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Yeti Crabs

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Crustacea Class: Malacostraca Order: Decapoda Infraorder: Anomura Family: Kiwaidae Genus: Kiwa Species: K. hirsuta Life can survive in even the most extreme conditions. Deep in the oceans, around 7,500 feet deep, the yeti crab lives between two extremes: freezing cold and boiling hot — all while withstanding crushing amounts of pressure from the waters above. The sun never reaches that deep in the ocean, so it is incredibly dark and freezing cold. To survive, hundreds of yeti crabs gather around hydrothermal vents, which are cracks in the seafloor that allow molten rock from beneath the earth’s crust to emerge. The vents heat the water to as hot as 700°F, but the water doesn’t boil because of the huge amounts of pressure. The vents also spew out dissolved metals and chemicals from the earth’s molten interior. For many animals this mixture of pressure, heat, cold and chemicals would mean instant death, but for the yeti crab, it is a cozy home — as long as they don’t get too close to or too far from the vent! Finding life in these incredible environments makes scientists wonder about what could live on other worlds. • Yeti crabs are completely white and blind because they live in complete darkness at the bottom of the ocean. • They were first found around vents in the South Pacific. • In 2006, a species was found around Costa Rica. • They were later found around vents in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. • They are called yeti crabs because their big white arms are covered in bristles called setae that look like white hairs. • These hairs allow the crabs to grow bacteria, which is the crab’s main food. • They have thick bodies and thin spiny legs. • The spiny legs allow them to grip onto the vents. • The vents are very crowded, especially in Antarctica where up to 700 crabs have been recorded per square meter. • They range from under an inch to 6 inches long. • They are often referred to as “furry lobsters.” • They wave their claws, potentially to help nutrients from the vents feed their bacteria. • Males are larger than females.

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MUSK OX

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Ovibos Species: Moschatus The Musk Ox is an incredible animal. It is perfectly adapted to live in some of the harshest environments in the world. They can be found in places like northern Canada, Greenland, Alaska, Norway, Sweden and Russia. They thrive in cold, icy places that are covered by snow most of the year. The temperatures can plummet to well below zero but with their thick layers of fur, the oxen don’t even notice. These large animals can find food such as lichens, grass and shrubs though layers of snow in even the coldest and darkest winters. • They are herbivores • They weigh between 500 and 800 pounds • They are social animals and live in herds • Herds are usually 24-36 animals • These herds cooperate to defend against predators like wolves • They live between 12 to 20 years • On average they stand between 4 to 5 feet high at the shoulder • In the summer they graze like any other animal • In the winter they use their hooves to dig through the snow to get to the plants underneath • They have long thick layers of hair that protect them from the extreme cold • The inner fur is thick and soft like wool • The outer hair is long and brown and protects the inner layer • Native Alaskans call the Musk Ox oomingmak which means “the bearded one” • During the summer they shed their thick coats • They are closely related to goats and sheep • They are usually between 6 and 7.5 feet long • They are called Musk Ox because they have a gland under their eyes that produces a strong smell they use to mark their territory For a while there were no Musk Ox in Alaska. They were hunted to extinction for their hides and because they are easy targets for human hunters. However, in the 1930s scientists brought 34 over from Greenland. They were brought to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks where they started a new herd. They were then moved to Nunivak Island and fiercely protected. Little by little the scientists have been reintroducing them into the wild in Alaska. They have been thriving ever since, and while they are still protected they are no longer endangered

