|
#
|
Species
[range]
|
Photo/art [see credits]
all photos taken in wild unless stated
|
Reason for choice
|
DR seen?
|
|
31
|
Dingiso Tree Kangaroo
Dendrolagus mbaiso
[w. New Guinea]
|
|
This partially terrestrial tree
kangaroo was just discovered in 1987. With a unique cultural history
that includes a taboo against killing it by the Moni people, it is
limited to forest and subalpine scrub in the Sudirman Range of w. New
Guinea, Indonesia. This boldly-patterned marsupial is hard to find even
in this remote corner of the world.
|
No
|
|
32
|
any Clouded Leopard
Neofelis nebulosa & N. diardi
[s.e. Asia]
|
|
Clouded Leopards might be
considered a bridge between the great cats and the small cats. They have a
gorgeous coat but are hardly ever seen in deep forests of s.e. Asia.
Both species, N. nebulosa of the mainland & N. diardi of Borneo/Sumatra, are primarily arboreal and nocturnal.
|
No
|
|
33
|
Giant Otter
Pteronura brasiliensis
[South America]
|
|
It is great fun to watch the
antics of any of the world's 13 otter species. I like sea otters (I can
see them daily where I live) but I am particularly attracted to
freshwater species. Giant Otter is the largest, is now considered
Threatened, and exists only in remote Amazonian Basin wilderness. A
fine choice indeed.
|
Yes
|
|
34
|
any Colugo
Galeopterus variegatus, Cynocephalus
volans
[s.e. Asia]
|
|
Often called "flying lemur,"
these are neither fly nor are lemurs. Rather, the two Colugos are
distinctive gliding mammals, like huge flying squirrels, but with a
head that resembles a small hornless deer. Bornean Colugo glides at
dusk in primary forests. Philippine Colugo is limited to a very few
Philippine islands.
|
Yes; 1 of 2
|
|
35
|
any Pangolin
Manis sp.
[Africa & s. Asia]
|
|
Pangolins are strange
'artichoke-animals' of Africa & s. Asia that feed on ants and
termites. Some of the 7-8 species are terrestrial, others arboreal, and
all are solitary with a social life dominated by scent. It is
incredible lucky to come upon any of them.
|
No
|
|
36
|
any Lion-Tamarin
Leontopitheus sp.
[coastal Brazil]
|
|
Lion-Tamarins are small,
marmoset-like monkeys of the Atlantic coastal forests of Brazil. The
four species are colorful, acrobatic, and serious endangered: Golden L.
rosalia (left), Golden-headed L. chrysomelas, Black L.
chrysopygus, and Superagui L. caissara. Some, like
Golden, can be found readily is isolated reserves.
|
No
|
|
37
|
Spectacled Bear
Tremarctos ornatus
[Andes of South America]
|
|
Sometimes called "Andean Bear,"
this is the only native bear in South America. It is probably the
world's most endangered bear. This shy, boldly-patterned bear, named
for the buff ring around each eye, is very difficult to see in Andean
foothills or adjacent rain forest.
|
Yes, 1 of 4
|
|
38
|
Numbat
Myrmecobius fasciatus
[w. Australia]
|
|
This diurnal marsupial is now
limited to s.w. Australia. It is shy and elusive in eucalyptus forests.
It feeds primarily on
termites, and requires a large home range. Once more widespread, predation by non-native foxes and
habitat loss have made it rare. See my Numbat page. |
Yes
|
|
39
|
any Sirenid
Dugong
Dugong dugong or any manatee Trichechidae
sp.
[tropical coasts]
|
|
The five species of family
Sirenia [sea-cows] are found in warm coastal waters. Dugong ranges from
e. Africa to s.e. Asia & Australasia. The 4 manatees are West
Indian T. manatus, Amazonian T.
inunguis and Dwarf T. bernhardi [both Amazon basin] and West African T. senegalensis.
Each is a real treat to observe in the wild.
|
Yes, 1 of 5
|
|
40
|
Platypus
Ornithorhynchus anatinus
[Australia]
|
|
The Platypus is not very
large but it is very, very strange. Males have a poison spur on the
hind leg. It is aquatic and lives in burrows, coming out to forage at
night. The marsupial adaptations in Australia are impressive, but this
Monotreme is downright weird...
|
Yes
|
