BEARDED SEAL

... ORDER
~ Pinnipedia
FAMILY
Phocidae
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS & SPECIES
Erignathu5 barbatu5
The bearded seal is the largest of the seals that inhabit the icy
waters around the North Pole. During the mating season in April
and May, the male produces a distinctive underwater song.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 7 ft.
Weight: 600 lb. in summer;
750 lb. in winter.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Female, 6 years.
Male, 6-7 years.
Mating: Early April to late May.
Gestation: 11 months, including
2-month delayed implantation.
No. of young: 1 every 2 years.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary.
Diet: Crabs, clams, shrimps,
whelks, and some fish.
Call: Male's song consists of a
long, warbling note ending in a
low moan.
Lifespan: Up to 30 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Related to a number of other
ice-associated seals, including
the hooded seal, the harp seal,
and the ringed seal.
Range of the bearded seal.
DISTRIBUTION
Found along all the North American, European, and Asiatic
coasts of the Arctic Ocean and nearby islands.
CONSERVATION
Subsistence hunters take a small proportion of the population
each year. However, the wide distribution and solitary nature of
the bearded seal ensure that it is well protected from commer-
cial culling and in no danger of extinction.
FEATURES OF THE BEARDED SEAL
Whiskers: Long, Skull: Hard and thick. Enables the
white, and curled
at the tips. Highly
sensitive, aiding
the seal in its
search for crus-
taceans on
the seabed.
ppers: Square-shaped
and very strong, they propel the
seal through water. On land, they
support the seal and help it travel.
MCMXCIV IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Coat: Adult (shown) has a smoky
gray upper body, with a darker band
along the spinal area. Head is usually
tinged rusty brown. Pup has a short,
ck, woolly gray-brown coat.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Hide and blubber: Comprise up to
30 percent of the total body weight.
Insulate and protect the seal from
the severe cold.
us P 6001 12 069 PACKET 69
The bearded seal lives in the Arctic Ocean, remaining
close to drifting ice floes throughout the year. Its ability
to create breathing holes enables this seal to remain
underneath the ice for long periods of time, while it is
protected from the cold by its extremely thick blubber.
HABITS
The bearded seal lives in the
Arctic Ocean. It prefers the shal-
lower coastal waters, where it
finds the drifting ice floes on
which it spends a great deal of
time. To keep up with the sea-
sonal movements of the ice, the
seal travels south in winter and
north in summer.
When not with its young, the
bearded seal is solitary. If several
seals must rest together on an
ice floe, they stay as far apart as
possible and avoid eye contact.
On land or ice, the bearded
seal lies with its head close to
the water, so it can quickly es-
cape if it is approached by Eski -
mo hunters or polar bears. The
seal's ability to react swiftly to
danger is reflected in its Russian
name, which means "sea hare."
But its inquisitive nature makes
it vulnerable to attack.
BREEDING
During the mating season, from
early April to late May, the male
bearded seal voices a song be-
low the ice. Over a minute long
and ending in a low moan, the
song announces the male seal's
breeding condition and pro-
claims his territory.
Mating occurs in the water.
After mating, the development
of the fertilized egg is delayed
for two months. This delay en-
sures that the mother will give
birth during milder weather the
following year.
Almost one year after mating,
Left: The bearded seal favors shal-
low, food-rich waters dotted with
ice floes.
I DID YOU KNOW?
Eskimo hunters are able to
locate a bearded seal by listen-
ing for its song.
If a pup is wounded or killed,
the mother often stays close to
the body.
the female gives birth to a single
pup on the ice. The newborn is
up to four feet long and about
70 pounds. Its thick, woolly gray-
brown coat prevents heat loss.
The mother suckles her pup
for two to three weeks. Mother
and young often scratch each
other gently and rub their noses
together. By the time the young
seal is weaned, it weighs about
190 pounds-which is almost
three times what it weighed at
birth. It has acquired the stiff-
haired coat of the adult and is
an expert swimmer.
Right: The species is named for its
glistening whiskers, which curl at
the tips when dry.
Left: The
bearded seal
has been seen
resting on ice
floes in temper-
atures below
-27> F.
The bearded seal can sleep
at sea, exposing only its nos-
trils to the air.
The liver of the bearded seal
is toxic to humans I
contains so much
FOOD &: FEEDING
Although it can dive to depths
of 650 feet, the bearded seal
usually finds its food in waters of
less than 165 feet. It can forage
under the ice for up to 15 min-
utes by using breathing holes.
To create these holes, the seal
employs its thick skull to break
through the thin ice.
Left: Sharp claws on its flippers
help the bearded seal grip the ice
in ocean swells.
The bearded seal feeds mainly
on animals on the seabed such
as crabs, clams, shrimps, and
whelks. It also eats polar cod,
flounder, and sculpin. Like the
walrus, the bearded seal uses its
long whiskers to find small prey.
It crushes hard-shelled prey with
its teeth and sucks out the flesh.
Like the harp seal and ringed
seal, the bearded seal feeds less
in the breeding season.
RACCOON DOG
ORDER
Carnivora
FAMILY
Canidae
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS &; SPECIES
Nyctereutes procyonoides
The raccoon dog is named for its facial markings, which resemble
those of the unrelated American raccoon. A nighttime hunter,
this creature has an unusually varied diet for a dog.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, about
2 ft. Tail, 7 in.
Weight: Spring and summer,
9-1 3 lb. Fall, 1 3-22 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 9-11 months.
Mating season: February and
March.
Gestation: About 2 months.
No. of young: 2-15, usually 6-8.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Nocturnal and shy. Often
lives in pairs or family groups.
Diet: Small rodents, amphibians,
fish, crabs, insects, carrion, fruit,
and plant matter.
Call: Whimpers and growls.
Lifespan: 6-7 years in the wild.
RELATED SPECIES
The raccoon dog belongs to the
same family as foxes, wolves, and
wild dogs.
Range of the raccoon dog.
DISTRIBUTION
Native to eastern Siberia, Japan, China, and parts of southern
Asia. Introduced into western Russia in the 1920s and spread
into Europe, from Finland and Sweden to Switzerland.
CONSERVATION
The raccoon dog is considered a pest in some areas. It is com-
mon throughout its range except in Japan, where hunting has
made it almost extinct.
FEATURES OF THE RACCOON DOG
Tail: Bushy.
Held upright in
the shape of an
inverted U when
the animal is
threatened or
is proclaiming
Coat: Thick coat made up of yellowish brown underfur with long, brown-
ish black guard hairs on top. Darker bands extend from the shoulders
down to the forelegs. Coat is fluffed up to conserve warmth
during very cold weather.
its status in L ' ; f ; ' r { ~ ~ ~ ~
a group.
