Fin Whale (Balaenoptera Physalus)
The Fin Whale is found in oceans all over the world, from the tropics to the polar areas. They are known as a pelagic species, often occuring in shallow waters close to the shore. Even though they are found in oceans across the world, they are not as common in tropical waters or ice laden seas.
They are around 19 to 20 metres in length, and can weigh as much as an estimated 70 tonnes. Fin Whales found in the southern hemisphere have been reported up to 26 metres in length. They have a white underbelly, and are a brown-grey colour on top. They are migratory whales, and have been observed in groups of up to 300 whales. They normally however travel in a pod with 6 or 7 other whales. They have a narrow flat V-shaped head and two blowholes.
They are known by a number of other names such as the Finn, the Finner, the Finback, the Common Rorqual or the Herring Whale. The Fin Whale is currently (2003) listed as an endangered species.
Did you know? The Fin Whale is one of the fastest whales with the ability to swim and sustain a 37 km/h speed through the water.
From this feat, it is often referred to as "the greyhound of the deep". The Fin Whale also has the ability to leap completely out of the water. On the other extreme, they can reach depths of over 250 metres.
They have been known to consume one to one and a half tonne of food per day. They feed on a variety of aquatic species including squid, herring and capelin.
indonesianfauna
Showing posts with label F. Show all posts
Showing posts with label F. Show all posts
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Sumatran Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes Winstoni)
Sumatran Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes Winstoni)
The Sumatran Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes winstoni) is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), partially due to their isolated location and partially due to clearing of the forests where they make their homes. The Sumatran Flying Squirrel lives in what is known as the Sundaland biodiversity hotspot, which is home to 82 threatened and 13 critically endangered species. Unfortunately, little is known about this species in particular as not a lot of research has been done in their natural habitats.
The Sumatran Flying Squirrel is only found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, discovered in 1949 and only known by a single specimen. Flying squirrels usually live in hollows of trees, sometimes taking nests of other animals, and they are most often found in dense, forested areas. They are also nocturnal animals, spending the days holed up in their nests and coming out at night on a hunt for food. Unfortunately, there is no current estimate of how many of these animals are currently living in the wild. Flying squirrels don’t “fly” in the traditional sense, rather they have membranes that run along their sides, attached to the wrists and ankles. They typically use these membranes to glide from upper branches of trees to the lower branches, although some have been seen to flap these membranes, often with an almost frenzied motion. It is not certain whether this actually gives any benefit, however. The Sumatran Flying Squirrel is classified as an Arrow-Tailed Flying Squirrel. Some larger flying squirrels have been recorded gliding extreme lengths, up to 1500 feet (450 meters). Reported glides for an arrow-tailed squirrel, however, have been recorded at up to 443 feet (135 meters).
In general, flying squirrels vary in size, ranging from 4-10 inches (110-330 mm) in length. They have a relatively long, flattened tail that can measure anywhere from 3-11 inches (80-292 mm) curves up at the tip, and helps them in controlling the glide. Unlike other kinds of flying squirrels, the Arrow-Tailed flying squirrels don’t have a membrane that attaches to the tail. They are covered with soft, thick fur that ranges in color from grayish-brown to black.
Flying squirrels are omnivorous, eating fruits, nuts, leaves, insects and, sometimes, small snakes. One species of flying squirrel is very fond of spiders, crickets, and locusts, and a squirrel in captivity caught, killed, and consumed a small snake that was placed in its cage. Unfortunately, little is known about the Sumatran Flying Squirrel’s preferred diet. Arrow-tailed flying squirrels don’t seem to have a specific breeding season, but there does appear to be a triggering event as the females in a particular area tend to be pregnant at the same time. The gestational period is estimated to be about 40 days, and each litter can be between one and four young, but two is the average number of young born at one time. Because of the limited field research on this small animal, there is no reproductive information available that is specific to the species.
indonesianfauna
The Sumatran Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes winstoni) is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), partially due to their isolated location and partially due to clearing of the forests where they make their homes. The Sumatran Flying Squirrel lives in what is known as the Sundaland biodiversity hotspot, which is home to 82 threatened and 13 critically endangered species. Unfortunately, little is known about this species in particular as not a lot of research has been done in their natural habitats.
