generated internally, they are regulated by sunlight and other factors in the environment. Crabs keep tempo with the tides Most coastal areas experience two tidal cycles in a 24-hour period, and the animals that live on the waterfront synchronise with the 12-hourly ebb and flow in order to survive. Fiddler crabs emerge from their burrows to forage, fight and socialise when the water is at its lowest, while shore crabs prefer to come out during high tide to hide from predators under the waves. Nerve tissue in a crab’s eyestalks called the medulla terminalis gathers information about the…

Many animals, including dogs, have a digit high on their limb called a dewclaw. They are sometimes used during fights or to grip things but often serve no purpose. The African clawed frog is the only amphibian with claws. Three short claws on each hind foot are used to tear large food into more manageable pieces. Hoatzins hatch with claws on two digits of each wing. They use them like an ice pick to scramble up trees, but they’re lost when flight feathers develop. Protosimians like bush babies have flattened claws known as toilet claws. They’ve evolved their unusual shape specifically for grooming and aren’t used for any other purpose. 22% The giant armadillo’s biggest claws make up 22 per cent of its total body length, giving it the largest…

Nature’s ultimate fighting champions

1. Saffron finches see red They might look sweet and innocent, but these pretty songbirds have a dark side. Saffron finches ‘see red’ when they see yellow. In a flurry of feathers, beaks and claws, they attack all other Sun-coloured birds on sight. 2. Bulldog ants don’t let go With a venomous sting on one end and two serrated jaws on the other, these monster ants are fighting machines. They bite down on intruders thousands of times their own size, and deliver sting after painful sting. 3. Cassowaries puncture flesh and bone The armoured helmet on the top of a cassowary’s head might look like a rock-solid war hammer, but their real weapons are on their feet. They can deliver a chest-height kick, plunging a ten-centimetre (four-inch) claw through skin,…

Nature’s ultimate fighting champions

About 440 species of these predatory fish swim in our seas. Some are as small as 20 centimetres (eight inches) while others grow larger than 18 metres (60 feet). Sharks skim through the surf, explore the vast open ocean and float in the abyssal deep. Some even have the ability to venture into fresh water, appearing in lakes and rivers miles from the coast. Masters of every oceanic niche, these well-armoured fish can be found in almost any part of the sea worldwide. Their heightened senses and unbelievable speed have helped them reach the top of the marine food chain, where they will remain indefinitely. DEADLIEST CATCH Intelligent sea creatures that use every part of their bodies as powerful weapons Sharks have barely changed since their evolution over 400 million…

SAVED BY THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

The threats faced by some animals are so great and so urgent that it takes powerful legal action to secure their future. In the United States, this legal protection comes in the form of the Endangered Species Act. Passed into federal law in 1973, it helps US states to support their wildlife by providing the money and legal support they need for conservation. This includes banning hunting, controlling imports and exports, protecting habitats and developing recovery plans. Species added to the Endangered Species Act are either listed as ‘threatened’ or ‘endangered’. Endangered species are at immediate risk of extinction in all or part of their range. Threatened species are at risk of becoming endangered if nothing is done to help them soon. More than 200 species have received conservation support…

SAVED BY THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

ALLIGATORS & CROCODILES

ALLIGATORS An animal on the prowl for a bite-sized meal These prehistoric-looking predators are largely solitary reptiles that have adapted to semi-aquatic habitats, with elongated bodies that possess powerful tails for propelling them through the water. There are two extant species of alligator, the American (Alligator mississippiensis) and Chinese (Alligator sinensis). As freshwater reptiles, both species commonly inhabit swamps, lakes and rivers, as well as the occasional swimming pool… As babies, they can be vulnerable to predation from large birds and wild cats, but as adults they are protected by their large size and tough, armour-like hides. They have long snouts and strong jaws, which, while capable of slamming shut with immense power and speed, are comparatively weak when opening and can be kept closed with just a few bits…

ALLIGATORS & CROCODILES

REMARKABLE RAPTORS

Rulers of the sky Look out below! Raptors are master hunters, using their predatory abilities to overwhelm prey and ensure the continued survival of their species When it comes to flying skill, heightened senses and extreme adaptations, one group of birds consistently outranks the rest: raptors. Also referred to as birds of prey, raptors include several different animal families. Ornithologists generally class birds with curved beaks, sharp talons and keen eyesight as raptors. Another distinguishing characteristic is the size of the prey these predators hunt – some species target creatures that are significantly bigger than their own bodies, such as deer and antelope. Different raptors have different specialisms. For example, eagles use their large wings and ferocious talons to dominate prey, while smaller raptors like hawks and falcons use speed…

