Funny Fart picture
Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
World's Most Rarest Animals
Endangered, hunted, smuggled and now some would say abandoned, these animals have the smallest chances of recovery out off all the Earth’s creatures. Last year, studies shown that there are at least 35 different animals with world populations of under 1000. But which are the rarest, the animals on the brink of extinction? We have rounded up a list of 10 of the rarest animals in the wild. These animals are so rare, they might disappear forever, and they’re not alone!
The Pinta Island tortoise
Without argument, this turtle is one of the few species of Giant Galapagos tortoises and the rarest animal in the world since there is only one left alive. Lonesome George is the sole surviving member of the Pinta Island race, the giant tortoise being a symbol for the fragility of the Galapagos islands, and a constant reminder for vigilence and conservation of the species. The species was considered extinct until 1971, when a lone example was located by rangers. Since then, the Charles Darwin Research Station has been searching for a female tortoise, even posting a reward of $10,000 to those that find one.
Baiji (Yangtze River Dolphin)
Baiji
With no more than a few tens of individuals, the dolphin is one of the world’s rarest mammals, and a victim of China’s breakneck economic growth, competing for food with the human beings. It has been driven to extinction due to the activity in 50 years, this being the fourth time when an entire evolutionary line of mammals has vanished from the face of the Earth since the year 1500. The main reason for this fact are the numerous dams and barrages, built starting in the 1930’s, that have fragmented the population and reduced the amount of available habitat. There are news that the species is functionally extinct, experts still searching for members of the species. Fingers crossed!
The Vancouver Island Marmot
This marmot is found only in the high mountainous regions of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listing it as endangered in May 2000. In 1998, the population reached an all-time low of 75 individuals, a captive breeding programme being started during that time. In captivity, there are around 90 Vancouver Island marmots in four breeding facilities, while an estimated 30 members of this species live in the wild ibn 2004. The ultimate goal is to restore a sustainable population of 400-600 Vancouver Island marmots in the wild, so there’s still much to be done. 2005 was a successful year, with 150 individuals in captivity and over 44 pups born.
Seychelles Sheath-tailed Bat
Inhabiting the central granitic islands of the Seychelles Islands north of Madagascar, the bat is part of our list, being one of the most endangered animals since fewer than 100 are believed to exist in the world. It was once commonly found in Seychelles, but the species has undergone a dramatic decline in population during the mid to late 20th century. More research needs to be done in order to understand how the species behave and what needs to be done in order to save them. Scientists believe that, with a heavy amount of effort, 500 individuals may be sufficient to guarantee long-term persistence of the population.
Javan Rhino
This scarce animal is one of the rhino species with fewer than 60 animals surviving in only two known locations: one in Indonesia and the other in Vietnam. Though once widespread throughout Asia, by the 1930’s the rhinoceros was nearly hunted to extinction in Peninsular Malaysia, India, Burma and Sumatra. It was poached for its horn, that is believed to have medicinal uses, and driven to extinction to the intense agricultural practices. Even with all the conservation efforts, the Javan rhinoceros’ chance of survival is small: the population is reduced, hence there are risks of disease and inbreeding.
Hispid hare
Also called the “bristly rabbit”, this hare has been recorded along the southern foothills of the Himalayan mountain chain, Nepal, , Bengal, and Assam. Deforestation, cultivation, and human settlement had the most negative impact on the species, isolating the rabbits in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. This animal was feared extinct in 1964, but in 1966, one was spotted. There were an estimated 110 hispid hares worldwide in 2001, numbers continuing to plunge due its unsuccessful adaptation to captivity.
Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat
In the 19th century this species of wombat was present in New South Wales and Victoria but now can only be found in a small national park near Epping Forest Station in tropical Queensland. While this area has been protected as a National Park, the native grasses that the wombat eats are overtaken by non-indigenous plants. The Northern hairy-nosed wombat is the rarest Australian marsupial, and probably the world’s rarest large mammal. In the latest population study, there are an estimated 113 (range 96 to 150) individual. A major recovery program is underway, funded by the Queensland and Commonwealth governments to the tune of $250,000 per year.
