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Shiras Moose

Shiras Moose

by | Sep 10, 2020 | Animal

What is the smallest subspecies of moose?

Shiras Moose, commonly called the Yellowstone or Wyoming moose, are recognized as being the smallest subspecies of moose. The Shiras moose weighs an average of 1,000 pounds and measures up to 6 feet tall from the shoulder. Solely the bulls maintain identifiable racks that span 40 to 50 inches wide, rooted together with branches that grow backwards. The Yellowstone moose is the lightest in color of the moose subspecies. The color of the fur on their face becomes lighter with the summer season, though the body tends to remain a coppery tone.

The Wyoming moose has an excess of skin and hair on the throat, a prominent hump over the shoulders, and relatively long legs. These moose are nimble with the ability to steadily maintain a speed of 35 mph and gracefully swim within deep waters. Though they are the smallest of the moose subspecies, the Wyoming moose is at times the largest of “big game” animals when hunted for sport. This is true in states such as Colorado, where the moose were once transplanted in order to define and broaden their population.

Shiras Moose Yellowstone Image 1

Where can the Shiras Moose be found?

In addition to Wyoming and Colorado, the Shiras moose has a presence within the Canadian Provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. There are also located throughout the United States. The states they reside in are Idaho, Utah, and Washington. The Shiras moose are among the forest dwellers who find food amid the woodier substances that surround them.

They tend to eat aspen, birch, willow, as well as leaves, and twigs. And also, the Shiras moose will spend time within the shallow waters of rivers and lakes, harvesting aquatic-based sustenance, skimming the bottoms of the pools. In total, the Shiras moose consumes 50 pounds/per day as a means of sustaining themselves.

Shiras Moose Yellowstone Image 2

What is the disposition of the Shiras Moose?

Many moose in general have a reputation for being aggressive and the Yellowstone moose is no exception, though their behavior intensifies during mating season. Run-of-the-mill alcaldes consists of moose ramming into cars and actually posing a threat to people who come too close, charging at them. Moose are the cause of more human deaths than bears. Moreover, habits that transpire when the rutting season begins is their tendency to grind their antlers against the trunks of trees and they will dual against other moose to breed with a particular cow.

When does mating season begin for the Shiras Moose?

Mating season for the Shiras moose begins in September and ends in October. The cows will experience a gestation period that lasts 230 days or 7 ½ months, with the calves being born in May. One to two calves are born at a time. The calves will weigh about 30 pounds at birth and resemble a more reddish color. The calf will stay with the mother, learning how to care for itself and survive amongst the environment until the calf is about 1 ½ year old. When the mother has her next calf that is when young moose leave their mothers protection.

The calves have an increased mortality rate due to the predators of the Shiras moose, which are founded upon the bears, wolves, and mountain lions. Nonetheless, with their keen ability to adapt, the Shiras moose is brilliant sight to be seen and holds individual traits that establish a gleaming reputation.

Nilgai Antelope

Nilgai Antelope

by | Aug 21, 2020 | Animal

What lands are the Nilgai Antelope native to?

Nilgai Antelope are native to India, the country from which they inherited their name that means “blue cow” or “blue bull.” With their habitat situated at the foot of the Himalayan Mountains, the nilgai prefers hillsides, grass steppes, as well as cultivated areas with a lesser abundance of trees. Because of their disdain for immensely cold weather, the nilgai easily adapted to the climates of southern Texas when they were brought over in the 1920s to occupy exhibits of local Texan zoos. In the 1930s, the nilgai were released into the surrounding areas of Texas where their populations continued to grow as they thrived among the land that had a lack of predation, when their known predator, the tiger, had been a reason for their decline in numbers within their native lands.

Nilgai Ethology Image 1

How to recognize a Nilgai.

The nilgai have a distinct appearance and a recognizable one, too. Being the largest of Indian antelopes, the nilgai bulls weigh an average of 450 to 530 pounds, while the cows average 330 to 450 pounds. From the shoulder, they are an average height of 4 to 5 feet tall. The nilgai have a large body and relatively slender legs in comparison; the bulls have horns that measure 5 inches long, while the cows have no horns. The calves and cows maintain a tan/brown coat, and the bulls acquire a blue/black wiry-like coat as they get older. Both the nilgai bull and the cow have a mane on the back of the neck and the underside of the neck, with white fur patches close to their eyes, along their cheeks, and under their throats as well as stomachs, the inside of their hind legs, and underneath their narrow tales. In addition, nilgai are herbivores; they survive off of seeds, succulents, flowers, fruit, grasses, herbs, as well as leaves. Their preference of agricultural crops is a primary reason they become poached by another known predator, the hunter. Nilgai typically remain silent, though they have been known to rumble, especially when disturbed; and when provoked, the nilgai can reach speeds of up to 29mph.

