Tufted Deer (Elaphodus cephalophus)

Blurb from the Author:  For this weeks species I picked it totally out of curiosity! I have seen this species briefly on animal planet and still didn’t learn much about it and I wanted to know more. Why the little fangs? Do they help with defense, or possibly sexual selection? Why does it not have flashy antlers like moose or deer? With research, I was able to answer these questions and more about this really cool deer species! 🙂

Lifespan:  ~15 years (captivity) 7-12 years (in the wild)

Population Size: In 1998: ~300,000-500,000 individuals estimated (continual decline since then)

Geographical Location:  They can be found in Southern and Central China, Eastern Tibet, and Northern Myanmar. The habitat type in which they live in consists of high altitude forests or rainforests in an area close to a water source.

Diet:  They are herbivorous eating foods such as grasses, leaves, bark, wood, fruit, etc.

Size: ~51 lbs, 3.6- 5.3 ft long, 1.6-2.3 ft tall

Conservation Status:  Near threatened

Predators: Their main predators are leopards, dholes, and humans (there seems to be a trend with humans always being a predator to all of these species :/ ).

Reproduction: Tufted deer are polygynous (1 male mates with multiple females) and mate during late fall and early winter. The males bark to attract the females. The females have a 180 day gestation period and produce 1-2 fawn.

Communication: There is not much documented about the communication behaviors of the tufted deer, but it is widely known that the deer bark when mating or alerting to others that there is a predator. They may also use chemical or tactile methods of communication.

• Fun Facts:
• They bark when they are alarmed
• Their “fangs” can grow up to 2.6 cm long (only males have these “fangs”)
• They are crepuscular (more active during the night and dusk)
• A group of tufted deer is called a herd, mob, or gang
• The purpose of their long canines are to fight other males who impede on their territory
• They get their name from the dark brown tuft of fur on their forehead
• When being chased by a predator they raise their tails straight in the air and run in a “S” pattern

Websites Used for Research: https://wp.bridgewater.edu/kweeks/2016/12/10/tufted-deer/ http://animalia.bio/tufted-deer https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Elaphodus_cephalophus/

References: Lundrigan, B. and R. Oas 2003. “Elaphodus cephalophus” (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed February 26, 2020 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Elaphodus_cephalophus/

Dhole (Cuon alpinus)

Blurb from the Author:  I had seen the dhole when I was first researching animals to do at the beginning of my blog, but never got around to writing about it. Last week I came across it again because the dhole was one of the major predators from my previous species! I found the name to be very odd, but the “h” turned out to be silent haha! I video I chose for this week was unable to copy over correctly to my post but if you follow the link the video is 100% worth watching! (warning: graphic content) Their pack mentality and reliance on eachother amazed me and, to me, I think th dole is a very cool species of dog!

Lifespan:  10 years in wild 16 years in captivity

Population Size:  4,500- 10,500 (but decreasing)

Geographical Location:  The dhole is found in South, South East, and East Asia. The varying climates of this Asian region allow for the dhole to be a generalist and live in different types of forest, grassland, and shrubland habitat.

Diet:  Surprisingly, this species are omnivores! They have a huge variety to their diet including hoofed mammals, berries, rodents, lizards, insects, rabbits, etc.

Size: 3 feet long, 20 inches tall, 22-44 lbs

Conservation Status:  endangered

Predators: When dhole’s are seen as vulnerable they may be hunted by large cats (leopards and tigers). However, like most of the species and probably all the future species I mention, all share a common predator that threatens their existence, humans. 🙁

Reproduction:  They mate in monogamous pairs (meaning they mate for life with one other single individual!) during the months from September-February. The female’s gestation period is about 60-63 days. They produce 3-4 pups per liter. Like many other pack species, other members of the pack help care for each others young in the early months.

Communication: They primarily communicate through vocalizations. Some of the vocalizations that they use include whistles, clucks, and high-pitched whistles.