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MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
/
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Ears: Small and
rounded.
Face: Has black
markings that
give the raccoon
dog its name.
Muzzle: Pointed,
with the typical
wet, black nose
of a dog
species.
Legs: Short and
stocky.
-!
0160200661 PACKET 66
The raccoon dog is a native of eastern Siberia, Japan,
China, and parts of southern Asia. Highly valued for its fur,
it was introduced into western Russia in the 1920s. From
there the raccoon dog spread rapidly into the northern,
central, and eastern parts of Europe. Today this animal
is common throughout most of its range.
~ HABITS
The raccoon dog lives in a vari-
ety of habitats, but it prefers for-
est and woodland areas. It is
often found near rivers or shal-
low lakes surrounded by reeds.
During the day, this reclusive
animal usually sleeps in a bur-
row. It either digs the burrow
itself or uses holes abandoned
by badgers or foxes. Sometimes
it simply makes a den in a con-
cealed spot between stones or
in the low hollow of a tree.
Occasionally the raccoon dog
emerges from its burrow during
the day, but it takes cover at the
slightest hint of danger. If it is
cornered, it defends itself with
some ferocity.
A sociable animal, the raccoon
dog lives in pairs or small family
groups. Each pair or group oc-
cupies a home range that fre-
quently overlaps with those of
other groups. The boundaries
are marked with deposits of
urine and feces.
In the colder parts of its range,
the raccoon dog builds up body
fat during the summer so that it
can hibernate during the winter.
It digs or finds a burrow that is
deep enough to be below the
frost line, then lines it with moss
and dry grass. The winter sleep
usually lasts from November to
March. But it is not a true hiber-
nation because the raccoon dog
often wakes up and leaves the
den to forage on warm days.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
Throughout the night the rac-
coon dog forages, returning to
its lair at dawn. Of all the dog
species, even the fox, it is the
most omnivorous, eating a wide
variety of animals and plants.
The raccoon dog moves much
more slowly than most dog spe-
cies, and it is not a very active
hunter. It lives mainly on easy-
to-catch prey such as small ro-
dents, fledglings, birds' eggs,
Left: The raccoon dog prefers
wooded areas, where it can easily
conceal itself.
DID YOU KNOW?
Zoologists estimate that the
raccoon dog is about 30 per-
cent less intelligent than other
dog species.
In some areas, the raccoon
dog's skin is used to make bel-
lows and to decorate drums.
In Russia the fur of the rac-
and frogs. It may eat toads that
are poisonous or taste unpleas-
ant to other flesh eaters. Plant
matter such as acorns and ber-
ries is also a major part of its diet.
Raccoon dogs that live near
rivers catch fish in shallow wa-
ter, while those in coastal areas
scavenge along the shore for
crabs and aquatic insects. All
raccoon dogs feed on carrion
(dead animal flesh).
Right: In freezing weather, the rac-
coon dog fluffs up its fur to keep
out the cold.
coon dog is used to line heavy
military overcoats.
One raccoon dog was seen
swallowing 10 trout-size fish,
one after the other.
In Japan the flesh of the rac-
coon dog is eaten, and its
bones are used in medicine.
The raccoon dog's mating sea-
son begins in February or March.
The female comes into heat (is
ready to mate) as she emerges
from her winter sleep. Even if a
pair of animals has hibernated
together, several males may pur-
sue one female.
The length of gestation varies
slightly in different areas, but
births usually occur from April
to June. There may be up to 15
cubs in a litter, but 6 to 8 is usu-
aL Blind at birth, the cubs are
covered in soft, black fur and
weigh two to three ounces. In
10 to 16 days, their teeth begin
Left: The raccoon dog often lives in
pairs. The two animals may sleep
together for the winter.
Left: Always
wary, the rac-
coon dog usu-
ally remains in
its burrow dur-
ing the day.
There it is safe
from preda-
tors such as
the wolf, lynx,
and golden
eagle.
to emerge, their eyes open, and
they start to leave the burrow
with their parents. Both parents
rear the young.
At four to six weeks, the cubs
begin to grow guard hairs and
underfur. At this stage their fur
is not very long and is lighter in
color than the adult's. At about
four weeks, the young begin to
eat solid food, which is provided
by both parents. But the young
are not weaned until six to eight
weeks old. They learn hunting
and sometimes fishing from the
parents, which tend to hunt in a
smaller range while rearing their
cubs. By fall, the cubs are inde-
pendent and almost adult size,
but their fur is still a light color.
ORIBI
.... ORDER
~ Artiodactyla
FAMILY
Bovidae
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
.... GENUS & SPECIES
~ Ourebia ourebi
The oribi is a small, slender antelope that inhabits open
woodland and grassland in Africa. Both male and female
defend their fairly large territory from intruders.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 3 - 4 ~ ft.
Height: 1 ~ - 2 ~ ft .
Weight: 30-45 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Female, 12
months. Male, 14 months.
Breeding season: Varies.
Gestation: 6-7 months.
No. of young: 1 .
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Lives alone, with a mate, or
in a small group. Active by day.
Diet: Mainly grasses and herbs.
lifespan: Up to 14 years when in
captivity.
RElATED SPECIES
The African antelope related to
the oribi include the klipspringer,
Oreotragus oreotragus, and the
steinbok, Raphicerus campestris.
FEATURES OF THE ORIBI
Horns: Short and
sharp. Curve for-
ward slightly.
Range of the oribi.
DISTRIBUTION
Found on grassy plains and in moist savanna woodland in
Zambia, Angola, and Zaire. Also found from Tanzania north-
ward to Ethiopia and westward in a narrow band across the
African continent to Senegal.
CONSERVATION
Overhunting and disease have reduced numbers in some areas,
but oribi populations remain large elsewhere in the range.
Scent glands: Located under
ears, beside eyes, in groin, and
on knees and feet. Used for
Coat: Short, with soft hair. Mixed col-
oring of yellow, red, white, and grayish
brown. Young are born with a darker
gray coat and develop the adult
coloration within about 5 weeks.
Tail: Black and
white. Tail is
raised and rump
hairs are fluffed
is excited.
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The oribi's scientific name means "pale dwarf antelope. "
But this animal's coat is actually relatively dark, ranging
in color from golden yellow to reddish brown. Like dwarf
antelope, however, the oribi runs with a peculiar bouncing
gait called stotting, in which all four legs sometimes leave
the ground at the same time. The oribi is most likely to
adopt this gait when it is fleeing from predators.
~ HABITAT
The oribi's range is extensive
but patchy. It favors grassland
and open woodland with tall
grass, bushes, and trees-habi-
tats that cover about a third of
Africa. The animal also ventures
into dense undergrowth and
brush, and it may sometimes
be found in mountainous re-
gions at altitudes of approxi-
mately 10,000 feet.