When does mating season begin for the Nilgai?

Though the mating season of the Nilgai can be year around, in Texas, mating season begins November and lasts up until March. The bulls will mark their territory, defending the cows they will mate with and facing off against other bulls, who near their territory, through displaying intimidating postures with behavior that can escalate to neck wrestling and the knocking of horns. Moreover, after the 8-month gestation period, the calves are born in September into the late fall months. Nilgai often give birth to two calves and sometimes three are born at once; the calves weigh about 15 pounds when they are born. Although nilgai face threats through declining native habitats and heavy poaching in some areas, they maintain steady populations of 10,000 in India and 15,000 in Texas.

Pronghorn Antelope

Pronghorn Antelope

by | Aug 20, 2020 | Animal

What is the second fastest mammal in the world?

Pronghorn Antelopes are renowned far and wide for their speed and distances traveled through extensive seasonal migrations; being the second fastest mammal in the world with the capability of steadily maintaining close to 60 mph and migrating a total 300 miles every year, pronghorns demonstrate both astounding endurance and phenomenal physical characteristics. Pronghorns are closely related to goats and antelopes. And they are native as well as solely found within North America, inhabiting the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. Pronghorns prefer open plains and grasslands; the greatest numbers being found within Yellowstone and the Red Desert of Wyoming, with herd sizes of up to 400 pronghorns.

Pronghorn Antelope Ethology Image 1

How to recognize and understand the Pronghorn Antelope.

The outward appearance of the pronghorn is an additional notable characteristic in and of itself as well; the pronghorn’s name is derived from their horns that have a notch, which creates a sort of prong shape. Male and female pronghorns both have horns, though the males’ horns measure up to a foot tall, whereas the females’ horns are only mere bumps in comparison. Pronghorn antelope average about 4 ½ feet in length, 3 feet in height, and a weight of 90 to 150 pounds with the males weighing more than the females; though they resemble deer, they are much smaller. Moreover, they have an intricate fur pattern consisting of a tan/reddish top fur coat with white lining around the throat and face, as well as broad white patches along the stomach and the rump. The white rump of the pronghorn is made up of longer white hairs that will stand up when the pronghorn is alarmed; this attribute serves as a silent warning sign when other pronghorns are around to notice. With large eyes that offer 300-degree vision, pronghorns will notice the white hairs stand on a member of the herd and instantly know that a predator or impending threat is lurking; the rump warning heightens the chances of the pronghorn’s escape.

Why do Pronghorn Antelope migrate such far distances?

In addition, pronghorns are herbivores with a diet consisting of grasses, from which they get the majority of their water intake from after digesting their food twice. Their migrations are propelled through obtaining a viable food source throughout the year; therefore, where the herd of pronghorns resides, determines the distance of their migration when winter comes. The elected region of the pronghorn also defines when mating season takes place – either in the late summer or fall months. Males are naturally aggressive when defending what has been marked as their mating grounds, where they will defend the females from other male pronghorns, with the intention of mating with numerous females within that territory. The female pronghorns typically give birth to 1 or 2 fawns in the springtime; the fawns will spend their first year with their mother and then become self-sufficient thereafter. Pronghorn antelopes have an average lifespan of 10 years, with common threats being coyotes, wolves, bobcats, and automobiles. These land rovers with the ability to maintain their top speed for a longer duration than a cheetah, the fastest mammal on Earth, allot the pronghorn an impressive and remarkable world-wide reputation.

Barbary Sheep

Barbary Sheep

by | Aug 20, 2020 | Animal

Where to find Barbary Sheep and how to recognize them.

Barbary Sheep or Aoudad sheep, the mountain climbers and friend of desert lands. These sheep are robust and have the personality to match their tough exterior. Large crescent-shaped horns belong to both males and females, with the horns of the males being larger than the females’; the same can be said for their size. Male Barbary sheep weigh an average of 320 pounds, while the females often weigh in at 245 pounds. They are tan in the color of their coat with long hair on their chests and covering the fronts of their agile legs.

Barbary Sheep Desert Image 1

When does mating season begin for the Barbary Sheep?

