There are so many incredible animal facts that will blow your mind. For instance, did you know a narwhal’s “horn” or “tusk” is actually made up of one long tooth?!?
Animals are fascinating creatures: for instance, Mexican walking fish have the power to regrow their limbs while cat fleas can jump distances up to 60 times their own body length!
Proboscis Monkey
Few animals stand out more vividly in the animal kingdom than the proboscis monkey. Recognizable by its long nose that hangs down over their mouths, this Old World primat native to Borneo in Southeast Asia and can be found in mangrove forests, swamp forests and rainforests. Although they make occasional descents for food or predator avoidance purposes or escape, most arboreal animals spend most of their lives living among tree tops clambering through branches and darting across gaps between trees – rarely venturing onto forest floor where they become vulnerable against crocodiles and clouded leopards as well as hunters who hunt them for meat or furs!
Proboscis monkeys are unique animals with distinct features: long tail, bushy body and brown fur. Males have bright pink penises which pop against their gray fur and black scrotum; in addition, males also possess large, tapering noses while females sport smaller, more slender noses.
Proboscis monkeys communicate using various vocalizations, including honks to claim their status within a troop and alarm calls to warn others of danger. Males will roar or shake their limbs to show dominance while their large noses could serve as sexual selection factors as females often prefer males with larger noses.
Though large in appearance, proboscis monkeys are surprisingly gentle creatures. Researchers have discovered that these primate species rarely fight amongst themselves and tend to switch groups often – an uncommon behavior seen among other primate species. Furthermore, the social structure of a proboscis monkey troop more closely resembles that of human communities than it does that of other primate species.
Unfortunately, these monkeys are endangered species. Their natural habitats are being damaged by logging and oil palm plantations development, while hunters target them for meat and pelts; furthermore they face off against natural predators like crocodiles in South Kalimantan territory and being forced out by their territory being expanded further south; as such the IUCN lists these beautiful primates as Endangered. Luckily there are numerous organizations and individuals working towards protecting this remarkable animal; one such NGO in South Kalimantan being Friends of Indonesian Bekantan. This NGO runs conservation and education programs as well as rescue, rehabilitation, and release programs designed specifically to safeguard these unique primates’.
Prairie Dog
The prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is a rodent related to squirrels that lives in prairies/grasslands and makes warning calls that sound similar to barks. Although seemingly fearsome-looking, prairie dogs are generally peaceful creatures who prefer living in family groups called coteries where they share food, groom each other, and greet one another with nose-to-nose nuzzles. Prairie dogs play an essential role in maintaining ecosystems; their churning activities aerate soil while their nitrogen-rich dung acts like natural fertilizer for plants.
Prairie dogs are intelligent animals with rich social lives. They use various barks, chirps and whistles to communicate various messages; including when in danger or need to send alarm signals. Female prairie dogs typically go into estrus during winter and typically produce litters of three to eight pups at one time.
Prairie dogs mainly reside within burrows, though they also forage together and build protective mounds around them. One member of each coterie serves as the sentinel, standing watch from on top of their mound to ensure its security from any potential danger. When sensing an impending predator, one or more will give off warning barks-like calls causing all members to retreat into their burrows immediately.
No wonder they’re highly social creatures! Their complex underground burrows offer space for nurseries, sleeping areas and toilets as well as listening posts that allow them to detect predators approaching. Their burrows also boast ventilation features with each exit angled at the top to take advantage of prevailing winds.
Unfortunately, humans have put undue strain on these gregarious mammals and caused their populations to decrease. To control this pest problem, each spring and summer thousands of prairie dog pups are collected using an improved sewer truck to act as pest control measures and then sold to pet stores or used as food for endangered wild species such as eagles and black-footed ferrets.
Platypus
As one of Australia’s most iconic animals, the duck-billed platypus is undeniably fascinating. Renowned for its water-repellant fur and beaver-like tail, it can often be seen splashing around rivers and creeks it calls home. Yet this mammal offers much more than meets the eye.
Platypus mammals, in contrast to most other mammals, lay eggs. This trait sets it apart from all other mammal groups known as monotremes – these species alone lay eggs! Additionally, monotreme mothers produce milk which they siphon off through special grooves on their skin rather than nursing their offspring with their nipples.
Platypuses lack teeth, making their bill particularly ingenious. It allows them to collect aquatic invertebrates such as worms, shrimp and swimming beetles for later consumption at the surface level. Their bill also detects electric currents produced when prey attempt to flee predators – helping them find prey even in murky waters.
Platypuses rely heavily on touch and electro-receptors when searching for food, trusting in their primary sense of touch as well as electro-receptors to navigate underwater environments. Platypuses have an electro-receptor on each hind leg which connects directly to an electro-receptor that detects water-resistant sand; when they touch it they feel an immediate tingle. Male platypuses have hollow spurs connected directly to their venom gland over their thighs which allow them to dispense an intense dose of their powerful anti-venom for defense — enough for killing small animals while inflicting intense pain on humans should the spur penetrates skin contact occurs.
Platypuses are monogamous animals that breed year-round. Females lay their eggs in burrows lined with soft mud while males protect the hatchlings until it’s time for them to leave the nest. Males provide parental care by guarding hatchlings until it’s time for them to leave home and leave the nest. Platypuses are the only mammals known to catch insects for their young by chasing down prey with beaver-like tails before biting off half of them using these beaver-tails as well as steering and propelling them forward during hunts – it all makes life interesting!
Peacock
Peacocks are stunning birds with an impressive tail reaching up to 6ft (1.8m). Their brilliant, colorful eyespots resemble sparkling eyes while their eye ocelli help male peacocks attract females. While their feathers may appear vibrantly colored and fluffy, their durability and waterproof nature actually makes them extremely soft yet warm to touch; furthermore they have sharp, curved beaks which allow for flight.
The peacock, also known as peafowl, is an elegant member of the pheasant family that can be found throughout forests, grasslands and marshes. Male peacocks are famously distinguished by their bright iridescent feathers and long train consisting of tail covert feathers surrounding its base; male peacocks may possess up to 200 tail covert feathers during molting season each summer that are collected and used in flower arrangements or decorations; they can even be used to fletch arrows or weave into clothing!
Peacocks may seem majestic, but these predatory birds can be preyed upon by jungle cats and wild dogs. Hunting food on the ground, they prefer open areas with grass or shrubbery where they can hide from their predators – living for 10-25 years in captivity and up to 50 in the wild.
Peacocks once served as a symbol of wealth and social status for wealthy individuals, but have become widespread across zoos and backyards; unfortunately their numbers are decreasing due to overhunting and habitat loss.
Scientists have long debated the functions of peacock feathers and tail, from signals of male fitness to mating to an honest form of signaling in which display feathers reflect fitness and vigor. Charles Darwin believed they served as indicators that might attract female attention; Amotz Zahavi suggested they were simply an honest form of signaling used as part of sexual selection by peacock males.