Animal Discovery - Jeroba

Jerboa (jer·boa)

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Meet the Jerboa, the little jumping rodent indigenous in Northern Africa and Asia to Northern China. Depending on where exactly they live, they sport either large ears or small ears. Being nocturnal, their large ears aid in hearing in the dark and living in mostly desert climates, the overly large ears also help them remain cool. 

Their tiny mouse-like bodies measure in at about 5 to 15 cm and weigh only a mere few ounces. Their tail is longer than their bodies and used for balance while on their hind kangaroo-like legs. The strong hind legs can leap them upwards at about 6-8 feet.

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These little rodents are known foragers, scoping out vegetation and insects in the night. They are more often solitary animals that reside in burrows that reach about 5-8 feet underground during the heat of the day. Breeding usually happens 2-3 times per year and the creatures survive for about 6 years in the wild. 

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Their fur does provide camouflage, ranging in beige, yellows, and browns to match the color of the sand around them. The nose of a Jeroba has a flap of skin to keep out sand particles and the ears are lined with furs for the same reason. 

Learn more about the Jerboa:

> https://www.desertusa.com/animals/jerboa.html

> https://www.britannica.com/animal/jerboa

> http://ucsdcooperlab.com/meet-the-jerboas.html

> http://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/jerboa_facts/485/

Animal Discovery - Binturong

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Binturong [bin-too r-awng, -ong] 

The Binturong, also known as the "bearcat", has a face like a cat and a stride like a bear. It is said to smell like popcorn!

They are native to South and Southeast Asia, hiding out in the canopies in the tropical forests, preferring to hang out in thicker vegetation.

Many have kept the Binturong as pets, especially in Malaysia, which has contributed to their drastically decreasing numbers. Their ill, short tempers make them more incompatible as pets.

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These bearcats sport shaggy, coarse fur that ranges from grey to black in color. Weighing in at an average of about 19 lbs, they support themselves on short, stocky legs. 

From head to tail, they measure at about 90cm, and their tail alone measures about the same length as their body. Not only is their tail huge, it is also prehensile and very strong.

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These creatures are omnivores with a seeming preference to vegetation. When they are ready to mate at about 2.5 years of age, the females will purr to attract a male. After carrying the babies for 3 months, they will give birth to adorable little babies that have their eyes closed. They will be weaned after about 6-8 weeks but in the mean time, they will spend their first bit of life hiding in their mother's fur.

Learn more about the Binturong:

> http://animals.net/binturong/ 

> http://en.abconservation.org/binturong/

> https://www.nrdc.org/onearth/save-binturong-wait-whats-binturong

> http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Arctictis_binturong/

 :o

Animal Discovery - Pudu

ANIMAL DISCOVERY!

Say hello to the smallest species of deer in the world known as the Pudú! 

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There are two known species; the Northern species is found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru while the Southern species can be found in southern Chile and south-western Argentina. Fully grown, they are about 15 inches high and only weigh around 19 - 33 pounds

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They are most often found in highlands and their stocky build aids to shroud them in overgrowth. They survive on vegetation and fruits and it is crucial that they limit time in direct sunlight thus they are crepuscular - only coming out in late evening and early morning. Southern Pudus are known to have a more reddish tint to their fur while their Northern brethren fare a bit darker in coloration. 

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The males are known to grow short horns that have the appearance of spikes, ranging up to a mere 4 inches. These tiny Bambi's are solitary and secretive. They are also known to be easily startled, tufting up their fur, barking, and shivering. The longest recorded life-span of the Pudu is 15 years and 9 months. It is also rumored that they could perish of a cardiac arrest when startled. 

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Pudus are easy targets of prey to the horned owl, cougars, and foxes. Though their tiny bodies may lead one to believe otherwise, they are efficient swimmers, climbers, sprinters, and jumpers and when it comes to escaping predators they dash off in zig-zag patterns. These deer are currently sitting as Near Threatened on the ICNU list due to declining habitat.

Learn more about the Pudu >

http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pudu_puda/

http://elelur.com/mammals/pudu.html

http://earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?gr=M&sp=382

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pud%C3%BA

http://www.deerworlds.com/pudu/