DARWIN’S FOX

Yes, we’re talking about Charles Darwin. Darwin discovered this fox in 1834, while on his voyage aboard the Beagle. This beautiful fox is one of the smallest of all the fox species. It has a rather short, stout and elongated body, and its narrow muzzle expands to a rounded head and sharp ears. Its grizzled coat is shades of black and grey with a bit of brown and cream over the eyes, on the chest, and at the tips of the ears. 

Photo credit: World Wildlife Federation

It is endemic to Chile and according to the IUCN*, it is critically endangered due to habitat destruction. Their populations are fragmented and at this point in time, there are less than 400 in the wild. Threats to this lovely fox include habitat destruction and predation by domestic dogs. 

Photo credit: World Wildlife Federation 

Darwin’s Fox is an omnivore and will eat just about anything from small mammals and birds to reptiles, amphibians, beetles and even fruits and berries. This works in the animal’s favor because its available food supply changes with the seasons. It grows to be about twenty inches long and weighs anywhere from four to eight pounds.

There are two main populations. One is located on the mainland of Chile, while the other is located on the island of Chiloé.

Strangely enough, on the island, Darwin’s Fox leads a solitary life. On the mainland, they seem to prefer to travel in pairs. It is considered an ‘umbrella species,’ which means that protection of their environment is crucial in order to preserve the animal itself.  According to Encyclopedia of the Earth, an umbrella species is defined as: “…a species…sensitive to habitat changes. Thus monitoring this one species and managing for its continued success results in the maintenance of high-quality habitat for the other species in the area.” (http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/156765/)

I found an interesting video for you. It is narrated by a youngster who provides some good information. Take a moment to watch. 

If you would like to learn more about Darwin's Fox, visit the following sites. 

http://www.patagonjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=2277:darwins-fox-the-rarest-in-south-america&Itemid=249&lang=en

http://www.arkive.org/darwins-fox/pseudalopex-fulvipes/image-G20597.html

*IUCN = International Union for Conservation of Nature

My thanks to arkive.org for some of the information and photos, and I thank you for stopping by to visit with me and Darwin's Fox. Feel free to leave a comment, and share the information. 

Enjoy! 

Jeanne E. Rogers, Award Winning Author

The Sword of Demelza and The Gift of Sunderland

Middle-Grade Fantasy Where Endangered Animal Heroes Roam the Pages!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

BLOW YOUR OWN HORN!

My mother always said, ‘If you don’t blow your own horn, no one will blow it for you’. Since, in the case of the critically endangered Black Rhino, he can’t blow his own horn, I’m going to blow it for him. Here’s hoping that someone will listen.

Photo credit: Michael Hutchinson  http://arkive.org

Conservation efforts in the 1990s and over the first decade of this century have helped to increase the numbers of both the white and black rhino. However, in the past six years there has been a marked increase in poaching of the rhino. As a result, since 2009, an estimated 6,000 rhinos have been poached – killed. This information comes to us from the  IUCN*. So why the increase?

Greed may be one of the big reasons. It is one of the world’s most expensive commodities, more valuable than gold or diamonds. As a result of this demand, the population of this animal has dramatically decreased (96%) between 1970 and 1992, thus earning its place on the critically endangered list.

Photo credit: Staffan Widstrand http://arkive.org

The Black Rhino is not named for his color but for the fact that it was first discovered along the Black River in South Africa. The Black Rhino and the White Rhino can be distinguished by the shape of the lips. The Black Rhino's lip is prehensile so he can grasp food and draw it into his mouth. The White Rhino's lip is flat across. 

Black Rhinos live in central and southern Africa. They are approximately twelve feet in length and about five feet high at the shoulder. Weighing in at about 3,000 pounds, this truly a magnificent animal is considered unpredictable and dangerous. Fear of the rhino has led to its destruction by humans. 

Whether we fear it or we want to gain from it, we should do our best to ensure the survival of the Black Rhino. What can be done? I think the below video will help answer that question. There are many people who have dedicated themselves to saving species, including the Black Rhino. It’s something we must continue to do.

My sincere thanks to arkive.org for some of the information and photos. 

If you would like to learn more about the Black Rhino, visit the following sites.

http://www.arkive.org/black-rhinoceros/diceros-bicornis/image-G4098.html

http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=7

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/african-rhino-extinct-poaching-increase_us_56e66300e4b065e2e3d65aa7?ir=Green&section=us_green&utm_hp_ref=green

Please stop by again next week.

Enjoy!

Jeanne E. Rogers, Award Winning Author

The Sword of Demelza and The Gift of Sunderland

Middle-Grade Fantasy Where Endangered Animal Heroes Roam the Pages!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!