ELAND

ORDER Artiodactyla

FAMILY 80vidae

CARD 32!J

GROUP 1: MAMMALS GENUS & SPECIES Taurotragus oryx

Almost oxlike in appearance, the eland is the largest antelope in the world. This once common mammal lives in Africa,

where it is now found primarily in national parks.

~~EYFACT_S ____________________________ ~ I ~I SIZES <Si' Length: Head and body, 6-11 I;; ft.

Horn length: Female, 2-2 1;; ft. Male,

up to 3/'; ft. Height at shoulder: 41;;-6 ft.

Weight: 1,000-1,500 lb. Full-grown

bull can weigh up to 2,100 lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: Female, 3 years .

Male, 4 years.

Mating season: Varies with loca­

tion. Births occur at any time.

Gestation: 8-9 months.

No. of young: 1.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Day-active; sociable.

Diet: Mainly leaves and fruit.

Lifespan: 8-10 years in the wild;

15 years in captivity.

RELATED SPECIES

There are 9 species of spiral-horned

antelope in the genus Taurotragus,

which also contains the giant eland,

T. derbianus.

I FEATURES OF THE ELAND

Coat: Beige-brown, turning gray with age. Old bulls appear slate gray as their coat falls away in patches. Whit­ish stripes run across shoulders and a black stripe runs down the back. Tail has a tufted black tip .

.0 MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

Male

Range of the eland.

DISTRIBUTION

Found on game reserves and ranches in eastern and southern

Africa. A wild population occurs in the Drakensberg Mountains.

CONSERVATION

The eland was once widespread in open habitats from south­

eastern Sudan through eastern Africa and most of southern

Africa . Numbers have been drastically reduced by hunting,

agriculture, and disease.

Female

PRINTED IN U.S.A

Horns: Spreading , with two spirals. Larger on male.

Head: Narrow with a long , tapering muzzle and long ,

pointed ears. Bull has a dark, tufted forehead and often a

white chevron between the eyes.

Neck and throat: Each sex has a short, tufted neck mane. A dewlap at the base of the throat has a tuft of black hairs and is conspicuous

in old bulls.

n1 Rn;>nnq~1 PAr':KFT q~

The eland once roamed widely over the sparsely wooded

plains of Africa, grazing beside zebras and gemsboks.

During the last century, this antelope declined drastically

as a result of disease, farming, and hunting for its flesh

and elegant, spiraling horns. However, the eland does

well in captivity, and it has been bred successfully in

the United States with the use of embryo transfers.

~ HABITS The eland can live in a variety of

habitats, from semiarid scrub to

grassy regions in foothills. But it

prefers plains with scrub or scat­

tered trees for cover.

The eland lives in loose herds

of 25 to 70 animals. In the rainy

season the herds swell, some­

times to as many as 1,000 indi­

viduals. The animals move freely

from one herd to another. Each

herd generally has a number of

cows with their young plus one

or two bulls . If there are more

bulls, they are subject to a strict

hierarchy. The juveniles tend to

form their own groups. In con­

trast, old bulls are often solitary.

The eland roams widely to find

food, especially in the wet sea­

son. As a result, it is seldom ter­

ritorial and does not defend its

home range, which varies in size

with the season and locality.

The eland is placid, shy, and

generally silent. But it is always

alert, and it barks a gruff alarm

call when it detects lions or hye­

nas. Herd members gallop off

when they hear the alarm call.

However, females may stay be­

hind to defend their calves.

~ FOOD & FEEDING Although the eland sometimes

eats grass, it feeds mainly on

foliage and fruit. Its small, low­

crowned teeth are typical of a

browser rather than a grazer.

The eland usually feeds in the

morning and evening. But dur­

ing the summer, it may also for­

age at night, escaping the heat

of the day by lying in the shade

of a tree or bush . When forag­

ing, it seems to be constantly on

the move, usually at a fast walk.

It stops from time to time to eat

leaves and succulent fruits such

Left: The bull rubs his forehead in mud, then daubs it onto landmarks such as trees.

DID YOU KNOW? • As it moves, the eland makes

a clicking noise that is proba­

bly caused by the two halves

of each hoof striking togeth­

er. The sound carries some dis­

tance and is a good indication

of an approaching herd.

• The eland is very agile and

can jump over a six-foot-high

fence. Herd members often

as melons, which it favors . It al­

so consumes seed pods, flow­

ers, and bark. It uses its horns

to knock down branches, and

when food is scarce in the dry

season it paws the ground to

dig up roots and bulbs.

When it finds water, the eland

drinks freely. But it can go for a

long period without drinking,

apparently surviving on mois­

ture in its food. It readily drinks

the brackish water of salt pans,

replenishing its body with salt

and essential minerals.

Right: The eland avoids forests, preferring open plains with scat­tered trees.

leap over one another when

fleeing from danger.

• Eland are portrayed along­

side native Bushmen in the

ancient rock paintings in the

Kalahari Desert.

• The horns of the giant eland

are longer than those of the

eland. The longest on record

measured four feet.

~ ELAND & MAN In the last 100 years, the eland's

numbers have plummeted, es­

pecially in southern Africa. Game

hunting is mainly to blame. Al­

so, the spread of agriculture has

reduced the eland's habitat and

brought disease. Rinderpest, an

infectious virus carried by sheep

and cattle, killed many South

African herds at the end of the

~ BREEDING The eland's breeding season var­

ies with its location, sometimes

starting in December or January.

When ready to breed, cows of­

ten form herds to attract males.

However, only the most domi­

nant males mate with the cows.

After a gestation of eight to

nine months, the female gives

birth in dense undergrowth. She

generally has one calf. The new­

born weighs 50 to 80 pounds

and stays hidden for at least two

Left: The eland drinks readily but can survive up to a month without fresh water.

last century. Today, eland live

mainly in national parks, partic­

ularly in East Africa.

The eland has been domesti­

cated in parts of Zimbabwe and

also in Russia. An alternative to

cattle, it is valued for its hide, its

rich milk, and its tender flesh. In

addition, the eland is used as a

beast of burden.

weeks. The cow returns several

times a day to suckle it.

After a few weeks the calf fol­

lows the herd, bleating to stay

in touch . It is weaned in four to

five months but may stay with

its mother for up to a year, or

even longer if it is female .

The male eland continues to

grow even after he reaches sex­

ual maturity, developing the

massive size and large dewlap

that are typical masculine fea­

tures. Although males are able

to br.eed at four years old, few

do so for at least another year.

HARE WALLABY

ORDER Morsupiolio

FAMILY Mocropodidoe

GROUP 1: MAMMALS GENERA Logorchestes, Logostrophus

The hare wallabies are the smallest members of the kangaroo family but among the most athletic. Although none of the species is much bigger than a hare, some can leap higher than 2S feet.

'" KEY FACTS

I ~~ I SIZES ~ Length: Head and body, 12-20 in.

Tail, 10-20 in.