Unlike some antelope, the
oribi does not migrate. It stays
in one relatively large territory,
near a source of water, where
it can defend its food supplies.
It may live on its own, with a
mate, or with a small group.
The male oribi scent-marks
the boundaries of his territory
by biting off a grass stem to a
specific height, then marking
the stem with a sticky black se-
cretion from one of his scent
glands. He regularly marks the
same point, chewing off the
stale secretion before releasing
the new secretion. The oribi
also excretes chains of feces
that probably serve as alterna-
tive boundary markers.
Right: The oribi has an arched
back because its hind legs are
longer than its forelegs.
~ BREEDING
During courtship, the male oribi
uses facial scent glands to mark
the female. The pair remains to-
gether through the year, shar-
ing and defending a territory.
After a gestation of six to seven
months, the female gives birth
to one offspring, usually when
food is most plentiful. The calf is
darker than its parents for up to
five weeks, and then its coat be-
comes lighter.
Like many mammals, the oribi
mother reinforces the bond with
left: The male oribi's ringed horns
rise steeply from his head and curve
slightly forward.
DID YOU KNOW?
The smallest relative of the
oribi is the royal antelope of
West Africa, which stands only
10 inches at the shoulder.
The oribi has more special-
ized scent glands than any
other antelope. These glands
are located in six places: be-
low each ear, in front of each
eye, in the groin region, on
her newborn by licking it. The
calf quickly locates its mother's
teats and begins suckling.
The oribi calf conceals itself in
long grass or a thicket while its
mother feeds. When disturbed,
it presses itself to the ground.
The mother returns regularly to
feed, groom, and play with her
calf. Her visits gradually become
shorter and less frequent as the
calf starts grazing on its own. By
the time it is two months old,
the calf is fully weaned.
Right: The female oribi lacks horns.
She is about 10 to 20 percent larg-
er than the male.
the wrist of each foreleg, be-
tween the toes, and between
the false hooves at the back
of each hind leg.
A female oribi licks the anal
region of her young to stimu-
late it to defecate. Then she
eats the offspring's excrement
so that its smell will not alert
a predator.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
Like most antelope, the oribi is
active by day. A true grazer, it
feeds almost entirely on herbs
and grasses. In contrast, other
species of small antelope are
browsers, taking leaves, shoots,
and flowers from a variety of
trees and shrubs found in un-
dergrowth and woodland.
There are some naturalists
who believe that the oribi not
only grazes but also browses
on occasion. However, the an-
imal's teeth are designed espe-
cially for grazing, with broad,
deep molars that have very ef-
ficient grinding edges.
The oribi is preyed upon by
many animals, including jack-
als, baboons, eagles, pythons,
monitor lizards, and the ratel.
The young are particularly vul-
nerable to leopards and small
cats called caracals. More than
half of all oribi calves are killed
before they are one year old.
When in danger, the adult
oribi utters a whistling call to
alert others. When it is in long
grass, the oribi lies down to
avoid detection. In short grass
with little cover, the animal at-
tempts to escape by fleeing in
high, leaping bounds.
STAR-NOSED MOLE
"
.... ORDER
'11IIIIIIII /nsectivora
FAMILY
To/pidoe

GROUP 1: MAMMALS
". GENUS & SPECIES
'11IIIIIIII Condy/ura cristo to
The star-nosed mole is named for the unusual ring of fleshy
tentacles on the end of its nose. Always active, this little animal
is an expert swimmer and prefers to live near water.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 4-5 in.
Tail, 2-3 in.
Weight: 1-3 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 0 months.
Mating season: February to April.
Gestation: About 1 months.
No. of young: 2-7. Only 1 litter
per year.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Active day and night. Lives
close to other moles but seldom
interacts with them.
Diet: Earthworms, aquatic insects,
mollusks, crustaceans, small fish.
Lifespan: Not known.
RELATED SPECIES
The only species in the genus. The
family To/pidoe contains 27 species
of mole, shrew-mole, and desman,
which are found in North America
and Eurasia.
Range of the star-nosed mole.
DISTRIBUTION
The northern-most mole in North America, it is found from
Labrador, Hudson Bay, and Manitoba to the Appalachians
and the Okefenokee swamp in Georgia.
CONSERVATION
The star-nosed mole is common across its range. It generally
lives in areas too wet for farming, so it does not come into con-
flict with human interests.
FEATURES OF THE STAR-NOSED MOLE
Body: Streamlined, There
is no visible neck connect-
ing head and body.
Tall: Long. almost
hairless and ringed
with scales. The star-
nosed mole moves it
in unison with its feet
when swimming.
Eyes and ears: Small, weak eyes.
The ears are just two holes
are hidden in the
Nose: Has a fleshy fringe at
the end, made up of 22 hair-
less tentacles arranged in
a ring around the nostrils.
Sensitive to touch, the nose
is the mole's principal senso-
ry organ. As the mole forages
for food, 20 of the tentacles
In constant motion. When
eating, the mole draws
close together. While it
'-"l.. .... ', J _ __ ____ " .. , or diving, it closes
over jts nostrils
_ ...."" , ........... out dirt or water.
:Poreflttl;xtrerrfelv targe, with palms
as broad as they are long. They turn
outward, making them effective as
oars or paddles for swimming and as
shovels for burrowing in soil. Each
forefoot has 5 large, strong claws.
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200591 PACKET 59
The star-nosed mole is thought to have descended
from moles that originated in Europe and later spread
to North America. Its distinctive/ strange-looking nose
sets it apart from the six other mole species found in
the United States. The star-nosed mole also differs from
its relatives because it spends a lot of time in water
and does not burrow in the ground very much.
~ HABITS
Active day and night, the star-
nosed mole is usually found
in damp ground near streams
or lakes. It spends much of its
time swimming and diving,
especially in winter, when the
ground is frozen and it cannot
dig for food. The star-nosed
mole can swim beneath the
ice, propelling itself by moving
its feet and tail together.
Like all moles, the star-nosed
mole uses its broad forefeet to
tunnel in the ground. It is not a
very active burrower because
it spends so much time in the
water. But its burrowing ability
is proved by mounds of soil run-
ning along the ground. Up to
two feet across and six inches
high, these mounds often lead
to the water's edge.
Several star-nosed moles may
live close together and use ad-
joining tunnel systems. They
are usually solitary, but they
are not aggressive if they en-
counter one another.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The star-nosed mole spends
most of its time searching for
food. It looks for earthworms
both above and under the
ground. It is an unusual mole
because it finds about 80 per-
cent of its food in the water.
It eats aquatic worms, insects,
crustaceans, mollusks, and
small fish.
