grass Archives - Page 36 of 63

Proud

Egyptian Geese – also known as Nil Geese named for their place of origin (the Nile Valley in Africa) – are large, very distinctive waterbirds with conspicuous dark chocolate-brown eye patches. These water birds are excellent swimmers, but are mostly terrestrial and can be seen perching on trees and buildings. Their maximum recorded lifespan in captivity is 25 years. The ancient Egyptians considered the Egyptian Geese sacred and these geese appeared in much of their artwork. They occur in various wetland habitats, grasslands or agricultural lands that are close to rivers, dams, lakes, reservoirs, marshes, estuaries, sewage works and, occasionally, offshore islands.

14 September 2018Picture of the day, Wildlife

Creased

An elephant’s skin is generally very tough, at 2.5 cm (1 in) thick on the back and parts of the head. The skin around the mouth and inside the ear is considerably thinner. Elephants typically have grey skin, but African elephants look brown or reddish after wallowing in coloured mud. An elephant uses mud as a sunscreen, protecting its skin from ultraviolet light. Although tough, an elephant’s skin is very sensitive. Without regular mud baths to protect it from burning, insect bites and moisture loss, an elephant’s skin suffers serious damage. After bathing, the elephant will usually use its trunk to blow dust onto its body and this dries into a protective crust.

13 September 2018Picture of the day, Wildlife

Patrol

The alpha is the dominant male in the baboon troop. He can weigh up to 40 kg and has earned his position by aggressively fending off other male contenders for the crown. He displays his long, sharp canines, longer than a lion’s, in a “yawn” and a loud “wahoo!” bark to communicate his social position. He is a gentle and caring father and will watch over and fiercely protect the females and infants in his troop. He jealously guards his right to mate with receptive females. He keeps strict discipline in the troop – when alpha males are killed in the mistaken belief that it will stop a troop raiding, it causes chaos within the troop and can result in smaller, less manageable splinter troops forming raiding parties. Troops are more stable and less stressed if the turn-over of males is less frequent, with long-standing alpha males.

10 September 2018Picture of the day, Wildlife