Weight: 1 ~-1 0 lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: Can usually breed

by a year old but often wait until the

second year.

Mating: Throughout the year, with

peaks that vary depending on the

species and climate.

No. of young: Usually 1.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Night-active; solitary.

Diet: Spinifex and other grasses,

herbs, and shrubs.

Call: Warning hiss, high-pitched

alarm squeak, and gentle click.

RELATED SPECIES

Of the 5 species, 2 are extinct. They

are the eastern hare wallaby, Logor­chestes /eporides, and the central hare

wallaby, L. osomotus.

Range of hare wallabies.

DISTRiBUTION

The spectacled hare wallaby thrives in Queensland and on Bar­

row Island but is sparse in other regions. The rufous hare walla­

by inhabits the Tanami Desert, and the banded hare wallaby

lives on Bernier and Dom~ islands.

CONSERVATION

All the hare wallabies need protection. But only the rufous and

banded are officially classified as rare.

THE THREE HARE WALLABY SPECIES

Spectacled hare wallaby: Rings of rusty brown fur around the eyes and ears. The rest of the coat can vary in color from grizzled gray brown to rich chestnut.

© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Rufous, or western, hare walla­by: Buff, with longer orange-red hairs on the rump and back. Sandy white underparts.

Banded hare wallaby: Dense, soft coat. Medium brown with darker bands across the back, from the shoulders to the tail.

0160200961 PACKET 96

Of the five recorded species of hare wallabYt only three

are known to survive in the wild. One is the banded hare

wallabYt which technically belongs to a different genus.

The second is the spectacled hare wallabYt which possesses

reddish orange rings around its eyes and its ears. The third

is known by two names-rufous, or western, hare wallaby.

All three species are found in Australia or on nearby islands.

~ HABITAT The spectacled hare wallaby is

common in both open forests

and grazing lands in Queens­

land and on Barrow Island. Dur­

ing the day, it rests in a tunnel

or form (shallow excavation) un­

der spinifex hummocks, where

the temperature usually stays

below 86° F.

The two other species of hare

wallaby are rare. Their popula­

tions declined sharply when the

settlers began burning spinifex

grasslands, leaving the animals

no hiding places.

The rufous hare wallaby once

lived throughout Australia's dry

regions. But it is now found only

in a tiny area of the Tanami Des-

ert in the Northern Territories,

where it lives among termite

mounds and shrubs. The Ab­

origines used to hunt this hare

wallaby by burning sections of

vegetation in a mosaic pattern.

This promoted plant regrowth

without destroying the habitat.

Conservationists are now trying

this method in the Tanami Des

ert. They are also introducing

captive animals to boost the

wild population.

In the past the banded hare

wallaby ranged widely across

Western Australia. Today, the

only wild survivors live in acacia

scrub on Bernier and Dom§ is­

lands off the West Coast.

~ FOOD &: FEEDING Hare wallabies feed at night on

grasses, shrubs, and leaves. Al­

most half of the banded hare

wallaby's diet is grass, but it al­

so feeds on pod-bearing and

mallow shrubs. The rufous and

spectacled hare wallabies favor

the tips of spinifex grass. They

depend so much on the plant

for food and shelter that Aus­

tralians call them "spinifex rats."

The rufous hare wallaby has a

Left: At night the spectacled hare wallaby comes out of hiding to feed on grass.

DID YOU KNOW? • The extinct eastern hare wal­

laby was a great jumper. One

animal astonished John Gould,

the 19th-century explorer and

zoologist, by leaping directly

over his head.

• The genus name Lagorches­I tes comes from Greek words

meaning "dancing hare."

• The central hare wallaby-

stomach that can cope with a

high-fiber diet. At night the ani­

mal often moves from the shel­

ter of tall spinifex stands to a

recently burned terrain where

new plants have sprung up.

Hare wallabies produce so lit­

tle urine that they can almost

survive on moisture in food. If

they eat dry food, which is hard­

er to digest, they reduce their

intake and drink more water.

Right: In the Tanami Desert, the ru­fous hare wallaby feeds on herbs,

shrubs, and seeds.

the smallest species-is now

officially extinct. However, it

may still survive on Aboriginal

and wildlife reserves within the

Northern Territories and West­

ern Australia.

• The rufous hare wallaby has

a variety of local names. A few

examples are wurrup, mala,

and whistler.

~ BREEDING Although the spectacled hare

wallaby breeds throughout the

year, the birth rate on Barrow

Island peaks in March and Sep­

tember. The female usually gives

birth to one offspring. Like all

marsupials, the newborn spends

its beginning days in its moth­

er's pouch, suckling her milk. It

stays there for five months or so,

until its eyes open and it grows

hair. The females become sexu­

ally mature at 12 months. The

rufous hare wallaby has a similar

breeding pattern.

The banded hare wallaby usu-

Left: The spectacled hare wallaby gets its name from the rust-colored rings of fur around its eyes.

ally bears its young in late sum­

mer. Females that do not con­

ceive in early spring may breed

successfully later on in the year.

Some females mate again short­

ly after giving birth, but the fer­

tilized egg remains inactive until

the first offspring dies or is ready

to leave the pouch.

The young banded hare wal­

laby spends about six months in

the pouch and is weaned three

months later. Males and females

can breed before they are a year

old but generally wait until their

second year. The female usually

produces only one offspring at a

time, although she is capable of

bearing two.

WHIPTAIL WALLABY

,,---------------... ORDER ... FAMILY '11IIIIIIII Marsupialia '11IIIIIIII Macropodidae

GROUP 1: MAMMALS GENUS & SPECIES Macropus parryi

The whip tail wallaby is named for its slim, tapering tail, which is just as long as its body. The tail helps this marsupial

balance as it moves around Australian grasslands.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Head and body lengt h: Male, 3

ft. Female, 2~ ft . Tail lengt h: Male, 3 ft. Female,

2~ ft.

Weight: Male, 45-55 lb. Female,

25-33 lb.

BREEDING

Sexual mat urity: Male, 1 ~-2 years.

Female, 2 years.

Mating: No known season.

Gestation: 5 weeks.

No. of young: 1.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Day-active; sociable.

Diet: Grasses and ferns.

Call : Female makes an unusual

hissing, growling noise when she

is annoyed.

lifespan: Up to 18 years.

RELATED SPECIES

The genus Macropus includes 14

species of kangaroos, wallabies,

and wallaroos.

Range of the whiptail wallaby.

DISTRIBUTION

Widespread throughout southeastern Queensland and north­

eastern New South Wales.

CONSERVATION

The whiptail wallaby is in no immediate danger thanks to Aus­

tralian national parks and nature reserves. Like all kangaroos

and wallabies, it is protected by Australian state legislation, but

some culling (selective killing) is allowed.

FEATURES OF THE WHIPTAIL WALLABY

Snout: Dark brown with white stripe from cheek to chin.

Ears: Large and rounded.

Forepaws: Have long, curved claws.

© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Coat: Brownish gray upperparts with paler, whitish belly.

0160200881 PACKET 88

The whiptail wallaby has a strikingly beautiful face, with a

dark brown band flanked by white stripes that run down

the cheeks to the chin. These markings inspired the animal's

original scientific name, which meant II elegant wallaby. II

Today, this marsupial's attractive features are reflected in

its common nickname: the pretty-faced wallaby.

~ HABITAT The whiptail wallaby lives in Aus­tralia, where the rich grasslands

- have provided it with a secure habitat and abundant food for many years. It also lives in open eucalyptus forests, but these are gradually being cleared. Even though it is losing much forest habitat, the whiptail survives in large numbers in national parks and on nature reserves. Its pop­ulation is densest in southeast-

Right: The whiptail wallaby feeds on vegetation, holding food in its forepaws when eating.

ern Queensland and in north­eastern New South Wales.

~ BREEDING The adult female whiptail walla­by is either pregnant or suckling her young most of the time. Like other marsupials, she keeps her partially developed joey, or off­spring, in her pouch after giving birth. The female bears only one joey at a time, but after it leaves the pouch a blastocyst (dormant embryo) often comes to life as a new fetus, which is born a few days later.

Gestation takes five weeks, but the joey stays in the pouch un­til it is over eight months old. It often remains with its mother after weaning, which takes ap-

Left: The whiptaiJ's main enemies are humans and dingoes. Disease also takes a toll on the population.

DID YOU KNOW? • The first kangaroo appeared on a European map during the 1770s. It was probably a whip­tail wallaby or a red kangaroo. • The whiptail wallaby is called the "gray flier" because of its speed when hopping. It is also known as Parry's wallaby, after

proximately 15 months. The mother sometimes plays with the joey, teaching it aggressive maneuvers like neck grasping and kicking, as well as gentle ac­tivities like licking and grooming.

The whiptail wallaby lives in groups where social ranking can be very competitive. Younger males often fight with older ri­vals for females. The dominant male of the group often gets in­to the fight to maintain his pos­ition over the other males. But while aggressive over sexual rights, whiptail groups appear tolerant of male newcomers.

Right: The whiptaiJ wallaby licks its arms in order to cool itself dur­ing hot weather.

a 19th-century American bot­anist and explorer. • The Australian expression "on the wallaby trail" means wandering about aimlessly, since wallaby trails in the bush frequently do not appear to lead anywhere.

~ FOOD & FEEDING The whiptail wallaby eats thin­stemmed and bladed grasses, such as kangaroo grass, and oc­casionally ferns. It grazes in a loose group of 2 to 10 animals. Although it sometimes shares its feeding areas with the eastern gray kangaroo, the two species eat different grasses. Whiptails avoid the carpet grasses that other wallabies favor.

The whiptail often sits up to

Left: The whiptail wallaby is active by day but sleeps in the shade dur­ing the hottest hours.

Left: The joey weighs only a fraction of an ounce when it is born. The mother suckles her single off­spring for ap­proximately 15 months.

eat, holding food in its delicate forepaws. Unless the weather is very hot, it rarely drinks from pools or rivers, getting enough moisture from food and dew.

Unlike most wallabies, which tend to stay hidden by day, the whiptail starts grazing at dawn and feeds at intervals all morn­ing . It only stops eating to rest in the shade for several hours when the sun is hottest. It then feeds again from late afternoon until nightfall-but at a more leisurely pace.

"" CARD 324 I LONG-EARED BAT " GROUP 1: MAMMALS ,,~----------------------------~~--------~~ ~ ORDER ~ FAMILY ~ GENUS & SPECIES ~ Chiroptera ~ Vespertilionidae ~ Plecotus auritus

The long-eared bat is one of the most common of all the bat species. This unusual-looking creature is named for its enormous ears, which are nearly as long as its entire body.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Head and body length: 1 ;..s -2 in.

Ears:1-1 ;..s in .

Wingspan: 9-11 in .

Weight: 1:;-/5 oz.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 2-3 years.

Mating season: Varies, but usually

in spring after hibernation.

Gestation: Unknown.

No. of young: 1.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Active at night. Solitary dur­

ing hibernation. Females form large

breeding colonies in summer.

Diet: Spiders; also butterflies, cater­

pillars, and other insects.

Lifespan: Up to 12 years.

RELATED SPECIES

The genus Plecotus has 6 species, in­

cluding Townsend 's big-eared bat,

P. townsendii, of North America.

Range of the long-eared bat.

DISTRIBUTION

Found throughout most of Europe except northern Scandi­

navia. Also occurs across temperate Asia to Japan.

CONSERVATION

The long-eared bat is common across most of its range. It is

at greatest risk in Germany, where it has been affected by the

chemicals used in treating lumber. Other populations suffer

from similar poisoning.

FEATURES OF THE LONG-EARED BAT

Ears: Almost as large as the bat's body. Extremely sensitive to aid echolocation. Angled forward during flight and fo lded back under the wings at rest. Tragi (long. leaflike structures) In the base of each e help channel sounds.

in some bat species

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Wings: Folded against the body

when the bat IS

at rest

0160200981 PACKET 98

The long-eared bat is widespread across temperate regions

of Europe and Asia, from Spain and Ireland as far east as

Japan. Although it is not dependent on human settlements,

the long-eared bat has become more and more closely

associated with human habitation. It frequently makes

its home in the attics and cellars of buildings, and it

can also be found in trees in parks and gardens.

~ HABITAT In spring and summer, the long­

eared bat is found primarily in

open woodland. Colonies of five

to ten animals roost in tree hol­

lows, buildings, or birdhouses.

In October or November, the

long-eared bat begins its solitary

winter hibernation. During this

period it roosts in a cave or cellar,

a rock crevice, or even a mine

shaft-generally close to the en­

trance. The hibernating bat pre­

fers temperatures of 36° to 41 ° F.

If the air warms to about 4SC F,

it may awaken and move to an­

other spot. From time to time, it

flies out to forage.

Near the end of March, the

long-eared bat starts to emerge

from hibernation. It returns to

its spring and summer roosting

site, which may be as far as 25

miles away.

Right: During hibernation the long-eared bat needs a constant temperature below 45' F.

~ FOOD & FEEDING The long-eared bat usually flies

out from its roost well after dark

to forage. But in northern parts

of its range, it may depart earli­

er-half an hour or so after sun­

set Before it leaves its roost, it

grooms itself vigorously for up

to 45 minutes.

The bat flies from tree to tree

in a swift, gliding motion close

to the ground. Among the trees

the flight is fluttering, as the bat

hovers close to the branches. It

holds its body at a 45-degree

angle and picks insects off the

leaves. To find prey it uses echo­location-emitting ultrasonic

pulses and analyzing the echoes

Left: The long-eared bat's highly sensitive oversize ears can detect ultrasonic echoes.