The star-nosed mole uses
the tentacles on its nose to
locate food. As it searches the
Left: The star-nosed mole has weak
eyes, but it can use its nose tenta-
cles to find its way.
Right: The mole's broad feet are
useful for paddling as well as for
digging soil.
DID YOU KNOW?
The star-nosed mole does
not hibernate, but in winter
and early spring its tail grows
fat. This may be a means of
storing energy for the breed-
ing season.
All moles have extremely
poor vision. Although their
tiny eyes are sensitive to light,
they are barely able to distin-
bottom of a stream or pond,
the tentacles move constantly,
except for the top two, which
are held rigidly forward. When
the star-nosed mole is eating,
it clamps its nose tentacles to-
gether in order to keep them
out of the way.
Right: The star-nosed mole searches
the soil near its burrow to discover
earthworms.
guish objects and shapes.
Aided by its large, spade-
like forefeet, a mole is able
to move through light soil
at a speed of about one foot
per minute.
The mole's velvety, grain-
less fur helps it move back-
ward or forward easily in a
tight space.
In winter star-nosed moles pair
up and live together. Between
February and April, they mate.
The female then finds a dry
place-often a raised area-
in which she builds a nest of
leaves, grass, and other plant
matter. Between March and
June she gives birth to two to
seven young.
The tiny newborns have the
Left: Once it has located food with
its nose, the mole passes it to its
mouth with its feet.
Left: The
bizarre, fleshy
projections
on the mole's
nose are not
just decorative.
Mobile and
highly sensitive,
they play an
important role
in the animal's
search for food.
distinctive star-shaped nose. Al-
though helpless at birth, they
develop quickly. They are ready
to leave the nest when they are
three weeks old, even though
they are only about two-thirds
grown. At the age of 10 months
they are able to reproduce.
All moles produce only one
litter a year. This low reproduc-
tion rate is enough to maintain
their numbers since they spend
little time above ground and are
not exposed to predators.
COMMON AUSTRALIAN
BRUSH-TAILED POSSUM
"SARD 245J
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
~
ORDER
Marsupia/ia
FAMILY
Phalangeridae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Trichosurus vulpecula
The common Australian brush-tailed possum is one of the best-
known marsupials within its range. This busy nighttime forager is
equally at home in leafy suburbs and open forests.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Body, 14-22 in. Tail,
10-16 in.
Weight: Female, 3-8 lb. Male, up
to 11 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Mating: Usually March to May.
Gestation: 17-18 days.
No. of young: 1 .
Pouch period: 4-5 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Night-active, solitary tree
dweller.
Diet: Mistletoe, leaves, blossoms,
fruit, insects, eggs, nestlings.
RELATED SPECIES
Related to the northern brush pos-
sum, Trichosurus arnhemensis; the
bobuck, or mountain possum, T.
caninus; the cuscuses, genus Pha-
langer; and the scaly-tailed pos-
sum, Wyulda squamicaudata.
Range of the common Australian brush-tailed possum.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in almost all wooded land in Australia, Tasmania, and
New Zealand. Prevalent in eastern and central Australia, but
replaced by another species in the Northern Territory.
CONSERVATION
The decline in the fur trade has reduced hunting, making it neces-
sary to control local populations. The brush-tail's ability to adapt to
new diets and habitats will probably ensure its safe future.
FEATURES OF THE BRUSH-TAILED POSSUM
Coat: Thick and
woolly. Can vary
greatly in color
and tone. Prized
by fur traders.
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM
I Senses: Relies
Tail: Long,
bushY,and
capable of
grasping.
Used as a
fifth limb
for climbing.
Bare tip im-
proves grip.
Hands: Moist palms
provide excellent grip.
5 clawed fingers enable
the possum to hold food.
Hind feet are very similar.
Feeding: The possum uses its climb-
ing skills to reach leaves and fruit
growing on the tips of branches.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200621 PACKET 62
The common Australian brush-tailed possum is a cat-size
tree climber with woolly fur that has long been prized by
trappers. Despite human attempts to control its numbers,
the brush-tailed possum has flourished throughout its
range. It frequently destroys shrubbery in suburban
gardens. It also strips trees bare in the grasslands and
wooded habitats of Australia and New Zealand.
~ HABITS
The common Australian brush-
tailed possum has moist hind
feet that help it grip when it is
scampering among branches.
It often rests hanging upside
down by its muscular tail. The
possum sleeps and feeds in the
branches, but it usually moves
between trees by crossing on
the ground. It cannot jump like
a tree squirrel, but it can easily
run headfirst down a trunk.
The possum can be quite idle,
enjoying the sun and grooming
its fur. In harsh weather it curls
up and sleeps for several days,
but it does not hibernate.
The brush-tail is a solitary ani-
mal. The female's territory is
100,000 square feet, and the
male's is up to three times as
big. The territory is marked with
droppings, but it rarely needs to
be defended. If a male comes
too close to the territory of an-
other male, an aggressive dis-
play of hissing, growling, and
even "barking" takes place, but
the confrontation usually ends
without a fight.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The brush-tailed possum looks
for food from dusk till dawn,
covering up to one and a half
miles on its nightly forages.
The animal relies on smell and
touch to find food, while lis-
tening for predators with its
large ears.
The brush-tail climbs through
the trees, eating leaves and in-
sects. It feeds heavily on Austra-
lian mistletoe, a tree parasite,
when it is available. It also eats
Left: The brush-tailed possum is al-
ways alert, listening for predators
such as eagles and dingoes.
Right: The possum's coat can vary
from black, silver gray, or reddish
brown to creamy gold.
DID YOU KNOW?
shoots, fruits, flowers, and even
poisonous plants. This diet is
typical of small to medium-size
primates in other places. Even
though it is primarily a plant
eater, the brush-tail may also
eat eggs, nestlings, or carrion.
Right: A highly varied diet ensures
a steady food supply for the brush-
tail in most areas.
The brush-tailed possum was Australia were urged to hunt
introduced to New Zealand in possums. In a period of two
1858. The population now ex- months, more than eight mil-
ceeds 25 million. lion skins were collected.
The tiny offspring takes sev- The brush-tail can use its
en minutes to crawl about two long tail to gather nesting
inches to its mother's pouch. materials. The possum curls
In the Depression of 1931, its tail tightly under its body
I many unemployed peo_p_le_in __ to_ c_la_m_p_f_o_liage to its belly.
I ~ HABITAT
The brush-tailed possum pre-
fers a woodland habitat. But it
survives well in low bush and
treeless areas, where it takes
cover in caves, rabbit burrows,
and termite mounds. The pos-
sum has also adapted to living
near humans and can be seen
in suburban areas. Gardens con-
taining a variety of plants make
~ BREEDING
The brush-tailed possum usual-
ly mates from March to May.