Tamaraw (Dwarf Water Buffalo)
Found in the the island of Mindoro in the Philippines, the tamaraw is the only endemic Phillipine bovine. In 1900 there were an estimated 10,000 tamaraw on Mindoro, 120 in 1975, 370 in 1987 . It was declared critically endangered species in 2000 by the World Conservation Union and remained so until today, being threatened by agriculture, hunting or disease brought by domestic species. The current population was estimated in 2002 at a number between 30 and 200 individuals. Although protected by law, the illegal capture and killing of this species continues to occur.
Iberian Lynx
The Lynx, the most endangered of the world’s 36 cats, stands on the edge of extinction. This lynx was once distributed over the entire Iberian Peninsula but now its area is severely restricted in Andalusia. Threatened by destruction of habitat and of its prey, the cat was killed by traps set for rabbits or hit by cars as the number of roads increase. The Spanish Government is now in the process of developing a national conservation effort to save the Iberian Lynx. Studies from March 2005 have estimated the number of Lynx to be as few as 100, down from about 400 in 2000. On March 29, 2005, the birth of 3 cubs, the first born in captivity, was announced, a hope for the future reintroduction of the species.
Red Wolf
This wolf is a smaller and a more slender cousin of the gray wolf, historically ranging from southeastern United States to Florida and Texas. Now, their home is the 1.7 million acres throughout northeastern North Carolina, including Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Only 20 pure red wolves were estimated in 1980, however the number increased to 207 captive red wolves, found in 38 captive breeding facilities across the United States. With the successful breeding programs, over 100 red wolves currently live in the wild.
Dwarf Blue Sheep
The Dwarf Blue Sheep or Dwarf Bharal Pseudois schaeferi is an endangered species of caprid found in China and Tibet. The dwarf blue sheep population in the world has declined to a total of 70–200 individuals, currently being listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The species is hunted, and in their limited range cannot escape from humans and livestock. As of 1997, China did not recognize them as a seperate species so efforts to conserve the species have not been initiated.
The Pinta Island tortoise
Without argument, this turtle is one of the few species of Giant Galapagos tortoises and the rarest animal in the world since there is only one left alive. Lonesome George is the sole surviving member of the Pinta Island race, the giant tortoise being a symbol for the fragility of the Galapagos islands, and a constant reminder for vigilence and conservation of the species. The species was considered extinct until 1971, when a lone example was located by rangers. Since then, the Charles Darwin Research Station has been searching for a female tortoise, even posting a reward of $10,000 to those that find one.
Baiji (Yangtze River Dolphin)
Baiji
With no more than a few tens of individuals, the dolphin is one of the world’s rarest mammals, and a victim of China’s breakneck economic growth, competing for food with the human beings. It has been driven to extinction due to the activity in 50 years, this being the fourth time when an entire evolutionary line of mammals has vanished from the face of the Earth since the year 1500. The main reason for this fact are the numerous dams and barrages, built starting in the 1930’s, that have fragmented the population and reduced the amount of available habitat. There are news that the species is functionally extinct, experts still searching for members of the species. Fingers crossed!
The Vancouver Island Marmot
This marmot is found only in the high mountainous regions of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listing it as endangered in May 2000. In 1998, the population reached an all-time low of 75 individuals, a captive breeding programme being started during that time. In captivity, there are around 90 Vancouver Island marmots in four breeding facilities, while an estimated 30 members of this species live in the wild ibn 2004. The ultimate goal is to restore a sustainable population of 400-600 Vancouver Island marmots in the wild, so there’s still much to be done. 2005 was a successful year, with 150 individuals in captivity and over 44 pups born.
Seychelles Sheath-tailed Bat
Inhabiting the central granitic islands of the Seychelles Islands north of Madagascar, the bat is part of our list, being one of the most endangered animals since fewer than 100 are believed to exist in the world. It was once commonly found in Seychelles, but the species has undergone a dramatic decline in population during the mid to late 20th century. More research needs to be done in order to understand how the species behave and what needs to be done in order to save them. Scientists believe that, with a heavy amount of effort, 500 individuals may be sufficient to guarantee long-term persistence of the population.