DID YOU KNOW? • Most European bats belong

to the same family as the long­

eared bat

• Long-eared bats have been known to appear on ships in

the North Sea. This suggests

that some of the bats have

migratory habits.

• A hibernating long-eared

bat can survive in a tempera-

that bounce back from insects.

The long-eared bat frequently

lands on a wall, a tree stump, or

the ground, where it continues

to forage. It feeds on mayflies,

gnats, butterflies, spiders, sow­

bugs, caterpillars, and other rel­

atively small invertebrates. It eats

small prey in flight but tackles

larger prey on the ground or at

a special feeding site.

The first foraging flight each

night may last for an hour. Then

the bat returns to a resting place

and hangs to digest its food. It

soon flies off again, continuing

its feeding flights until about an

hour before dawn.

Right: The long-eared bat tackles and eats most insect species that come its way.

ture of 26° F for a few days.

• For optimum reception, the

long-eared bat emits sounds

at a frequency of 44 to 45kHz,

the center of its hearing range.

• The long-eared bat emits

extremely quiet ultrasonic sig­

nals. This may help it distin­

guish insects from their leafy

hiding places.

In some parts of the range long­

eared bats mate when they start

to emerge from their hiberna­

tion . Others do so in April and

May, when hibernation is over.

Expectant females usually gath­

er in attics, forming brooding

colonies that may number over

100 animals. juveniles and a few

males often join these colonies.

In june or july the female gives

birth to a single blind offspring

whose long ears are folded back

Left: Echoloca­tion enables the long-eared bat to find prey. It also enables the animal to navi­gate inside the caves, cellars, and other dark sites where it hibernates.

against its sides. The youngster's

eyes open after four days, and

its ears become erect five days

later. It stays in the roost while

its mother forages , The young

can fly at about six weeks old,

and it is weaned by late August

At that point, the breeding col­

ony usually breaks up.

The young is dark gray-brown

and gets paler as it matures. It

can breed in its second year but

may not do so for another year.

'" CARD 325 I SILKY ANTEATER " GROUP 1: MAMMALS " -----------------------~~~~~~~~ ". ORDER .. FAMILY ". GENUS &: SPECIES ~ Edentata ~ Myrmecophagidae ~ Cyclopes didactylus

The silky anteater lives in the forests of Central and South America. With its padded paws and hooklike claws, it carefully scales the trees while using its sensitive nose to sniff out ants and termites.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: 6-9 in.

Tail: 6-12 in.

Weight: About 1 lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: About 1 year.

Mating season: July to August.

Gestation: 6 months.

No. of young: 1 .

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Night-active. Lives alone or

in pairs.

Diet: Ants, termites, bees, and oth­

er small insects.

Call: Occasional soft whistle.

Lifespan: Over 2 years in captivity.

Unknown in the wild.

RELATED SPECIES

The only species in its genus. Its

closest relatives are the giant ant­

eater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla,

and the tamanduas, Tamandua

mexicana and T. tetradactyla.

Range of the silky anteater.

DISTRIBUTION

Widespread throughout tropical forests from southern Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil.

CONSERVATION

The silky anteater is under no real threat at the moment, and

its numbers are relatively stable. Like many other creatures liv­

ing in the American rainforests, however, it is suffering from habitat destruction.

Coat: Golden yellow in northern part of the range. Becomes progressively grayer in populations farther south.

claws to be turned back un­der the foot to

Tail: Long and powerful. Used for gripp ing branches. Completely hairless on the underside.

Forefeet: Curved claws on the sec­ond and third toes are used for feeding and as defensive weapons.

© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Tongue: Coated in a sticky se-

cretion pro­duced by the

saliva glands. Sticky tongue used to catch

insects.

0160200901 PACKET 90

Like its close relative the giant anteater, the silky anteater

has two large, curved claws on the second and third toes

of its forefeet. These claws are very sharp, providing this

gentle animal with its only means of defense. The silky

anteater also uses its claws to break into ants' nests and

termites'mounds. In addition its claws enable it to cling

to the precarious tree perches where it makes its home.

~ HABITS The shy and peaceable silky ant­

eater inhabits forests in Central

and South America. It spends

most of its life in the trees, but if

it does come down to the forest

floor it walks easily, turning its

long, curved claws inward and

walking on the sides of its feet.

This anteater sleeps by day,

curled up in a ball in a tree hol­

low. It becomes active at dusk,

climbing into the tree canopy in

search of ants and termites. The

animal has a good grip due to

its large foreclaws and the thick,

disklike pads on its paws.

When it is on the ground, this

slow-moving creature has trou­

ble fleeing from predators. The

silky anteater defends itself with

its very sharp foreclaws, which

can inflict severe injuries. When

threatened, the anteater raises

itself up and holds its foreclaws

near its face. If a predator is not

frightened away by this display,

the anteater lashes out with its

long arms.

However, the silky anteater is

safest in the trees. To hide itself

from the sharp-eyed harpy ea­

gle, which is its deadliest ene­

my, it usually feeds just below

the top leaf cover.

Most animals avoid conflict

with the anteater's lethal claws,

but the harpy eagle is rarely de­

terred. Swooping down into the

canopy, this huge bird plucks

the anteater from the branches.

~ BREEDING Because of its secretive nature

and nocturnal lifestyle, the silky

anteater is hard to study in the

wild. As a result, there is little in­

formation about its reproduc­

tive cycle. It is thought that one

young is born in December or

January, after a six-month gesta­

tion period. The male and fe­

male place their offspring in a

leaf-lined nest in a tree hollow.

Left: Toughened pads on its feet give the silky anteater an excellent grip on thin branches.

DID YOU KNOW? • The silky anteater is some­

times called the two-toed ant­

eater because of the big claws

on each of its forefeet.

• The silky anteater is often

found in the silk cotton tree.

This tree's seed pods are clus­

ters of soft, silvery fibers that

very closely resemble the ant­

eater's fur and therefore pro-

After the young is weaned, it is

fed regurgitated semidigested

insects by both parents.

During its first few months,

the youngster travels with its

mother, clinging to her tail. At

about nine months old, it be­

comes semi-independent and

gradually begins moving away

from its mother on increasingly

distant forays.

Right: The hairless underside of its tail helps the silky anteater cling to tree branches.

vide excellent camouflage.

• The silky anteater's method

of defense is so effective that

even ferocious jaguars avoid

conflict with the animal.

• The forest around the Ama­

zon River basin is frequently

flooded. This is no problem

for the silky anteater, which

is an excellent swimmer.

~ FOOD &: FEEDING The silky anteater feeds on ants

and occasionally termites and

bees. It often attacks insects'

nests, ripping them open with

its specially adapted claws and

lapping up the creatures with its

long, sticky tongue. It also feeds

Left: The silky anteater uses its long, thin, sticky tongue to lap up termites from their mound.

from columns of marching ants

that it finds on branches.

