American Bird Conservancy’s Post

Rare Genet sighting! Native to Africa, from the wide-ranging Cape Genet to the small-spotted and forest genets, these sleek carnivores resemble cats, with bodies and tails that'll leave you in awe. Did you know that there are approximately 14 identified species of Genets? They vary in appearance and dwell in diverse habitats across Africa. The small-spotted Genet in arid regions boasts a prominent dorsal crest and distinctive round, elongated spots. Meanwhile, the forest genet sports a coat with spaced-out, long spots and lacks the dorsal spine. On the other hand, the large-spotted genet, the most widespread of the three, showcases a smaller dorsal crest and a unique charm of its own. These agile creatures have retractable claws, perfect for climbing and hunting their prey. Despite their catlike appearance, they're a part of the Viverrid family, sharing a distinct presence in Africa's savannas and beyond. Classified as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List, Genets contribute to the rich biodiversity of their habitats, playing an essential role in the ecosystem. Let's appreciate and celebrate these fascinating animals and the diversity they bring to the African landscape! #AfricanWildlife #Genet #Biodiversity #NatureLovers #WildlifePhotography #DiscoverAfrica #ConservationEfforts

Rare Genet sighting! Native to Africa, from the wide-ranging Cape Genet to the small-spotted and forest genets, these sleek carnivores resemble cats, with bodies and tails that'll leave you in awe. Did you know that there are approximately 14 identified species of Genets? They vary in appearance and dwell in diverse habitats across Africa. The small-spotted Genet in arid regions boasts a prominent dorsal crest and distinctive round, elongated spots. Meanwhile, the forest genet sports a coat with spaced-out, long spots and lacks the dorsal spine. On the other hand, the large-spotted genet, the most widespread of the three, showcases a smaller dorsal crest and a unique charm of its own. These agile creatures have retractable claws, perfect for climbing and hunting their prey. Despite their catlike appearance, they're a part of the Viverrid family, sharing a distinct presence in Africa's savannas and beyond. Classified as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List, Genets contribute to the rich biodiversity of their habitats, playing an essential role in the ecosystem. Let's appreciate and celebrate these fascinating animals and the diversity they bring to the African landscape! #AfricanWildlife #Genet #Biodiversity #NatureLovers #WildlifePhotography #DiscoverAfrica #ConservationEfforts

Rare Genet sighting! Native to Africa, from the wide-ranging Cape Genet to the small-spotted and forest genets, these sleek carnivores resemble cats, with bodies and tails that'll leave you in awe. Did you know that there are approximately 14 identified species of Genets? They vary in appearance and dwell in diverse habitats across Africa. The small-spotted Genet in arid regions boasts a prominent dorsal crest and distinctive round, elongated spots. Meanwhile, the forest genet sports a coat with spaced-out, long spots and lacks the dorsal spine. On the other hand, the large-spotted genet, the most widespread of the three, showcases a smaller dorsal crest and a unique charm of its own. These agile creatures have retractable claws, perfect for climbing and hunting their prey. Despite their catlike appearance, they're a part of the Viverrid family, sharing a distinct presence in Africa's savannas and beyond. Classified as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List, Genets contribute to the rich biodiversity of their habitats, playing an essential role in the ecosystem. Let's appreciate and celebrate these fascinating animals and the diversity they bring to the African landscape! #AfricanWildlife #Genet #Biodiversity #NatureLovers #WildlifePhotography #DiscoverAfrica #ConservationEfforts

#Hypselodoris_infucata is a species of sea slug, specifically a dorid nudibranch, belonging to the family Chromodorididae. Hypselodoris infucata was first described by the French naturalist Félix Pierre Jousseaume in 1881. It belongs to the phylum Mollusca, class Gastropoda, order Nudibranchia, and family Chromodorididae. The species name "infucata" likely refers to the dark purplish coloration often observed on the dorsum of this nudibranch. Description: Hypselodoris infucata is characterized by its relatively large size compared to other nudibranch species, reaching up to 7 centimeters in length. It has a flattened body with a distinct mantle covering the dorsal surface. The coloration of H. infucata is highly variable but typically includes shades of purple, blue, orange, and white arranged in intricate patterns. Like other nudibranchs, H. infucata lacks a shell and has exposed gills and rhinophores on its back. Distribution and Habitat: Hypselodoris infucata is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. It is commonly found on coral reefs, rocky substrates, and other shallow marine habitats with abundant food sources. This species tends to prefer areas with high coral diversity and is often associated with its prey, which includes sponges and other small invertebrates.