The Sumatran Flying Squirrel is only found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, discovered in 1949 and only known by a single specimen. Flying squirrels usually live in hollows of trees, sometimes taking nests of other animals, and they are most often found in dense, forested areas. They are also nocturnal animals, spending the days holed up in their nests and coming out at night on a hunt for food. Unfortunately, there is no current estimate of how many of these animals are currently living in the wild. Flying squirrels don’t “fly” in the traditional sense, rather they have membranes that run along their sides, attached to the wrists and ankles. They typically use these membranes to glide from upper branches of trees to the lower branches, although some have been seen to flap these membranes, often with an almost frenzied motion. It is not certain whether this actually gives any benefit, however. The Sumatran Flying Squirrel is classified as an Arrow-Tailed Flying Squirrel. Some larger flying squirrels have been recorded gliding extreme lengths, up to 1500 feet (450 meters). Reported glides for an arrow-tailed squirrel, however, have been recorded at up to 443 feet (135 meters).
In general, flying squirrels vary in size, ranging from 4-10 inches (110-330 mm) in length. They have a relatively long, flattened tail that can measure anywhere from 3-11 inches (80-292 mm) curves up at the tip, and helps them in controlling the glide. Unlike other kinds of flying squirrels, the Arrow-Tailed flying squirrels don’t have a membrane that attaches to the tail. They are covered with soft, thick fur that ranges in color from grayish-brown to black.
Flying squirrels are omnivorous, eating fruits, nuts, leaves, insects and, sometimes, small snakes. One species of flying squirrel is very fond of spiders, crickets, and locusts, and a squirrel in captivity caught, killed, and consumed a small snake that was placed in its cage. Unfortunately, little is known about the Sumatran Flying Squirrel’s preferred diet. Arrow-tailed flying squirrels don’t seem to have a specific breeding season, but there does appear to be a triggering event as the females in a particular area tend to be pregnant at the same time. The gestational period is estimated to be about 40 days, and each litter can be between one and four young, but two is the average number of young born at one time. Because of the limited field research on this small animal, there is no reproductive information available that is specific to the species.
indonesianfauna
Sumatran Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes Winstoni)
Sumatran Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes Winstoni)
The Sumatran Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes winstoni) is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), partially due to their isolated location and partially due to clearing of the forests where they make their homes. The Sumatran Flying Squirrel lives in what is known as the Sundaland biodiversity hotspot, which is home to 82 threatened and 13 critically endangered species. Unfortunately, little is known about this species in particular as not a lot of research has been done in their natural habitats.
The Sumatran Flying Squirrel is only found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, discovered in 1949 and only known by a single specimen. Flying squirrels usually live in hollows of trees, sometimes taking nests of other animals, and they are most often found in dense, forested areas. They are also nocturnal animals, spending the days holed up in their nests and coming out at night on a hunt for food. Unfortunately, there is no current estimate of how many of these animals are currently living in the wild. Flying squirrels don’t “fly” in the traditional sense, rather they have membranes that run along their sides, attached to the wrists and ankles. They typically use these membranes to glide from upper branches of trees to the lower branches, although some have been seen to flap these membranes, often with an almost frenzied motion. It is not certain whether this actually gives any benefit, however. The Sumatran Flying Squirrel is classified as an Arrow-Tailed Flying Squirrel. Some larger flying squirrels have been recorded gliding extreme lengths, up to 1500 feet (450 meters). Reported glides for an arrow-tailed squirrel, however, have been recorded at up to 443 feet (135 meters).
In general, flying squirrels vary in size, ranging from 4-10 inches (110-330 mm) in length. They have a relatively long, flattened tail that can measure anywhere from 3-11 inches (80-292 mm) curves up at the tip, and helps them in controlling the glide. Unlike other kinds of flying squirrels, the Arrow-Tailed flying squirrels don’t have a membrane that attaches to the tail. They are covered with soft, thick fur that ranges in color from grayish-brown to black.
Flying squirrels are omnivorous, eating fruits, nuts, leaves, insects and, sometimes, small snakes. One species of flying squirrel is very fond of spiders, crickets, and locusts, and a squirrel in captivity caught, killed, and consumed a small snake that was placed in its cage. Unfortunately, little is known about the Sumatran Flying Squirrel’s preferred diet. Arrow-tailed flying squirrels don’t seem to have a specific breeding season, but there does appear to be a triggering event as the females in a particular area tend to be pregnant at the same time. The gestational period is estimated to be about 40 days, and each litter can be between one and four young, but two is the average number of young born at one time. Because of the limited field research on this small animal, there is no reproductive information available that is specific to the species.
indonesianfauna
The Sumatran Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes winstoni) is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), partially due to their isolated location and partially due to clearing of the forests where they make their homes. The Sumatran Flying Squirrel lives in what is known as the Sundaland biodiversity hotspot, which is home to 82 threatened and 13 critically endangered species. Unfortunately, little is known about this species in particular as not a lot of research has been done in their natural habitats.