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Wild Turkey

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Galliformes Family: Phasiananidae Subfamily: Meleagridinae Genus: Meleagris Species: Gallopavo When America was founded the leaders decided the nation needed a symbol. The emblem had to represent all that the young nation stood for and that was a tough role to fill. There were many different suggestions, but they decided June 20, 1782, to make it the bald eagle. On the Great Seal of the United States is a large bald eagle with an olive branch in his right talon and 13 arrows in his left talon. The olive branch represents peace and the arrows represent the willingness to go to war to protect the nation. In the beak of the eagle is a scroll that says, “E Pluribus Unum,” which means out of many, one. Now the bald eagle is a symbol of strength and freedom. Benjamin Franklin, however, strongly disagreed with the choice of the eagle as the symbol for America. He thought there was a bird native to North America that could better represent the courage of the young nation. He wanted to see the wild turkey as America’s symbol. Here are some facts about the wild turkey: • It is native to the North America • They are omnivores • The average life span is 3 to 4 years • They have wingspans of 4 to 5 feet • They forage for food on forest floors and in swamps • They prefer woodland areas for habitats • Their distinct gobble can be heard for up to a mile away

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Chamois

Kingdom: Animalia Class: Mammalia Order: Artidactyla Family: Bovidae Subfamily: Caprinae Genus: Rupicapra Species: Rupicapra The chamois looks like a cross between a goat and a deer. They are a very common animal all over Europe and western Asia. They live in the mountains of Europe and can be found in the Pyrenees and the Alps. Because they live in very rocky and unstable habitats, the chamois are excellent at jumping and are very graceful. They can leap 6 ½ feet vertically and as far as 20 feet horizontally. They do this all very quickly and quietly. They use their amazing jumping skills and speed among the rocky cliffs to avoid predators such as lynxes, wolves, bears and even golden eagles. • They are herbivores • They often forage at night • Females live in herds of up to 100 • Males live alone or there may be one male in a herd of females • Their fur is brown in summer and light grey in winter • Males and females have short horns that hook backward at the tip • Male’s horns are larger • Females are called does • Males are called bucks • They often live high in the mountains in the summer and lower in the winter • They are classified as a species of least concern, this means they are not in danger of extinction • They have white marks on the side of their heads and dark black stripes beneath their eyes • They are highly prized for their soft leather One subspecies of chamois lives in New Zealand. They are not native to the island. They were brought as a gift in 1907 from Franz Joseph I the Emperor of Austria. Six does and two bucks were given to the island nation in exchange for other specimens that would go back to Austria. The animals were released at Mount Cook and over the years they spread over the South Island.

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Asiatic Lion

Lions all over the world are in danger. They are hunted and many are running out of habitat as cities grow. The Asiatic lion is particularly affected by habitat loss and poaching because it lives in such a small region. Asiatic lions are only found in India, specifically around the Gir Forest. This forest is a national park and the people work very hard to protect the lions. While Asiatic lions might look the same as the African lion, there are some key differences between the species. Perhaps the easiest to notice is a large flap of skin that runs along the lion’s belly. They also have much smaller and thinner manes, but thicker elbow and tail tufts. Their coloring can range from a light, sand brown to a very dark almost blackish brown. It varies from lion to lion. The darker the mane the more attractive a male lion is considered. They also have slightly different behavior. Asiatic lions have smaller prides that do not include the males. • They are carnivores • Their prey is usually deer, antelope and boar • They are also known for killing livestock on farms • The largest Asiatic lion was 9 ½ feet long • The average Asiatic lion is between 4.5 and 6.5 feet long • The largest African lion was 11 feet long • Asiatic lions weigh between 350 and 420 pounds • African lions weigh between 330 and 500 pounds • They can live both in savannah and forest • It is estimated that only around 200 Asiatic lions remain alive in the wild • Only male lions have the dark brown manes • They live in small prides so that they can hunt together • Asiatic prides are entirely made of females • The males are very solitary • Females do all of the hunting • They often ambush their prey