The pair bond between mating
adults lasts for barely a month,
so the male carvrnate with two
or more females whose territo-
ries overlap his own.
After a gestation of only 1 7 or
1 8 days, the female gives birth
to a single young. Like all mar-
supial offspring, the baby is ti-
ny, weighing only a fraction of
Left: A youngster braves the out-
side world after several months in
its mother's pouch.
excellent feeding grounds for
this uninvited guest.
A frequent visitor to city parks,
the possum scavenges from gar-
bage bins and picnic areas. Be-
cause of its huge numbers and
the damage it does to trees, it
is considered a serious pest. In
certain areas the brush-tail is
trapped and poisoned.
an ounce. The newborn must
crawl through its mother's fur
from the birth canal to the mar-
supium (pouch). It if fails to reach
the pouch and dies, a second
offspring is soon born.
Inside the pouch, the baby,
called a joey, clings to one of
its mother's teats for nourish-
ment and safety. After a peri-
od of five months the young
joey ventures into the outside
world. It returns to the pouch
for rest or comfort but is soon
independent of its mother.
" CARD 246 J
SPOTTED DOLPHIN
\ ( ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
~
ORDER
Cetacea
FAMILY
Oelphinidae
A spotted dolphin is not always spotted. Depending on its
age and where it lives, it may have speckles all over its
body, or it may have few, if any, spots at all.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Up to about 8 ft.
Weight: 250 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Male, 12 years.
Female, about 9 years.
Mating: Generally year-round, but
may be seasonal in some areas.
Gestation: 11-12 months.
No. of young: 1 . Birth occurs
every 2-4 years.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable. Swims in schools
of varying sizes.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, and squid.
Lifespan: Up to 45 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Also in the genus Stenella are the
spinner dolphin, S. longirostris; the
Clymene dolphin, S. clymene; and
the striped dolphin, S. coeruleoalba.
Range of spotted dolphins.
DISTRIBUTION
The pantropical species lives in tropical and subtropical waters
of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. The Atlantic species is
found only in the Atlantic Ocean from the Azores south to the
Tropic of Cancer.
CONSERVATION
Although numerous, many are killed for food around the Carib-
bean and Azores. They also become entangled in tuna nets.
FEATURES OF THE PANTROPICAL SPOTTED DOLPHIN
Eyes: Often
surrounded
by dark patch
or band of
color.
Coloration: Dark gray
dorsal (back) cape and
light gray ventral (belly)
surface. The Atlantic
species can be distin-
guished from the pan-
tropical species by
its white ventral
coloration.
Shape: Slender and elongated.
The Atlantic spotted dolphin
has a stockier build.
Markings: Pale dorsal and
ventral spots. The amount of
spotting varies from no spots at all to
heavy mottling, depending on the age of the
dolphin and where it is found. The spots increase
in number and size as the dolphin gets older. Those liv-
ing in coastal waters seem to be more heavily spotted.
Beak: Dolphin
may develop
white "/ips" as
it matures.
Flippers: Dark gray and
without spots, like the tail
flukes and fin.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A lJS P R001 12074 PAr.KFT 74
Spotted dolphins are among the most common of all
cetaceans, or whales. There are two species-the Atlantic
species and the pantropical species. As its name implies,
the pantropical spotted dolphin lives in tropical waters
all around the world. Every year, many pantropical and
Atlantic spotted dolphins are accidentally killed in great
numbers, caught up in the huge nets of tuna fishermen.
~ HABITS
Spotted dolphins live in schools
that vary greatly in size-from
just several members to more
than a thousand. Schools of the
pantropical species frequently
have several hundred members,
while the Atlantic species usually
lives in groups of about 50. In
both species coastal inhabitants
generally form smaller groups
than dolphins that live farther
out at sea. The pantropical spe-
cies shares its habitat with the
related spinner dolphin.
Spotted dolphins can often be
seen jumping high out of the
water, doing flips, and riding
the bow waves of ships. Groups
may swim and leap in unison.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
While many dolphins feed in the
ocean depths, spotted dolphins
feed in surface waters. They eat
such marine animals as macker-
el, squid, and crabs. Nursing
mothers mainly hunt flying fish.
This may be because flying fish
have more calories than most
other fish, providing the moth-
ers with more energy.
Spotted dolphins are often
Left: Spotted dolphins in coastal
waters tend to have more spots
than those that inhabit open seas.
DID YOU KNOW?
Whistl ing sounds made by
spotted dolphins last less than
a millisecond.
Although spotted dolphins
probably do not migrate from
season to season, individuals
tagged in the northern Pacific
have been found later more
than 1,200 miles away.
Spotted dolphins are very
found near or among flocks of
feeding seabirds. These birds
guide the dolphins to rich sup-
plies of food. Spotted dolphins
also associate with yellowfin tu-
na, which share the dolphin's
fondness for squid. Every year
thousands of spotted dolphins
are trapped in the huge nets
that fishers use to catch schools
of tuna.
Right: The pan tropical species
feeds in warm water, less than
160 feet from the surface.
fast swimmers. They can reach
speeds of 20 miles per hour.
It is thought that the fishing
industry has caused the deaths
of more spotted dolphins than
any other species of cetacean.
Of the 500,000 dolphins killed
in United States waters during
1970 alone, 80 percent were
spotted dolphins.
Female spotted dolphins mate
at age 9 and males at age 12.
Gestation takes between 11 and
12 months. Births in a particular
region occur at about the same
time each year. In the northeast-
ern Pacific, for example, calving
occurs in May and September.
Births are usually around two
years apart, but the time span
varies depending on the age of
the female. It tends to be short-
er if the population has recent-
ly been depleted.
The single young, called a calf,
is about three feet long at birth.
Left: Even at over a year old, a calf
swims close to its mother, shadow-
ing her every move.
Left: Spotted
dolphins may
swim in small
groups of only
a few individu-
als.ln some
areas, they are
barely spotted
and may devel-
op white " lips "
as they mature.
Its mother helps it to the surface
so it can take its first breath. The
calf's spots appear when it has
almost doubled in size, and they
increase as it matures.
The calf suckles from its moth-
er for up to two years. During
that period it swims at her side
and dives when she dives. If the
mother or her calf is threatened,
other members of the school
come to their aid. Schools of
dolphins fend off their enemies
by gathering in a tight circle
around the mothers and their
young. The mature animals on
the outside of the circle dive
and surface around the vulner-
able animals to protect them.