The silky anteater does not

have teeth, so it cannot chew

the large quantities of hard­

bod ied insects that it eats. To

cope with this diet, a section of

the anteater's stomach is lined

with special muscles that crush

the food so it can be digested.

Left: When it is unable to flee from danger, the silky ant­eater rears up on its hind legs and brandishes its curved fore­claws at its assailant.

~RD326 SAMBAR ~~---------------------------------------------... ORDER .... FAMilY ... GENUS &: SPECIES ~ Artiodactyla ~ Cervidae ~ Cervus unicolor

The sambar is one of the largest deer in Southeast Asia. It is sometimes known as the Ceylon elk because like the elk,

or wapiti, it is large, with a rather shaggy, dark coat.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Head and body length: Male,

5~-8 ft. Female, 5-6 ft .

Tail: Male, 12 in. Female, 9 in.

Shoulder height: Male, 3~-4~ft.

Female, 3~-4 ft.

Weight: Male, 290-540 lb. Fe­

male, 240-400 lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 2-4 years.

Mating season: September to

October, depending on location.

Gestation period: 8 months.

No. of young: 1.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Usually most active at

night. lives in pairs or groups.

Diet: Grasses, foliage, and fruit.

Call: Loud, high-pitched bark.

lifespan: 20 years in captivity.

RELATED SPECIES

There are 8 species in the genus

Cervus, including the elk (wapiti),

C. elaphus.

FEATURES OF THE SAMBAR

Range of the sambar.

DISTRIBUTION

Southeast Asia from the Philippines through southern China,

Indonesia, and Myanmar (Burma) to India and Sri Lanka. Intro­

duced to Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

CONSERVATION

Although the sam bar is prized by hunters because of its size

and the male's large antlers, populations are stable in most ar­

eas. However, habitat loss has had some negative effect.

Antlers: Present only on male. Can grow to 2~ feet long.

Coat: Dark brown with paler, yel­lowish coloring under chin, on the inside of the limbs, and under the tail. The coat often becomes thick­er and paler during the winter.

Ears: Rounded and large (almost half the size of the head) to pick up the faintest sound of danger.

Tear gland: Be­low each eye.

The sambar can make the gland protrude at will.

Male: Darker and slightly larger than the female.

© MCMXCII IMP BVIIMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Throat: Has a peculiar bare patch of skin in the middle,

about 3 inches across, with tiny spots of blood in the center.

The purpose of this glandular lesion is unknown. It disappears

on captive sam bars.

0160200901 PACKET 90

The sam bar stands almost five feet tall at the shoulder and

measures up to eight feet long. But despite its large size, this

wary deer rarely emerges during the day. Instead, it prefers

to lie low and rest in the woods until early evening, when it

emerges from cover to forage. The sambar's cautious nature

is understandable since the male is a highly prized game

animal, mainly because of his impressive antlers.

~ HABITS The sam bar lives primarily in woods but also in other habi­tats that provide cover, such as dense scrub. In some parts of its range, it is wary of humans and appears in the open only at night. In other areas, where it has become used to people, it may emerge from cover to feed in the afternoon.

The sambar lives in pairs or small family groups but rarely in large herds. It rubs scent on tree stumps and rocks as a sig­nal for other sambar groups. But except for a period during the breeding season, it is non­territorial and tolerant of other deer in its vicinity.

A sedentary animal, the sam­bar generally stays in one area year-round. But populations in mountain forest habitats tend to move to higher altitudes in spring and summer in order to feed on fresh shoots and grasses under the melting snow. Since this deer is a good swimmer, it can cross a river or small lake when necessary.

If alarmed, the sambar raises its bushy tail to reveal a patch of paler rump hair. It may also stamp its foot on the ground and bark loudly.

Right: The sambar fawn generally stays at its mother's side for at least one year.

~ FOOD & FEEDING The sambar feeds on any coarse vegetation, from grasses to fo­liage. It also eats fruit and is very fond of blackberries, often strip­ping whole areas of them.

The sam bar begins feeding in the late afternoon or early eve­ning, leaving the woodland for more open country. It often trav­els long distances to find water.

Because it has a fibrous veg­etable diet, the sambar must eat

Left: The male's magrificent ant­lers grow larger each year, until he reaches about eight years old.

DID YOU KNOW? • The branches of a deer's ant­lers are called tines. Although most deer have four tines on each of their antlers, sambars have only three. • The sambar was introduced into Australia from Sri Lanka in 1861 so that it could be hunted. It has also been intro­duced to the North Island of

large quantities to get enough nutrients. The food it consumes at night is stored in part of its multichambered stomach. Lat­er in the day, while resting, the sambar regurgitates and then chews and swallows the food again to extract all the nutrients. This method of digestion, called rumination is common to many animals with a similar diet, such as giraffes, cows, and camels.

Right: A good swimmer, the sam­bar may wade far out in a lake to feed on water lilies.

New Zealand and three areas in the southern United States. It thrives in all three countries. • When his antlers begin to grow each year, the male sam­bar requires plenty of calcium to help them develop. To get enough, he licks the ground or the rocks in salt licks-areas that are rich in calcium.

The sambar's mating season, or rut begins when the soft cover­ings on the male's antlers peel off and the antlers harden. The male's neck also thickens, and he may grow a shaggy mane.

During this season the male scent-marks his territory, and he challenges other males over ter­ritorial rights. Rival males lock antlers in trials of strength, but the contests are more like wres­tling than actual combat, and injuries are rare. Once a domi­nant male chases a challenger off, he mates with all the females that enter his territory. A recep­tive female releases a scent to indicate her readiness to mate.

Left: The sam­bar has a tear gland beneath each of its eyes. Because it is able to make these glands protrude, the animal is also known as the four-eyed deer in China.

After an eight-month gesta­tion period, the female finds a hidden spot in the undergrowth and gives birth to one young. She eats the afterbirth and then leaves her fawn, coming back at regular intervals to feed it.

The young male grows antlers after two years. At first they are just straight sticklike horns on each side of his head, without any branching. These horns are cast off, but they grow back the following year. They then have two branches on each side. By the fourth year, the antlers are fully developed, but they con­tinue to lengthen yearly for at least four more years.

LONG-TAILED WEASEL

ORDER Carnivora

FAMILY Mus teiidae

~ GENUS & SPECIES ""'1IIIIIIII Mustela frenata

" CARD 327 I

The long-tailed weasel has the widest range of all the American weasels. It feeds mainly on rodents and other small mammals,

but it may raid henhouses and is therefore persecuted by farmers.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: Male, 9-14 in. Female,

much smaller.

Tail: 5-10 in.

Weight: Male, 7-12 oz. Female,

up to 7 oz.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: Male, 1 year.

Female, much younger.

Mating season: Warm months.

Gestation: Delayed implantation,

with young born in spring.

No. of young: 3-9 each year.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Usually solitary.

Call: Variety of calls, including soft

mews and loud screams.

Diet: Rabbits, hares, rodents, rep­

tiles, and amphibians.