Javan Rhino
This scarce animal is one of the rhino species with fewer than 60 animals surviving in only two known locations: one in Indonesia and the other in Vietnam. Though once widespread throughout Asia, by the 1930’s the rhinoceros was nearly hunted to extinction in Peninsular Malaysia, India, Burma and Sumatra. It was poached for its horn, that is believed to have medicinal uses, and driven to extinction to the intense agricultural practices. Even with all the conservation efforts, the Javan rhinoceros’ chance of survival is small: the population is reduced, hence there are risks of disease and inbreeding.
Hispid hare
Also called the “bristly rabbit”, this hare has been recorded along the southern foothills of the Himalayan mountain chain, Nepal, , Bengal, and Assam. Deforestation, cultivation, and human settlement had the most negative impact on the species, isolating the rabbits in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. This animal was feared extinct in 1964, but in 1966, one was spotted. There were an estimated 110 hispid hares worldwide in 2001, numbers continuing to plunge due its unsuccessful adaptation to captivity.
Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat
In the 19th century this species of wombat was present in New South Wales and Victoria but now can only be found in a small national park near Epping Forest Station in tropical Queensland. While this area has been protected as a National Park, the native grasses that the wombat eats are overtaken by non-indigenous plants. The Northern hairy-nosed wombat is the rarest Australian marsupial, and probably the world’s rarest large mammal. In the latest population study, there are an estimated 113 (range 96 to 150) individual. A major recovery program is underway, funded by the Queensland and Commonwealth governments to the tune of $250,000 per year.
Tamaraw (Dwarf Water Buffalo)
Found in the the island of Mindoro in the Philippines, the tamaraw is the only endemic Phillipine bovine. In 1900 there were an estimated 10,000 tamaraw on Mindoro, 120 in 1975, 370 in 1987 . It was declared critically endangered species in 2000 by the World Conservation Union and remained so until today, being threatened by agriculture, hunting or disease brought by domestic species. The current population was estimated in 2002 at a number between 30 and 200 individuals. Although protected by law, the illegal capture and killing of this species continues to occur.
Iberian Lynx
The Lynx, the most endangered of the world’s 36 cats, stands on the edge of extinction. This lynx was once distributed over the entire Iberian Peninsula but now its area is severely restricted in Andalusia. Threatened by destruction of habitat and of its prey, the cat was killed by traps set for rabbits or hit by cars as the number of roads increase. The Spanish Government is now in the process of developing a national conservation effort to save the Iberian Lynx. Studies from March 2005 have estimated the number of Lynx to be as few as 100, down from about 400 in 2000. On March 29, 2005, the birth of 3 cubs, the first born in captivity, was announced, a hope for the future reintroduction of the species.
Red Wolf
This wolf is a smaller and a more slender cousin of the gray wolf, historically ranging from southeastern United States to Florida and Texas. Now, their home is the 1.7 million acres throughout northeastern North Carolina, including Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Only 20 pure red wolves were estimated in 1980, however the number increased to 207 captive red wolves, found in 38 captive breeding facilities across the United States. With the successful breeding programs, over 100 red wolves currently live in the wild.
Dwarf Blue Sheep
The Dwarf Blue Sheep or Dwarf Bharal Pseudois schaeferi is an endangered species of caprid found in China and Tibet. The dwarf blue sheep population in the world has declined to a total of 70–200 individuals, currently being listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The species is hunted, and in their limited range cannot escape from humans and livestock. As of 1997, China did not recognize them as a seperate species so efforts to conserve the species have not been initiated.
The Adventures Of Mr. Fly
Nicholas Hendrickx, Belgian photographer made this great set of photos with fly in all kind of cool and funny situations.
Over the years Mr. Fly degraded from a successful cab driver to a poor lonely insect as he had 173 wives who cost him a fortune on make-up and clothing. Not to mention his 2184 kids, who all needed money for education and iPods.