The Sumatran Flying Squirrel is only found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, discovered in 1949 and only known by a single specimen. Flying squirrels usually live in hollows of trees, sometimes taking nests of other animals, and they are most often found in dense, forested areas. They are also nocturnal animals, spending the days holed up in their nests and coming out at night on a hunt for food. Unfortunately, there is no current estimate of how many of these animals are currently living in the wild. Flying squirrels don’t “fly” in the traditional sense, rather they have membranes that run along their sides, attached to the wrists and ankles. They typically use these membranes to glide from upper branches of trees to the lower branches, although some have been seen to flap these membranes, often with an almost frenzied motion. It is not certain whether this actually gives any benefit, however. The Sumatran Flying Squirrel is classified as an Arrow-Tailed Flying Squirrel. Some larger flying squirrels have been recorded gliding extreme lengths, up to 1500 feet (450 meters). Reported glides for an arrow-tailed squirrel, however, have been recorded at up to 443 feet (135 meters).
In general, flying squirrels vary in size, ranging from 4-10 inches (110-330 mm) in length. They have a relatively long, flattened tail that can measure anywhere from 3-11 inches (80-292 mm) curves up at the tip, and helps them in controlling the glide. Unlike other kinds of flying squirrels, the Arrow-Tailed flying squirrels don’t have a membrane that attaches to the tail. They are covered with soft, thick fur that ranges in color from grayish-brown to black.
Flying squirrels are omnivorous, eating fruits, nuts, leaves, insects and, sometimes, small snakes. One species of flying squirrel is very fond of spiders, crickets, and locusts, and a squirrel in captivity caught, killed, and consumed a small snake that was placed in its cage. Unfortunately, little is known about the Sumatran Flying Squirrel’s preferred diet. Arrow-tailed flying squirrels don’t seem to have a specific breeding season, but there does appear to be a triggering event as the females in a particular area tend to be pregnant at the same time. The gestational period is estimated to be about 40 days, and each litter can be between one and four young, but two is the average number of young born at one time. Because of the limited field research on this small animal, there is no reproductive information available that is specific to the species.
indonesianfauna
Fin Whale (Balaenoptera Physalus)
Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
The Fin Whale is found in oceans all over the world, from the tropics to the polar areas. They are known as a pelagic species, often occuring in shallow waters close to the shore. Even though they are found in oceans across the world, they are not as common in tropical waters or ice laden seas.
They are around 19 to 20 metres in length, and can weigh as much as an estimated 70 tonnes. Fin Whales found in the southern hemisphere have been reported up to 26 metres in length. They have a white underbelly, and are a brown-grey colour on top. They are migratory whales, and have been observed in groups of up to 300 whales. They normally however travel in a pod with 6 or 7 other whales. They have a narrow flat V-shaped head and two blowholes.
They are known by a number of other names such as the Finn, the Finner, the Finback, the Common Rorqual or the Herring Whale. The Fin Whale is currently (2003) listed as an endangered species.
Did you know? The Fin Whale is one of the fastest whales with the ability to swim and sustain a 37 km/h speed through the water.
From this feat, it is often referred to as "the greyhound of the deep". The Fin Whale also has the ability to leap completely out of the water. On the other extreme, they can reach depths of over 250 metres.
They have been known to consume one to one and a half tonne of food per day. They feed on a variety of aquatic species including squid, herring and capelin.
indonesianfauna
The Fin Whale is found in oceans all over the world, from the tropics to the polar areas. They are known as a pelagic species, often occuring in shallow waters close to the shore. Even though they are found in oceans across the world, they are not as common in tropical waters or ice laden seas.
They are around 19 to 20 metres in length, and can weigh as much as an estimated 70 tonnes. Fin Whales found in the southern hemisphere have been reported up to 26 metres in length. They have a white underbelly, and are a brown-grey colour on top. They are migratory whales, and have been observed in groups of up to 300 whales. They normally however travel in a pod with 6 or 7 other whales. They have a narrow flat V-shaped head and two blowholes.
They are known by a number of other names such as the Finn, the Finner, the Finback, the Common Rorqual or the Herring Whale. The Fin Whale is currently (2003) listed as an endangered species.
Did you know? The Fin Whale is one of the fastest whales with the ability to swim and sustain a 37 km/h speed through the water.
From this feat, it is often referred to as "the greyhound of the deep". The Fin Whale also has the ability to leap completely out of the water. On the other extreme, they can reach depths of over 250 metres.
They have been known to consume one to one and a half tonne of food per day. They feed on a variety of aquatic species including squid, herring and capelin.
indonesianfauna
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