Komodo Dragon

I’d rather stay at a distance from these scaly creatures! Here’s some pix and an article on them from Wiki:

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In the wild, an adult Komodo dragon usually weighs around 70 kilograms (150 lb),^[13] although captive specimens often weigh more. The largest verified wild specimen was 3.13 metres (10.3 ft) long and weighed 166 kilograms (370 lb), including undigested food.^[11] The Komodo dragon has a tail as long as its body, as well as about 60 frequently replaced serrated teeth that can measure up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) in length. Its saliva is frequently blood-tinged, because its teeth are almost completely covered by gingival tissue that is naturally lacerated during feeding.^[14] This creates an ideal culture for the virulent bacteria that live in its mouth.^[15] It also has a long, yellow, deeply forked tongue.^[11]

[edit]Senses

The Komodo dragon does not have a particularly acute sense of hearing, despite its visible earholes, and is only able to hear sounds between 400 and 2000 hertz.^[11][16] It is able to see as far away as 300 metres (980 ft), but because its retinas only contain cones, it is thought to have poor night vision. The Komodo dragon is able to see in color, but has poor visual discrimination of stationary objects.^[17]

A Komodo dragon on Komodo Island uses its tongue to sample the air

The Komodo dragon uses its tongue to detect, taste, and smell stimuli, as with many other reptiles, with the vomeronasal sense using a Jacobson’s organ, a sense that aids navigation in the dark.^[15] With the help of a favorable wind and its habit of swinging its head from side to side as it walks, Komodo dragons may be able to detect carrion from 4–9.5 kilometres (2.5–6 mi) away.^[14][17] The dragon’s nostrils are not of great use for smelling, as the animal does not have a diaphragm.^[14][18] It only has a few taste buds in the back of its throat.^[15] Its scales, some of which are reinforced with bone, have sensory plaques connected to nerves that facilitate its sense of touch. The scales around the ears, lips, chin, and soles of the feet may have three or more sensory plaques.^[14]

The Komodo dragon was formerly thought to be deaf when a study reported no agitation in wild Komodo dragons in response to whispers, raised voices, or shouts. This was disputed when London Zoological Garden employee Joan Proctor trained a captive specimen to come out to feed at the sound of her voice, even when she could not be seen.^[

(end of article)

I still love this reptile although I’d prefer to stay at a distance!

 

 

Sherburne County National Wildlife Refuge

A few Sunday afternoons ago, I went to Sherburne County National Wildlife Refuge with a lady from church and joined a birdwatching ring there for a few minutes. It was a little disappointing, all I saw were Juncos, a kinglet, a duck, and a crow. Too bad. We enjoying hiking up to an observation deck and down(we saw more birds on that than the other) and it was a glorious day. All over I’m seeing signs of an early winter; Juncos, fogging, etc. Another one of MN’s cold winters . Kyle

Cobra vs. Mongoose

Cobra vs. Mongoose

(credits to http://www.nationalgeographic.com/)

Squirrel Picture/facts

Map

Squirrel Range

Audio

Fast Facts

Type:

Mammal

Diet:

Omnivore

Size:

5 to 36 in (13 to 91 cm)

Weight:

0.5 oz to 4 lbs (14 g to 2 kg)

Group name:

Scurry or Dray

Size relative to a tea cup:

Squirrels are familiar to almost everyone. More than 200 squirrel species live all over the world, with the notable exception of Australia.

The tiniest squirrel is the aptly named African pygmy squirrel—only five inches (thirteen centimeters) long from nose to tail. Others reach sizes shocking to those who are only familiar with common tree squirrels. The Indian giant squirrel is three feet (almost a meter) long.

Like other rodents, squirrels have four front teeth that never stop growing so they don’t wear down from the constant gnawing. Tree squirrels are the types most commonly recognized, often seen gracefully scampering and leaping from branch to branch. Other species are ground squirrels that live in burrow or tunnel systems, where some hibernate during the winter season.

Ground squirrels eat nuts, leaves, roots, seeds, and other plants. They also catch and eat small animals, such as insects and caterpillars. These small mammals must always be wary of predators because they are tasty morsels with few natural defenses, save flight. Sometimes groups of ground squirrels work together to warn each other of approaching danger with a whistling call.

Tree squirrels are commonly seen everywhere from woodlands to city parks. Though they are terrific climbers, these squirrels do come to the ground in search of fare such as nuts, acorns, berries, and flowers. They also eat bark, eggs, or baby birds. Tree sap is a delicacy to some species.

Flying squirrels are a third, adaptable type of squirrel. They live something like birds do, in nests or tree holes, and although they do not fly, they can really move across the sky. Flying squirrels glide, extending their arms and legs and coasting through the air from one tree to another. Flaps of skin connecting limbs to body provide a winglike surface. These gliding leaps can exceed 150 feet (46 meters). Flying squirrels eat nuts and fruit, but also catch insects and even baby birds.

Whether they dwell high in a tree or in an underground burrow, female squirrels typically give birth to two to eight offspring. Babies are blind and totally dependent on their mothers for two or three months. Mothers may have several litters in a year, so most squirrel populations are robust.

(Credits to http://www.nationalgeographic.com/)

Squirrels

The time of year when squirrels are harvesting nuts!!!!

I was able to sneak up on one the other day, it was collecting nuts on the other side of a tree, and I ran around the tree, and got within kicking distance. It was one scared squirrel!

Big cats

I like big cats, particularly the tiger. I’ve gotten many books out on the African Savannah(good place to find them[big cats]!).    Pictures…………..

http://www.solarnavigator.net/animal_kingdom/mammals/tigers.htm

http://indrajit.wordpress.com/category/lion-vs-tiger/

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/bengal-tiger/

Bird watching

I have been doing a l0t of bird watching lately, though it is only around our neighborhood complex.

The birds I mainly see are:

• Mourning doves
• Crows
• Chipping sparrows
• Robins
• I have recently been seeing Grackles
• Goldfinches

And one other that I can’t identify, though I looked through every page in both my bird guides.

A lady from our church lent me her binoculars for a week, it was very helpful, and I am planning on getting some soon.

Tigers

My top animal spot only shared with wolverine.

I love their gracefulness, how they walk with so much ease,

Their beauty.

However, there are many man-eating tigers, despite the good traits.

Here are a couple books I’ve read on them

Wolverines

The wolverine is a fascinating animal, one of my favorites.

It has large feet that work like snowshoes, making it easier to hunt on winter.

It is stocky with a tough hide that keeps cold out.

Can top high speeds for short bursts.

Likes to ambush prey, not chase.

Is thought to be polygamous.

Here is a short book on them I’ve read

Audubon Pocket Guide

Here is a link to some Audobon  field guides. http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1277491086/ref=a9_sc_1?ie=UTF8&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=audubon%20field%20guides I recently got one (a pocket guide), it is worth the investment to get one.  The one I got is really helpful, also with it I got a forest guide.  It tells what trees and birds and animals live in them, very helpful!