Category Biology

            By scientific classification, the African wild ass is a member of the horse family. But it can be best defined as an ancestor of domestic donkeys. These are animals that live in the deserts, and other arid areas of Africa, mainly Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia.

            The most important characteristic of this wild animal is that it can survive water loss of up to 30 per cent of its body weight, and drink enough water to replace it in under 5 minutes! Typically, these animals have stocky bodies with smooth coats in light grey to fawn colours. Wild asses can eat hard and dry plants too. However, in spite of thou ability to survive tough conditions, these animals are reducing in their number. They have been classified as critically endangered. The main reasons for this situation are inter-breeding, poaching, hunting and competition for food.

            Another reason is poaching for food and traditional medicine, which is quite common in African countries. Then, there is the competition with domestic livestock for grazing, as well as water. This is caused by agricultural development, which poses further threats to the survival of these wild asses.

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            The addax is a critically endangered desert antelope found in the Sahara Desert in Africa. It is also known as a white antelope.

            This animal has many interesting features and one of them is the ability to change colour of its coat, depending on the season. It could be grey or brown in winter, and sandy or white in summer. The neck and head of these animals is mainly brown.

            The addax is a desert animal that can live in a very harsh climate where no other animals can survive. This also means they have no particular competition for food or water. Under such circumstances how could their population drop to levels as low as to become ‘critically’ endangered? Well, the only answer to this would be human activities.

            The biggest threat these animals face is from people who visit their ranges in vehicles. They kill these slow-moving antelopes. It is said that when a car follows a herd of addax, they desperately try to escape, and later run out of energy, only to get killed.

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               A radiated tortoise is one of the most attractive species in the family, native to Southern Madagascar. Typically, these groups of tortoises have bright yellow skin coloration with black markings on the head. They also have high-domed black to brown shells, covered with yellow or orange star like patterns. This is what particularly makes the animal stunning.

               Radiated tortoises generally lead solitary lives, but are sometimes found grazing together.

               To protect themselves from predators, the tortoises pull their soft limbs and head inside their hard shells. They also make loud screeching noises during times of crises.

               Another interesting characteristic is their lifespan. Radiated tortoises live for a very long time, sometimes up to the age of 188! However their lives are often cut short by merciless humans and their activities. As a result, this species have become critically endangered. The reasons for this are poaching and destruction of habitat. The commercial trade of these aquatic beings and their pet trade are illegal.

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            A numbat is a rare marsupial animal that is native to parts of Australia. Also known as banded anteaters, they have long sticky tongues that help them pick up termites which they eat exclusively. Usually, these animals make shelters out of old and fallen trees that have hollow logs.

            Numbats were once found across the Southern part of Australia, including Western Australia, South Australia and parts of New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory. But now they are restricted to isolated areas in South-Western Australia.

            The main reason for this sort of population fall is habitat loss. Their ranges have been cleared for agriculture, and destroyed by bush fires. Besides, these are slow-moving animals that can be easily caught by predators like cats, dogs and foxes.

            In recent decades conservation programmes were active and several numbats were reintroduced to a few sites including Yookamurra Sanctuary in South Australia, and Scotia Sanctuary in New South Wales as part of captive breeding and translocation programmes.

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            Cottontop tamarins are small species of primates native to the forests of South America. Presently, the population of these animals is at a dangerous level. Surveys indicate that there are just less than 6000 individuals in the world, making them a critically endangered species. Out of these, only 6000 tamarins can be found in the wild. The tropical forest edges and secondary forests from Costa Rica to north western Columbia are the places where the remaining wild population can be spotted.

            The interesting name of the tamarins comes from the elegant white fur that flows over their heads and shoulders. Typically, they are small primates with a body length of around 20 cms and tail length of 33 cms. These primates are very social and live in troops with around 14 members. Fruits, insects and green plants make up the majority of a tamarin’s diet. But they also eat rodents, reptiles, eggs and tree sap.

            The major threat for the survival of cottontop tamarins is deforestation. Besides, illegal pet trade and scientific research too contribute to their falling numbers.

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               The Malayan tapir is the largest of the tapirs native to Asia. In fact, they are the only members of this family seen in the continent, though in very small numbers. The rainforests in the Malayan Peninsula, Myanmar, Thailand and the Indonesian island of Sumatra are the places where tapirs can now be spotted.

               The number of animals surviving in the wild is unknown, but some surveys show that there aren’t any more than 2500 individuals.

               The appearances of tapirs are quite confusing. Though they look similar to pigs and elephants, tapirs are in fact related to horses and rhinos. Malayan tapirs are herbivores feeding on grass and nuts, water plants, and fruits.

               Generally, these are solitary animals with poor eyesight and a strong sense of smell. They are also excellent swimmers and divers.

               As we saw, tapirs need dense forests to survive. Hence, the primary reason for the decline in their population is loss of habitat, caused by deforestation. They are also known to be poached for meat and sport.

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