Xerus is the scientific name for the African Ground Squirrel.
Looks a lot like a North American Prairie Dog, doesn’t it?
#AtoZChallenge – Xerus
Tag Archives: #AtoZChallenge
#AtoZChallenge – Wallaby
A wallaby is a small to mid-sized member of the kangaroo clan. Like their cousin, the kangaroo, wallabies are marsupials and carry their young, also called joeys, in their pouches.
In 2008, Wendell, a wallaby from Saunders Country Critters zoo escaped and “Where’s Wendell” fever took over and sightings of the wayward wallaby were reported throughout Eastern Ontario and Quebec. Sadly, this story didn’t have a happy ending, and Wendell was found dead a few short miles from his home.
#AtoZChallenge – Vicuña
The Vicuña is related to the llama and lives in South America. These animals have soft wool but they can only be sheared once every three years… not to mention have to be caught first as they are completely wild.
#AtoZChallenge – Uakari
The Uakari is a primate native to the Amazon basin in South America. In the wild, they can leap up to 6 meters but in captivity aren’t nearly as active.
#AtoZChallenge – Tiger
The tiger is the largest of all the cats and can be found throughout Asia and India. They are solitary but social animals and have featured in ancient mythology and folklore.
#AtoZChallenge – Stoat
This little guy might look cute, but he’s a killer. Also known as the short tailed weasel or ermine, this critter has been known to have a devastating effect on bird populations.
The fur from the stoat, is used in British coronation robes, and often in the robes of the Catholic Pontiffs and Cardinals.
#AtoZChallenge – Raccoon
The raccoon is a medium sized, North American mammal that can adapt readily to living conditions – whether in the wild or urban setting. This masked marauder is adept at getting lids off garbage cans and scavenging through the contents looking for tasty tidbits that we, humans, have tossed aside.
#AtoZChallenge – Quokka
The Quokka is a marsupial native to Southwestern Australia, particularly the islands off the coast. This little mammal is an herbivore and primarily nocturnal.
It has no fear of humans and will approach, however, it’s illegal for members of the public on Rottnest Island to handle the animals in any way. A$300 fine can be issued by the Rottnest Island Authority for doing so and prosecution of the offense can result in a fine of up to $2,000.
#AtoZChallenge – Porcupine
The porcupine is a prickly mammal belonging to the rodent family. It eats leaves, herbs, twigs and green plants and in the winter, the North American variety will eat bark.
#AtoZChallenge – Orangutan
The orangutan is an exclusively Asian ape. They are currently only found in the Borneo and Sumatra rainforests.
The reddish-brown orangutan spends most of its time in trees and primarily eats fruit but other things like vegetation, bark, honey, insects and bird eggs are consumed.
Orangutans are highly intelligent and one featured as Clint Eastwood’s sidekick “Clyde” in the movie Every Which Way But Loose.