Carabus obsoletus STURM, also known as the Carpathian ground beetle, is a beetle from the ground beetle family (Carabidae) with a body length of up to 30 mm. It has a black body with a top that can shine in black-blue, black-green, golden-green, or copper-brown. Sometimes the top is matte. The pronotum is widest before the middle of its length. The elytra, on the other hand, have rows of points that are often blurred and indistinct. The intervals are smooth. Along the primary intervals, there are small and shallow pits. Sometimes the pits are not very distinct and are only marked by sparse puncturing in rows. 🐞🌳🌳⛰ The Carpathian ground beetle is an endemic mountain and submountain species found in Central Europe in the Carpathians. It can be encountered from Romania, through Ukraine, Slovakia, and southern Poland (Bieszczady mountain), as well as southeastern Czech Republic (Moravia). It is also present in the Balkans, namely Northern Serbia and Eastern Croatia. 🐞🌳🌳⛰ Carabus obsoletus is most active in the spring (April – June), hunting other invertebrates (earthworms). Its habitat is forests on the Carpathian foothills and mountain valleys up to the alpine zone. It is found at altitudes up to 1300 meters above sea level. 🐞🌳🌳⛰ In Poland, the Carpathian ground beetle is a rare species and is under partial species protection. In other countries, there is a lack of information about its conservation status. 🐞🌳🌳⛰ #insect #beetle #Carabidae #carabus #CarabusObsoletus #CarpathianGroundBeetle #GroundBeetles #Carabidae #Entomology #InsectConservation #Biodiversity #EndemicSpecies #MountainFauna #SubmountainSpecies #CentralEuropeWildlife #Carpathians #Bieszczady #Moravia #BalkansWildlife #NorthernSerbia #EasternCroatia #SpringActivity #InvertebratePredator #EarthwormHunter #AlpineZone #SpeciesProtection #RareSpecies #ConservationStatus #NaturePhotography #MacroEntomology RCIN - Repozytorium Cyfrowe Instytutów Naukowych

Wait, is that a mermaid? Nope, it’s a dugong! With their long bodies, dolphin-like tails and graceful movements, it’s easy to see why sailors mistook dugongs for mermaids thousands of years ago. Many believe that sightings of these creatures are what sparked the myth of merpeople roaming the seas. Today, dugongs are found primarily in warm coastal waters, like the east coast of Africa and west coast of Australia. Here are five other interesting facts about these incredible marine mammals: They’re related to manatees Just like manatees, dugongs are sirenians. While they have some physical similarities, these creatures are more like cousins than siblings. Dugongs are smaller and slimmer, and have fluke tails (like dolphins and whales!). They’re known as sea cows These gentle giants are herbivores and are known as “sea cows”. This is because they graze on seagrass found in shallow coastal waters. They’re like ocean vacuum cleaners Watch a video of a dugong feasting on seagrass and you’ll understand this reference. They have long, down-turned snouts with tiny bristles on the end. These are used with their teeth to rake up grass from the sea bed for consumption. They can get pretty big Dugongs can grow up to three metres long and can weigh over 400 kg. That’s huge! They’re listed as a vulnerable species Unfortunately, these majestic marine mammals are considered a vulnerable species, with some populations reportedly in critical condition. Did you know that the last viable population of dugongs on the east coast of Africa can be found in the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique? The archipelago encompasses over six tropical marine ecosystems, each contributing to the rich biodiversity found in the area. Find out more about how you can contribute to the protection of dugongs here. #dugongs #mermaids #marineconservation #mozambique #animalfacts

Learned a lot in this post.

Nice little article on differentiating caribou from reindeer. Happy Holidays!

Species profile: Puffin The Atlantic Puffin is an iconic species of Auk, often observed off the West coast of Ireland in the summer months. It is a small, stocky bird similar in build to a penguin. It has black upperparts and a white underside. In the breeding season, adult puffins have a very large, brightly coloured beak, which they use to attract mates and shed in winter. Because of their distinctive beaks, puffins are often affectionately nicknamed ‘the clowns of the sea’! Puffins spend most of the year in the open ocean, resting on the waves and diving for food (mainly fish). They are found across the Northern Atlantic Ocean, from the east coast of Canada and the US to the west coast of Scandinavia and Europe. Paying a visit to coastal cliffs between April and August is a brilliant way to see a puffin. They come onto land only to breed and form spectacularly large colonies of thousands of individuals! In Ireland, they can be seen on the Cliffs of Moher and many islands, such as the Saltees in Co. Wexford or Skelligs in Co. Kerry. The typical lifespan of a puffin is 20 years. They begin to breed after their fifth year. They dig burrows in the ground and line them with vegetation or nest in crevices in rock. They tend to mate for life and their courtship displays involve tapping and rubbing their beaks together. They also display a wide range of other social behaviours, which is a testament to their intelligence. Puffins are red-listed in Ireland. Rising sea temperatures and marine pollution have negatively impacted their numbers. There are several Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in Ireland which are dedicated to protecting seabirds, including the puffin. Therefore, we should also treat the sea to help preserve the lives of our great brightly brightly-beaked friends! Photo credit: Luke Lambert, MKO Ornithologist #MKO #Puffin #Ornithology #Birdwatching

🐦🔍The hunt for the rarest bird in the world Calyptura cristata, or the Kinglet Calyptura, is one of the rarest birds in Brazil and the entire planet. It is a tiny bright yellow flycatcher, with a yellowish-green back and a brilliant orange crest. With a wingspan of just around 8 centimeters, it is comparable in size to a tennis ball. And that is almost all that is known about this mysterious passerine species. The Kinglet Calyptura was first described in the early 19th century, along with the majority of Brazil’s bird species. Foreigners weren’t allowed into the country until 1808, when the Portuguese court transferred to Rio de Janeiro, fleeing Napoleon’s invasion of Lisbon. After the ports opened up, scores of ornithologists and other biologists arrived and began collecting animal and plant specimens from this previously unknown land. There are scores of specimens of the Kinglet Calyptura in museums around the world, most of them identified as being collected in Rio de Janeiro during a 50-to-60-year period in the 1800s. 🔗Read more in the full article by Euan Marshall here 👇 https://lnkd.in/gMBUTA9S #Environment #AnimalExtinction #Preservation #EcoDiversity #BrazilianReport