• Fun Facts:
• They reside in groups ranging from 12-40 individuals
• Can jump over 7 ft straight up into the air
• Can catch prey over 10 times their own body weight when hunting as a pack
• ” In 2016, the Korean company Sooam Biotech was reported to be attempting to clone the dhole using dogs as surrogate mothers to help conserve the species. ” (Just Fun Facts, 2019)
• They have 40 teeth compared to other canids who have 42 teeth
• They are excellent swimmers!
• Also known as the “red dog” ,”whistling dog”, “Indian wild dog”, and “Asiatic dog”
• There are 10 subspecies of the dhole
• The “h” is silent in dhole

VIDEO: https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/videos/deadly-instincts/the-life-of-a-dhole-3808.aspx

Websites Used for Research: https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/dhole http://animalia.bio/dhole https://a-z-animals.com/animals/dhole/

References: Chacon, R. 2000. “Cuon alpinus” (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 05, 2020 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cuon_alpinus/

Patagonian Mara (Dolichotis patagonum)

Blurb from the Author:  When I first saw this species I immediately thought of the outdoor clothing brand Patagonia! After doing some further research of the clothing brand I found it was named after the Patagonia mountain range shared by Argentina and Chile. Since this species is decreasing and further research is needed to determine conservation methods and population numbers I think that it would be helpful to have the brand make patagonian mara themed clothing and donate some of the profits made to these conservation efforts.

Life Span:  ~14 years in captivity (unknown in the wild, possibly 7-10 yrs)

Population Size: Unknown (but decreasing)

Geographical Location: They are endemic to Patagonia, Argentina in South America (hence the name). The habitat types they thrive in include grasslands, shrublands, forests, and savanas.

Diet: They are strictly herbaceous eating foods such as herbaceous matter including grasses (specifically Pappophorum grass), cacti, fruits, flowers, and seeds.

Size: 17-35 lbs, 29-75 cm long, 45 cm tall

Conservation Status: Near threatened

Predators:  The patagonian mara have many predators including birds, canids, felids, and humans (due to poaching and habitat alteration).

Reproduction: The mara remain in a monogamous pair over their entire lifetime. The mating season for the mara is from August through September. The typical gestation period for the mara ranges between 91-111 days and they usually produce 2 pups per liter.

Communication: There has not been much research done about the communication behaviors of the mara but it is known they mainly communicate through scent marking (anal glands) and vocalizations that include grunts and screams.

• Fun Facts:
• They can reach up to 45 km/hr
• World’s third largest rodent
• They act as seed dispersers
• Are able to jump 6 ft in the air
• They are docile animals and can be kept as pets!
• Because their front legs are shorter than their back legs they make a movement known as “stotting”
• Also known as the patagonian cavy or “” hare

Websites Used for Research: http://animalia.bio/patagonian-mara https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/patagonian-mara https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dolichotis_patagonum/

References: Mascow, M. 2011. “Dolichotis patagonum” (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed February 22, 2020 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dolichotis_patagonum/

Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox)

Blurb from the Author: I don’t know if everyone has seen the movie “Madagascar”, but if you have I am sure you have heard the lemurs yelling about how they fear the fossa. Well, they have good reason because the fossa’s favorite food is lemur! I honestly picked the fossa because the name is really fun to say and they are only found on the island of Madagascar. The population is in a steady decline due to habitat loss caused by humans which is a huge issue for many species, which is extremely sad and no one seems to be doing anything about it. Every animals is an important piece to the ecosystem and losing even just one species could be detrimental for many. It is important to learn about new species because you never know if that species will be here within the next few years.

Life Span: 15-20 yrs (20 yrs in captivity) (in wold less but unknown)

Population Size: ~2,500 and decreasing 🙁

Geographical Location: They are only found in the forests of Madagascar (endemic!) 

Diet:  Fossa are strictly carnivorous and their favorite food is LEMURS! Lemurs make up most of the fossa’s diet, even though many of the lemurs are larger than the fossa themselves. They will also eat small mammals, birds, fish, lizards, frogs, chickens, and insects. They will hunt during the day and night depending on their mood.

Size: ~6 feet long in total , 26-31 inch tail (yes tail!), 15-28 lbs

Conservation Status:  Vulnerable (not good!)

Predators:  Their main predators are humans (due to habitat loss) and crocodiles.

Reproduction: The fossa are typically full grown and ready to mate at 4 yrs of age. The gestation period of a fossa lasts about 3 months. They produce a litter size of 2-6 pups/cubs. They are polyandrous, meaning one female mates with many males. Many females will take turns mating with multiple males in one tree. This tree will be used for many years as a mating spot for many fossa. Their mating season is from October-December.

Communication: Fossa tend to live solitary lives and only come together during the mating season. When they do communicate with each other they do so through scent marking. Their scent glands are located at the base of the tail and under their chests. They also sometimes vocalize with yelps, purrs, sighs, and meows.