RELATED SPECIES

There are 16 species in the genus

Mustela, including the short-tailed

weasel, or ermine, M. erminea, and

the least weasel, M. nivalis.

Range of the long-tailed weasel.

DISTRIBUTION

Found in southern Canada, the United States, Central America,

Peru, and Bolivia.

CONSERVATION

The long-tailed weasel is not endangered, despite its persecution

by farmers who see it as a threat to poultry stocks. The only en­

dangered mustelid is the black-foQted ferret, which shares the

long-tailed weasel's range but lives exclusively on prairie dogs.

THE LONG-TAILED W EASEl'S COAT

Summer coat: Medium brown, with creamy yellow underpa rts. Black tip on tail. The short-tailed weasel is sim­ilar but has wh ite underparts and feet.

Face: In the southwestern part of its range , the long-tailed weasel has white facial markings.

Winter coat: In the northern part of its range, the animal's coat turns entirely white except for the black tail tip.

© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A 0160200991 PACKET 99

In the northern part of its range, the long-tailed weasel is

frequently confused with the short-tailed weasel, or ermine,

because both animals' coats turn white in winter. Howeve"

as its name suggests, the long-tailed weasel has a longer

tail than the short-tailed weasel. In addition, it is larger.

~ HABITS The long-tailed weasel adapts

to many different habitats. This

fast, agile animal climbs well,

but it hunts on the ground.

The long-tailed weasel is usu­

ally solitary and busiest at night.

However, it may emerge during

tile day and use its ability to see

color. To rest, it finds a site in a

rock crevice, under a woodpile,

or in another animal's burrow.

This weasel fiercely defends

its territory, marking the bound­

aries with a musky fluid from its

anal glands. Fights with intrud­

ers are rare but potentially dead­

ly. The male is much larger than

the female and has a bigger ter­

ritory that often overlaps with

several females' ranges.

When it runs, the long-tailed

weasel's sleek body is fully ex­

tended. In overgrown areas it

may stand on its hind legs to

view its surroundings.

Left: Another animal's abandoned burrow often provides a safe nest for the long-tailed weasel.

Right: With its slender body fully extended, the long-tailed weasel views its surroundings.

~ BREEDING In the warm months, the male

and female long-tailed weasel

may mate several times within a

few hours. But implantation of

the fertilized eggs in the womb

is delayed so that the young are

born the following spring, when

food is abundant.

The female constructs a cozy,

warm nest. During their initial

weeks, the young are rarely left

by themselves, and the mother

moves them to a new nest if

she is disturbed.

Left: The long-tailed weasel uses fallen trees to mark boundaries.

The young suckle from their

mother at first, but when they

are three to five weeks old she

starts to bring them meat. Their

eyes open when they are five

to six weeks old. They are fully

weaned at about three months.

The young weasels are play­

ful, indulging in mock chases

and hunts. Eventually they fol­

low their mother on hunting

trips. By the beginning of win­

ter they can hunt alone and

leave their mother's territory.

Right: In the white winter coat, the tail's tip remains black.

~ FOOD &: HUNTING The long-tailed weasel uses its

keen senses to hunt. If it smells

underground prey, it burrows

feverishly to catch the animal.

At ground level it may pick up

a slight sound, which it follows

with its head held low. This an­

imal's good sight lets it spot

prey from several yards away.

The long-tailed weasel's agil­

ity and speed are clearly evi-

DID YOU KNOW? • The long-tailed weasel utters a piercing scream upon catch­

ing its prey.

• Young long-tailed weasels attain their adult coloring at

four to five weeks of age.

• If cornered, the long-tailed weasel fights its enemy in­

stead of running away.

dent when it is chasing prey. It

even follows its victim into wa-

ter if necessary.

This weasel can take on prey

much larger than itself. It first

catches the scruff of its prey's

neck and uses its sharp claws

to rake the animal's underbelly.

It then kills its prey with a bite

through the skull and drags its

victim off to a safe place.

Left: Sniffing warily, a long­tailed weasel approaches a rabbit carcass on the road. It prefers to kill its own prey.

• In the southwestern part of its range the long-tailed wea­

sel may have white markings

across its face.

• When they are first fed solid food, young weasels lick sali­

va from their mother's mouth.

They may do this in order to

obtain liquid.

~RD328J MEDITERRANEAN MONK SEAL ,,'--______________ ....;G;;..;.R.;..;;O~UP 1: MAMMALS .. ORDER .. FAMILY .. GENUS &: SPECIES

'11IIIIIIII Pinnipedia '11IIIIIIII Phocidae '11IIIIIIII Monachus monachus

The Mediterranean monk seal is Europe~ rarest mammal. This seal was once a common sight on sandy beaches, but today experts estimate that there are no more than S 00 surviving individuals.

_-Sl- KEY FACTS

I ~I SIZES ~ Length: 9-12~ ft.

Weight: 660-700 lb .

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 4 years.

Breeding season: From Novem­

ber to January.

Gestation: 11 months.

No. of young: 1 every 2 years.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: May form small groups of

up to 6 animals.

Diet: All types of fish as well as oc­

topus and algae.

Lifespan: Up to 16 years.

RELATED SPECIES

There are 2 very closely related

species. The Caribbean monk seal,

Monachus tropicalis, lives around

the West Indies but may now be

extinct. The Hawaiian monk seal,

M. schuainslandi, lives around the

Hawaiian islands and is very rare.

Range of the Mediterranean monk seal.

DISTRIBUTION

Mainly in the eastern Aegean Sea. Also in the Black Sea, in the

Mediterranean off Cyprus and North Africa, and in the Atlantic

off the Madeira and Canary islands and northwestern Africa.

CONSERVATION

With a population of no more than 500, the Mediterranean

monk seal is classified as endangered. It is legally protected,

and efforts are underway to save it from extinction.

FEATURES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN MONK SEAL

Tail : Helps the seal steer underwater.

Body: Streamlined; can grow over 12 feet long. Coat is dark gray-brown to black on back, lighter on underside, sometimes with white spots on belly. Tips of hairs are sometimes yellowish.

© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

Head: Small and rounded with large eyes and flat nose. Whiskered muzzle may be pale.

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Flippers: Propel the seal through the water.

0160200901 PACKET 90

Humans have been directly responsible for the drastic

decline of the Mediterranean's only seal species. Marine

pollution and the fishing industry have taken a heavy

toll on the population. However, the main cause of the

Mediterranean monk seal's slide toward extinction has

been habitat loss-tourists have taken over the quiet,

sandy beaches where this shy seal used to breed.

~ HABITS The Mediterranean monk seal is most common in the eastern Aegean Sea around the Greek islands. Small numbers of these animals can also be found off the coasts of Turkey and Cyprus and the Mediterranean coasts of Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.

Human activities have led to a sharp drop in this seal's popu­lation as well as to changes in its habitat. Once common on sandy beaches, it is now found only on small islands and cliff-

bound rocky coasts-habitats that are relatively inaccessible or unattractive to humans.

