Species & populations.
Photo by Prakoso Composed by D. K. R. Ranoem
Fragmented populations
One of the most widely known animals in human culture. Has been listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List since 1996. The increasing consumption of lion meat and illegal hunting have caused its populations in African countries have declined by about 43% since the early 1990s.
‘Umbrella Species’
Tiger almost experienced extinction in the wild. July 29th is celebrated as World Tiger Day to raise awareness of the dwindling tiger population. Conservation of tigers will preserve many other species in the same habitat.
Famous for its orange fur and black striped markings, the tiger is iconic mammals that symbolizes strength and beauty. Tiger stripes are like human fingerprints, no tiger has the same stripes.
Tigers' toes have membranes that allow them adapt to a semi-aquatic lifestyle. The large muscles help propel its body powerfully & paddle large volumes of water with each stroke of its feet in the water.
Tigers are good swimmers. Likes to soak in water to lower body temperature when the weather is hot. Swimming also provides an advantage when hunting to chase and trap prey in their water or area territory.
Predatory animals.
A pair of strong legs & sharp, curved claws for gripping prey and sharp eyesight to detect prey from a distance. Warm-blooded animals. Hunts small mammals, fish and insects.
‘Feathers rustling show’
Male peacocks have striking colors and beautiful tail feather decoration. Peacocks naturally shed their feathers every year after the mating season. Male peacocks perform dance rituals to attract females during mating season by spreading their tails.
Last Longer
Hippos have a barrel-shaped body with a short tail and legs. Their skeletal structure is graviportal, adapted to carry enormous loads. Hippos' bodies, especially their heads, have developed an automatic adaptation system that allows their heads to remain above water to breathe.
Hippos' jaws are powered by large muscles that make their cheeks large and saggy. The jaw joint of a hippo's mouth can open almost 180°. The folded muscle allows hippos to reach extreme distances without tearing any tissue.
Hippos spend most of their time in water to stay cool and hydrated. Just before night begins, they leave the water to forage on land. They are semi-aquatic and require sufficient water to dive. Even though they spend a lot of time in the water, hippos cannot swim very well. They will drown and be carried away by the current if they soak in the fast flowing river. Thats why hippos prefer to soak in shallow waters with calm currents.
Hippos are immune to many of the diseases that plague sub-Saharan Africa. They secrete an oily red substance that acts as a moisturizer, sunscreen and protects them from germs. It makes them look like they are sweating blood.
‘yawns’ & ‘snorts’ in the water to warn you or other hippos not to approach.
Hippos are one of the deadliest animals in Africa, very ferocious and can run fast. It is not surprising that hippos are able to chase & kill humans. Estimated, more than 300 victims die from this animal every year.
The beautiful livestock guard.
Guinea fowl are a type of bird with loud voice & cannot fly, closely related to pheasants. Native habitat in Africa. Characterized by black fur with small white spots & a hairless neck & head.
Desert ship
Camels are working animals suited to desert sands and are an important means of transportation for passengers and cargo.
Camels have long hairs on their ears to protect the ears from dust and sand in the desert. Their feet are equipped with large hard soles to help them walk on hot sand without sinking.
The camel's body is covered with dense and thick hair. This protects it from the sun's rays and the freezing cold desert temperatures after sunset. Due to the thick skin on its chest and knees, camels can sit comfortably on very hot sand.
When camels eat, they store excess energy in the form of fat in their humps. Camels rely on this fat to survive. Tens of kilograms of fat are stored in the camel's hump, making the camel able to walk for days in the desert without eating anything.
Converting fat into water with the help of oxygen from breathing or respiration.
Camels are able to eat cactus. Because cactus are the only source of food in desert areas, this ability is very vital for camels.
Camels have hard structures called papillae in their mouths. Papillae are composed of keratin, just like human nails. With these papillae, camels can direct the cactus spines so they don't pierce their mouths. Its stomach has own special design, strong enough to digest almost all the plants in the desert.
The extend lines from the neck to the nape.
Since their discovery, zebras have often been sent as exotic gifts to build democratic relationships. Zebras are mostly found on the African continent, in semi-desert and hilly areas. They face attacks from predators such as lions, cheetahs and hyenas which could come at any time. Zebras' main diet is grass, but they also eat bark, fruit and leaves. They typically spend more than half the day grazing, their teeth well adapted to chewing tough and coarse grasses that other herbivores may find difficult to digest.
Ecology, behaviour & conservation. Come into being & live out the lives.
Marsupial mammal.
Papua's endemic animals occupy almost 80% of Papua's land area. Thylogale brunii is a land kangaroo. Smallest kangaroo in the world. It weighs about 3-6 kg. Reaches 90 cm in length (including the tail) and about 50 cm in width. The kangaroo's tail functions as a third leg.
Secret & special immune.
Migrate collectively in search of food & to escape predator pressure. Suricata lives in rocky areas. Hunt for food during the day. Digs very quickly to find insects, spiders, eggs, lizards & scorpions.
‘Solitary predator’
At the zoo, you may have seen a group of tigers living together in one cage. However, this is not the reality in the wild. Unlike lions who like to socialize, tigers tend to be more solitary, except for mother tigers who always spend time with their cubs.
Tigers prefer to walk around alone in their territory which they have marked with urine, feces or scratches on trees. Food and females in his territory belong to him or are under his control.
Its large size
strong muscles & sharp claws.
“Being at the top of food chain, tigers keep various prey species in controlled numbers, protect various plants and biodiversity, ultimately maintaining the integrity of forests and rivers.”
Tigers are highly skilled hunters using stealth, camouflage and high-speed running. Tigers can live in various habitats, such as tropical forests, subtropical forests, grasslands and even mountainous areas. Tiger actively hunt at night by relying on their night vision which is six times more efficient than humans.
The striped pattern on the tiger's body helps to hide among tall grass and attack its prey suddenly. Tigers have “false eyes” located behind their ears. These fake eyes are actually a pattern of feathers on the back of their ears. The fake eyes for tigers function to trick predators who might come from behind. False eyes will make the tiger's body larger than their actual figure.
Sustainability of Habitat Ecosystems
The top predator in the food chain has the function of controlling the presence of prey animals below it. The absence of predators will affect the balance of nature, the prey animals can experience a population explosion which causes the number of predator animals and prey animals become unbalanced and turn into pests. Herbivores are ‘gardeners’ for the forest ecosystem who help spread plant seeds from the fruits they eat. In this way, these types of plants can continue to regenerate become habitat & food sources for other species. It is important for all parties to preserve natural habitats to ensure the existence of animals in the future.
Live out the lives.
The opportunity to arrive at all possibilities.