Tag: tail

Poise

The cattle egret feeds on a wide range of prey, particularly insects, especially grasshoppers, crickets, flies and moths, as well as spiders, frogs, and earthworms. In a rare instance, they have been observed foraging along the branches of a banyan tree for ripe figs. The species is usually found with cattle and other large grazing and browsing animals and catches small creatures disturbed by the mammals. Studies have shown that cattle egret foraging success is much higher when foraging near a large animal than when feeding singly.

Poise

Picture of the day, Wildlife

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.

Proud

Picture 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.

Creased

Picture of the day, Wildlife