MARA
,, _______________________________
"'W ORDER "'W FAMILY "'W GENUS &: SPECIES
'11IIIIIIII Rodentia '11IIIIIIII Caviidae '11IIIIIIII Dolichotis patagonum
The mara is a large South American rodent that resembles a hare
because of its long, upright ears and slim legs. As a result of
these features, it is also known as the pampas hare.
--:s::J KEY FACTS
I SIZES
Length: Head and body, ft.
Tail, 2 in.
Weight: Up to 35 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Male, 1 year. Fe-
male, months.
Breeding season: Female is sexu-
ally receptive for a few hours twice
a year, in June or July and in Sep-
tember or October.
Gestation: Almost 3 months.
No. of young: Usually 2-3.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Active by day. Pairs for life.
May share a communal den dur-
ing the breeding season.
Diet: Grasses, leaves, herbs, and
other plant matter.
Lifespan: Up to 15 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The closest relative is the salt
desert cavy, Dolichotis salinicola.
FEATURES OF THE MARA
Tail: Short and
stumpy with
white fringe.
Limbs: Long
and slender.
Hind legs longer
than forelegs.
Male: Gray-
brown fur on
upper body;
paler below.
Claws: 3 on
Range of the mara.
DISTRIBUTION
Restricted to areas of open grassland and scrub desert in cen-
tral and southern Argentina.
CONSERVATION
The mara population is declining in some areas as a result of
widespread habitat destruction and competition for food with
the introduced European brown hare.
Female: Coat is
similar to that of
the male. With
the 4 nipples on
the sides of her
body, she feeds
her young while
sitting upright
and watching
for predators.
hind feet. 4
sharp claws
on forepaws
are used for
digging.
/II}
Young: Highly developed at birth.
Ceat soon develops adult coloration.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. US P 6001 12 075 PACKET 75
Unlike most other rodents, the mara forms a lifelong
pair bond. The male spends most of his time defending
his territory and his mate. He follows the female closelYt
making sure that she comes to no harm from predators
and does not encounter rival males. His attentiveness
is essential because the female mara is sexually receptive
for a very limited time-only a few hours twice a year.
~ HABITS
The mara lives in open country-
side, generally grassland or dry
scrub, where it hops or bounds
along quickly. Active by day, it
rests at night in a burrow dug in
the ground. The male defends
his mate and territory vigorous-
ly, chasing the other males away
with his neck outstretched and
his head held low.
DID YOU KNOW?
In communal dens, a female
mara accepts and feeds only
her own offspring, identifying
them by their smell.
Several zoos have protected
mara colonies. The animals
thrive in the seminatural con-
As pairs move about in search
of food, territorial boundaries
change. Although territories
rarely overlap, up to 15 pairs
may share a large, communal
den when rearing their young.
The animals maintain an un-
easy peace among themselves,
and one pair usually guards the
den's entrance.
ditions, where they run freely
over the grounds.
The mara can run at speeds
of 28 miles per hour.
To threaten rivals or other
animals, the mara may bristle
its hair and chatter its teeth.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The mara feeds primarily on
grasses and herbs, but it also
eats any other tender, green
vegetation. Like other mem-
bers of the cavy family, the ma-
ra has sharp incisor teeth that
.grow constantly but are kept
short by grazing.
Each pair of maras usually
feeds within its own territory
and avoids neighbors. But in
left: The mara is losing some of its
range to the introduced European
brown hare.
areas where food is plentiful,
several pairs may feed togeth-
er. This behavior is especially
common in Argentina's Pata-
gonian desert between january
and March. At that time, sever-
al huge, shallow lakes dry out,
producing an abundant crop
of short, tender grass. Between
50 and 100 maras may graze to-
gether at each rich feeding site.
Right: The male mara patrols an
area of about 100 feet around his
chosen female.
left: Also
known as the
Patagonian
cavy, the mara
belongs to the
cavy family,
which includes
the domestic
guinea pig.
~ BREEDING
The male mara becomes sexual-
ly mature at a year old, while
the female can breed about two
months after birth. Maras bond
for life. The desire to pair is so
strong that a sexually mature
male frequently bonds with an
immature female, staying close
to her until she can breed.
The female mara is sexually
receptive twice a year, usually in
june or july, and then again in
September or October. The re-
ceptive period lasts only a few
hours, so the male mara remains
close to his mate to ensure suc-
cessful breeding.
left: The offspring remain close to
their mother for up to four months,
while they suckle.
In preparation for her family,
the female digs a den in the soil
with her claws or takes over the
abandoned burrow of another
ground-dwelling animal. The
male stays outside of the den,
watching for intruders. Alter-
natively, the pair may join with
others in a communal den.
After a gestation period of al-
most three months, the female
gives birth to two or three young
at the den entrance. The well-
developed young quickly crawl
inside to safety. They suckle for
up to four months. But they also
graze near the den soon after
birth, guarded by the male. The
dens are used repeatedly over
three or four years.
COMMON TENREC
ORDER
Insectivora
FAMILY
Tenrecidae
~ D 2 4 8 J
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS& SPECIES
Tenrec ecaudatus
The largest insectivore on Madagascar, the common tenrec feeds
mainly on insects but sometimes captures small mammals. It
belongs to a group known as the Madagascar hedgehogs.
,
. ~
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 10-15 in.
Weight: 3-5 lb. Female is smaller
than male.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Within 1 year
of birth.
Mating season: From October
to November.
Gestation: About 2 months.
No. of young: 1-32. Average is 15.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Night-active. Mainly solitary,
but young feed in groups.
Diet: Mainly insects, but also small
mammals and reptiles as well as
some plant matter.
lifespan: Up to 5 years.
RELATED SPECIES
It is the only species in the genus.
There are 34 species in 11 genera
in the family.
Range of the common tenrec.
DISTRIBUTION
Native to Madagascar and the Comoro Islands in the Indian
Ocean. Introduced to the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Reunion.
CONSERVATION
The common tenrec was once widely hunted in Madagascar
for food. Although protected now, it is probably still hunted. Its
habitat is being destroyed, but because of its high reproduc-
tion rate it is not endangered .
FEATURES OF THE COMMON TENREC
whiskers. Bare,
pink tip. Good
sense of smell.
Spines: Found
around the neck.
Sharp and be-
come erect to at-
tack enemies.
ground.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/I MP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S. A.
Body: Heavy and muscular, covered
with thin, coarse, straw-colored
hairs. Long, rigid hairs on back
are very sensitive.
Young: Spiky,
brown coat with
US P 6001 12 077 PACKET 77
Even though the common tenrec is protected, its flesh
is still sometimes sold at markets in Madagascar. The
destruction of its forest habitat is another potential
threat. But because of its high reproductive rate, this
resilient mammal is not endangered at present.
~ HABITS
The common tenrec is found all
over Madagascar, except in arid
areas of the southwest. It has al-
so been introduced into the Sey-
chelles, Mauritius, and Reunion.
