Fighting Extinction #2 - Egyptian Tortoise, the Smallest Tortoise in Northern Hemisphere

Testudo Kleinmann, often known as Egyptian tortoise, is a critically endangered species. It is the smallest tortoise in the northern hemisphere, females larger than males. The desert-living tortoise is regconized for its high-domes, golden colored shell, which provide good camouflage for the species in desert habitats.

They become sexually mature about 10-20 years of age, the females lay their eggs in shallow bowls beneath bushes which will hatch in approximately 3-4 months time. Each reproduction cycle will give rise to 1-5 eggs. The new hatchlings are very small in sizes and can grow up to 15cm with a weight of 500grams, they can live up to 50 years.

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Source: Click here

The species was once found in Egypt, and now, the Egyptian tortoises are close to complete extinction there. Other than destruction of their natural habitats due to human activities, illegal traders poise another great danger to the species. Egyptian tortoise is classified under critically endangered species currently, more efforts have to be put in to prevent the slow-maturing species with few off-springs from subsequent extinction that might follow.

Fighting Extinction #1 - Kakapo, the Giant Parrot

Kakapo is one of the largest species of parrot on earth (approximately 60cm tall) which is also a flightless, nocturnal, ground-dwelling parrot found in New Zealand. The flightless kakapo is defenseless and once thrived in its New Zealand habitat as there were no natural predators. However, as kakapo was eventually hunted by the natives and introduction of predators such as cats by the new settlers, its population has almost been wiped out. And now, kakapo one of the critically endangered animal species with less than 150 individuals in the wild.

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Source: Click here

During mating season, males attract females with loud call and elaborate display. The slow process of reproduction resulted from late sexual maturity as males reach sexual maturity at approximately age of 5 while female around 10 and also they only start breeding when there is abundance of food supply. Average kakapo lives around 60 years, and it is not uncommon for kakapo to be nearly 100 years old.

The Dung Rollers - Let's Dine on Dung

Dung beetles, as the name implies, are beetles that feed on dung. The most prominent trait of this beetles is that they roll dung into round balls, which are either used as food supply or as brooding chamber where their off-springs hatch and grow.

To search for dung, dung beetles make use of their sensitive sense of smell, while some species simply attach themselves to dung-providers (usually herbivores) to wait for their sumptuous meals. Some cunning dung beetles will try to steal dung balls from another, so when dung pile is found they have to roll dung ball rapidly away to prevent theft.

Two dung beetles rolling dung ball

Dung beetle larva hatches within dung ball
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Some species have interesting mating ritual. The male and female first meet at the dung pile, if love at first sight occurs, the male will start to make a dung ball. The female will ride on the dung ball as the male rolls it away. During this period, other males will try to steal her and the dung ball from him. When they finally arrive at the burial spot (soft ground), together they bury the dung ball and mate. The male will leave and find the next mating partners. Some species the females will stay and wait till the eggs are hatched, while some will leave after mating. The dung ball provides all necessary nutrients for the larvae to feed and become mature.

Dung beetles benefit the nature through recycling dung to nutrients-rich soil for agriculture. Without them, the animal kingdom would be inundated with feces, try to imagine a world without Dung Beetle!