Wildville

Arctic Fox

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Alopex Species: lagopus Just based on the name and how it looks, it is easy to tell that the Arctic fox, or polar fox, or snow fox, belongs in the snow. Its thick, white fur blends in perfectly with the white landscape of the Arctic regions. The fox is very well adapted for its difficult climate because it has very thick fur made up of several layers to trap heat; its small ears reduce the loss of heat. Even its paws are protected by thick fur on its soles. By trapping all of its body heat, it can easily survive in temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celsius. Here are some interesting facts about the Arctic fox The way that arctic foxes survive and hunt during the winter is incredible. During the winter, food is often scarce, and if animals are around, they are often underneath the thick snow and hard to locate. An Arctic fox has several different behaviors that help it survive this difficult season. First, much like a squirrel during the summer, it buries leftovers from its kills. The cold ground keeps the meat fresh, and later in the winter, the fox will come back and dig up the food. It also is known to follow polar bears and eat whatever the bear leaves behind. It can also use its incredible hearing to locate prey beneath the snow. -They are very small, about the size of a regular house cat. -They are omnivores. They usually hunt lemmings, voles, rabbits and other small animals, but also eat vegetables when they are available in the summer. -They live in burrows or tunnel into the snow during storms. -The Arctic fox has the warmest pelt of any animal in the Arctic. -The Inukitut name for the fox is Tiriganiaq. -They weigh around 12-15 pounds and are 2-3 feet long. -They use their long, bushy tales to conserve heat and for balance on the slick ice. -Usually they live 10 to 15 years. -Arctic foxes are solitary animals for most of the year. -Their fur has oil that repels moisture so that they stay dry and warm in all of the snow.

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Domestic Pig

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Suidae Genus: Sus Species: S. scrofa Subspecied: domesticus Pigs were first domesticated from the wild boar in China around 4900 BC. They were domesticated in Europe in 1500 BC. The very first pigs were brought to America by Christopher Columbus, who took eight pigs on his trip to Cuba in 1493. Pigs didn’t really take hold in America after that first voyage, however. It wasn’t until Hernando de Soto brought them to Tampa, Florida, in 1539. He started with a herd of 13 pigs, and after three years, the herd grew to around 700. Of course some of the pigs escaped from the herd into the wild and were the ancestors to the wild pigs that can still be found today. Colonists and pioneers continued to bring pigs along to help start their lives in the new world because they are hearty and travel well. The domesticated pig most likely began with two different breeds, one native to Asia and one native to Europe. Since then, through breeding, many different kinds of domestic pigs exist, each kind slightly different in how much fat it produces or in taste. The Romans began changing the traits of pigs through more advanced farming techniques. They bred one pig specifically to produce fat and one to produce meat. Here are some interesting facts about Domestic Pigs: Iowa is the top pig producer in the U.S. Pigs are omnivores; they eat plants and meat. They have a very strong sense of smell. Pigs are even smarter than dogs. Full-grown pigs weigh between 300 and 700 pounds. They have terrible eyesight. A pig’s snout is very sensitive to the touch and smell, so pigs use it to root around for food. They live for between 12 and 27 years. They are usually about 2 feet tall. They can run 11 miles per hour. A male pig is a boar. A female pig is a sow. They have a much better sense of taste than do humans.

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Imperial Eagle

The imperial eagle is a large and beautiful bird of prey. It is considered a French symbol because during the Napoleonic Wars, a bronze figure of an imperial eagle was carried by Napoleon’s Army. Napoleon was inspired by the Roman imperial eagle that was used the same way. Each department of France was given a special standard with the little statue of the eagle sitting on top. It was supposed to inspire pride, and soldiers were bound to protect it. The real-life bird is even more regal and beautiful than its bronze statues. The Eastern imperial eagle is a very close cousin to the Spanish imperial eagle or Iberian imperial eagle. This is a smaller eagle that only lives in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. It is also much darker than the Eastern imperial eagle. For years, the two birds were thought to be the same species, but now they are considered only related. They are both beautiful powerful raptors that are incredibly vulnerable due to habitat loss. Here are some interesting facts about imperial eagles: • They have dark brown feathers on their bodies and cream- or white-colored heads and necks. • These birds are common in Eastern Europe and Asia. • They grow between 72 and 83 centimeters long. • Males have a wingspan of 185 to 205 centimeters. • Female birds have a wingspan of 200-220 centimeters. • In the wild they usually live for 26 years. • They can survive in many different habitats. They live in forests, steppes and even deserts. • They migrate and spend the winter in northeast Africa and the Middle East. • A female usually lays two or three eggs at a time. • It is the second-largest eagle species in Europe. • They mate for life. • It is a carnivore and will eat small mammals, reptiles, snakes and ducks. • These birds help farmers by eating mice and rats that would damage crops and poisonous snakes that could hurt people.