Although it may live as high as
3,000 feet in the highland pla-
teaus, it prefers warm, sandy
brush land and forest.
In summer the common ten-
rec forages at night for food and
sleeps during the day in a rock
crevice, hollow tree, or burrow.
If the animal is threatened, it
fiercely stands its ground, erect-
ing very sharp spines on its neck,
opening its mouth wide, hiss-
ing, and stamping its forefeet.
It may even bite an enemy or
attack it with its spines.
During Madagascar's dry win-
ter, from early May to October,
the common tenrec hibernates
deep in its den. The hibernation
period varies, but it may last as
long as six months. Unlike some
hibernating animals, the com-
mon tenrec sleeps continuously
during this period, without get-
ting up at all.
The female common tenrec
has 24 nipples, the most of
any mammal. She also has
the largest litter.
The common tenrec's tail is
so tiny that it was not seen at
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The common tenrec emerges
from its den at dusk to look for
food. Its good senses of hear-
ing and smell help it detect
insects in the debris on the for-
est floor. Using its long snout
and sharp claws, it digs them
out, leaving behind a series of
funnel-shaped holes.
The common tenrec is an op-
portunistic eater, feeding on
whatever it finds. In addition to
insects, it feeds on their larvae,
earthworms, and plant matter.
It also kills and eats reptiles and
small mammals.
Left: The common tenrec has long
been considered an edible delicacy
by Madagascans.
Right: The common tenrec may in-
jure an enemy by using its sharp
neck spines or teeth.
first. The species was called
ecaudatus, meaning "tailless."
An active tenrec has a body
temperature of 75to 95F.
During hibernation this may
drop to 43F.
The common tenrec mates af-
ter it emerges from hibernation
in October or November. To
help potential mates find her,
during the breeding season the
female reduces her usual night-
ly range, which may be as large
as a square mile. After mating,
both the male and the female
resume their solitary lifestyles.
After a gestation of approxi-
mately two months, the female
Left: At night the common tenrec
scours the debris on the forest floor
for insects and other prey.
gives birth to a large litter. She
has only one litter a year but
produces as many as 32 off-
spring, of which half normally
survive. To feed her enormous
brood, the female forages for
food by day as well as at night.
The mother suckles her many
helpless young for the first few
weeks of their lives. Maturing
very quickly, they are weaned
after a month. While the adult
has a straw-colored coat, the
juvenile's is brown with rows of
white spines on the back.
'" CARD 249 I
BRUMBV
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
~
ORDER
Perissodactyla
FAMILY
Equidae
GENUS fir SPECIES
Equus cabal/us
The brumby is the mustang of the Australian outbach. Descended
from runaway domestic stoch, this small, tough horse thrives
in conditions that few other horses could withstand.
KEY FACTS
SIZE
Height: Usually about 4 ft.
(12 hands).
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1-2 years, de-
pending on the quality of the
habitat.
Mating: Mainly during the rainy
season.
Gestation: 11 months.
No. of young: 1 .
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Lives in territorial groups
of various sizes.
Diet: Any available vegetation,
including grasses and the foliage
of acacia trees.
Lifespan: About 20 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Like all other forms of the domestic
horse, the brumby is most closely
related to the zebras and wild asses.
FEATURES OF THE BRUMBY
Appearance: Because of their mixed
ancestry, brumbies vary greatly in
form and coat. As a result, they
are not recognized as a breed.
Rarely more than 4 feet
high, the brumby is sig-
nificantly smaller than
the domestic stock
from which it is
descended.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/ IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Range of the brumby.
DISTRI BUTION
Widespread throughout the semiarid outback areas of Queens-
land, Northern Territory, Western Australia, and South Australia.
CONSERVATION
Efforts were made to reduce the brumby population in the ear-
ly 20th century. Today hundreds of brumbies are rounded up
each year, but more than 200,000 remain at large.
Coat: Usually reddish brown or brown, but some-
times gray, chestnut, or cream. The tail and mane
are .usually long and thick.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. US P 6001 12073 PACKET 73
Of the hundreds of horses turned loose by Australia's early
settlers, only the toughest survived the harsh conditions of
the outback. As a result, the brumbies of today are often so
wild and wary of humans that they are difficult to capture.
Even when caught, these animals are almost impossible to
train. Like most feral animals, brumbies are smaller than
the domestic stock from which they are descended.
~ HABITAT
The brumby inhabits the Aus-
tralian outback, which is mostly
barren wilderness. The stony
soil supports only coarse grass
and small-leaved acacia trees.
The trees provide some shade,
but with daytime temperatures
of at least 85 F, there is little re-
lief from the heat. With only a
few rivers and swamps and no
set rainy season, water is often
scarce. The frequent droughts
are interrupted only by brief
but often torrential showers.
Avoiding the most desolate
regions, the brumby favors the
semiarid plains, where there is
some vegetation and drinking
water. Although the horses at
times form herds of up to 70
animals, they most often live in
groups of about a dozen indi-
viduals. Each group or herd has
its own territory, which ranges
from 20 to 60 square miles, de-
pending on the availability of
food and water.
Right: Brumby mares follow a stal-
lion around his territory, seeking
food and shade from the sun.
~ BREEDING
The brumby generally lives in a
small group that consists of a
stallion (adult male) and 3 to 12
mares (adult females) along with
their foals (young).
The mare comes into season (is
ready to mate) once a year. She
does not always mate success-
fully, however, particularly if a
long drought has left her weak.
If she does mate successfully,
the mare gives birth to a single
foal after 11 months. She suck-
les and nurtures it until it is at
least 10 months old. Because
conditions in the outback are
Left: The brumby can survive on
a diet that would be too poor for
most other horses.
DID YOU KNOW?
The brumby was probably
named after Colonel James
Brumby, a 19th-century horse
breeder. Alternatively, the word
brumby may be derived from
the Aboriginal word baroom-
b ~ meaning "wild."
The word brumby has be-
I come Australian slang for an
unruly or disorderly person.
so harsh, the mares in a group
can successfully rear their young
only during very wet seasons,
when food and water are rela-
tivelyabundant.
When a colt (young male) is
about one year old, the stallion
drives him away from the group.
The colt may then join others to
form a small, all-male group. Al-
though the colt is sexually ma-
ture by at least two years old, he
rarely mates before he is five. At
that age he is strong enough to
fight an older stallion for posses-
sion of a group of mares.
Right: The single offspring is
weaned by the time it is 10 or
11 months old.
So many brumbies ran wild
in the 1920s and 1930s that
cowboys known as "brumby
runners" were paid to round
them up.