Moreover, the mating season for Barbary sheep starts in September and lasts until November, with lambs being born from February to April; 1 to 2 lambs are birthed among Barbary sheep at a time. These sheep have aggressive tendencies that they commonly act upon since they are exceedingly territorial. Natives of the Northern African mountains, Barbary sheep have now been introduced in many areas around the world, including the United States, where they were established in the 1900s; particular in their preference of arid and desert-like climates, Barbary sheep can be found inhabiting areas such as California, New Mexico, and Texas. They have the ability to jump over 7 feet and have a specialty of scaling mountains. Because Barbary sheep are herbivores, they feed upon grasses and are in competition with animals of like diets, animals such as the Mule deer. They have also been regarded as “pests” since they go for the crops and fields belonging to local farmers. Though they are intimidating, they succumb to their list of natively known predators, including leopards and lions; the most threatening are humans.

What is the Conservation Status of the Barbary Sheep? Why?

Barbary sheep are currently categorized under “Vulnerable” as their Conservation Status, becoming ever-more depleted. Within the United States, conservationists are always monitoring populations and distributing hunting permits in accordance to their findings; in other areas around the world, however, excessive, unregulated hunting practices and a lack of rainfall hindering the environment of the Barbary sheep are contributing factors of their current decline.

Canada Goose

Canada Goose

by | Sep 15, 2020 | Animal

Where is the Canada Goose found?

Canada Geese have a growing population that grants them residence within numerous North American regions, such as all of the Canadian provinces and every one of the states in the U.S.A. Canada geese, those who take part in migrations, will spend the summers amid the northern parts of North America, Canada and Alaska, traveling south, down into the United States and somewhat into Mexico, during the winter months. Nonetheless, the Canada goose may decide to establish a permanent home where the weather is tolerable throughout the year; examples of common places in which Canada geese will remain are parks, golf courses, suburban neighborhoods, and additional areas where there are few threats, ample food, and an accessible water source.

How to recognize the Canada Goose.

The Canada goose is one of the larger birds classified amongst waterfowl, being much larger than ducks. There are subspecies of this goose that vary in size by region. Moreover, the body of the Canada goose usually measures 25 to 45 inches in length, they maintain a weight of 5 to 20 pounds, while their wingspan is 4 to 5 ½ feet wide. This goose is easily identifiable; beyond their long necks, they have a striking outward appearance. The Canada goose has a predominately black feathered neck, with white feathers along the base of the throat and towards the outer edge of the eye; they have grey/brown feathers on their breasts, wings, and tail feathers with white at the base of their necks and bottoms. Additionally, the goose has a stark black beak and small dark eyes as well. They are also characterized by their vocalization or, in other words, the “honking” sound that they make; this sound is most frequently heard when they are in a flock, which they remain a part of until nesting season.

When does nesting season begin for the Canada Goose?

Nesting season for the Canada goose begins in the springtime. And one charming fact about this goose is that, throughout their lifetime (25 years), the geese will mate with the same partner. The mother goose will build a nest in a slightly elevated area that is close to a waterhole; the nest will take the shape of a bowl and be filled with down consisting of the mother’s feathers. The incubation period lasts up to 30 days, where the mother alone will stay with the 2 to 8 eggs. Once the goslings hatch, both the mother and father goose will tend to them, soon taking them to the water source. When the summertime begins, the family of geese will then join other families as they once again establish their flock that will remain into the fall migration.

Is the Canada Goose aggressive?

Geese in general have a bad reputation focused around aggression; the phrase silly goose is what some would say to be a paradox since goose appear to be very serious and not at all silly. Nevertheless, the Canada goose is similar to many mammals who become aggressive when threatened and this is especially true when nesting season has begun. In fact, the objective of the father goose is to protect the nest and so, this would in turn result in aggression towards known predators. The list of predators is predominantly founded upon the following: raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, ravens, and eagles, to name a few. To get those noted predators to falter, the goose will inherit an intimidating stance with their neck bowed and wings raised before they do what frightens most, charge.

Is overpopulation a factor of the Canada goose?

Canada goose are a reputable form of game for hunters and this is a way of keeping their population at bay since this goose harbors great numbers. This was not so much the case before the 1900s, when the Canada goose became a protected species after their population began to dwindle. Now that their numbers have picked back up, the goose has taken on the title of being something of a nuisance, due to their overwhelming presence. Because the Canada goose is an herbivore, they have the opportunity of simply finding food within their habitat, consuming leaves, grasses, berries, insects, and crustaceans. But this particular goose also likes grain and this poses a problem to those who have a livelihood founded upon raising agriculture; therefore, hunting as a sport suffices as a resolution. Hunting dogs are even utilized in areas where hunting for sport is not permitted, as a means of hindering overpopulation of the goose. Nevertheless, look up to the skies; flying in orderly V-formations, the Canada goose can be seen soaring over many lands.