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Camel

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bo vidae Genus: Camelus Species: C. drome dar ies, bactrianus, ferus Camels are amazing animals that live in the deserts of North Africa, some of Asia and the Middle East. These animals are especially designed for desert life. Due to these amazing adaptations, humans have been using camels for transport for thousands years. In fact, one of their nicknames is “the ship of the desert.” There are two species of camels. They are similar in most aspects. The major difference is that the Arabian or dromedary camel has only one hump and lives in the Middle East and North Africa. The Bactrian camel has two humps and comes from Asia. Some of the most amazing adaptations camels have are how they protect themselves from the sand. To protect their eyes, they have very long eyelashes and bushy eyebrows. Camels can also close their nostrils to protect against wind and sand. The slotted shape of their nostrils also helps them lessen the amount of water they lose from breathing. Their ability to survive in one of the harshest climates in the world is incredible. They are also known as being gentle and patient animals. It is no wonder they have been helping humans for so many years. Here are some interesting facts about camels: • Camels can travel 100 miles in the desert without water. • Camels can drink 30 gallons of water in 13 minutes. • Their extremely long eyelashes help to keep sand from their eyes. • They can travel 25 miles a day with heavy loads. • From their shoulders, camels are about 6 feet tall. • Camels are herbivores; they eat plants. • Wide foot pads help them travel in deep sand. • Camels are used for transport, meat, milk, fur and leather. • Camels’ blood cells are ovals instead of circles. This helps prevent clumping in dehydration. • Camels have split lips to help them grab on to the desert foliage when they graze. • They also have tough lips so they can eat thorny desert plants. • The humps store fat that camels break down into energy and water. *To defend themselves, camels “spit” a green badsmelling liquid from their stomachs.* YUCK!

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American Black Bear

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae Genus: Ursus Species: U. americanus The American black bear is America’s smallest and most common bear. They are usually found in the forests of North America, like those in New York, but can be found as far south as Texas. These bears are much smaller and wider spread than their relative the grizzly bear, which is only found on the Western side of America. They are also considered far less dangerous than the grizzly. Due to their loss of habitat, American black bears are forced more and more to interact with humans where forests and human habitats overlap. When the bears emerge from the forest, it is usually in search of food. They are intelligent and adapt easily, so this often leads to their rummaging in garbage, eating outside pet food or crops. This can be dangerous for people and bears. These bears are not naturally aggressive, but when they are frightened, they do fight back. Sadly this often leads to the bears being killed. For this reason, it is very important for people who live near black bear habitats to keep potential food sources secured. Here are some more facts about the American black bear: • They are omnivores; they eat meat and plants. • Some of their favorite meals are grasses, berries, bees and fish. • Much of their diet depends on their habitat, and what is in season. They are mostly scavengers. • Their natural habitat is the forest. • They are skilled at climbing trees. • They are usually solitary creatures. • Female black bears give birth to two or three blind cubs in the middle of winter. • The cubs stay with their mother for about two years. • They hibernate during the winter. • Hibernating means the bear sleeps and does not eat or drink the entire time. • Black bears can be many different colors such as brown, cream, black and silver. • Most males weigh between 130 and 500 pounds. • The average bear is 6 feet long. • However, the Kodiak bear, a kind of black bear which lives in Alaska, can get bigger because they eat a lot of salmon. • It is one of two bear species that is not threatened with extinction.

Category - Wildville

Yeti Crabs

MUSK OX

Wild Turkey

Chamois

Asiatic Lion

Arctic Fox

Domestic Pig

Imperial Eagle

Camel

American Black Bear

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