Species of the Day: Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus)

The Lammergeier, or Bearded Vulture is a species of vulture found in a vast range of environments. Gypaetus barbatus is found in the Alps of Europe, India, Africa and Tibet. This vulture is distinguished from old world vultures by its feathered neck/head (as opposed to the bald cranial regions typical of vultures). This vulture is usually recognized by its rust red colouration, however, the adult bird is actually mostly white. The rusty colour comes from the behaviour of dust bathing. The Lammergeier is also noted for having bristle-like feathers protruding from below its beak, hence the common english name, Bearded vulture.

The Lammergeier, like most vultures, lives almost exclusively off of carrion. Unlike most vultures, Gypaetus barbatus eats almost nothing but the bones of said carrion. Because the Bearded vulture cannot break large bones into digestible chunks with its beak, the Lammergeier has developed an extraordinary technique of bone destruction.

 The Lammergeier is famous for its habit of picking up heavy bones and flying high above piles of rocks. The vulture then drops the bones from heights of 50-150m onto the rock piles, where bones too large to swallow shatter into more appropriate sizes. The Lammergeier then swoops down and devours the small chunks of bone, absorbing the nutrients in the marrow.  Gypaetus barbatus can feed on bones up to 4kg (almost half its weight!) by using this specialized technique, and this method can take young vultures up to seven years to master. Although bone marrow makes up 85-90% of the Lammergeier's diet, the vulture has also been noted to use this technique on large live animals as well.

Watch the Lammergeier using this bone scavenging technique here:

Species of the Day: Pig-Nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta)

The Pig-Nosed Turtle is a freshwater turtle from northern Australia and New Guinea. The only living member of its genus, Carettochelys insculpta are unique in the world of river turtles. The Pig-Nosed Turtle, or Fly River turtle has fins instead of front feet, making it resemble a marine turtle. Carettochelys insculpta is named for its snout-like nose and front facing nostrils, which allow the turtle to take in air at the waters surface more easily.

The wild population of Pig-Nosed turtles have declined over 50% in the last thirty years for many reasons. Many are smuggled out of Indonesian New Guinea, destined for the exotic pet trade or the wildlife food markets of China.    

The Pig-Nosed turtle is an omnivore, eating fruits, vegetables, molluscs and crustaceans. Like many turtle species, Carettochelys insculpta reaches maturity late in life. Females don't reach breeding age until they are 18+ years old. This species is most remarkable for breeding strategy. They breed during the dry season and lay their eggs in sandy river banks. Remarkably the fully developed babies will not hatch until certain environmental conditions trigger the hatching process, but will rather stay in a hibernation state until ready. The Pig-Nosed turtles will only start to hatch when either the eggs are immersed in water or pressure drops significantly (signalling an approaching storm). This gives the hatchlings several advantages. Being nearly entirely aquatic, the turtles rely on the river for survival. Thus the flood induced hatching ensures the turtles will have a ready food source and also shelter in the environment they are most comfortable in. This strategy also ensures the clutch of eggs all hatch at the same time giving safety in numbers.

The following clip from David Attenborough's Life in Cold Blood illustrates this unique reproductive strategy very eloquently. Enjoy:

Species of the Day: Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana)

The Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) is a small primate endemic to the mountain forests of SW China. While the adults grow luxurious golden coats, the babies are covered in dense white fur.

 Living in frigid regions of the Sichuan province, this monkey lives mostly off of lichens. This species is endangered largely because of habitat loss. Moreover, it is because the Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey relies so heavily on lichen (which grows on trees, living and dead). When dead trees are found in the woods they are harvested by humans, thus removing a key nutritional source of this Chinese primate. 

One of the most adorable behavioural characteristics of this species is their habit of huddling for warmth while they sleep in frosty trees. The Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey lives in one of the coldest environments of a non-human primate. The following clip from Planet Earth illustrates their behaviour nicely:

Enrichment Day Success

Thanks to everyone who came out today to help us build some fun toys for the greyhounds. The staff of the clinical studies centre were very grateful and ensure us that the greyhounds will have some fun daily enrichment for the next while. Due to the success of todays meeting we will continue to have these enrichment building days in the future. Thanks again-

- A.P.P.L.E.

Enrichment Building Day

Hey Everyone,

Dog Enrichment Building Day is upon us! C'mon down with all your recyclables to room 112/112a right beside Micks in building 8106. We'll be watching some sweet documentaries and building dog toys from about 10:30am - 2pm so come by anytime between then. See you all tomorrow,

A.P.P.L.E

Species of the Day: Regal Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma solare)

This fascinating lizard is found in the deserts of Mexico and the American Southwest. This spiky predator lives almost solely off of ants. A voracious hunter, the Regal Horned Lizard can consume thousands of ants a day and up to 2500 in a single sitting. This small lizard burrows deep in the winter to escape the cold days while it spends summer days hunting in the heat. 

To warm up in the morning the Regal Horned Lizard buries itself neck deep in the sand and circulates all its bodies blood through its head into a sack behind the eyes. The horned lizards cold blood then warms up in the head, from where it is recirculated to the rest of the body. This way the Regal Horned Lizard can warm up its body without exposing more than its heavily armoured head. 

Phrynosoma solare also uses the blood sacks behind its eyes for one of the reptile world's most amazing defence mechanism. When threatened the Regal Horned Lizard shoots blood out of its eyes up to meters away with amazing accuracy. This video (although terribly narrated) demonstrates this ability very well. Enjoy:

Species of the Day: Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)

This strange Lemur hails from the kingdom of the Lemurs, Madagascar. Through the age old belief that the Aye-aye is an omen of death, coupled with recent pressures of deforestation this nocturnal lemur faces extinction. This large lemur fills the niche that a woodpecker would in North America and Europe by using it's specially adapted (elongated) third finger to probe inside trees for juicy grubs. This digit is much longer, thinner and more flexible than the other fingers.

(notice the Rodent-like teeth and thin, elongated 3rd digit)

For years no one knew how to classify the Aye-aye and scientists believed this primate was in fact a rodent! This was due to the Aye-aye's odd appearance and in particular it's large front teeth. These teeth are very efficient at demolishing wood. In fact, the Aye-aye has been known to chew through concrete and aluminum. Another distinguishing of this lemur is that it's nipples are located beside the genitals, rather than on the chest or in the armpits like most primates. Between its teeth, digits and nipples, the Aye-aye is a rather odd primate.

This nocturnal creature spends most of it's nights (upwards of 80%) searching for grubs. To find insect larvae in trees the Aye-aye uses it's specialized third digit to tap on trees, listening for hollow cavities and movement within. When prey has been located the Aye-aye chews a hole to expose the cavity and probes inside with it's long 3rd digit. This digit is then used to extract the tasty morsel. Here is a video that shows how the Aye-aye catches it's larval prey:

The Madagascar Fauna Group (MFG) is one of many organizations working to save the many endemic and globally unique species of Madagascar. Check out their website for more information about Lemur and other animal/environmental conservation actions taking place now.

http://www.savethelemur.org/