This monk seal is wary of peo­ple but may attack fishing boats that enter its fishing or breeding territory. When it is disturbed, it makes a noise like a wounded dog and sometimes howls. It is an intelligent animal, and cap­tive seals frequently become attached to their keepers, fol­lowing them around and obey­ing simple orders.

DID YOU KNOW? • People once believed insom­nia could be cured by placing a monk seal's right flipper un­der the head at night. • The Mediterranean monk seal is depicted on coins dat­ing from 500 S.c. The ancient Greek city of Phocaea, which was on the Turkish coast, was named after the seal-the

~ FOOD & HUNTING The Mediterranean monk seal eats eels, whitings, sardines, and lobsters, all of which it may take from fishing nets. It also feeds on algae and is very fond of octo­pus. It can swallow an octopus weighing over 20 pounds.

With the exception of very small fish, the monk seal seizes prey in its teeth and squeezes tightly, forcing out the entrails. It then swallows its victim. The seal occasionally plays with its food, tossing it up in the air and catching it again. Left: The Mediterranean monk seal is most active in the early morning, when it begins hunting.

Right: This monk seal hunts mainly in shallow water, diving to depths of 100 feet.

Greek word for seal is phoce. • Some North African people

. believe that if they kill a monk seal they will die at sea within several weeks. • The monk seal's name is de­rived from the Latin monachus, meaning "monk," and refers to the fact that these seals are often found alone, like monks.

Little is known about the breed­ing habits of the Mediterranean monk seal. In the past, it relied on sandy coasts for its breeding sites, but it lost these beaches to tourists. Today, the seal uses caves that are often accessible only from under the water.

Monk seals mate in the water. After an ll-month gestation pe­riod, the female bears one pup

Left: The Mediterranean monk seal is the only true seal species that in­habits warm temperate waters.

Left: Although it spends much of its time alone, the Mediterra­nean monk seal may form small groups. Unlike many other seal species, however, it nevergath-ers in large herds.

between October and Decem­ber. Unlike most seal species, which produce young once a year, the monk seal does so only in alternate years.

The female feeds her young for six or seven weeks, lying on her side on a rock to offer the pup her four teats. When it is weaned, the seal sheds its wool­ly black coat and enters the wa­ter for the first time. It stays with its mother for three years and breeds in its fourth year.

WILD GOAT ,,------------------------------------------~

ORDER Artiodactyla

FAMILY Bovidae

GENUS &£ SPECIES Capra aegagrus

The wild goat is the ancestor of the familiar domestic goat. Majestic, sweeping horns and a straggly beard distinguish this

hardy, mountain-living creature from modern breeds.

KEY FACTS --------~~~~~ ------------------------------____________________ -J

SIZES

Length: 4-4~ ft.

Height: 2-3 ft. Weight: Male, 165-265 lb. Female,

110-120 lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 2-3 years .

Mating season: Fall.

Gestation: 5 months.

No. of young: 1-2.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Sociable, living in herds of

up to 20 animals .

Diet: Grass, leaves, shrubs, and

any other available vegetation .

Call: An explosive snort, used by

the adult to sound an alarm.

Lifespan: 10-18 years.

RELATED SPECIES

There are 123 species within the

family Bovidae. Experts disagree

about the number of subspecies,

but they include the Cretan wild

goat, Capra aegagrus cretini.

Range of the wild goat.

DISTRIBUTION

Found on the Greek islands and in Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan,

Oman, the Caucasus, and parts of Pakistan .

CONSERVATION

The wild goat is facing extinction in many parts of its range.

This is due to centuries of persecution by hunters, as well as to

current competition from domestic sheep and goats for food

and space.

FEATURES OF THE WILD GOAT

Male: Stocky, thickset body with strong legs and broad hooves. May weigh twice as much as an adult fe­male. The muzzle, beard , and front of the neck are usually dark brown. The back varies from brown to gray. The horns are scimitar-shaped and ridged . They may be more than 3 feet in length.

Coat: Both male and female develop a th ick undercoat to protect them against the cold in winter.

(f MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.SA

Female: Smaller than male and usually more yellow­brown in color. Horns are

shorter and straighter.

Coloration: There may be consider­able variation in the color of the wild goat's coat because increasingly the

species is interbreeding with domes­tic goats or goats that have reverted to the wild . The co lor of the coat al­

so changes as the animal gets older.

01 60200981 PACKET 98

The wild goat is an extremely agile animal, with excellent

balance and a remarkable ability to judge heights. It

readily scales the steepest and most treacherous rocky

inclines, picking its way carefully on its broad, cloven

hooves. This climbing ability makes it possible for the

wild goat to escape to a safe refuge when threatened

by many of its would-be predators, including humans.

~ HABITS The wild goat lives in the eastern

Mediterranean and southwest

Asia . It tolerates a wide range of

terrains and climates, living at

elevations that range from sea

level to 11,500 feet.

The wild goat prefers to roam

over rough, uneven ground. It

has broad, cloven hooves that

are well adapted to coping with

rocky terrain. It can even scale

nearly vertical cliff faces. When

the wild goat is threatened by

predators, its best defense is to

retreat to a high, craggy hillside

where it can outmaneuver other

animals. This nervous creature

also climbs high into the hills if

disturbed during the day and

stays there until early evening.

The wild goat lives in a herd of

up to 20 members, usually led

by a dominant female. Males re­

main on the fringes, sometimes

breaking off to form their own

herd. They join the females and

young for the breeding season .

The herd climbs up the moun­

tainside in spring and summer

to find fresh vegetation revealed

by the receding snow line. But

at the onset of winter, the herd

moves back down to avoid the

colder weather.

The wild goat is active mainly

by day. But when the weather

is very hot, it feeds late in the af­

ternoon and into the night.

~ FOOD &: FEEDING The wild goat is a very hardy an­

imal that can survive in the most

barren and arid environments.

In the rainy season it grazes on

grass and low-lying shrubs. In

the dry season, when most of

the grass has died, the herd is

forced into extremely precarious

areas in search of food. At such

times the wild goat browses on

bushes and low tree branches,

Left: Horn size reflects the strength of the male, 50 that fighting is fre­quently unnecessary.

DID YOU KNOW? • The wild goat was first do­mesticated more than 8,000

years ago in the foothills of

southwest Asia.

• The longest wild goat horns

on record measured five feet.

• During the mating season,

the male wild goat may uri­

nate on himself, apparently

to enhance his appeal.

sometimes standing on its hind

legs to reach them . It goes to

great lengths to find food, walk­

ing boldly out on an overhang­

ing branch even when there is a

huge drop below.

During the monsoon season

the wild goat gets all the mois­

ture it needs from grasses. But

in the dry season it must find a

watering hole every day.

Right: In order to survive, the wild goat must adapt its diet to the veg­etation that is available.

• As the wild goat grows old­

er, its hair gets steadily grayer.

