Author Archives: Innocent Creatures

DragonFlies

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Dragonflies are not only the fastest flying insects but they also have 30,000 individual eye facets! With so many eye facets giving them a 360 degree view of the world, they can see you coming and see you going. There’s more than 5,000 known species of dragonflies and at times they are mistaken for damselflies. They tend to be characterized by their large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and elongated body. The larval stage of large dragonflies may last as long as five years but for smaller ones, only between two months and three years. When ready to metamorphose into an adult it climbs up a reed or other emergent plant to fly off. But first it must shed its old larval skin. At a weak spot behind the head the skin splits and it’s wings are free. Not until exposure to air the larva starts breathing.
Usually an animal will go through some sort of courting routine before they mate but for dragonflies time is of an essence! They don’t have forever to live and in their eyes there’s food that needs eating. The males will forcefully mate with the first female they come across. Yes, forcefully with the first. After the male has located the correct female species by her flight patterns, he will then approach from behind. He clamps his forearms around her neck and at times with a vicious bite to subdue her. Lastly he will signal his body for the matting process to begin.
Dragonflies are found all over the world. The dragonfly is large predatory insect generally found around watery areas in both the North and South Hemispheres. Immature dragonflies resign in fresh waters. Dragonflies start their life in water and therefore are often found in ponds, lakes, canals, streams, rivers and swamps. Some dragonflies with a short larvae cycle of a few weeks can also live in rain puddles. Since they can fly so fast and so good, sometimes they tend to be found long ways away from water.
Both the dragonfly and it’s larvae are carnivorous animals and they feed exclusively on other small animals. The main prey of the dragonfly are mosquitoes, flies, bees and other small invertebrates. The dragonfly larvae feeds mainly on aquatic insects and their eggs. During their waterborne life they hunt small insects and other larvae, especially mosquito larvae that are in the water with them. But the diet doesn’t stop there, some dragonfly nymphs will even eat tadpoles and guppies. Snagging their prey with powerful jaws and the same vicious tenacity that will dictate their lives as adults. With dragonflies bringing in close to 95 percent of the prey they set out to capture, they pretty much succeed every time.
The dragonfly is preyed upon by a number of predators around the world including birds, fish and reptiles such as lizards. The dragonfly is also commonly eaten by amphibians such as toads, frogs and large newts.

Cheetahs

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Cheetahs usually mistaking for leopards are best known for living in the grasslands of East Africa. Typically they live throughout Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Asia. Unlike like other big cats cheetahs don’t roar they purr. But like all other cats they do growl. We all know that a cheetah is the fastest of all times, but did you know a cheetah can accelerate from zero to 40mph in three strides and a full speed of 70mph? Most likely not but wow is that fast or what? No wonder why they’re so hard to out run.
While lions and other large cats hunt at night, cheetahs hunt during the day. Their night vision is not so up to par with a lions so is quite common they do so. Since it depends on sight rather than smell, it likes to scan the countryside from a tree limb or the top of a termite mound. Most other cats are nocturnal predators but the cheetah is the total opposite. Hunting early mornings and late afternoons. Cheetahs are carnivores which means they eat meat. They tend to eat antelope, gazelles and other animals small and large. But their favorite catches are Thompson’s Gazelle which is a common resident of the east Africa. A pretty interesting trait of theirs is that they seek out animals which have strayed some distance from the group. They do not seek out the old or weak.
Cheetahs will stalk their prey in tall grass areas where it’s easy for them to blend in and make a catch.
Some of a cheetahs predators are hyenas and lions, although their principle predators are humans. Birds of prey such as large eagles, jackals and a few others will seek out cheetah cubs.

Green Iguanas

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Green iguanas, one of my favorites! They are found naturally in the rain forests of northern Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, Central America, and southern Brazil.
Green iguanas are entirely herbivorous and are mainly active during the day. They eat all types of rich greens, vegetables, and fruits. They collect water from rain as well from condensation on flowers and leaves but mainly from the foods they eat. Occasionally an iguana will eat insects but it’s mainly the young that will do so. Iguanas have many small teeth which allows them to rip and tear their food instead of chewing.
One of the great features they have is a ton of spines on their back that helps protect from prey. Birds of prey such as hawks and eagles tend to eat iguanas as so as foxes. But it doesn’t stop there, marine iguanas are eaten by large fish such as sharks at times.

Beluga Whales

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Beluga whales live in icy cold salt waters like Alaska and are very large and obtain a white color once an adult. The young tend to have a more grayish color.
They love to eat smaller animals like squid, octopus, crabs, snails, sandworms, as well as fishes such as capelin, cod, herring, smelt, and flounder. No fish and not even a Beluga whale drinks the salt water they live in. Drinking the salt water would cause dehydration so they keep hydrated from the fish they eat. Unlike dolphins they have a dorsal bridge (fin) which is very small instead of a large fin on their back. This difference in body structures allows them to navigate thru the icy water with ease. Belugas have five things in common with humans which is breathing, mammary glands, hair, endotherms, and birth their young. They can submerge under water but must come up for air. They birth their young vaginally and nurse them as well. Beluga whales are born with hair along the tops of their head that allows the young to find their mother for nursing. Just like us they can maintain their body heat internally. You may even think they are speaking thru their mouth with their unique sound but it’s actually coming from their blow hole on top of their head which they also breath and eject water from.
Although they have predators such as polar bears, great white sharks and other sea monsters, their white color allows them to blend in with the ice. So you can see how global warming is affecting their safety.

Giraffes

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We all know that giraffes are the tallest land animals of all times. Giraffes can be found in within Central and South Africa. Primarily they live in the savanna areas in the sub-Saharan region of Africa.
They are herbivores which means they don’t eat meat. Like how innocent is that? Just lovely. They eat twigs and leaves but their most favorite tree would be an acacia tree. Of course their long neck makes it easy to rich the finest leaves that neither you nor me could reach stretching high standing on our tippy toes.
Even though they are very tall and can be quite dangerous when swinging their necks, lions still keep them in sight. Not many predators but a lion can compete with the challenge. However, baby giraffes have to stand clear of smaller predators like hyenas.

Bengal Tigers

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Bengal tigers can be found in India and tend to be called Indian tigers. There are numerous different types of tigers and Bengal is one of the most common. Over centuries they’ve played a major role in Indian tradition.
Bengal tigers are carnivore which means they eat meat. Its large sharp teeth make it perfect for eating and catching pray. They tend to eat monkeys, buffalo, deer, wild pigs, boars, and other large animals. They will travel for miles just to hunt. While hunting their distinctive coats works wonders for camouflage. I mean there’s no two tigers with the same exact stripes! Like how cool is that? Totally cool.
No animal is even capable of hunting an adult Bengal tiger. Of course a few other wild animals can cause harm, but it would mainly be upon an cub. Out of a number of potential predators common ones like wolves would be expected of such.