Over the years Mr. Fly degraded from a successful cab driver to a poor lonely insect as he had 173 wives who cost him a fortune on make-up and clothing. Not to mention his 2184 kids, who all needed money for education and iPods.
Amazing Animal Furniture Design
Michel Haillard brings the design and the baroque ideas together with astonishing mastery of inspiration.The elements that compose Haillard’s furniture have been collecting for years, the fruits of his exploration and research, his own “Tribal Pursuit” as he likes to call it.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
.jpg)
.jpg)
World’s 14 Highest Mountain Peaks in the World
14. Shishapangma is a mountain entirely located within China (in central Tibet) and the name means “crest above the grassy plains” in Tibetan language. Highest peak on Shishapangma is 8,013 metres (26,289 ft).
13. Gasherbrum II (also known as K4) is located on the Pakistan-China border and is part of the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakoram range of the Himalayas. It reaches up to 8,035 metres (26,362 ft).
12. Broad Peak (also known as K3) is part of the same Gasherbrum massif, and is just 8km away from the renowned K2. Faichan Kangri as the locals call it, elevates up to 8,047 metres(26,401 ft)
11. Gasherbrum I (also known as the K5) is located in the Karakoram region of the Himalayas in the same Gasherbrum massif. The Hidden Peak as climbers call it, translates from rgasha and means “beautiful mountain”. Maximum elevation is at 8,080 metres (26,509 ft).
10. Annapurna is series of peaks in the Himalayas with the highest reaching 8,091 m (26,538 ft). The peak that refers to the goddess of fertility and agriculture in Hinduism, is part of a 7,629 sq. km conservation area (first and largest) in Nepal. Some say that’s the deadliest mountain of them all, with a fatality rate of 40%.
9. Nanga Parbat, which means the Naked Mountain in Urdu, it’s also known as the Killer Mountain mainly for the extremely serious climb where lots of climbers died in the first half of the twentieth century. The highest elevation is 8,126 metres (26,660 ft).
8. Manaslu, the highest peak in the Gorkha district is located in the the Mansiri Himal, part of the Nepalese Himalayas, with a lot of long ridges, valley glaciers and a steepy scenery. Highest peak is at 8,163 metres (26,781 ft).
7. Dhaulagiri – the White Mountain – is part of a a subrange of the Himalayas (Dhaulagiri Himal) which lies northwest of Pokhara in the north central Nepal. Highest peak is at 8,167 metres (26,795 ft).
6. Cho Oyu – the Turquoise Goddess – lies 20 km west of Mount Everest, in the Himalayas, on the Chinese and Nepalese border. It’s not a very steep peak and most climbers consider it one of the easiest to ascend on even though it elevates up to 8,201 metres (26,906 ft).
5. Makalu is an isolated peak located 22km east of Mount Everest, that has the shape of a four-sided pyramid. Considered one of the most difficult mountains in the world to climb, because of its steep pitches and knife-edged ridges that go up to 8,462 metres (27,762 ft).
4. Lhotse is best known (for professional climbers) for its direct connection or proximity to Mount Everest via the South Col and the fact that its tremendous south face is the steepest face of this size in the world : rises 3.2 km (1.98 mi) in only 2.25 km (1.4 mi) of horizontal distance. Maximum elevation is 8,516 metres (27,940 ft).
3. Kangchenjunga – “The Five Treasures of Snows” – is the third largest mountain in the world and consists of five peaks with four of them, above 8,450 m high. Buttressed by great ridges roughly from the east to the west and from north to south, the large massif of Kangchenjunga is formed as a giant ‘X’. Highest elevation is at 8,586 metres (28,169 ft).
2. K2 is located in the Northern part of Pakistan and is part of the Karakoram segment in the Himalayan range. Famous for its nickname (if we can call it that way) – the Savage Mountain – it’s famous for the fact that out of four people who try to climb on K2, one of them dies trying. It’s the second deadliest mountain in the world. Highest elevation is 8,611
metres (28,251 ft).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
