Category Zoology

What does a fox eat?

 

          Have you heard the story of the fox who tried hard to get a taste of grapes? Although we do not have any conclusion evidence to suggest that foxes have a craving for grapes, we know for sure that they enjoy both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.

          Their diet is made up of insects, birds, rats and hares, and can include eggs and plants too. Foxes that live near water bodies enjoy fish and crabs as well. Most species of fox consume about one kilogram of food every day.

          Sometimes, they raid places where humans reside, and eat from the trash they have dumped. At times, they eat a lot so that they can rest and relax for a day or two. They have the habit of burying excess food for consumption later, usually under dry leaves, snow, or loose soil.

          Foxes have the habit of using the pouncing technique to catch their prey. They crouch down to camouflage themselves in the terrain. Then using their hind legs, they leap with great force to land on top of their prey, thus trapping it.

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Which are the largest, and the smallest members of the dog family?

          The members of the Canidae family differ in their sizes and appearances. Some breeds of domestic dogs can be bigger than a pony. Dog breeds like the Saint Bernard and the Great Dane are examples. However, the largest species in the family is the grey wolf.

          An adult grey wolf measure between 105 and 106 centimetres in length, and 80 and 85 centimetres in shoulder height. Its tail is 30 to 50 centimetres ling. The grey wolf weighs about 30 to 40 kgs. While male members are heavier, the female will typically be lighter, and weigh 2.3 – 4.5 kg less than males. Other canids will have slight variation in weight from the wolves.

          The smallest member of the Canidae family is the fennec fox. It has a height of only 24 centimetres. The weight of the animal is a paltry 1 kg.

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Which are the members of the dog family?

          Dogs are the most faithful friends of humans from the animal kingdom. The dog in a family is not only a pal, but also protector and comforter. The family of dogs is known as Canidae. It includes members such as dogs, coyotes, foxes, jackals, dingoes, and many other extant and extinct dog-like mammals. There are about 34 species of animals in the Canidae family. They can be found all over the world except Antarctica.

          Most canids, or members of the dog family, have similar physical characteristics. They have long muzzles, upright ears, teeth adapted for cracking bones and slicing flesh, long legs, and busy tails. Dogs usually live in pairs, and sometimes in packs. Only foxes are an exception to this rule. They prefer do dwell alone. Although hyenas look like dogs, they do not belong to the dog family.

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Which animals are the closest relatives of elephants?

          If you think that a huge animal like the elephant should have at least a relative at least half its size, you are wrong! The closest kin of the tusker is a puny-sized animal called the rock hyrax. Our amazement will see no bounds when we learn that this animal does not weigh more than four kilograms! The rock hyrax is a small, furry herbivore native to Africa and the Middle East.

          Although hyraxes are tiny in comparison, there are a few physical traits that are share with the elephant. A rock hyrax has little tusks that are similar to those of the elephant. They grow from their incisor teeth. Most mammals with tusks develop them from their canine teeth. These animals have flattened nails on the tips of their digits too. The manatee also shares a common ancestry with the elephant. There was another relative called Tethytheria, which died out more than 50 million years ago.

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How have elephants adapted to cope with their size and shape?

          Have you ever thought about how an enormous animal like the elephant manage its weight and size? The animal’s body has developed certain mechanisms to cope with them. If you have observed a dog or a goat, you will see that their legs are positioned at an angle. However, an elephant’s legs are like pillars. They are in an almost vertical position under their huge body. Due to this arrangement, the animal’s heavy skeleton and internal organs get a strong support.

          The skull of an elephant is special too. There are several cavities in the skull resembling a honey-comb. These hollow cavities make the skull lighter, yet strong enough to carry the weight of the trunk. Do you know that the trunk of an elephant can carry weights as heavy as 200 kilograms?

Picture Credit : Google

 

Are elephants good runners?

          Have you seen an elephant race? In some countries such as Thailand, in order to attract tourists, activities like elephant races and elephant football matches are organized.

          Since such sports are cruel, there is a rising awareness worldwide regarding the need to handle animals in captivity with respect and consideration.

          In fact, elephants cannot run! All an elephant can manage to do is to walk. There are two gaits possible for an elephant: a walk and a faster gait, which is similar to running.

          When they are on the faster gait, they can reach speeds up to 49 km/h!

          At this speed, the elephant gives the impression that it is into a gallop, much like a horse.

          However, elephants cannot trot, jump or gallop. They are great swimmers, though!

Picture Credit : Google