REMARKABLE RAPTORS

Capybara They may look like a guinea pig, but capybaras are the size of a dog. They need plenty of outdoor space to roam, with shaded and sunny spots and strong fencing that’s over one metre (3.3 feet) high to stop escape attempts. The world’s largest rodent also requires a kennel strewn with hay, and a heat lamp to stay warm in the winter. Capybaras are native to the savannahs of South America and enjoy swimming – they even have webbed feet – hence pool access is a must. In the wild they live in groups of up to 100 so they would enjoy a companion to graze with. Giant African land snail With a shell the size of a man’s fist, these are not your garden variety mollusc. Giant…

EIGHT-LEGGED ASSASSINS

All but one of the world’s 40,000 known spider species are predatory. Between them these deadly hunters are thought to kill and devour hundreds of millions of tons of prey each year, controlling invertebrate populations and maintaining balance in their ecosystems. Most spiders prefer to feast on insects and other arachnids, but some are capable of catching lizards and even small birds. Spiders are known for their webs, but many species have their own alternative tactics and techniques, from the long-distance leap of the jumping spiders to the determined patience of the spiders that lie in wait concealed in the centres of flowers. Bolas spiders The expert fishermen of the insect kingdom Perching on branches and leaves, hunting bolas spiders look as though they’re fishing. These innovative arachnids produce and…

EIGHT-LEGGED ASSASSINS

SEEING IN THE DARK

Cats Cats can see with one-sixth of the light humans need There are two types of light-sensitive cells in the eyes. Cones are responsible for colour vision and require a lot of illumination to work, while rods can’t pick out colour but function in extremely dim conditions. Human eyes contain around 120 million rods, but cats have up to eight times as many. This creates super-charged night vision abilities that allow cats to sense their surroundings with a fraction of the light required by the human eye. Rods are also responsible for peripheral vision due to their positioning around the outer edge of the retina. Additionally, low-light rod cells are the eye’s most sensitive motion sensors and notice miniscule movements in the dark. Cats use their expanded field of vision…

SEEING IN THE DARK

Winter wonderlands

Travel expert Paul Stanbury works as operations manager for the UK’s leading wildlife holiday company, Naturetrek. His interest in wildlife and travel developed at any early age, and he has been fortunate to travel to all seven continents. Just because the nights have drawn in and the first snows of winter have fallen, it doesn’t mean you need to hang up your binoculars and go into hibernation yourself. There are lots of exciting animals and birds to enjoy in Europe and beyond during the winter months; indeed many are at their most active and confiding, setting aside their usual fear of humans at a time of year when food is scarce. Elk and owls can be regularly seen in Sweden, and both wolves and Eurasian lynx venture out of Poland’s…

Winter wonderlands

Animal kindness

Kindness in animals is something that has been debated for a long time, and the argument isn’t likely to be settled any time soon. ‘Altruism’ is used to describe behaviour that decreases the fitness of an individual but benefits another. While this isn’t uncommon, there are often ulterior motives when animals act kindly towards another. Animals are most likely to behave altruistically when they stand to reap the benefits in the future. This is most common with kin, because keeping relatives alive or allowing them to produce offspring continues the family genes into the next generation. Another motive for lending a hand is one common in our own species – expecting to receive something back in return. This tactic is known as ‘tit for tat’, and it’s an important feature…

Animal kindness

THE BEAR NECESSITIES

There are eight species that make up the bear family, Ursidae, and they can be found across the different habitats of the world. Most are generally omnivores, eating fruits, berries, roots, nuts, insects and larger prey including rodents, fish and seals. They use their exceptional – and most important to their hunt – sense of smell during hunting, which is more than 2,000 times better than that of a human. From the bear that’s invisible to the grizzly’s hump, bears are highly adapted to each of their environments. All have sharp claws and powerful teeth and jaws, and each bear has its own set of adaptations that make it into the perfect predator. THE PERFECT Arctic predator Polar bears are the world’s largest land carnivores, weighing up to nearly 730…

THE BEAR NECESSITIES

Blood slurpers Meet the vampires of the animal kingdom Absolutely not for the squeamish, a blood-based diet is relatively common in the animal kingdom. Rich in proteins and lipids, it’s a delectable dish for birds like the vampire finch. This wily, winged blood-guzzler is native to the Galápagos Islands, and uses its sharp beak to break nuts and seeds, and also rip mercilessly at the flesh of larger birds until they bleed. Reaping the rouge rewards has enabled it to survive even the driest of climates and thrive in its tiny island home. The insect world contains the most well-known bloodsuckers (mosquitoes and fleas and ticks, oh my!) but there is also the aptly named Dracula ants. These creepy crawlies, found in Madagascar, practise a form of non-destructive cannibalism. Adults…

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