tapirs.org/tapirs/Photo: The 4 species of Tapir (Creative Common license - Wikipedia)

Today is International Tapir Day (along with International Hyena Day)

Tapirs are large herbivorous mammals found in Central and South America with one species found in Asia.

For much of their existence they lived across the Northern Hemisphere and became extinct in that region only about 10000 years ago. 

Tapirs generally eat only in the mornings and evenings and will eat leaves, twigs and grasses. 

They have a short trunk which is an extended nose and upper lip. 

Weighing in at around 300-700lb (140-320kg) Tapirs can live up to 30 years old although they are slow breeders usually having only one baby per pregnancy which can last 13-14 months. 

Tapirs are sadly becoming rare due to habitat loss and poaching. 

Below are some interesting links:

tapirs.org/tapirs/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AR2lLVIWt4



KIDS CORNER

kids.kiddle.co/Tapir

www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7FnvV1zCGk




​By Brendon Crook

Photo:  The 4 species of Hyena  (Creative Commons license - Wikipedia)

Today is International Hyena Day as well as being International Tapir Day

Hyenas are carnivorous mammals that are found throughout Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia.

There are 4 species of Hyena, the Brown (found only in Africa), the Striped (Africa, much of the Middle East and parts of Asia), Spotted (Native to Sub-Saharan Africa) and the Aardwolf Hyena (Africa).

Although Hyenas are related more to felines than they are to Canines their behaviour more closely resembles Canines. 

Hyena evolution can be traced back to around 22 million years ago and although all related the 4 species are quite distinctive from each other. 

Although most famous for being scavengers Hyenas are very capable hunters and get 50-90% of their diet from hunting depending on the species of Hyena.

Hyenas have a rich history associated with human too which are explained and explored in the links below.

​www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/hyena

​talkinghumanities.blogs.sas.ac.uk/2021/03/16/hyenas-and-humans-millennia-of-myths-misrepresentations-and-persecution/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqYIMgpqo1M

KIDS CORNER
www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/general-animals/spotted-hyena-facts/
​
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBVetU8FsRE




By Brendon Crook

Photo: Fruit Bats from various countries (Megabats) -- Photo: License under common use license. 

Today is Bat  appreciation day.

In some circles Bats are anything but appreciated and have for long had a bad image which is very unfair as they are an integral being in our eco-systems and are found almost everywhere on the planet except very cold regions. 

Bats are the only true and sustained flying mammal and have a fossil record going back nearly 50 million years. They feed on fruit and insects and some such as the Hairy-legged Bat and White Winged Bat that feed only on the blood of birds or large mammals. 

Bats are very vocal creatures and the Mexican Free Tailed Bat is one of a few that actually sing like a bird. They also have amazing sonar detection devices that have been known to be able to be jammed by certain species of Moths.

I'm sure people reading this will love Bats for the unusual but wonderful creatures they are but if you come across people who hold a negative opinion of them please put them right and explain to them just how beneficial Bats really are to our world. 

For more information on these fluffy fliers feel free to click on the links below. Especially interesting to me are the articles on their radar systems. 

​www.si.edu/spotlight/bats/batfacts

animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/bat

​www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJOloliWvB8

https://www.merlintuttle.org/

https://www.batcon.org/


KIDS CORNER
www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/general-animals/bat-facts/
​
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FVoTMOorXA

By Brendon Crook.