• Fun Facts:
• Largest carnivorous mammal on the island of Madagascar
• Their tails can grow up to 2 1/2 feet (half of their body length)
• They are endemic to the island of Madagascar
• They live longer in captivity (like most animals due to the reduced risk of predation, medical care, and free food!)
• They are mainly solitary animals (until mating season)
• They are in fact NOT nocturnal
• They are ambush hunters
• Pronounced “foo-sa”
• Their decreasing population is due to habitat loss (like most species)

Websites Used for Research: http://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/fossa/reproduction http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-fossa/

References: Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) Fact Sheet. c2015. San Diego (CA): San Diego Zoo Global; 2020 Feb 16. http://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/fossa. 

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)

Life Span: 10-13 years

Population Size: ~1.5 million

Geographical Location: Ocelots are found in areas such as the United States, Mexico, Central America, South America. The habitat that they prefer ranges from tropical forests, grasslands, mangrove forests, and marshes.

Diet: They are strictly carnivorous and hunt mainly at night because they are nocturnal. They eat animals such as mice, rabbits, rats, birds, snakes, lizards, fish, and frogs.

Size: 2.2-3.3 feet long, 40-50 cm tall, 18-44 lbs

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Predators: Because Ocelots are on the smaller side, there are many possibilities for larger animals to prey on them. Known predators of the Ocelots include Jaguar, Cougar, (Big Cats), Coyotes, Harpy Eagle (Birds of Prey), Snakes (Constrictors), and (like most animals) humans (for fur).

Reproduction: Ocelots do not have a specific season that they mate in (meaning there are no particular months that they chose to mate within). Their gestation period lasts between 79-82 days and they produce a litter size of 1-2 kittens.

Communication: The types of ways Ocelot’s communicate with eachother ranges from body language, scent marking and vocalization. Some of the vocalizations that they exhibit include “chuckles”, “mutters”, and the “yowl”.

• Fun Facts:
• Their life span increase up to 20 years if they are in captivity
• They will sometimes give birth in hollows of trees
• They are good swimmers
• They are most active at dusk
• Also known as the “Painted Leopard” and “Dwarf Leopard”
• Females are called “Queens”
• Males are called “Torns”
• Ocelots are solitary creatures and only come together to mate or if the mother is raising her young (but if there is a group of them they are known as “clowder” or “clutter”)

Websites Used for Research: http://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/ocelot/summary http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-ocelots/

References: Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) Fact Sheet. c2011-2019. San Diego (CA): San Diego Zoo Global; 2020 Feb 4. http://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/ocelot.

The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)

Life Span: 10-12 years

Population Size: 1,409 and decreasing 🙁

Geographical Location: The African Wild Dog can be found in Southern and Eastern Africa in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa. The climate of these regions consist of deserts, forests, and grasslands.

Diet: They are strictly carnivorous and hunt in packs. They rely on large mammals such as Antelope, Warthog, Gazelles, and wounded Wildebeest. If large mammals were not available they will supplement their diet with small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.

Size: 3 feet long, 60-75 cm tall, 49-70 lbs

Conservation Status: Endangered

Predators: They will be occasionally hunted by lions and hyenas if separated from their pack, fallen ill, or severely injured and no longer able to keep up with their pack. Humans are also a continuous threat due to illegal poaching.

Reproduction: The African Wild Dog has a gestation period that lasts for 70 days with a litter size 8-10 pups There is no specific mating season, but they tend to mate during the months from March-June. While the mother is caring for her pups other pack members will bring food to the her for the first three months while she takes care of her pups. Other females from the pack will also ‘babysit’ for the mother. The alpha female will typically be the only one mating with the alpha male (monogamous life pair), but other females may also mate on occasion.

Communication: They live in large packs consisting of 15-40 members. They communicate with one another in many ways such as short barks for alarms, rallying howels, bell-like contact calls that can be heard over long distances, twittering, whining, sniffing, muzzle licking, sneezing, and brushing up against each other.

• Fun Facts:
• The scientific name means “painted wolf”
• No two dogs have the same markings
• Males with stay with the pack they are born with while females will go and join new packs (unlike many pack species)
• They hunt at dawn and dusk
• They can run more than 44 mph
• The alpha female is the leader of the pack (not the alpha male)
• They have an 80% success rate while hunting
• They cannot be domesticated

Websites Used for Research: https://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/african-wild-dog https://www.nathab.com/blog/ten-facts-about-the-african-wild-dog/ https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/african-wild-dog https://a-z-animals.com/animals/african-wild-dog/ https://hesc.co.za/species-hesc/african-wild-dog/