• The wild goat's hooves con­

tinue to grow throughout its

life, which keeps them from

being completely worn away

by the rocky terrain.

• The wild goat can leap to a height of almost six feet from

a standing position.

~ WILD GOAT &: MAN Ancient carvings indicate that

the wild goat had all important

role in Greek mythology. For ex­

ample, the god Pan was half­

man and half-goat.

The wild goat is an excellent

animal to domesticate. This ex­

tremely tough creature is able

to thrive within hostile environ­

ments. Its milk can be drunk or

~ BREEDING The wild goat mates in the fall.

The young are born from late

January to late March-when

food is most plentiful. The mat­

ing season, or rut, is marked by

a period of frenzied sexual activ­

ity that may include fighting be­

tween rival males.

Most of the courtship rituals

are performed by the male. He

stretches out his neck and head,

sticks out his tongue, and curls

his lips back over his teeth. One

female may mate with several

males in the herd. The stronger

and healthier the female is, the

Left: In very hot weather the wild goat takes shelter by day and starts feeding at dusk.

made into cheese, its flesh can

be eaten, and its hide can be

used for making clothes.

The wild goat has long been

hunted for its horns as well as

its bezoars-small balls of swal­

lowed hair that form smooth,

hard pebbles in the goat's stom­

ach. Bezoars are mistakenly be­

lieved to have medicinal value.

more attention she will attract.

After a five-month gestation,

the female gives birth to one or

two kids. The newborn is cov­

ered in silky grayish fur and can

walk within a few hours. It is

well developed and seemingly

independent at an early age but

remains close to its mother for

some time. It suckles for the first

four months, but it is then en­

couraged to feed on its own.

The female fiercely protects

her offspring, and her kids may

remain with her until she gives

birth again. Even then, a young

goat stays within the herd, be­

coming sexually active at two or

three years old.

TAVRA

"''-------~

ORDER Carnivora

... FAMILY '11IIIIIIII Mustelidae

GROUP 1: MAMMALS GENUS &: SPECIES Eira barbara

The tayra is a large, weasel-like animal that inhabits the forests of Central and South America. A fierce hunter, it pursues prey quickly

and relentlessly, often killing it with a bite on the neck.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: Head and body, 22-27 in.

Tail, 15-19 in.

Weight: 9-11 lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: Female, 6

months. Male, 1 year.

Mating season: From January

to February.

Gestation: About 2 months.

No. of young: 2-4.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: May be solitary but often

lives in small family groups. Active

day and night.

Diet: Small mammals, birds and

their eggs, fruit, and honey.

lifespan: 18 years in captivity.

RELATED SPECIES

The tayra is the only species in its

genus. The family Mustelidae to

which it belongs includes mink,

weasels, martens, badgers, and

the wolverine.

FEATURES OF THE TAYRA

Fur: Short and coarse. Gray­brown or black with paler head and neck. Sometimes yellow or white patch on chest.

Tail : Long. thick, and muscular. Helps

the tayra balance when climbing .

~ MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

Range of the tayra.

DISTRIBUTION

Inhabits the forests of southern Mexico, Central America, and

South America as far south as Argentina and Paraguay. It is also

found on the Caribbean island of Trinidad.

CONSERVATION

The tayra is hunted for its fur and flesh. But habitat loss, rather

than hunting, is probably the main reason for the population

decline over the last 50 years.

Body: Long and slender with strong limbs and

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a long neck.

Head: Broad with rounded ears, large eyes, and tapering muzzle.

Excellent senses of sight, hearing. and smell.

Feet: Large with naked soles for gripping branches. The

strong claws are not retractable.

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The tayra is an active predator. Constantly alert, it uses

its sharp senses of smell, sight, and hearing to find prey

in its forest home. Although it spends much of its time on

the ground, the tayra is a good climbe" gripping with its

sharp claws and balancing with its long, muscular tail.

~ HABITS The sociable tayra often lives in

a small family group. When it is

tired, this forest dweller rests in

tree hollows or tall, thick grass.

But it is active much of the time,

both by day and night. It tends

to be up and around very early

on cloudy days.

From time to time, the animal

rises on its hind legs to scan its

surroundings for danger. If sur­

prised by a predator, the tayra

attacks instead of running away.

The tayra is very agile, able to

dash up smooth tree trunks and

run along branches. It is also a

very good swimmer. If the forest

floor becomes flooded when a

river bursts its banks, the animal

can swim from tree to tree.

~ BREEDING The female tayra produces a lit-

ter of two to four offspring in

the spring, after a gestation of

just over two months. She gives

birth in a nest, which is usually

a tree hollow lined with leaves

and mosses.

Born blind and helpless, the

young receive a great deal of

care from their mother. During

their first six weeks, she suckles

them. Then she brings them

food from hunting trips.

The young grow quickly and

Left: A very active creature, the tayra is alert both day and night, rarely pausing to rest.

I DID YOU KNOW?-• Local hunters believe that

the tayra possesses aphrodisi­

ac properties. They kill the an­

imal and put shavings from its

bones into drinks.

• The female tayra goes into

look like the adults within two

months. The offspring are very

active and playful-tumbling

about, chasing each other, and

engaging in mock fights. They

constantly try to escape from

the nest and must be dragged

back by their mother.

At about six months old, the

youngsters are able to leave the

nest with some degree of safe­

ty. However, they are not fully

independent until they are ap­

proximately a year old.

Right: Although agile in the trees, the tayra spends most of its time hunting on the ground.

heat up to three times a year.

• The tayra is such an efficient

hunter that local people use it

to rid their homes and gardens

of rodents. When it is tamed,

it can even make a playful pet.

~ FOOD &: HUNTING The tayra is a flesh eater, feed-

ing mainly on small mammals

like agoutis, tree squirrels, guin­

ea pigs, and brocket deer. It al­

so takes nesting birds and their

eggs and can even catch birds

as they alight in the open.

The tayra tracks down its prey

using its keen senses of hearing,

sight, and smell-a vital combi­

nation because it often hunts

at night in dense undergrowth.

After locating its prey, the tayra

combines stealth and surprise

to catch it. If the animal is small,

the tayra kills it immediately by

biting the back of its neck. But

Left: The tayra's quick reactions enable it to snatch any small crea­tures it finds in the branches.

Left: The tayra can run quickly along a hori­zontal branch. Its very sharp claws help it grip, and its tail helps it balance.

larger animals require more ef­

fort to subdue. If the victim es­

capes its grasp, the tayra chases

the animal, not stopping until it

has captured the quarry again.

After killing an animal, the tay­

ra drags it off to a storage place.

It then returns to the same spot

and remains until it has caught

all the available prey. The tayra

kills even when it is not hungry

and stores the food instead of

eating it right away.

Unlike most of its close rela­

tives, the tayra supplements its

diet of flesh with honey as well

as fruit such as berries and ba­

nanas. Its taste for fruit brings it

into conflict with humans, since

it damages banana plantations.