Category Zoology

Why is the resplendent quetzal revered?

          A national flag is representative of the country and the ideals it holds on to. Various symbols are used in the design of national flags including birds.

          The resplendent quetzal appears not only in the national flag of Guatemala, but also in its currency and coat of arms with a display of its splashy green body. It is the national bird of Guatemala.

          The Guatemalan currency gets its name from the bird-‘quetzal’. The resplendent quetzal was first described by the Mexican naturalist Pablo de La Llave in 1832. His description brought this green coloured bird to the spotlight. Soon it gained celebrity status.

          The resplendent quetzal has been praised for its beauty across time and cultures. It has an iridescent green body with shades ranging from green gold to blue violet and a bright red breast. Its upper tail feather is longer than its entire body. Sounds like a heavenly bird. Doesn’t it? It is found from Chiapas in Mexico to western Panama. It spends most of its time just sitting on a perch seemingly staring into space. It can also turn its head around almost 180 degrees, just as an owl does.

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What makes the magnificent frigate bird infamous?

          Frigate birds are notorious for their acts of piracy. The word pirate probably gives you the image of Jack Sparrow from the movie series Pirates of the Caribbean with his pirate hat and soiled clothes, ransacking ships and cities for gold and silver.

          Their brownish black plumage gives them a pirate-like appearance and most of their food is acquired by chasing other birds, forcing them to give up their catch. They were sometimes known as Man 0′ War, because of aerie piracy. They forage on lagoons and seas occasionally hunting down fish, especially flying fish.

          The magnificent is a seabird of the tropical Atlantic. It is a very large bird with a length of 89-114 cm a wingspan of 2.17-2.44 m. these elegant birds usually engage in a silent flight spreading their long angular wings and deeply forked tails.

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Why does the Andean cock-of-the-rock hold a unique place among birds?

          Little Red Riding Hood is remembered for her red hood. But have you ever thought of an orange hood? The males of the Andean cock-of-the-rock, also known as tunki are always noted for their bright orange crown. Their beauty is a bane for them as it exposes them to birds of prey and even snakes, thus making them vulnerable. Encroachment of their habitat is another major threat to the species.

          The Andean cock-of-the-rock is indigenous to the subtropical forests of South America. Often spotted near upland streams, it feeds on fruits, insects and at times small vertebrates. Seems like a mixed diet!

          Females of the Andean cock take the responsibility of building nests which is plastered to cave entrances or rocky outcrops using mud. Their world-wide population and trends in their numbers have not been determined. Still, it is believed that these birds are not threatened.

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What are the characteristic features of hippopoptamuses?

       In a zoo, visitors spend more time watching a hippo! This may be because of the physical features that make it distinctly different from other animals.

       A hippo has a bulky body. After elephants, hippos are regarded as the biggest land animal on Earth! A male hippo typically weighs about 2000 kg! It is 3.5 metres long and 1.5 metres tall too.

      Hippos love spending time in water. One reason for their love for water is to keep themselves cool in the scorching heat of African summers. Rivers and lakes infested with hippos are dangerous places to visit in Africa, as these animals are unpredictable. Their eyes, nose, and ears are located on the top of their head. These features help them stay submerged in water and still breathe and see.

      There is a popular misconception that they sweat blood when out of water.

      However, the truth is that the animals sweat an oily red the animals sweat an oily red liquid, which acts as a sun block, and helps them protect their skin from drying out in the hot sun.

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Which is the family of the Hippopotamus?

       The hippopotamus has no other family members, as they are the only living members of their family, Hippopotamidae.

       There are two living species of hippos: the pygmy hippo, and the common hippo. The pygmy hippos live in the forests of West Africa. Hippos have similarities with pigs, who may be their closest living relatives on earth. They are cetaceans, meaning they live in water, much like a whale or dolphin!

       Hippopotamuses have short, stumpy legs and barrel shaped bodies. Their heads are large. They have a characteristic broad mouth, and nostrils placed at the top of their snouts. A hippo’s stomach has three chambers.

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Is there a grazing pig in the Suidae family?

       Do you remember Pumbaa in the Lion King movie? Pumbaa is a common warthog. We do not generally associate pigs with grazing like cattle. However, the common warthog is pig species that has adapted to grazing. They live in savannah habitats.

       Commonly found in Africa, the warthog has two pairs of tusks curving upwards, which protrude from the mouth. The upper pair is longer and stronger than the lower pair. The lower pair, on the other hand, is very sharp, because of constant rubbing against the upper pair. The species is omnivorous. They live in groups called sounders. These animals are present in numerous protected areas across its range.

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