Although brumbies are gen-
erally considered horses, most
of them measure only about
four feet high and should ac-
tually be called ponies.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
There is little grazing land in the
arid outback, and most of the
desert grasses are too fibrous to
sustain the brumby. As a result,
it feeds mainly on the leaves of
scrubby salt bushes. It is espe-
cially fond of mulga shrubs and
acacia leaves. Because this diet
contains little moisture, the
brumby must visit a stream or
~ BRUMBY & MAN
Australia has no native horses.
European settlers and prospec-
tors brought horses to the coun-
try in the early 19th century.
Many of these horses escaped
or were released when their
owners moved on.
As farming became mecha-
nized in the early 20th century,
many more horses were turned
loose. Brumbies soon became
common in much of Australia,
particularly in the outback. Land-
owners considered the animals
pests, because they churned up
swamp daily in dry weather in
order to avoid dehydration.
The brumby rarely looks for
food outside its territory, even
when famine threatens its sur-
vival. On occasion, however, it
invades pastureland and takes
food and water intended for
sheep. It then comes into con-
flict with farmers.
water holes, overgrazed pas-
tures, and wrecked fences. A
market soon developed for their
hides and hair, and many were
rounded up and shot.
Today the brumby is still un-
popular with farmers because it
often carries parasites that Can
spread disease to sheep and cat-
tle. Hundreds of brumbies are
caught yearly. A few are broken
and trained for domestic use,
but most brumbies are killed for
pet food or sold abroad for hu-
man consumption.
BLACKBUCK
""
~ ORDER ~
~ Artiodactyla ~
FAMILY
Bovidae
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS &: SPECIES
Antilope cervicapra
The blackbuck resembles other gazelles in habit, although not in
appearance. Once common throughout much of India, only a small
fraction of the former blackbuck population remains today.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 4 ft.
Height: 2 ~ ft.
Weight: 55-100 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 7 -18 months.
Mating: Year-round, but peak
periods occur between March
and April and again between
August and October.
Gestation: 6 months.
No. of young: 1 .
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable; lives in herds.
A territorial grazer.
Diet: Grass, leaves, pods, fruit,
and flowers.
Lifespan: Up to 13 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Among the close relatives of the
blackbuck are the 12 species of
true gazelles, Gazella, as well as
the African impala, Aepyceros
melampus.
Range of the blackbuck.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in small numbers in much of India, but not in moun-
tains and wetland areas such as the swamps and forests of the
Ganges Delta.
CONSERVATION
An estimated four million blackbuck once roamed the plains of
India, but only 10,000 now remain. The species has declined as
a result of hunting and habitat destruction.
FEATURES OF THE Bl ACKBUCK
Male: At about 3 years old, develops
black or dark brown coloring on the
head, neck, back, sides, and outsides
of legs. Dark coloring contrasts with
white eye patch, chin, breast, belly,
and insides of legs. Spiraling horns
may be almost 2 feet long.
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILE' M
Female: Upperparts are generally
lighter than on the male. Yellowish
brown back and head. White
coloring in the same places as
the male. Lacks the male's horns.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Head: Large eyes
and ears. Excellent
senses of sight ,
smell, and hear-
ing provide an
early warning
of predators.
Juvenile: Coat
0160200721 PACKET 72
The blackbuck is one of the few species of antelope in which
the coloring of the male and female differs. The male is
black or brown, and the female is yellowish brown. The
male is also distinguished by his long, spiraling horns,
which are highly prized by hunters. Uncontrolled hunting
combined with habitat destruction have drastically
reduced the blackbuck population throughout India.
~ HABITS
The blackbuck is found in India,
on plains and semidesert areas
where the land is not too rug-
ged and the vegetation not too
thick. Although it tolerates the
tropical sun, it is most active in
early mornings and late after-
noons. At other times it rests in
the shade.
This antelope lives in herds of
between 5 and 50 animals. The
buck (male) is highly territorial,
especially in the breeding sea-
son. He marks the boundaries
of his territory with glandular
secretions and dung piles. If he
chooses an area that is part of
another buck's territory, he will
be chased away or forced to
fight for possession.
The does (females) make daily
tours around the herd, roam-
ing from one buck's territory to
another. If danger threatens, a
doe leaps into the air to alert
the herd. The animals bunch
together, jump several times,
and then quickly retreat.
~ BREEDING
The blackbuck may mate at any
time of year, but the peak mat-
ing periods are from March to
April and August to October.
When a female wanders into a
buck's territory, he approaches
her with his nose forward and
upward. If the doe is receptive,
she moves in circles that gradu-
ally become tighter. The male
trails closely behind and finally
mounts her.
The female leaves the herd to
give birth alone to a single fawn.
After nursing for the next few
days, the fawn leaves its moth-
Left: The two-tone coloration helps
to camouflage the blackbuck by ob-
scuring its outline.
DID YOU KNOW?
Some people in India con-
sider the blackbuck a sacred
creature. Other people be-
lieve it brings bad luck and
drive it away.
The blackbuck is one of the
fastest land mammals. It is
able to reach speeds of up to
45 miles an hour.
The staging of blackbuck
er and chooses its own bedding
site. The mother rejoins her off-
spring after a short while.
The young fawn grows quick-
ly and is well coordinated within
a few days. At one week old it
begins to show interest in other
fawns, and it may even pair up
with one. These "twins" sleep
and play together and often fol-
low the same doe around. This
close companionship lasts for
about a month after which the
two fawns drift apart. They then
begin to move and graze with a
female group.
Right: The blackbuck offspring
is born with the same yellowish
brawn coat as the female.
fights was once common in
India, where the fights were
a popular form of entertain-
ment. Special hospitals were
even set up to care for the
fighting animals.
Hunters frequently captured
blackbucks by hiding sharp
hooks within the animal's
favorite fruits.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The blackbuck is mainly a graz-
er, feeding in the early morn-
ing and in the late afternoon.
Depending on the season, it
may supplement its diet of grass
with leaves, pods, flowers, and
fruit. Sometimes it digs up roots
with its muzzle and forefeet.
During the monsoon season,
from July to October, grass is
abundant. But by the end of
Left: The blackbuck generally eats
whatever vegetation is greenest
and most plentiful.
Left: The male
blackbuck raises
his head during
his courtship dis-
play. He adopts
the same pos-
ture when he
confronts an-
other male in
order to make
his horns look
intimidating.
winter grass becomes scarce,
and the blackbuck must find
other food. It devours flowers
as S00n as they appear, and it
may even wait under a tree to
eat blossoms as they fall. By
March, when many plants start
to grow, the animal feeds on
shrubs, fruit, and the tender,
sprouting grass.
The blackbuck seldom needs
to drink. It obtains much of the
moisture it needs from the veg-
etation it eats.